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Safari · 5 days, 4 nights
5 Day Northern Tanzania Classic Safari Nature, Wildlife & Adventure
From Tarangire to the Mara River and back
- 5days
- Arushastarts
- 3places to stay
- $2,381per person, 2 travelling
Overview
Experience the wild beauty of northern Tanzania on this unforgettable safari journey. Begin your adventure with a drive from Arusha to Tarangire National Park, renowned for its large elephant herds, iconic baobab trees, and diverse wildlife along the Tarangire River. Continue from Karatu to Northern Serengeti National Park, arriving in the remote Kogatende area, famous for its vast open plains and the dramatic Great Wildebeest Migration and river crossings along the Mara River. Enjoy a full day exploring Northern Serengeti, offering excellent opportunities to encounter large herds of plains game, powerful predators, and rich birdlife. Your journey continues as you travel from the Northern Serengeti to Central Serengeti, where endless savannahs provide exceptional year-round wildlife viewing. The safari concludes with a memorable game drive in the breathtaking Ngorongoro Crater, a UNESCO World Heritage Site teeming with wildlife, before returning to Arusha.
- Tarangire NP
- Kogatende (North Serengeti)
- Central Serengeti
- Ngorongoro Crater
Best time to go
- Jan: quieter
- Feb: quieter
- Mar: quieter
- Apr: quieter
- May: quieter
- Jun: quieter
- Jul: prime time
- Aug: prime time
- Sep: prime time
- Oct: prime time
- Nov: quieter
- Dec: quieter
Meals included
4 breakfasts5 lunches4 dinners
Route
Arusha → Arusha
4 nights
Day by day
Scroll through the days and the map follows you. Tap a day number on the map to jump to it.
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Day 1: Arusha to Tarangire NP
Arusha → Tarangire NP → Karatu
Pick up from hotel in Arusha/Airport. Drive to Tarangire National Park (approx. 1 to 2 hours drive)
Enter Tarangire National Park. Tarangire is renowned for its large herds of elephants, often seen bathing in the Tarangire River. Look out for other wildlife such as giraffes, zebras, wildebeest, and occasionally cheetahs and leopards. With over 500 bird species, Tarangire offers excellent birdwatching opportunities. Keep an eye out for the vibrant, yellow-collared lovebird and the striking lilac- breasted roller. The park's landscape is dotted with ancient baobab trees and vast savannah plains, creating picturesque views throughout your game drives.
Picnic lunch in the park
Continue exploring Tarangire and spot more wildlife as you venture deeper into the park.
Drive to your hotel in Karatu for dinner and overnight.
Tonight you stay atEileen's Trees Inn Visit their website ↗ -
Day 2: Karatu to Northern Serengeti National Park
Karatu → Kogatende (North Serengeti)
Early breakfast at the lodge, start your drive to Northern Serengeti which takes approximately 8 hours. Drive through the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, Central Serengeti, en route to the North Mara Serengeti (Kogatende).
Picnic lunch en-route
Continue with transfer to North Serengeti with game viewing en route. This area is known for its river crossings during the Great Migration as well as resident wildlife like lions, elephants, and giraffes.
Drive to your hotel in Northern Serengeti for dinner and overnight.
Tonight you stay atSero Tented Camp Visit their website ↗ -
Day 3: Full day Northern Serengeti NP
Kogatende (North Serengeti)
Early breakfast at the camp followed by departure for a full day game drive in North Serengeti National Park (Kogatende area).
Picnic lunch.
Continue with an extended afternoon game drive in the North Serengeti (Kogatende area). The drive takes you through vast open plains, scenic riverbanks, and remote wilderness areas that are less crowded, offering excellent opportunities to observe diverse wildlife. This region is home to large herds of plains game as well as a healthy population of predators such as lions, leopards, and hyenas, along with elephants, giraffes, and a rich variety of birdlife.
Return to your camp in North Serengeti for dinner and overnight.
Tonight you stay atSero Tented Camp Visit their website ↗ -
Day 4: Northern Serengeti National Park to Central Serengeti NP
Kogatende (North Serengeti) → Central Serengeti
Early in the morning game drive across to Northern Serengeti.
Breakfast
Continue game viewing and transfer to central Serengeti.
Picnic lunch in Serengeti
Continue game viewing in Central Serengeti NP.
Dinner and overnight at the camp in Central Serengeti NP.
Tonight you stay atNarudi Tented Camp Visit their website ↗ -
Day 5: Serengeti NP / Ngorongoro Crater / Arusha
Central Serengeti → Ngorongoro Crater → Arusha
Early breakfast.
Drive to Ngorongoro Crater, about 3-4 hours' drive. Scenic views of the Ngorongoro Crater rim.
Full-day game viewing in the Ngorongoro Crater, with the high concentration of wildlife Including Lion, elephant, hippos, flamingos at the crater lake, diverse bird species, and stunning landscapes.
Picnic lunch inside the crater.
Ascend the Crater and drive to Arusha for drop-off at your hotel or Airport, approximately a 3-4hour drive.
Where you will stay
1 night
2 nights
1 nightPrices
In US dollars, per person. The more of you travel together, the less each person pays.
| Start dates | Solo1 room | 2 people1 room | 3 people2 rooms | 4 people2 rooms | 5 people3 rooms | 6 people3 rooms |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jul 1, 2026 - Oct 31, 2026 | $3,512 | $2,381 | $2,107 | $1,896 | $1,829 | $1,735 |
| Jul 1, 2027 - Oct 31, 2027 | $3,506 | $2,385 | $2,122 | $1,911 | $1,847 | $1,753 |
What is included
Included
- All transportation (including pick up from JRO on arrival and drop off at hotel in Arusha on last day)
- All accommodation as specified in the plan
- All meals (as specified in the plan)
- Drinking water (all day)
- Activities as per plan.
- Service of English-speaking driver guide
- Park and activities fees
- Taxes/VAT
Not included
- International flights
- Personal Items (Souvenirs, travel insurance, visa etc)
- Tips (Tipping guidelines usd 10 pp per day)
- Accommodation before start of the tour and at the end of the tour (can be arranged at extra cost)
- Mandatory tourism insurance fee of USD 44 per person (payable upon checking in at the Airport)
Your safari vehicle
Photos of the FIF safari vehicles you will travel in, with your English-speaking driver guide.
Gallery
Book this trip
Tell us your dates and how many are travelling. We confirm availability and send you an invoice with every detail.
Booking terms
50% deposit to confirm, balance at the start of the safari or by bank transfer a week before. Card or PayPal payments carry the handling fee (usually 5–8%).
Read the full terms and conditions (PDF)You may also like
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Elephant country, then the crater
- Jan: good. Arusha national park: Discover diverse landscapes, including lush forests, craters, and Mount Meru. Tarangire National Park: Experience the wonders of Tarangire's vast elephant herds and diverse wildlife. Ngorongoro Crater: Explore the Ngorongoro Crater, a natural enclosure teeming with diverse wildlife.
- Feb: good. Tarangire National Park: Witness Tarangire's impressive elephant herds and diverse wildlife. Ngorongoro Crater: Explore the world's largest intact volcanic caldera, home to diverse wildlife.
- Mar: good. Tarangire National Park: Witness a high concentration of elephants and vibrant birdlife. Ngorongoro Crater: Explore the unique caldera teeming with wildlife.
- Apr: good. Tarangire National Park: Witness massive elephant gatherings in Tarangire. Ngorongoro Crater: Spot the Big Five in the Ngorongoro Crater, surrounded by a lush ecosystem.
- May: good. Tarangire National Park: Witness massive elephant gatherings in May. Ngorongoro Crater: Experience Big Five encounters in a unique crater.
- Jun: good. Tarangire National Park: Witness remarkable elephant gatherings and diverse wildlife. Ngorongoro Crater: June is perfect for spotting the Big Five in the Ngorongoro Crater.
- Jul: good. Tarangire National Park: Witness grand elephant gatherings and diverse wildlife. Ngorongoro Crater: July is ideal for spotting the Big Five in the Ngorongoro Crater.
- Aug: good. Tarangire National Park: Experience extraordinary elephant gatherings and diverse wildlife. Ngorongoro Crater: Experience the Big Five and breathtaking crater views.
- Sep: good. Arusha national park: September offers an opportunity to explore the park's diverse landscapes, including the Momella Lakes and Mount Meru. Tarangire National Park: Witness extraordinary elephant gatherings and diverse wildlife. Ngorongoro Crater: Encounter the Big Five in the Ngorongoro Crater amid comfortable conditions.
- Oct: good. Arusha national park: October continues to unveil Arusha National Park's diverse landscapes, including the Momella Lakes and Mount Meru. Tarangire National Park: Witness large elephant gatherings and a multitude of wildlife in October. Ngorongoro Crater: October continues to provide remarkable opportunities for Big Five sightings in the Ngorongoro Crater.
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- Dec: good. Arusha national park: December offers an opportunity to explore the park's diverse landscapes, including the Momella Lakes and Mount Meru. Tarangire National Park: Witness remarkable elephant gatherings and diverse wildlife in December. Ngorongoro Crater: December invites you to spot the Big Five in the Ngorongoro Crater amid mild weather.
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- Feb: good. Serengeti National Park: Witness the Great Migration, with wildebeest calving in the southern Serengeti.
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- Jul: good. Serengeti National Park: Witness the Great Migration's climax, a wildlife spectacle.
- Aug: good. Serengeti National Park: Witness the Great Migration in full swing, including river crossings.
- Sep: good. Arusha national park: September offers an opportunity to explore the park's diverse landscapes, including the Momella Lakes and Mount Meru. Serengeti National Park: September continues the Great Migration spectacle, with herds on the move.
- Oct: good. Arusha national park: October continues to unveil Arusha National Park's diverse landscapes, including the Momella Lakes and Mount Meru. Serengeti National Park: October welcomes you with the Great Migration, offering superb wildlife viewing.
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- Dec: good. Arusha national park: December offers an opportunity to explore the park's diverse landscapes, including the Momella Lakes and Mount Meru. Serengeti National Park: December unveils wildlife wonders as the herds gather for the Great Migration's calving season.