Giraffes at Serengeti National Park in Tanzania

Tanzania’s Northern Safari Circuit: Tarangire, Ngorongoro, the Serengeti & Lake Manyara

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Customizable Itinerary

This is a sample itinerary to inspire a personalized trip designed with your travel specialist

Countries Visited

Tanzania

Places Visited

Tarangire National Park, Ngorongoro Conservation Area, Lake Manyara National Park, Serengeti National Park

Suggested Duration

10 Days

The northern Tanzanian safari circuit encompasses the epitome of an African adventure. Expansive savanna, vibrant wildlife, intriguing cultures and quintessential landscapes are incorporated into each moment on this adventure. Travel from the remote Tarangire National Park, through the Ngorongoro Crater and out towards the famed and incomparable plains of the Serengeti, as vibrant wildlife escorts you the entire way. Marvel at the Great...

Customizable Itinerary

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Trip Highlights

  • Weave and wander through the Great Wildebeest Migration, watching as they cross the magnificent Mara River (month dependent)
  • Traverse the Serengeti in search of Africa’s spectacular Big Five: lion, leopard, buffalo, elephant, and rhinoceros
  • Picnic beneath a baobab tree as large herds of elephants gracefully roam the horizon of Tarangire National Park
  • Sip a cocktail on the edge of the Ngorongoro Crater, as the sun dips below the horizon and the sky comes alive with color
  • Visit authentic Maasai villages, learning of their unique traditions and cultures through song, dance and community interactions
  • Unwind in the serene and tranquil Lake Manyara National Park, as lions climb in the trees around you

Detailed Description

Tanzania’s northern safari circuit combines quintessential African landscapes with the lesser-known corners of the country. Those who embark on this 10-day adventure through the national parks are exposed to the full variety of big game, vibrant birdlife, impossibly beautiful landscapes, curious cultures and thrilling wildlife encounters, all from the comfort of luxurious African safari lodges. Fresh cuisine inspired by local flavors, along with interesting décor created by the surrounding communities, ensures that all senses are touched on this Tanzanian adventure.

This tour begins in the shade of an ancient baobab trees in Tarangire National Park. Quiet, remote and rugged, this park is famed for its large herds of elephants and its unique landscape. The arid climate supports a number of species not seen elsewhere in the north, including the beisa oryx and the gerenuk. This dry landscape is perfectly complimented by time in the lush Ngorongoro Crater. Traverse the crater floor as leopards look onwards at the plentiful game grazing quietly beside the lake. Climb to the highlands for sweeping views of this volcanic landscape, allowing yourself to drift back millions of years, imagining what this landscape once was.

Of course, the crux of the tour exists on the sprawling, expansive and utterly perfect plains of the Serengeti. Days of safaris traveling alongside the Great Wildebeest Migration as hungry lionesses look onwards is, quite simply, the archetypal image of an African adventure. Spend days ambling across this surreal landscape with the aid of a private guide. Close encounters with classic species make days here an unforgettable part of the journey. However, the grandness of this thrilling environment is again wonderfully complimented by a few final moments on the tranquil shores of Lake Manyara National Park. Reflect on the broader journey from the shores of this alkaline lake as flamingos fly in the skies above, and lions counterintuitively climb trees in the forested woodland.

Ideal Travel Months

This safari spends considerable time in the Serengeti, in lodges perfectly positioned to observe the Great Wildebeest Migration. As such, we would recommend planning this trip between the months of November and June, when the herds are plentiful in the southern plains. Within this period, May and June offer the absolute best wildebeest viewing from Lobo Lodge. This period does, however, coincide with the busiest time in the Serengeti, and guests should be prepared for larger crowds.

If the Great Wildebeest Migration is not a focal point of your trip, it would be worth visiting between the months of July and October, when wildlife in Tarangire is most plentiful. Tarangire is a migratory park that is filled with migratory mammals and birds during this period.

Starting Price

$7,400 per person (excluding international flights)

Your Zicasso trip is fully customizable, and this sample itinerary is a starting place for your travel plans. Actual costs are dynamic, and your selection of accommodations and activities, your season of travel, and other such variables will bring this budget guideline up or down. Throughout your planning experience with your Zicasso specialist, your itinerary is designed around your budget. You can book your trip when you are satisfied with every detail. Planning your trip with a Zicasso travel specialist is a free service.

What's Included

  • Accommodations
  • In-country transportation
  • Some or all activities and tours
  • Expert trip planning
  • 24x7 support during your trip

Your final trip cost will vary based on your selected accommodations, activities, meals, and other trip elements that you opt to include.

Reviews of Zicasso's Referral Service

4.91 stars based on 424 reviews.

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