5-Day Tanzania Northern Circuit Safari — ready to book?
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5-Day Safari
5-Day Tanzania Northern Circuit Safari
- 5 days
- Northern Tanzania
- Private 4WD vehicle
- Mid-range accommodation
Overview:
The 5-day northern circuit covers all four of Tanzania's flagship parks — Tarangire, Lake Manyara, the Serengeti, and the Ngorongoro Conservation Area — in a single connected overland itinerary. Four nights sleeping inside national parks. The pace is steady rather than rushed: each destination gets sufficient time to experience both its character and its wildlife without feeling like a checkbox exercise. This is the most popular circuit length for first-time visitors to Tanzania who want a complete northern circuit experience without extending to a full week.
Trip Facts:
| Destinations | Tarangire + Lake Manyara + Serengeti + Ngorongoro |
| Duration | 5 days / 4 nights inside national parks |
| Accommodation | Mid-range tented camps & lodges |
| Vehicle | Private 4WD with pop-up roof |
| Departs from | Moshi or Arusha |
| Group size | Private or group joining |
| Best months | June–October; January–March |
| Price | Starting from $4,520 USD per person |
Price per person
Starting from $4,520 USD
Mid-range accommodation · price varies with group size
Day-by-Day Itinerary — 5-Day Tanzania Northern Circuit Safari
01
Day 1: Moshi → Tarangire National Park
- Tarangire NP
Depart Moshi after breakfast. Drive to Tarangire National Park and enter for an afternoon game drive. The Tarangire River runs through the park and concentrates wildlife during the dry season — elephant herds, lion, zebra, wildebeest, and over 550 bird species. Overnight at a mid-range tented camp inside or adjacent to the park.
02
Day 2: Tarangire → Lake Manyara National Park
- Lake Manyara NP
Morning game drive in Tarangire, then drive to Lake Manyara National Park (approximately 1.5 hours). Afternoon game drive in Manyara — the forest, floodplain, and lakeshore habitats pack exceptional biodiversity into a compact park. Known for tree-climbing lions, large elephant families, hippo pools, and flamingos on the alkaline lake. Overnight in a camp near Lake Manyara.
03
Day 3: Lake Manyara → Serengeti National Park
- Serengeti NP
Morning departure for the Serengeti (approximately 4 hours from Manyara, through the Ngorongoro highlands). Enter the Serengeti through Naabi Hill gate. Afternoon game drive in the Seronera area — the central Serengeti's highest year-round wildlife concentration. Lion, leopard, cheetah, elephant, giraffe, hippo, and vast wildebeest herds depending on the season. Overnight inside the Serengeti.
04
Day 4: Serengeti — Full Day Game Drives
- Serengeti NP
Full day in the Serengeti with morning and afternoon game drives. Dawn brings the best predator activity — lion hunts, cheetah stalking, and leopard in the acacia trees are most visible in the early light. The afternoon drive explores a different zone depending on wildlife movements reported by your guide. Overnight inside the Serengeti.
05
Day 5: Serengeti → Ngorongoro Crater → Moshi
- Ngorongoro Conservation Area
Early morning departure from the Serengeti for Ngorongoro. Descend into the world's largest intact volcanic caldera for a full crater floor game drive. Big Five wildlife, black rhino, flamingos, and the most concentrated predator population in Africa. Picnic lunch inside the crater. Ascend the rim and return to Moshi.
Included
Private 4WD safari vehicle with pop-up roof
Professional driver-guide for all game drives
All national park entry fees
Ngorongoro Crater vehicle fee
Concession fees for all nights inside parks
Mid-range tented camp or lodge accommodation (as itinerary)
All meals during the safari (full board inside parks)
Lunch box on Day 1
Drinking water throughout
Airport pickup and drop-off in Moshi/Arusha
Not Included
International flights
Tanzania visa fees
Personal travel and medical insurance (required)
Balloon safari (optional add-on — pricing on request)
Tips for driver-guide (expected — we advise on amounts)
Alcoholic beverages and personal spending
Any activities not listed in the itinerary
