Classic Northern Circuit in five days: Tarangire, the big-cat plains of the Serengeti, a full descent into the Ngorongoro Crater, and the bird-rich forests of Lake Manyara. Shared 4×4 Land Cruiser with pop-up roof, expert guide, and your choice of lodges/tented camps or a value-friendly camping setup. No walking/hiking; game drives only. Optional balloon in Serengeti $590 pp.
Balanced route for sightings and sensible drive times. Lodges may vary by availability; we confirm on booking.
Pickup in Arusha; drive to Tarangire National Park, famous for elephant herds and sculptural baobabs. Game drive along the Tarangire River and Silale Swamp with picnic lunch, looking for elephants, lions, and diverse birdlife.
Overnight: Marera Valley Lodge or Country Lodge (Karatu).
Traverse the Ngorongoro highlands to Naabi Hill Gate and enter the Serengeti. Afternoon game drive across central plains and kopjes for resident lions, leopards in riverine trees, and cheetahs on the short-grass.
Overnight: Osinoni Tented Camp or Central Serengeti Heritage Camp. Optional hot-air balloon at dawn next day (extra $590 pp).
Dawn game drive for predators at first light, then continue with en-route viewing toward Naabi. Exit the park and travel back into the Ngorongoro Conservation Area for a cooler evening on the highlands.
Overnight: Ngorongoro Wild Camp or Ngorongoro Safari Lodge.
Early descent (~600 m) to the crater floor for one of Africa’s best single-day game drives—look for lion, buffalo, elephant, hyena and, with luck, black rhino. Picnic by hippo pools, then ascend to Karatu for the night.
Overnight: Twiga Lodge or Marera Valley Lodge.
Drive to Lake Manyara National Park: groundwater forest, hot springs, and lakeshore birdlife (often flamingos). Game drive with picnic lunch. Afternoon return to Arusha; hotel or airport drop-off included.
Notes: All drives are on established roads/tracks; no walking/hiking.