Combine four of the best Tanzania safari parks on this classical Northern Tanzania Wildlife Safari at an affordable price.
Experience spectacular Great Rift Valley scenery and the African plains teeming with wildlife on one of our most affordable Tanzania Safari Packages. From Arusha, head to Lake Manyara National Park to see tree-climbing lions and plenty of other animals and birds. Go on to view abundant wildlife in the Big 5 Ngorongoro Crater, before spending two full days on safari in the iconic Serengeti National Park. Lastly, explore the lesser-known gem of Tarangire National Park, home to large elephant herds and other wildlife.
Enjoy the full attention of your private driver-and-guide who will share expert knowledge about these outstanding African wildlife areas and stay in comfortable safari camps.
Your Northern Tanzania Wildlife Safari begins at Kilimanjaro International Airport in Arusha. Lying at the base of Mount Meru, Arusha is the gateway to the popular Northern Tanzania Safari Circuit as it is conveniently positioned close to the major national parks. It is a flourishing town with vibrant marketplaces, a rich cultural legacy, and modern facilities.
On arrival meet your driver-guide who will look after you throughout your Tanzania safari. Your guide will drive you to the African Tulip, our boutique hotel in a leafy area of Arusha. After checking in you will be briefed about the African safari ahead. The rest of the day is spent at your leisure, relaxing at the hotel or exploring busy Arusha.
After breakfast at the hotel in Arusha, your guide will drive you to Lake Manyara National Park, the first wildlife destination on our Tanzania Wildlife Safari.
Along the way, we stop for lunch at African Galleria near Karatu. Before we proceed to Lake Manyara, you'll have a chance to explore the gallery's rich collection of African art, antiques, artefacts, carvings, jewellery, gems and clothing.
This afternoon, we will arrive at Lake Manyara National Park and embark on our first exciting 4x4 game drive. The national park surrounds beautiful Lake Manyara which attracts diverse animals and birds. Your guide takes you in search of the legendary tree-climbing lions of Lake Manyara Park, among other animals. This scenic national park is home to abundant wildlife including elephants, buffaloes, giraffes, zebras, wildebeests, baboons, monkeys and hippos. The park is also a birding haven with over 400 bird species. In season, we may see large flocks of flamingoes and other waterbirds at Lake Manyara.
We explore the diverse ecosystems of this compact national park which protects a lush belt of grassy floodplains, wetlands and woodlands around Lake Manyara. After our rewarding game drive in Lake Manyara National Park, we head to the nearby Bougainvillea Safari Lodge for dinner and a laid-back evening.
Today our Tanzania Wildlife Safari takes us to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. After breakfast, your guide will drive you to the Ngorongoro Crater, located within the Ngorongoro Conservation Area.
We spend the morning exploring the Ngorongoro Crater, home to one of the highest wildlife densities in Africa. Our 4x4 game drive takes us down into the 260 km² (100 mi²) amphitheatre packed with an incredible diversity of wildlife. This massive crater was formed when an ancient volcano collapsed, creating the largest caldera in the world. The crater has surprisingly diverse habitats for its size, including plains, forests and lakes which support diverse animal and bird species.
Look out for the Big 5 of Africa (lion, rhino, leopard, buffalo and elephant) and almost every other animal species native to East Africa. Known as "Africa's Garden of Eden," Ngorongoro Crater boasts exceptionally high concentrations of wildlife, including vast herds of plains game, one of Africa's densest predator populations, and the critically endangered black rhino.
After our action-packed game drive in Ngorongoro Crater, we travel to Serengeti National Park.
Entering Tanzania's most famous wildlife park we enjoy a game drive to our tented camp in central Serengeti, stopping for a picnic lunch en route. The Serengeti is considered the best African safari destination, along with Masai Mara in Kenya. It is the largest national park in Tanzania covering 14,736 km² (5,690mi²) - almost 10 times the size of Masai Mara National Reserve. Sit back and admire the rolling savannahs safari dreams are made of, on your first game drive in the epic Serengeti National Park.
As the sun sets over the plains, settle in at the tented safari camp in the game-rich Seronera Valley of central Serengeti. The safari camp's dining area is a cosy tent where the camp's skilled chefs prepare delicious meals using fresh, locally sourced ingredients. There is also a lounge area where you can relax with a book from the library or a refreshing drink. Evenings at Serengeti Kati Kati Camp are spent by the campfire enjoying the serenity of the incredible Serengeti wilderness under starry skies.
Spend two thrilling days on safari in Serengeti National Park. Day 4 begins with an optional hot-air balloon safari (at extra cost) over the Serengeti plains. This hot air balloon ride in Serengeti provides unforgettable aerial views of the wildlife and open plains, making it a top African bucket list experience. Alternatively, you can start day 4 of your Tanzania Wildlife Safari with a memorable early morning game drive before returning to the safari camp for breakfast. After breakfast, you will embark on a full-day safari in the vast Serengeti Park. Your game drives explore the Seronera Valley region, famous for its abundant wildlife. At lunchtime, we pause for a picnic before continuing our Serengeti safari adventure.
On day 5 we have an early breakfast at the tented camp before setting off on our second full-day safari in Serengeti National Park. Named "Siringet" by the Maasai tribe, Serengeti means "Endless Plains", an accurate description as you'll discover.
In the peak safari season, you may get to witness the Great Migration. Serengeti borders the Ngorongoro Conservation Area to the east and Kenya's Masai Mara to the north, forming the main stomping grounds of the migration. This annual migration is known as the greatest wildlife show on earth with over a million wildebeests, zebras and antelopes migrating across the plains.
The Serengeti is however an exceptional African safari destination throughout the year. The park is renowned for its lions, hosting large prides of these African big cats. Other predators you may encounter on your game drives include leopards, cheetahs, hyenas, jackals and bat-eared foxes. Serengeti is also home to giraffes, buffaloes, elephants, and plains game such as eland, Thomson’s and Grant's gazelles, impala, topi, Kirk’s dik-dik, klipspringer, roan, gemsbok, oribi, and waterbuck. Over 500 bird species have been recorded in Serenegti, so birders will be enthralled. Species include Kori bustards, secretary birds, ostriches, lilac-breasted rollers, and an assortment of raptors, larks, finches and more.
In the evenings we return to the tented camp inside the national park for relaxing dinners and nights under the stars. Serengeti Kati Kati Camp is a seasonal camp that offers a true African safari experience in the heart of the Serengeti National Park. The solar-powered camp features spacious tents with comfortable beds, mosquito nets and en-suite bathrooms with bucket showers and eco-friendly flush toilets. These luxurious tents also feature a private veranda where you can enjoy the breathtaking views over the Serengeti plains.
On day 6 we enjoy an early breakfast before taking one last drive in Serengeti National Park as we exit. Then we drive to Tarangire National Park, the final safari destination of our Northern Tanzania Wildlife Safari.
Our drive takes us through the semi-arid savannahs of the scenic Great Rift Valley stopping for a hot lunch at a local restaurant en route. Later this afternoon we enter the less-visited Tarangire National Park and enjoy a game drive to our tented safari camp inside the game reserve.
Tarangire is an underrated gem on the Northern Tanzania Safari Circuit, offering a less crowded safari experience than the famous parks. Tarangire stretches from the Maasai Steppe plains in the southeast up to the Great Rift Valley lakes in the north and west. This 2600 km² (1004mi²) park hosts one of the largest concentrations of elephants in Africa (and the biggest elephant population in Tanzania). It is a beautiful wilderness area with diverse landscapes of granite hills, marshlands, woodlands and savannahs.
In the dry season, the Tarangire River is the only water source in the region that attracts abundant animals and birds. Tarangire National Park is home to 4 of the Big 5 of Africa, so keep your eyes peeled for these iconic animals while on safari here. The chances of seeing elephants and buffaloes are very high in Tarangire. Lions are commonly sighted in the park and with luck, you'll spot a leopard during our stay.
As the sun sets, we settle in at Tarangire Kati Kati Camp and enjoy a delicious dinner in the tranquil African bush.
On the final day of our Tanzania Wildlife Safari, we set off on an early morning game drive in Tarangire National Park.
We explore the grasslands and southern swamps of Tarangire in search of the animals and birds found here. Elephants and lions are regularly sighted, as well as herds of zebras, wildebeests and buffalos. Other commonly sighted animals include giraffes and hippos. You may also spot cheetahs and various antelope species such as eland, kudu, waterbuck, impala and hartebeest. Tarangire is also a rewarding birdwatching destination with over 400 bird species recorded, including Kori bustards, kingfishers, ostriches, lapwings, hoopoes, secretary birds, vultures and marabou storks.
After our last scenic game drive in Tarangire, we exit the park and return to Arusha. Our drive takes us north, then east as we gradually climb from 1050m in Tarangire to 1400m in Arusha, on the slopes of Mount Meru. In Arusha, you can shop for curios and enjoy lunch (at your own expense) before your guide drives you to the airport. Our Tanzania Wildlife Safari ends upon arrival at the Kilimanjaro International Airport where you catch your onward flight.
We recommend catching a domestic flight to Zanzibar Island to round off your Tanzania wildlife safari with a tropical beach vacation.
Throughout your Tanzania Safari, your knowledgeable driver-guide will be your companion and resource. They will share their expertise on the local wildlife, traditions, and history, ensuring a safe, comfortable, and unforgettable wildlife experience.
Flexibility: While the schedule offers a general structure, your guide will consider your preferences and adjust the timings whenever possible. The priority remains adhering to park regulations and ensuring safe travel within the time constraints. Your Tanzania safari guide will provide expert recommendations but is always open to hearing your interests.
All Northern Tanzania Wildlife Safari tours are conducted on a private departure basis. A minimum of 2 clients is needed to guarantee a tour departure.
The accommodation listed in this itinerary is subject to availability. Should the listed establishment not be available, a similar lodge of the same standard will be booked. This will be conveyed to you at the time of booking.
Transport is in a 4x4 Land Cruiser with a pop-up roof for optimal game viewing and photography. Each guest is guaranteed a window seat in the vehicle.
The cost of any optional activities will be confirmed on request.
This Northern Tanzania Wildlife Safari combines well with our 4-Day Zanzibar Beach Resort Package. Zanzibar Island, located off the coast of Tanzania, is renowned for its stunning white-sand beaches, crystal-clear turquoise waters, rich cultural heritage, and historic Stone Town, making it a paradise for relaxation and exploration. On the Zanzibar beach trip, you decide how much or how little you wish to do in this tropical paradise. The Zanzibar beach resort caters to all tastes with watersports, land-based activities, spa treatments, three beautiful restaurants, many bars, and various facilities. The resort is on a white-sand beach and features one of Zanzibar's largest swimming pools, complete with a pool bar. To learn more about Zanzibar Island, arrange excursions at the beach resort, which include spice tours and a visit to Stone Town, speak to your travel advisor to add one of our Zanzibar Tours to your Tanzania safari package.
Note that flight costs are not included in the Northern Tanzania Wildlife Safari and must be booked separately. Our friendly travel advisors can advise on your options and make bookings on your behalf through our flight partners.
Talk to one of our friendly travel experts if you would like us to arrange accommodation before and/or after your Tanzania safari package.
Please note that the Great Migration of Kenya’s Masai Mara & Tanzania’s Serengeti is seasonal. As a natural wildlife phenomenon, it is fluid and unpredictable. For this reason, it must be understood that seeing the Great Migration cannot be guaranteed.
The wildebeest and other wild herbivores migrate between Masai Mara in Kenya and Serengeti in Tanzania. These herds move in a massive circular route covering some 1200 miles (1931km). It is a continuous movement of wildlife that can be seen in different areas at different times of the year. During certain phases of this annual trek, the animals disperse or slow down, whilst at other times the migration picks up speed, with the herds becoming larger and denser. Not only does the Wildebeest Great Migration vary from place to place and season to season but the movement of these large wildlife herds varies from year to year.
Please talk to a travel expert from African Budget Safaris about seeing the Wildebeest Great Migration on your safari to find out more. Also, see our detailed article about the Great Migration in Serengeti and Masai Mara.
For up-to-date and confirmed pricing info for optional items, please drop us an enquiry.
This tour does take children.
Children below 2 years are complimentary
Children 3 – 12 years sharing with 2 adults pay 50% of the adult rate (up to 2 children only)
Children 3 – 12 years in their own room pay 75% of the adult rate
*Subject to availability
All Arusha Departures | All Northern Safari Circuit Tours |
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