The Plains and the Crater
7 Day Northern Circuit Safari from Arusha, Tanzania
Private Safari  |  Three Parks, Three Nights Serengeti  |  Comfortable Lodge Accommodation  |  All Park Fees and Meals Included  |  Hotel Pickup from Arusha
The Full Northern Circuit is a 7 day northern circuit safari from Arusha covering Tanzania’s three most important wildlife parks: Tarangire National Park, the Ngorongoro Crater, and the Serengeti. Tarangire for the elephants and the baobabs. Ngorongoro for the crater and the density. Serengeti for the plains, the predators, and the scale of it all. Seven days is the right amount of time to do all three without rushing any of them.
This is a private safari. You travel with one guide, in your own vehicle, with an itinerary built around your dates. Most operators add Lake Manyara as a fourth park to fill the week. We do not. Three parks done properly is better than four parks done quickly. Accommodation is in comfortable mid-range lodges and tented camps, chosen for their location relative to the wildlife rather than their proximity to a main road.
Trip at a Glance
| Duration | 7 days / 6 nights |
|---|---|
| Destination | Tarangire National Park, Ngorongoro Crater, Serengeti National Park |
| Starts | Arusha town or Kilimanjaro International Airport |
| Ends | Arusha town or Kilimanjaro International Airport |
| Group type | Private. Your group only, no shared vehicles |
| Accommodation | Comfortable mid-range lodges and tented camps throughout |
| Meals | All breakfasts, lunches and dinners from Day 1 dinner to Day 7 breakfast |
| Park fees | All Tarangire, Ngorongoro and Serengeti fees included |
| Transport | Private 4×4 safari vehicle with pop-up roof |
| Best season | June to October (dry season). July to September for migration crossings |
| Also good | January to March for calving season and fewer crowds |
| Trip price | From $1,980 per person (based on 2 people sharing) |
What This Safari is About
This 7 day northern circuit safari from Arusha covers the three parks that define Tanzania’s wildlife reputation. Each one is genuinely different from the others. That variety, across a single week, is what makes this the most complete safari available from Arusha.
Tarangire is open savannah with a permanent river that becomes the only water source in the region during the dry season. The result is one of the highest concentrations of elephants anywhere in Africa, gathered around the river in herds that can number in the hundreds. The ancient baobab trees give the park a look unlike anywhere else on the circuit. Game drives here feel different from the Serengeti: denser bush, more intimate sightings, a slower pace.
Ngorongoro is a collapsed volcano that sealed an entire ecosystem inside its walls three million years ago. The crater floor covers 260 square kilometres and is enclosed on all sides by a 600 metre rim. Because the animals rarely leave, every major species is present and the density of predators is among the highest in Africa. A morning on the crater floor covers more ground in terms of species diversity than almost anywhere else on the continent.
The Serengeti is where the scale of Tanzania finally becomes clear. It covers nearly 15,000 square kilometres of open grassland, and the animal populations move across it according to season. Three nights in the Serengeti gives you two full days of game drives without the pressure of needing to see everything in one pass. Your guide knows where the wildlife is concentrated on the days of your visit and adjusts the route accordingly.
The itinerary runs west across the circuit: Tarangire first, then through Karatu and Ngorongoro, then deeper into the Serengeti. On the return, you drive back through the Ngorongoro highlands to Arusha. This is the most logical route and the one that wastes the least time on the road.
Day By Day Itinerary
DAY 1 : Arrival and Overnight in Arusha
Settle in and meet your guide
Your guide meets you at Kilimanjaro International Airport or your Arusha hotel. This day is kept clear intentionally. A seven-day safari starts better when you are rested.
In the evening your guide goes through the full week with you: each park, the timing, what to watch for, and anything specific you are hoping to see. If you have questions about the route or the wildlife, this is the right time to ask.
Overnight: Kibo Palace HotelÂ
or alternative.
DAY 2 : Arusha to Tarangire National Park
Early departure from Arusha. The drive to Tarangire is about two hours. You enter the park mid-morning for a full day of game drives.
The Tarangire River runs through the centre of the park and during the dry season it draws animals from across the surrounding Maasai steppe. Elephant herds gather here in numbers that are hard to anticipate until you see them. Your guide explains the movement patterns, the herd structures, and why the baobab trees are as important to the ecosystem as the river itself.
Picnic lunch inside the park, then afternoon game drives before exiting in the early evening and driving one hour to your lodge in Karatu.
DAY 3 :Ngorongoro Crater
Early breakfast, then a short drive to the Ngorongoro Conservation Area gate. The road climbs through forest to the crater rim. Your first view is 600 metres straight down into a closed world of grassland, lakes, and river channels.
A full morning game drive on the crater floor. Black rhino, lion, spotted hyena, elephant, buffalo, hippo, and flamingo on the soda lakes are all regularly seen. Your guide explains the crater ecology as you move: which species occupy which zones and why the volcanic geology created this concentration of life.
Picnic lunch on the crater floor. After lunch you ascend, pass through the Ngorongoro highlands, and make the long drive west into the Serengeti, arriving at your tented camp in the late afternoon.
DAY 4 : Full Day in the Serengeti
Two game drives: early morning while predators are still active from the night, and late afternoon when the heat drops and movement increases again. Midday at camp with a packed lunch.
Where in the Serengeti depends on the season. Your guide has current information on wildlife movements before you set out and adjusts the route accordingly. Likely sightings: lion, leopard, cheetah, elephant, giraffe, buffalo, zebra, wildebeest, and a wide range of bird species.
DAY 5 : Second Full Day in the Serengeti
Your guide takes a different route today, often moving to a different zone of the park. The central Seronera valley is rich in predators due to its permanent river system. The Western Corridor and Northern Serengeti offer different terrain and, in the right months, migration crossings at the Mara River.
By the second full day in the Serengeti you are more familiar with the landscape and how to read what is happening in front of you. The guide-guest conversation is usually at its best on this day.
DAY 6 : Third Day in the Serengeti, then Return East
A final early morning game drive before breakfast. After a full breakfast at camp you pack up and begin the drive back east through the Ngorongoro highlands toward Karatu.
The drive takes three to four hours. You arrive in Karatu in the early afternoon with time to rest, explore the highland town, or visit the nearby Iraqw cultural sites if time and interest allow..
DAY 7 : Karatu to Arusha
Breakfast at the lodge, then a two-hour drive back to Arusha. Your guide drops you at your hotel, at Arusha airport for a local flight to Zanzibar, or Kilimanjaro International Airport according to your travel plans.
If your flight departs in the evening there is time in Arusha. Your guide can suggest where to stop.
A note on the Great Migration
The Great Migration involves approximately 1.5 million wildebeest moving in a continuous annual circuit between the Serengeti and Kenya’s Masai Mara. It is present somewhere in the Serengeti ecosystem throughout the year.
The famous Mara River crossings happen primarily between July and September in the Northern Serengeti. If you are visiting in that window your itinerary will be positioned toward the north. The calving season in the Southern Serengeti runs from January to March and brings the highest concentration of predators of any period in the year. Your guide will tell you exactly what to expect for your specific dates.
Price $1,980 per person (based on 2 people sharing)
What is Included
- Private 4×4 safari vehicle with pop-up roof for all game drives
- All park and conservation area entrance fees for Tarangire, Ngorongoro and Serengeti
- 6 nights accommodation in comfortable mid-range lodges and tented camps
- All meals from dinner on Day 1 in Arusha through breakfast on Day 7
- Bottled water in the vehicle throughout
- Ngorongoro Crater descent and ascent vehicle fees
- Hotel pickup and drop-off in Arusha or Kilimanjaro International Airport
- All fuel and vehicle running costs
- Professional guide fees
- Wildlife briefings and explanations throughout every game drive
What is Excluded
- International flights to and from Tanzania
- Travel insurance (required, we strongly recommend comprehensive cover)
- Arusha hotel on Day 1 (we can recommend options at your level)
- Alcoholic beverages and drinks beyond bottled water
- Gratuities for your guide (standard is $15 to $20 per day, at your discretion)
- Optional hot air balloon safari over the Serengeti (can be arranged on request)
- Personal items, medication, and laundry
Best Time to Visit
The best time to take a 7 Day Northern Circuit Safari depends on what you most want to see.
| Period | Conditions | Recommended |
|---|---|---|
| June to October | Dry season. Vegetation low, animals concentrate near water. Peak game viewing. Migration crossings in the north July to September. | Strongly recommended |
| July to September | Peak Mara River crossing season. High demand: book accommodation at least 4 months in advance. | Best for migration |
| January to March | Calving season in Southern Serengeti. Massive predator activity. Fewer tourists and lower prices than peak season | Excellent |
| April to May | Long rains. Some roads become difficult. Lodges offer reduced rates. Landscape is green and dramatic. | Budget option |
Practical Information
Fitness level:Â Easy to moderate. All game drives are in a 4×4 vehicle. No walking required. Long driving days on Day 3 and Day 6 are the most tiring parts of the trip.
Group size:Â Private only. You travel with your own group. We do not combine guests from different bookings.
Minimum age:Â No formal minimum. Families with children are welcome. We adjust pace and explanations accordingly.
What to bring:Â Lightweight neutral-coloured clothing, a warm layer for early morning drives and evenings in the Serengeti, sunscreen, sunglasses, binoculars if you have them, and a camera with zoom capability.
Currency:Â US dollars are widely accepted. Local currency is useful in Arusha and Karatu.
Visa:Â Most nationalities require a visa. Apply online at immigration.go.tz at least two weeks before travel.
Vaccinations:Â Yellow fever certificate required if arriving from an endemic country. Malaria prophylaxis strongly recommended for the Serengeti zone.
Communication:Â Good mobile signal in Arusha and Karatu. Limited or no signal in the Serengeti. Your guide carries a satellite communication device for emergencies.
Got Questions?
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does this itinerary not include Lake Manyara?
Most operators include Lake Manyara on a 7 day northern circuit safari to fill the schedule. We do not, and the reason is simple: three parks done properly is a better experience than four parks done quickly. Tarangire, Ngorongoro, and the Serengeti each deserve the time this itinerary gives them. Lake Manyara is a good park and we can build a separate itinerary that includes it if that is what you want. But it does not belong here at the cost of Serengeti time.
Will I see the Great Migration on this 7 day northern circuit safari?
It depends on when you visit. The wildebeest herds are somewhere in the Serengeti throughout the year. The Mara River crossings happen between July and September in the northern Serengeti. If you are visiting in that window your itinerary positions toward the north. If you are outside that window the wildlife is still exceptional. The calving season from January to March is one of the most dramatic periods in the Serengeti calendar and is less crowded than peak season. Your guide will tell you exactly what to expect for your dates before you confirm
Is 7 days the right amount of time for the Northern Circuit?
Seven days gives you two full days in the Serengeti, a full morning in the Ngorongoro Crater, and a full day in Tarangire without rushing any of them. It is the minimum we recommend for this combination of parks. A 5 day version is possible but the Serengeti portion becomes too short to be meaningful. A 9 or 10 day version is better if you want to explore additional Serengeti zones or include a Zanzibar extension. Seven days is the standard for a reason.
Can this safari start from Moshi instead of Arusha?
It can. Moshi is 90 minutes from Arusha on good road, and your guide can collect you directly from Moshi. For a 7 day safari the extra driving time is manageable. If you are combining with a Kilimanjaro climb you will likely be based in Moshi for that part of the trip, and we can plan the safari as a continuation from there.
Can I combine this safari with Zanzibar?
Yes, and it is one of the most popular combinations in Tanzania. Zanzibar is a one-hour flight from Kilimanjaro International Airport. Most guests do the safari first and Zanzibar second, so they end the trip on the coast. We can help you plan the sequence and timing. The flights are straightforward and relatively inexpensive when booked in advance.
Is Watoky Safaris right for my budget?
Watoky Safaris is designed for mid-range travellers who want a well-organised, private safari with comfortable accommodation and good guiding, without paying luxury lodge prices. Our 7 day northern circuit safari from Arusha starts at $1,980 per person for two people sharing and includes all park fees, meals, comfortable lodges and tented camps, and private transport throughout. If you are looking for the cheapest group safari on the Northern Circuit, we are probably not the right fit. If you want a trip that is worth every day you spend on it, we are.
How do I pay and what is the cancellation policy?
A 30 percent deposit confirms your booking. The balance is due 60 days before departure. We accept bank transfer and major card payments. Cancellations more than 60 days before departure receive a full refund of the deposit minus transfer fees. Cancellations within 60 days are subject to accommodation cancellation policies which vary by property. Full written details are provided before you confirm anything.
Practical Information
Fitness level:Â Moderate. Game drives involve sitting for extended periods in a 4×4. Some crater descent roads are steep and unpaved. No walking required beyond your lodge.
Group size:Â This is a private safari. You travel only with your own group. We do not combine guests from different bookings.
Minimum age:Â No formal minimum age. Families with children are welcome. We will adjust the pace and explanations accordingly.
What to bring:Â Lightweight neutral-coloured clothing, a warm layer for early morning drives, sunscreen, sunglasses, binoculars if you have them, and a camera with a zoom lens if possible.
Currency:Â US dollars are widely accepted in Tanzania for safari payments, tips, and souvenirs. Local currency (Tanzanian shillings) is useful in Arusha.
Visa:Â Most nationalities require a visa to enter Tanzania. Electronic visas (e-visa) are available online at immigration.go.tz. Apply at least two weeks before travel.
Vaccinations:Â Yellow fever vaccination is required if arriving from a yellow fever endemic country. Malaria prophylaxis is strongly recommended. Consult your travel health clinic before travel.
Communication:Â Mobile phone signal is available in Arusha and in parts of the Serengeti near the main camps. Signal is absent in remote areas of the park. Your guide has a satellite communication device for emergencies.
Start Planning 7 Day Northern Circuit Safari
If you have read this far, you have a good sense of what this trip looks like. Send us your dates and group size and we will put together the exact itinerary and cost for you. No obligation, we just want to make sure you have everything you need to decide. After submitting your form, you will be speaking with appointed guide directly, not a booking agent.
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