5-Day Northern Circuit Safari & Fly-out to Zanzibar

A classic Northern Circuit safari ending with a bush flight straight to the beaches of Zanzibar.

Duration

5 Days

From

$2,000 pp

Style

Private journey

Overview

Five days that pair the best of Tanzania's Northern Safari Circuit with an Indian Ocean finish. You'll game-drive the elephant herds of Tarangire, descend into the Ngorongoro Crater, and spend two nights inside the Serengeti at Lala Salama Luxury Camp before a short bush flight lifts you out of the Serengeti and lands you on the white sand of Zanzibar Island. Perfect for travellers who want the full safari experience and a seamless transfer to the beach.

Highlights

  • Tarangire National Park and its famous elephant herds and baobabs
  • Ngorongoro Crater game drive with a chance of black rhino
  • Two nights inside the Serengeti at Lala Salama Serengeti Luxury Camp
  • Optional hot air balloon safari over the Serengeti plains
  • Bush flight from the Serengeti direct to Zanzibar Island
  • Private safari with an experienced Serengeti Wakanda guide

Day-by-day itinerary

Sample programme. Every journey is private and can be paced or extended to suit you.

1

Arrival in Arusha

Upon arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport, you will be warmly welcomed by your Serengeti Wakanda representative and transferred to your accommodation in Arusha. After check-in, relax and recover from your journey. Depending on your arrival time, you may have the opportunity to explore a little of Arusha or simply enjoy a quiet evening before your safari begins. Overnight at Forest Hill Hotel, Arusha.

Your safari begins the moment you walk out of Kilimanjaro International Airport. A Serengeti Wakanda guide is waiting with your name on a board and the words every traveller wants to hear: karibu Tanzania, welcome to Tanzania.

We transfer you to your lodge in the Arusha foothills, where you can shower, change into safari clothes and settle in. Your driver-guide joins you for a relaxed welcome dinner, walks through tomorrow's plan in detail and answers every last question. An early night sets you up for the days ahead.

Dinner~50 km, 1 hr from JRO to Arusha

Today's plan

  • Meet & greet at Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO)
  • Private transfer to your Arusha lodge (about 1 hour)
  • Trip briefing with your driver-guide over dinner
  • Time to rest, swap currency and adjust to the time zone

Where you sleep tonight

Forest Hill Hotel

Forest Hill Hotel

Boutique hotel in Arusha

Tarangire National Park

Day 2 · Tarangire National Park

Arusha to Tarangire National Park

After breakfast, depart Arusha and drive towards Tarangire National Park, one of Tanzania's most scenic wildlife destinations. Tarangire is famous for its enormous elephant herds, ancient baobab trees and the seasonal Tarangire River, which attracts large numbers of wildlife. Enjoy a full guided game drive searching for elephants, lions, giraffes, zebras, wildebeest, buffalo and numerous bird species. In the afternoon, continue towards Karatu for a relaxing evening at your lodge. Overnight at Moonbow Lodge.

Tarangire is the elephant capital of northern Tanzania. In the dry season the Tarangire River is the only permanent water for miles, and herds of up to 250 elephants come down to drink, calves tumbling between their mothers' legs.

You spend the day on a private game drive through baobab-studded floodplains: lions resting in the shade, giraffe browsing acacia tops, fringe-eared oryx and the strange dwarf mongoose colonies. We pack a hot picnic lunch so you can stay in the park while the light is good.

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner~150 km from Arusha, ~3 hrs

Today's plan

  • Full-day private 4×4 game drive in Tarangire
  • Picnic lunch overlooking the Tarangire River
  • Photograph the giant baobabs and elephant herds
  • Sundowner back at camp with the sounds of the bush

Where you sleep tonight

Moonbow Lodge

Moonbow Lodge

Boutique lodge in Karatu

Central Serengeti (Seronera)

Day 3 · Central Serengeti (Seronera)

Ngorongoro Crater Game Drive & Transfer to Serengeti

After an early breakfast, drive to the Ngorongoro Conservation Area and descend into the spectacular Ngorongoro Crater for a guided game drive. Often described as one of Africa's greatest wildlife destinations, the crater shelters lions, elephants, buffalo, hippos, zebras, wildebeest, hyenas and, with some luck, the endangered black rhinoceros. After exploring the crater floor, ascend and enjoy a transfer game drive towards the Serengeti, spotting wildlife along the way. Arrive at your camp in the Serengeti for dinner and a relaxing overnight stay. Overnight at Lala Salama Serengeti Luxury Camp.

The Seronera valley is the heart of the Serengeti and a year-round game-viewing area. Permanent water, rocky kopjes and short-grass plains create the highest density of big cats in Africa: roughly 1 lion per 10 km², and the best leopard sightings on the circuit.

Mornings start before sunrise to catch the cats while they are still active; midday is a slow picnic in the shade of an acacia. In the afternoon we work the riverine fig trees for leopards and the kopjes for resting prides. Distances are long but every stop is worth it.

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner~145 km from Ngorongoro gate, ~3.5 hrs in-park

Today's plan

  • Dawn departure for prime cat activity
  • Picnic lunch on a Seronera kopje
  • Search the fig trees for leopards
  • Optional hot-air balloon safari at sunrise (extra)

Where you sleep tonight

Lala Salama Serengeti Luxury Camp

Lala Salama Serengeti Luxury Camp

Luxury tented camp, Central Serengeti

Central Serengeti (Seronera)

Day 4 · Central Serengeti (Seronera)

Full Day in Serengeti National Park

Wake up in the heart of the Serengeti and set out for an early morning game drive as the sun rises over the plains. Spend a full day exploring one of the most wildlife-rich areas of the park, with excellent opportunities to spot lions, cheetahs, leopards, elephants, giraffes and large herds of plains game. For an added cost, you have the option to elevate your morning with a breathtaking hot air balloon safari over the Serengeti. After a picnic lunch in the wilderness, continue your afternoon game drive before returning to camp for dinner and a restful overnight stay. Overnight at Lala Salama Serengeti Luxury Camp.

The Seronera valley is the heart of the Serengeti and a year-round game-viewing area. Permanent water, rocky kopjes and short-grass plains create the highest density of big cats in Africa: roughly 1 lion per 10 km², and the best leopard sightings on the circuit.

Mornings start before sunrise to catch the cats while they are still active; midday is a slow picnic in the shade of an acacia. In the afternoon we work the riverine fig trees for leopards and the kopjes for resting prides. Distances are long but every stop is worth it.

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner~145 km from Ngorongoro gate, ~3.5 hrs in-park

Today's plan

  • Dawn departure for prime cat activity
  • Picnic lunch on a Seronera kopje
  • Search the fig trees for leopards
  • Optional hot-air balloon safari at sunrise (extra)

Where you sleep tonight

Lala Salama Serengeti Luxury Camp

Lala Salama Serengeti Luxury Camp

Luxury tented camp, Central Serengeti

Central Serengeti (Seronera)

Day 5 · Central Serengeti (Seronera)

Serengeti Game Drive & Fly Out to Zanzibar

Enjoy one last early morning game drive in the Serengeti, soaking in the sights and sounds of the African bush at dawn. After breakfast, you will be transferred to the nearest Serengeti airstrip for a scheduled bush flight direct to Zanzibar Island, where your Serengeti Wakanda safari concludes and your beach extension begins.

The Seronera valley is the heart of the Serengeti and a year-round game-viewing area. Permanent water, rocky kopjes and short-grass plains create the highest density of big cats in Africa: roughly 1 lion per 10 km², and the best leopard sightings on the circuit.

Mornings start before sunrise to catch the cats while they are still active; midday is a slow picnic in the shade of an acacia. In the afternoon we work the riverine fig trees for leopards and the kopjes for resting prides. Distances are long but every stop is worth it.

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner~145 km from Ngorongoro gate, ~3.5 hrs in-park

Today's plan

  • Dawn departure for prime cat activity
  • Picnic lunch on a Seronera kopje
  • Search the fig trees for leopards
  • Optional hot-air balloon safari at sunrise (extra)

Route map

5-Day Northern Circuit Safari & Fly-out to Zanzibar, route

Loading route map...
  1. 1

    Day 1

    Arusha

  2. 2

    Day 2

    Tarangire National Park

  3. 3

    Days 3-4

    Serengeti National Park

  4. 4

    Day 5

    Zanzibar

What makes this trip special

Private journey

Your own vehicle, guide and pace, no shared safari.

Local expertise

Designed and led by Tanzanians who grew up beside these parks.

Photo-friendly

Pop-top vehicles, beanbags on request and unrushed stops at every sighting.

Good to know

Everything you need to plan, pack and travel with confidence.

Best time to travel

Year-round. Peak game viewing runs June to October, when the bush is dry and animals concentrate around water. January to March is the dramatic green season, with wildebeest calving in southern Serengeti and excellent predator action. November is a brief shoulder month with low prices and lush landscapes.

Group size

Designed for 2 to 6 guests in a private 4×4 Land Cruiser with a guaranteed window seat for everyone. Families, honeymooners and small friend groups are our sweet spot. Larger parties travel in additional vehicles, never with strangers.

Physical rating

Easy. Days are spent in the vehicle with comfortable lodge or tented camp accommodation. Optional walking safaris are graded separately and require basic fitness.

Getting there

Fly into Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO), which is served by KLM, Qatar, Turkish, Ethiopian, Kenya Airways and Precision Air. We meet you at the gate and handle every transfer for the rest of the trip.

Visa & entry

USD 50 single-entry e-visa for most nationalities, applied for online at eservices.immigration.go.tz at least two weeks before travel. US passport holders need the USD 100 multiple-entry visa.

Currency & payments

US dollars (post-2009 bills only) are widely accepted; Tanzanian shillings for small purchases. Major lodges accept Visa and Mastercard but a small surcharge may apply.

Electricity

230 V, UK-style three-pin plugs (Type G). Most camps have charging in the main area; bring a universal adapter.

Connectivity

4G coverage across Arusha and Zanzibar, intermittent in the Serengeti and Ngorongoro. Most lodges have Wi-Fi in the main lounge. A local Vodacom or Airtel SIM is cheap and easy to buy at the airport.

Tipping guidance

A guideline, not an obligation. Around USD 25 per guest per day for your driver-guide and USD 10 per day for lodge staff (collective tip box). On Kilimanjaro, USD 20 to 25 per climber per day for the crew is standard.

Responsible travel

We are a Tanzanian-owned company and 100% of our guides, cooks and office staff are Tanzanian. Park fees flow directly to TANAPA and the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. Our camps follow leave-no-trace principles and we offset every vehicle kilometre through a verified East African reforestation program.

Booking & cancellation

To confirm your booking, a 30% deposit is required. You can make the payment via Revolut, Wise, standard bank transfer (fees vary by bank), or card (which incurs a 4% transaction fee). In case of any cancellations, receive a credit note for the full amount paid. We understand plans can change, so if you need to cancel, we’ve got you covered. You’ll receive a credit note for the amount paid, allowing you to rebook your safari within a generous 2-year timeframe. Explore at your convenience and enjoy the adventure when the time is right for you. The above policy would entirely depend on the accommodations opted for as they may differ.

What to pack

  • Neutral, layered safari clothes (long sleeves help with sun and mosquitoes)
  • A warm fleece for cold mornings on the Ngorongoro rim
  • Closed walking shoes and a wide-brimmed hat
  • Binoculars (8×42 is the safari standard) and a lightweight camera
  • Reef-safe sunscreen and a refillable water bottle
  • Soft duffel bag if flying between camps (15 kg limit)

Health & safety

  • Yellow fever certificate required only if arriving from a yellow fever country
  • Anti-malarial prophylaxis is strongly recommended, consult your travel clinic
  • Travel insurance with medical evacuation cover is mandatory
  • Tap water is not potable, we provide unlimited bottled water in the vehicle

Photography

  • Pop-up roof and beanbags supplied on every vehicle
  • Bring at least a 100-400 mm zoom; a wide angle for landscapes
  • Extra memory cards and a charger that fits the 220 V UK-style plug
  • Drones are prohibited inside national parks without a written permit

Pricing, per person

Rates in USD, sharing twin/double accommodation. Final quote depends on chosen lodges and exact dates.

2 Pax3 Pax4 Pax5 Pax6 Pax
$2,625$2,320$2,160$2,070$2,000

Single supplement applies for solo travellers. "-" means group size not offered for this itinerary.

What's included

  • Private 4×4 safari vehicle with pop-up roof
  • Professional English-speaking driver-guide
  • All park & conservation fees
  • Accommodation as per itinerary
  • All meals on safari (B/L/D)
  • Bottled water in the vehicle
  • Airport transfers

Not included

  • International flights
  • Tanzania entry visa (USD 50, USD 100 for US citizens)
  • Travel & medical insurance
  • Personal expenses & tips
  • Optional activities (balloon, walking safari)

Frequently asked

When is the best time to go?+

June–October for classic game viewing; January–March for the calving season in southern Serengeti; July–October for the Mara River crossings.

Is it safe?+

Yes, our vehicles are radio-equipped, our guides are licensed, and we operate only in well-managed parks. We've been doing this for over a decade with zero incidents.

Can the itinerary be customised?+

Absolutely. Every tour is private and tailor-made, extend a day, add a balloon flight, or combine with Zanzibar.

Suggested reading

Plan with our journal

Similar journeys

You may also like