This 8-day midrange safari on the northern circuit of Tanzania, takes you to the most famous and incredible parks whereby you will visit all major parks which are Tarangire, Serengeti and Ngorongoro. In Tarangire, you will be astonished by the large African elephants as well as the huge and ancient baobab trees. Ngorogoro crater will be the icing on the cake and the best place to visit the endangered black rhinos and Serengeti will be the major highlight of the tour where you will visit the northern Serengeti following the great migration on the mara river. You will sleep in midrange lodges with private showers.

DAY 1: ARRIVAL AT THE AIRPORT TO ARUSHA

Upon arrival at the airport in Arusha (ARK) or Kilimanjaro international airport (JRO), you will be met and welcomed by your representative from Gardenia African Safaris who will give you a short brief before you drive to your lodgings in Arusha for overnight.

Destination: Arusha city

Accommodation: Arusha Planet Lodge / A1 Hotel & Resort / Tulia Boutique Hotel & Spa 

Meal: Bed & Breakfast

DAY 2: ARUSHA TO TARANGIRE NATIONAL PARK

After breakfast at your Arusha hotel around 7:30 to 8:00 AM, your driver-guide will pick you up for a 2.5-hour drive to Tarangire National Park. This northern Tanzania park is renowned for its large elephant herds and ancient baobab trees, covering approximately 2,603 square kilometers. You’ll see a variety of wildlife, including giraffes, zebras, buffalos, lions, leopards, and more than 500 bird species like bee-eaters and ostriches. The name Tarangire, meaning “river of warthogs,” reflects the vital Tarangire River, a key water source for both herbivores and predators, especially during the dry season. Lunch will be served at a picnic site around noon, followed by a game drive until late afternoon. You’ll then exit the park and head to your mid-range lodge in Karatu for relaxation, dinner, and overnight.

Destination: Tarangire National Park

Accommodation:  Marera Valley Lodge / Farm of Dreams Lodge / Bougainvillea Safari Lodge

Meal: Full Board (Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner)

DAY 3: KARATU TO SERENGETI NATIONAL PARK

After breakfast at your Karatu lodge around 7:30 to 8:00 AM, you’ll depart for Serengeti National Park, passing through Ngorongoro Conservation Area. Serengeti, renowned for its vast wildlife, spans approximately 14,763 square kilometers and is home to over 2 million mammals. The Great Migration, featuring more than a million wildebeests and 250,000 zebras, is one of the world’s wonders. The park hosts over 500 bird species, including ostriches and vultures, and wildlife such as impalas, giraffes, lions, and leopards. Its diverse scenery ranges from short grass plains in the southeast to hilly areas in the north and forested valleys in the west. While Serengeti can be visited year-round, the best time is during the dry season from June to October.

Lunch will be served inside the park, followed by game viewing until evening. You’ll then drive to your accommodation for dinner and overnight.

Destination: Serengeti National Park

Accommodation: Narudi Camp / Pamoja Serengeti Luxury Camp / Embalakai Authentic Camps

Meal: Full Board (Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner)

DAY 4: CENTRAL TO NORTH SERENGETI

Early morning after breakfast at your accommodation inside Serengeti, you will drive to the northern part of Serengeti which is also known as kogatende following the great migration. We will do a game drive en-route. As we head to the north, good sightings of giraffes, herds of buffalo and elephants can often be seen. While the Serengeti has abundant wildlife, it is best known for the annual Great Migration.  Vast numbers of wildebeests accompanied by large numbers of zebra and antelope migrate in an annual pattern, constantly seeking fresh grazing.  The precise timing of the Migration is entirely dependent upon the rainfall patterns each year. During End of July to September the Migration can be found in the Northern Serengeti where they are crossing the Mara River following the greener pastures of Maasai Mara where the provide the Mara river resident Nile crocodiles with annual fist.

After Lunch and an extensive game drive, we head for our partner tented camp for dinner and overnight.

Destination: Serengeti National Park

Accommodation: Mara Kati Kati Tented Camp / Serengeti Heritage Tented Camp

Meal: Full Board (Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner)

DAY 5: FULL DAY GAME DRIVE ON NORTH SERENGETI 

Early morning after having breakfast at your accommodation will start with an early morning game drive following the great migration. If you’re lucky enough you can spot predators hunting their prey as well as the majestic river crossing while hungry crocodiles wait their meal. Lunch will be served at a picnic site and after that you will proceed with your game drive until the late evening where you will drive to your accommodation for sinner and overnight stay.

Destination: Serengeti National Park

Accommodation: Mara Kati Kati Tented Camp / Serengeti Heritage Tented Camp

Meal: Full Board (Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner)

DAY 6: NORTH SERENGETI TO CENTRAL SERENGETI 

Early morning after having breakfast at your accommodation will start with an early morning game drive en-route to the central Serengeti at your accommodation for relaxation, dinner and overnight.

Destination: Serengeti National Park

Accommodation: Narudi Camp / Pamoja Serengeti Luxury Camp / Embalakai Authentic Camps

Meal: Full Board (Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner)

DAY 7: SERENGETI NATIONAL PARK TO NGORONGORO CRATER TO KARATU

Destination: Ngorongoro crater 

Accommodation:  Marera Valley Lodge / Farm of Dreams Lodge / Bougainvillea Safari Lodge

Meal: Full Board (Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner)

DAY 8: LAKE MANYARA NATIONAL PARK TO ARUSHA

After breakfast at your Karatu lodge around 7:30 to 8:00 AM, you’ll drive about 1 hour to Lake Manyara National Park. This park is famous for its birdlife and tree-climbing lions, covering around 325 square kilometers, with one-third land and two-thirds lake. The shallow alkaline lake attracts many birds, including flamingos, pelicans, and secretary birds. You may also spot lions, elephants, giraffes, zebras, and more.

Located in the southwestern Rift Valley region, Lake Manyara offers activities like forest hikes, canoeing, and walking safaris. Lunch will be served at a picnic site, after which you’ll drive to Arusha. There, you’ll meet a representative from Gardenia African Safaris for a special farewell. If you’d like to extend your stay in Arusha, we can arrange that, or if you have a flight, we’ll take you to the airport for your onward journey.

Destination: Lake Manyara National Park

Meal: Breakfast & Lunch