7-Day Tanzania Northern Circuit Lodge Safari

TOUR OVERVIEW

Visit the best of northern parks in 7 days’ time! You’ll be visiting Tarangire National Park, the Ngorongoro Crater, Serengeti National Park, Lake Natron and Lake Manyara. Enjoy the beautiful landscape and great view of the animals as you do game drives around the parks. This itinerary offers a unique game drive and walking safari in the Ikona Wildlife Management Area. You’ll spend the night in a Maasai boma lodge. Also, you’ll have a chance to see the migration in Serengeti!

 

ITINERARy

Day 1: Arrival in Arusha – Welcome to Tanzania

Upon your arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport (or Arusha Airport), you will be met by your friendly safari guide who will transfer you to your mid-range lodge in Arusha. Depending on your arrival time, you can relax and enjoy the tranquil atmosphere of the lodge or take an optional cultural or town tour. In the evening, your guide will give you a full safari briefing, preparing you for the exciting adventure ahead. Dinner will be served at the lodge, where you’ll also spend the night.

Day 2: Ngorongoro Crater – Onto the Southern Serengeti (Ndutu)

After an early breakfast, depart for a game drive in the spectacular Ngorongoro Crater, the largest intact volcanic caldera in the world and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The crater is home to an estimated 30,000 large mammals, making it one of the best wildlife viewing destinations in Africa.

Thanks to its natural enclosure, the crater supports a dense population of animals, including the Big Five—lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo, and the rare black rhino. You may also encounter hyenas, zebras, hippos, and an incredible variety of birdlife.

In the afternoon, continue your journey to the Ndutu area in the Southern Serengeti, famous for the calving season of the Great Migration, when thousands of wildebeest and zebras give birth between December and March. This is one of the most dramatic wildlife spectacles in Africa.

Arrive at your camp in the evening for dinner and overnight stay.

Day 3: Serengeti National Park – Into the Heart of the Wild

After breakfast, depart for the legendary Serengeti National Park, a journey that takes a few hours with game viewing along the way. On arrival at the park gate, enjoy a picnic lunch before continuing on an afternoon game drive across the vast savannahs and woodlands of the Serengeti.

The Serengeti is world-famous for its endless plains and for hosting the spectacular Great Migration, where over 1.5 million wildebeest and hundreds of thousands of zebras and gazelles move in search of fresh grazing, followed closely by predators. Keep your eyes open for lions, cheetahs, elephants, giraffes, and countless bird species.

By evening, arrive at your camp and settle into your furnished comfort safari tent. Located between Serengeti Seronera, Grumeti, and Ikorongo Game Reserves, the camp offers the perfect base for exploring the Serengeti. Relax with the sights and sounds of the African bush—whether it’s birdlife, a herd of impalas grazing nearby, or the tranquil atmosphere of the wilderness.

  • Main Destination: Serengeti National Park

  • Distance Covered: Approx. 150 km (4–5 hours, with game drives)

  • Accommodation: Africa Safari Serengeti Ikoma (Safari Comfort, mid-range tented camp in Western Serengeti)

  • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 4: North Serengeti National Park – Witness the Great Migration

After breakfast, continue your journey through the Serengeti as you head north toward the Mara River region. This area is renowned for its dramatic wildlife encounters, especially during the migration season when thousands of wildebeest and zebras brave the crocodile-infested waters in one of nature’s most breathtaking spectacles.

Enjoy a full-day game drive across the northern plains, where predators follow the herds and the landscape shifts into rolling hills and riverine forests. Depending on the season, you may witness the iconic river crossing—a once-in-a-lifetime experience that defines the Serengeti’s wild heart.

In the late afternoon, arrive at Africa Safari Maasai Boma Lodge, located in the village of Ololosokwan. Inspired by traditional Maasai architecture, the lodge offers a unique cultural immersion surrounded by nature. Though outside the official park boundaries, the area is still rich in wildlife, offering a peaceful and authentic end to your day.

 
  • Main Destination: Northern Serengeti National Park
  • Distance Covered: Variable (depending on wildlife sightings and route)
  • Accommodation: Africa Safari Maasai Boma (Safari Comfort Bungalow – mid-range lodge near Northern Serengeti) Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 5: From Serengeti to Lake Natron – Flamingos & Volcano Views

After breakfast, leave the northern Serengeti and drive toward Lake Natron. The road is quiet and remote, passing through beautiful Maasai land with small villages and big mountains in the distance. The views are wide and wild—very different from the busy parks.

From June to November, Lake Natron becomes home to around two million flamingos. If the season is right, you’ll see them gathering near the water—a truly special sight.

On the way to the lodge, you can stop at natural hot springs to stretch and enjoy the warm water. In the afternoon, arrive at Africa Safari Lake Natron Lodge. The lodge has a swimming pool and amazing views of Mount Ol Doinyo Lengai, a volcano that is still active. You can relax and enjoy the scenery.

From the lodge, it’s just a 10-minute walk to the lake with your guide. A peaceful way to end the day.

 
  • Main Destination: Lake Natron
  • Distance Covered: Variable (depending on route and stops)
  • Accommodation: Africa Safari Lake Natron (Safari Comfort Bungalow – mid-range lodge near Lake Natron)
  • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 6: Lake Natron to Manyara – Waterfalls & Maasai Culture

Start your morning with a scenic walk to the nearby waterfalls, guided by a local Maasai. It’s a refreshing and adventurous experience—don’t forget your walking shoes! Along the way, you’ll pass through Maasai villages and get a glimpse into their daily life and traditions.

After lunch, begin your journey to Mto wa Mbu. The drive takes you through dramatic landscapes along the Great Rift Valley, with views that shift from dry plains to lush greenery.

In the late afternoon, you’ll arrive at Africa Safari Lake Manyara, a mid-range tented camp offering comfort and great views. It’s a peaceful spot to unwind and prepare for the next day’s adventure.

  • Distance Covered: Approx. 120 km 
  • Travel Time: Around 3 to 4 hours (depending on road conditions)
  • Main Destination: Mto wa Mbu (near Lake Manyara)
  • Accommodation: Africa Safari Lake Manyara (Safari Comfort – mid-range tented camp in town)
  • Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 7: Lake Manyara National Park – Game Drive & Return to Arusha

Today is all about exploring the beauty of Lake Manyara National Park. Known for its stunning views, lush forests, waterfalls, and bubbling hot springs, this park offers a rich mix of landscapes and wildlife. You’ll enjoy a full-day game drive, with chances to spot elephants, baboons, hippos, and—if you’re lucky—the famous tree-climbing lions.

In the afternoon, we’ll begin the drive back to Arusha or Arusha Airport, arriving before dinner. If you’re flying out from Kilimanjaro Airport, we can arrange a transfer at an additional cost.

  • Distance Covered: Approx. 126 km
  • Travel Time: Around 2 to 3 hours (depending on traffic and road conditions)
  • Main Destination: Lake Manyara National Park Activities: Full-day game drive
  • Accommodation: None (End of tour)
  • Meals Included: Breakfast & Lunch
  • Optional: Transfer to Kilimanjaro Airport (extra cost)

COST INCLUDES

COST NOT INCLUDED

Optional Safari Add-Ons (Extra Charges Apply)

All add-ons are optional and available at extra cost. Just tell us what you’d like, and we’ll make it happen.

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