Tanzania Classic Northern Circuit
The quintessential East African safari through Serengeti and Ngorongoro
Your Route
Arusha → Tarangire → Serengeti → Ngorongoro → Arusha
Route Details
Tarangire National Park
Tarangire
Ancient baobab trees and large elephant herds set the tone for your safari.
Highlights
- Iconic baobab-studded landscape
- One of Africa's highest elephant concentrations
- Tree-climbing lions occasionally spotted
Serengeti National Park
Central/South Serengeti
Endless plains teeming with predators and prey in Africa's most celebrated park.
Highlights
- Big cat encounters on the open plains
- Wildebeest and zebra herds
- Kopje rock formations with resident wildlife
Ngorongoro Crater
Ngorongoro Conservation Area
A full day exploring the world's largest intact volcanic caldera.
Highlights
- Dense concentration of wildlife in the crater floor
- Good chance of seeing black rhino
- Dramatic crater rim views
A Typical Day
Sample from Tarangire National Park
5:30–6:30
Wake-up call and light breakfast
7:00–12:00
Extended game drive through the park
12:00–15:00
Lunch at camp, rest during peak heat
15:00–18:00
Afternoon game drive or walking safari
18:00–21:00
Sundowners and dinner under the stars
Activities
Included Activities
Optional (additional cost)
Is This Right for You?
Best for
First-time safari travelers seeking the quintessential East African experience, families wanting reliable wildlife encounters, and anyone drawn to the Serengeti name.
Not ideal for
Repeat visitors seeking off-grid experiences, travelers prioritizing solitude over iconic destinations, or those with very limited budgets.
Trade-offs
Like what you see?
We'll customize this route around your preferences
Best Time to Go
Dry Season
Peak wildlife viewing, easier game drives, cooler temperatures
Green Season
Calving season (Jan-Feb), fewer visitors, lush landscapes
Why This Itinerary Works
Every Vurara Safaris itinerary reflects specific trade-offs. Here is the reasoning behind this route:
8 days balances depth at each location against travel fatigue. Shorter trips sacrifice wildlife time; longer trips face diminishing returns.
Segment order minimizes backtracking and positions high-density wildlife areas at optimal points in the journey.
Mid-range tier balances comfort with value. Private guiding available; camps offer quality without premium positioning.
First-time safari travelers seeking the quintessential East African experience, families wanting reliable wildlife encounters, and anyone drawn to the Serengeti name.
Why each segment was chosen:
Tarangire National Park
Elephant concentrations peak here in dry season. Baobab landscape provides photographic variety from open plains.
Serengeti National Park
Central positioning maximizes predator encounters across the open plains. Migration location varies by month.
Ngorongoro Crater
Crater floor offers the highest density of wildlife in Africa. One full day is optimal; more time faces diminishing returns.
These decisions are not arbitrary. They reflect documented trade-offs from thousands of safari conversations.
How Vurara Safaris makes decisionsCustomization Options
Accommodation Options
Travel Modes
Available Extensions
Zanzibar Beach Extension
Add 3-5 nights on Zanzibar's pristine beaches
Lake Manyara Addition
One night at Lake Manyara for tree-climbing lions
Cost Context
$6,000–$10k/pp
Per person estimate
This cost band represents typical per-person pricing for this itinerary pattern. Actual costs vary based on accommodation tier, travel mode, season, and party size.
Excluding international flights
Related Decisions
Questions to consider before booking