8-Day Signature Northern Tanzania Safari
8-Day Signature Northern Tanzania Safari
From $4,585 per person
Embark on an unforgettable 8-day journey through Tanzania’s most iconic national parks and wildlife-rich landscapes. This private safari, guided by our expert team at Tanzania Tourism Safaris, blends scenic beauty, abundant wildlife, cultural encounters, and personalized service crafted for travelers seeking the best of the northern circuit.
Starting in Arusha and ending with your choice of transfer to Zanzibar or Kilimanjaro International Airport, this adventure takes you from the lush highlands of Arusha National Park and the elephant-filled plains of Tarangire to the tree-canopied Lake Manyara, the legendary Serengeti, and the dramatic Ngorongoro Crater.
Each day unveils a new facet of Tanzania’s ecological and cultural diversity. You’ll experience close-up wildlife encounters on game drives and even a guided walking safari, meet Maasai families in their traditional homesteads, and rest each night in handpicked safari lodges and tented camps that balance comfort with immersion in nature.
Whether it’s witnessing the Big Five, exploring volcanic calderas, or simply soaking in the vast African horizon at sunset, this safari offers both depth and discovery. It’s an ideal itinerary for first-time visitors or returning adventurers seeking a well-paced, expertly guided safari with a personal touch.
Safari Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport
Your journey begins the moment you touch down at Kilimanjaro International Airport. A warm Tanzanian welcome awaits you from your professional driver-guide, who will accompany you throughout your adventure. After a brief meet-and-greet, you’ll enjoy a scenic transfer to your lodge in Arusha, the bustling safari capital of northern Tanzania. Nestled at the foot of Mount Meru, Arusha offers a peaceful beginning with views of lush landscapes and African hospitality. After check-in, unwind and enjoy a freshly prepared dinner. In the evening, your guide will provide a detailed safari briefing to prepare you for the incredible days ahead.
Meals: Dinner
Accommodation: Planet Lodge, Arusha
Day 2: Arusha National Park – Walking Safari & Game Drive
Today begins with a hearty breakfast before you depart for a full-day excursion in Arusha National Park. Often overlooked but incredibly rewarding, this compact park offers a variety of ecosystems in a single area—ranging from montane forests to volcanic craters and open savannahs. The day starts with a two-hour guided walking safari, allowing you to observe wildlife on foot—zebras, giraffes, warthogs, and curious colobus monkeys among them. Your experienced ranger will share insights about animal behavior, birdlife, and local plants. After your walk, you’ll continue with a game drive around the Momella Lakes and Ngurdoto Crater, where flamingos and waterbuck abound. Late in the afternoon, return to Arusha for dinner and relaxation.
Meals: Breakfast | Packed Lunch | Dinner
Accommodation: Planet Lodge, Arusha
Day 3: Arusha – Tarangire National Park
After breakfast, you set out on your first full safari day heading southwest to Tarangire National Park, famous for its ancient baobab trees and large elephant herds. Upon arrival, the park reveals its rugged beauty—rolling hills, scattered acacia trees, and a landscape dotted with giant termite mounds. You’ll explore the park on game drives, spotting elephants cooling off near the Tarangire River, lions lounging under trees, and an impressive array of birds. Tarangire is home to over 500 species, making it a birdwatcher’s paradise. You’ll enjoy a packed lunch at a scenic picnic site before continuing your game drive through different habitats. In the late afternoon, drive to your tented camp near Lake Burunge, where you’ll fall asleep to the distant sounds of wildlife under a starlit African sky.
Meals: Breakfast | Packed Lunch | Dinner
Accommodation: Lake Burunge Tented Camp
Day 4: Tarangire – Lake Manyara National Park
Your safari continues as you travel north toward Lake Manyara National Park, a small but biodiverse gem located at the foot of the Great Rift Valley escarpment. The entrance of the park leads you into a lush groundwater forest, where troops of baboons roam freely, and blue monkeys swing through the trees. The park’s varied terrain includes dense forest, open grasslands, and the shimmering alkaline lake itself. Keep an eye out for the park’s famous tree-climbing lions, as well as elephants, hippos, and abundant birdlife including pelicans, flamingos, and hornbills. After a picnic lunch inside the park, your journey continues to Karatu, a peaceful town nestled in the fertile highlands. Here, you’ll check in at your charming lodge overlooking the Rift Valley.
Meals: Breakfast | Packed Lunch | Dinner
Accommodation: Bougainvillea Safari Lodge, Karatu
Day 5: Karatu – Serengeti National Park
After breakfast, you’ll begin the scenic drive towards the legendary Serengeti, Tanzania’s crown jewel of wildlife conservation. Along the way, you’ll make a cultural stop at a traditional Maasai village, where you’ll learn about this proud tribe’s customs, music, and daily life. As you enter Serengeti National Park through the Naabi Hill Gate, the vast savannah opens up to reveal an awe-inspiring landscape of golden grasslands, dotted with acacia trees and home to millions of wild animals. Keep your camera ready—today marks the beginning of unforgettable encounters with lions, cheetahs, giraffes, and countless herbivores. In the late afternoon, arrive at your tented camp deep within the central Serengeti. Enjoy a warm meal and listen to the symphony of the African night.
Meals: Breakfast | Packed Lunch | Dinner
Accommodation: Tanzania Bush Camp – Central Serengeti
Day 6: Full Day in Serengeti National Park
Today you’ll spend a full day immersed in the Serengeti’s raw beauty. With endless plains stretching in every direction, this is the perfect environment for Africa’s most iconic animals. You’ll explore different habitats—from the Seronera River valley, where leopards rest in the trees, to the vast open grasslands where cheetahs hunt gazelles. Depending on the season, you might also witness part of the Great Wildebeest Migration—a thundering spectacle of hooves and dust. Your expert guide will tailor the game drive based on wildlife movements and your preferences, ensuring a rich and personalized safari experience. After a full day of exploration, return to camp for dinner and storytelling around the campfire.
Meals: Breakfast | Packed Lunch | Dinner
Accommodation: Tanzania Bush Camp – Central Serengeti
Day 7: Serengeti – Ngorongoro Crater
After an early breakfast, begin your journey toward the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, home to the world’s largest intact volcanic caldera. You’ll descend 600 meters into the Ngorongoro Crater for a thrilling game drive in this UNESCO World Heritage Site. The crater’s fertile floor is a microcosm of East African wildlife—featuring large populations of wildebeest, zebras, gazelles, and elephants. With a bit of luck, you may spot one of the elusive black rhinos or witness a lion pride on the hunt. Enjoy your picnic lunch at the Hippo Pool picnic site, then ascend the crater rim and return to Karatu for a restful evening in the highlands.
Meals: Breakfast | Packed Lunch | Dinner
Accommodation: Bougainvillea Safari Lodge, Karatu
Day 8: Ngorongoro Crater - Departure
This morning, enjoy a leisurely breakfast before departing the highlands and making your way back to Arusha. Depending on your onward travel plans, we will either transfer you to Kilimanjaro International Airport for your international flight or to Arusha Airport for a short domestic flight to Zanzibar. If you’re heading to Zanzibar, white-sand beaches and turquoise waters await, perfect for extending your East African adventure in paradise.
Meals: Breakfast | Lunch
End of Services by Tanzania Tourism Safaris
Tour Price Includes
All airport transfers
Accommodation as mentioned in the itinerary
All meals on safari (breakfast, lunch, dinner)
Services of a professional English-speaking driver-guide
Safari vehicle with pop-up roof for game viewing
Bottled water during game drives
Tour Price Excludes
Travel or Medical Insurance is required and you should ask for Recommendation
beverages, alcoholic and soft drinks
Additional lodge nights
International flights
From $4,585 USD per person
Price varies by group size
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