Duration: 7 Nights
When: Jun – Nov (possible most of the year – these are the best months)
Snapshot: This is in our opinion one of the best northern circuit itineraries out there, staying at some excellent properties and giving the best possible overall experience of this sometimes oversold and overcrowded area.
This itinerary is available using a number of different camps and ranges from markedly cheaper than the itinerary below to slightly more expensive, this just a Safari Specialists favourite.
Itinerary
Day 1 – Tarangire National Park
From the bustling north Tanzanian town of Arusha to the little gem of Tarangire National Park. The mountain landscapes give way to the arid Acacia & Baobab of the Maasai steppe: this is rich big game country and ripe for exploring. Spend 2 nights at Kuro Tarangire.
Day 2 – Tarangire National Park
From our stylish tented camp, we can walk straight into the bush in search of giraffe or zebra, game drive over to the Silale swamp where the eles hang out or look for big cats under cover of a night drive. We love that our little patch of Tarangire is remote yet in the middle of the action. Overnight Kuro Tarangire.
Day 3 – Ngorongoro Crater
From Tarangire, drive up to the lush Ngorongoro Highlands where forests, monkeys, coffee farms and lush gardens are the norm. You might like to stop off for a picnic and game drive in Manyara National Park en route. You will stay for the next 2 nights at the long anticipated Entamanu, one of our favourite crater highlands properties.
Day 4 – Ngorongoro Crater
An early departure to make the best of the day in the Ngorongoro Crater. One of Tanzania’s most famous landmarks, the crater is known for both it’s wonderful scenery and also the varied wildlife that thrives inside. Spend the morning game driving with your guide, and enjoy a picnic lunch on the crater floor. Return for a relaxed afternoon at Entamanu or take a walk in the surrounding highlands with a local guide.
Day 5 – Serengeti National Park
Fly from Manyara to the central/northern Serengeti (depending on season). Meet your Nomad car and guide and head on a game drive towards camp. Settle into camp for a siesta after lunch and venture out for a game drive in the late afternoon returning to camp for drinks around the fire and dinner. You will spend the following 3 nights at Serengeti Safari Camp. (Activities at Serengeti Safari Camp are on a shared basis but can be upgraded to a private vehicle and guide)
Day 6 – Serengeti National Park
Discuss the day’s activities with your guide over a camp breakfast; he’ll know the whereabouts of the migration and all the other creatures of interest. Sometimes the herds are spread throughout the Nyamalumbwa and Bologonja plains and sometimes they are frantically crossing the Mara River. Wherever they are, our camp will be well located for the action. Overnight Serengeti Safari Camp
Day 7 – Serengeti National Park
An early start today, perhaps with a picnic breakfast or lunch in search of the great herds. Of course it’s not all about the wildebeest and you’ll be on the look out for elephant, buffalo, big cats and even rhino. Linger when you find something of interest as so much of the pleasure of this place is the freedom you feel being in the middle of nowhere. Return to camp for a hot shower and delicious meal. Overnight Serengeti Safari Camp
Day 8
Plenty of time to wake up with the African sunrise for a leisurely breakfast and a final game drive to the airstrip for your scheduled flight back to Arusha and home.
Details
2 nights Nomad Kuro (fully inclusive, excluding premium drinks)
2 nights Entamanu (fully inclusive, excluding premium drinks)
3 nights Nomad Serengeti Safari Camp (fully inclusive, excluding premium drinks)
Pricing: £6,615 per person
All pricing is given as a guideline, as all our itineraries are tailor made actual costs will depend on dates, passengers and exchange rates as well as any alterations to the itinerary.
Inclusions: Internal flights and transfers, full board accommodation, house wines, beers and spirits included as mentioned above.
Exclusions: International flights
POSSIBLE EXTENSIONS
- Zanzibar – While not everyones cup of tea there is something very special about this little island for us, we are more than happy to explain why we love it and suggest some nice spots to spend a few days relaxing before heading back to reality.
- More safari… – If you are looking for a long exploration of Tanzania then it is possible to combine part or all of this itinerary with other more remote parts of the country, such as Ruaha, the Selous or the seldom visited wester parks of Mahale and Katavi.
