7-Day Tanzania Northern Circuit Safari

The 7 day northern circuit safari is the most complete way to see Tanzania's famous northern parks without ever feeling rushed. Over seven days it brings together Tarangire, Lake Manyara, the Serengeti and the Ngorongoro Crater, with three nights in the Serengeti so you have time to explore its different areas properly.

Each park has its own character. Tarangire is known for its large elephant herds and giant baobab trees, a landscape that feels ancient and spacious. Lake Manyara sits beneath the Great Rift Valley escarpment, with a lush groundwater forest, a soda lake that often attracts flamingos, and lions that are sometimes found resting in the trees.

The Serengeti is the heart of the trip. Its open plains, rocky kopjes and river valleys support some of Africa's greatest concentrations of wildlife, including lion, leopard, cheetah, elephant and huge herds of grazing animals, and depending on the season, the Great Migration. Three nights here allow your guide to follow the wildlife rather than a fixed timetable, giving you the best chance of memorable sightings and quiet moments away from other vehicles.

The safari finishes at the Ngorongoro Crater, a vast volcanic caldera whose floor holds an extraordinary density of animals, including the rare black rhino. Descending into the crater is a fitting final chapter to a week in the bush.

Travelling in a private 4x4 with your own guide means the pace is set around your interests, whether that is big cats, birds, photography or simply time to enjoy the landscape. Groups are small, from two to eight people. This safari suits first-time visitors who want to see the full northern circuit in one trip, couples, families and anyone who prefers an unhurried journey to a packed schedule.

Seven days is enough to see the four classic northern parks without rushing. The route goes from Arusha to Tarangire, then to Lake Manyara, then into the Serengeti for three nights so you can explore different areas, and finally to the Ngorongoro Crater before returning to Arusha. Each park has its own character: elephants and baobabs in Tarangire, tree-climbing lions and flamingos at Manyara when conditions allow, the open plains of the Serengeti, and the crater floor.

Game drives are led by an English-speaking driver-guide in a vehicle with a pop-up roof, and accommodation is on a full-board basis as listed. The season matters: the migration moves through the Serengeti through the year, and your timing affects where the herds are. Ask us which months are best for the area you are most interested in. Airport or hotel transfers, park fees, game drives and bottled water are part of the package.