12 DAYS ULTIMATE TANZANIA SAFARI
Experience every highlight of the Northern Circuit, from the elephant herds of Tarangire to the epic river crossings of the Great Migration in the North Serengeti.
Package Details: What's Included & Excluded
Inclusions (What you pay for)
- • All Park and Crater entry fees (12 Days).
- • 11 nights of Mid-Range or Luxury Accommodation/Tented Camps.
- • Full board meals (Breakfast, Lunch/Picnic, Dinner) throughout the safari.
- • Professional, English-speaking guide/driver with extensive knowledge.
- • Private 4x4 Extended Safari Vehicle (Land Cruiser or Rover) with pop-up roof and Wi-Fi hotspot.
- • Unlimited bottled mineral water and soft drinks during game drives.
- • Internal Flight: Kogatende (Northern Serengeti) to Arusha/JRO on Day 12.
- • All government taxes and levies.
Exclusions (What's not included)
- • International flights to and from Kilimanjaro (JRO).
- • Visa fees for entry into Tanzania ($100 for US citizens, $50 for others).
- • Optional activities (e.g., Hot Air Balloon, Maasai Village Visit, Gratuities).
- • Alcoholic beverages and personal purchases.
- • Travel and medical insurance (Mandatory).
12-Day Ultimate Northern Circuit Itinerary
A comprehensive route covering all the Northern Circuit's gems, including a special focus on the Great Migration.
Morning: Pickup from Arusha/JRO and drive to Tarangire. Afternoon Game Drive: Tarangire is world-famous for its massive herds of elephants (up to 300) and iconic Baobab trees. We focus the drive along the Tarangire River, a prime spot for all Big Four (Lion, Elephant, Leopard, Buffalo) and diverse birdlife.
Overnight: Lodge near Tarangire | Highlight: Elephant Herds, Baobabs | Travel: ~2.5 hrs
Morning: Full game drive in Tarangire, exploring different zones like the swamp areas for rare species. Optional Activity: Experience a truly immersive and thrilling Walking Safari outside the park boundary with an armed ranger, getting up close to smaller wildlife and learning about tracking.
Overnight: Lodge near Tarangire | Highlight: Walking Safari (Optional), Full Big Game View
Morning: Drive to Lake Manyara National Park. Game Drive: Famous for its unique *tree-climbing lions* and dense population of baboons. We explore the contrasting ecosystems, from the groundwater forest to the alkaline lake, often filled with thousands of pink flamingos (seasonal).
Overnight: Lodge in Karatu Area (Ngorongoro Highlands) | Highlight: Tree-Climbing Lions, Flamingos | Travel: ~1.5 hrs
Early Descent: We descend 600 meters into the magnificent Ngorongoro Crater. This UNESCO World Heritage site is the best location globally to spot the Big Five, including the critically endangered Black Rhino. We spend the full permitted time exploring the crater floor's diverse ecosystems. Afternoon: Ascend the crater wall and drive towards the Serengeti Gate.
Overnight: Tented Camp in Central Serengeti (Seronera) | Highlight: Black Rhino, Big Five Complete | Travel: ~4 hrs
Full Day Game Drive: Dedicated exploration of the Seronera Valley, known for its high concentration of large predators like Lion, Leopard, and Cheetah due to the permanent water supply. We spend time around the iconic *Kopjes* (rock outcrops) searching for Leopards resting in the trees.
Overnight: Tented Camp in Central Serengeti (Seronera) | Highlight: Leopard Sightings, Big Cat Hunting
Optional Activity: Start the day with a spectacular Hot Air Balloon Safari over the Serengeti plains, followed by a champagne breakfast. Morning/Afternoon Game Drives: For those not ballooning, we continue the game drive, focusing on following the movements of the Wildebeest herds, depending on the season.
Overnight: Tented Camp in Central Serengeti (Seronera) | Highlight: Hot Air Balloon (Optional), Great Migration Tracking
Long Game Drive: Today is dedicated to the scenic journey north, traveling over the vast plains towards the remote Kogatende area. The drive itself is a full-day game drive, offering sights of different landscapes and wildlife. Afternoon Arrival: Arrive at your camp near the Mara River, close to the center of the Great Migration action (seasonal).
Overnight: Luxury Tented Camp in Northern Serengeti (Kogatende Area) | Highlight: Scenic Safari, Migration anticipation | Travel: ~6 hrs
Full Day Migration Focus: We spend the entire day strategically positioning ourselves near the Mara River. Our goal is to witness the exhilarating and dramatic Wildebeest Crossing, where thousands of animals brave the crocodile-infested waters (seasonal: July-Oct). This is the climax of the Great Migration.
Overnight: Luxury Tented Camp in Northern Serengeti (Kogatende Area) | Highlight: Mara River Crossing (Seasonal)
Game Drive: Another full day in the North, focusing on the movement of the million-plus wildebeest and zebra herds on the plains. The presence of so much prey attracts large prides of Lion, as well as Cheetahs and Hyenas, offering exceptional predator-prey interaction sightings.
Overnight: Luxury Tented Camp in Northern Serengeti (Kogatende Area) | Highlight: Predator-Prey Interactions, Vast Herds
Morning: A final game drive in the North. Mid-Day Transfer: We slowly make our way south, back toward the Central Serengeti/Lobo area, allowing us to cover different ecosystems and look for wildlife that prefers the drier areas. The Lobo area is excellent for viewing big cats and isolated populations of resident wildlife.
Overnight: Tented Camp in Central/Lobo Serengeti Area | Highlight: Change of Scenery, Resident Wildlife
Morning: Drive out of the Serengeti and into the NCA. We stop at the famous Olduvai Gorge Museum, the cradle of mankind, to learn about early human history. Afternoon: Optional visit to an authentic Maasai Village to experience their traditional life and culture. We spend the final night in the tranquil Karatu Highlands.
Overnight: Lodge in Karatu Area (Ngorongoro Highlands) | Highlight: History at Olduvai, Maasai Culture (Optional)
Morning: Enjoy a leisurely breakfast and the scenic views of the highlands. Transfer: We drive back to Arusha. Upon arrival, your guide will transfer you directly to Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) for your international departure flight, marking the end of your ultimate safari adventure.
Overnight: N/A (Departure) | Highlight: Scenic Drive, Farewell | Travel: ~3 hrs (160 km)
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