12 Days Northern and Southern Safari Circuit Trip
Duration
Physical Rating
Minimum Age
Starting From
$7,980.00
*Starting prices are listed per person in USD.
Destination Highlights
Tarangire National Park
Ngorongoro Conservation Area
Serengeti National Park
Ruaha National Park
Nyerere National Park
Trip Overview
A Tanzanian safari offers two distinct circuits: the Northern Circuit, featuring iconic parks like Serengeti and Ngorongoro for incredible wildlife and the Great Migration, and the Southern Circuit, with remote gems like Selous and Ruaha for a more intimate experience. Alongside wildlife, both circuits offer rich cultural experiences, with visits to Maasai villages and interactions with local tribes. The Northern Circuit is perfect for first-timers, while the Southern Circuit provides a quieter, more off-the-beaten-path adventure. Both promise unforgettable nature and cultural immersion.
Highlights
- Vast Serengeti short grass plain
- Ngorongoro Crater
- Tree climbing python
- Large predator sightings
- Elephants herds
- Cultural village visit
- Savor a local prepared lunch served in a traditional fashion
- Beautiful landscapes
- Boat Safari in Rufiji River
- Remote and untamed wilderness experience
Full Itinerary
Best time to visit:
- June to October – Dry season, best wildlife viewing
- January to March – Lush Landscape and Serengeti wildebeest calving season (Excellent for predators’ actions)- Hot and humid weather with possibility of little rain in January.
Day 1: Arrival Date, Group meeting for briefing
Welcome to Arusha! Your adventure begins now. Set down your bags, take a deep breath, and refresh yourself with a cold drink. This evening, you’ll meet your Safari guide for a brief overview of the exciting experiences ahead. Enjoy every moment and get ready for an unforgettable journey.
Accommodation: Outpost Lodge
Meals included: Breakfast
Day 2: Tarangire National Park - Full day
Early breakfast at the lodge. Depart for Tarangire National Park. Enter the park and start a morning game drive focusing on the large elephant herds and unique baobab trees. Picnic lunch in the park, often at a designated site with views over the park. Continue with an afternoon game drive exploring different areas of the park such as the Tarangire River and the Silalei Swamp. Visit a Maasai village for cultural insights (can be scheduled for the next day or an alternative day depending on availability).
Accommodation: Osupuko Lodge or similar
Meals included: Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner
Day 3: Karatu (Mto wa Mbu village walk, local lunch, Maasai village visit)
Today we depart from Tarangire National Park and head to Mto wa Mbu village for a guided walk. We’ll explore local farms, vibrant markets, and schools, while engaging with craftspeople to learn about their art. A local lunch will be served in the village, featuring traditional Tanzanian dishes. Afterward, we’ll visit a Maasai village to learn about their traditions, tour traditional homes, and observe cultural practices such as beadwork and dance, before heading to our lodge in Karatu.
Optional Activity: Night Game Drive (need to be organized in advance)
Accommodation: Eileen’s Tree Inn or similar.
Meals included: Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner
Day 4: Ngorongoro Crater Tour – Full Day
Rise up early morning, breakfast at the lodge, afterwards descend into the Ngorongoro Crater. Begin a game drive focusing on the crater’s diverse wildlife including lions, rhinos, and buffaloes. Picnic lunch at a designated spot within the crater. Continue exploring different areas of the crater, including Lerai Forest and the open plains.
Accommodation: Eileen’s Tree Inn or similar
Meals included: Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner
Day 5: Serengeti - Seronera
After breakfast, leave your lodge in the Ngorongoro and drive towards the Serengeti National Park for an afternoon game drive. The Serengeti is famous for the great wildebeest migration and is also home to big cats’ populations like lions, cheetahs, and leopards. Enjoy the diverse wildlife and stunning landscapes as you make your way to Seronera Campsite. Dinner and overnight stay at the Seronera public campsite.
Accommodation: Into Wild Africa Tented Camps or similar
Meals included: Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner
Day 6: Serengeti National Park - Full Day
Start your day with a hearty breakfast, followed by a morning game drive in Serengeti National Park. Witness the breathtaking scenery and abundant wildlife, including the big cats such as cheetahs, lions, and leopards. The Serengeti is also known for its great wildebeest migration, one of the most spectacular wildlife events on the planet.
After the game drive, return to the campsite for lunch and some relaxation. In the afternoon, enjoy another game drive to explore different parts of the park. Dinner and overnight stay at Seronera Campsite.
Optional activity: Hot air balloon safari for a unique aerial view of the Serengeti.
Accommodation: Into Wild Africa Tented Camps or similar
Meals included: Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner
Day 7: Ruaha National Park
Rise early, enjoy breakfast, and prepare for your drive to the airstrip for your 11:30 AM flight to Ruaha National Park. The 2½-hour flight will bring you to Ruaha, Tanzania’s largest national park and one of its most remote and unspoiled wilderness areas. Known for its rugged landscapes, baobab-studded hills, and the Great Ruaha River, the park is a hidden gem offering exceptional game viewing without the crowds.
Meet your guide at the airstrip, then take a 40-minute drive to your lodge for lunch. Afterward, relax briefly and then set out on an afternoon game drive in Ruaha, where you’ll encounter diverse wildlife, including antelopes, lions, elephants, giraffes, and a rich variety of birdlife.
Accommodation: Ruaha River Lodge or similar
Meals included: Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner
Day 8: Ruaha National Park – Full Day
A full-day game drive in Ruaha National Park promises an unforgettable adventure through one of Tanzania’s most breath-taking wilderness areas. Your day begins early as you set out to explore the park’s diverse landscapes. Along the way, you’ll encounter a rich variety of wildlife, including elephants, lions, leopards, and giraffes. At midday, you’ll enjoy a picnic lunch in the heart of the park. The drive continues into the afternoon, offering more chances to spot wildlife and the beauty of Ruaha before the day end.
Accommodation: Ruaha River Lodge or similar
Meals included: Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner
Day 9: Ruaha National Park – Full Day
At sunrise, enjoy a wonderful walking safari for about 2 to 3 hours walk along the Great Ruaha River with two armed rangers. There is a possibility of viewing hippos, crocodiles, lions, and lots of other animals that comes to drink water in the river. Later, come back for breakfast. Enjoy the afternoon time leisure then continue with the game drive until late evening.
Dinner and your overnight stay are at the cottage.
Meal plan: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
Accommodation: Ruaha River Lodge or similar
Meals included: Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner
Day 10: Nyerere National Park – Flight
Today is the Ruaha grand finale. After breakfast, your guide will drive to Msembe airstrip for your flight to Nyerere National Park. Upon arrival, your guide will complete the permits, drive to your lodge for check in, relax, followed by an evening game drive or a relaxing river cruise in the Rufiji River, one of the largest rivers in Tanzania.
Accommodation: Lake Manze Camp or similar.
Meals included: Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner
Day 11: Nyerere National Park – Full Day
Experience a full day of adventure in Nyerere National Park, where you’ll encounter the Big Five and other wildlife across diverse landscapes—from open savannahs and miombo woodlands to winding rivers and seasonal wetlands. Formerly part of the vast Selous Game Reserve, this UNESCO World Heritage Site is not only one of Africa’s largest protected areas but also among the least crowded, offering a truly immersive safari experience.
With stunning scenery and expert guidance, your game drive promises unforgettable moments—watch elephants bathing in the Rufiji River, spot stealthy predators like lions and leopards, and marvel at the birdlife, which includes over 440 recorded species. At noon, enjoy a picnic lunch surrounded by the natural beauty of the park, before continuing your exploration into the golden afternoon light, when wildlife activity peaks and photographic opportunities abound.
Accommodation: Lake Manze Camp or similar.
Meals included: Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner
Day 12: Departure - Flight (Morning nature walk with armed ranger)
Today marks your grand finale. Wake up early and savour your morning call at around 6:00 AM, as your walking guide and armed ranger prepare you for a wonderful nature walk. This immersive experience allows you to discover things often missed during game drives, with your guide pointing out fascinating details on the ground that reveal much about the ecosystem and its inhabitants. After a 2-hour walk, return to your camp for brunch before heading to the airstrip for your flight to Dar es Salaam to connect your flight back home or Zanzibar, concluding your unforgettable tour.
Accommodation: Dar es Salaam hotels or Zanzibar (if extending your holiday to Zanzibar).
Meals included: Breakfast | Lunch
Planning
To make your trip planning easier, we’ve prepared a simple list of what’s included in your tour package and what’s not. This way, you’ll have a clear idea of what to expect, and you can make any additional arrangements ahead of time for a smooth and enjoyable journey!
Includes
- English peaking Safari Guides.
- 4×4 Safari Land cruiser
- Three meals (Breakfast, lunch + dinner)
- One-way domestic flight from Serengeti to Zanzibar.
- All parks’ fees and Taxes
- All activities mentioned under the program.
- All accommodation under the program.
- One way transfer from JRO-Arusha
Excludes
- Tanzania Visa fee US $50 p/p & US $100 p/p for U.S.A passport holder
- Zanzibar Insurance and infrastructure fees
- Laundry services
- Optional Activities
- Travel insurance
- Tips for Guides
- International Flight
- Bank charges for online transfer
- An increase of taxes and/or park fees
- All things of personal nature



