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Tanzania · Arusha NP, Tarangire, Lake Manyara, Serengeti, Ngorongoro

6-Day Complete Northern Circuit Safari

6 Days / 5 Nights·Gosheni SafarisVerified Operator

Overview

The definitive northern Tanzania budget safari — 6 days covering all five parks: Arusha NP, Tarangire, Lake Manyara, Serengeti, and Ngorongoro Crater from $950 per person.

This 6-day safari is the most comprehensive budget tour of northern Tanzania, covering all five major parks in the circuit. Begin with the often-overlooked Arusha National Park for colobus monkeys and Kilimanjaro views, then visit Tarangire for elephants, Lake Manyara for tree-climbing lions, spend two days in the vast Serengeti, and finish with the incredible Ngorongoro Crater. This itinerary gives you the most complete picture of Tanzania's northern wildlife spectacle, and budget camping keeps it accessible for cost-conscious adventurers.

Safari Highlights

  • All five northern circuit parks in one safari
  • Arusha National Park — Kilimanjaro views and colobus monkeys
  • Tarangire elephant herds and baobab forests
  • Lake Manyara tree-climbing lions
  • Two days in the Serengeti
  • Ngorongoro Crater Big Five game drive

Day-by-Day Itinerary

1

Arusha National Park

Start your safari close to town at Arusha National Park, a compact gem offering stunning views of Mt. Kilimanjaro and Mt. Meru. Walk through the montane forest looking for black-and-white colobus monkeys, giraffes, and buffalo. Visit the Momella Lakes with their resident flamingo flocks. Return to Arusha for the night.

Accommodation: Budget lodge — Arusha

Meals: Lunch (packed), Dinner

Arusha NP game driveForest walkMomella Lakes visitKilimanjaro views
2

Arusha to Tarangire National Park

Drive to Tarangire and enjoy a full day of game drives along the Tarangire River. Watch massive elephant herds — sometimes 300+ strong — among towering baobab trees. The park is also home to lion, leopard, and pythons, plus over 550 bird species. Camp near Tarangire.

Accommodation: Budget camping — Tarangire area campsite

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch (packed), Dinner

Transfer to TarangireFull-day game driveElephant watchingSunset at camp
3

Lake Manyara & Transfer to Serengeti

Morning game drive in Lake Manyara National Park — explore the groundwater forest and lakeshore. Search for tree-climbing lions, flamingos, hippos, and blue monkeys. After lunch, drive through the Ngorongoro Highlands to the Serengeti. Evening game drive on the plains.

Accommodation: Budget camping — Serengeti public campsite

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch (packed), Dinner

Lake Manyara game driveScenic highland transferEvening Serengeti drive
4

Full Day in the Serengeti

A complete day exploring the Serengeti. Early morning drive to catch predators on the hunt, then explore the Seronera Valley for leopard, hippo, and crocodile. Afternoon drive across the open plains searching for cheetah, giraffe, and buffalo. Depending on the season, you may encounter the Great Migration herds.

Accommodation: Budget camping — Serengeti public campsite

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch (packed), Dinner

Dawn game driveSeronera Valley explorationPlains drivePredator tracking
5

Serengeti to Ngorongoro

Morning game drive in the Serengeti for final sightings, then transfer to the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. Camp on the crater rim at Simba Campsite with sweeping views of the caldera below. A spectacular sunset caps the day.

Accommodation: Budget camping — Simba Campsite, Ngorongoro

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch (packed), Dinner

Morning Serengeti driveTransfer to NgorongoroCrater rim sunset
6

Ngorongoro Crater & Return to Arusha

Dawn descent into the Ngorongoro Crater for the grand finale — a morning game drive among 25,000+ animals including the Big Five. Spot black rhino near Lerai Forest, lion prides in the grasslands, and flamingos at Lake Magadi. Packed lunch at the hippo pool. Ascend and return to Arusha by late afternoon.

Accommodation: End of tour — Arusha drop-off

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch (packed)

Crater descentBig Five game driveFlamingo viewingReturn to Arusha

What's Included

  • Arusha round-trip transfers
  • All park fees (5 parks) and crater service fee
  • Professional English-speaking guide
  • 4x4 safari vehicle
  • Full-board meals
  • Camping accommodation
  • Drinking water

What's Excluded

  • International flights
  • Tanzania visa
  • Travel insurance
  • Tips and gratuities
  • Beverages
  • Sleeping bag rental
  • Optional activities (balloon, walking safari)
  • Personal expenses
From

$950

per person sharing

Duration6 Days
CountryTanzania
DestinationArusha NP, Tarangire, Lake Manyara, Serengeti, Ngorongoro
Difficultymoderate
Group Size1–12

Group Pricing

Solo Traveller$1,235
2 People$950
4-6 People$808
Book This Safari

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Tour Operator

Gosheni Safaris

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