9-Day Ultimate Northern Circuit Exploration

Tour Overview

This 9-day private safari offers an unforgettable blend of wildlife adventures, breathtaking views of Mt. Kilimanjaro, and authentic cultural experiences. You will explore four major national parks in the Northern Circuit, each offering its own unique landscapes and wildlife encounters. Your journey will take place in a comfortable 4x4 safari vehicle with a pop-up roof for optimal game viewing. All vehicles are equipped with charging sockets for your cameras and phones, a refrigerator for cold drinks, and optional onboard Wi-Fi. Throughout the safari, you will be accompanied by a professional driver-guide and a dedicated safari cook, ensuring a smooth, enjoyable, and well-catered experience from start to finish.

Trip Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival in Arusha | Airport Pick-Up
Upon arrival at either Kilimanjaro International Airport or Arusha Airport, you will be warmly welcomed by our representative and transferred to Tulia Hotel for check-in.
If your arrival time permits, you may enjoy an optional Arusha city tour, which includes visits to a renowned local art gallery, the local market, and the Maasai market—an excellent introduction to Tanzania’s vibrant culture and craftsmanship.
Settle in and relax as you prepare for the exciting safari adventure ahead.
Day 2: Arusha - Arusha National Park
Your guide will pick you up from your hotel at 7:45 am for the one-hour drive to Arusha National Park. This beautiful park boasts an impressive variety of landscapes, from open grasslands and lush swamps to thick montane forests draping the slopes of Mount Meru.
As you explore the park, you’ll have the chance to spot black-and-white colobus monkeys, admire the scenic Momella Lakes dotted with flamingos, and encounter a wide range of wildlife and bird species thriving in this diverse ecosystem.
A highlight of the day is the walking safari, allowing you to experience the park at ground level and observe animals up close in their natural environment.
After the tour, you will return to Arusha for dinner and overnight at your hotel.
Day 3: Arusha - Tarangire National Park
After breakfast, your guide will pick you up from the hotel at 8:00 am for a scenic 2-hour 20-minute drive to Tarangire National Park. Renowned for its large elephant herds and majestic ancient baobab trees, Tarangire offers some of Tanzania’s most iconic wildlife scenery.

From the open-top safari vehicle, you will explore the park’s diverse landscapes, including seasonal swamps, vast savannahs, and the Tarangire River, teeming with wildlife. Expect to spot a wide variety of animals, from giraffes, zebras, and impalas to lions, leopards, warthogs, and elephants, as well as an impressive array of bird species.

We will stop for picnic lunch at a scenic spot with spectacular views, before continuing the afternoon game drive. In the evening, you will proceed to your camp for dinner and overnight stay.
Day 4: Tarangire - Mto Wa Mbu | Cultural Experience
Start your day with an early morning sunrise game drive in Tarangire National Park, offering the perfect chance to see wildlife in the soft morning light. After breakfast, continue with a morning game drive before departing for Mto Wa Mbu, a vibrant village known for its rich culture and lush landscapes.
Upon arrival, enjoy lunch before embarking on a cultural tour. Explore the local communities, visit banana plantations, rice fields, traditional artworks, and nearby forests and waterfalls. You can choose between a walking tour or a biking adventure to immerse yourself in the area’s natural beauty and daily life.
In the evening, relax with dinner and overnight at Karatu area.
Day 5: Mto Wa Mbu - Central Serengeti
After breakfast, we will depart for the Serengeti, embarking on a scenic 4–5 hour drive through the Crater Highlands toward the park’s iconic vast plains. Along the way, enjoy a fascinating game drive, spotting wildlife as you travel through this remarkable landscape.
We will stop for a picnic lunch at Naabi Hill Gate, before entering the Serengeti for an afternoon game drive. Experience the thrill of watching the animals in their natural habitat and capture the stunning scenery as the sun begins to set over the plains.
In the evening, we will head to your lodge for dinner and overnight stay, resting up for another exciting day in the heart of the Serengeti.
Day 6: Full-Day Safari in Serengeti National Park
Today, you will enjoy a full day exploring the Serengeti, one of Africa’s most iconic wildlife destinations. Set out at sunrise for an early morning drive and return to camp for breakfast.
Afterwards, we will pack a picnic lunch and embark on a full-day game drive, traversing the park’s stunning landscapes in search of the Big Five—lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo, and rhino. Serengeti is also a paradise for bird lovers, with over 500 bird species recorded, from ostriches and secretary birds in the open grasslands to majestic black eagles soaring above the savannah.
Spend the day tracking wildlife and soaking in the breathtaking scenery, before returning to the lodge at sunset for dinner and overnight stay.
Day 7: Serengeti - Ngorongoro Highlands
Rise early today for a sunrise game drive in the Serengeti, when wildlife is most active and the light is perfect for photography. After exploring the plains, we will stop at a scenic bush picnic site for breakfast, before continuing the morning game drive to spot more of the park’s incredible animals.
Return to camp for a hot lunch, then pack up and depart for the Ngorongoro Highlands. Enjoy the scenic drive as the landscape transitions from open plains to the lush highlands. Upon arrival, settle in for dinner and overnight at Simba Campsite, preparing for tomorrow’s adventure into the famous Ngorongoro Crater.
Day 8: Ngorongoro Crater Safari
Today, we will depart at 6:00 am and descend into the magnificent Ngorongoro Crater, carrying a packed breakfast to enjoy amidst the breathtaking scenery. This UNESCO World Heritage site is home to nearly every species of wildlife found in East Africa, including the rare black rhino, which we may be lucky enough to spot.
Covering 260 square kilometers and spanning about 20 kilometers in diameter, exploring the crater will take approximately 5–6 hours. As you drive through its diverse habitats, you will encounter lions, elephants, hippos, zebras, and countless bird species, all set against a dramatic volcanic landscape.
After the morning adventure, we will ascend back to the highlands for lunch before driving back to Tulia Hotel in Arusha for dinner and overnight stay, concluding your unforgettable safari journey.
Day 9: Arusha - Kilimanjaro National Park | Hike to Mandara Hut & Maundi Crater
After breakfast, depart from your hotel in Arusha and drive to Kilimanjaro National Park, passing through scenic countryside dotted with coffee and banana plantations and the charming Marangu village, with Mount Kilimanjaro rising majestically in the distance.
Upon arrival at Marangu Gate (1,800 m / 5,905 ft), complete park registration and begin your hike to Mandara Hut (2,743 m / 9,000 ft). The trek takes approximately 3 hours, offering stunning views along the way. Pause at Mandara Hut for a picnic lunch and a short rest.
After your break, embark on the short but challenging walk to Maundi Crater, a dramatic volcanic feature with panoramic views. Following this adventure, descend back to Marangu Gate and transfer to either Kilimanjaro Airport or your Arusha hotel, marking the end of your unforgettable Tanzanian journey.
Elevation gain: 915 m / 3,000 ft

Tour Pricing

Tour Include
  • Park fees
  • All activities (Unless labeled as optional)
  • All accommodation (Unless listed as upgrade)
  • A professional driver/guide
  • 4X4 Custom built – Toyota Land cruiser during Safari
  • All transportation (Unless labeled as optional)
  • All Taxes/VAT
  • Drinking water (On all days)
Tour Exclude
  • International flights (From/to home)
  • Domestic flights
  • Balloon Safari over the Serengeti (can be arranged with extra cost)
  • Tips
  • Personal items (Souvenirs, travel insurance, visa fees, etc.)
  • Government imposed increase of taxes and/or park fee

from $3950
per person

Booking Request
Enquiry Form
Have a Question?

Feel free to reach out and we're happy to answer any questions you may have.

Hear the call of the wild—your safari awaits. Book today!

Related Tours

Choose from our comprehensive list of guided, wildlife, and family-friendly Tanzania safari packages. We also offer group and corporate rates for an unforgettable adventure!

Adventure

6-Day Great Migration Ndutu December -April

From December to April is prime season, with January offering exceptional calving opportunities
GREAT MIGRATION

8-Day Great Wildebeest Migration Safari

Witness one of nature’s greatest spectacles as millions of wildebeest across the Serengeti
HONEYMOON SAFARI

5-Day Luxury Romantic Honeymoon Safari in Tanzania

Begin your honeymoon surrounded by one of nature’s most breathtaking scenes across the Serengeti
Comments are closed.