Overview & Summary
This is the safari that defines Tanzania. Seven days across the northern circuit's most iconic landscapes Tarangire's elephant filled plains, the Serengeti's predator rich savannahs, and the ancient majesty of Ngorongoro Crater. Witness massive elephant herds gathering beneath thousands year old baobabs. Spend two full days tracking lions, leopards, and cheetahs across the Serengeti's endless plains. Descend into the Ngorongoro Crater at first light, where over 25,000 animals including the endangered black rhino roam. With expert BMC TOURS & SAFARIS guides, comfortable accommodations, and a relaxed pace, this is the ultimate northern circuit journey for travelers seeking depth, not just distance.
Full Itinerary
Private transfer from Kilimanjaro Airport & briefing
Your safari begins with a warm welcome from your BMC TOURS & SAFARIS driver at Kilimanjaro International Airport. You are transferred to your comfortable hotel in Arusha, where views of Mount Meru greet you. The afternoon is yours to relax, perhaps exploring the vibrant local markets or simply unwinding by the pool. In the evening, your safari guide meets you for a private briefing, sharing insights on the days ahead from Tarangire's elephants to the Serengeti's predators and the ancient crater that holds them all. A delicious dinner awaits, setting the tone for the journey to come.
Dinner and overnight at Tulia Retreat Hotel & Spa
Tarangire River game drives, giant baobabs & elephant herds
After breakfast, journey to Tarangire National Park, a landscape dominated by ancient baobab trees and the life giving Tarangire River. This park is famous for its massive elephant herds, some numbering in the hundreds, gathering along the riverbanks during the dry season. Spend the full day on game drives through acacia woodlands, open savannahs, and seasonal swamps. Spot lions resting in the shade, giraffes browsing treetops, zebras grazing in herds, and the elusive tree climbing pythons coiled in acacia branches. Enjoy a picnic lunch at a scenic spot overlooking the river, watching elephants drink and play. The afternoon continues with more wildlife encounters as golden light illuminates the baobabs. Exit the park in the late afternoon and transfer to your lodge near Karatu.
Dinner and overnight at Marera Valley Lodge
Ngorongoro Highlands transit, scenic viewpoint stops & Serengeti entry
After breakfast, journey toward the legendary Serengeti National Park. The scenic drive takes you through the Ngorongoro Highlands, with stops at breathtaking viewpoints overlooking the Great Rift Valley and traditional Maasai homesteads dotting the landscape. As you descend onto the vast plains, the horizon stretches into eternity. Enter the Serengeti and begin your first game drive, encountering giraffes, elephants, zebras, and perhaps lions resting in the golden grass. Your guide shares insights into this iconic ecosystem. Enjoy a picnic lunch en route before continuing your exploration. Arrive at your comfortable camp in Central Serengeti in the late afternoon, with time to settle in before an evening game drive as the sun sets over the endless plains. Return to camp for dinner under a blanket of stars.
Dinner and overnight at Osinon Serengeti Camp
Dawn game drives, Seronera Valley lions & kopjes exploration
Wake before dawn for an early morning game drive as the Serengeti awakens in golden light prime time for predator sightings. The Seronera Valley, one of Africa's most predator rich regions, offers lions stalking zebras, cheetahs scanning from termite mounds, and leopards draped in acacia branches. Spend the day exploring open savannahs and ancient granite kopjes where predators laze and hyraxes scurry among the rocks. If the season aligns, witness the Great Migration with thousands of wildebeest and zebras stretching across the plains. Enjoy a picnic lunch in the bush, surrounded by the sounds of the wild. The afternoon offers more exploration through acacia woodlands and along the Seronera River. Return to camp as the sun sets, sharing stories of the day's wonders over dinner.
Dinner and overnight at Osinon Serengeti CampGreat Migration tracking, kopjes, waterholes & custom route
After breakfast, set out for another full day of exploration in Central Serengeti. Today you may choose to follow the movement of the Great Migration if it is in the region, or explore deeper into the Seronera Valley's hidden corners. Your guide knows where the wildlife is most active, adapting the route to give you the best possible encounters. Visit different kopjes, waterholes, and river crossings, each with its own cast of characters. Enjoy a picnic lunch in a scenic location, perhaps under a shady acacia tree with views across the plains. The afternoon offers more game viewing as the light begins to soften. Return to camp in the early evening, where a delicious dinner awaits under the vast African sky.
Dinner and overnight at Osinon Serengeti CampSerengeti exit game drive, Ngorongoro highlands transit & caldera sunset views
After a final morning game drive in the Serengeti, enjoy a leisurely breakfast before beginning your journey toward the Ngorongoro Highlands. Travel through changing landscapes, from endless grasslands to acacia woodlands, stopping at viewpoints that offer sweeping panoramas of the Great Rift Valley. Your guide shares stories of the land as you ascend into cooler, greener highlands dotted with traditional Maasai homesteads. Arrive at your comfortable lodge perched on the Ngorongoro Crater rim in the late afternoon, where you are welcomed with breathtaking views of the caldera below. Settle in, then enjoy a delicious dinner as the sun sets over this ancient volcanic landscape, anticipation building for tomorrow's descent into Africa's Garden of Eden.
Dinner and overnight at Ngorongoro Safari Lodge
600m caldera descent, Big Five game drives & Ngoitokitok Springs picnic
After an early breakfast with spectacular crater views, descend 600 meters onto the Ngorongoro Crater floor for a final game drive. This natural wonder, formed over two million years ago, teems with over 25,000 animals lions stalk zebras on open grasslands, elephants graze near hippo pools, and the endangered black rhino browses peacefully in the distance. Explore Lake Magadi's shimmering flamingos and the lush Gorigor Swamp before enjoying a picnic lunch at scenic Ngoitokitok Springs, watching hippos surface just meters away. After lunch, ascend the crater wall and begin your scenic drive back to Arusha. Stop at a local art gallery or curio market to browse handmade crafts before arriving at Kilimanjaro International Airport for your departure, carrying memories of elephants beneath baobabs, lions on kopjes, and the majesty of the crater.
END OF OUR SERVICESInclusions & Exclusions
Included
- Private transfers from Kilimanjaro Airport
- Accommodations as listed
- All meals: 6 breakfasts, 7 lunches, 6 dinners
- Daily game drives with expert BMC guide
- Private 4x4 safari vehicle with pop-up roof
- Park entry fees for Tarangire, Serengeti & Ngorongoro Crater
- Ngorongoro Crater descent fee
- Bottled drinking water
- All government taxes
Excluded
- International flights
- Travel & medical insurance
- Tanzania visa fees
- Alcoholic & soft drinks
- Personal expenses (souvenirs, laundry, spa)
- Tips for guide & lodge staff
- Accommodation before or after safari
Optional Activities
