Embark on an unforgettable 5-day Tanzanian wilderness expedition through three of Africa’s most celebrated wildlife havens: Tarangire National Park, the legendary Serengeti, and the UNESCO World Heritage Ngorongoro Crater. Designed by SmartBrand Expeditions, this immersive circuit offers front-row seats to the Big Five, vast savannah landscapes, and rich biodiversity.
Travel in total comfort aboard a private 4×4 safari Jeep equipped with device charging sockets, chilled mineral water, and snacks. Led by a professional English-speaking driver-guide, you will enjoy full-board meals and handpicked, premium lodge or tented camp accommodations each night. From the giant elephant herds of Tarangire to the endless plains of the Serengeti and the dense wildlife haven inside Ngorongoro Crater, this journey delivers an authentic and seamless African adventure.
Highlights
- DAY 1: ARRIVAL AT KILIMANJARO INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT (JRO) – ARUSHA TOWN
- DAY 2: ARUSHA – TARANGIRE NATIONAL PARK
- DAY 3: KARATU – SERENGETI NATIONAL PARK
- DAY 4: SERENGETI NATIONAL PARK – KARATU / NGORONGORO AREA
- DAY 5: NGORONGORO CRATER – ARUSHA
This 5-day itinerary offers an excellent combination of diverse habitats and classic safari experiences across four of Tanzania’s premier parks. With SMARTBRAND EXPEDITIONS you travel privately, enjoy professional guiding, and stay in carefully selected accommodations — creating a rewarding and well-paced journey through the northern circuit.
Upon arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO), you will be warmly welcomed by your professional safari guide and transferred to Arusha Town. After a short welcome and safari briefing, enjoy the scenic drive to your hotel.
Depending on your arrival time, the remainder of the day will be leisurely. You may relax at the lodge or explore some of Arusha's attractions and surroundings. Arusha is the gateway to Tanzania's northern safari circuit and provides a convenient starting point for your upcoming safari adventure. Take some time to relax and prepare for the exciting days ahead.
In the evening, enjoy dinner and a comfortable overnight stay at your lodge.
Main Destination: Arusha Town
Meals: Dinner (drinking water included; other drinks not included)
Dinner & Overnight: Summit Safari Lodge
Highlights: Arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport, scenic transfer to Arusha, safari briefing, and relaxation before your safari adventure.
Approximate transfer time: 2–2.5 hours
You’ll be picked up from your lodge in Arusha early in the morning and begin the scenic journey to Tarangire National Park with packed lunch boxes.
Tarangire is renowned for its large elephant herds and diverse landscapes that range from seasonal swamps to open savannah, with the Tarangire River winding through the park. The river acts as a vital water source, especially in the dry season, attracting high concentrations of wildlife. During your game drive you may see elephants in large family groups, giraffe, zebra, wildebeests, buffalo, and predators such as lion stalking prey or leopard resting in the trees. Birdlife is also excellent.
In the late afternoon you drive to your lodge for relaxation, dinner, and overnight.
Main Destination: Tarangire National Park
Meals: Lunch & Dinner (drinking water included; other drinks not included)
Dinner & Overnight: Marera Valley Lodge
Highlights: Large elephant herds, baobab landscapes, riverine habitat, and strong general game viewing
Approximate transfer time: 4–5 hours (including game viewing en route)
After breakfast you depart for Serengeti National Park. The drive takes you through the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, offering changing landscapes and opportunities for wildlife viewing along the way. You will enjoy a packed lunch at a suitable location inside or near the park and continue with afternoon game drives.
The Serengeti is world-famous for its vast open plains and the great migrating herds of wildebeest, zebra, and antelope. It is also home to a high density of resident predators, lions, leopards, and cheetahs that play their essential role in the circle of life. In the late afternoon you arrive at your lodge or camp for dinner and overnight inside or on the edge of the Serengeti.
Main Destination: Serengeti National Park
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner (drinking water included; other drinks not included)
Dinner & Overnight: Sidai Serengeti Camp
Highlights: Vast open plains, abundant wildlife, large wildebeest and zebra herds, big cats, dramatic predator-prey encounters, and spectacular Serengeti landscapes.
Approximate transfer time: 3–4 hours in the afternoon
You wake up early for a magical morning game drive in the Serengeti, where animals are most active and the light is ideal for photography. After a rewarding morning exploring the plains and a further game drive, you enjoy lunch before departing in the afternoon toward the Ngorongoro highlands.
You arrive in the Karatu area (near the Ngorongoro Crater) in the late afternoon or early evening. Overnight is spent at a comfortable lodge in this region, positioning you perfectly for an early descent into the crater the following morning.
Main Destination: Serengeti National Park
Meals: Lunch & Dinner (drinking water included; other drinks not included)
Dinner & Overnight: Marera Valley Lodge
Highlights: Vast open plains, abundant wildlife, large wildebeest and zebra herds, big cats, dramatic predator-prey encounters, and spectacular Serengeti landscapes.
Approximate transfer time: 40–60 minutes (descent into the crater) + 3.5–4.5 hours (return to Arusha)
After breakfast you depart for the Ngorongoro Conservation Area and descend into the Ngorongoro Crater for a half-day game drive with packed lunch boxes.
The Ngorongoro Crater is the largest unbroken volcanic caldera in the world and one of the natural wonders of Africa. Approximately 25,000–30,000 large mammals live here year-round, including buffalo, lion, elephant, cheetah, and the endangered black rhinoceros, together with a wide variety of birds such as flamingos, eagles, and buzzards. The high concentration of animals within the crater floor allows for excellent wildlife viewing in a relatively short time.
After the game drive you ascend the crater wall and transfer to Arusha Airport/ Kilimanjaro International Airport for your flight back.
Main Destination: Ngorongoro Crater
Meals: Lunch & Dinner (drinking water included; other drinks not included)
Dinner & Overnight: No accommodation
Highlights: Spectacular crater landscapes, high wildlife concentration, black rhino sightings, lions, elephants, buffaloes, flamingos, and diverse birdlife.
- • Private safari in a 4x4 safari Jeep
- • Professional English-speaking safari guide/driver
- • Accommodation and meals as specified in the itinerary.
- • Full-board meals during the safari, as stated in the itinerary
- • Packed lunches during game-drive days where specified
- • Mineral drinking water in the safari vehicle
- • Power sockets/charging facilities in the safari vehicle
- • Park fees.
- • Government taxes and applicable safari-related charges.
- • International flights
- • Domestic flights, unless specifically included
- • Airport transfers, unless specifically included
- • Visa fees & Airport taxes
- • Travel and medical insurance
- • Personal expenses
- • Alcoholic and other premium beverages.
- • Laundry services
- • Tips and gratuities for the safari guide/driver and lodge staff
- • Souvenirs and other personal purchases
- • Optional activities not mentioned in the itinerary
- • Any services not specifically mentioned under Inclusions