Tanzania

Northern Tanzania Short Safari — 5 Days

Price From TBA

Overview

Tarangire, Ngorongoro Crater & Lake Manyara — Classic Northern Circuit

Embark on a 5-day Classic Zebra Odyssey — a refined wildlife escape that begins with a heartfelt welcome from your dedicated safari driver-guide.

Meticulously designed for true safari enthusiasts, this experience perfectly fits climbers fresh from Kilimanjaro and Mount Meru, travelers connecting from Zanzibar, and adventurers short on time yet craving something truly remarkable. From Kilimanjaro International Airport, Arusha Airport, or your Arusha hotel, you journey into Tanzania’s raw and untouched landscapes where lion calls roll through the darkness, ostriches announce the dawn, and the soft chorus of crickets surrounds your camp. Here, solitude becomes magical as the African wilderness awakens your senses in a powerful blend of sound, scent, and sight. Explore Tarangire, Ngorongoro Crater, and Lake Manyara, each park unfolding its own distinct charm, wildlife drama, and hidden story along Tanzania’s iconic northern safari circuit.

Trip Highlights

Tour Logistics

Trip Features

Start Date

Can start any day

Duration

Tour Plan

Customizable
Itinerary

Transport

Toyota Land Cruiser 4x4

Meals

Breakfast, Lunch
& Dinner

Airport

Kilimanjaro Int.
Airport

Day to Day

Trip Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival in Tanzania (Kilimanjaro International Airport) & Transfer to Arusha Town

Upon arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO), you will be warmly welcomed to Tanzania by your East Africa Sauvage representative, who will provide a friendly meet-and-greet service before transferring you comfortably and safely by road to your lodge in Arusha.

On arrival, check in and unwind after your journey. Take time to relax and rejuvenate from your flight as you enjoy the lodge’s tranquil atmosphere and amenities, surrounded by lush gardens and breathtaking views of Mount Meru’s jagged peaks.

In the evening, your lead guide will conduct a pre-safari briefing to ensure readiness for the safari. Enjoy a hearty dinner and a peaceful overnight retreat, preparing for the exciting adventure that lies ahead.

  • Accommodation: Comfort Safari, Signature Safari or Royal Safari Experience in Arusha
  • Meal Plan: Dinner

Merves Lodge, Mvuli Lodge, or Shoki Shoki Lodge

Comfort Safari accommodation in Arusha: a choice of Merves Lodge, Mvuli Lodge, or Shoki Shoki Lodge, offering simple, well-located comfort as your gateway base to the safari.

Palace Hotel, Golden Crest, or Planet Lodge (3-Star)

Signature Safari accommodation in Arusha: a choice of Palace Hotel, Golden Crest, or Planet Lodge, each rated 3-star for a more polished stay before and after your safari.

Grand Melia Hotel, Mt Meru Hotel, or Kibo Palace Arusha (5-Star)

Royal Safari Experience accommodation in Arusha: a choice of Grand Melia Hotel, Mt Meru Hotel, or Kibo Palace Arusha, all 5-star properties for a top-tier start or finish to your journey.

After a sumptuous breakfast is served at the lodge around 08:00 AM, you will be met and warmly welcomed by your professional safari driver-guide. Thereafter, set off on a scenic drive to Tarangire National Park, one of Tanzania’s most magnificent wildlife sanctuaries.

Covering an impressive 2,850 square kilometers and located approximately 120 km southwest of Arusha town, Tarangire is world-renowned for its exceptional game-viewing experiences, particularly during the dry spells. At this time, vast numbers of wildlife congregate along the great Tarangire River, the park’s primary and most vital water source. The river meanders for about 120 km through the park before emptying into Lake Burunge, sustaining life throughout the ecosystem.

Enjoy an extensive wildlife viewing drive across the park’s diverse landscapes, where you may encounter large elephant herds, lions, giraffes, zebras, wildebeest, and a rich variety of birdlife. With a bit of luck, you may also spot small packs of African painted dogs patrolling the bushlands, elusive greater kudus concealed in the thickets, and shy elands observing from a distance.

At midday, savor a gourmet picnic lunch at a designated picnic site within the park. Afterwards, continue with a short yet thrilling afternoon wildlife viewing as you exit the park and proceed towards Karatu town.

Upon arrival, check in at your lodge, nestled in the cool highlands of Karatu. In the evening, enjoy a scrumptious dinner followed by a relaxing overnight stay, perfectly preparing you for the next day’s adventure.

  • Accommodation: Comfort Safari, Signature Safari or Royal Safari Experience in Karatu
  • Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Bogani Villa, Farm House, or Farm Valley

Comfort Safari accommodation in Karatu: a choice of Bogani Villa, Farm House, or Farm Valley, relaxed highland-town options close to the Ngorongoro Crater gate.

Endoro Lodge, Marera Valley Lodge, Ngorongoro Marera Mountain View Lodge, Baghayo, or Country Lodge (3-4 Star)

Signature Safari accommodation in Karatu: a choice of Endoro Lodge, Marera Valley Lodge, Ngorongoro Marera Mountain View Lodge, Baghayo, or Country Lodge, rated 3 to 4-star for a comfortable highland base.

Oldeani Mountain Lodge (5-Star), Neptune Ngorongoro Lodge, Acacia Farm Lodge, The Manor, or Ngorongoro Coffee Lodge

Royal Safari Experience accommodation in Karatu: a choice of Oldeani Mountain Lodge (5-star), Neptune Ngorongoro Lodge, Acacia Farm Lodge, The Manor, or Ngorongoro Coffee Lodge, for the finest stays around the crater highlands.

After an early breakfast at the lodge around 07:00 AM, and after checking out, your safari driver-guide will collect you with your picnic lunch boxes and descend into the 610-meter-deep world-renowned Ngorongoro Crater, often referred to as “Africa’s Eden.” This UNESCO World Heritage Site is the largest unbroken caldera in the world, sheltering one of the richest wildlife populations on the continent.

Spend the day exploring the crater floor, home to an incredible concentration of animals including lions, elephants, zebras, buffaloes, wildebeests, hippopotamuses, and the rare rhinoceros. The diverse landscapes, from open grasslands and acacia forests to the sparkling Lake Magadi, create a photographer’s paradise.

Enjoy your picnic lunch at a scenic spot near the Hippo Pool, soaking in the tranquil views and sounds of the wild. In the afternoon, ascend the crater walls and continue towards your lodge in Karatu. Arrive at your lodge for a warm welcome, refreshing relaxation, a delectable dinner, and a restful overnight stay in the charming highland town.

  • Accommodation: Comfort Safari, Signature Safari or Royal Safari Experience in Karatu
  • Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Bogani Villa, Farm House, or Farm Valley

Comfort Safari accommodation in Karatu: a choice of Bogani Villa, Farm House, or Farm Valley, relaxed highland-town options close to the Ngorongoro Crater gate.

Endoro Lodge, Marera Valley Lodge, Ngorongoro Marera Mountain View Lodge, Baghayo, or Country Lodge (3-4 Star)

Signature Safari accommodation in Karatu: a choice of Endoro Lodge, Marera Valley Lodge, Ngorongoro Marera Mountain View Lodge, Baghayo, or Country Lodge, rated 3 to 4-star for a comfortable highland base.

Oldeani Mountain Lodge (5-Star), Neptune Ngorongoro Lodge, Acacia Farm Lodge, The Manor, or Ngorongoro Coffee Lodge

Royal Safari Experience accommodation in Karatu: a choice of Oldeani Mountain Lodge (5-star), Neptune Ngorongoro Lodge, Acacia Farm Lodge, The Manor, or Ngorongoro Coffee Lodge, for the finest stays around the crater highlands.

After a restful night and a lavish breakfast at the lodge, your driver-guide will collect you for a scenic drive to Lake Manyara National Park. Often described as a hidden gem of Tanzania, this compact yet diverse park offers breathtaking landscapes ranging from dense groundwater forests and open grassy plains to the shores of the alkaline Lake Manyara itself.

Enjoy a leisurely wildlife viewing drive through the park, where you might encounter tree-climbing lions, large parades of elephants, baboons, and an impressive variety of birdlife, including flamingoes, pelicans, and hornbills. The park’s ever-changing scenery and vibrant wildlife make it a photographer’s paradise.

A delicious picnic lunch will be served at one of the picturesque sites within the park. Later in the afternoon, continue your journey to Arusha, where you will arrive in the early evening. Relax and unwind at your lodge, reminiscing about the unforgettable experiences of your safari adventure.

Dinner and overnight stay in Arusha.

  • Accommodation: Comfort Safari, Signature Safari or Royal Safari Experience in Arusha
  • Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Merves Lodge, Mvuli Lodge, or Shoki Shoki Lodge

Comfort Safari accommodation in Arusha: a choice of Merves Lodge, Mvuli Lodge, or Shoki Shoki Lodge, offering simple, well-located comfort as your gateway base to the safari.

Palace Hotel, Golden Crest, or Planet Lodge (3-Star)

Signature Safari accommodation in Arusha: a choice of Palace Hotel, Golden Crest, or Planet Lodge, each rated 3-star for a more polished stay before and after your safari.

Grand Melia Hotel, Mt Meru Hotel, or Kibo Palace Arusha (5-Star)

Royal Safari Experience accommodation in Arusha: a choice of Grand Melia Hotel, Mt Meru Hotel, or Kibo Palace Arusha, all 5-star properties for a top-tier start or finish to your journey.

After enjoying a leisurely breakfast at your lodge, take some time to relax and soak in your final moments in Tanzania. Depending on your flight schedule, you will be met by your East Africa Sauvage representative and transferred comfortably to Kilimanjaro International Airport for your onward journey.

Your incredible adventure through Tanzania’s wilderness and culture comes to an end, leaving you with unforgettable memories of breathtaking landscapes, abundant wildlife, and the warm hospitality of its people.

Thank you very much for traveling with East Africa Sauvage — we look forward to welcoming you again for more adventures across East Africa. May your heart carry the beauty and memories of Africa wherever you go.

No accommodation required tonight — departure day.

Trip Pricing

What's Included and What's Not Included

Safari Cost Include

  • Meet and greet services
  • All transfers as specified
  • All accommodations as specified in the itinerary
  • All meals (breakfast, lunch, and dinner)
  • All drinks (unlimited bottled water, juice, bites, and snacks)
  • All national park, gate fees, conservation fees, and concession fees (for non-residents)
  • Unlimited and comprehensive wildlife viewing drives
  • Wi-Fi on board
  • All government taxes and levies
  • Maasai cultural tour
  • A pop-up, spacious safari jeep with guaranteed window seats for wildlife viewing and photography
  • A professional English-speaking safari guide
  • Roundtrip airport transfers

Safari Cost Does Not Include

  • Tips and other gratuities (highly appreciated)
  • Optional activities not included in the inclusions
  • International flights
  • Hard & sports drinks
  • Personal items (visa, travel insurance, souvenirs, medical evacuation cover, and any other travel-related document)
  • Laundry (available upon request at extra cost)

Our day trip vehicles come equipped with standard safari amenities. If you’d like to enhance comfort during your game drives or picnic stops, optional gear add-ons—such as blankets, binoculars, and gourmet lunch packs—are available at an extra cost as listed above. Early booking is recommended to ensure availability.

Priceing Table

Your dream trip, your price

Low Season (January — March) Price Per Person / Per Trip
Safari Tier 1 Pax 2 Pax 3 Pax 4 Pax 5 Pax 6 Pax 7 Pax+
Essential Safari TBA TBA TBA TBA TBA TBA TBA
Comfort Safari TBA TBA TBA TBA TBA TBA TBA
Signature Safari TBA TBA TBA TBA TBA TBA TBA
Royal Safari Experience TBA TBA TBA TBA TBA TBA TBA
Mid Season (April — May / Nov — Dec) Price Per Person / Per Trip
Safari Tier 1 Pax 2 Pax 3 Pax 4 Pax 5 Pax 6 Pax 7 Pax+
Essential Safari TBA TBA TBA TBA TBA TBA TBA
Comfort Safari TBA TBA TBA TBA TBA TBA TBA
Signature Safari TBA TBA TBA TBA TBA TBA TBA
Royal Safari Experience TBA TBA TBA TBA TBA TBA TBA
High Season (June — October) Price Per Person / Per Trip
Safari Tier 1 Pax 2 Pax 3 Pax 4 Pax 5 Pax 6 Pax 7 Pax+
Essential Safari TBA TBA TBA TBA TBA TBA TBA
Comfort Safari TBA TBA TBA TBA TBA TBA TBA
Signature Safari TBA TBA TBA TBA TBA TBA TBA
Royal Safari Experience TBA TBA TBA TBA TBA TBA TBA

Extra Cost

Transfers

We offer the following transfer options
  • Kilimanjaro Airport (JRO) to Moshi – $50
  • Moshi to Kilimanjaro Airport (JRO) – $50
  • Arusha to Moshi – $100
  • Moshi to Arusha – $100
All transfers are private and operated by trusted drivers. Pre-booking is recommended.

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