Our premier tour explores the wonderful northern circuit for 7 days with safaris in Tarangire, Serengeti, and Ngorongoro National Parks. You will enjoy the beautiful natural scenery of the Great Rift Valley, the Highlands, Africa’s Big Five, and many other wild animal species and birds. These are World Heritage Sites, International Biosphere Reserves, and the 7th Wonder of the Natural World, and Chanua will make this the holiday of a lifetime.
The itinerary
- Tarangire National Park
- Serengeti National Park
- Olduvai Gorge
- Ngorongoro Crater
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Pickup and transfer to your first-night hotel for dinner and overnight. Briefing will be held at the hotel.
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After breakfast, you will be picked up and driven to Tarangire National Park for a full-day game drive with your picnic lunch boxes. In the evening, drive to the lodge/camp for dinner and overnight.
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After breakfast, depart from the lodge or camp in Tarangire and proceed to the Serengeti for game-viewing drives with picnic lunch boxes. In the evening, drive to the lodge or camp for dinner and overnight.
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A full-day game drive in the Serengeti. Dinner and overnight at the lodge or camp.
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A morning drive in the Serengeti, then proceed to Ngorongoro, visiting Olduvai Gorge en route, with picnic lunch boxes. Dinner and overnight at the lodge or camp.
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A full-day game drive at the Ngorongoro Crater. Leave the crater in the late afternoon for the lodge. Dinner and overnight at the lodge or camp.
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After breakfast, drive back to Arusha for your international flight home or further onward travel with Chanua.
Subject to timings, we can arrange many interesting local tours and experiences around Arusha, and if necessary, an overnight stay, as extras.
This safari package can be reserved as it is, or you can ask us to modify it to fulfil your interests and dreams. You can include more days in Tarangire, Serengeti or Ngorongoro, or add any other destination like Arusha National Park. You can also get a chance to visit Maasai villages adjacent to the parks and experience African culture as it is lived. Why not add on a holiday on the spice island with golden beaches, Zanzibar? You only need ask us and we will deliver your request: “making your safari dreams a reality.”
At a glance Summary, facts & pricing The trip in numbers, and what it costs.
Chanua's premier northern circuit journey — Tarangire, Serengeti, Olduvai Gorge and Ngorongoro
Pricing by comfort level
Best season June-October, January-March
$1,830 per person
Best season June-October, January-March
$2,400 per person
Best season June-October, January-March
$3,800 per person
Per person, land only — international flights not included. Final pricing depends on your dates and group size; ask us and we will quote exactly.
Highlights Highlights, season & the route What makes this trip, when it is at its best, and where it goes.
Heading south again
The short rains begin and the herds turn back south across the eastern and central Serengeti, retracing the loop toward next season's calving grounds.
Highlights, up close
The route
- Duration 7 days
- Best months June-October, January-March
- Vehicle 4x4 Toyota Land Cruiser with pop-up roof hatch, guaranteed window seat, and a cool-box for drinking water
From our guides Hidden gems & insider tips The small things worth knowing before you go.
Hidden gems & insider tips
The Olduvai Gorge stop on day 5 is brief but worthwhile — ask for twenty minutes at the museum rather than just the roadside viewpoint.
If a Maasai village visit interests you, mention it when booking rather than on the road; the better, less staged visits are arranged in advance through a specific community relationship, not picked up impromptu.
In pictures Photo gallery
The detail What's included & what's not The full list, so there are no surprises.
What's included
Included
- Airport transfers
- Park entrance fees at Ngorongoro, Serengeti and Tarangire
- Full board accommodation on safari
- Service of an English-speaking driver/guide (other languages by request)
- Transport in a 4WD vehicle with pop-up roof for game viewing
- Driver allowances and park fees for vehicle, driver and all passengers
- Daily game drives/wildlife viewing tours
- Bottled water during game drives
Not included
- Extras at the lodges (drinks, telephone, laundry, etc.)
- International flights
- Tanzania visa
- Tips for porters and drivers
- Personal travel insurance
Before you travel What to carry, health precautions & emergency numbers Packing list, vaccinations, and who to call if you need help.
What to carry
- Neutral-coloured clothing (khaki, olive, brown) — avoid bright white, black and blue, which attract tsetse flies
- A warm layer or fleece — early-morning game drives and the Ngorongoro rim are cold even on the equator
- Wide-brimmed hat and polarised sunglasses
- High-SPF sunscreen and lip balm
- Insect repellent (DEET-based, for dusk and dawn)
- Binoculars — one pair per person makes a real difference
- A power bank and universal adapter (Tanzania uses UK-style Type G plugs)
- A soft-sided duffel bag rather than a hard suitcase, for light-aircraft and 4x4 luggage limits
- A basic personal first-aid kit and any personal medication in hand luggage
- Cash in US dollars (2013 or newer notes) for tips and small purchases
Health precautions
Malaria
Northern Tanzania is a malaria risk area. Speak to your doctor or a travel clinic about antimalarial medication well before you travel, and use insect repellent and cover up at dusk and dawn regardless.
Yellow fever certificate
Tanzania requires proof of yellow fever vaccination only if you are arriving from (or have transited more than 12 hours through) a country with risk of yellow fever transmission. If that applies to your routing, carry your International Certificate of Vaccination.
Altitude
The Ngorongoro Crater rim sits above 2,200 m and Kilimanjaro/Meru climbs go much higher — mild headaches or breathlessness are common at altitude. Drink plenty of water, ascend gradually where you can, and tell your guide if you feel unwell.
Sun and hydration
The equatorial sun is stronger than it feels in the open-sided safari vehicles. Drink more water than you think you need, and reapply sunscreen through the day.
Routine vaccinations and travel insurance
Make sure routine vaccinations are up to date, and take out travel insurance that explicitly covers emergency medical evacuation — the parks are remote, and evacuation by light aircraft is the standard response to a serious medical issue.
General guidance only, not personal medical advice — please confirm requirements and recommendations with your own doctor or a travel clinic before you go.
Emergency numbers
Worth saving to your phone before you travel.
- Chanua Africa Safaris (24/7 on safari) +255 702 345 991
- Tanzania Police (emergency) 112
- Ambulance 115
- AMREF Flying Doctors (air evacuation) +255 683 116 000