6 Days Northern Circuit Safari

Day 1: Arrival in Arusha – Gateway to Tanzania’s Safari Heart

Your adventure begins upon arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport, where your professional driver-guide will warmly welcome you to Tanzania. Transfer to your hotel in Arusha, nestled at the foot of Mount Meru, and take the evening to rest or explore the town’s lively markets and coffee shops. A detailed safari briefing will prepare you for the days ahead.

Meals: Dinner
Accommodation: Hotel or lodge in Arusha

Day 2: Arusha – Tarangire National Park

After an early breakfast, set off for Tarangire National Park, known for its towering baobab trees and vast elephant herds. The park’s lifeline, the Tarangire River, attracts an abundance of wildlife during the dry season, offering superb game-viewing opportunities.

You’ll enjoy a full-day game drive, spotting lions, leopards, buffaloes, wildebeest, zebras, and over 450 bird species, including colorful lilac-breasted rollers and giant hornbills. The scenery here is pure Africa—wild, golden, and timeless.

In the late afternoon, drive to your lodge or tented camp for dinner and overnight.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Lodge or tented camp near Tarangire

Day 3: Tarangire – Lake Manyara National Park

After breakfast, depart for Lake Manyara National Park, one of Tanzania’s most diverse habitats. This compact park sits between the Great Rift Valley escarpment and the soda-rich waters of Lake Manyara, creating a lush ecosystem that supports an impressive range of wildlife.

During your game drive, you may encounter elephants, giraffes, hippos, and the park’s famous tree-climbing lions. Flocks of flamingos tint the lake pink, while blue monkeys swing through the forest canopy. After a picnic lunch, continue your exploration before heading to Karatu for an evening at leisure.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Lodge in Karatu or near Ngorongoro

Day 4: Lake Manyara – Serengeti National Park

After breakfast, journey into the endless plains of Serengeti National Park, Tanzania’s most celebrated safari destination. The drive passes through the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, offering stunning vistas of the crater before descending onto the rolling savannahs where wildlife roams freely.

Enjoy an afternoon game drive en route to your camp, where you’ll witness the Serengeti’s breathtaking scale—herds of wildebeest, zebras, and gazelles stretching as far as the eye can see, with predators lurking nearby. As the sun sets, settle into your camp surrounded by the calls of the African night.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Serengeti lodge or tented camp

Day 5: Full-Day Safari in Serengeti National Park

Spend the entire day exploring the Serengeti, following the rhythm of the Great Migration or tracking resident wildlife. The park’s diverse ecosystem ensures remarkable sightings all year round—from lions and leopards to elephants, cheetahs, and hippos basking in the rivers.

Your guide will take you to the best viewing spots, and you’ll enjoy a picnic lunch under the shade of an acacia tree before continuing your game drive into the late afternoon. Every moment here feels cinematic—the golden grasslands, endless horizons, and a sky painted with the colors of dusk.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Serengeti lodge or tented camp

Day 6: Serengeti – Ngorongoro Crater – Arusha / Departure

After an early breakfast, depart Serengeti for the majestic Ngorongoro Crater, one of the natural wonders of the world. Descend 600 meters into the caldera for an extraordinary game drive in this enclosed ecosystem teeming with wildlife. You may spot black rhinos, lions, elephants, flamingos, and large herds of buffalo and zebra.

After a picnic lunch by the hippo pool, ascend back to the crater rim and continue your drive to Arusha, arriving late afternoon. You’ll be dropped off at your hotel or transferred to Kilimanjaro International Airport for your flight home.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 7: Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park

After breakfast, journey south toward Queen Elizabeth National Park, Uganda’s most diverse ecosystem. Pass through the scenic Rwenzori Mountain foothills before entering the park. Arrive in time for an evening game drive along the Kasenyi plains, where elephants and lions emerge against the setting sun.

Day 8: Game Drive and Kazinga Channel Boat Cruise

Embark on a sunrise game drive through Queen Elizabeth’s vast savannah, home to leopards, buffaloes, and Uganda kobs. In the afternoon, cruise along the Kazinga Channel, a natural waterway connecting Lakes Edward and George. Witness one of the highest concentrations of hippos in Africa and marvel at elephants bathing on the shores.

Day 9: Ishasha Sector – The Tree-Climbing Lions

Head south to the Ishasha Sector, famous for its rare tree-climbing lions. Enjoy a relaxed game drive searching for these unique predators resting high in fig trees. Spend the evening at a lodge overlooking the savannah, often visited by antelope herds and elephants.

Day 10: Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

Travel further south into the mist-shrouded hills of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park — a UNESCO World Heritage Site and sanctuary for nearly half of the world’s remaining mountain gorillas. The winding roads and lush greenery make for an enchanting drive.

Day 11: Gorilla Trekking Experience

This is the highlight of your Ugandan adventure. After an early briefing, trek through the dense forest with your ranger guide to track a habituated gorilla family. The moment you lock eyes with a silverback or watch infants play nearby is deeply emotional and unforgettable. Spend up to an hour with them before trekking back through the jungle.

Day 12: Batwa Cultural Experience

Spend the day with the Batwa community, the original forest dwellers of Bwindi. Engage in traditional songs, storytelling, and demonstrations of ancient hunting and medicinal practices. Their cultural resilience and deep connection to the forest offer rare insight into Uganda’s indigenous heritage.

Day 13: Drive to Lake Bunyonyi – The Place of Many Little Birds

After breakfast, drive to Lake Bunyonyi, one of Africa’s most beautiful lakes. The serene islands and terraced hillsides create a perfect atmosphere for relaxation. Spend your afternoon canoeing, visiting local island communities, or simply enjoying the tranquility of your lakeside lodge.

Day 14: Return to Entebbe and Departure

After breakfast, begin your journey back to Entebbe, enjoying the changing scenery and small-town life along the way. Depending on your flight schedule, you may stop at the Equator line for photographs and souvenir shopping before connecting to your international flight home.