Signature Tanzania

The Big Five Signature

Classic northern circuit

5 days · 4 nights Tarangire · Ngorongoro · Serengeti For First-time visitors Starts Arusha From $385 pp / night From $1,540 pp (4 nights)

Elephants in Tarangire, a morning on the crater floor, and two nights in the Serengeti.

First-time visitors From $385 pp / night From $1,540 pp (4 nights)

The story of this trip

This trip is planned for guests who may only visit Tanzania once, so we make the most of every day. We begin in Tarangire, where the elephants teach you how to look. From there we climb to the highlands and descend onto the crater floor, where buffalo, lion and, with luck, black rhino share a single caldera. Finally, we drive west into the Serengeti and sleep on the plains, so you are not driving back to town each night. It is Tanzania’s classic northern circuit.

What this safari is for

Elephant encounters in Tarangire
A search for the Big Five on the crater floor
A morning in the Ngorongoro Crater
Two nights in the Serengeti, not a day trip
A private 4×4 with a driver-guide

Route map

Route

From Arusha to Arusha.

Start: Arusha End: Arusha

Tracing safari roads…

Tanzania

Start Arusha (Start)
Tarangire National Park (Day 1) Land Cruiser
Ngorongoro Crater (Day 3) Land Cruiser
Central Serengeti (Day 4) Land Cruiser
End Arusha (Day 5) Land Cruiser

Day by day

This is a working route. We confirm the camps and pace on your quote, within 24 hours.

Day 1

Arusha to Tarangire

We collect you in Arusha after breakfast and drive for about two hours to Tarangire. In the afternoon you go on a game drive along the river, where you may see elephants, giraffe and your first baobabs. You sleep near the park, so you can be at the gate at dawn without a long drive. If your flight would land after 10:00 on day one, please arrive the evening before.

Day 2

Tarangire to the crater highlands

You take a second drive in Tarangire in the cool of the morning, then climb towards Karatu or the crater rim. We do not go down into the crater today, so you do not pay two conservation fees within 24 hours. The nights are cooler in the highlands, so an early night is a good idea.

Day 3

Ngorongoro Crater, then west to the Serengeti

After breakfast you descend into the crater with a packed lunch. On the crater floor you can see lion, buffalo, hippo pools and, with a realistic chance, black rhino. After climbing out, we continue into the Serengeti for a short evening drive if the light allows. This is a long day, so we do not add a village stop.

Day 4

Central Serengeti

The resident big cats do not depend on the migration, so there is always something to look for. You can search for leopard in the river forest, cheetah on the short grass and lion on the kopjes. Your guide plans the day around sightings, not around a picnic site on a map.

Day 5

Serengeti to Arusha

You take a last, cool morning drive, then return to Arusha by road, or by scheduled light aircraft if your quote includes it. If your international flight leaves before 17:00, you will usually need an extra night in Arusha, so please tell us when you enquire.

What’s included

Park and conservation fees, as set out on your quote
Private 4×4 with pop-up roof and driver-guide
Lodges or camps in your chosen class, named on your written quote
Meals on safari, as provided by the camp or lodge
Bottled water in the vehicle
Airport meet-and-greet, as set out on your quote

What’s not included

International flights
Tanzania visa
Drinks at lodges and camps
Hot-air balloon safari
Tips for guides and camp staff
Travel insurance (you arrange it; we recommend it on every safari, and it is required for Kilimanjaro). We can add a medical policy to your quote on request
Laundry

When to travel

June to October for dry-country game viewing and easier roads. January and February are green, with plenty of birdlife, and still make a strong first safari.

Why this route

Five days is the shortest northern loop that still includes nights in the Serengeti. We drive it in one direction, from Tarangire to the crater and then on to the plains.