About this safari
The 11-Day Tanzania Wildlife Expedition is the Northern Circuit given room to breathe. With two extra days over the classic route, it adds Arusha National Park and an additional night in the Serengeti, so you can explore each ecosystem without ever feeling rushed.
You travel from the forested slopes and Momella Lakes of Arusha to the elephant herds and baobabs of Tarangire, then the Rift Valley forests of Lake Manyara. The centrepiece is three nights in the Serengeti, working both the Seronera Valley and the wider plains in search of lion, leopard, cheetah and the migrating herds.
The expedition closes with a full day on the floor of the Ngorongoro Crater — a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the best places in Africa to find all of the Big Five, including black rhino, in a single morning.
This is a wildlife-first itinerary. Guides are chosen for their tracking skills and knowledge, drives are long enough to sit with a leopard or follow a hunting cheetah, and comfortable lodges and camps keep you well rested between days in the field.
What makes this tour special
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Three nights in the Serengeti
Unhurried days among the plains, kopjes and river valleys of the greatest wildlife park on Earth.
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Walking safaris
Explore Arusha and other parks on foot with an armed guide for a different perspective.
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Tarangire’s giants
Some of Africa’s largest elephant herds, set against ancient baobab trees.
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Ngorongoro Crater
A full day in the world’s largest intact caldera, with all of the Big Five possible.
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Prime predator sightings
Seronera’s resident lions, leopards and cheetahs offer some of the best sightings in Africa.
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Cultural encounters
Optional Maasai and Iraqw village visits bring Tanzania’s people into the story.
Day-by-day plan
Arrival in Moshi or Arusha
Welcome to Tanzania. You are met at Kilimanjaro International Airport and driven to your hotel beneath Mount Kilimanjaro. Your guide joins you in the evening for a briefing on the eleven days ahead and an overview of each park on the expedition.
Arusha National Park
Begin at Arusha National Park, a beautiful mosaic of rainforest, open plain and crater lakes. A guided walking safari takes you close to giraffe, buffalo and zebra, while a game drive explores the Ngurdoto Crater and the Momella Lakes, rich in birdlife and flamingos.
Tarangire National Park
Drive south into Tarangire National Park, whose baobab-dotted landscape supports vast elephant herds and excellent dry-season game viewing. An afternoon drive follows the Tarangire River, and you stay in a tented camp close to the park for a night under the stars.
Lake Manyara National Park
Continue to Lake Manyara National Park, tucked beneath the Great Rift Valley escarpment. Its groundwater forest shelters tree-climbing lions, large baboon troops and blue monkeys, while the soda lake draws flamingos and waterbirds. Overnight in the highlands above the valley.
Into the Serengeti
Cross the Ngorongoro highlands and descend into the Serengeti National Park. Your first game drive takes in the Seronera Valley, where resident lion, leopard and cheetah are regularly seen. You have three nights here, so there is no need to rush — settle into camp and enjoy the sunset over the plains.
Serengeti – Seronera Valley
A full day in the Seronera area, the park’s wildlife heart. The Seronera River attracts a remarkable concentration of animals year-round, and the leopard-filled riverine trees and kopjes make for superb photography. Morning and late-afternoon drives catch the predators at their most active.
Serengeti – plains & migration
Head further afield depending on the season. Follow the wildebeest and zebra herds toward the western corridor, the southern plains or the north, and picnic in the bush. The Serengeti rewards patience, and the extra day allows you to stay out longer and go deeper into the park.
Serengeti to Ngorongoro highlands
A final morning game drive as you leave the plains and climb into the Ngorongoro highlands. En route, an optional Maasai village visit offers an introduction to pastoral life and the culture of the people who share this land. Watch the sun set from the crater rim.
Ngorongoro Crater
Descend onto the floor of the Ngorongoro Crater for a full day of game driving. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the caldera is home to around 25,000 large animals, including all of the Big Five and the endangered black rhino. Picnic beside the hippo pool before returning to the rim.
Karatu & the Iraqw highlands
A more relaxed day in the fertile highlands around Karatu. Depending on your interests, enjoy a guided forest walk, a visit to a coffee estate, or a cultural walk with the Iraqw people to learn about their terraced farming and traditions. It is a gentle counterpoint to the drama of the crater.
Departure
After breakfast, drive back to Arusha or Moshi through the highlands for your onward flight. If you have time, add a Zanzibar beach break or a Kilimanjaro climb — our team will happily arrange the extension.
What’s included & not included
Included
- Private 4x4 safari vehicle with pop-up roof
- Professional English-speaking safari guide
- Guided walking safari with armed ranger or licensed guide
- Park entry fees for all parks on the itinerary
- All meals as listed (B, L, D) and drinking water on drives
- 10 nights’ accommodation as per the itinerary
- Unlimited game drives with no set mileage limits
- Airport transfers on arrival and departure
- Government taxes and levies
Not included
- International flights and Tanzania visa fees
- Travel and medical insurance
- Alcoholic and soft drinks
- Tips and gratuities for your guide and camp staff
- Optional balloon safari over the Serengeti
- Personal shopping and souvenirs
Where you’ll stay
Luxury lodges & tented suites
Full-board luxury camps and lodges with private decks, elegant dining and high staff-to-guest ratios.
Comfortable lodges & camps
Well-run lodges and permanent tented camps with ensuite bathrooms and warm, reliable service.
Basic lodges & campsites
Clean, friendly options close to the parks with shared facilities where applicable.
11-Day Tanzania Wildlife Expedition in pictures
Best time to take this tour
The Northern Circuit expedition works all year, but the dry season from June to October delivers the most consistent wildlife viewing.
| Season | Weather | Crowds | What to expect |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan–Mar | Warm and mostly dry | Moderate | Calving on the southern Serengeti plains and good birding |
| Apr–May | Long rains | Low | Green, quiet parks and lower prices; some tracks may be muddy |
| Jun–Oct | Dry, cool mornings | High | Best all-round viewing; wildlife concentrates around water |
| Nov–Dec | Short rains | Moderate | Fresh green scenery and excellent birding with light showers |
Route & logistics
This expedition loops from Arusha or Moshi through Arusha National Park, Tarangire and Lake Manyara, then spends three nights in the Serengeti before returning via the Ngorongoro Crater and the Karatu highlands. The longest drive is the transfer into the Serengeti; the rest are two to four hours.
Travel is by private safari-equipped 4x4. For guests short on time, scheduled or charter flights can replace road transfers on request at extra cost.
Frequently asked questions
Why choose 11 days over 7?
The extra days add Arusha National Park and a third night in the Serengeti, so you see more parks and spend far longer with wildlife without long driving days.
Is this a private safari?
Yes — you travel in your own 4x4 with your own guide, so the pace and itinerary adapt to your interests and departure dates are flexible.
Will I see the Big Five?
It is very likely. Elephant, buffalo and lion are reliable across the circuit, leopard is good in Seronera, and the Ngorongoro Crater is one of the best places to see black rhino.
How fit do I need to be?
This is primarily a game-drive safari with optional short walks, so almost any fitness level is fine. Children are welcome from around 8 years old.
What is the best time to take this expedition?
June to October offers the most reliable viewing and the best walking conditions. The green season from November to May is quieter, greener and more affordable.
Can I add Zanzibar or Kilimanjaro?
Yes. A Zanzibar beach break or a Kilimanjaro climb pairs perfectly with the expedition, and we will build it into your quote.
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