Quick Facts
| Duration | 16 days / 15 nights |
|---|---|
| Route | Arusha/Moshi, Tarangire, Lake Manyara, Lake Natron, Central Serengeti, Olduvai Gorge, Ngorongoro Crater, Lake Eyasi |
| Vehicle | Exclusive 4x4 Custom Safari Land Cruiser with pop-up roof and personal driver-guide |
| Style | Fully private — no minivans, no group-joining tours |
| Best For | Travellers who want depth over speed and a bespoke pace across the full Northern Circuit |
| Price From | USD 4,650–7,850 pp depending on season and group size |
This 16-day Northern Circuit Tanzania safari covers Arusha, Moshi, Tarangire, Lake Manyara, Lake Natron, Central Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater, and Lake Eyasi in one custom itinerary. Every trip runs in an exclusive 4x4 Custom Safari Land Cruiser with a pop-up roof and a personal driver-guide — no minivans, no group-joining tours.
This is the most complete Northern Circuit route available: game parks, the Great Migration corridor, a volcanic soda lake, a UNESCO crater, and a cultural encounter with the Hadzabe tribe. It suits travellers who want depth over speed and a bespoke pace across northern Tanzania's core safari circuit.
Day-by-Day Itinerary
Day 1
Day 1: Arrival in Arusha or Moshi
- Pickup at Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO)
- Transfer to your lodge in Arusha or Moshi
- Safari briefing with your dedicated guide
Day 2
Day 2: Arusha – Tarangire National Park
- Depart by 4x4 Land Cruiser for Tarangire
- Game drive along the Tarangire River, known for large elephant herds
- Baobab-studded landscape
Day 3
Day 3: Tarangire National Park
- Full-day game drive
- Look for lion, leopard, and over 550 recorded bird species
Day 4
Day 4: Tarangire – Lake Manyara National Park
- Morning transfer to Lake Manyara
- Afternoon game drive: tree-climbing lions, flamingos, hippo pools
Day 5
Day 5: Lake Manyara – Lake Natron
- Scenic drive north to Lake Natron
- Views of the active volcano Ol Doinyo Lengai
Day 6
Day 6: Lake Natron
- Guided walk to Ngare Sero waterfalls
- Flamingo viewing on the alkaline lake shore
- Maasai village visit (optional)
Day 7
Day 7: Lake Natron – Serengeti National Park (Central)
- Long scenic drive into Central Serengeti (Seronera)
- Afternoon game drive en route to camp
Day 8
Day 8: Central Serengeti
- Full-day game drive in the Seronera Valley
- Year-round resident predator populations: lion, cheetah, leopard
Day 9
Day 9: Central Serengeti
- Continued game viewing, timed to Great Migration movement in the area
- Optional hot air balloon safari at sunrise
Day 10
Day 10: Central Serengeti
- Morning and afternoon game drives
- Photography-focused session with your personal guide
Day 11
Day 11: Serengeti – Olduvai Gorge – Ngorongoro Highlands
- Stop at Olduvai Gorge, the "Cradle of Mankind"
- Visit the site museum
- Continue to a lodge on the Ngorongoro Crater rim
Day 12
Day 12: Ngorongoro Crater Floor
- Full-day descent into the crater
- Dense wildlife concentration, including black rhinos
Day 13
Day 13: Ngorongoro – Lake Eyasi
- Drive to Lake Eyasi
- Afternoon at leisure or cultural orientation
Day 14
Day 14: Lake Eyasi – Hadzabe Cultural Experience
- Morning hunting excursion with the Hadzabe tribe
- Visit to a Datoga blacksmith community
Day 15
Day 15: Lake Eyasi – Arusha/Moshi
- Transfer back to Arusha or Moshi
- Free time, shopping, or spa at your lodge
Day 16
Day 16: Departure
- Breakfast at leisure
- Transfer to Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) for departure flight
Tour Cost & Pricing
Prices are per person, sharing, and vary by group size and travel season. Rates include the custom 4x4 Land Cruiser, a dedicated driver-guide, and fuel throughout.
Pricing note: Rates are indicative and confirmed at the time of booking based on final lodge selection and current season.
Private Northern Circuit Safari Rates (Per Person)
| Group Size | Low Season | High Season | Peak Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 People | $5,850 | $6,950 | $7,850 |
| 4 People | $5,150 | $6,150 | $6,950 |
| 6 People | $4,650 | $5,550 | $6,350 |
What's Included & Excluded
| ✓ | Exclusive 4x4 Custom Safari Land Cruiser with pop-up roof |
| ✓ | Dedicated professional driver-guide throughout |
| ✓ | All park entry fees and conservation fees |
| ✓ | 15 nights' accommodation (lodges/tented camps as per itinerary) |
| ✓ | Full board meals as listed (breakfast, lunch, dinner) |
| ✓ | Unlimited bottled drinking water on safari days |
| ✓ | All ground transport and airport transfers |
| ✓ | Government taxes and levies |
| ✗ | International flights |
| ✗ | Tanzania visa fees |
| ✗ | Travel and medical insurance |
| ✗ | Tips and gratuities for guide and staff |
| ✗ | Alcoholic and premium beverages |
| ✗ | Optional activities (hot air balloon safari, Maasai/Hadzabe cultural fees where noted as optional) |
| ✗ | Personal expenses and souvenirs |
Getting There & Travel Logistics
Most travellers fly into Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO), the primary gateway for Northern Circuit safaris. Arusha Airport (ARK) handles some regional and domestic flights and is a secondary option for connections within Tanzania.
Your driver-guide meets you at arrivals and transfers you to your Arusha or Moshi lodge in a dedicated 4x4 vehicle — the same vehicle used for the entire 16-day itinerary. No transfer between vehicles or joining other groups at any point.
Route Map
Frequently Asked Questions
A 16-day Tanzania Land Cruiser safari with Beyond The Plains Safaris starts from approximately $4,650 per person in low season for a group of 6, rising to $7,850 per person in peak season for 2 travelers. Final pricing depends on group size, season, and accommodation category.
Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) is the main international gateway for Northern Circuit safaris, while Arusha Airport (ARK) mainly serves domestic and regional flights. Most international travelers should book arrival at JRO.
Central Serengeti offers year-round resident wildlife, and migration herds move through different parts of the ecosystem depending on rainfall and grazing patterns. Your guide adjusts the Serengeti routing based on the latest migration positioning at the time of travel.
No. Beyond The Plains Safaris runs every Northern Circuit safari in a dedicated 4x4 Custom Land Cruiser with a pop-up roof and a personal guide, with no group-joining and no minivans at any stage of the itinerary.
Yes, a full day on the Ngorongoro Crater floor is included on Day 12. The crater holds one of Africa's densest wildlife concentrations, including black rhinos, lion, hyena, and large herds of wildebeest and zebra.
