Home » Itineraries » Best of North & South Safari Circuit

Best of North & South Safari Circuit

Overview

Whether it is your first time on safari or you are a seasoned traveller, we have created the ultimate itinerary to help you see it all. Our itinerary combines Tanzania’s best safari destinations across the North and Southern circuit. You will be able to tick the Big Five off your wildlife bucket-list, encounter huge concentrations of animals, and take in some of the world’s last, great, true wildernesses.

Tour Information

Duration

Availability

Year round

Tour Highlights

Arusha · North Serengeti · Central Serengeti · Ngorongoro Crater · Lake Manyara · Lake Natron · Tarangire · The Selous · Ruaha National Park

Price

Starting from USD 13,536 per person sharing

Duration

14 Days

Day 1

Kilimanjaro International Airport – Arusha

Our guide meets you on your arrival at Kilimanjaro Airport and transfers you to your hotel in Arusha
Located beneath the twin peaks of Mt. Meru and Mount Kilimanjaro, Arusha City is the gateway to Tanzania’s Northern Circuit of national parks and marks the starting point of your safari into the African Bush
Set out to explore the vibrant sights and sounds of local life in Arusha
Coffee connoisseurs can enjoy popular coffee tours – weaving in and out of the evergreen coffee trees, while learning about how beans are nurtured, harvested, dried and finally roasted to produce myriad different blends which are exported and enjoyed all over the world

* These activities are an additional cost

Day 2

Arusha – North Serengeti

After a hearty breakfast in your hotel, we head to the Arusha Airport to catch a short flight to North Serengeti
Arrive into North Serengeti in the early morning and proceed with an afternoon game drive
Settle into to your accommodation for dinner and fall asleep listening to the sounds of nature
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 3

North Serengeti

We set out in the early morning for a full day game drive in search of wildlife encounters and the great wildebeest migration
Expect to spot animals you’ve only hitherto seen in National Geographic – great herds of buffalo, elephants, giraffes, zebra, thousands of eland, as well as exceptional year-round lion sightings
Enjoy a delicious picnic and spend the entire day out exploring the rolling plains of the Serengeti National Park
After an action-packed day in the bush, your guide drops you back at your accommodation inside the national park, in time for a gourmet dinner
Take to the African skies in a hot air balloon to appreciate the pristine natural beauty of this 14,763km2 savannah stretching as far as the eye can see *
Cosy around the campfire and enjoy sharing stories of the day’s wildlife sightings
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

* These activities are at an additional cost

Day 4

North Serengeti – Central Serengeti

Our safari adventure continues as we head to the heart of the Serengeti Reserve in search of its spectacular wildlife
The Central Serengeti is the most popular region in the reserve for its abundant wildlife, large number of big cats and acacia-studded savannah landscape. Resident wildlife makes this part of the Serengeti a fantastic year-round destination, but the months of April – June and October – December offer magnificent sightings of the Great Migration as thousands of herds pass through the area
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 5

Central Serengeti – Ngorongoro Crater

After an early breakfast, you checkout and depart with your lunch heading for a final morning’s game drive in the Serengeti
Few predators hunt during the heat of the day and so early morning is often the best time to observe the thrill of the chase
We make the three-hour transfer to Ngorongoro Crater, where you will check in to your accommodation and settle in
Enjoy a guided walk around the rim of the mighty Ngorongoro Crater. In addition to seeing breathtaking views of the volcanic crater and the diverse wildlife, our expert guides will also teach you about its incredible indigenous flora and fauna *
Meals included: breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

* These activities are at an additional cost

Day 6

Ngorongoro Crater – Lake Manyara

Wake up early to panoramic views of the Crater, and after breakfast, head off for a day trip to explore the many fascinating species that are protected within its rim
Here, we can see the Big Five in high concentration against the stunning backdrop of the crater walls
After a day of exploring, you are transferred to your chosen accommodation in Lake Manyara
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 7

Lake Manyara – Lake Natron

After a hearty breakfast, your guide picks you up and drives you to Lake Manyara for game viewing
While Lake Manyara National Park is one of Tanzania’s smaller parks, its diverse vegetation ranging from savannah to marsh and evergreen forest, supports one of the highest biomass densities of large mammals in the world. Expect to see large families of elephants, millions of flamingos, and even tree-climbing lions
Be sure to keep a watchful eye out for the baboons in this park which live in troops of up to 200 members
Enjoy a trip to the local farming village of Mto Wa Mbu Village and learn about the melting pot of cultures found here. Home to over 120 different tribes from across Tanzania, you will gain insight into daily life, visiting local farms, schools, churches, a milling machine and much more*
After an action-packed day, your guide takes you to your accommodation in Lake Natron
Lying in a sun-scorched area below the Rift Valley escarpment, Lake Natron is one of Tanzania’s most otherworldly landscapes – famous for its intense concentration of sodium which gives the lake its signature pink and orange hue
For serial adventurers, we suggest an additional hike up the river gorge to reach the incredible Engaresero Waterfall – where you can enjoy a refreshing dip in the natural rocky pools *
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

* These activities are at an additional cost

Day 8

Lake Natron – Tarangire

After breakfast, join your guide for a morning walk to the lake and take in the beautiful scenery and wildlife
Expect to see great game viewing and birding in this harsh landscape with dry country species such as gerenuk, lesser kudu and oryx
Lake Natron is also the only known breeding ground for East Africa’s lesser flamingos which flock here in their millions between June and October
Be sure to take a minute and appreciate the spectacular views of Ol Doinyo Lengai volcano to the south – an active volcano that translates in Maasai as “Mountain of God”
After a jam-packed afternoon, we pack and up and proceed to Tarangire where you check in to your chosen accommodation for the night
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 9

Tarangire

Wake up and enjoy a delicious breakfast while looking out over the plains dotted with hundreds of Africa’s prehistoric ‘Trees of Life’ – the baobab
One of the most underrated Parks in the Northern Safari Circuit, Tarangire boasts some of Tanzania’s best wildlife, including a 300-strong herd of elephants, as well as wildebeest, zebras, giraffes, eland and buffalo. Tarangire receives a fraction of the Serengeti’s visitors.
After an action-packed day in the bush, your guide drops you back at your accommodation inside the national park, in time for a gourmet dinner
As the African night comes alive, set out on a late-night safari to see nocturnal animals with the aid of your knowledgeable guide, including hyenas, leopards, genet, bush babies, hippos and nightjars *
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

* These activities are at an additional cost

Day 10

Tarangire – Selous

After breakfast you are transferred to Arusha Airport for your onward flight to Selous
You are greeted on arrival by a member of the Sassabi Expeditions team who takes you to your accommodation for check in before proceeding with an afternoon game drive
The Selous is Africa’s largest protected game reserve comprised of 56,600 square kilometres of unique landscapes from lush forests to grassy plains and mountains to open woodlands.
It is estimated the reserve is home to approximately 145,000 buffalos, 4,000 Lions, 100,000 wildebeests, large hands of giraffes, 35,000 zebras, 40,000 hippos, 250,000 impalas, large numbers of Lichtenstein’s hartebeests, waterbucks, elands and bushbucks, as well as leopards, crocodiles and hyenas. It is also among the few wildlife sanctuaries in Africa where you will find the puku antelope, African wild dogs and the sable antelope
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 11

Selous Game Reserve

Wake up and enjoy breakfast surrounded by the pristine natural beauty of the Selous Game Reserve – a remote and secluded park that is four times the size of the Serengeti and remains relatively untouched
Search for the Big 5 on morning and afternoon game drives with your expert guide
The Selous is one of the few big game reserves to allow hiking, offering you the chance to set out and explore Tanzania’s pristine landscapes on foot
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 12

Selous Game Reserve – Ruaha National Park

After breakfast, your guide collects you and transfers you to the Selous Airstrip where you catch your flight to Ruaha
Upon arrival, your guide picks you up from the airstrip and transfers you to your accommodation for check-in and an afternoon game drive
Following a gourmet dinner, set out with your guide on an evening game drive in the Ruaha National Park to witness how the bush comes to life as the sun goes down. Listen and watch for serval, civet, African wild cats, leopards and so much more…
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 13

Ruaha National Park

Rise and shine – as we set out on morning and afternoon game drives in search of predators including lions, leopards, cheetahs and the increasingly rare African wild dog
Visit the Great Ruaha River often swarming with huge crocodile and grunting hippos competing for space
The park is a great place to visit year-round due to its excellent all-weather road network – with a particularly stunning green season that welcomes thousands of migrating birds
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 14

Ruaha National Park – Dar es Salaam

Rise early to enjoy the beautiful sunrise over the Ruaha National Park – soaking in the panoramic views and looking out for one of the many species of African eagle which soar above the open plains in the early hours
After breakfast, you are transferred to the Ruaha Airstrip to catch your flight to Dar es Salaam.
Upon arrival at Dar es Salaam we wave you a fond farewell as you check in for your onward flight
Meals included: Breakfast and Lunch

Day 1

Kilimanjaro International Airport – Arusha

Our guide meets you on your arrival at Kilimanjaro Airport and transfers you to your hotel in Arusha
Located beneath the twin peaks of Mt. Meru and Mount Kilimanjaro, Arusha City is the gateway to Tanzania’s Northern Circuit of national parks and marks the starting point of your safari into the African Bush
Set out to explore the vibrant sights and sounds of local life in Arusha
Coffee connoisseurs can enjoy popular coffee tours – weaving in and out of the evergreen coffee trees, while learning about how beans are nurtured, harvested, dried and finally roasted to produce myriad different blends which are exported and enjoyed all over the world

* These activities are an additional cost

Day 2

Arusha – North Serengeti

After a hearty breakfast in your hotel, we head to the Arusha Airport to catch a short flight to North Serengeti
Arrive into North Serengeti in the early morning and proceed with an afternoon game drive
Settle into to your accommodation for dinner and fall asleep listening to the sounds of nature
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 3

North Serengeti

We set out in the early morning for a full day game drive in search of wildlife encounters and the great wildebeest migration
Expect to spot animals you’ve only hitherto seen in National Geographic – great herds of buffalo, elephants, giraffes, zebra, thousands of eland, as well as exceptional year-round lion sightings
Enjoy a delicious picnic and spend the entire day out exploring the rolling plains of the Serengeti National Park
After an action-packed day in the bush, your guide drops you back at your accommodation inside the national park, in time for a gourmet dinner
Take to the African skies in a hot air balloon to appreciate the pristine natural beauty of this 14,763km2 savannah stretching as far as the eye can see *
Cosy around the campfire and enjoy sharing stories of the day’s wildlife sightings
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

* These activities are at an additional cost

Day 4

North Serengeti – Central Serengeti

Our safari adventure continues as we head to the heart of the Serengeti Reserve in search of its spectacular wildlife
The Central Serengeti is the most popular region in the reserve for its abundant wildlife, large number of big cats and acacia-studded savannah landscape. Resident wildlife makes this part of the Serengeti a fantastic year-round destination, but the months of April – June and October – December offer magnificent sightings of the Great Migration as thousands of herds pass through the area
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 5

Central Serengeti – Ngorongoro Crater

After an early breakfast, you checkout and depart with your lunch heading for a final morning’s game drive in the Serengeti
Few predators hunt during the heat of the day and so early morning is often the best time to observe the thrill of the chase
We make the three-hour transfer to Ngorongoro Crater, where you will check in to your accommodation and settle in
Enjoy a guided walk around the rim of the mighty Ngorongoro Crater. In addition to seeing breathtaking views of the volcanic crater and the diverse wildlife, our expert guides will also teach you about its incredible indigenous flora and fauna *
Meals included: breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

* These activities are at an additional cost

Day 6

Ngorongoro Crater – Lake Manyara

Wake up early to panoramic views of the Crater, and after breakfast, head off for a day trip to explore the many fascinating species that are protected within its rim
Here, we can see the Big Five in high concentration against the stunning backdrop of the crater walls
After a day of exploring, you are transferred to your chosen accommodation in Lake Manyara
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 7

Lake Manyara – Lake Natron

After a hearty breakfast, your guide picks you up and drives you to Lake Manyara for game viewing
While Lake Manyara National Park is one of Tanzania’s smaller parks, its diverse vegetation ranging from savannah to marsh and evergreen forest, supports one of the highest biomass densities of large mammals in the world. Expect to see large families of elephants, millions of flamingos, and even tree-climbing lions
Be sure to keep a watchful eye out for the baboons in this park which live in troops of up to 200 members
Enjoy a trip to the local farming village of Mto Wa Mbu Village and learn about the melting pot of cultures found here. Home to over 120 different tribes from across Tanzania, you will gain insight into daily life, visiting local farms, schools, churches, a milling machine and much more*
After an action-packed day, your guide takes you to your accommodation in Lake Natron
Lying in a sun-scorched area below the Rift Valley escarpment, Lake Natron is one of Tanzania’s most otherworldly landscapes – famous for its intense concentration of sodium which gives the lake its signature pink and orange hue
For serial adventurers, we suggest an additional hike up the river gorge to reach the incredible Engaresero Waterfall – where you can enjoy a refreshing dip in the natural rocky pools *
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

* These activities are at an additional cost

Day 8

Lake Natron – Tarangire

After breakfast, join your guide for a morning walk to the lake and take in the beautiful scenery and wildlife
Expect to see great game viewing and birding in this harsh landscape with dry country species such as gerenuk, lesser kudu and oryx
Lake Natron is also the only known breeding ground for East Africa’s lesser flamingos which flock here in their millions between June and October
Be sure to take a minute and appreciate the spectacular views of Ol Doinyo Lengai volcano to the south – an active volcano that translates in Maasai as “Mountain of God”
After a jam-packed afternoon, we pack and up and proceed to Tarangire where you check in to your chosen accommodation for the night
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 9

Tarangire

Wake up and enjoy a delicious breakfast while looking out over the plains dotted with hundreds of Africa’s prehistoric ‘Trees of Life’ – the baobab
One of the most underrated Parks in the Northern Safari Circuit, Tarangire boasts some of Tanzania’s best wildlife, including a 300-strong herd of elephants, as well as wildebeest, zebras, giraffes, eland and buffalo. Tarangire receives a fraction of the Serengeti’s visitors.
After an action-packed day in the bush, your guide drops you back at your accommodation inside the national park, in time for a gourmet dinner
As the African night comes alive, set out on a late-night safari to see nocturnal animals with the aid of your knowledgeable guide, including hyenas, leopards, genet, bush babies, hippos and nightjars *
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

* These activities are at an additional cost

Day 10

Tarangire – Selous

After breakfast you are transferred to Arusha Airport for your onward flight to Selous
You are greeted on arrival by a member of the Sassabi Expeditions team who takes you to your accommodation for check in before proceeding with an afternoon game drive
The Selous is Africa’s largest protected game reserve comprised of 56,600 square kilometres of unique landscapes from lush forests to grassy plains and mountains to open woodlands.
It is estimated the reserve is home to approximately 145,000 buffalos, 4,000 Lions, 100,000 wildebeests, large hands of giraffes, 35,000 zebras, 40,000 hippos, 250,000 impalas, large numbers of Lichtenstein’s hartebeests, waterbucks, elands and bushbucks, as well as leopards, crocodiles and hyenas. It is also among the few wildlife sanctuaries in Africa where you will find the puku antelope, African wild dogs and the sable antelope
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 11

Selous Game Reserve

Wake up and enjoy breakfast surrounded by the pristine natural beauty of the Selous Game Reserve – a remote and secluded park that is four times the size of the Serengeti and remains relatively untouched
Search for the Big 5 on morning and afternoon game drives with your expert guide
The Selous is one of the few big game reserves to allow hiking, offering you the chance to set out and explore Tanzania’s pristine landscapes on foot
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 12

Selous Game Reserve – Ruaha National Park

After breakfast, your guide collects you and transfers you to the Selous Airstrip where you catch your flight to Ruaha
Upon arrival, your guide picks you up from the airstrip and transfers you to your accommodation for check-in and an afternoon game drive
Following a gourmet dinner, set out with your guide on an evening game drive in the Ruaha National Park to witness how the bush comes to life as the sun goes down. Listen and watch for serval, civet, African wild cats, leopards and so much more…
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 13

Ruaha National Park

Rise and shine – as we set out on morning and afternoon game drives in search of predators including lions, leopards, cheetahs and the increasingly rare African wild dog
Visit the Great Ruaha River often swarming with huge crocodile and grunting hippos competing for space
The park is a great place to visit year-round due to its excellent all-weather road network – with a particularly stunning green season that welcomes thousands of migrating birds
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 14

Ruaha National Park – Dar es Salaam

Rise early to enjoy the beautiful sunrise over the Ruaha National Park – soaking in the panoramic views and looking out for one of the many species of African eagle which soar above the open plains in the early hours
After breakfast, you are transferred to the Ruaha Airstrip to catch your flight to Dar es Salaam.
Upon arrival at Dar es Salaam we wave you a fond farewell as you check in for your onward flight
Meals included: Breakfast and Lunch

Whats included

Return airport transfers as outlined in the above itinerary
13 x nights of accommodation and meals as outlined above
Your own professional English-speaking driver/guide
Activities and game viewing as specified in the itinerary
Evening sundowners (as per itinerary)
Packed lunches on excursions with unlimited soft drinks and snacks
Unlimited mileage in one of our custom 4 x 4 Toyota Landcruisers during safari game drives
Government taxes and national park fees
Flying Doctor Service
Domestic flights from ARK/KOG, ARK/SELOUS, SELOUS/RUAHA and from RUAHA/JNIA. Luggage allowance is 15kg per person one way.
Shared game drives in Selous and Ruaha

Whats excluded

International and domestic Flights
Any items of a personal nature such as: telephone calls, alcoholic drinks, laundry, tips for drivers and guides etc
Insurance
Visas

Accommodation

From traditional tented safari camps to luxurious lodges, we work with a number of trusted and vetted accommodation providers to ensure your stay is truly unforgettable. Below are some of the camps that we have tried and tested and highly recommend for this itinerary:

Arusha Serena Lodge
Arusha

African Tulip Hotel
Arusha

Mara Katikati Tented camp
North Serengeti

Mara mara tented lodge
North Serengeti

Katikati tented camp
Central Serengeti

kubukubu tented lodge
Central Serengeti

Ngorongoro farm House
Karatu

Ngorongoro serena Lodge
Ngorongoro

Lake Manyara Serena Lodge
The Lake Manyara

Lake Manyara Tortilis camp
Lake Manyara

summit Lake Natron camp
Lake Natron

Lake Burunge tented camp
Tarangire National Park

Tarangire sopa Lodge
Tarangire National Park

Rufiji river camp
Selous Game Reserves

Ruaha River Lodge
Ruaha National Park

Customize Your Trip

We are in the process of adding some incredible excursions. Please check back soon!

16 Day Tanzania Eco Friendly Safari
12 Day Eco Friendly Safari
African Lion Safari
Best of Tanzania
Great Migration River Crossing
Ultimate Bush to Beach Escape
Ultimate Fly-Around Safari
Tribe Immersion Experience
Best of North and South Safari Circuit
Bucketlist Migration Safari
Wildebeest & Zebra Calving Season
Best of Southern Circuit Safari
Ultimate Island Escape
African Lion Safari
Best of Tanzania
Highlights of Tanzania Tour
Kilimanjaro Trek: Marangu Route
Kilimanjaro Trek: Machame Route
Kilimanjaro Trek: Shira Route
Kilimanjaro Trek: Rongai Route
Kilimanjaro Trek: Lemosho Route
Mount Meru Trek

DISCOVER TANZANIA

ICONIC DESTINATIONS

EXPERIENCE TANZANIA

ICONIC DESTINATIONS

DISCOVER TANZANIA

ICONIC DESTINATIONS

Best of North & South Safari Circuit

Overview

Tour Information

Duration

Availability

Tour Highlights

Price

Duration

Day 1

Kilimanjaro International Airport – Arusha

Day 2

Arusha – North Serengeti

Day 3

North Serengeti

Day 4

North Serengeti – Central Serengeti

Day 5

Central Serengeti – Ngorongoro Crater

Day 6

Ngorongoro Crater – Lake Manyara

Day 7

Lake Manyara – Lake Natron

Day 8

Lake Natron – Tarangire

Day 9

Tarangire

Day 10

Tarangire – Selous

Day 11

Selous Game Reserve

Day 12

Selous Game Reserve – Ruaha National Park

Day 13

Ruaha National Park

Day 14

Ruaha National Park – Dar es Salaam

Kilimanjaro International Airport – Arusha

Arusha – North Serengeti

North Serengeti

North Serengeti – Central Serengeti

Central Serengeti – Ngorongoro Crater

Ngorongoro Crater – Lake Manyara

Lake Manyara – Lake Natron

Lake Natron – Tarangire

Tarangire

Tarangire – Selous

Selous Game Reserve

Selous Game Reserve – Ruaha National Park

Ruaha National Park

Ruaha National Park – Dar es Salaam

Whats included

Whats excluded

Accommodation

Customize Your Trip

LET'S PLAN YOUR TRIP!

discover

navigation

information

contact details