Group Joining Camping or Lodge Arusha • Tarangire • Serengeti • Ngorongoro • Manyara

5-Day Northern Circuit Group Safari

A fuller Tanzania group safari covering Tarangire National Park, the iconic Serengeti plains, the wildlife-rich Ngorongoro Crater, and Lake Manyara National Park, with pickup and drop-off in Arusha town or your Arusha hotel.

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Easy Start from Arusha
Pickup and drop-off are included in Arusha town or at your Arusha hotel.
Complete Northern Circuit Feel
This route combines Tarangire, Serengeti, Ngorongoro and Lake Manyara in one better-paced safari.
Great for Joining a Small Group
Ideal for solo travelers, couples, and friends who want a shared safari with stronger route depth.
A Better 5-Day Northern Circuit Balance

This 5-day group safari gives you stronger route logic than the shorter versions by adding both more Serengeti time and a final Lake Manyara day. You begin with Tarangire, continue into Serengeti for the classic plains experience, descend into Ngorongoro Crater, then close the safari with Lake Manyara before returning to Arusha.

5 Days Shared 4x4 Safari Vehicle Meals Included Park Fees Included
Strong First-Time Tanzania Route
Want a safari that feels more complete than a 4-day route? This is one of the best shared northern circuit combinations.
Ask us about available group departure dates.
Pricing Options

Choose Camping or Lodge

Both options follow the same northern circuit route and shared safari format. The main difference is the style of overnight accommodation.

Camping Option
$1200 per person

Best for travelers who want a lower-cost northern circuit adventure while still covering all four parks in the route.

  • Shared group safari in a 4x4 vehicle.
  • Camping accommodation during the safari.
  • Meals during safari as per itinerary.
  • Tarangire, Serengeti, Ngorongoro and Lake Manyara park fees included.
  • Ngorongoro crater service included.
  • Pickup and drop-off in Arusha town or hotel.
Good for
Budget-conscious travelers, backpackers, solo travelers, and anyone who wants stronger route coverage at a fair shared cost.
Lodge Option
$1890 per person

More comfort after game drives, with lodge or camp stays positioned well for each stage of the route.

  • Night 1 Karatu area after Tarangire: Marera Valley Lodge.
  • Night 2 Serengeti: Safari Haven Serengeti or Serengeti Heritage Camp.
  • Night 3 Ngorongoro area: Ngorongoro Safari Lodge or Ngorongoro Wild Camp.
  • Night 4 Karatu area: Marera Valley Lodge.
  • Shared group safari in a 4x4 vehicle.
  • Meals during safari as per itinerary.
  • Pickup and drop-off in Arusha town or hotel.
Good for
Couples, mature travelers, and guests who want stronger overnight comfort across a fuller 5-day route.
Day-by-Day Itinerary

5 Days from Arusha to Tarangire, Serengeti, Ngorongoro & Lake Manyara

The route is designed to feel more complete: Tarangire first, then Serengeti with more proper time, followed by Ngorongoro Crater, and finally Lake Manyara before returning to Arusha.

1

Arusha Town / Hotel Pickup → Tarangire National Park → Karatu Area

In the morning, you will be picked up in Arusha town or at your Arusha hotel and join the group departure for the safari. The drive leads to Tarangire National Park, a park known for giant baobab trees, strong elephant presence, and a very classic opening safari feel.

Tarangire is often an excellent first wildlife day because sightings start to build quickly once you enter the park. After the game drive and lunch, you continue to the Karatu area for overnight. For the lodge option, this night is at Marera Valley Lodge.

Camping or Marera Valley Lodge Lunch & Dinner Tarangire game drive
2

Karatu Area → Serengeti National Park

After breakfast, you leave the Karatu area and continue toward the Serengeti through the Ngorongoro highlands and conservation area. This is one of the most scenic movements on the northern circuit, gradually transitioning from cooler uplands to the open plains.

As you enter the Serengeti, the landscape opens up dramatically and wildlife viewing begins en route. The Serengeti is the core of the classic Tanzania safari experience because of its wide plains, predator activity, and feeling of real open wilderness. By evening, you arrive at camp or lodge for overnight.

Camping or Safari Haven Serengeti / Serengeti Heritage Camp Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Scenic drive to Serengeti
3

Full Day Serengeti Game Drive → Transfer to Ngorongoro Area

Today gives you stronger time in the Serengeti, which is one of the key advantages of the 5-day route. Your guide will focus on the best areas based on recent sightings and movement. This is often the best day for wide-ranging wildlife viewing, including lions, hyenas, elephants, buffalo, giraffes, zebras, and the broader Serengeti rhythm across the plains.

After the game drive and lunch, you continue toward the Ngorongoro area. The route shifts back toward higher ground and cooler air, creating a natural transition before the crater descent on the next day. You arrive for overnight near Ngorongoro.

Camping or Ngorongoro Safari Lodge / Ngorongoro Wild Camp Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Full Serengeti wildlife day
4

Ngorongoro Crater Game Drive → Karatu Area

After breakfast, you descend into the Ngorongoro Crater, one of Africa’s most concentrated wildlife landscapes. The crater floor supports an impressive mix of species in a relatively compact area, making it one of the strongest game-viewing environments in Tanzania. Depending on the day and movement, you may see lions, buffalo, zebra, wildebeest, hippos, hyenas, and many bird species.

After the crater game drive and lunch, instead of returning directly to Arusha, you continue to the Karatu area for overnight. This improves the route pacing and makes the final day to Lake Manyara more practical. For the lodge option, the final overnight is again at Marera Valley Lodge.

Camping or Marera Valley Lodge Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Ngorongoro Crater descent
5

Lake Manyara National Park → Return to Arusha

On the final day, you continue to Lake Manyara National Park, a compact but very scenic park known for its groundwater forest, lake-edge views, birdlife, and mixed habitats. The contrast with the other parks adds a good final layer to the northern circuit experience.

After your game drive and lunch, you drive back to Arusha. Arrival is usually later in the day, with drop-off in Arusha town or at your hotel. This closes the safari neatly for travelers staying in Arusha or continuing onward from town.

Lake Manyara game drive Breakfast & Lunch Drop-off Arusha town / hotel
Accommodation Options

Lodge Stays Used for This Safari

For the lodge option, these are the accommodation choices used for this itinerary, depending on availability and operational planning.

Marera Valley Lodge accommodation option for northern circuit lodge safari

Marera Valley Lodge

Used for the first overnight in the Karatu area after Tarangire and again on the last overnight after Ngorongoro, helping keep the route well paced.

Safari Haven Serengeti accommodation option for lodge safari

Safari Haven Serengeti

A comfortable Serengeti stay for travelers who want a more relaxed overnight experience while keeping the safari practical and well paced.

Serengeti Heritage Camp accommodation option for lodge safari

Serengeti Heritage Camp

A tented camp style that fits well for travelers who want the atmosphere of staying inside or near the safari environment without going fully basic.

Ngorongoro Safari Lodge accommodation option

Ngorongoro Safari Lodge

A practical overnight base in the Ngorongoro area, helping position you well for the crater descent before moving back toward Karatu.

Ngorongoro Wild Camp accommodation option

Ngorongoro Wild Camp

A safari-style overnight option in the Ngorongoro area, suitable for guests who want a more immersive feel before the final part of the route.

Included

What’s Included

  • Pickup in Arusha town or at your hotel.
  • Drop-off in Arusha town or at your hotel.
  • Shared 4x4 safari vehicle with pop-up roof.
  • Professional English-speaking driver-guide.
  • Tarangire, Serengeti, Ngorongoro and Lake Manyara park fees.
  • Ngorongoro crater service fee.
  • Camping or lodge accommodation based on the option selected.
  • Meals during the safari as per itinerary.
  • Drinking water during game drives.
Not Included

What’s Not Included

  • Flights and visa costs.
  • Travel insurance.
  • Tips for guide or camp/lodge staff.
  • Personal drinks and extra purchases.
  • Accommodation in Arusha before or after safari unless requested separately.
Best Fit
This safari is a very good fit for travelers who want the northern circuit to feel more complete without going into a much longer program.
Join This Safari

Request Availability

Tell us your preferred date, number of travelers, and whether you want the camping or lodge option. We’ll confirm the next suitable group departure.

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FAQ

Common Questions

Where is pickup?
Pickup is in Arusha town or at your Arusha hotel, and the safari ends with drop-off back in Arusha.
Can I join as a solo traveler?
Yes, subject to available seats on the scheduled departure.
What accommodations are used for the lodge option?
The first night after Tarangire is at Marera Valley Lodge, followed by Safari Haven Serengeti or Serengeti Heritage Camp, then Ngorongoro Safari Lodge or Ngorongoro Wild Camp, and the final overnight is again at Marera Valley Lodge.
Why is this called Northern Circuit?
Because it covers the key northern Tanzania safari parks: Tarangire, Serengeti, Ngorongoro and Lake Manyara.
Direct Contact
All Group Safaris Ngorongoro Guide