Safari Overview
Some places don’t just impress, they rearrange something inside you. A northern Tanzania safari does exactly that. In five unhurried days, you move through three of Africa’s most storied wilderness areas: the elephant-thick riverine woodlands of Tarangire, the ancient caldera of Ngorongoro, and the shimmering, flamingo-pink shores of Lake Manyara. This is northern Tanzania as it was meant to be experienced — wide open, wildlife-first, and completely unforgettable.
With over 20 years of crafting Tanzania safari packages across East Africa, Safaris Without Borders has refined this route into something genuinely special. Not rushed. Not overpromised. Just the real thing.
Safari Highlights
- Witness the largest elephant herds in northern Tanzania in Tarangire’s baobab-dotted landscape
- Descend into the Ngorongoro Crater — a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of Africa’s greatest wildlife arenas — for a chance at the Big Five
- Watch thousands of flamingos turn Lake Manyara a breathtaking shade of pink
- Over 500 bird species across the circuit — a birder’s dream
- All game drives from a pop-top 4×4 safari vehicle for unobstructed sightings
Rates
Our rates are per person sharing unless we note differently. Please treat all pricing as a guide only:
- All rates are subject to availability and may change without notice.
- Single supplements may apply.
- Request a quote or speak to one of our African Safari Experts for the best, most current rates available.
Price from
$650
Per Person Sharing
Day to Day Itinerary
Day 1 — Arrival: Kilimanjaro Airport to Arusha
Your northern Tanzania safari begins the moment you land. A Safaris Without Borders driver meets you at Kilimanjaro Airport and transfers you to the comfortable Venice Hotel in Arusha, your basecamp before the wild begins. The afternoon is yours to decompress: rest, wander Arusha’s vibrant streets, or simply sit with the anticipation of what tomorrow holds. In the evening, join your safari briefing and meet the team who will guide you through the days ahead.
Overnight: Venice Hotel, Arusha | Bed & Breakfast
Day 2 — Tarangire National Park: Explore Huge Herds of Elephants and Ancient Landscapes
This is elephant country. Ancient baobab trees rise from the ochre earth, the Tarangire River winds silver through the landscape, and the herds, enormous, unhurried, magnificent, move at their own pace. Tarangire is home to the largest concentration of elephants in northern Tanzania, and game drives here rarely disappoint. Expect giraffes, zebras, wildebeests, warthogs, buffaloes, and a rolling cast of predators. Lions patrol these plains, and leopards occasionally reveal themselves to the patient observer. You’ll spend the afternoon deep in the park before settling in for the night at Jambo Lodge.
Overnight: Jambo Lodge | Full Board
Day 3 — Ngorongoro Crater: World UNESCO Heritage Site & Wildlife Paradise
Few experiences on earth compare to descending into the Ngorongoro Crater. At nearly 600 metres deep and 20 kilometres wide, this ancient caldera is a self-contained world, a sweeping bowl of grassland, forest, and soda lake teeming with wildlife. Your Ngorongoro Crater safari unfolds across the crater floor, where lion prides laze in the morning sun, black rhinos graze in the distance, and elephant bulls move with quiet authority. The Big Five are all here. You’ll take a picnic lunch on the crater floor before ascending in the afternoon and continuing to Mto wa Mbu for the night.
Overnight: Jambo Lodge, Mto wa Mbu | Full Board
Day 4 — Lake Manyara National Park, then back to Arusha
Small in size, extraordinary in character, Lake Manyara National Park packs more diversity into its borders than parks many times its size. The shallow alkaline lake draws thousands of flamingos in season, staining the horizon a vivid, surreal pink. Beyond the shoreline: tree-climbing lions in the acacia woodlands, troops of baboons along the forest edge, elephants, giraffes, and over 500 bird species threading through every habitat. After a picnic lunch and a final afternoon of game viewing, you return to Arusha and Venice Hotel for your last night.
Overnight: Venice Hotel, Arusha | Bed & Breakfast
Day 5 — Departure: End of this Northern Tanzania Safari
After breakfast, you transfer to Kilimanjaro Airport for your onward flight — or to Arusha Airport if you’re extending your journey with a beach stay in Zanzibar. (Ask us about our Safari & Zanzibar combination packages.)
No accommodation — end of tour
Included
Excluded
Ready for an Exciting Adventure?
You’re welcome to inquire about our available safari options or customize your own unique experience. Start planning your tailor-made African adventure with us today.
