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Your 10-day itinerary, day by day
This itinerary gives you an overview of the route. It's a starting point, not a fixed package, so we'll shape the camps, pace and timing around your dates, your budget and the wildlife you most want to see.
Duration10 days
Guide price$7,570
RouteKilimanjaro round-trip
Where you stay5 camps & lodges
Show prices inindicative only, we quote in USD
Make an Enquiry- Day 1-2
Arrive at Kilimanjaro, transfer to Arusha
Arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport. On arrival you will be met and transferred to your lodge, settling in after your flights. Note: we have a dedicated flight partner in the US who can help you find and book the best international flights for you.
OvernightArumeru River Lodge (1 night)
- Day 2-4
Tarangire National Park
After breakfast, enjoy a guided rainforest walk followed by lunch at your lodge, then depart for Tarangire National Park with an afternoon game drive inside the park. The next day is given over to morning and afternoon game drives in Tarangire, one of the best places in Africa for elephants beneath ancient baobabs.
OvernightMaweninga Camp (2 nights)
- Day 4-6
Lake Manyara & the Ngorongoro Crater
Drive to Lake Manyara National Park for a day of game viewing with picnic lunches, then continue into the Ngorongoro Highlands to your lodge. The following day brings a thrilling game drive down onto the Ngorongoro Crater floor, with a picnic lunch inside the caldera before returning to the rim.
OvernightBashay Rift Lodge (2 nights)
- Day 6-7
Into the central Serengeti
After breakfast, depart for the Serengeti plains, game viewing as you enter the park and arriving at camp for lunch. Spend the afternoon on a game drive exploring the game-rich central plains of the Serengeti.
OvernightRonjo Camp (1 night)
- Day 7-10
Northern Serengeti & the Mara River
Journey north to the northern Serengeti plains and your final camp, with a picnic lunch en route. Spend two full days on morning and afternoon game drives in the northern plains, prime country for the Great Migration and its dramatic Mara River crossings.
OvernightMara River Post (3 nights)
- Day 10
Return home
After breakfast, transfer to the airstrip and board a light aircraft flight to Arusha, where you'll be taken for lunch at a local lodge before your transfer to Kilimanjaro International Airport for your onward flight. We hope you'll leave Tanzania with incredible memories and photos of your time here.
Your route through northern Tanzania
The circuit runs from Arusha down into Tarangire, up through Lake Manyara and the Ngorongoro Crater, then out across the central and northern Serengeti to the Mara River, before a light-aircraft hop back to Arusha.
- 1Arusha (start and finish)
- 2Tarangire National Park
- 3Lake Manyara National Park
- 4Ngorongoro Crater
- 5Central Serengeti
- 6Kogatende, Northern Serengeti
Each numbered stop follows the itinerary in order. Camps are linked by road and light aircraft, so this shows where you'll be, not a driving route.
Where you'll stay
Five camps and lodges we know and love first-hand, each chosen for its location, its guiding and its front-row access to the wildlife. Flick through the photos of each below, then tell us which you love and we'll build your trip around them.
Arusha
Arumeru River Lodge
A relaxed garden lodge near Kilimanjaro airport, the perfect place to settle in and shake off the flights before your safari begins.
Tarangire National Park
Maweninga Camp
A characterful tented camp on a rocky kopje with sweeping views over Tarangire, superbly placed for the park's famous elephant herds and baobabs.
Karatu, Ngorongoro Highlands
Bashay Rift Lodge
A comfortable highlands lodge set in coffee-farm country, an easy base for Lake Manyara and the descent onto the Ngorongoro Crater floor.
Central Serengeti
Ronjo Camp
An authentic tented camp in the game-rich heart of the Serengeti, ideally located for the central plains and their year-round big cats.
Northern Serengeti
Mara River Post
An intimate camp close to the Mara River, front-row for the northern plains and the heart-stopping dry-season migration crossings.
Ready to plan your Northern Tanzania safari?
Share as much or as little as you like, even a rough idea is enough to start. One of our Tanzania specialists will come back with first thoughts for your trip, with no obligation.
What's included
Every Brilliant trip is fully inclusive of the things that matter, plus a level of support you won't find with an off-the-shelf package.
In your price
- Experienced safari guides throughout
- All domestic and internal flights
- All road transfers and airport pick-ups and drop-offs
- All accommodation as per the itinerary (amendable to your budget and preferences)
- Fees for guides, scouts, drivers and cooks
- All entrance and park fees
- Fees for all activities as per the programme
- Shared or private daily game drives, depending on your route and preferences
- Full-board meal plan unless specified otherwise
- Select local-brand drinks on safari
- AMREF Flying Doctors cover and conservation charge
With Brilliant, you'll also get
- The Bucket List Safari System: one-on-one planning with a dedicated East Africa specialist (98% five-star reviews)
- The highest-rated African travel company on Trustpilot, so you know you're in safe hands
- A local ground-support team on hand throughout your trip
- Dedicated pre-travel support to prepare you for the adventure
- Get Me To Africa flight package: a specialist finds and books the right international flights for you (US guests)
- A personalised guest portal and mobile app with video guides for every question
- WhatsApp contact with your local support team
- A 1:1 safety briefing and a done-with-you visa and documents service
The 'Life Happens' Postponement Guarantee
If life gets in the way and you need to postpone your trip, we won't charge any fees to move it and your deposit is applied to the rescheduled dates. Terms and conditions apply, enquire for details.
Prices are per person based on two people travelling together during high season (July to October). Travel outside this period incurs lower costs.
Your questions answered
How much does the Best of Northern Tanzania trip cost?
The trip starts from $7,570 per person, based on two people travelling together during high season (July to October). Travel outside this period costs less. Every trip is tailor-made, so we shape the camps, length and pace around your budget and hold exclusive rates at many of the best camps.
How long is the trip and where does it start and end?
It's a 10-day itinerary that starts and ends at Kilimanjaro International Airport near Arusha. From there you travel by 4x4 and light aircraft through Tarangire, Lake Manyara, the Ngorongoro Crater and the central and northern Serengeti.
When is the best time to do this safari?
The northern circuit rewards travel all year. The long dry season, roughly June to October, is prime for game viewing and overlaps with the Mara River crossings in the northern Serengeti. The green months are quieter, lusher and better value. Tell us your dates and we'll place your camps to match the wildlife.
Can I change the camps or extend the trip?
Yes. This itinerary is a starting point, not a fixed package. We can upgrade or swap any of the camps, adjust the pace, add nights and combine the safari with a few days on Zanzibar. Just tell us what you have in mind and your specialist will tailor it around you.
Is it a private or shared safari?
Game drives can be shared or private depending on your route and preferences. On a fully private safari you have your own guide and 4x4 throughout, so you set the pace and linger at every sighting. We'll recommend the right option for your budget and how you like to travel.
What happens if I need to postpone my trip?
Our 'Life Happens' Postponement Guarantee means that if life gets in the way and you need to postpone, we won't charge any fees to move your trip and your deposit is applied to the rescheduled dates. Terms and conditions apply, so enquire for details.
Talk to someone who's actually been there
This page will get you started, but the best trip is the one built around you. Every Brilliant specialist has travelled the northern circuit first-hand, and we design each safari from scratch around your dates, budget and the wildlife you most want to see. No off-the-shelf packages, just impartial advice from people who know these camps.
Barry
Safari Specialist & Field Guide
Alyson
Guest Experience Specialist
Tracy
Tailor-Made Safari Specialist
Holly
Guest Experience Specialist
Marc
Africa Travel Specialist
Speak to an Expert
Interested in the Best of Northern Tanzania itinerary? Tell us about your dates, budget and priorities. A Tanzania specialist will review your enquiry and tailor the route, camps and pace around you.
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Rated Excellent by safari travellers
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4.9 out of 5 based on 188 reviews
We don't just write about these safari destinations; we send travellers there every season. Here's what they say about planning their trip with Brilliant.
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Our Safari trip was an amazing experience
Our Safari trip was an amazing experience from the time we…
Bridget McKenzie, June 2026
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Once in a life time holiday
We went on my 60th Birthday once in a lifetime Safari. Wow…
Sheena, May 2026
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Memorable, amazing and well organised
Very well organised tour. Lovely lodges and tented lodges. Great…
Susan Twomey, June 2026
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Ready to plan your African adventure?
1
Listen
We start by getting to know you: your dates, who's travelling, your budget and the wildlife and moments you're dreaming of.
2
Design
Then we design your safari from scratch, hand-picking the camps, routing and pace to suit you. No off-the-shelf packages, just impartial expert advice.
3
Refine & reserve
We fine-tune every detail with you, then place a 24 hour hold on your preferred camps, with no obligation, before you confirm.
Whatever your budget, group size, length of stay, preferred activity or appetite for adventure, we can help.