Follow us on

Facebook Instagram Youtube
  • +255 768 335 162
  • +44 7849 911 929
  • info@poppyafricasafaris.com

16 Days Long Safari in the Northern Circuit

16 Days Long Safari in the Northern Circuit Overview

This 16-day safari explores Tanzania’s Northern Circuit in depth, blending classic wildlife game drives with cultural encounters and scenic adventures. Visit Arusha, Tarangire, Lake Manyara, Eyasi, Ngorongoro, Serengeti, and Lake Natron, while engaging with Maasai and Hadzabe tribes, trekking highlands, and experiencing diverse landscapes and abundant wildlife.

Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival in Arusha

Arrive at Kilimanjaro International Airport where you’ll be greeted and transferred to your Arusha hotel. Enjoy time to relax, recover from your journey, and receive a detailed safari briefing from your guide, preparing you for the exciting adventure across Tanzania’s spectacular Northern Circuit.
Embark on a day exploring Arusha National Park. Discover lush forests, sparkling lakes, and the majestic Mount Meru backdrop. Expect giraffes, flamingos, and black-and-white colobus monkeys. Enjoy a combination of game drives and guided walking safaris before returning to your Arusha lodge for an overnight stay.
Travel to Tarangire National Park, famous for its enormous elephant herds, towering baobab trees, and seasonal swamps that attract diverse wildlife. After settling in, embark on an afternoon game drive, observing lions, zebras, and birdlife in this scenic park before enjoying dinner and overnight at your lodge or camp.
Spend a full day exploring Tarangire’s varied landscapes, from open savannahs to acacia woodlands. Search for lions, leopards, giraffes, and cheetahs, while elephant herds dominate the scenery. Enjoy picnic lunches in the wild and maximize your time viewing the park’s stunning wildlife before returning to your comfortable safari accommodation.
Depart Tarangire for Lake Manyara National Park, a gem nestled beneath the Rift Valley escarpment. Explore its groundwater forests, hot springs, and alkaline lake, home to flamingos and hippos. Keep watch for the park’s famous tree-climbing lions. Spend the evening at a lodge or tented camp nearby.
Journey to Lake Eyasi, a cultural highlight of the Northern Circuit. Meet the Hadzabe bushmen for an authentic hunting and gathering experience, and the Datoga tribe, skilled in blacksmithing. Gain rare insights into Tanzania’s traditional lifestyles before overnighting in a lodge or tented camp near Lake Eyasi’s shores.
After breakfast, travel to the Ngorongoro Highlands, a lush and scenic region surrounding the crater. Enjoy village visits, coffee farm tours, and hiking opportunities with panoramic views. The cooler climate and cultural immersion offer a refreshing contrast to the savannah. Overnight stay in a charming lodge in the highlands.
Descend into the Ngorongoro Crater, a UNESCO World Heritage Site often described as Africa’s Eden. Experience a spectacular day of game viewing in this natural amphitheater, home to the Big Five and over 25,000 animals. Overnight on the crater rim, where sunsets offer breathtaking panoramic views of the caldera.
Drive across the Ngorongoro Conservation Area into the Serengeti, with its endless golden plains. Wildlife sightings begin en route, including wildebeest, zebras, and predators. Arrive for an afternoon game drive before settling into a comfortable lodge or tented camp within the central Serengeti, perfectly placed for tomorrow’s exploration.
Spend the day exploring Serengeti’s iconic landscapes. Depending on the season, witness the Great Migration of wildebeest and zebras, or marvel at lions, leopards, and cheetahs in action. With picnic lunch in the wild, continue game viewing until sunset before returning to your safari lodge for the night.
Dedicate another full day to exploring a different section of Serengeti, such as the northern woodlands or western corridor. Expect encounters with elephants, giraffes, hippos, and crocodiles. The diversity of habitats ensures remarkable wildlife moments at every turn. Evening relaxation and overnight at your Serengeti camp or lodge.
After breakfast, travel north through rugged landscapes to Lake Natron. Famous for its crimson-colored waters and flocks of flamingos, the area is also the base of Mount Ol Doinyo Lengai, the “Mountain of God.” Explore the lakeshore, visit waterfalls, and overnight in a rustic lodge near Lake Natron.
Spend a day exploring Lake Natron’s fascinating environment. Visit waterfalls, hike along gorges, and admire the flamingos nesting on the soda lake. The dramatic landscapes, cultural encounters with Maasai communities, and views of Ol Doinyo Lengai make this one of the most unique destinations on your safari.
Travel back towards Arusha with a stop at a Maasai village. Learn about the Maasai people’s traditions, cattle culture, and unique way of life. Enjoy warm hospitality and dancing before continuing to Arusha. Overnight in a comfortable lodge, reflecting on your incredible cultural and wildlife experiences.
Spend a full day at leisure in Arusha, allowing time to relax at your lodge or explore the town. Optional activities include visiting coffee plantations, local markets, or the Cultural Heritage Centre. This downtime prepares you for your onward journey after two weeks of thrilling adventure.
Depending on your flight schedule, enjoy a leisurely breakfast and final shopping or cultural visits in Arusha. Transfer to Kilimanjaro International Airport for your international flight home, marking the end of your unforgettable 16-day Northern Circuit Safari experience.

Price Inclusions

  • Airport transfers (arrival & departure)
  • Professional safari driver-guide
  • 4×4 safari vehicle with pop-up roof
  • All park entry fees & conservation charges
  • Accommodation (lodges/camps) on full board
  • Domestic flight (if applicable)
  • Bottled drinking water during safari
  • Cultural visits (Hadzabe, Datoga, Maasai)

Price Exclusions

  • International flights
  • Visa fees & travel insurance
  • Tips for guides, drivers, porters, and hotel staff
  • Drinks (soft & alcoholic) not specified
  • Optional activities (coffee tour, hot-air balloon, etc.)
  • Personal items and expenses

Enquire Now

Have a question, comment, observation, or media inquiry? We’re eager to hear from you! You can use the form below or give us a call..

    Your Name

    Email Address

    Your Number

    Your Nationality

    Number Of Adults

    Number Of Children

    Date of Arrive

    Anything you would like to share with us!