PRIVATE JOURNEYS THROUGH TANZANIA
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12 DAYS / 11 NIGHTS · SAMPLE ITINERARY

12-Day Ultimate Luxury Tanzania Safari

The full northern circuit at a gracious pace, from Arusha’s forests to the remote north of the Serengeti.

Overview

The full northern circuit at a gracious pace, from Arusha’s forests to the remote north of the Serengeti. 12-day route through Arusha National Park, Tarangire, Lake Manyara, Ngorongoro, Serengeti, with your own guide and vehicle and accommodation chosen for location and atmosphere.

This is an inspirational sample itinerary. Every journey is tailor-made — route, pace and accommodation can all be adjusted to suit you.

Duration
12 days / 11 nights
Destinations
Arusha National Park, Tarangire, Lake Manyara, Ngorongoro, Serengeti
Ideal for
Discerning travelers who want depth, variety and genuine time in each place.
When to travel
Good year-round. June to October is the classic dry season with easier wildlife viewing; November to May brings green landscapes, fewer vehicles and, from January to March, calving in the south. The long rains of April and May can affect some roads and camps.
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DAY BY DAY

The journey.

Wildlife sightings, migration movements and river crossings depend on nature and are never guaranteed.

  1. Day1
    Arusha

    Arrival in Tanzania

    You are met at Kilimanjaro International Airport by a Bush Guides Safaris representative and transferred to your accommodation on the outskirts of Arusha, set among gardens with views toward Mount Meru on a clear day.

    The afternoon is yours to rest. In the evening your guide meets you for a short briefing on the journey ahead.

    Stay: Boutique lodge or coffee-estate retreat near ArushaMeals: Dinner
  2. Day2
    Arusha National Park

    Arusha National Park

    A gentle first day in the small but varied Arusha National Park. Montane forest, the Momella Lakes and the slopes of Mount Meru offer colobus monkeys, giraffe, buffalo and seasonal flamingo, all within easy reach of town.

    Where permitted, a guided walk with an armed ranger brings you closer to the ground. Your private guide keeps the day unhurried, with time to linger wherever the moment deserves it.

    Stay: Garden lodge near ArushaMeals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
  3. Day3
    Tarangire

    Tarangire National Park

    After breakfast, drive west to Tarangire, a landscape of ancient baobabs and the seasonal Tarangire River. The park is known for large elephant herds, especially in the drier months, along with giraffe, zebra and a rich variety of birdlife.

    Your private guide keeps the day unhurried, with time to linger wherever the moment deserves it. Picnic lunch is taken in the park, and you continue exploring until late afternoon before reaching your accommodation.

    Stay: Upscale tented camp or lodge with refined serviceMeals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
  4. Day4
    Tarangire

    A Full Day in Tarangire

    A full day to explore deeper corners of Tarangire, following the river and the swamps where wildlife often gathers. Early and late light are especially beautiful among the baobabs.

    Your private guide keeps the day unhurried, with time to linger wherever the moment deserves it. Where your camp offers them, a guided walk or a night drive can add a different perspective.

    Stay: Upscale tented camp or lodge with refined serviceMeals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
  5. Day5
    Lake Manyara

    Lake Manyara National Park

    Lake Manyara packs groundwater forest, open floodplain and a soda lake beneath the Rift Valley escarpment into a compact area. Look for baboon troops, elephant in the forest, and birds along the shoreline.

    Your private guide keeps the day unhurried, with time to linger wherever the moment deserves it. In the afternoon you climb the escarpment to the cooler highlands around Karatu.

    Stay: Upscale tented camp or lodge with refined serviceMeals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
  6. Day6
    Ngorongoro

    Ngorongoro Crater

    Descend early into Ngorongoro Crater, a vast caldera with grassland, swamp and a seasonal soda lake. Its permanent water supports buffalo, zebra, wildebeest, hippo and lion, and black rhino are occasionally seen, though no sighting is ever guaranteed.

    Your private guide keeps the day unhurried, with time to linger wherever the moment deserves it. A picnic lunch is enjoyed in the crater before you ascend in the afternoon.

    Stay: Upscale tented camp or lodge with refined serviceMeals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
  7. Day7
    Serengeti

    Into the Serengeti

    Cross the Ngorongoro highlands and descend to the plains, with an optional stop at Olduvai Gorge, one of the world’s most significant paleoanthropological sites. The landscape opens out as you enter the Serengeti.

    Game drive on the way to your camp, arriving in time for sundowners.

    Stay: Upscale tented camp or lodge with refined serviceMeals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
  8. Day8
    Central Serengeti

    Serengeti Plains

    Spend the day exploring the central Serengeti around the Seronera River, an area with resident wildlife year-round. Rocky kopjes, river woodland and open grassland support lion, leopard, cheetah and great herds of plains game.

    Your private guide keeps the day unhurried, with time to linger wherever the moment deserves it. Choose between a full day out with a picnic lunch or returning to camp for a midday rest.

    Stay: Upscale tented camp or lodge with refined serviceMeals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
  9. Day9
    Serengeti

    Balloon Flight & Serengeti

    An optional pre-dawn hot-air balloon flight lifts you over the plains as the sun rises, subject to weather and availability, followed by a traditional bush breakfast.

    The rest of the day continues by vehicle. Your private guide keeps the day unhurried, with time to linger wherever the moment deserves it.

    Stay: Upscale tented camp or lodge with refined serviceMeals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
  10. Day10
    Northern Serengeti

    North to the Mara Region

    Drive north through changing scenery, or take a light-aircraft flight, to the remote northern Serengeti near the Mara River. This wilder region is quieter for much of the year.

    Game drive en route. Your camp is chosen for its location and peaceful atmosphere.

    Stay: Upscale tented camp or lodge with refined serviceMeals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
  11. Day11
    Northern Serengeti

    Mara River Region

    A full day in the northern Serengeti. Between roughly July and October herds may gather near the Mara River, and crossings can happen. They are unpredictable and never guaranteed, so your guide reads conditions patiently.

    Your private guide keeps the day unhurried, with time to linger wherever the moment deserves it. Away from the river, the northern plains offer superb scenery and their own resident wildlife.

    Stay: Upscale tented camp or lodge with refined serviceMeals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
  12. Day12
    Serengeti – Arusha

    Departure from the Serengeti

    Enjoy a final early game drive before a scenic light-aircraft flight back to Arusha, watching the plains give way to the highlands below.

    You are transferred to a day room or straight to Kilimanjaro International Airport for your onward flight.

    Meals: Breakfast, lunch

Included

  • Private safari vehicle and professional English-speaking guide
  • Accommodation as described in upscale camps and lodges
  • Meals as indicated, with drinking water on safari
  • Park entrance, crater and conservation fees
  • Airport and in-country transfers
  • Domestic light-aircraft flights where shown in the itinerary
  • 24/7 in-country support

Not included

  • International flights
  • Tanzania visa
  • Travel insurance (strongly recommended)
  • Optional activities such as balloon flights unless agreed
  • Gratuities for guides and lodge staff
  • Personal expenses and premium drinks

Customization note

Change the length, swap a park or upgrade a stay. We will shape this journey around you.

Customize This Journey Plan Your Safari WhatsApp +255 793 861 060
Explore the places on this route
TarangireLake ManyaraNgorongoro CraterSerengetiMigration by Month
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