Day 1
Arrival, Arusha
Arusha
Arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport, met by Wildtouch and transferred to your Arusha accommodation. Afternoon at leisure to recover from the flight, with a safari briefing dinner.
An eight-day Tanzania northern circuit safari combining Tarangire's elephant herds, the Ngorongoro Crater's caldera concentration, and the limitless plains of the Serengeti.
Overview
Tanzania's northern circuit is one of Africa's great wildlife journeys — a route that links three of the continent's most celebrated parks in a single, manageable itinerary. Beginning in Arusha, the route heads first to Tarangire National Park, famous for its baobab-studded landscapes and exceptional dry-season elephant concentrations. From there, the route climbs to the Ngorongoro highlands and descends into the crater — a collapsed volcanic caldera that holds one of the densest wildlife populations on earth, with the Big Five often viewable in a single morning. The final leg crosses into the Serengeti, the vast plains that give the migration its rhythm. Depending on the season, the migration herds can be viewed in the southern Serengeti (December to March, calving season), the central Serengeti (April to June, the long rains), or the western corridor and northern Serengeti (July to October, the river crossings).
Wildtouch designs the Tanzania itinerary around the season and the tour operator's client brief. The same depth of guiding and logistical care brought to the Kenya safaris applies — a private 4×4 with an experienced Tanzania-licensed guide, accommodation matched to the operator's tier, and full ground-handling throughout the trip.
Trip highlights
- Three of Africa's most celebrated wildlife parks in a single itinerary
- Tarangire's baobab landscapes and large elephant herds
- Ngorongoro Crater — Big Five often in a single morning
- Multiple days in the Serengeti to follow the migration
- Seasonal migration positioning — south, central or north depending on month
- Outstanding photographic variety across volcanic, savannah and woodland landscapes
- Optional Lake Manyara extension and Maasai cultural experiences
Day-by-day
Day 2
Arusha to Tarangire
Tarangire National Park
A morning drive to Tarangire National Park, with an afternoon game drive in one of Tanzania's most photogenic parks. Tarangire's landscape of giant baobabs and the meandering Tarangire River draws large herds of elephants and a rich variety of bird life.
Day 3
Tarangire to Ngorongoro
Ngorongoro Highlands
A morning game drive in Tarangire before continuing west to the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. Arrive at your highland lodge in time for lunch, with the afternoon at leisure to take in the panoramic views over the crater rim.
Day 4
Ngorongoro Crater day
Ngorongoro Crater
An early descent into the Ngorongoro Crater for a full-day game drive on the crater floor — a self-contained 260km² wilderness holding one of the densest wildlife populations in Africa. Lion, elephant, buffalo, black rhino, hippo and exceptional birdlife are all routinely seen. Picnic lunch on the crater floor. Ascent back to the rim in the late afternoon.
Day 5
Ngorongoro to Serengeti
Serengeti National Park
A scenic drive into the Serengeti via the Maasai plains of Olduvai Gorge — site of the Leakey hominid discoveries. Arrive at your Serengeti camp positioned to match the season's migration movement. Afternoon game drive in the area.
Day 6
Serengeti — full day
Serengeti National Park
A full day in the Serengeti. The day's movements depend on the season and the migration's current position — but always include early-morning and late-afternoon game drives, with the middle of the day in the shade or back at camp. Lion prides, leopard, cheetah, and — for the lucky — black rhino are all possible.
Day 7
Serengeti — full day
Serengeti National Park
A second full day in the Serengeti gives time to follow up on specific wildlife the trip has not yet covered in depth — a leopard sighting, a cheetah hunt, or a closer approach to the migration herds. Optional hot-air balloon safari at sunrise for an unforgettable aerial view of the plains.
Day 8
Serengeti to Arusha — departure
Serengeti to Arusha
A morning flight from the Serengeti airstrip back to Arusha and onward to Kilimanjaro International Airport for the homeward flight. Day rooms in Arusha can be arranged for evening departures.
What's typically included
- Meet-and-greet on arrival and all airport transfers
- Private guided 4×4 game viewer with experienced Tanzania-licensed Wildtouch guide
- Internal flights between Serengeti and Arusha
- All national park and conservation area fees
- All accommodation as specified in the tour operator's programme
- All meals as outlined per day
- Bottled water in the vehicle throughout
- Government taxes and levies
What's typically excluded
- International flights to and from Kilimanjaro
- Tanzania visa fees
- Travel and medical insurance
- Personal items, drinks, laundry
- Optional excursions (balloon safari, cultural visits if not included)
- Tips for guide and camp staff
Inclusions and exclusions are typical for this itinerary type and may vary depending on the tour operator’s programme and the accommodation tier selected. Wildtouch Tours & Travel confirms the exact arrangement at contracting.
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UK trade representation for this itinerary
Tanzania Northern Circuit — Eight Day Safari is a 8-day sample safari itinerary delivered by Wildtouch Tours & Travel, the Destination Management Company that handles in-country operations in Tanzania. Wildtouch Tours & Travel is represented in the UK travel trade by Kusa Connect, an ATTA member UK rep company founded by Graeme Watson. UK tour operators programme the itinerary alongside curated African journeys and contract directly with Wildtouch Tours & Travel for operations. Kusa Connect supports operators with FAM trips, consultant training, sales materials and, where required, representation at international travel trade shows.
UK trade enquiries about Tanzania Northern Circuit — Eight Day Safari — operator product teams, Africa specialists and luxury travel consultants — should contact Kusa Connect via kusaconnect.com/contact. Kusa Connect does not take consumer or retail-agent bookings; those flow through the contracted UK tour operator who programmes Wildtouch Tours & Travel.
Frequently asked — UK trade
How is Tanzania Northern Circuit — Eight Day Safari sold to the UK travel trade?
Tanzania Northern Circuit — Eight Day Safari is a sample itinerary delivered on the ground by Wildtouch Tours & Travel, the Tanzania DMC. UK travel agents recommend the safari concept to their clients, who then book through specialist UK tour operators that programme Wildtouch Tours & Travel's itineraries alongside their wider African journey portfolio. Tour operators contract directly with Wildtouch Tours & Travel for in-country operations. Kusa Connect is the UK trade representative: we support operators with FAM trip coordination, consultant training, sales materials and, where required, representation at international travel trade shows. Kusa Connect does not take consumer or retail-agent bookings.
Can Tanzania Northern Circuit — Eight Day Safari be tailored for individual clients?
Yes. The day-by-day structure shown is a sample design — the duration, pace, accommodation tier and special-interest add-ons (walking safaris, photographic programming, family adaptations, honeymoon arrangements) are all customisable by Wildtouch Tours & Travel in consultation with the UK tour operator. Operators contact Kusa Connect to discuss tailored variations.
What is the best time of year to programme Tanzania Northern Circuit — Eight Day Safari?
June to October for the dry season and Mara River crossings in the northern Serengeti. December to March for the calving season in the southern Serengeti. The Ngorongoro Crater holds year-round wildlife.
What accommodation does Tanzania Northern Circuit — Eight Day Safari use?
From comfortable tented camps to flagship luxury lodges and seasonal mobile camps that move with the migration. UK tour operators select the accommodation tier; Wildtouch handles all property contracting and in-country operations.
Who is the DMC behind this itinerary?
Wildtouch Tours & Travel is the Destination Management Company responsible for in-country operations across Tanzania. They handle the vehicles, the guides, the property contracts, the permits and the logistics. Wildtouch Tours & Travel is represented in the UK by Kusa Connect.
How do UK tour operators arrange FAM trips on Tanzania Northern Circuit — Eight Day Safari?
FAM trip enquiries are handled by Kusa Connect on behalf of Wildtouch Tours & Travel. UK tour operator product teams, Africa specialists and luxury travel consultants can request FAM trip availability — including condensed variants of the itinerary for product familiarisation — via the Kusa Connect contact form at kusaconnect.com/contact.