Northern Circuit
Tarangire · Ngorongoro Crater · Serengeti
5.0 Stars — 204 Reviews about Yera
Duration: 7 Days
Tier: Signature
Price From
$2,800 per person
Depends on number of people
Overview
Seven days. This exact route, refined over 20+ years.
A signature journey blending iconic wildlife, Maasai culture, and moments of quiet luxury — Tarangire's elephant herds, a full day on the floor of Ngorongoro Crater, and two full days in the Serengeti tracking the plains' big cats.
This exact route builds in enough time at each park to properly track and find the Big Five, without wasted driving days — with a private guide and vehicle throughout, never a joined group.
What to Expect
On safari with Yera
- Tarangire's Elephant Herds & Ancient Baobabs
- Ngorongoro Crater's Big Five Country
- Serengeti's Endless Plains & Big Cats
- Great Migration (Seasonal)
- Optional Maasai Cultural Encounter
- Private Guide & Vehicle — No Group Joining
- Hand-Picked Signature Lodges Throughout
Day by Day
The Itinerary
◆ THE ROUTE
What You'll Do Today
You're met at Kilimanjaro International Airport by your private guide and transferred to Arusha. There's no rush today — this is a day to settle in, rest, and let the journey begin at its own pace, before the safari begins in earnest tomorrow. Most guests arrive tired from long flights; we've learned the best first day isn't the biggest, it's the calmest.
What to Expect to See
Tonight's Stay
Meals
Dinner
Route
Airport → Arusha
Pool with Meru views · On-site coffee estate · Forest nature trails
What You'll Do Today
After breakfast, drive to Tarangire National Park for a full day among some of Africa's largest elephant herds, ancient baobab trees, and the river that sustains them all, with a picnic lunch served overlooking the plains. Late afternoon, continue to Karatu, with an optional stop at a Maasai boma along the way — a genuine encounter with the community that has shared this land with wildlife for generations. Packing tip: avoid black, blue, and red clothing today — these colors attract tsetse flies in Tarangire's bush. Khaki, beige, and green are best.
What to Expect to See
Optional Activities
Tonight's Stay
Meals
Full Board
Route
Arusha → Tarangire → Karatu
Valley-view rooms · Fireplace lounge · Home-style dining
What You'll Do Today
An early departure takes you to the rim of Ngorongoro Crater, then down onto its floor — one of the most concentrated wildlife arenas on Earth, and prime Big Five territory with genuine opportunities to spot rhino. Lunch is a picnic served inside the crater itself, wildlife moving around you as you eat — a rare privilege few operators offer. Return to Karatu (second night at this lodge) by evening. There's a moment every guest has in the crater — usually silence, then someone whispers 'wow.'
What to Expect to See
Tonight's Stay
Meals
Full Board
Route
Ngorongoro Crater — Day Trip from Karatu
Valley-view rooms · Fireplace lounge · Home-style dining
What You'll Do Today
Breakfast, then a scenic drive through the Ngorongoro Highlands toward the Serengeti, the landscape shifting from crater forest to endless plain. An en-route game drive brings you into the park as the light turns golden. Settle into an authentic tented camp that puts you close to nature without giving up an inch of comfort.
What to Expect to See
Tonight's Stay
Meals
Full Board
Route
Karatu → Serengeti, via the Ngorongoro Highlands
En-suite tented rooms · Private verandas · Unfenced game viewing
What You'll Do Today
A full day in the Serengeti, tracking big cats and — season permitting — the Great Migration itself. Timing stays flexible, built around where the wildlife is, not a fixed clock. A private picnic setup gives you a still, quiet lunch in the middle of the plain (second night at this lodge). Serengeti means 'endless plains' in Maa — spend one full day here and you'll understand why the word had to be invented.
What to Expect to See
Optional Activities
Tonight's Stay
Meals
Full Board
Route
Serengeti — Full Day
En-suite tented rooms · Private verandas · Unfenced game viewing
What You'll Do Today
A morning or half-day game drive — one final chance to catch what the plains have to offer — before driving back toward Karatu via the Ngorongoro Highlands. Evening is unhurried, a chance to reflect after two full days of safari.
What to Expect to See
Tonight's Stay
Meals
Full Board
Route
Serengeti → Karatu
Valley-view rooms · Fireplace lounge · Home-style dining
What You'll Do Today
Transfer back to Arusha or directly to the airport. If your flight allows, use Bougainvillea Safari Lodge as a day-use stop — gardens and a pool for one last moment of calm before your flight home.
What to Expect to See
Optional Activities
Tonight's Stay
Meals
Breakfast
Route
Karatu / Arusha → Airport
Your Investment
What determines the price
Pricing on this journey starts from $2,800 per person and varies based on three factors.
Group Size
This is always a private safari — your own guide and vehicle throughout, never a joined group. Per-person pricing simply reflects how the fixed cost of a private vehicle and guide divides across your party size.
Season
High season (June–October) and the Mara crossing months (July–September) carry premium lodge rates. The green season (December–March, including February calving) and shoulder months (November, May) offer excellent value with equally rewarding game viewing — we recommend avoiding April, when the long rains close some camps.
Lodge Tier
This is our Signature tier — a blend of comfortable lodges and authentic tented camps. Midrange and High End versions of this same route are also available.
Included
A private 4x4 safari vehicle and driver-guide for the full 7-day journey — no group joining, no shared departures.
All national park and conservation area entrance fees, including the Ngorongoro Crater floor descent fee.
Six nights at hand-picked Signature-tier lodges and tented camps as listed in the itinerary — Serena Mountain Lodge, Marera Valley Lodge (two nights), and Baobab Tented Lodge (two nights).
Dinner on Day 1, Full Board on Days 2–6, and breakfast on Day 7 — plus soft drinks and bottled water during game drives.
Arrival transfer from Kilimanjaro International Airport, and departure transfer at the end of your journey.
WiFi access at all lodges, an on-call park doctor for non-emergency needs, and emergency medical evacuation cover via AMREF Flying Doctors.
Excluded
Dining on Safari
Every kitchen, professionally run
Every lodge on this journey employs professional kitchen teams experienced in preparing a full range of dietary needs — without compromising on quality or variety. Simply let us know your dietary preferences when booking, and we'll confirm with each property in advance.
Before You Travel
Documents & Preparation
Valid for at least 6 months beyond your travel dates, with two blank visa pages.
Most nationalities can apply for a Tanzania e-Visa online prior to arrival, or on arrival at Kilimanjaro Airport.
Required only if arriving from, or having transited through, a country with risk of yellow fever transmission.
We recommend comprehensive cover including medical evacuation for all safari travel.
Packing List for the Northern Circuit
Everything to bring, by season and activity — PDF, 1 page
What Our Clients Say
Told by the travelers who were there
“Every day of this route felt considered — never rushed, never wasted. The Ngorongoro Crater day alone was worth the trip.”
Helen & Mark R. · United Kingdom, September 2025
“Our guide knew exactly where to be and when. Seven days, zero wasted driving time, and wildlife every single day — including a curious rhino in the crater.”
Sophie L. · France, July 2025
“The Baobab Tented Lodge was the highlight for us — hearing elephants near camp on our last Serengeti morning. Every detail of this itinerary felt genuinely planned around the wildlife.”
David K. · Canada, February 2025
Why Travel With Yera
What sets this journey apart
Refined Over 20+ Years
This exact route has been refined over two decades guiding across Tanzania's Northern Circuit — enough time built into each park to properly find the Big Five, without wasted driving days.
Private, Every Day
A private vehicle and private guide throughout your journey — no group joining, no shared departures.
Flexible, No Hidden Fees
Free itinerary changes up to 30 days before travel, and no hidden fees on arrival.
Common Questions
Before You Go
Yes. This itinerary is our signature entry point — it balances iconic parks (Serengeti, Ngorongoro) with a gentle pace, recovery days, and comfortable lodges throughout.
Year-round, with the exception of April (long rains). See the seasonal breakdown above.
1 night Arusha, 2 nights Karatu, 2 nights Serengeti, plus an optional day-use stop in Arusha before departure.
Included — a full day on the crater floor is one of the signature moments of this journey (Day 3).
These are add-ons for extra depth: Maasai Boma Visit — from $25 pp — cultural encounter en route to Karatu. Walking Experience — from $10 pp — guided bush walk in the Tarangire area. Hot Air Balloon Safari — from $500 pp — sunrise flight over the Serengeti.
Neutral safari colors — khaki, beige, green. Avoid black, blue, and red, which attract tsetse flies, especially in Tarangire. A warm layer is recommended for early mornings, particularly at the Ngorongoro Crater rim.
Yes — private vehicle and private guide throughout, no group joining.
Yes — popular extensions include Zanzibar, Mafia Island, or Pangani/Saadani for a coastal finish (see Day 7).
This itinerary sits in our Signature tier — a blend of comfortable lodges and authentic tented camps (Serena Mountain Lodge, Marera Valley Lodge, Baobab Tented Lodge). Midrange and High End versions of this route are also available.
Most nationalities require a visa, available on arrival or in advance online (e-Visa). We recommend confirming requirements for your specific passport before travel.
Yes, this circuit is family-friendly, though some lodges have minimum age policies for certain activities (e.g. balloon safaris). Let us know ages when enquiring so we can tailor accordingly.