3 Day Northern Circuit Safari
Tour Overview
Discover Tanzania’s famous Northern Safari Circuit on this exciting 3-day adventure through Tarangire National Park, Ngorongoro Crater, and Lake Manyara National Park. This carefully designed safari offers an incredible opportunity to experience diverse landscapes, abundant wildlife, and some of East Africa’s most celebrated natural wonders in a short amount of time.
From the giant baobab trees and large elephant herds of Tarangire to the wildlife-rich floor of the Ngorongoro Crater and the scenic beauty of Lake Manyara, this safari delivers unforgettable wildlife encounters and breathtaking scenery. It is an ideal choice for travelers seeking a classic Tanzanian safari experience with excellent game viewing opportunities.
Safari Highlights
This 3-day safari takes you through three of Tanzania’s most popular national parks and conservation areas. Begin your journey in Tarangire National Park, renowned for its impressive elephant population and iconic baobab trees. Continue to the world-famous Ngorongoro Crater, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of Africa’s best wildlife destinations. Complete your adventure with a game drive in Lake Manyara National Park, known for its diverse habitats, tree-climbing lions, and abundant birdlife.
The safari offers outstanding opportunities to spot the Big Five, large herds of herbivores, predators, and hundreds of bird species while enjoying Tanzania’s spectacular natural landscapes.
Day 0: Arrival Day
Upon arrival in Tanzania, you will be welcomed by a Leiyos Safari representative. This safari can start from either Arusha Town or Dar es Salaam. Guests arriving in Dar es Salaam will take a domestic flight to Arusha, where they will meet their safari guide and receive a briefing about the upcoming adventure.
Depending on your arrival time, you can relax at your lodge, explore Arusha Town, or prepare for your safari starting the following day.
Accommodation: Arusha
Day 1: Arusha to Tarangire National Park
After breakfast, depart from Arusha and drive to Tarangire National Park for a full-day game drive. Tarangire is famous for its large elephant population, ancient baobab trees, and diverse wildlife that congregates along the Tarangire River.
During your game drive, you may encounter elephants, lions, giraffes, zebras, wildebeests, buffaloes, impalas, warthogs, and numerous bird species. Enjoy a picnic lunch inside the park while surrounded by spectacular scenery and wildlife.
In the late afternoon, leave the park and proceed to your lodge for dinner and overnight.
Meals: Lunch and Dinner
Day 2: Ngorongoro Crater Safari
After an early breakfast, depart for the Ngorongoro Conservation Area and descend into the Ngorongoro Crater for a game drive. The crater is home to one of the highest concentrations of wildlife in Africa and offers excellent opportunities to spot the Big Five.
Explore the crater floor while searching for lions, elephants, buffaloes, zebras, wildebeests, hippos, hyenas, and the endangered black rhino. Enjoy a picnic lunch near a hippo pool before continuing your wildlife viewing experience.
In the afternoon, ascend the crater and proceed to your lodge near Lake Manyara for dinner and overnight.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 3: Lake Manyara National Park to Arusha
After breakfast, drive to Lake Manyara National Park for a morning game drive. Nestled at the base of the Great Rift Valley escarpment, the park is known for its scenic beauty, groundwater forests, tree-climbing lions, and abundant birdlife.
Explore the park’s diverse habitats while searching for elephants, giraffes, zebras, baboons, hippos, and numerous bird species including flamingos during the appropriate season.
After lunch, depart Lake Manyara and return to Arusha, arriving in the late afternoon.
Meals: Breakfast and Lunch
Departure Day
Depending on your onward travel plans, departure transfers can be arranged to either JRO (Kilimanjaro International Airport) or JNIA (Julius Nyerere International Airport). Guests connecting through Dar es Salaam can take a domestic flight from Arusha before their international departure.
End of Safari.
- Light clothing in neutral colors
- Comfortable walking shoes
- Sunhat, sunglasses, and sunscreen
- Binoculars and camera
- Light jacket for morning and evening chill
- Insect repellent and personal medications
- Reusable water bottle (optional)
Included
- Park entry fees (as per itinerary)
- Professional English-speaking safari guide
- Private 4×4 safari vehicle with pop-up roof
- Game drives as specified in the itinerary
- Accommodation during the safari
- Meals as specified in the itinerary
- Bottled drinking water during safari
- Government taxes and levies
- Airport transfers in Arusha (where applicable)
Excluded
- International flights
- Domestic flights (unless specified in the package)
- Tanzania visa fees
- Travel insurance
- Tips and gratuities for guides and lodge staff
- Alcoholic and soft drinks unless specified
- Personal expenses (laundry, souvenirs, telephone calls, etc.)
- Optional activities not mentioned in the itinerary
- Accommodation before or after the safari unless specified
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