During this 9 days safari, you will explore the Northern circuit of Tanzania, that can be in simple terms described as, exploring the heart of Tanzania’s safari destinations, incomparable with hundreds of circuits in Africa and the entire world, that upon finishing it, uncontrolled smiles are unavoidable
You will spend your nine days visiting more than 3 national parks and unique historical destinations, engaging in endless game drives, nature walks, city tours, scenic viewing, photography, primate watching, birding and identification of different unique tree species among others.
The safari takes you to Serengeti national park, Tanzania’s top travel destination and host to the annual wildebeest migration, Tarangire national park situated in the southwestern part of Arusha, the magical Ngorongoro crater with the largest intact volcanic caldera in the world, and an unforgettable experience in Zanzibar exploration as you visit the spice garden, trekking the Jozani forest, and many more destinations.
Safari in details
Day one: Pickup and city tour
As you arrive at the airport, our company representative will be glad to meet you for the nine days northern circuit safari and Zanzibar tour. The guide will explain to you every detail of the trip as you share tea, before heading out for a simple city tour where you will visit the city museum, and local markets from which you will buy most of the essential equipment to use during the safari.
This trip is so rewarding that you will not desire it to end while spotting the classic buildings, and the distant Meru rock overlooking the city of Arusha that is relatively populated but with very hospitable people who interact in Kiswahili dialect that every visitor is encouraged to learn, though only greetings (Hamjambo); as you head to your hotel for dinner and overnight stay.
Day Two: Depart Arusha to Tarangire National Park for an evening nature walk
Start your day with a cup of coffee, then check out of the lodge for a 4-5-hour drive to Tarangire national park, Tanzania’s third largest national park, that harbors both the hunters and the hunted (prey and predators), famous for its large elephant population, unique tree species and so on. The drive gives you a clear view of some fascinating rolling hills, valleys, and plantations as you approach the park in the afternoon ready for lunch.
After lunch, you will head out for a guided nature walk with an experienced nature guide who will take you through a two hours walk on a very scenic trail, showing you some rare tree species, bird species, and savannah plains, as you take as many photos as possible, no restriction unless by your camera’s storage capacity. As the sun sets, walk back to the lodge for dinner and overnight.
Day three: Morning Game drive and Transfer to Serengeti
This day, you will wake up as early as possible, unless otherwise, 0600 is not a bad idea, then drive to the wilderness to catch-up with the unique mammals that will have just woken up or those returning to their hiding places from there night duty of hunting. Some of the mammals you can chance to see include buffaloes, elephants, lions, leopards, zebras, and giraffes among others.
The drive lasts for approximately 4 hours before you enjoy your bush breakfast, then return to the lodge where you will pack your luggage and embark on a 4/5-hour drive to everyone’s dream destination, Serengeti national park.
Lunch will be enroute as you arrive in the park late in the evening, exhausted and only able to have some refreshments, dinner and overnight. However, in case we arrive early, then an evening game drive can be done
Day four: Morning game drive and cultural encounter
Rise with the sun and get amazed by the beauty of its rays, as you enjoy your cup of coffee, after which you will head out for a morning game drive experience in the wilderness. The game drive will last for as long as you desire thought the normal hours are 3-4 hours of which you will have got a chance of spotting most of the mammals you longed for, such as the lions, leopards, cheetah, buffaloes, antelopes, wildebeest, zebras and many more, roaming from one area of the park to another.
You will go to the river bank to spot the Hippos, crocodiles and some birds staying there before enjoying bush breakfast that will be followed by lunch at the lodge.
After lunch, drive to the nearby community of Maasai people to share moments with them as they tell you some of the interesting stories, demonstrate how they use local tools for hunting and grazing cattle, as well as showing you their traditional dances. By all odds, Maasai culture is one of the few cultures on earth that have resisted any kind of corruption. Sum up this experience with dinner and overnight at the lodge
Day five: Serengeti to Ngorongoro for crater rim walk
After breakfast, you will head out to the park where you will have a 3-4-hour game drive, in search of those mammals you missed previously. And after, return to the lodge to check out and start a drive to Ngorongoro crater that features among the world’s seven wonders because of having the largest caldera in the world.
Upon arrival at the park, have lunch then go for a guided walk at the crater rim, where you will have the true feeling, as you take photos and explore the crater, spreading your eyes across the entire place as you view the rocks and hills surrounding this fascinating crater.
Ask all questions you might have about the crater before returning to the lodge for dinner and overnight. This walk requires a sun hat, good, light walking shoes so that you don’t slide and fall, but also binoculars to see distant features and camera for photography are important.
Day Six: Morning game drive and fly to Zanzibar Island
Start your day with a hefty cup of coffee, after which you will drive to the wildness for a 3-4-hour rewarding morning game experience, that gives you a chance of spotting the big five namely lions, leopards, Buffaloes, elephants, and rhinos, not forgetting the zebras, antelopes, hyenas and many more, plus several bird species and unique tree species.
Thereafter, have a picnic lunch then drive to Arusha airport for a regional flight to Zanzibar Island, arriving in the evening for dinner and overnight.
Day seven: Visit Jozani forest for nature walks and primate watching.
Early morning, you will wake up and enjoy a hot cup of coffee then drive to River tana where you will come face to face with very exciting creatures, the Columbus monkeys, singing and playing on top of trees.
These tiny but very attractive monkey species need one to be very active and attentive especially when it comes to taking photos. The trekking starts with a briefing early in the morning before the local guides lead you to the jungle for a 3-5 hour walk. Following a trailhead with rare tree species, birds and different primates.
You will have a picnic lunch before returning to the lodge for some refreshment, relaxation, followed by dinner and overnight.
Day eight: Explore Zanzibar Island
After breakfast in the morning, tour the dolphin zone at kizimkazi where you will watch the dolphins play at the beaches of the Indian Ocean, then proceed to the historical slave market where the slaves were first placed before taking them to Europe. You can choose to explore the spice plantation, where you see some nice flowers, ornaments, and taste the fruits produced in this place.
After lunch, spend the rest of your afternoon staying by the white sand beaches resting and wondering at the beauty of nature as you watch the calm waters and the beautiful serene. When it gets dark, head back to your lodge for dinner and overnight
Day Nine: Explore the stone town and Departure
After the rewarding 8 days experience, you will have to depart on this 9th day, so wake up at leisure, have breakfast before exploring the historical stone town, covered by ancient and dilapidated buildings, buy souvenirs before returning to your lodge for an early lunch.
After, checkout from the lodge and drive to the airstrip where a chartered flight will be waiting to fly you back to Kilimanjaro international park for an outbound flight.
End of the safari
