6 Day Safari in Tanzania: The Complete Northern Circuit

If you want the most iconic experience for your 1 day Tanzania safari, Ngorongoro Crater is the one. This is an early start with pick-up from Arusha around 06:00, giving you the best possible day in one of the world’s most famous safari destinations. You’ll reach the crater entrance at approximately 10:00 and descend into the caldera, often called the “Garden of Eden” because it’s packed with wildlife. The crater floor offers incredible chances to see lions, hyena, zebra, hippos, antelope, monkeys and flamingos, with the possibility of spotting rhinos and even leopards. You’ll have a packed lunch, continue wildlife viewing until around 16:00, and then travel back to Arusha. Expect to arrive back at around 20:00, later than the other parks, but absolutely worth it for a true once-in-a-lifetime day.

Tarangire is one of the best choices for a 1 day safari from Arusha if you want that classic safari feeling — big skies, rugged landscapes, and wildlife everywhere you look. You’ll be picked up in Arusha around 08:00 and travel to the park, arriving at about 10:00 ready to start your game drive. Tarangire is especially famous for large elephant herds, plus zebra, giraffe, buffalo, warthog, monkeys and brilliant birdlife. You’ll take a break for a packed lunch, then continue exploring until around 16:00 to make the most of the day. After the drive back, you’ll arrive in Arusha at roughly 18:00, buzzing from a proper Tanzania safari in just one day.

If you want a safari that feels green, scenic and full of life, the Lake Manyara day safari is a gorgeous option. You’ll be collected from Arusha at around 08:00 and arrive in the park at approximately 10:00 for your game drive. Manyara is known for its mix of forest and open areas near the lake, which creates amazing variety in wildlife and scenery. Keep your eyes peeled for hippos, buffalo, giraffe, antelope, monkeys and an impressive number of birds, it’s a dream for nature lovers and photographers. There’s also the exciting possibility of seeing the famous tree-climbing lions (wildlife sightings are never guaranteed, but this park is well known for them). You’ll enjoy a packed lunch, continue your drive until about 16:00, and return to Arusha at around 18:00.

Want the easiest, closest safari to Arusha, with something a bit different? The Arusha National Park day trip is perfect if you love nature, want less time in the car, and really want to feel the landscape around you. You’ll be picked up at around 08:00 and reach the park by roughly 10:00, ready to start spotting wildlife like giraffes, zebra, buffalo, warthogs, antelope and monkeys. One of the biggest highlights here is the chance to see the park’s striking colobus monkeys, which are a real favourite with visitors. This trip also includes a guided walking safari (around 2 hours), which makes the day feel even more immersive and memorable. You’ll stop for a packed lunch, continue exploring until around 16:00, and return to Arusha for about 18:00.

Serengeti National Park is a World Heritage Site teeming with wildlife: over 2 million ungulates, 4000 lions, 1000 leopard, 550 cheetahs and some 500 bird species inhabit an area close to 15,000 square kilometers in size. Join us on a safari and explore the endless Serengeti plains dotted with trees and kopjes from which majestic lions control their kingdom; gaze upon the Great Migration in awe or find an elusive leopard in a riverine forest. Or perhaps see everything from a bird’s-eye view and soar over the plains at sunrise during a hot air balloon safari. Accommodation options come in every price range - the sound of lions roaring at night is complimentary.