Tanzania is one of Africa’s top safari destinations. The wildlife viewing is out of this world and big cats are especially easy to see. All members of the Big Five can be found in various Tanzanian parks and reserves, and all five are present in the Ngorongoro Crater and Serengeti National Park.
Almost 40% of the country is protected and set aside for conservation, which means that it’s easy to go on a Tanzania safari for full weeks and drive from park to park while rarely leaving the bush.
In this tour we propose you the Northern Safari Circuit – the most popular Tanzania safari route comprising the Serengeti National Park, Ngorongoro Crater, Lake Manyara National Park, Tarangire National Park and Arusha National Park.
In addition, we offer you the opportunity to unwind with a 4-day stay at Marumbi Beach in Zanzibar, the perfect way to relax after your safari adventure.
The undisputed safari capital of Tanzania, the city of Arusha is on the itinerary of virtually anyone visiting the Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater and Lake Manyara, as logistics often dictate an overnight layover in or around the city. Set in the shadow of Mount Meru, Arusha has its own international airport (Kilimanjaro International Airport) as well as the smaller Arusha Airport for charter flights to final destinations. If you spend some time in Arusha, you’ll have many opportunities to buy souvenirs, take in the cultural activities and visit local places of interest.
Arusha National Park:
Covers Mount Meru, a prominent volcano with an elevation of 4566 m, in the Arusha Region of north eastern Tanzania. The park is small but varied with spectacular landscapes in three distinct areas. In the west, the Meru Crater funnels the Jekukumia River; the peak of Mount Meru lies on its rim. Ngurdoto Crater in the south-east is grassland. The shallow alkaline Momella Lakes in the north-east have varying algal colours and are known for their wading birds.
Mount Meru is the second highest peak in Tanzania after Mount Kilimanjaro, which is just 60 km away and forms a backdrop to views from the park to the east. Arusha National Park lies on a 300-kilometre axis of Africa's most famous national parks, running from Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater in the west to Kilimanjaro National Park in the east.
The park is just a few kilometres north east of Arusha, though the main gate is 25 km east of the city. It is also 58 km from Moshi and 35 km from Kilimanjaro International Airport (KIA).
Tarangire National Park: An Elephant Empire:
Close to Lake Manyara and the Ngorongoro Crater, Tarangire is worth much more than the usual day visit. During the June to October dry season, animal – especially elephant – concentrations along the Tarangire River are among the highest in the country. The park’s bird count of more than 500 species means that a visit here is one of the most rewarding Tanzania safaris for twitchers, while its full range of large predators complete the appeal. Tarangire is a beautifully diverse wilderness featuring riverine forest, huge swamps and open woodlands that include Africa’s iconic baobab trees.
Synonymous with safari, the Serengeti is where to go in Tanzania for game viewing at its most dramatic. Hosting the lion’s share of the Wildebeest Migration (from about January to September), the Serengeti's sheer size, accessibility, top-quality lodges and camps, and year-round abundance of wildlife make it one of the best safari destinations in Africa. It's also a regular stop on the best Tanzania safari tours.
Take about 30 000 animals and place them inside the crater of an extinct volcano. Add wetlands, forest, grasslands and some out-of-this-world cliff-top accommodation, and the result is the Ngorongoro Crater. This superb Tanzania safari destination offers excellent game viewing in an unbelievably unique setting. It’s renowned for delivering the easiest and most reliable Big 5 sightings in East Africa, and is provides what is arguably the best safari in Tanzania.
Part of Tanzania's famed Northern Safari Circuit, Lake Manyara offers easy game viewing in a beautiful setting. The park is home to a good range of heavyweight species, including buffalo, hippo, giraffe, elephant, leopard, and its famous tree-climbing lions. Lake Manyara is an exceptional bird-watching destination. You’ll often see flocks of pelicans and flamingos in the middle of the lake, and the floodplains, woodlands and evergreen forests are equally vibrant.
Travel regulations, health requirements and visa policies may change at any time. For this reason, guests are responsible for verifying the most up-to-date information with official government sources and medical professionals before travelling.
We recommend bringing a combination of small US Dollar notes and, if possible, exchanging a small amount into Tanzanian Shillings for minor purchases.
We recommend bringing a universal travel adapter so you can easily charge your devices regardless of the socket type available.
If you plan to bring several devices such as cameras, phones, laptops or battery chargers, a multi-USB adapter or small power strip can also be very useful during your stay.
Your safari vehicle will usually provide charging ports for cameras and phones during drives, allowing you to keep your equipment ready for the next wildlife sighting.
Guests are responsible for arranging their own travel insurance before departure. We strongly advise purchasing a policy at the time of booking your expedition, as many insurance providers include cancellation coverage from the moment the policy is issued.
If you have any questions while preparing for your journey, the MaiaWildlife team will be happy to assist you with guidance before your expedition begins.
Safari style has a long tradition in East Africa, combining practicality with simplicity. Dressing in neutral colours and functional clothing not only enhances your comfort but also contributes to a more authentic safari atmosphere.
At MaiaWildlife we believe that the right preparation helps our guests fully enjoy the beauty of Tanzania’s landscapes and wildlife while travelling responsibly and respectfully in these extraordinary natural environments.
For safari travel, especially on small aircraft, we recommend soft duffel bags instead of hard suitcases, as they are easier to store in safari vehicles and bush planes.
Proper preparation ensures you can focus on what truly matters: enjoying the landscapes, wildlife and unforgettable moments of your Tanzanian safari with MaiaWildlife.
Including soft drinks and tee/coffee
With private driver and photographic/safari guide
Entrance Fees
Evacuation by Flying Doctor
Tax Fees
With Zanzibar Extension
Treatments
at the Lodges/Camps
Mandatory 45$ per person with Zanzibar Extension
5$ per person, per night with Zanzibar Extension
You will be picked up from Kilimanjaro International Airport (KIA) and be transferred to your hotel in Arusha town for relaxing. Have your dinner and overnight at your hotel. Meal plan (dinner)
(The itinerary may be changed accordingly with your wishes, weather conditions, etc.)
Our driver guide in a 4×4 pop-up roof land cruiser, with your picnic-lunch, will pick you up from your hotel in Arusha at 8:00 AM and drive you to Arusha National Park, a drive that will take about 30 minutes from Arusha town. Drive trough the beautiful green surroundings of the park and spot the resident wildlife. All this with a stunning view of Mt. Meru on the background. Then go for walking safari with an armed park ranger for a whole new and unique perspective of the park at close range. The scents and sounds of the African bush are best experienced on foot. Walk alongside wild, freely roaming animals in their natural habitat. Apart from wildlife you will also get to see and learn about the unique flora & fauna of in this park. In your walking safari get to visit some stunning sights, like the impressive waterfall that hides in the heart of the park, the Ngurdoto Crater and Momella lakes, where you will get to see thousands of pink flamingos. You shall also see giraffes, zebras, buffaloes, warthog and blue monkeys. Also get to see a variety of bird species like trogons, starlings, turacos and thousands of migrating flamingos. Have your lunch at 12:30 PM, exit the park at 2:00 PM and drive to Mayoka village which is very close to Tarangire National Park for dinner which will be served at 7:30 PM and overnight at Africa Safari Rift Valley. Meal plan (breakfast + lunch + dinner)
(The itinerary may be changed accordingly with your wishes, weather conditions, etc.)
Have your breakfast at 7:00 AM, at 8:00 AM, with your picnic lunch, go for a full day game drive in Tarangire National Park. Tarangire is the home of elephants and termite mounds decorated with stunning baobab trees. One of the key attractions that have made Tarangire to become internationally popular is its large elephant population which is in fact considered to be the highest in any park in Tanzania. You shall also get to see hartebeests, wildebeests, gazelles, zebras and many predators like lions, leopards and hyenas. In the evening exit the park and drive to Karatu for dinner and overnight at Farm of Dreams. Meal plan (breakfast + lunch + dinner)
(The itinerary may be changed accordingly with your wishes, weather conditions, etc.)
Have your breakfast at 7:00 AM, at 8:00 AM, with your picnic lunch, drive to Serengeti National Park as you transit through Ngorongoro Conservation, enjoy en-route game drive on your way. Open the roof of your vehicle and begin game viewing right from the moment you enter the park gate as you drive to Seronera. In the evening have your dinner and overnight at Kisura Serengeti Camp. Meal plan (breakfast + lunch + dinner)
(The itinerary may be changed accordingly with your wishes, weather conditions, etc.)
Have your breakfast at 7:00 AM and 8:00 AM, with picnic lunch go for a full day game drive at central Serengeti which is teaming up with active game. Get to see all feline predators and this is one place that is easy to spot a leopard resting on a tree. You shall also get to see buffaloes, hyenas, jackals, herds of elephants, cheetahs and all resident animals that call this paradise home. In the evening drive back to your lodge for dinner and overnight. Meal plan (Breakfast + lunch + dinner)
(The itinerary may be changed accordingly with your wishes, weather conditions, etc.)
After your breakfast, at 8:00 AM with picnic lunch, exit Serengeti and drive to Ngorongoro for full day game drive and exploration of the crater floor. After check in permits at the gate, you shall descend down the crater floor 610 metres from the rim 265 sqkm area of the crater bottom. Inside the Crater expect the view of the black rhino, lions, herds of zebras, old elephant bulls and many other species that live the paradise life in the caldera. Ascend from the crater in the late afternoon and drive to Karatu for dinner and overnight Farm of Dreams. Meal plan (breakfast + lunch + dinner)
(The itinerary may be changed accordingly with your wishes, weather conditions, etc.)
Have your breakfast at 7:30 AM and at 8:00 AM you shall drive to Lake Manyara which is well known for its tree climbing lions and pink flamingos. Explore the soda ash lake which is home to an incredible array of bird life that thrives on its brackish waters. Even reluctant bird-watchers will find something to watch and marvel at within the national park. Explore its ground water forests, bush plains, baobab strewn cliffs that make beautiful landscapes. In addition to the lions, the national park is also home to the largest concentration of baboons anywhere in the world, a fact that accounts for interesting game viewing of large families of the primates. Have your lunch at 12:30 PM and continue with game drive until 3:00 PM when you will exit the park and drive to Arusha for dinner and overnight at Africa Safari Arusha. Meal plan (breakfast + lunch + dinner)
(The itinerary may be changed accordingly with your wishes, weather conditions, etc.)
Board your flight to Zanzibar from Arusha airport which departs at 1:15 PM and lands at Zanzibar airport at 2:20 PM where you will be picked up by your waiting driver guide and be transferred to your beach hotel at Marumbi beach for relaxing and day at leisure. In the evening it’s dinner and overnight at your hotel. Meal plan (dinner)
(The itinerary may be changed accordingly with your wishes, weather conditions, etc.)
After your breakfast, spend your day at leisure or opt for excursions. Meal plan (all inclusive)
After your breakfast, you will be transferred to Zanzibar airport for drop off. End of tour. Meal plan (breakfast)
MaiaWildlife is a boutique expedition company offering authentic, immersive wildlife experiences in some of the world’s most remarkable destinations. Our journeys combine exploration, education, and a deep connection with nature.
Led by specialised guides with strong backgrounds in wildlife, photography, and conservation, each expedition is designed to be both inspiring and insightful. We focus on small groups, personalised service, and carefully selected locations to ensure a high-quality, meaningful experience.
Our mission is simple: to create unforgettable journeys that inspire a deeper understanding of wildlife while supporting conservation and the protection of natural habitats.
