Northern Safaris - Serengeti

The Northern National Parks in Tanzania, which include the Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater and Tarangire, are amongst the most famous wildlife parks in the world. The parks offer unrivalled safari experiences in terms of the abundance and diversity of wildlife and the variety of landscapes. BAOBAB suggests you combine a safari, in at least three of the National Parks, with visits to some of the locally run cultural tourism programmes, to find out more about the people who live in the areas bordering these amazing parks.

Northern National Parks Info

Your Safari

Cultural Tourism Programme

Sample Itinerary

Small Group Set Departure Itineraries

Northern National Parks Info

Serengeti: Serengeti in Maasai language means ‘endless plain’, which is probably the best description for this flat plateau covering a massive area of 14,763 km2. The Serengeti is probably most famous for the annual Wildebeest Migration which takes place between May and July, but the park is also well-known for large populations of lion, cheetah and giraffe, amongst many other abundant species. If you keep your eyes pealed you may even spot an elusive leopard in the trees.

Ngorongoro Crater: The Ngorongoro Crater is a spectacular caldera (inward collapsed volcano) with a diameter of 19 km and a depth of 600 m. The landscape, combined with the density and diversity of wildlife in the crater, is unrivalled. It houses a great number of species, including wildebeest, zebras, gazelles, buffalos, elephants, lions, hippos, a large flock of lesser flamingos and last but not least black rhinos.

Tarangire: Tarangire National Park covers approx 2,600 km2 and has a landscape characterised by Baobab trees. It derives its name from the Tarangire River, whose permanent waters ensure a high biodiversity year-round with huge herds of zebras, wildebeest, hartebeest, gazelle, buffalo and elephant. During the dry season, particularly August – October, Tarangire has one of the highest concentrations of wildlife in Tanzania.

Lake Manyara: This is a beautiful, peaceful park on the western shores of the alkaline Lake Manyara. The park is well-known for its tree-climbing lions, as well as its hippos, elephants and rich bird-life - at certain times of the year the lake is host to thousands of flamingos. Despite being a relatively small park, there is a diversity of vegetation from savannah to acacia woodland, enabling the park to support a variety of wildlife habitats.

Arusha National Park: This is one of the smallest parks in Tanzania, but is also one of its most beautiful and topologically varied. The Park’s features include the Ngurdoto Crater, the Momela Lakes – which attract a rich bird-life and Mt Meru. Animal life in the park is abundant, and this is the only park in the North where you can do walking safaris (accompanied by an armed ranger) within the parks boundaries.

Sample itinerary
Day 1 - Arrival in Arusha and check into the Outpost - a small family-run hotel with self-contained cosy garden bungalows. The Outpost is famous for their evening buffet (half board basis).

Day 2 - Visit to the cultural tourism programme in Longido. Return to overnight at the Outpost (half board).

Day 3 – Start of safari - transfer to Tarangire National Park. Half day game drive and overnight at the Kigongoni Campsite (full board)

Day 4 – Transfer to Karatu, to visit the Sandemu Iraqw cultural centre. Overnight stay at Marera Campsite (full board)

Day 5 – Transfer to the famous Serengeti National Park. Half day game drive, and possible sundowner game drive and overnight at Seronera Campsite, in the heart of the Serengeti (full board).

Day 6 – Morning game drive in Serengeti then transfer to Ngorongoro Crater. Overnight on the rim of the crater at Simba Campsite (full board)

Day 7 – Early morning descend into the crater for morning game drive. Enjoy lunch in the crater before transfer back to Arusha. Overnight at the Outpost (half board).

Sample Prices
Your Northern Safari can be fully tailor-made, please conact BAOBAB for advice..
This sample itinerary is not necessarily the cheapest option, but will give you ideas of options available.

Price for sample itinerary: 7 nights sample Northern Safary itinerary is available from £780 per person with standard camping (starting/ending in Arusha) (based on 2 people sharing and minimum group size of 4), including all safaris (full board), guide & cook on safari days, national park fees, cultural trips, accommodation as in itinerary. Please note that BAOBAB prices do NOT include any bar drinks and international flight.

An upgrade to the more upmarket accommodation in Arusha is available. For example, Rivertrees Inn is located just outside Arusha and is a small and cosy hotel with beautiful views of Kilimanjaro and Mt. Meru. The old farmhouse offers a comfortable lounge with a fireplace and the individually furnished rooms are all self-contained.

Set Departure Itineraries for Small Groups

The best of the northern national parks and featuring 3 superlative nights Classic Camping in the great Serengeti. A great mix of being under canvas in comfort and style at Lake Manyara and with our choice of a superbly located lodge perched on the rim of the famous Ngorongoro Crater.

Day 1 - Lake Manyara National Park
From Arusha depart for Lake Manyara National Park and a short game drive. Early evening, continue up the Rift Valley escarpment to Kirurumu Tented Lodge, set upon the edge of the Great Rift Valley and enjoys commanding and panoramic views of Lake Manyara and the surrounding area. Overnight Kirurumu Tented Lodge (lunch & dinner only).

Day 2, 3 & 4 - Serengeti National Park
Optional early morning ethno-botanical nature walk around Kirurumu tented lodge. After breakfast, drive to the Serengeti, passing through farmland and the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. Daily game-drives exploring the wide-open spaces of the Serengeti, visiting different habitats and following the ebb and flow of life in its seasonal movements. 3 nights Classic Camping at special campsite (full board).

Day 5 - Ngorongoro Conservation Area
Drive through the Ngorongoro Conservation Area with a stop at Olduvai Gorge, the cradle of mankind, for a picnic lunch and a visit to the small museum. After lunch, continue to the Ngorongoro Crater and descend over 600 m from the lush rainforest on the rim to the open savannah and the Lerai acacia woodland on the crater floor for game drive. Overnight at Ngorongoro Serena Lodge (full board).

Day 6 - Ngorongoro Conservation Area
After an early breakfast leave for a full day in the Crater following and photographing the animals. Late afternoon, a couple of hours drive to Kirurumu Tented Lodge arriving in time for a hot shower before dinner. Overnight at Kirurumu Tented Lodge (full board).

Day 7 - Return to Arusha
In the morning return to Arusha, with a picnic lunch en route and connect with onward arrangements. (Breakfast and lunch only).Set departure dates: 9 Feb, 23 Feb, 9 Mar, 23 Mar, 6 Apr, 20 Apr, 4 May, 18 May, 1 Jun, 15 Jun, 29 Jun, 13 Jul, 27 Jul, 10 Aug, 24 Aug, 7 Sep, 21 Sep, 5 Oct, 19 Oct, 2 Nov, 16 Nov, 30 Nov, 14 Dec and 28 Dec 2003.Price: 7 days Taste of Tanzania starts from £1,450 per person (based on 2 people sharing & guaranteed to run for 2 people), including transport in 4x4 Landrovers with expert driver/guide, national park fees and accommodation as in itinerary (FB).

Other Northern Safaris itineraries as set group departures are available on request, e.g. longer safaris, focussing on Serengeti only, ornithological safaris, green season safaris and more adventurous safaris with nature walks and treks. Please contact BAOBAB Travel for further details, departure dates and prices