The northern circuit of Tanzania is the most famous safari destination in Africa. It combines the endless plains of the Serengeti with the contained wonder of the Ngorongoro Crater. This 8-day Serengeti and Ngorongoro safari is designed for travellers who want the classic Tanzanian experience. You will witness the Great Migration, track lions and leopards on the Serengeti plains, and descend into the Ngorongoro Crater to see the Big Five. You will also visit Tarangire National Park, known for its elephant herds and ancient baobab trees. This 8-day Serengeti and Ngorongoro safari balances wildlife viewing with comfortable lodges and efficient transfers. You will travel in a private 4×4 Landcruiser Safari Vehicle with an experienced guide. Internal flights reduce driving time, giving you more time in the parks. This safari is ideal for first time visitors to Tanzania who want to see the highlights of the northern circuit.
This 8-day Serengeti and Ngorongoro safari begins and ends in Arusha. You arrive at Kilimanjaro International Airport and transfer to your hotel in Arusha. On day two, you drive to Tarangire National Park for elephant viewing. On day three, you drive to the Ngorongoro Crater rim. On day four, you descend into the crater for a full day game drive, then drive to the Serengeti. You spend three nights in the Serengeti, exploring different sectors depending on the season. On day seven, you fly from the Serengeti back to Arusha. On day eight, you depart. The itinerary includes internal flights to minimise driving time.
| Day | Destination | Activities | Accommodation |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Arrive Kilimanjaro | Transfer to Arusha | Arusha Hotel |
| 2 | Tarangire National Park | Afternoon game drive | Tarangire Lodge |
| 3 | Tarangire to Ngorongoro | Scenic drive, crater rim views | Crater Rim Lodge |
| 4 | Ngorongoro Crater to Serengeti | Full day crater descent, drive to Serengeti | Serengeti Camp |
| 5 | Serengeti National Park | Full day game drive | Serengeti Camp |
| 6 | Serengeti National Park | Full day game drive | Serengeti Camp |
| 7 | Serengeti to Arusha | Morning game drive, flight to Arusha | Arusha Hotel |
| 8 | Arusha to Kilimanjaro | Transfer to airport, departure | – |
Your 8-day Serengeti and Ngorongoro safari begins at Kilimanjaro International Airport. A Nomara Safaris representative will greet you and transfer you to your hotel in Arusha. The drive takes approximately one hour. Arusha is the safari capital of Tanzania, located at the foot of Mount Meru. The remainder of the day is at leisure. You can rest after your flight, explore the town, or visit the Arusha Cultural Heritage Centre. In the evening, you will meet your safari guide for a briefing on the days ahead. Your guide will review the itinerary, answer questions, and check your equipment. Overnight at your Arusha hotel.
After breakfast, you depart Arusha for Tarangire National Park. The drive takes approximately two hours. Upon arrival, you begin your afternoon game drive. Tarangire is famous for its elephant herds and ancient baobab trees. During the dry season from June to October, the Tarangire River attracts hundreds of elephants, some in herds of over 100 individuals. The baobab trees, some over 1,000 years old, provide a stunning backdrop for photography. You will also see lion, leopard, buffalo, zebra, wildebeest, and giraffe. The park is less crowded than the Serengeti, offering a more intimate experience. After your game drive, you transfer to your lodge for overnight. Overnight at your Tarangire lodge.
After breakfast, you depart Tarangire and drive to the Ngorongoro Crater rim. The drive takes approximately two to three hours. You pass through the town of Karatu, the last stop for supplies before the crater. The entrance gate is at Loduare, where you pay your park fees. From the gate, you drive another thirty minutes to the crater rim. You check into your lodge on the rim. The remainder of the day is at leisure. You can enjoy the views of the crater from your lodge. The sunset over the crater is spectacular. Your guide will brief you on the morning descent. Overnight on the Ngorongoro Crater rim.
Today is a highlight of your 8-day Serengeti and Ngorongoro safari. You wake early, have a quick breakfast, and drive to the crater gate. The gate opens at 6:00 AM. You descend into the Ngorongoro Crater at dawn. The descent is an adventure in itself, with the mist clearing to reveal the floor below. You spend a full day on the crater floor. The crater supports approximately 25,000 large mammals, including lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo, and the endangered black rhino. You can often see the Big Five in a single morning. The crater also supports large herds of zebra, wildebeest, and gazelle. You stop for a picnic lunch at a designated site near the hippo pool. In the late afternoon, you ascend back to the crater rim. From there, you drive to the Serengeti National Park. The drive takes approximately two to three hours, depending on the season. You check into your camp in the Serengeti. Overnight in the Serengeti.
Today you explore the Serengeti. You wake early for a morning game drive. Your guide will position you in the best sector for the season. From January to March, the herds are in the southern Serengeti for calving season. The predator action is relentless. From April to June, the herds are in the western corridor for the Grumeti River crossings. From July to October, the herds are in the northern Serengeti for the Mara River crossings. The central Seronera area has year round resident game, including lions and leopards. You carry a picnic lunch, allowing you to stay out from dawn until dusk. The morning drive focuses on predator activity. The afternoon drive focuses on elephants, giraffes, and the herds. Your guide will interpret the behaviour you are seeing. In the late afternoon, you return to your camp for dinner and overnight.
Your 8-day Serengeti and Ngorongoro safari continues with another full day of game driving in the Serengeti. You explore a different sector of the park. If you were in the central Serengeti yesterday, you may drive to the northern Serengeti or the western corridor today. The Serengeti is vast, and each sector offers different landscapes and wildlife. You may see cheetah hunting on the open plains, leopard resting in a tree, or hyenas returning from a night hunt. The birding is exceptional, with over 500 species recorded. You stop for a picnic lunch in the bush. In the late afternoon, you return to your camp. Overnight in the Serengeti.
On your final morning in the Serengeti, you enjoy one last game drive. The early morning light is perfect for photography, and the animals are still active after the night. After breakfast, you transfer to the Serengeti airstrip for your flight back to Arusha. The flight takes approximately one hour, saving you a full day of driving. Upon arrival in Arusha, you are transferred to your hotel. The remainder of the day is at leisure. You can rest, shop for souvenirs, or visit a local coffee plantation. Overnight in Arusha.
Your 8-day Serengeti and Ngorongoro safari concludes today. After breakfast, you are transferred to Kilimanjaro International Airport for your departure flight. If your flight is in the afternoon, you may have time for a morning activity such as a visit to the Arusha National Park or a coffee tour. Your guide will assist you with check in and bid you farewell.
For travellers booking a luxury 8-day Serengeti and Ngorongoro safari, Nomara Safaris recommends the following properties. In Arusha: Arusha Coffee Lodge offers luxury cottages on a working coffee plantation. In Tarangire: Little Oliver’s Camp offers exclusive tented suites. On the Ngorongoro Crater rim: andBeyond Ngorongoro Crater Lodge offers suites with butler service and spectacular views. In the Serengeti: Four Seasons Safari Lodge offers a swimming pool and spa in the central Serengeti. Singita Grumeti offers ultra luxury in the western corridor. Prices range from USD 800 to USD 2,500 per night.
For travellers booking a mid range 8-day Serengeti and Ngorongoro safari, Nomara Safaris recommends the following properties. In Arusha: Mount Meru Hotel offers comfortable rooms and a swimming pool. In Tarangire: Maramboi Tented Camp offers good value on the edge of the park. On the Ngorongoro Crater rim: Ngorongoro Serena Safari Lodge offers comfortable rooms and stunning views. In the Serengeti: Serengeti Serena Lodge offers good value in the central Serengeti. Serengeti Kati Kati Camp offers a mobile tented experience. Prices range from USD 300 to USD 600 per night.
This 8-day Serengeti and Ngorongoro safari includes the following:
This 8-day Serengeti and Ngorongoro safari excludes the following:
The best time for this 8-day Serengeti and Ngorongoro safari depends on your priorities. For the Great Migration river crossings in the northern Serengeti, visit from July to October. September and early October offer the best combination of crossing activity and manageable crowds. For calving season and predator action in the southern Serengeti, visit from January to March. February is the peak month. For fewer crowds and green season landscapes, visit from November to December or April to May. The Ngorongoro Crater is productive year round. The dry season from June to October offers the best weather and the most reliable wildlife viewing across all parks. This 8-day Serengeti and Ngorongoro safari can be tailored to any season.
The cost of this 8-day Serengeti and Ngorongoro safari depends on accommodation level and season. A mid range safari costs approximately USD 4,000 to USD 6,000 per person. A luxury safari costs approximately USD 7,000 to USD 11,000 per person. These prices are based on double occupancy. Single travellers pay a supplement. The internal flight from the Serengeti to Arusha is included. Nomara Safaris provides a detailed quotation based on your specific travel dates and preferences.
Yes, you can see the Great Migration on this 8-day Serengeti and Ngorongoro safari if you book during the right season. From July to October, the herds are in the northern Serengeti. From January to March, the herds are in the southern Serengeti for calving season. Your guide will position you in the correct sector of the Serengeti based on the season. The river crossings are unpredictable, but three nights in the Serengeti give you a good chance.
The best time for this 8-day Serengeti and Ngorongoro safari is the dry season from June to October, when wildlife viewing is at its peak. However, the green season from January to March offers calving season action and lower prices. Nomara Safaris recommends June or October for a balance of good weather, good wildlife, and manageable crowds.
Yes, most nationalities require a visa for Tanzania. Visas can be obtained on arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport or online before travel. The cost is approximately USD 50 for most nationalities. US citizens pay USD 100. Ensure your passport has at least six months of validity. Nomara Safaris can advise on visa requirements for your specific nationality.
For this 8-day Serengeti and Ngorongoro safari, pack neutral coloured clothing (khaki, olive, brown), a fleece jacket for cool mornings, a waterproof jacket for rain, comfortable closed toe shoes for game drives, a wide brimmed hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, insect repellent, binoculars, and a camera with extra batteries and memory cards.
This 8-day Serengeti and Ngorongoro safari offers the classic Tanzanian experience. You will witness the Great Migration, descend into the Ngorongoro Crater, and see elephants in Tarangire. At Nomara Safaris, we design custom safaris that match your interests and budget. Contact Nomara Safaris to begin planning your 8-day Serengeti and Ngorongoro safari. Tell us your preferred travel dates and group size. We will create a custom itinerary for you.