Tailor-made safari

7-Day Big Five & Cultural Northern Tanzania Safari

Experience the highlights of Northern Tanzania on this 7-day safari combining thrilling game drives and rich cultural encounters. Start with a warm welcome at Kilimanjaro Airport, followed by an overnight in Karatu. Explore Lake Manyara National Park, home to tree-climbing …

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7 days June to October; January to February Up to 7 guests
Day-by-day Big Five circuit · Northern Tanzania 7 route points

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Interactive route atlas for 7-Day Big Five & Cultural Northern Tanzania Safari A transparent geographic map of the parks, landscapes and route stops in this Big Five itinerary. Select a numbered stop to highlight its location. Preparing the route atlas…
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Stops along the way 7 route points

    Geographic boundaries © OpenStreetMap contributors · route is indicative

    Guide price USD 3154 Per-person starting estimate
    Accommodation style Mid-Range Private or small-group planning
    Optional experience Balloon Safari Subject to season and availability
    Discover the itinerary
    Your Tanzania journey

    Designed around wildlife, season and pace

    Experience the highlights of Northern Tanzania on this 7-day safari combining thrilling game drives and rich cultural encounters.

    Start with a warm welcome at Kilimanjaro Airport, followed by an overnight in Karatu. Explore Lake Manyara National Park, home to tree-climbing lions and vibrant flamingos, then continue to Tarangire, known for its vast elephant herds and majestic baobabs.

    Venture to Lake Eyasi for a rare glimpse into the lives of the Hadzabe and Datoga tribes, then enjoy a guided tour of Mto wa Mbu Village — a lively cultural hub with local food, markets, and tribal stories.

    Cap off your journey in the spectacular Ngorongoro Crater, where the Big Five roam freely in a dramatic volcanic landscape.

    Travel in a private safari vehicle with expert guidance, and choose from mid-range to luxury stays. Return to Arusha or extend your escape to Zanzibar’s tropical coast.

    01

    Route and wildlife focus aligned to the season.

    02

    Balanced game-drive time, transfers and rest.

    03

    Local support from arrival through departure.

    Is this safari right for me?Travel style, pace & practical needs

    Private or shared?

    Request a private arrangement or ask about joining a small group. Shared departures and availability need confirmation for your dates.

    Time in the vehicle

    Game drives can mean extended time seated and uneven roads. Tell us your preferred pace; flight days can also involve road transfers.

    Walking & activities

    Check each day for walks and optional activities. Ask us to confirm distances, terrain and alternatives before booking.

    Families & access

    Share children’s ages and any access needs. We’ll check lodge, flight and activity requirements before confirming your safari.

    Day-by-day experience

    The journey, unfolded

    7-day safari with 7 carefully planned days. Final routing is reconfirmed around wildlife conditions and your travel dates.

    Accommodation style

    Choose your comfort level to explore the stays along your route.

    Arrival in Tanzania – Overnight in Arusha — Arusha Day 1
    Arusha
    Planned experience

    Arrival in Tanzania – Overnight in Arusha

    Arrive at Kilimanjaro International Airport, where your Africano Paraiso guide greets you with a warm welcome. From here, enjoy a smooth transfer to Arusha — Tanzania’s gateway to the northern safari circuit.

    Settle into your lodge surrounded by lush gardens or views of Mount Meru. Enjoy a restful evening and prepare for the adventure ahead through Tanzania’s most iconic landscapes.

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    Lake Manyara National Park – Overnight in Karatu — Karatu Day 2
    Karatu
    Planned experience

    Lake Manyara National Park – Overnight in Karatu

    After breakfast, depart for Lake Manyara National Park, a scenic gem known for its lush forests, soda lake, and tree-climbing lions.

    Spend the day exploring its diverse wildlife — from elephants and hippos to flocks of flamingos lining the lake. In the afternoon, continue to Karatu, a charming town nestled at the base of the Ngorongoro Highlands, for your overnight stay.

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    Ngorongoro Crater Safari — Ngorongoro Day 3
    Ngorongoro
    Planned experience

    Ngorongoro Crater Safari

    Start early and descend into the Ngorongoro Crater, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of Africa’s most iconic wildlife destinations.

    Discover the crater floor, home to dense populations of lions, buffalo, elephants, and rhinos. Enjoy a picnic by the hippo pool before ascending and returning to your Karatu lodge.

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    Lake Eyasi Cultural Encounter — Eyasi Day 4
    Eyasi
    Planned experience

    Lake Eyasi Cultural Encounter

    Venture off the beaten path to Lake Eyasi for a rare cultural experience. Spend the morning with the Hadzabe tribe and witness their traditional hunting lifestyle.

    Visit the Datoga people, known for their skilled blacksmithing and colorful beadwork. Return to Karatu with a deeper appreciation for Tanzania’s indigenous heritage.

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    Mto wa Mbu Village Experience — Mto wa Mbu Day 5
    Mto wa Mbu
    Planned experience

    Mto wa Mbu Village Experience

    Today you’ll explore Mto wa Mbu, one of Tanzania’s most culturally diverse villages. Walk through banana plantations, meet local artisans, and visit bustling markets.

    Enjoy a home-cooked traditional lunch and immerse yourself in daily village life. Return to Karatu for a restful evening surrounded by nature.

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    Tarangire National Park Safari — Tarangire Day 6
    Tarangire
    Planned experience

    Tarangire National Park Safari

    Head south to Tarangire National Park, famous for its ancient baobabs and enormous elephant herds.

    Enjoy a full-day game drive through this rugged landscape, spotting lions, giraffes, zebras, and diverse birdlife. After a picnic lunch by the river, return to Arusha for your final night.

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    Transfer / Departure — Kilimanjaro Airport Day 7
    Kilimanjaro Airport
    Planned experience

    Transfer / Departure

    Enjoy a leisurely breakfast before your transfer to Kilimanjaro International Airport. Depending on your travel plans, you may connect to your international flight or continue to Zanzibar for a tropical beach extension.

    Meal Plan: Half Board
    Handpicked accommodation

    Explorer stays, close to the wild

    The stays below follow your selected accommodation style. Final availability is reconfirmed before booking.

    Planet Lodge Explorer · 3★

    Lodge · Arusha

    Planet Lodge

    the best hotel in arusha, you need all your trust to be on this hotgelthe best hotel in arusha, you need all your trust …

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    Africa Safari Karatu Explorer

    Lodge · Karatu

    Africa Safari Karatu

    Africa Safari Karatu is a scenic lodge set on a hillside near the Ngorongoro Highlands, with wide views toward Lake Eyasi. Its comfortable bungalows, …

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    Transparent planning

    Your safari, clearly priced

    Compare guide prices by season, group size. We’ll confirm availability and inclusions in your personal proposal.

    Published guide price USD3,154 Per person · in US dollars

    A starting point for your journey. We’ll shape the final plan around your dates, preferred stays and pace.

    Discuss the details with our local team
    01

    Low season

    1 guest
    On request
    2–3 guests
    $3,732
    4–5 guests
    $3,300
    6 guests
    $3,154
    02

    Shoulder season

    1 guest
    On request
    2–3 guests
    $3,732
    4–5 guests
    $3,300
    6 guests
    $3,154
    03

    Peak season

    1 guest
    On request
    2–3 guests
    $3,732
    4–5 guests
    $3,300
    6 guests
    $3,154
    What’s included & not included Your safari price, explained

    Your safari price covers the services below as set out in your agreed itinerary and selected accommodation style. Your final booking confirms the route, stays, meal plans and any requested extras.

    Fly-in or fly-out itinerary? Fly-in and fly-out flights included in your itinerary are covered by the itinerary price. International flights and optional flight upgrades are not included unless expressly listed in your booking.

    Included in your safari

    • Transfers: airport and other transfers outlined in your program.
    • Safari vehicle: a 4×4 Land Cruiser with a pop-up roof for the safari drives in your itinerary.
    • Driver-guide: an English-speaking safari guide for your guided safari.
    • Accommodation: lodges, camps and hotels in your agreed itinerary, based on twin/double sharing unless another arrangement is confirmed.
    • Meals and drinking water: meals specified for each day, including picnic lunches where planned, and bottled water during safari drives.
    • Park fees: required entry, conservation and concession fees for the parks and stays in your agreed program.
    • Itinerary flights: fly-in and fly-out flights where they form part of the itinerary. Your booking confirms the flight arrangements and baggage allowance.
    • Local support: coordination of your safari, accommodation and scheduled transfers by our team.

    Not included unless agreed

    • International and extra flights: international airfare, flights outside your itinerary, optional flight upgrades and excess-baggage charges.
    • Visa fees: visas and other personal travel-document costs.
    • Tips: gratuities for guides, rangers and other staff are at your discretion.
    • Single-room supplements: additional charges for single occupancy, unless already included in your confirmed quote.
    • Travel insurance: your personal insurance policy and personal medical expenses.
    • Personal expenses: laundry, souvenirs, meals outside the stated plan and lodge drinks unless specifically included.
    • Optional services: extra activities, extensions and guides in languages other than English, unless included in your quote; availability and any additional cost are confirmed in advance.
    • AMREF Flying Doctors cover: not included by default; only included when arranged and expressly confirmed in your booking.

    Please share dietary requirements and room preferences before booking so we can confirm suitable arrangements with your lodges.

    These are guide prices, subject to dates and availability. Your written proposal confirms the final cost and inclusions. The Big Five are free-ranging wild animals; no complete checklist can be guaranteed.

    Responsible wildlife planning

    A strong route, not a checklist promise

    Different parks provide different habitats. Your guide uses season, recent conditions and patient observation to create the strongest possible wildlife experience.

    01

    June–October

    Drier landscapes and thinner vegetation can make wildlife easier to locate around water and grazing areas.

    02

    November–May

    Green landscapes, dramatic skies, birdlife and fewer vehicles can reward a slower photographic approach.

    03

    Multiple habitats

    Combining Serengeti, Ngorongoro, Tarangire or Manyara gives your guide more than one ecosystem to work with.

    04

    Wildlife reality

    Lions, leopards, elephants, buffalo and black rhino are free-ranging; every encounter remains a privilege, never a guarantee.

    Detailed route map

    Roads, towns and route context

    Zoom into the working itinerary for geographic context. Exact roads, gates and transfer timings are reconfirmed for your travel dates.

    This map is for itinerary context, not turn-by-turn navigation. Your confirmed routing follows current park and road conditions.

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    Built around you

    Turn this itinerary into your safari

    Share your dates, group size and travel style. Our Arusha team will refine the route and send a clear proposal.

    Talk to a local expert