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12 Days Luxury Northern Circuit Serengeti Safari
Private 12-day Northern Circuit journey through Tarangire, Lake Manyara, Serengeti and Ngorongoro, finishing with Zanzibar beach time. Enjoy a dedicated guide, flexible game drives, handpicked luxury camps, and seamless flights from $12,500 USD.
12 Days Luxury Northern Circuit Serengeti Safari
Enjoy a 12 Days Luxury Northern Circuit Serengeti Safari that combines Tanzania's iconic parks with a Zanzibar finish—planned as a private journey with your own guide, vehicle, and flexible daily timing.
Begin in Arusha for a smooth arrival, then track elephants and baobabs in Tarangire before exploring Lake Manyara's forest and soda-lake birdlife. Spend quality time in the Serengeti for big-cat sightings and seasonal herds, with camp locations tailored to your travel dates for the best game-viewing.
Descend into the Ngorongoro Crater for a high-density wildlife day, then fly onward to Zanzibar for Stone Town culture, a spice experience, and relaxed beach days in Nungwi or your preferred coast. Handpicked lodges, seamless transfers, and a calm pace keep the trip effortless while maximizing time in the wild.
Duration: 12 Days / 11 Nights
Parks: Tarangire • Manyara • Serengeti • Ngorongoro • Zanzibar
Style: Private Luxury Safari
Route: Northern Circuit + Zanzibar
From: $12,500 USD / person
Price from: $12,500 USD per person. Final pricing depends on season, lodge category, and your preferred travel dates.
Why Choose This Luxury Safari?
This itinerary is built around luxury comfort, private guiding, and high-impact experiences — delivered by Tanzania Safari Source Tours with local expertise and responsive support.
Private guide and vehicle during safari days for flexible pacing and better wildlife positioning. Curated lodge and camp options across each region, chosen for comfort and location. Smooth transitions between parks and into Zanzibar, with private transfers and clear timing. Balanced days that maximize sightings while still leaving time to enjoy the lodges and beach. High-touch service from planning to departure, with quick adjustments when needed.
Scroll to the Day by Day Itinerary tab above for the full twelve-day breakdown, or jump to Pricing & Includes for what's covered.
Your Complete Safari Itinerary
A detailed day-by-day breakdown of your luxury Northern Circuit safari and Zanzibar journey, written to help you picture each day clearly. Expect private guiding, flexible pacing, and handpicked lodges that keep the journey comfortable from the first welcome in Arusha to your final beach morning in Zanzibar.
Each day explains what happens on the ground, why the timing matters, and how your private guide shapes the experience with flexible pacing, smart route choices, and calm, unhurried wildlife viewing.
Day 1: Arrival in Arusha - Welcome to Tanzania
Luxury Day 1Meet-and-greet on arrival and enjoy a private transfer to your Arusha accommodation. Refresh, settle in, and receive a relaxed briefing so your safari begins smoothly the next morning.
Day Highlights
Meet & greet on arrival (JRO / ARK as per routing). Private transfer to your Arusha luxury hotel. Settle into your room and refresh after travel. Short itinerary briefing and timing check with your guide. Assistance with SIM card / ATM / last-minute essentials. Rest and reset for the safari start.
Meals & Service
Meals are arranged as per the itinerary and your lodge schedule, with special dietary needs accommodated on request.
Night: Gran Melia Arusha / Arusha Coffee Lodge / Mount Meru Hotel / Kibo Palace Arusha / Sanaa Boutique Hotel
Day 2: Tarangire National Park - Elephant Paradise
Luxury Day 2Drive into Tarangire for elephant herds, baobab scenery, and excellent wildlife along the river system. Enjoy a privately paced game drive, then unwind with sundowners and a refined safari dinner.
Day Highlights
Breakfast in Arusha and depart with your private guide. Scenic drive to Tarangire National Park. Enter the park and begin your first classic game drive. Search for elephant herds and baobab silhouettes. Look for lions and leopards around riverine areas. Picnic lunch at a scenic viewpoint. Golden-hour photography stops and relaxed pacing.
Meals & Service
Meals are arranged as per the itinerary and your lodge schedule, with special dietary needs accommodated on request.
Night: Nimali Tarangire / Nyikani Tarangire / Acacia Tarangire / Kuro Treetop Lodge / Seriani Tarangire Camp
Day 3: Lake Manyara National Park - Tree-Climbing Lions
Luxury Day 3Explore Lake Manyara's varied habitats—groundwater forest, open plains, and lakeshore—with excellent birdlife and the chance of tree-climbing lions. Return to your luxury lodge for a calm evening in the highlands.
Day Highlights
Game drive through the lush groundwater forest. Look for tree-climbing lions (seasonal / luck dependent). Explore the lakeshore for flamingos and waterbirds. Visit hippo pools and river crossings. Spot elephant, baboon troops, and antelope. Picnic lunch with Rift Valley scenery. Optional cultural stop in Mto wa Mbu.
Meals & Service
Meals are arranged as per the itinerary and your lodge schedule, with special dietary needs accommodated on request.
Night: Kilimamoja Lodge / Escapment Luxury Lodge / Lake Manyara Wildlife Lodge / The Jungle Pearl Resort / Suricata Boma Lodge
Day 4: Serengeti National Park - Endless Plains
Luxury Day 4Travel onward to the Serengeti, arriving for game viewing across the famous plains. With your private guide, focus on predator areas, seasonal herds, and the best light for photography.
Day Highlights
Scenic drive across the Great Rift Valley landscapes. Enter Serengeti National Park and begin an en-route game drive. Watch wildlife as you travel deeper into the open plains. Search for lions and cheetahs around classic wildlife areas. Picnic lunch or lodge lunch. Afternoon game drive with flexible pacing.
Meals & Service
Meals are arranged as per the itinerary and your lodge schedule, with special dietary needs accommodated on request.
Night: Melia Serengeti / Four Seasons Serengeti / Nimali Serengeti / Serena Serengeti / The Ark Serengeti
Day 5: Full Day Serengeti Exploration
Luxury Day 5Enjoy a full day in the Serengeti with flexible routing—from riverine corridors and open plains to kopjes that attract big cats. Choose longer drives for sightings or a balanced day with more rest at camp.
Day Highlights
Optional early start for a sunrise game drive. Track predators when temperatures are cool and activity is high. Explore the plains and kopjes for lions, leopard, and cheetah. Breakfast at camp or a bush-style breakfast. Mid-morning game viewing with patience for special moments.
Meals & Service
Meals are arranged as per the itinerary and your lodge schedule, with special dietary needs accommodated on request.
Night: Sound of Nature / Sound of Silence / Nimali Serengeti / Melia Serengeti / Four Seasons Serengeti
Day 6: Serengeti to Ngorongoro Conservation Area
Luxury Day 6Enjoy a final Serengeti drive if timing allows, then travel to the Ngorongoro Highlands for a restful evening near the crater. The pace stays smooth so you arrive comfortable and ready for tomorrow's crater descent.
Day Highlights
Breakfast and check out from your Serengeti camp. Morning game drive en-route for last Serengeti sightings. Look for lions, hyenas, and cheetahs along the way. Stop at viewpoints for big-sky Serengeti photography. Picnic lunch as you transition toward the crater highlands.
Meals & Service
Meals are arranged as per the itinerary and your lodge schedule, with special dietary needs accommodated on request.
Night: Serena Ngorongoro / Melia Ngorongoro / Elewana The Manor at Ngorongoro
Day 7: Ngorongoro Crater - Wildlife Spectacle
Luxury Day 7Descend into Ngorongoro Crater for a concentrated game-viewing day with remarkable variety. After your crater experience, return to the highlands for a comfortable overnight and a relaxed safari dinner.
Day Highlights
Early breakfast and depart for the Ngorongoro Crater descent. Search for the Big Five with expert private guiding. Watch lions and hyena clans across the crater floor. Look for black rhino (sightings depend on conditions). Picnic lunch at a designated crater site.
Meals & Service
Meals are arranged as per the itinerary and your lodge schedule, with special dietary needs accommodated on request.
Night: Serena Ngorongoro / Melia Ngorongoro / Elewana The Manor at Ngorongoro
Day 8: Fly to Zanzibar - Beach Paradise
Luxury Day 8Fly to Zanzibar and transfer privately to your beach resort or Stone Town hotel. Settle in, unwind by the ocean, and enjoy the easy tropical rhythm of the island.
Day Highlights
Breakfast and check out from your safari lodge. Transfer to the airstrip / airport for your Zanzibar flight. Scenic flight to Zanzibar with coastal views (weather permitting). Meet on arrival and private transfer to your hotel. Free time to relax after the safari and travel day.
Meals & Service
Meals are arranged as per the itinerary and your lodge schedule, with special dietary needs accommodated on request.
Night: Nungwi Dreams by Mantis / Park Hyatt Zanzibar / The Neela Boutique Hotel / Golden Tulip Zanzibar Airport Hotel & Spa
Day 9: Stone Town & Spice Tour
Luxury Day 9Explore Stone Town's heritage streets with a guide, then enjoy a spice tour for the flavors and stories that define Zanzibar. Finish with a relaxed evening and time to enjoy the waterfront.
Day Highlights
Morning start with your local guide in Stone Town. Walking tour through alleys, markets, and historic architecture. Visit key cultural landmarks. Drive to a spice farm for a guided spice tour. See, smell, and taste cloves, cinnamon, vanilla, and tropical fruits.
Meals & Service
Meals are arranged as per the itinerary and your lodge schedule, with special dietary needs accommodated on request.
Night: Park Hyatt Zanzibar / The Neela Boutique Hotel / Golden Tulip Zanzibar Airport Hotel & Spa / Nungwi Dreams by Mantis
Day 10: Prison Island & Snorkeling Adventure
Luxury Day 10Enjoy a boat excursion for Prison Island and time on the water for snorkeling, depending on conditions. Return to comfort for an easy afternoon and a relaxed island dinner.
Day Highlights
Private transfer to the boat departure point. Short boat ride to Prison Island (Changuu Island). Visit the giant tortoise sanctuary and learn its history. Continue to a snorkeling area (conditions permitting). Swim in clear waters and enjoy marine-life viewing.
Meals & Service
Meals are arranged as per the itinerary and your lodge schedule, with special dietary needs accommodated on request.
Night: Nungwi Dreams by Mantis / Park Hyatt Zanzibar / The Neela Boutique Hotel / Golden Tulip Zanzibar Airport Hotel & Spa
Day 11: Jozani Forest & Beach Relaxation
Luxury Day 11Visit Jozani Forest for a guided walk to see endemic wildlife such as the red colobus monkey, then return to your resort for relaxed beach time. Keep the day flexible—active in the morning, restorative in the afternoon.
Day Highlights
Morning excursion to Jozani Forest with your guide. Walk the nature trails and learn about island ecosystems. Spot the rare red colobus monkeys. Explore the mangrove boardwalk. Return to your hotel for a leisurely lunch.
Meals & Service
Meals are arranged as per the itinerary and your lodge schedule, with special dietary needs accommodated on request.
Night: Nungwi Dreams by Mantis / Park Hyatt Zanzibar / The Neela Boutique Hotel / Golden Tulip Zanzibar Airport Hotel & Spa
Day 12: Departure - Farewell Tanzania
Luxury Day 12Private transfer to the airport for your onward flight, with assistance at check-in as needed. End the journey with smooth logistics and clear timing—no rushing and no overnight stay required.
Day Highlights
Breakfast at the hotel and a relaxed final morning. Check-out assistance and luggage handling. Private transfer to Zanzibar airport (timed to your flight). Support with flight timing confirmations and logistics. End of safari and beach journey — safe travels.
Meals & Service
Meals are arranged as per the itinerary and your lodge schedule, with special dietary needs accommodated on request.
Night: None (Departure day)
Package Pricing & Extras
12-Day Luxury Safari
Price from
$12,500 ++ per person
Price Options (Base)
| Group | Total | Offer |
|---|---|---|
| 2 Adults | $12,500 | Contact us |
| 4+ Adults | On request | Contact us |
| Custom (Tailor-made) | On request | Plan together |
Rates vary with travel season, room category, and special experiences. All prices are quoted in USD and inclusive of local taxes.
What's Included
- Luxury accommodation throughout the itinerary
- All meals as per the day-by-day plan
- Private transfers and game drives in a luxury safari vehicle
- Professional private safari guide
- Bottled drinking water and onboard safari essentials
- Domestic flights / connections as per itinerary
What's Excluded
- International flights to and from Tanzania
- Park entry fees and conservation levies unless confirmed included in your quote
- Optional extras and personal activities not listed in the itinerary
- Comprehensive travel insurance, visa fees, and personal expenses
- Items of a personal nature and staff gratuities
Frequently Asked Questions
Luxury accommodation, private transfers, guided game drives, meals as per itinerary, and bottled water are included. Park fees, international flights, visas, and personal items are typically excluded unless confirmed in your final quote.
June–October is ideal for classic dry-season game viewing. January–March is excellent for calving season in the Serengeti. We can adjust camp locations seasonally to match wildlife movement.
Yes. Routes, lodge categories, and experiences can be adapted to your travel dates, interests, and comfort preferences.
Yes—this itinerary is planned as a private luxury experience with your own guide and vehicle, unless you request a shared option.
A deposit secures your booking. Cancellation terms depend on lodge policies and season; we share the full policy in writing before confirmation and recommend travel insurance.