Close-up of a male lion in warm natural light

4 Days · Classic Safari

4 Days — Classic Northern Circuit

The essential Tanzania safari, comfortably paced

Duration

4 days

Parks

Tarangire, Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater

Best time

June to October, and December to March

Ideal for

First safaris, couples, small families

Overview

Let the baobabs, open plains and crater each unfold in their own way. Your guide knows when to keep moving and when to stay a little longer with a moment that belongs only to you.

Choose your comfort level

The same journey, three levels of comfort

Characterful lodges and classic tented camps inside the parks, chosen for location and view. More space, pools, and a slower, more private rhythm.

  • In-park lodges & classic tented camps
  • Prime locations with pools and viewing decks
  • Unhurried private game drives, flexible timing

Day by day

Showing accommodation for the Premium level.

  1. Day 1

    Arusha to Tarangire

    Afternoon game drive among Tarangire's elephants and baobabs.

    Premium stayTented camp overlooking the Tarangire River
  2. Day 2

    Tarangire to Serengeti

    A scenic drive across the Ngorongoro highlands and down into the Serengeti, arriving for an afternoon drive.

    Premium stayTented camp overlooking the Tarangire River
  3. Day 3

    Full day Serengeti

    A whole day in the central Serengeti — early predators, midday shade, late-afternoon light. Optional balloon safari at dawn.

    Premium stayClassic tented camp with private verandah on the plains
  4. Day 4

    Ngorongoro Crater to Arusha

    Crater floor game drive, picnic lunch, and evening return to Arusha.

    Premium stayCrater-rim lodge with views into the caldera

Compare the levels

What changes between Comfort, Premium and Signature

The route, the parks and the wildlife stay the same. What changes is where you sleep, how you travel, and how much is taken care of for you.

 StandardHonest value, nothing missingPremiumCharacter, space and quieter cornersSignatureExclusive, personal, unforgettable
Rooms & campsWell-run lodges and permanent tented camps on park boundaries; en-suite rooms, twin or double.In-park lodges and classic tented camps chosen for view and location; larger rooms, pools, verandahs.Exclusive small camps, mobile camps and boutique retreats; suites with private decks and outdoor showers.
VehiclePrivate 4x4 Land Cruiser with pop-up roof, window seat guaranteed.Private extended Land Cruiser with charging points, fridge cooler and binoculars.Private photographic Land Cruiser with open sides, bean bags, WiFi and refreshment bar.
GuideProfessional English-speaking Tanzanian guide throughout.Senior guide with a specialist interest — big cats, birds or photography.Dedicated top-tier private guide who stays with you from arrival to departure.
Meals & drinksFull board with picnic lunches on game drive days; bottled water in the vehicle.Full board with wine at dinner, sundowner drinks and packed hot lunches.All-inclusive dining, premium bar, bush breakfasts and private dinners under the stars.
Pace & flexibilitySet lodge meal times, standard game drive hours.Flexible departures, longer full-day drives, later dinners on request.Entirely your own rhythm — dawn to dusk in the park with no fixed schedule.
Extras includedPark and conservation fees, transfers, safari briefing.The above plus one cultural or nature walk experience and laundry at camp.The above plus a hot-air balloon safari option, spa treatment and airstrip fly-in transfers.

Every level includes a private vehicle, a private guide and all park fees — you are never in a shared group safari with us. Tell us your level and we will quote it exactly.

The Serengeti migration

Timing the herds: where to be, how long to stay, and when to fly

The migration moves across the Serengeti all year. Our full guide shows where the herds are each month, why we hold to a two-night minimum in every migration area (three in the north), and why we fly you into the northern Serengeti instead of driving a full day each way.

  • Two-night minimumWe never sell single-night migration stops — one afternoon and one morning is not enough to find the herds.
  • Fly into the northA two-hour flight to Kogatende beats 9–11 hours on rough road and gives you back nearly two full game days.

Choosing your level

Standard, Premium or Signature — the practical answers

Short, honest answers to the questions guests ask us most when they are deciding.

Request this journey

Send your enquiry, already prefilled

Your chosen level is carried straight into the request, so Stephen quotes exactly the safari you have been looking at — no repeating yourself.

Comfort level

Opens your email app with everything above already written out.