6 Days Norther Circuit Photographic Safari

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Home Safaris 6 Days Norther Circuit Photographic Safari

Tour Type

Wildlife Safari

Tour Duration

6 Days 5 Nights

Min. No of Pax

Tour Price

Budget On request

Mid-range On request

Luxury On request

The Price Includes

•Airport transfers
• All park entrance fees
• All game drives as per itinerary
• Professional English-speaking driver guide
• Safari vehicle with pop up roof
• Accommodation and meals as specified
• Bottled drinking water during safari

The Price Excludes

• International flights
• Visa fees
• Travel insurance
• Personal expenses
• Tips for driver guides and lodge staff
• Optional activities not mentioned

Tour Overview

This exceptional Tanzania wildlife safari has been carefully designed by Above & Beyond Photographic Tours and Safaris, a professional safari company based in Arusha, Tanzania, with a deep understanding of wildlife behavior, photographic opportunities, and seamless travel logistics. This itinerary follows Tanzania’s famous Northern Safari Circuit, combining world renowned national parks with breathtaking landscapes and unmatched game viewing experiences. It is ideal for travelers seeking an immersive safari adventure, photographers looking for dramatic wildlife encounters, and nature lovers who wish to explore Tanzania’s most iconic ecosystems in a relaxed yet comprehensive way.

From the moment you arrive at Kilimanjaro International Airport, you are welcomed into a journey that gradually unfolds from lush highlands to endless savannahs and finally into one of the world’s greatest natural wonders, the Ngorongoro Crater. The route has been intentionally structured to minimize long drives while maximizing time inside the parks, allowing guests to enjoy extended game drives, golden hour photography, and authentic African wilderness moments. Each destination offers a different habitat, from the groundwater forests of Lake Manyara to the vast plains of the Serengeti, where predator and prey interactions unfold daily in dramatic fashion.

This safari offers a perfect balance between adventure and comfort, with professionally guided game drives led by experienced safari guides who understand animal movements, light conditions, and the best photographic angles. Whether witnessing elephants moving through ancient forests, lions resting on kopjes, or large herds of wildebeest stretching across the plains, every day delivers unforgettable experiences. The journey concludes with a descent into the Ngorongoro Crater, often described as Africa’s Garden of Eden, before returning to Arusha or departing from Kilimanjaro International Airport.

Day To day

Day 1

Arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport

Upon arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport, located approximately 55 kilometers from Arusha town with a driving time of about one hour, guests are warmly welcomed by a professional representative from Above & Beyond Photographic Tours and Safaris. After a brief meet and greet, you will be transferred to your lodge or hotel in Arusha, passing through scenic landscapes dotted with local villages, coffee plantations, and views of Mount Meru, Tanzania’s second highest mountain. This day is intentionally kept relaxed to allow travelers to recover from international flights while enjoying the calm atmosphere of Arusha, widely known as the safari capital of Northern Tanzania.

Depending on arrival time, guests may enjoy a short orientation about the safari ahead, including safety guidelines, wildlife expectations, and photographic tips. Arusha offers a pleasant climate and a peaceful environment, making it an ideal gateway to Tanzania’s national parks. Dinner and overnight are arranged at a carefully selected accommodation, preparing you for the exciting days ahead.

Extra activities available
• Short Arusha town walk
• Cultural dinner experience
• Coffee tasting session

Suggested Accommodations

Ritzy Arcadia Cottages
Forest Hill Hotel
Gran Melia Arusha

Day 2

Arusha to Lake Manyara National Park

After an early breakfast, you depart Arusha for Lake Manyara National Park, located approximately 130 kilometers away with a driving time of about two and a half hours. The journey takes you through the scenic Great Rift Valley, offering panoramic views ideal for photography. Upon arrival, you enter one of Tanzania’s most diverse national parks, known for its compact size yet extraordinary ecological variety.

Lake Manyara National Park is famous for its lush groundwater forests, open grasslands, and the alkaline Lake Manyara itself, which attracts thousands of flamingos and other water birds. During your game drive, you may encounter large herds of elephants, giraffes, buffaloes, hippos, and a wide variety of bird species. The park is also renowned for its tree climbing lions, often seen resting on acacia branches. The combination of forest and lake environments creates unique photographic opportunities not found elsewhere in Tanzania.

You enjoy a picnic lunch inside the park before continuing with afternoon game drives. As the day winds down, you exit the park and proceed to your lodge located along the Rift Valley escarpment or nearby areas, where you can relax and reflect on the day’s discoveries.

Extra activities available near Lake Manyara

Treetop canopy walk
Cultural tour at Mto wa Mbu village
Mountain bike tour through local villages

Suggested Accommodations

Moonbow Lodge
Escarpment Luxury Lodge Manyara
Farm of Dreams Lodge

Day 3

Lake Manyara to Serengeti National Park

Following breakfast, you begin your journey toward the legendary Serengeti National Park, traveling approximately 205 kilometers over five to six hours, depending on wildlife sightings along the way. The drive takes you through the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, offering breathtaking highland views before descending into the endless plains of the Serengeti.

Serengeti National Park is one of the most famous wildlife destinations in the world, celebrated for its vast open landscapes and extraordinary concentration of animals. As you enter the park, game viewing begins immediately. The Serengeti is home to lions, leopards, cheetahs, elephants, giraffes, and massive herds of wildebeest and zebras. The wide plains and dramatic skies make this area a paradise for wildlife photographers.

After a picnic lunch, you continue with an extended afternoon game drive as you make your way toward your lodge or tented camp in the central Serengeti. The day ends with sunset views over the savannah, followed by dinner and overnight in the heart of the wilderness, surrounded by the sounds of nature.

Extra activities available in Serengeti

Hot air balloon safari
Sundowner experience
Walking safari in designated areas

Suggested Accommodations

Kubu Kubu Tented Lodge
Moyo Tented Camp
Serengeti Serena Lodge

Day 4

Full Day Serengeti National Park

This day is dedicated entirely to exploring the Serengeti National Park, allowing for maximum wildlife encounters and photography opportunities. After an early breakfast, you set out on a morning game drive when predators are most active. The cooler hours offer the best chances to witness lions on the hunt, cheetahs scanning the plains, and leopards returning from nocturnal activity.

The Serengeti’s vast ecosystem supports one of the highest concentrations of large predators in Africa, making every game drive unpredictable and exciting. Your experienced guide will focus on prime wildlife areas, adjusting the route based on animal movements and seasonal patterns. After lunch, either at the lodge or as a picnic in the bush, you continue with afternoon game drives across different regions of the park.

As the sun sets, the plains glow with golden light, providing exceptional photographic conditions. You return to camp for dinner and overnight, sharing stories of the day’s sightings under the African night sky.

Extra activities available in Serengeti

Night game drives in selected areas
Extended photographic sessions
Cultural visit to nearby communities

Suggested Accommodations

Kubu Kubu Tented Lodge
Moyo Tented Camp
Serengeti Serena Lodge

Day 5

Serengeti National Park to Ngorongoro Crater

After breakfast, you enjoy a final morning game drive in the Serengeti before departing toward the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, a journey of approximately 150 kilometers taking around three to four hours. En route, you may encounter wildlife as you gradually ascend into the highlands.

Upon arrival at the Ngorongoro Crater rim, you descend 600 meters into the crater floor, one of the world’s most remarkable natural wildlife sanctuaries. The crater hosts an incredible density of animals, including black rhinos, lions, elephants, hippos, zebras, and flamingos around the soda lake. The enclosed ecosystem allows for excellent game viewing in a relatively small area.

You enjoy a picnic lunch beside a hippo pool before continuing with game drives across the crater floor. In the late afternoon, you ascend back to the rim and proceed to your lodge for dinner and overnight, enjoying sweeping views over the crater.

Extra activities available in Ngorongoro area

Maasai cultural village visit
Guided nature walks on the crater rim

Suggested Accommodations

Moonbow Lodge
Escarpment Luxury Lodge Manyara
Farm of Dreams Lodge

Day 6

Ngorongoro Conservation Area to Arusha or Kilimanjaro International Airport

After breakfast, you depart the Ngorongoro highlands and drive back to Arusha town or directly to Kilimanjaro International Airport, covering approximately 190 kilometers in about four hours. The drive offers scenic views of rural Tanzania, coffee plantations, and volcanic landscapes.

Upon arrival, you are transferred to your hotel or airport in time for your onward flight. This marks the end of an unforgettable Tanzania safari experience with Above & Beyond Photographic Tours and Safaris, leaving you with lasting memories of Africa’s wildlife and landscapes.

At Above & Beyond Photographic Tours and Safaris, every journey is thoughtfully crafted around you. We move beyond rigid schedules to offer flexible, tailor-made itineraries shaped by your interests, preferred pace, and travel style. Our experienced travel specialists work closely with you from the very beginning, designing a personalized adventure that reflects the true spirit of Tanzania. This is not just a trip, it is your journey, your story, and an unforgettable experience that goes above and beyond expectations.

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