Classic Northern Circuit — Tarangire, Ngorongoro & Serengeti
Tarangire, Ngorongoro Crater, Serengeti
Cost
On request
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Safari itinerary
Family Safari — Northern Tanzania with Children
Duration
8 days
Group
Private departure
Pace
Relaxed
Best season
June – October, and December – February
The standard northern circuit is hard work for a seven-year-old. This version keeps the same parks and changes everything else: no transfer longer than about three hours, camps and lodges chosen for a pool and space to run, and two nights minimum everywhere so nobody is packing every morning.
We also pick the guide differently. Some of ours are wonderful with children and some are not, and we know which is which.
An honest note on ages
From about six upwards this works well. Below that, the driving is the problem rather than the animals, and we would suggest a shorter trip closer to Arusha instead.
Parks visited
Arusha National Park, Tarangire, Ngorongoro Crater, Serengeti
Highlights
What makes this trip
- No drive longer than about three hours
- Two nights everywhere, so nobody packs daily
- Canoeing and a walking safari in Arusha National Park
- Pools in the afternoon, game drives at either end of the day
- A guide chosen for being good with children
Day by day
The itinerary
Met at the airport and into a lodge with a garden and a pool. Nothing scheduled — the flight is enough for one day.
Overnight: Lodge in Arusha
Meals: D
An hour from town: a walking safari with a ranger, canoeing on the Momella lakes among waterbuck and flamingo, and colobus monkeys overhead. Back at the lodge by mid-afternoon.
Overnight: Lodge in Arusha
Meals: B, L, D
Two hours to the park and an afternoon game drive. Elephant, baobabs, and the first "there it is" of the trip.
Overnight: Camp near Tarangire
Meals: B, L, D
A morning drive and the middle of the day at camp — pool, lunch, a nap for whoever needs one — then out again for the last light.
Overnight: Camp near Tarangire
Meals: B, L, D
A short drive through Mto wa Mbu, with a stop at the market, then up to Karatu. Afternoon free.
Overnight: Lodge, Karatu
Meals: B, L, D
Down early with a packed breakfast for the morning on the floor — the day most children remember, because everything is there at once. Up in the early afternoon.
Overnight: Lodge, Karatu
Meals: B, L, D
A longer day, broken by Olduvai Gorge and lunch on the plains, arriving in the central Serengeti in the afternoon.
Overnight: Camp, central Serengeti
Meals: B, L, D
A last morning drive, then the short flight from Seronera to Arusha rather than seven hours in the vehicle. Onward transfer to the airport.
Overnight: —
Meals: B, L
The price
What is and is not included
Included
- All park, crater and concession fees
- Private 4×4 Land Cruiser with pop-up roof and a window seat each
- Your own licensed guide throughout
- Accommodation on the stated basis
- All meals from lunch on day one
- Drinking water, coffee and tea in the vehicle
- Airport transfers on arrival and departure
- Flying Doctors evacuation cover
Not included
- International flights
- Tanzanian visa
- Travel and medical insurance
- Alcoholic drinks
- Tips for your guide and camp staff
- Balloon flights and other optional extras
- Laundry and personal items
Before you ask
Common questions
About six and up. Younger than that and the drives are the problem, not the animals — we would build something shorter and closer to Arusha instead.
Most of the camps and lodges on this route have family tents or adjoining rooms. Tell us the ages and we will confirm what is available on your dates before you commit.
Yes, with the ordinary rules: children stay in the vehicle on game drives and are escorted after dark in camp. Your guide will brief everyone on day one, children included.
Enquire
Ask about this itinerary
Want it longer, shorter, in a different month, or at a different level of camp? Say so — we will price the version you actually want.
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