5-Day Budget Northern Circuit
Overview
Experience the best of Tanzania's Northern Circuit on a value-packed 5-day budget camping safari. Visit Tarangire National Park with its iconic baobab trees and massive elephant herds, the diverse landscapes of Lake Manyara, and the wildlife-rich Ngorongoro Crater. Camp at public campsites under starlit skies and enjoy hearty camp meals prepared by your safari chef throughout the journey.
Highlights
Gallery
Day-by-Day Itinerary
Day 1: Arusha to Tarangire National Park
Depart Arusha in the morning and drive southwest to Tarangire National Park, a journey of about two hours. Enter the park for a full-day game drive. Tarangire is famous for its vast elephant herds, ancient baobab trees, and the Tarangire River that draws wildlife during the dry season. Look for lion, giraffe, zebra, wildebeest, and over 550 bird species. Enjoy a picnic lunch in the park before heading to the campsite in the evening.
Accommodation
Octagon Lodge
Lunch, Dinner
Day 2: Tarangire to Lake Manyara National Park
After breakfast, depart Tarangire and drive to Lake Manyara National Park. Enter the park for an afternoon game drive. The park's diverse habitats — from groundwater forest to soda lake to acacia woodland — support a wide variety of wildlife. Spot the famous tree-climbing lions, large troops of baboons, and flocks of flamingos and pelicans along the lake shore. Set up camp at Lake Manyara Public Campsite for dinner and overnight.
Accommodation
Fig Tree Lodge
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 3: Manyara to Karatu Area
After a leisurely breakfast, enjoy a guided walking safari along the Manyara escarpment, or visit Mto wa Mbu village for a cultural tour. After lunch, drive to Karatu, the gateway town to the Ngorongoro highlands. Settle into the campsite in Karatu's lush countryside, with dinner prepared by your safari chef.
Accommodation
Octagon Lodge
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 4: Ngorongoro Crater Full-Day Game Drive
Depart early morning and ascend to the Ngorongoro Crater rim. Descend 600 metres into the caldera — the world's largest intact volcanic caldera — for a full-day game drive. The crater floor is a natural sanctuary with one of the highest concentrations of wildlife in Africa. Spot black rhino, lion, hyena, buffalo, elephant, hippo, and thousands of flamingos at Lake Magadi. Enjoy a picnic lunch in the crater. In the late afternoon, ascend to Simba A Public Campsite on the crater rim for dinner and overnight with spectacular views.
Accommodation
Simba Public Campsite
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 5: Return to Arusha
After breakfast overlooking the magnificent Ngorongoro Crater, begin the drive back to Arusha. Pass through the scenic highlands, Karatu, and Mto wa Mbu along the way. Arrive in Arusha by early afternoon. Transfer to your hotel or Kilimanjaro International Airport for your departure flight.
Included
- Shared 4x4 safari vehicle with pop-up roof
- Professional English-speaking driver-guide
- Safari chef to prepare all meals
- Camping equipment (tent, sleeping mat, chair)
- Park entry and camping fees for all parks
- Ngorongoro Crater descent fee
- All meals during safari as per itinerary
- Bottled drinking water during game drives
Excluded
- International flights and visas
- Sleeping bag (available for hire)
- Travel and medical insurance
- Tips and gratuities for guide and chef
- Personal expenses and laundry
- Optional cultural visits and walking safaris
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