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Safari plan · 12 days · North & south · Midrange

Grand Tanzania, North and South

The northern circuit by road with your own guide — Tarangire, the central Serengeti, the Ngorongoro Crater — then light aircraft to Ruaha and Nyerere, two big southern parks where you see far fewer vehicles.

ArushaSerengetiNgorongoroRuahaNyerereDar es Salaam
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Length12 days · 11 nights
ParksTarangire, Serengeti, Ngorongoro, Ruaha, Nyerere
Starts & endsKilimanjaro Airport / Dar es Salaam
ComfortMidrange lodges & tented camps
Best monthsJune–October
OverviewThe routeDay by dayRatesWhere you sleepIncludedAdd-onsWhen to goFlights & extrasFAQEnquire
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IOverview

The famous north by road, the quiet south by air, in twelve days.

Two different safaris in one trip. The first six days are the classic north by road: Tarangire, two nights in the central Serengeti and the Ngorongoro Crater floor at opening, with your own guide and vehicle. Then a light aircraft south to Ruaha for three nights, and on to Nyerere for two, where the safari happens on the river as well as by vehicle and on foot.

The south is a different way of travelling. You fly between camps, and each camp’s own guides take you out in their vehicles, often open-sided, sometimes shared with other guests — ask us about a private vehicle there. What this plan does not give you is the migration herds, unless your dates happen to meet them, or much time on any beach; both are in the options below.

Major attractions · 4
  1. 01Serengeti National Park
  2. 02Ngorongoro Crater
  3. 03Ruaha National Park
  4. 04Nyerere National Park
Trip detailsPrivate, then fly-in
Tour length
12 days · 11 nights
Country
Tanzania
Start / end
Kilimanjaro (JRO) in · Dar es Salaam (DAR) out
Accommodation
Midrange
Tour type
Private safari, then fly-in
Group size
Maximum per vehicle
Meal plan
Full board on safari
Best period
Jun–Oct
Activity level
Easy to moderate — one guided walk
Request a free quote →Questions? WhatsApp +255 762 914 714
IIThe route

A loop through the north, then three flights south.

12 days, 11 nights, 6 places to sleep. The solid line is this plan; the dotted lines are the other roads through the region. Point at a day to see its leg.

Route map: Arusha to Tarangire, the Serengeti and the Ngorongoro Crater by road, then by air to Ruaha, Nyerere and Dar es Salaam Kilimanjaro NP Kibo Serengeti NP Ngorongoro CA Tarangire NP Arusha NP Ruaha NP Nyerere NP Mikumi NP Udzungwa NP L. Manyara L. Eyasi L. Natron Indian Ocean Zanzibar N Arusha Tarangire Karatu Seronera Nyerere (Rufiji) Ruaha (Msembe) Kilimanjaro Airport Dar es Salaam
  1. 01Kilimanjaro Airport → Arusha~1 h road
  2. 02Arusha → Tarangire~2½ h road · ~5 h game
  3. 03Tarangire → Central SerengetiThe long day~5 h road · ~2 h game
  4. 04Seronera & the Seronera valley~9 h game
  5. 05Central Serengeti → Karatu~4½ h road · ~3 h game
  6. 06Karatu → the crater → Arusha~4 h road · ~5 h game
  7. 07Arusha → Ruaha~3 h flight · ~½ h road · ~3 h game
  8. 08Ruaha~8 h game
  9. 09Ruaha~8 h game
  10. 10Ruaha → Nyerere~2 h flight · ~½ h road · ~3 h game
  11. 11Nyerere~7 h game
  12. 12Nyerere → Dar es Salaam~1 h flight · ~½ h road
Overnight stopPassing throughSchematic, roughly to scale
IIIDay by day

Twelve days, one at a time.

Each day lands on top of the last as you scroll: honest road time, game time, meals and where you sleep. Times are door to door in a safari vehicle and move with the season and what you stop for.

Garden path at dusk in Arusha, Mount Meru behind — 1600×1200
ArushaADD IMAGE · Garden path at dusk in Arusha, Mount Meru behind
01/ 12

About an hour by road. Nothing else asked of you.

03°22′S 36°41′EDay 1 · Kilimanjaro Airport → Arusha

Arrive in Arusha

Travel
~1 h road
Game viewing
No game drive
Meals
Dinner
Sleep
Garden lodge
  1. On landing

    Your guide meets you at arrivals with your name. The drive to Arusha is about an hour, on tarmac.

  2. Evening

    Dinner and the briefing: the northern route, the flights south, and the luggage limit on the light aircraft.

Pack for the flights

The southern half is by light aircraft, with soft bags and a weight limit. Pack for that from the start.

Elephants under baobabs in Tarangire
Tarangire
02/ 12

About 2½ hours on tarmac, then a full afternoon in the park.

03°52′S 36°00′EDay 2 · Arusha → Tarangire

Tarangire — the elephant park

Travel
~2½ h road
Game viewing
~5 h
Meals
B · L · D
Sleep
Tented lodge on the park edge
  1. Morning

    South-west out of Arusha on good tarmac through Maasai country, turning off at Makuyuni.

  2. Midday

    Picnic lunch inside the park, usually above the Tarangire River.

  3. Afternoon

    Slow driving between baobabs. From June to October the river draws some of the largest elephant gatherings in the north.

Gravel road across the short-grass plains towards Naabi Hill, Serengeti — 1600×1200
Central SerengetiADD IMAGE · Gravel road across the short-grass plains towards Naabi Hill, Serengeti
The long day03/ 12

About 5 hours on the road, the last stretch on corrugated gravel.

02°27′S 34°49′EDay 3 · Tarangire → Central Serengeti

Over the highlands into the Serengeti

Travel
~5 h road
Game viewing
~2 h
Meals
B · L · D
Sleep
Permanent tented camp
  1. Early

    Back to Makuyuni and up the escarpment past Mto wa Mbu and Karatu into the Ngorongoro highlands.

  2. Midday

    Down onto the short-grass plains, past the Olduvai turn, to Naabi Hill gate for lunch and permits.

  3. Afternoon

    From Naabi you are in the Serengeti, so the last stretch to Seronera is a game drive.

The Serengeti plains
Central Serengeti
04/ 12

No transfer today. Out at first light, back at dusk.

02°27′S 34°49′EDay 4 · Seronera & the Seronera valley

The Serengeti, all day

Travel
No transfer
Game viewing
~9 h
Meals
B · picnic L · D
Sleep
Same camp, second night
  1. First light

    Out as the gates allow, with a packed breakfast. The first two hours are when cats move and hunt.

  2. Midday

    A picnic wherever the morning ended. The central Serengeti holds resident lion, leopard and cheetah all year.

  3. Afternoon

    Where you go depends on what the guides have heard. Back at camp before the park’s closing time.

Where the migration is

In the best months for this plan, June to October, the great herds are usually in the western or far northern Serengeti, not the centre. To be among them, see ‘Make it yours’.

Lions beside an open safari vehicle in the Serengeti
Central Serengeti
05/ 12

A last game drive, then about 4½ hours back over the rim.

03°20′S 35°40′EDay 5 · Central Serengeti → Karatu

Serengeti morning, back to the highlands

Travel
~4½ h road
Game viewing
~3 h
Meals
B · L · D
Sleep
Farm lodge
  1. Morning

    One more early drive in the Serengeti before turning for the gate.

  2. Midday

    Out through Naabi Hill gate and back across the plains onto the crater highlands.

  3. Evening

    Karatu is cool and green below the rim. You will want a fleece at dinner.

The Ngorongoro Crater from the rim
Ngorongoro Crater
06/ 12

The crater at opening, then about three hours to Arusha.

03°22′S 36°41′EDay 6 · Karatu → the crater → Arusha

The crater floor, then Arusha

Travel
~4 h road
Game viewing
~5 h
Meals
B · picnic L · D
Sleep
Garden lodge
  1. Dawn

    Down the descent road as it opens. Early vehicles have the floor largely to themselves for the first hour.

  2. On the floor

    Grassland, soda lake, swamp and forest in one sealed bowl. The likeliest place in Tanzania to see black rhino, though never a certainty.

  3. Afternoon

    Up and out, and back down the escarpment to Arusha. Your guide’s last evening with you; repack for the light aircraft.

Light aircraft on a dirt airstrip in Ruaha National Park — 1600×1200
RuahaADD IMAGE · Light aircraft on a dirt airstrip in Ruaha National Park
07/ 12

A light aircraft south; the flight time depends on the stops it makes.

07°42′S 34°55′EDay 7 · Arusha → Ruaha

Fly south to Ruaha

Travel
~3 h flight + ~½ h road
Game viewing
~3 h
Meals
B · L · D
Sleep
Tented camp
  1. Morning

    Your guide takes you to Arusha’s domestic airport for a scheduled light aircraft south. It may route via other airstrips, so allow most of the morning or longer.

  2. Afternoon

    Met at the Ruaha airstrip by the camp’s guide. The drive to camp is the first game drive.

  3. Evening

    Dinner in camp. Ruaha is big, dry and remote, and the evenings are very quiet.

Different guides now

From today you are guided by the camp’s own guides and vehicles. Ask us whether a private vehicle is possible at your camp and what it costs.

Lion pride on a dry sand river bed, Ruaha National Park — 1600×1200
RuahaADD IMAGE · Lion pride on a dry sand river bed, Ruaha National Park
08/ 12

Game drives along the Great Ruaha River.

07°42′S 34°55′EDay 8 · Ruaha

Ruaha, the river and the baobabs

Travel
No transfer
Game viewing
~8 h
Meals
B · L · D
Sleep
Same camp
  1. Morning

    Out early along the Great Ruaha River, which in the dry months is where the animals come to drink.

  2. Midday

    Back to camp through the heat, or a picnic out in the park.

  3. Afternoon

    Out again as it cools. Ruaha is known for big lion prides and for elephants among the baobabs.

Greater kudu among baobabs, Ruaha National Park — 1600×1200
RuahaADD IMAGE · Greater kudu among baobabs, Ruaha National Park
09/ 12

A second full day, going further out.

07°42′S 34°55′EDay 9 · Ruaha

Ruaha, a full day

Travel
No transfer
Game viewing
~8 h
Meals
B · L · D
Sleep
Same camp
  1. Morning

    A longer drive, further from camp, with breakfast packed.

  2. Afternoon

    Some camps offer guided walks; ask us which do, and whether one is possible on your dates.

Light aircraft over the Rufiji River, Nyerere National Park — 1600×1200
NyerereADD IMAGE · Light aircraft over the Rufiji River, Nyerere National Park
10/ 12

A light aircraft east to Nyerere, then the afternoon in the park.

07°43′S 38°00′EDay 10 · Ruaha → Nyerere

Fly on to Nyerere

Travel
~2 h flight + ~½ h road
Game viewing
~3 h
Meals
B · L · D
Sleep
Tented camp by the river or a lake
  1. Morning

    A last drive on the way to the Ruaha airstrip, then a scheduled light aircraft east. It may stop at other airstrips on the way.

  2. Afternoon

    Met by the Nyerere camp’s guide. A game drive to camp, among the lakes and channels of the Rufiji.

Boat safari on the Rufiji River with hippos, Nyerere National Park — 1600×1200
NyerereADD IMAGE · Boat safari on the Rufiji River with hippos, Nyerere National Park
11/ 12

A guided walk and a boat safari on the Rufiji.

07°43′S 38°00′EDay 11 · Nyerere

Nyerere by boat and on foot

Travel
~2 h boat
Game viewing
~7 h
Meals
B · L · D
Sleep
Same camp
  1. Morning

    A guided walk with an armed ranger and the camp’s guide: tracks, birds, plants and the small things a vehicle drives past.

  2. Midday

    Back to camp for lunch and the heat of the day.

  3. Afternoon

    Out on the river by boat, among hippos, crocodiles and water birds, until the light goes.

Why the south is different

Walking and boats are what the southern parks do that the north mostly cannot. Which activities your camp offers varies; we match the camp to what you want to do.

Light aircraft on an airstrip at dawn, Nyerere National Park — 1600×1200
Dar es SalaamADD IMAGE · Light aircraft on an airstrip at dawn, Nyerere National Park
12/ 12

A short light-aircraft flight to Dar, landing around the middle of the day.

06°52′S 39°12′EDay 12 · Nyerere → Dar es Salaam

Fly to Dar es Salaam, and home

Travel
~1 h flight + ~½ h road
Game viewing
No game drive
Meals
Breakfast
Sleep
Homeward
  1. Morning

    A last early drive if the flight time allows, then the airstrip.

  2. Midday

    Land in Dar es Salaam. Connect to your international flight; leave a few hours between the two.

Not flying home today?

Zanzibar is a short flight from Dar, and several light-aircraft routes from the southern parks touch the island.

IVRates

Priced by group size, because the vehicle is shared.

Park fees, accommodation, vehicle, guide and meals as listed — per person, no booking fees. Rates move with the month and lodge availability; your quote is fixed once you book.

Midrange · price per person, sharing
Group size1 person2 people3 people4 people5 people6 people
From yearraterateraterateraterate
Single supplementamount
Children

Child policy: ages, sharing discount, lodge minimum ages

What moves the price

What changes itHow much

  • The month you travel

    July to October and the Christmas weeks are peak rates in both regions. The long rains are the lowest, when many southern camps close.

  • The light-aircraft flights

    Three scheduled flights are a large share of this plan’s price, and each seat costs the same whatever the group size.

  • How many share the vehicle in the north

    The vehicle and guide cost the same for two people or six, so the per-person price falls as the group grows.

  • A private vehicle in the south

    Shared camp vehicles are included in most southern rates; a private one costs extra.

  • Park fees

    Fixed per person per day by the authorities, and the same whoever you book with. We show them as their own line.

Not sure which level suits you? Tell us your dates, group and budget and we will send an itemised quote with named properties.

Request a free quote →
On request
On request
VWhere you sleep

Six places in eleven nights, the longest stay in Ruaha.

Each night is described by type first, because the right camp depends on your month. The properties we normally use at each level are listed below; your quote confirms them against availability.

Night 11×

Arusha

Garden lodge or small hotel

One night to land, sleep off the flight and be briefed.

Midrange here means
En-suite room, hot water, mains power, Wi-Fi.
Step up
A coffee-estate lodge on the slopes of Meru.
Night 21×

Tarangire

Tented lodge on the park edge

Sleeping beside the park puts you in the gate at opening.

Midrange here means
Canvas walls, proper beds, en-suite, solar or generator power.
Step up
A camp inside the park itself.
Nights 3–42×

Central Serengeti

Permanent tented camp

Two nights in the middle of the park, and one full day with no transfer.

Midrange here means
En-suite tent, hot shower (sometimes bucket-filled), power in the evenings, no fence.
Step up
A seasonal mobile camp that moves with the herds.
Night 51×

Karatu highlands

Farm or garden lodge

Twenty minutes from the crater gate, so you are at the descent road at opening.

Midrange here means
Cottage rooms, fireplaces, mains power, gardens.
Step up
A lodge on the crater rim itself.
Night 61×

Arusha (second night)

Garden lodge or small hotel

Close to the domestic airport for the morning flight south.

Midrange here means
En-suite room, hot water, mains power, Wi-Fi.
Step up
A coffee-estate lodge on the slopes of Meru.
Nights 7–93×

Ruaha

Tented camp

Three nights, because Ruaha is big and the flights in and out take time. The camp’s guides take you out.

Midrange here means
En-suite tent, hot water, solar power, full board with camp activities.
Step up
A smaller camp further from the others, with private vehicles.
Nights 10–112×

Nyerere

Tented camp by the river or a lake

Two nights is the least that fits a boat safari and a walk. The camp’s guides take you out.

Midrange here means
En-suite tent, hot water, solar power, full board with camp activities.
Step up
A camp with a private vehicle and guide, and fewer tents.

The properties we use

WhereMidrangeLuxury
Arushapropertyproperty
Tarangirepropertyproperty
Central Serengetipropertyproperty
Karatu highlandspropertyproperty
Arusha (second night)propertyproperty
Ruahapropertyproperty
Nyererepropertyproperty

What ‘midrange’ means on this trip

  • En-suite everywhere. Your own bathroom every night.
  • Activities in the south. Southern camps usually include their own drives, and often walks and boats, in the rate. Your quote will say exactly which.
  • Power. Mains in Arusha and Karatu; solar or generator hours in the parks. Bring a power bank.
  • Food. Full board from day two. Tell us about diets early — remote camps plan supplies days ahead.
VIThe fine print

What is in the price, and what isn’t.

✓Included

  • Private 4×4 safari vehicle in the northDays one to seven, pop-up roof, window seat for everyone
  • A professional driver-guide in the northThe same guide for the northern days
  • Camp guides and vehicles in the southRuaha and Nyerere; shared or private depending on the camp — your quote will say
  • Scheduled light-aircraft flightsArusha → Ruaha → Nyerere → Dar es Salaam
  • All park and conservation feesIncluding the crater service fee. Itemised on your quote
  • Eleven nights’ accommodationAs described above
  • Meals as listed each dayFull board from day two
  • Arrival transferKilimanjaro Airport to Arusha

–Not included

  • International flights
  • Tanzanian visaApply online before you travel
  • Travel insuranceRequired. It must cover medical evacuation
  • Tips for guides and camp staffWe send guidance with your booking
  • Drinks at lodges and campsUnless the property includes them
  • Optional activitiesBalloon flight, cultural visits, any activity your camp charges for
VIIAdd-ons & changes

The plan is a starting point, not a package.

The changes people ask for most, each with what it costs you in days or hours. Not in the standard price — arranged on request, and most can be combined.

+3–4 nightsprice

Finish on Zanzibar

Fly from Nyerere or Dar to the island instead of flying home. Several southern light-aircraft routes touch Zanzibar.

Makes senseAlmost everyone who has the time
Zanzibar →
+3 nightsprice

Mafia, for the whale sharks

A small island off the southern coast, a short flight from Dar. Diving, and whale sharks in season.

Makes senseDivers
Mafia →
+2 nightsprice

The northern Serengeti, for the river

Fly or drive north to the Mara River region for the crossings.

Makes senseJuly to October
The migration month by month →
Same lengthprice

Balloon over the Serengeti

Swap the dawn drive on day four for a flight over the Seronera valley. Weather permitting.

Makes senseAny season it operates
The balloon, honestly →
−2 nightsprice

Drop Nyerere

Fly from Ruaha straight to Dar. You lose the boat and the walk, which are the south’s point of difference.

Makes senseShort on time
Nyerere →
Same lengthprice

More walking in the south

Choose camps that make walking the centre of the day, with a longer walk in each park.

Makes senseSecond safaris
Walking safaris →
VIIIWhen to go

Rated for this route, not for the country.

Both halves are at their best from June to October, the dry season. The south sets the calendar: in the long rains, roughly April and May, many Ruaha and Nyerere camps close and the light-aircraft routes thin out, while the north stays open all year. January and February work in the south but are hot and green, with animals more spread out. If you can only travel in the rains, the northern half on its own is the better plan.

Jan
Hot, green, quiet
Feb
Hot, some rain
Mar
Rains building
Apr
Long rains, many camps shut
May
Camps reopening
Jun
Dry season begins
Jul
Dry, cool nights
Aug
Dry, animals at water
Sep
Dry, hot
Oct
Hottest, best game
Nov
Short rains
Dec
Green, quiet
Three bars — the route at its bestTwo — good, with trade-offsOne — possible, and quiet
IXFlights & extras

Getting there.

Arrive

Kilimanjaro International (JRO)

About an hour by road from Arusha, and the airport most long-haul connections use. Land any time on day one — the first night exists to absorb late arrivals.

Between

Arusha → Ruaha → Nyerere → Dar es Salaam

Scheduled light aircraft for all three legs. They often stop at other airstrips on the way, so flying time varies. Soft bags only, with a weight limit — ask us for the current figure.

Depart

Julius Nyerere International, Dar es Salaam (DAR)

The light aircraft from Nyerere lands in Dar around the middle of the day. Leave a few hours before an international departure; the schedules are not guaranteed to the minute.

What else to budget.

Not part of the safari price, in order of how much they matter.

  • Tanzanian visaApply online before travel
    Current fee
  • Travel insuranceMust cover medical evacuation
    Typical cost
  • TipsGuide and camp staff, per day
    Guideline
  • DrinksAt lodges and camps
    Typical range
  • Personal spendingLaundry, crafts, extras
    Varies
XWhy book with us

Only what we can prove.

01

Arusha, since 2010

A Tanzanian company, locally owned, running safaris and climbs from Arusha for more than fifteen years.

02

Licensed and registered

TALA-licensed through the Tanzania Tourist Board and registered with BRELA. Ask us for the numbers; we will send them.

03

Your guide in the north, the camps’ in the south

In the north one guide and one vehicle are yours alone for six days. In Ruaha and Nyerere you are guided by each camp’s own guides, who know their stretch of the park better than anyone.

04

Every fee on its own line

Park, conservation and concession fees are shown separately on your quote, so you can see exactly what goes to the authorities.

XIQuestions

The ones we are asked most.

The north has the famous places and the most animals in plain sight. The south has far fewer vehicles, walking and boat safaris, and a wilder feel. Together they show two different Tanzanias.

In the north, yes. In Ruaha and Nyerere you are guided by each camp’s own guides, who know their area. Your northern guide leaves you at the airport on day seven.

Soft bags only, with a weight limit per person. Ask us for the current figure; we can arrange to hold extra luggage.

The north, yes. In the south many camps close in the long rains, so this plan is not one we would run then.

Not reliably. In June to October the herds are usually in the western or far northern Serengeti; the river variation moves the plan to meet them.

Yes. Zanzibar or Mafia are both short flights from the south or from Dar. See the options above.

Begin here

Send us your dates. We will send you the real version.

Named camps, the right direction of travel for your month, every fee on its own line — and a straight answer if another plan would suit you better.

Rather talk it through?WhatsApp us+255 762 914 714
Safari request Grand Tanzania, North and South 12 days · 11 nights · private, then fly-in
01When, and what for?
How fixed are the dates?
What do you want from it? Pick any
02Who’s coming?
Travelling as
03How you like it
Style of camp

Not a commitment. It lets us send something realistic instead of something you have to reject.

04Where to reach you
We need a name to write back to.
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