9 Day All Asilia - Northern Tanzania Circuit
Countries: Tanzania
Destinations: Arusha , Tarangire National Park , Ngorongoro Crater , Serengeti National Park
Group Size: 2
Duration (days): 9
Number of Adults: 2
Number of Children: 0
This 9-day safari package includes complimentary flights and road transfers, making it easy to enjoy the pristine landscapes to your heart’s content. Start your journey upon your arrival in Arusha, in the foothills of Mount Kilimanjaro, Africa’s highest mountain. After a restful night’s sleep, your private guide will take you to Tarangire National Park, where you will drive through the baobab forests and base yourself from Oliver’s Camp, in the heart of the national park.
Next, head to the world-renowned Ngorongoro Conservation Area, where you can stay at Asilia Africa’s award-winning boutique Highlands Camp, perched on the edge of Olmoti volcano’s forest. From here, explore the Ngorongoro Crater, seeking out rhino, lion, buffalo and more on the floor of this dormant volcano.
Finally, fly to the luxurious Sayari Camp in the northern Serengeti, surrounded by wildlife on the serene grassy savannah plains. In season, bear witness to the Great Migration of two million wildebeest, zebra and gazelle roaming past the camp. Experience the best of Tanzania’s wildlife and culture with Asilia’s all-inclusive safari package, showcasing the best of the northern circuit.
Itinerary Outline
| Day | Location | Accommodation |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Arusha | Elewana Arusha Coffee Lodge |
| 2 | Tarangire National Park | Oliver's Camp |
| 3 | Tarangire National Park | Oliver's Camp |
| 4 | Ngorongoro Crater | The Highlands |
| 5 | Ngorongoro Crater | The Highlands |
| 6 | Serengeti National Park | Sayari Camp |
| 7 | Serengeti National Park | Sayari Camp |
| 8 | Serengeti National Park | Sayari Camp |
| 9 | Day of Departure |
Day 1 : Arusha
After a warm welcome at the airport, you will be taken to The Arusha Coffee Lodge. Relax after your long flight and have a good night’s sleep. If time permits, you can tour the colourful town of Arusha to get a flavour of Tanzanian life and culture.
Tanzania
A land full of icons, with the names Serengeti, Kilimanjaro, Ngorongoro and Zanzibar immediately evoking images of exotic locations and abundant wildlife. A Tanzanian safari is an experience for all of the senses, and caters for every kind of traveller.
Tanzania is a country which was seemingly designed with the word "safari" in mind. There are enough national parks and different safari activities to keep travellers coming back year on year, with the added benefit of easily combining beautiful tropical beaches with the wildlife rich plains.
A Tanzanian safari is a journey in the true sense of the word, with each itinerary feeling like an exploration out into the wilderness. Moving from park to park, either by road or air, the countryside offers something new at each stop.
The plains of the Serengeti have become synonomous with an African safari, and by visiting the right areas and camps, you will be able to see the legendary wildebeest migration as it moves across the grasslands in constant search of fresh grazing and water.
To the south of the country are the remote reserves of Selous and Ruaha, while in the west you can trek into the mountains to witness chimpanzees along the shores of the mystical Lake Tanganyika.
Arusha
Situated below Mount Meru on the eastern edge of the eastern branch of the Great Rift Valley, the city is the country’s safari capital located close to some of Africa's most famous landscapes and national parks, which are Ngorongoro Crater, Lake Manyara, Olduvai Gorge, Tarangire, Serengeti National Park, the Ngorongoro Conservation Area (NCA) as well as Mt Kilimanjaro - Africa’s highest mountain.
Elewana Arusha Coffee Lodge
Lying on the gently rolling foothills that cascade down from the ever-present Mount Meru is the bustling and vibrant town of Arusha. It is here on the outskirts of this town, hidden amongst one of Tanzania’s largest coffee plantations, that you will find Arusha Coffee Lodge, a perfect haven for relaxation either before or after any East African safari.
Comprising of 30 Plantation Houses that radiate out into the evergreen coffee fields, Arusha Coffee Lodge has been designed around the original landowner’s home that dates back to the early 1900’s.
The theme of coffee permeates throughout Arusha Coffee Lodge, reflecting in the colours and textures of the delightfully comfortable accommodations with beautifully appointed en suite bathrooms.
The homely feel of the Lodge is by no means accidental as the origins of the homestead continue to emit glimpses of times-gone-by. The friendly and personable staff help create an ambiance that continues to draw appreciation from all those who visit and stay.
Within the main Plantation House reside an ‘a la carte’ restaurant, an intimate cafe bistro and a cozy lounge, all of which have inviting open log fires to warm you from the cool night air.
With an enclosed, intimate swimming pool, a popular garden terrace, and acres of lush coffee plantation, Arusha Coffee Lodge encourages exploration and discovery at every turn.
From the industrious coffee pickers gathering in the harvest to the aromas of the morning brew emanating from the main Plantation House as breakfast is being prepared, Arusha Coffee Lodge is full of sensory experiences that revitalizes the body and soul for the adventures and excitement that lie ahead.
Day 2 - 3 : Tarangire National Park
After a leisurely breakfast, you will begin your journey with your guide to Tarangire National Park. You will drive southwest, through rural Tanzania, until you reach the park gate, where your game drive begins, exploring the riches of the park until you arrive at Oliver’s Camp. From here you can explore the colossal baobabs, grassy plains and vast herds of elephant among the unique landscapes of Tarangire National Park. There are also large herds of buffalo, and healthy populations of lion and leopard.
Tarangire National Park
In the past, Tarangire National Park was often overlooked by visitors to Tanzania, however it is now holding its own as one of the best dry season parks in the region.
During the dry months of July through to October, an enormous amount of wildlife is drawn inside Tarangire to access the water from the Tarangire River and the Silale Swamps, allowing for very rewarding game viewing experiences.
The park is home to some of the largest elephant herds of East Africa, and the scenery is particularly popular for the wide open, Serengeti-like plains, decorated with enormous and commanding Baobab trees.
Being only an hour and a half's drive from Arusha, Tarangire is easily accessible, and a great option to start or finish a road safari.
Oliver's Camp
Oliver’s Camp, located in Tarangire National Park, is a place for those who want to experience an adventurous safari with ample comforts.
Join our knowledgeable guides for a walking safari, soar over the plains in a hot-air balloon or examine leopard tracks along a dusty road. At Oliver’s, you can get to know the landscape from all angles.
Our 15-tent camp is relaxed and comfy, imitating the original safari camps. The team at Oliver’s have worked together for years, creating a warm and welcoming atmosphere. Small groups may want to consider booking out a 5-tent area of the camp offset about a kilometer away from the main area and which can be operated as an exclusive use option.
Day 4 - 5 : Ngorongoro Crater
After a delicious breakfast surrounded by the early morning sounds of the bush, you will game drive out of the park and onward to The Highlands Camp in the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. Here, you’ll find eight unique geodesic domed suites with breathtaking views of distant volcanic mountains.
Venture out on a game drive into the Ngorongoro Crater, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, in a comfortable seven-seater vehicle with pop-up rooftops, onboard power points, and fridges. You can also hike to Olmoti and Empakaai Craters or visit a nearby Maasai village where you can join herders as they return their cattle to their boma for the night.
Ngorongoro Crater
A unique and fascinating game viewing destination in Africa, the Ngorongoro Crater is a must-see on any Tanzania safari.
Being the world's largest intact caldera, and the result of a collapsed volcano thousands of years ago, the 260 square kilometres of crater floor hosts up to 25 000 animals at all times of year. This makes it one of the most dense wildlife areas in Africa, and allows for many memorable sightings.
Driving down the steep walls of the Crater early in the morning is an experience in itself, and you can always sense the excitement of heading deep into one of the world's natural wonders.
With lodges perched directly on the rim, hundreds of metres above the Crater floor, Ngorongoro accommodation provides you with some of the most incredible views, and the location will surely be a highlight of your holiday.
While being criticised at times for the number of vehicles on drives along the Crater floor, it is necessary to expect that tourist numbers here will be quite high, and be prepared to share this phenomenon with other travellers. Once your mind is not concerned with other vehicles, you can enjoy the Ngorongoro Crater for what it is; one of the world's truly remarkable wildlife areas.
The Highlands
The Highlands has redefined the Ngorongoro Crater experience, offering an array of activities afforded by the camp’s exclusive location and a combination of comfort and contemporary style.
The award-winning camp with its eight domed canvas and glass suites is situated on the edge of a forest that skirts Olmoti Volcano. The surrounding Ngorongoro Conservation Area (NCA) is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The camp feels remote, but is within easy reach of Ngorongoro, where guests can go on day-long game drives to spot lions, elephants and giraffes, with a midday picnic break under a shady tree. From camp, hike up to the top of Olmoti for staggering views, or take a half-day trip to the soda lake in Empakaai Crater, where thousands of pink flamingos congregate. Guests can also interact with the local community, learning about Maasai culture and walk the cattle back to the boma at the end of the day.
At night, gather around a crackling fire with a glass of wine or whiskey before sitting down to a delicious three-course dinner.
Day 6 - 8 : Serengeti National Park
Depart this morning for the airstrip, three hours’ drive away, before catching your light aircraft flight to the northern Serengeti. Here, meet your guide from the award-winning Sayari Camp which offers a unique opportunity to experience the Great Migration in certain months. The camp is in a prime location from where you can witness thousands of wildebeests leaping and splashing across the crocodile-infested Mara River, as well as explore further afield to seek out the abundant resident wildlife.
Serengeti National Park
The word "Siringit" means "endless plains," and this is understandably from where the Serengeti National Park takes its name. The iconic, endless, golden plains of Africa are nowhere more evident than within this national park, as they stretch off into eternity, dotted throughout with thousands of animals.
Located in the north-west corner of Tanzania, alongside Lake Victoria, the Serengeti has earned its place as one of the world's most famous wildlife areas. While best known for the enormous herds of the wildebeest migration, there is far more to the Serengeti than this, and the national park can be enjoyed even when you are not in the vicinity of this spectacle.
The national park itself is roughly 14 500 square kilometres, but it forms part of the greater Serengeti eco-system, which comprises the neighbouring Ngorongoro Conservation Area, and the bordering Masai Mara, in Kenya, with the country boundary between Kenya and Tanzania seperating the two.
The Serengeti can be accessed on a road safari, usually in combination with the Ngorongoro Crater, or there are regular daily flights into the park from Arusha.
Sayari Camp
The award-winning Sayari camp is based in the north of Serengeti National Park, with a prime location to witness thousands of wildebeest crash across the Mara River as part of their Great Migration.
Besides the herds, there’s a healthy population of predators, including lions and leopards. When the European migrant birds arrive, the number of bird species swells to 500, many of which can be spotted on game drives or walking safaris.
Overlooking the golden plains, our 15 bright and spacious suites have walk-in showers, al fresco tubs and verandas on which you can laze away the afternoon with a book. Sayari’s rim-flow pool is set between natural rock formations for guests to cool off in while watching elephants or zebras ambling past camp. After a dip, treat yourself to a calming massage or a beer at the Serengeti’s first solar-powered microbrewery before an afternoon game drive and sundowners around the campfire.
Regularly voted as one of the top safari escapes, Sayari offers a superior guiding experience in this beautiful wildlife region. The camp’s latest upgrade includes a plush library and information centre which incorporates a rich cultural focus on the colourful Kuria tribe who call the northern Serengeti home. Further additions include the striking Asilia Spa offering an array of treatment options, and an innovative solar-powered micro-brewery, the first of its kind in the bush. The brewery will produce four unique beers for you to enjoy as well as producing a selection of soft drinks, purifying water, and producing sparkling water for you to enjoy as well.
Day 9 - Day of Departure
As you observe distant elephant, zebra, and wildebeest strolling past the camp, enjoy a final delicious breakfast before your guide takes you to the airstrip to catch your flight to Kilimanjaro.