Safari Kifaru
JRO -> Tarangire -> Lake Natron -> Lake Manyara -> Serengeti -> Karatu -> Ngorongoro

Safari Kifaru

Tarangire, Natron, Serengeti, and Ngorongoro on one longer northern loop

10 Days / 10 Nights

Safari Overview

Safari Kifaru is an extended Northern Circuit itinerary for travelers who want more than a quick park loop. It combines Tarangire's elephant country, the stark mineral landscapes of Lake Natron, a Lake Manyara stop in the highlands, three nights tied to the Serengeti, and a final Ngorongoro Crater descent, with flexible lodge and camp upgrades throughout.

Stay style

Lodge and tented-camp mix across Tarangire, Natron, Serengeti, and Karatu

Meals

Mainly full board, with inclusions varying slightly by selected property

Vehicle

Private 4x4 safari vehicle with pop-up roof and English-speaking driver-guide

Route focus

Tarangire, Natron, Manyara, Central Serengeti, and Ngorongoro Crater

Safari Highlights

  • Two nights in Tarangire with a full day of game drives among elephants and baobabs
  • Two nights around Lake Natron with walking and cultural activity options
  • Lake Manyara game drive before continuing into the highlands
  • Three safari days tied to Serengeti with room for slower wildlife viewing
  • Ngorongoro highland reset before a crater-floor finale
  • A broad range of standard and upgraded lodge or camp alternates at key overnights
  • Private 4x4 safari vehicle, guide, park access, and core safari logistics included

Day-by-Day Itinerary

Day01

Day 01

Into Tarangire

Tarangire National Park

Arrive in northern Tanzania and head straight into Tarangire country. The first day is about settling into safari rhythm with lunch, a softer afternoon, and a first night close to one of the north's strongest elephant landscapes.

Tarangire National Park

Tarangire National Park sits in Tanzania's Manyara Region and is known for granite ridges, river valleys, mixed vegetation, and one of the country's strongest dry-season wildlife concentrations. The Tarangire River draws elephants, wildebeest, zebra, buffalo, impala, gazelle, hartebeest, and eland, while lions are regularly seen and dry-country antelope such as oryx and gerenuk are a special draw.

Flow of the day

  • Transfer from JRO to Tarangire National Park in time for lunch.
  • Keep the afternoon at leisure and settle into the safari pace.
  • Dinner and overnight at the lodge.

Overnight

Tarangire Simba Lodge

Camp preview

Tarangire Simba Lodge

Selected overnight stay

Tarangire Simba Lodge sits near Sangaiwe Gate with views toward Lake Burunge and access to both the national park and a surrounding wildlife management area. The lodge combines a restaurant, pool, sundeck, and elevated wildlife-viewing platform with classic tented safari accommodation.

Accommodation is in spacious classic canvas safari tents on raised wooden platforms with en-suite facilities, dressing area, outdoor shower, private veranda, handcrafted hardwood furnishings, and solar-powered electricity and hot water.

Alternate stays

Nyikani Tarangire Camp

Nyikani Tarangire Camp

A permanent camp inside Tarangire with a more intimate feel, termite-mound-inspired design, Swahili cuisine, and strong access to the river, swamp, and less crowded wildlife areas.

Mbali Mbali Tarangire River Camp

Mbali Mbali Tarangire River Camp

A river-facing camp near the main entrance with elevated dining and lounge decks, a bonfire area, and a good position for easy park access and wildlife viewing.

Tarangire Kuro Treetops Lodge

Tarangire Kuro Treetops Lodge

A more luxurious in-park lodge set on an elevated kopje with wide views over the Tarangire River, Silale Valley, and Silale Swamp.

Board basis

Selected stay basis with standard Tarangire options generally operating on full board.

Included with selected stay

  • Tarangire Simba Lodge: full board, tea, coffee, and bottled water in the room.
  • Nyikani Tarangire Camp: full board accommodation with tea, coffee, and drinking water during meals.
  • Mbali Mbali Tarangire River Camp: meals of the day, local beers, selected spirits and house wines, soft drinks, water, and laundry.
Day02

Day 02

Full day in Tarangire

Tarangire National Park

Spend the full day inside Tarangire National Park. This is the safari portion of the trip settling into itself properly: long game drives, picnic lunch, and time to follow elephant herds, baobab-studded landscapes, and predator movement without rushing onward.

Flow of the day

  • Full day game drive in Tarangire with picnic lunch.
  • Stay flexible with wildlife sightings across the river and open country.
  • Dinner and overnight back at the lodge.

Overnight

Tarangire Simba Lodge

Lodge preview

Tarangire Simba Lodge

Selected overnight stay

A second night here keeps the opening of the safari comfortable and unhurried, with time to enjoy both the park and the lodge setting.

Alternate stays

Nyikani Tarangire Camp

Nyikani Tarangire Camp

A strong in-park option for guests who want to remain deeper in Tarangire between drives.

Mbali Mbali Tarangire River Camp

Mbali Mbali Tarangire River Camp

An easy-access camp close to the park entrance with a sociable deck and river outlook.

Stay preview

Lemala Mpingo Ridge

Selected overnight stay

Lemala Mpingo Ridge

A higher-end ridge-top stay for travelers who want a more polished Tarangire finish with elevated views and upgraded comfort.

Board basis

Selected stay basis with standard Tarangire options generally operating on full board.

Included with selected stay

  • Tarangire Simba Lodge: full board, tea, coffee, and bottled water in the room.
  • Nyikani Tarangire Camp: full board accommodation with tea, coffee, and drinking water during meals.
  • Mbali Mbali Tarangire River Camp: meals of the day, local beers, selected spirits and house wines, soft drinks, water, and laundry.
  • Lemala Mpingo Ridge: full board accommodation, house wines and spirits, local beers, soft drinks, juices, water, and laundry.
Day03

Day 03

Road to Lake Natron

Lake Natron

Leave Tarangire after breakfast and drive north into a much harsher, more dramatic landscape. By the time you reach Lake Natron, the route has shifted from classic park scenery into volcanic heat, red-toned water, and a more remote camp atmosphere.

Lake Natron

Lake Natron is a shallow, mineral-rich lake in northern Tanzania fed by hot springs and shaped by intense evaporation, high alkalinity, and volcanic chemistry. Its red and orange tones, harsh beauty, and extreme environment make it East Africa's most important breeding ground for lesser flamingos and one of the region's most visually arresting landscapes.

Flow of the day

  • After breakfast, drive to Lake Natron for lunch at camp.
  • Head out after lunch for a Lake Natron walk.
  • Dinner and overnight at camp.

Overnight

Lake Natron Halisi Camp

Lake Natron Halisi Camp

Lake Natron Halisi Camp sits on a private concession south of the lake near Engaresero village, with wide views toward Oldoinyo Lengai and the Rift escarpment. The camp is designed to stay light on the land while still giving guests a comfortable tented base in a dramatic bush setting.

The camp offers spacious en-suite tents with king-size beds, solar lighting, private verandas, and separate lounge, dining, and bar tents, balancing comfort with a low-footprint wilderness feel.

Alternate stays

Lake Natron Camp

Lake Natron Camp

A luxury tented camp on the lake edge, well placed for flamingo country, hominid footprints, and several walking and expedition routes in the Rift Valley.

Board basis

Selected stay basis with standard Natron options usually operating on full board.

Included with selected stay

  • Lake Natron Halisi Camp: full board accommodation with breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
  • Lake Natron Summit option: all meals, house wine, beers, and soft drinks within the house allocation, plus a private Maasai guide.
Day04

Day 04

Full day activities in Natron

Lake Natron

Use the day to explore Lake Natron in more depth. The emphasis here is less about classic game-drive rhythm and more about terrain, walking, culture, and the sense of being in one of the north's most unusual environments.

Flow of the day

  • Spend a full day in the Lake Natron area.
  • Focus on activities such as the waterfall walk and a cultural walk.
  • Return to camp for dinner and overnight.

Overnight

Lake Natron Halisi Camp

Lake Natron Halisi Camp

A second night at Natron allows the stay to breathe, giving you time to experience the camp setting and the wider landscape properly rather than touching it only in transit.

Alternate stays

Lake Natron Camp

Lake Natron Camp

An upgraded tented option for travelers who want a more elevated Natron stay while keeping the same dramatic setting.

Board basis

Selected stay basis with standard Natron options usually operating on full board.

Included with selected stay

  • Lake Natron Halisi Camp: full board accommodation with breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
  • Lake Natron Summit option: all meals, house wine, beers, and soft drinks within the house allocation, plus a private Maasai guide.
Day05

Day 05

Lake Manyara en route to Karatu

Lake Manyara and Karatu

Drive back into greener country and stop for Lake Manyara before settling in Karatu. The day bridges Natron's exposed volcanic mood with the softer forest-and-highlands atmosphere around Ngorongoro and Manyara.

Lake Manyara and Karatu

Karatu sits in the fertile northern highlands on the road between Lake Manyara, Ngorongoro, and Serengeti. It works well as a safari base because it combines cooler air, coffee-country scenery, and easy access to the surrounding parks, while Lake Manyara adds groundwater forest, escarpment drama, birdlife, and the possibility of seeing elephants and the park's famous tree-climbing lions.

Flow of the day

  • Drive to Lake Manyara with picnic lunch.
  • Enjoy a game drive in the park.
  • Continue later to the lodge for dinner and overnight.

Overnight

Karatu Simba Lodge

Karatu Simba Lodge

Karatu Simba Lodge is set close to the Ngorongoro Forest in a rural setting of fields, forest edge, and quiet campfire evenings. The lodge offers cottage and rondavel-style accommodation, common-area Wi-Fi, a pool, and an easy base for both Manyara and Ngorongoro access.

Individual twin, double, or triple cottages combine canvas walls with solid bathrooms, handmade hardwood furniture, private decks, and a pastoral setting where baboons, bush babies, nightjars, and sometimes hyena are part of the atmosphere.

Alternate stays

Escarpment Luxury Lodge

Escarpment Luxury Lodge

A more elevated Manyara-area stay integrated into the bush with private chalets, private decks, and broad views over Lake Manyara and the Rift Valley.

Lake Manyara Serena Safari Lodge

Lake Manyara Serena Safari Lodge

A classic in-park lodge with rondavel-style rooms, dramatic escarpment views, strong birdlife access, and easy pairing with Manyara game drives.

Lake Manyara Kilimamoja Lodge

Lake Manyara Kilimamoja Lodge

A polished lodge on the Rift Valley rim with wide views toward Lake Manyara, Mount Meru, and Mount Kilimanjaro on clear days.

Board basis

Selected stay basis with the standard Karatu option generally on full board.

Included with selected stay

  • Karatu Simba Lodge: full board, tea, coffee, and bottled water in the room.
  • Escarpment Luxury Lodge: accommodation with breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
  • Lake Manyara Serena Safari Lodge: full board with breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
  • Lake Manyara Kilimamoja Lodge: full board with breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
Day06

Day 06

Drive into Serengeti

Ikoma and Central Serengeti

After breakfast, continue west toward Serengeti. The road itself becomes part of the experience as the landscape opens wider, the safari scale grows, and the trip turns from mixed landscapes into one of Africa's classic wildlife plains.

Ikoma and Central Serengeti

Ikoma lies to the east of Serengeti and works as a gateway area for broader exploration of the Serengeti ecosystem, the Ndutu zone, Olduvai, and nearby Maasai country. Once you are inside the park and central plains, the scale shifts toward open grassland, kopjes, predator country, and the year-round game density that makes Serengeti the best-known safari destination in Tanzania.

Flow of the day

  • After breakfast, drive to Serengeti for lunch or with packed lunch en route.
  • Head out for an afternoon game drive in the park.
  • Dinner and overnight at the lodge or camp.

Overnight

Serengeti Simba Lodge

Lodge preview

Serengeti Simba Lodge

Selected overnight stay

Serengeti Simba Lodge is set on a hill with long views across the plains and a position that works well for wildlife-focused days in the park. Rooms have en-suite bathrooms, private decks, and solar-powered amenities, while the lodge itself offers dining, a pool, and a classic safari-lodge rhythm.

Alternate stays

Nyikani Central Serengeti Camp

Nyikani Central Serengeti Camp

A permanent Central Serengeti camp at Banagi Hill, close to Seronera, built for year-round wildlife access in one of the park's strongest safari zones.

Serengeti Serena Safari Lodge

Serengeti Serena Safari Lodge

A ridge-top lodge of stone-built, thatched rondavels with broad plain views, a pool, and a strong sense of classic East African safari architecture.

Ole Serai Luxury Camp Turner Springs

Ole Serai Luxury Camp Turner Springs

A more secluded luxury tented option near Seronera, surrounded by water catchments and acacia trees in a productive game-viewing setting.

Board basis

Selected stay basis tailored around your chosen Serengeti lodge or camp.

Day07

Day 07

Full day dedicated to Serengeti

Serengeti National Park

Keep the day fully for Serengeti. This is the kind of safari day where pacing matters: long wildlife sessions, the freedom to follow sightings, and the space to enjoy the park as a full landscape rather than a rushed checklist.

Flow of the day

  • Enjoy a full day dedicated to exploring Serengeti National Park.
  • Take picnic lunch during the game drive or return for lunch according to your preference.
  • Dinner and overnight at the lodge.

Overnight

Serengeti Simba Lodge

Lodge preview

Serengeti Simba Lodge

Selected overnight stay

A second Serengeti night lets the park feel substantial and gives you a stable base between long game drives.

Alternate stays

Nyikani Central Serengeti Camp

Nyikani Central Serengeti Camp

A strong in-park tented option for travelers who want a more camp-forward Serengeti atmosphere.

Serengeti Serena Safari Lodge

Serengeti Serena Safari Lodge

A classic lodge choice for guests who prefer a larger property with broad views and substantial facilities.

Ole Serai Luxury Camp Turner Springs

Ole Serai Luxury Camp Turner Springs

An upgrade for travelers who want a more luxurious and secluded Serengeti stay.

Board basis

Selected stay basis tailored around your chosen Serengeti lodge or camp.

Day08

Day 08

Another full Serengeti safari day

Serengeti National Park

A third Serengeti night keeps the route intentionally generous. You have room to revisit productive areas, stay with sightings longer, and let current animal movement shape the day instead of the transfer schedule.

Flow of the day

  • Full day game drives with picnic lunch.
  • Stay flexible with wildlife movement and sightings across the plains.
  • Return to the lodge for overnight.

Overnight

Serengeti Simba Lodge

Lodge preview

Serengeti Simba Lodge

Selected overnight stay

This final Serengeti night rounds out a deeper stay in the park before the route swings back toward the crater highlands.

Alternate stays

Nyikani Central Serengeti Camp

Nyikani Central Serengeti Camp

A solid tented-camp alternative for guests who prefer a more intimate bush setting.

Serengeti Serena Safari Lodge

Serengeti Serena Safari Lodge

A long-established lodge option for travelers who want a more classic resort-style Serengeti base.

Ole Serai Luxury Camp Turner Springs

Ole Serai Luxury Camp Turner Springs

A more upscale finish for the Serengeti portion with easy access to central wildlife areas.

Board basis

Selected stay basis tailored around your chosen Serengeti lodge or camp.

Day09

Day 09

Back to the highlands

Karatu and Ngorongoro Highlands

Leave Serengeti and return toward Karatu and Ngorongoro. After the scale and intensity of the plains, the highlands reset the pace with lunch, lighter activity, and the option of a crater-rim walk before the final game-viewing day.

Karatu and Ngorongoro Highlands

The Ngorongoro highlands form one of the most atmospheric transitions on the Northern Circuit, where open plains give way to cooler air, crater views, montane forest, and lodge settings that work well before or after a crater descent. Karatu remains the practical and comfortable base on this side of the route.

Flow of the day

  • Drive toward Ngorongoro for lunch at the lodge.
  • Keep the afternoon at leisure.
  • Optional crater-rim walk is possible, with additional park fee if done from Karatu Simba.

Overnight

Karatu Simba Lodge

Karatu Simba Lodge

Back at the forest edge, Karatu Simba provides a softer, more pastoral overnight after the long Serengeti section and before tomorrow's crater descent.

Private decks, simple hardwood furnishings, solid attached bathrooms, and a quiet rural setting make this a dependable highlands base.

Alternate stays

Acacia Farm Lodge

Acacia Farm Lodge

A romantic country lodge on a working farm high on the escarpment, known for panoramic views, mature trees, birdlife, and a quieter, more refined mood.

Ngorongoro Serena Safari Lodge

Ngorongoro Serena Safari Lodge

A dramatic crater-rim lodge built into the landscape with rock-lined balconies and uninterrupted views into Ngorongoro.

Ngorongoro Oldeani Mountain Lodge

Ngorongoro Oldeani Mountain Lodge

A five-star colonial-style lodge on a hilltop with expansive views toward Oldeani, Ngorongoro, Lake Eyasi, and Lake Manyara.

Board basis

Selected stay basis with the standard Karatu option generally on full board.

Included with selected stay

  • Karatu Simba Lodge: full board, tea, coffee, and bottled water in the room.
  • Acacia Farm Lodge: accommodation, full board, butterfly and bird walk, coffee farm tour, and bike ride in the lodge area.
  • Ngorongoro Serena Safari Lodge: full board with breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
Day10

Day 10

Ngorongoro Crater finale

Ngorongoro Crater

Finish the safari with a full day on the crater floor. It is a classic ending: dense wildlife, dramatic scenery, picnic lunch in the conservation area, and a late return to the lodge after one of East Africa's most complete game-viewing days.

Ngorongoro Crater

Ngorongoro Crater is the world's largest intact volcanic caldera and one of Africa's richest natural wildlife arenas. Its floor holds grassland, wetlands, woodland, and soda lake habitats in one contained landscape, giving visitors an unusually strong chance of seeing a dense concentration of plains game, predators, hippos, flamingos, and often the Big Five in a single day.

Flow of the day

  • Descend into the crater for a full day game drive.
  • Take picnic lunch at the Ngorongoro Crater picnic site.
  • Return late afternoon to the lodge.

Overnight

Karatu Simba Lodge

Karatu Simba Lodge

The standard routing returns to Karatu Simba after the crater day, giving the itinerary a calm finish in the highlands.

Alternate stays

Acacia Farm Lodge

Acacia Farm Lodge

A more polished highlands finish for guests who prefer a quieter country-lodge setting.

Ngorongoro Serena Safari Lodge

Ngorongoro Serena Safari Lodge

A crater-rim alternative for travelers who want to stay closer to the conservation area.

Camp preview

Lemala Ngorongoro

Selected overnight stay

Lemala Ngorongoro

A higher-end tented option with strong crater access and selected beverages included on its full-board plan.

Board basis

Selected stay basis with meals and lodge inclusions varying by the chosen final property.

Included with selected stay

  • Karatu Simba Lodge: full board, tea, coffee, and bottled water in the room.
  • Acacia Farm Lodge: accommodation, full board, butterfly and bird walk, coffee farm tour, and bike ride in the lodge area.
  • Ngorongoro Serena Safari Lodge: full board with breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
  • Lemala Ngorongoro: three meals, selected house wines and spirits, local beers, soft drinks, juices, water, and concession fee.

Plan This Safari

What's Included

What's Included

  • Transportation in a 4x4 safari vehicle with pop-up roof for easy game viewing and photography
  • Services of an English-speaking driver-guide
  • Game drives and park entrance fees as indicated in the itinerary
  • All government taxes and levies
  • Meet and greet services
  • 24-hour standby contact number
  • Meals as indicated in the itinerary
  • Two-way long-range high-frequency radio communication in each vehicle
  • Two bottles of water per person per day during game drives
  • Safari accessories in each vehicle including first-aid kit, wildlife books, cool box, and fire extinguisher
  • VAT and concession fee

Not Included

  • Items of a personal nature such as telephone, fax, email, and incidental bills
  • Gratuities and tips for hotel, lodge, camp, and driver-guide staff
  • Alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks unless specifically listed under a selected property plan
  • Any local or international flights, departure taxes, and other flight-related taxes
  • Laundry services
  • Local flights if required by the final program
  • Any new concession or park fees introduced without prior notice
  • Any other item not specifically listed in the itinerary inclusions
  • Visa fees
  • Optional Flying Doctors coverage at 50 USD per person

Frequently Asked Questions

Most shorter routes focus only on the classic park trio or quartet. Safari Kifaru stretches the experience so you do not have to choose between Tarangire, Natron, Serengeti, and Ngorongoro. It suits travelers who want both iconic wildlife areas and a more unusual landscape section around Lake Natron.

Yes, Natron is hotter, drier, and more exposed than Karatu or Serengeti lodge sections, but that contrast is part of the route's appeal. The itinerary balances it with more comfortable lodge nights before and after, and the activity level can be adjusted around the walking elements.

No. The itinerary is built with alternates at most major stops, so it can stay relatively grounded or move upward into more premium lodge and tented-camp options. Final pricing depends heavily on which properties are chosen for your dates.

A trip at this length is affected significantly by season, room category, the exact mix of lodges or camps, and the private group size. Quoting it around your actual travel dates is more accurate than publishing a number that would often mislead travelers.

It can be, but it is a longer and more varied route than a quick classic circuit. Families with very young children or travelers who prefer fewer road days may want a shorter version, while older travelers who enjoy longer trips usually do well if the camp and activity level are tailored properly.

Not by default. Drinks are only included where a selected property specifically lists them, flights are quoted separately if needed, and optional extras such as a crater-rim walk can bring additional park-related charges depending on how the route is finalized.