Classic Tanzania Safaris
The classic northern circuit is the route most first-time visitors picture when they imagine a Tanzania safari — Tarangire, Lake Manyara, the Serengeti and the Ngorongoro Crater, linked by manageable drives and served by reliable lodges and camps. This collection covers our private safaris along that circuit, from a compact few days to ten unhurried ones, in Classic, Mid-Luxury and Luxury comfort. Tarangire opens with big elephant herds among baobabs; Lake Manyara adds groundwater forest and tree-climbing lions; the central Serengeti holds resident lion, leopard and cheetah year-round, independent of the migration; and the Ngorongoro Crater delivers one of the densest single days of game viewing anywhere in Africa, black rhino included. Every trip is private — your own vehicle and guide — and paced so that no day is a marathon of driving. It's the template we build most first Tanzania safaris around, and it pairs naturally with a Zanzibar beach extension.
Who it's for
First-time and returning visitors who want Tanzania's iconic northern parks — Tarangire, Lake Manyara, the Serengeti and the Ngorongoro Crater — covered properly on a private, well-paced safari.
Fitness: Easy — vehicle-based game drives with short walks around the lodges; suitable for all ages.
Highlights
Good to know
Classic Tanzania Safaris: your questions, answered
What does a private Tanzania safari cost?
It depends mainly on the season, the number of days and the lodges you choose. Our private northern-circuit itineraries start from about US$3,100 per person for five days in Classic comfort, and rise with Mid-Luxury and Luxury camps. Park and conservation fees are set by the government and make up a significant share of every safari, and they are included in our prices. Every itinerary page shows a starting price per person, and we quote exactly for your dates.
Is every Emnel safari private?
Yes. You have your own vehicle and your own guide for the whole safari, and the daily pace, start times and stops are set around you, never around a group.
Who will our guide be?
One of Emnel's own guides. The team that plans your safari is the team that runs it. About two weeks before you arrive, we send your trip companion, with your guide's details and everything else you need for the journey.
When is the best time to go on safari in Tanzania?
Tanzania offers excellent game viewing all year. June to October is the classic dry season, with easy game viewing and the migration in the north. January to March brings the calving season in the southern Serengeti. The long rains of April and May are quieter and greener, and some camps close. We will recommend the best timing and route for what you most want to see.
How does booking work?
Tell us your dates and ideas, and we will design an itinerary and send a detailed proposal. To confirm, we ask for a 30% deposit plus any domestic flights, which are issued on confirmation. You then receive your official confirmation, and about two weeks before you travel, your trip companion with every final detail.
Can we add Zanzibar to our safari?
Yes. A short flight from the Serengeti or Arusha takes you to Zanzibar's beaches. We recommend at least one night in Stone Town alongside your beach stay.