This 10-day journey links four of Tanzania's premier parks — Tarangire, Lake Manyara, the Serengeti and the Ngorongoro Crater — entirely by private light aircraft, skipping the long road transfers of a traditional circuit. Families settle into exclusive tented camps at each stop, with a dedicated guide who stays with you throughout and hands-on conservation and tracking experiences built around younger travellers.
Each leg of the trip is short by air and unhurried on the ground, so more time is spent in the bush and less in transit. The result is a slower, richer safari that still covers the full breadth of the northern circuit — ideal for families who want depth over distance.
Light aircraft link every park, no long drives
Family suites at four distinct luxury camps
Hands-on experiences designed for kids
This fly-in circuit runs comfortably year-round since flights remove the constraint of long road transfers in the wet season. The dry season from June through October offers the easiest wildlife viewing and the clearest flying conditions. December through March brings the southern Serengeti calving season, while the quieter green season from November to May offers lower rates and lush scenery, with April–May bringing heavier rain.
Arrive at Kilimanjaro International Airport and transfer to a lodge near Arusha for the night. Meet your dedicated family guide over dinner and go through the flying schedule for the days ahead before an early departure the following morning.
A short light-aircraft flight brings you to Tarangire National Park, famous for its enormous elephant herds and ancient baobab trees. Land in time for lunch, then enjoy an afternoon game drive along the Tarangire River before checking in to your camp for a junior ranger orientation session with the resident naturalist.
A full day exploring Tarangire, with morning and afternoon game drives broken up by a relaxed lunch and pool time at camp. Kids join a hands-on animal-tracking session with the guide, learning to read footprints and dung along the riverbanks, before an evening campfire game talk.
A short transfer brings you to Lake Manyara National Park, known for its tree-climbing lions, forested groundwater trails, and flocks of flamingos along the lake shore. Enjoy a gentle game drive through varied habitats before an afternoon canoe safari on the lake, weather permitting, and a stroll through the local market.
A relaxed second morning around Lake Manyara, with an optional walk through the groundwater forest and a visit to a local conservation project where kids learn about habitat protection from a resident ranger. Afternoon at leisure by the pool ahead of tomorrow's flight to the Serengeti.
Fly directly into the heart of the Serengeti, skipping the long overland route through the highlands. Arrive at your tented camp in time for lunch, followed by an afternoon game drive across the endless plains before sunset.
A full day of game drives across the central Serengeti with morning and afternoon sessions, broken up by a relaxed lunch and pool time at camp. Your guide keeps the pace family-friendly, with plenty of stops to watch and photograph sightings at leisure, followed by an early dinner and stargazing under some of the darkest, clearest skies in Tanzania.
Transfer by road to a different part of the Serengeti, game viewing along the way, and check in to a luxury tented camp for an easier-paced afternoon after several early starts. A short late-afternoon game drive rounds out the day, followed by a relaxed dinner around the fire.
Depart the Serengeti and drive to the Ngorongoro Highlands, stopping en route for a guided visit to a local Maasai village and school — a highlight for families, with a warm welcome, a look at traditional homes, and a chance for kids to meet local children. Continue to your camp on the crater rim in time for dinner with sweeping views over the caldera.
Descend onto the floor of the Ngorongoro Crater for a morning game drive among one of Africa's densest concentrations of wildlife, with a picnic breakfast by the hippo pool. In the early afternoon, ascend back to the rim and drive to Arusha, arriving in time for onward or return flights from Kilimanjaro International Airport.
Prices are per person, based on double occupancy, for the complete 10-day fly-in luxury family safari, including all internal light-aircraft transfers. Child rates available on request.
| Season | Dates | Price (Per Person) | Single Supp. | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Low Season | Apr–May | $8,100 | $1,100 | Available |
| Shoulder | Mar, Jun, Nov | $9,200 | $1,300 | Available |
| Peak Season | Jul–Oct, Dec–Feb | $11,000 | $1,650 | Limited |
Price includes everything: a dedicated family guide, all internal light-aircraft transfers, exclusive tented camp accommodation, all meals, park and conservation fees, and crater descent fees. Family and connecting tents are available on request. No hidden costs.
| Day | Accommodation | Type | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Arusha Coffee Lodge | Boutique Lodge | ★★★★ |
| Days 2–5 | Ngare Mto wa Mbu | Family Lodge | ★★★★ |
| Days 6–7 | Serengeti Ark | Tented Camp | ★★★★ |
| Day 8 | Elewana Pioneer Camp | Luxury Tented Camp | ★★★★★ |
| Day 9 | Ang'ata Ngorongoro | Tented Camp | ★★★★ |
Fly into Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) to begin your family safari. Most international airlines serve JRO via Amsterdam, Doha, Nairobi, or Addis Ababa. From there, private light-aircraft flights connect each park on the circuit.
Your guide will pick you up from any hotel in Arusha city center or from Kilimanjaro International Airport. Pickup time is typically 8:00 AM on Day 2, ahead of your first flight. An overnight stay near Arusha on arrival is included to allow time to adjust before the safari begins.
The circuit combines short scheduled light-aircraft flights with private 4x4 game drives at each stop, keeping travel time to a minimum so more of each day is spent in the parks themselves.
Most nationalities can obtain a visa on arrival for USD $50 (USD $100 for US citizens), including children. A valid passport with at least 6 months remaining is required for every traveller. Yellow fever vaccination certificate is required if arriving from an endemic area.
Arusha, Tanzania • Established 2015
Nashivai Safaris is a locally owned and operated safari company based in Arusha, Tanzania. Our fly-in family journeys are built around dedicated guiding and exclusive camps, cutting road time so families spend more of every day in the bush together.
Flying between camps instead of driving for hours made an enormous difference with young kids. We landed fresh at each stop and had more actual safari time than any trip we've done before.
— The Dawson Family, Australia • June 2025Our guide stayed with us the entire trip, which the kids loved, and the tracking activity at Tarangire was a highlight none of us expected. Every camp felt distinct and genuinely luxurious.
— Elena & Marco B., Italy • October 2025
