The northern circuit is the classic Tanzania safari. Four main parks lie roughly along one road heading west from Arusha: Tarangire, Lake Manyara, the Ngorongoro Crater and the Serengeti. Most itineraries visit some or all of them, in that order, and return to Arusha by road or by air.
The main planning decision is how much time to give the Serengeti, which is far bigger and further away than the others.
Tarangire, one full Serengeti day and a crater drive on the way back. Fast-paced but covers the highlights. See our 4-day Tanzania safari.
The same route with a second Serengeti day - the most useful single addition. See our 5-day safari.
Adds Lake Manyara and keeps two Serengeti days, at a more comfortable pace. See our 6-day Northern Tanzania Safari.
Five days in the Serengeti across two areas, ideal for photographers and migration-focused trips. See our 8-day Serengeti safari.
Skip the Serengeti: Tarangire and the crater in three days, then fly to Zanzibar - as on our 6-day safari and Zanzibar combo.
Driving the whole loop is cheaper and lets you see the highlands and Maasai country along the way. The long road to the Serengeti is the main drawback. Flying from Arusha to a Serengeti airstrip and driving back via the crater (or the reverse) saves several hours and is common on shorter or higher-budget trips.
The northern circuit works all year. June to October is the main dry season, with good game viewing in Tarangire and the northern Serengeti. January to March is calving season in the southern Serengeti. April and May are the long rains - quieter and cheaper, with some camps closed. See our migration guide to match your dates to the herds.
Tanzania's park and conservation fees are charged per person per day and are a significant part of the cost; Ngorongoro has its own conservation fees and a crater service fee. Most nationalities need a Tanzania visa. We include current park fees in our quotes.
If you are deciding between countries, our Kenya vs Tanzania guide compares them. You can also do both: the 8-day Kenya and Tanzania safari crosses from the Mara to the Serengeti.
Five or six days is the sweet spot for a first northern circuit, with at least two days in the Serengeti. If time is short, focus on Tarangire and the crater, or fly one way to save hours on the road.
Three days covers Tarangire and the Ngorongoro Crater. Including the Serengeti realistically needs at least four days.
Usually Tarangire or Manyara first, then the Serengeti, with the crater on the way out. Your guide may reverse it depending on bookings and the season.
Yes. Fly from Arusha or Kilimanjaro to Zanzibar after your safari.
Tell us your dates and how many days you have, and we will suggest the circuit that fits.
