Tanzania's Northern Circuit safaris, tours & holiday packages
Perfect for first-time safaris in Tanzania
Experience the best Tanzania has to offer in six must-see conservation areas of the north, either in a small group or on a private guided safari
The northern tourism circuit is by far the most popular safari circuit in Tanzania, comprising most of the must-see destinations in the country. If you're a first-time visitor to Tanzania, this is where you want to be. The circuit starts in Arusha and includes, from east to west: Arusha National Park at the foot of Mount Meru, Tarangire National Park 110km southwest of the town of Arusha, Manyara Ranch between Tarangire National Park and Lake Manyara National Park, Lake Manyara National Park at the bottom of the Gregory Rift, the Ngorongoro Conservation Area (which includes the Ngorongoro caldera, the Empakaai Crater and the southern Serengeti plains of Lake Ndutu), and the Serengeti National Park that stretches north to the Tanzania/Kenya border.
Popular Tanzania Northern Circuit safaris
These popular itineraries can be customised to match your budget and travel dates
Gorilla trekking and the Great Migration Combined (11 days)
Unforgettable experience in the jungles of Rwanda to track the last Mountain gorillas on earth and view the awesome Great Migration river crossings
Price on Request
per person
11 days
The Serengeti on Foot (9 days)
There's no better way to get close to nature and feel alive than on foot, and no better place to walk than the remarkable Serengeti
$ 3,500
£ 2,679
R 61,165
€ 2,966
per person
10 days
Migration Safari in Kenya and Tanzania (8 days)
See the beauty of nature's greatest wildlife spectacle in two countries
Price on Request
per person
8 days
Green Season Wildebeest Migration Safari (11 days)
This four-in-one calving season safari includes not only the Serengeti, but Tarangire, Lake Manyara and the Ngorogoro Crater
$ 9,865
£ 7,550
R 172,399
€ 8,359
per person
11 days
Affordable Ngorongoro and Serengeti Safari (6 days)
We're offering our guests the chance to explore two world-famous destinations in under a week
$ 4,555
£ 3,486
R 79,602
€ 3,860
per person
6 days
August Migration Safari with HerdTracker (10 days)
Experience the drama of the nature's greatest spectacle in the Tanzania
$ 7,165
£ 5,484
R 125,214
€ 6,071
per person
10 days
Honeymoon Safari in the Serengeti National Park (6 days)
Enjoy a romantic honeymoon at the Ngorongoro Crater where you can spot the Big Five and experience the wildlife-rich Serengeti National Park
$ 3,510
£ 2,686
R 61,340
€ 2,974
per person
6 days
Tanzania couples safari
Enjoy the wildlife of Tanzania as well as the paradise of Zanzibar
Price on Request
per person
13 days
Spectacular July to September Wildebeest River Crossings (10 days)
Experience one of Africa's greatest spectacles – smell the dust and hear the noise of thousands of animals crossing the Mara River
$ 11,990
£ 9,177
R 209,535
€ 10,160
per person
10 days
Affordable Green Season Safari in Tanzania (8 days)
From Lake Manyara to the Ngorogoro Crater and the Serengeti, this Tanzania safari offers real value and shows off the burgeoning green world of Tanzania's rainy season migration
$ 7,240
£ 5,541
R 126,525
€ 6,135
per person
8 days
“'If you plan your northern circuit safari well you can still experience an authentic safari, even during peak times; it is possible to show you lions and the migration without many vehicles present. It's important to start planning early so that you have as many lodge options as possible.' ”
More on Tanzania Northern Circuit holidays
A combination of these parks and reserves will give you the best possible first-time safari experience in Tanzania and there are enough lodges and camps to suit your budget. We can provide you with all three different safari options into Tanzania’s Northern Circuit: group departures, fly-in safaris and private guided safaris. The latter two can include activities such as walking and a hot air balloon ride. We're experts at getting you to see the annual wildebeest migration, the crossings of the Mara River and the birth of a new generation on the southern Serengeti plains.There are variations and ways to keep you from the masses that gather in the central Serengeti during July and August or the busy Ndutu area during February.
Tanzania Northern Circuit Map
Tanzania Northern Circuit's location on Google Maps
Frequently Asked Questions about Tanzania Northern Circuit
Safari/bucket showers are common in mobile or tented camps where there is no permanent plumbing. They are an effective yet environmentally friendly way to shower where water is at a premium and provide plenty of hot water to wash… go there.
Safari lodges have guest rooms similar to a hotel with en-suite bathrooms. They are comfortably furnished with all facilities normally associated with a 3-star hotel. Tented lodges have rooms which are tents on a platform and with a roof and… go there.
Language The official language in Tanzania is Swahili but there are hundreds of other local dialects. English is the second official language and the country's commercial language. It is also the main teaching language used for all higher… go there.
A Grumeti safari is rewarding throughout the year. However, the best time to visit Grumeti Game Reserve is during the migration months of June and July - when massive herds of wildebeest arrive to cross the crocodile-infested Grumeti River… go there.
December to March are the sunniest months and perhaps the best time to visit. There are some cloudy periods and rain from March to May, and drizzle from October to early December which may restrict clear views. However, Mount Kenya National… go there.
Family safaris in Africa are a worthwhile and meaningful experience. Aside from spending quality time with your nearest and dearest under a wide blue African sky, a safari in Africa offers invaluable experiences including unique cultural… go there.
The best time to visit Arusha National Park is from June to October, during the dry season. It is easier to spot the wildlife - since they normally gather around the waterholes, rainfall is minimal, vegetation is not too thick and mosquitos… go there.
June to October is the best time to visit Mkomazi National Park. During the dry season - when the wildlife viewing is at its prime. go there.
July to October, during the dry months - is the best time to track the chimpanzees in Mahale Mountains National Park. Chimpanzees can be found easily on the low mountains slopes. go there.
Reviews on our Tanzania Northern Circuit safaris
Discover Africa and Carel has put in such an effort for us to experience the annual wildebeest migration, meticulous planning and accurate predictions with logical and the best accommodation options both sides of the Mara River guaranteed us…
Jates and Hil Oettle
from South Africa
Start to finish Discover Africa was wonderful crafting the perfect safari tailored for us! Karl was attentive and responsive from the very first email. He worked with us to find us EVERYTHING we wanted within our budget! He kept in touch the…
Our dream Tanzanian Safari was perfect magic; endless unique animal viewing, fab guide, great camps!
from Tanzania
After initially contacting Discover Africa, Karl Svendsen contacted me and we started the process of getting a quote and defining an itinerary for a safari to Tanzania. Karl was extremely professional and timely in his responses and in short…
Fantastic safari and excellent logistics!
from United States
I just wanted to thank Discover Africa and Karl Svendsen - the safari was great - we saw many more animals than expected including cheetah, leopard, many lions and even a three-day old elephant calf. Additionally, we had our own hippo…
Margaret Dean
We had the most wonderful time in Tanzania. We left yesterday and miss it already. We saw the big 5 and felt super lucky to see the lions and leopard with their kill. Our guide was also wonderful. Thank YOU for planning our trip of a…
Debbie Wei
We had a wonderful experience with the Discover Africa team on our trip to Kilimanjaro and Zanzibar. Due to unforeseen circumstances we needed to head down early and their team were most helpful in arranging exciting new options for us while…
Mark Tomlinson
from South Africa
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