Tanzania is a country of superlatives: Africa’s highest mountain, one of its largest wildlife migrations and an intact volcanic caldera teeming with game. The Northern Circuit, reached from Arusha and Kilimanjaro Airport, combines the endless plains of the Serengeti, the wildlife-filled Ngorongoro Crater and the baobab-studded Tarangire, with Lake Manyara on the way.
The Great Migration spends most of the year in the Serengeti: calving in the southern plains from roughly January to March, moving through the western corridor around June, and reaching the northern Serengeti and Mara River from July to October. Our guides plan your camp locations around the herds’ likely position.
For wilder, more remote safaris, the southern parks of Nyerere (formerly Selous) and Ruaha offer boat safaris, walking and huge elephant and wild dog populations, while Mahale and Katavi in the far west are among the most untouched places in Africa. Finish on the spice island of Zanzibar, or challenge yourself on Kilimanjaro.
Highlights
- The Great Migration in the Serengeti
- Black rhino in the Ngorongoro Crater
- Elephants and baobabs in Tarangire
- Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro
- Stone Town and Zanzibar beaches
- Wild, remote safaris in Ruaha and Nyerere
Where to go in Tanzania
Serengeti
"Endless plains" and the world's greatest wildlife migration. 11 safaris
Ngorongoro Crater
A wildlife-filled caldera, often called Africa's Eden. 12 safaris
Tarangire
Giant baobabs and Tanzania's great elephant herds. 9 safaris
Lake Manyara
Groundwater forest, baboons and a flamingo-fringed soda lake. 3 safaris
Arusha
Safari capital of northern Tanzania, beneath Mount Meru. 6 safaris
Kilimanjaro
The Roof of Africa — 5,895 m and no ropes required. 1 safari
Zanzibar
Spice island beaches and the UNESCO-listed Stone Town. 1 safari
Nyerere National Park
Boat safaris on the Rufiji River in Africa's largest park. 1 safari
Ruaha
Big predators and baobab country in Tanzania's wild south. 1 safari
Mahale Mountains
Chimpanzees on the shores of Lake Tanganyika. Tailor-made trips
Katavi
Untouched wilderness, huge buffalo herds and hippo pools. Tailor-made tripsWildlife & what you'll see
- The Big Five
- Over a million wildebeest
- Chimpanzees in Mahale
- African wild dog in the south
- Tree-climbing lions in Manyara
Things to do
- Game drives
- Hot-air balloon safaris over the Serengeti
- Kilimanjaro and Mount Meru treks
- Boat safaris in Nyerere
- Chimpanzee trekking in Mahale
- Spice tours and beach time on Zanzibar
Best time to visit
June to October is the classic dry season, with excellent game viewing across all parks and migration river crossings in the northern Serengeti from July. January to February is the calving season in the southern Serengeti. March to May brings the long rains; many southern camps close in April and May.
Getting there
For the Northern Circuit, fly into Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) near Arusha. The southern and western parks and Zanzibar are reached by scheduled light aircraft from Arusha or Dar es Salaam.
Experiences in Tanzania
FAQs about Tanzania
What is the Northern Circuit?
The classic safari route from Arusha through Tarangire, Lake Manyara, Ngorongoro and the Serengeti. It is ideal for first-time visitors and works for 3 to 14 days.
Where is the migration each month?
Roughly: southern Serengeti and Ndutu (December–March), central and western Serengeti (April–June), northern Serengeti and Mara River (July–October), moving south again in November. See our Great Migration guide.
Can I add Zanzibar to a safari?
Easily. Daily flights connect Arusha and the Serengeti airstrips with Zanzibar. Four to five nights is a good length.
Gallery
Open image: Endless plains of Serengeti National Park, Tanzania
Open image: The rim of the Ngorongoro Crater
Open image: Black rhino on the floor of the Ngorongoro Crater
Open image: Baobab trees in Tarangire National Park
Open image: Young leopard in a tree, Serengeti
Open image: White sand beach at Nungwi, Zanzibar
Open image: Kibo summit of Mount Kilimanjaro, Tanzania
