Northern Safari Circuit Tanzania – The perfect route for your first safari
Updated: Oct 17
Tanzania is one of the best safari destinations in the world. The Northern Safari Circuit is particularly well known – a route through some of the most famous national parks in northern Tanzania.
Here you can experience some of Africa’s most spectacular wildlife encounters, from large elephant herds to prides of lions roaming the savannah.
The Northern Circuit connects several world-famous parks and is considered the classic safari route in Tanzania.
What is the Northern Safari Circuit?
The Northern Safari Circuit is a safari route in northern Tanzania that connects several of the country’s best-known national parks.
Typical stops include:
These parks are relatively close to each other and can therefore be combined easily into one safari.
Why the Northern Circuit is such a great safari route
The Northern Safari Circuit is particularly popular because of its incredible variety.
Here you can experience:
vast savannah landscapes
dense forests
lakes with flamingos
impressive crater landscapes
The Big Five can also be found here:
Lion
Elephant
Leopard
Rhinoceros
Buffalo
Another advantage is the well-developed infrastructure. Many lodges, roads and safari operators are located along this route.
The most important national parks in the Northern Safari Circuit
Tarangire National Park
Tarangire National Park is known for its large elephant herds.
Highlights include:
Thousands of elephants during the dry season
Impressive baobab trees
Relatively few tourists
The park is particularly spectacular during the dry season from June to October.
Many animals gather around the Tarangire River during this time.
Lake Manyara National Park
Lake Manyara National Park is a small but incredibly diverse national park.
Highlights include:
Flamingos around the lake
Tree-climbing lions
Dense rainforest near the park entrance
The park is an excellent first stop on a safari.
Serengeti National Park
The most famous park in the Northern Circuit is Serengeti National Park.
The Serengeti is known worldwide for the Great Migration.
Every year, more than:
1.5 million wildebeest
Hundreds of thousands of zebras
Many gazelles
move across the savannah in search of fresh grass.
This migration is one of the most spectacular natural events in the world.
Ngorongoro Crater
Another highlight is the Ngorongoro Crater.
The crater was formed millions of years ago when a volcano collapsed.
Today, it is a unique ecosystem home to:
Lions
Elephants
Flamingos
Rare black rhinos
The crater is considered one of the best places in Africa to see the Big Five in a single day.
Best time to visit the Northern Safari Circuit
The best time to visit depends on what you want to experience.
Dry season (June – October):
Excellent wildlife viewing
Little rainfall
Many animals gather around water sources
Green season (November – May):
Lush green landscapes
Fewer tourists
Excellent time for birdwatching
For many travellers, July to October is the ideal safari season.
Starting point of your safari – Arusha
Almost all safaris in northern Tanzania start in Arusha.
The city lies at the foot of Mount Meru and serves as the starting point for many safari journeys.
From here, most national parks can be reached within a few hours.
Kilimanjaro International Airport is also located nearby.
If you have some extra time before or after your safari, it is well worth exploring the area around Arusha and Moshi. The region at the foot of Mount Kilimanjaro offers a wide range of interesting day trips, from waterfalls and cultural experiences to natural swimming spots.
Materuni Waterfall
Napuru Waterfall
Traditional coffee tour
Maasai experience
Chemka Hot Springs
Kilimanjaro day trip
Many of these activities are ideal as day trips from Arusha or Moshi and can easily be combined with a safari or a Kilimanjaro trip.
For more detailed information, take a look at the individual articles on these excursions here on our travel blog.
Safari costs in the Northern Circuit
Take a look at our blog article “What does a safari really cost?”
Tips for your safari in northern Tanzania
A few simple tips can make your safari much more enjoyable.
Practical recommendations:
Bring binoculars
Wear neutral-coloured clothing
Pack a camera with a zoom lens
Book early, especially during the high season
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