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Where we travel

Tanzania safari destinations

The northern safari circuit, Africa’s highest mountain and the Indian Ocean islands. All of it within a day’s drive or a short flight of our Arusha office.

How the parks fit together

Planning a route through Tanzania

The northern safari circuit

Most safaris start in Arusha and head west through four parks. Tarangire, about two hours’ drive away, is known for its elephant herds and baobabs, and is at its best in the dry months from June to October. Lake Manyara lies roughly an hour further on, below the Rift Valley escarpment. From the farming town of Karatu it is about an hour up to the rim of the Ngorongoro Crater, where a day on the crater floor can bring lion, buffalo and black rhino. The Serengeti lies beyond, around three hours’ drive from the crater to the central plains. Where you stay there depends on the month and on where the Great Migration herds are. Many travellers fly back to Arusha from a Serengeti airstrip rather than drive.

Arusha National Park is close to town and works well as a first or last day.

Mountain

Mount Kilimanjaro, Africa’s highest mountain at 5,895 m, is climbed from the Moshi side, east of Arusha. Most routes take six to nine days, and a safari before or after the climb is easy to arrange.

Coast

Zanzibar is a short domestic flight from Arusha or Kilimanjaro and is the usual way to end a safari with a few days on the beach and an afternoon in Stone Town.

Not sure which parks fit your dates?

Herd movements, rains and lodge prices change month to month. Tell us your month and we’ll suggest the parks and the order to visit them. Free, with a reply within 24 hours.

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