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.
Serengeti National Park
Serengeti National Park is one of Africa’s oldest and most celebrated wildlife reserves, covering approximately 14,750 square kilometer…
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Ngorongoro Crater
The Ngorongoro Crater lies within the larger Ngorongoro Conservation Area between Arusha and Serengeti National Park. Covering approximat…
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Tarangire National Park
Tarangire National Park covers about 2,850 square kilometers and is part of Tanzania’s Northern Safari Circuit. The park is named after…
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Lake Manyara National Park
Lake Manyara National Park sits at the base of the Great Rift Valley escarpment and covers about 330 square kilometers, with two-thirds o…
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Arusha National Park
Arusha National Park covers about 552 square kilometers and offers a unique combination of volcanic mountains, crater lakes, lush forests…
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Mount Kilimanjaro
Mount Kilimanjaro National Park protects Mount Kilimanjaro, a dormant volcanic mountain standing at 5,895 meters above sea level. The par…
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Zanzibar Island
Zanzibar Island is part of the Zanzibar Archipelago in the Indian Ocean, just off the coast of mainland Tanzania. It is famous for its sp…
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Arusha Town
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Karau Town
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Kilimanjaro Airport
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Materuni Waterfalls
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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.