Where to go

Northern Tanzania Safaris

Welcome to the most famous wildlife area on the planet!

Northern Tanzania
Northern Tanzania
Northern Tanzania

For most who think of Tanzania, they think of the famous northern Tanzania safari parks, the Serengeti, the Ngorongoro Crater and the mighty Mount Kilimanjaro. One of the most important factors in deciding to head to this region is timing and, more important still, the location of the Migration herds in the Serengeti. For sheer numbers of animals and jaw-dropping vistas, the north can’t be beaten for a safari…the only drawback..if you have heard of it, so have a few others!

When thinking of the northern parks in Tanzania it is best to consider each of the main areas (featured below) as a section that can be put together with the others in any of the orders outlined below.

The driving circuit

The first, and most simple way to look at the northern parks is to drive out to and back from the parks. This itinerary takes in the Serengeti National Park, the Ngorongoro Crater and Lake Manyara National Park over the course of 5 or 6 nights and and is the most cost effective itinerary that is on offer in the north. Recommended itinerary: North and the beach

The drive out, fly back itinerary

Arguably our favourite itinerary for the north, this method allows you the joys of discovering this spectacular region by road and then by air as you are dropped off at the Serengeti airstrip and fly back over the regions you have just driven through. One of the main benefits of this itinerary is that it allows you to take a night out of the itinerary and also save yourself around 8 hours of driving that you would have on the itinerary above. Recommended itinerary: Best of North and the beach

Fly out and fly back

The last of the recommended itineraries in the north, this is the itinerary that works for those on a tight time schedule and also for those that that are on a larger budget. As the name suggests, your itinerary is based on properties that have their own vehicles and which, by definition, are more expensive. It is a great itinerary and will allow you to drop the number of nights needed to anything from 3 nights upwards.

Best time to visit Tanzania's Northern Parks:

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  •   = Yes   = No   = Maybe

    At a glance: Northern Tanzania Safaris

  • Size 5,700 square miles
  • Location Northern Tanzania, NW of Arusha
  • Recommended time 3 to 6 nights
  • Time to visit Year round
  • Safari Activities Walking, driving, ballooning
  • Topography open grassland/Acacia scrubland
  • Main species Wildebeest, gazelle, zebra, big 5, cheetah, hyena, giraffe
  • Further reading...

  • › Best Time to Visit Tanzania
  • › Tanzania Safari
  • › Tanzania Honeymoon
  • › The Serengeti Wildebeest Migration
  • Where to go in Northern Tanzania:

    Our top five hotels & lodges in Northern Tanzania:

    1. Nomad Lamai - Bedroom

      Nomad Lamai Serengeti

      Finished in June 2012, Nomad's Lamai had been a pretty long time coming but the wait has definitely been worthwhile. Located on the very scenic Wogakuria Kopjes, around 30 minutes from the Mara River crossings, the camp could not have better views and location in our opinion. Featuring an infinity... More...

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    2. The Highlands Camp - Bedroom

      The Highlands Camp

      The Highlands Camp is one of a kind! Inspired by the shape of the traditional Maasai homes (called bomas), eight dome tents were built and placed delicately on the slopes of the Olmoti volcano, taking full advantage of the breathtakingly vast views. The dome suites not only offer a unique and... More...

      Our rating:
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      4
    3. Tarangire Treetops - Bedroom

      Tarangire Treetops

      Tarangire Treetops is a cool and quirky property and is our pick of where to stay at the top end around Tarangire. It is true that it is not right inside the park and so doesn't feature as good game...but it does offer exceptional service and the chance to sleep in a baobab tree house which, in... More...

      Our rating:
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    4. Entamanu Ngorongoro View

      Entamanu Ngorongoro

      Meaning ‘circle’ in a dialect of Masai, ‘Entamanu’ seems a fitting name for a camp that sits on the rim of the rounded Ngorongoro Crater. Opening its doors in August 2016, Entamanu is one of the newest properties on the rim owned by Nomad's, and is sat on the remote northwestern rim of the crater.... More...

      Our rating:
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    5. Olivers Camp - Sunset

      Oliver's Tented Camp

      Named after the infamous guide and naturalist, Paul Oliver, Olivers Camp really is a camp to savour. Originally located a little further north, the camp is, today, located well away from the madding crowd and really is a top choice. What this luxury tented camp offers is the chance to really... More...

      Our rating:
      5
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