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The Northern Circuit — Serengeti plains, Ngorongoro Crater, and the endless savannah of Tanzania

Northern Circuit

Northern Circuit Safari Tanzania

Plan My Safari

Parks Visited

4 Parks

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Duration

5–12 Days

|

Best Season

Year-round

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Great Migration

July–Oct

|

From

$1,800 pp

Africa’s Most Famous Safari Route

The Northern Circuit is Tanzania's flagship safari experience — four of Africa's most celebrated wildlife destinations in one logical loop from Arusha. The Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater need no introduction. Tarangire delivers some of the highest elephant densities on the continent. Lake Manyara provides the perfect opening act. After 48 years of guiding this circuit, we know every detour, every timing nuance, and every animal trail that matters.

The Four Parks

Every Park on the Northern Circuit

Day 1-3

Serengeti National Park

The world's most famous safari park. 15,000 km² of endless plains, home to 2 million wildebeest, 250,000 zebra, and the largest lion population in Africa. The Great Migration passes through here twice a year. It is simultaneously Africa's most visited park and its most emotionally powerful.

Great MigrationLion pridesCheetahHot air balloonEndless plains
Park fee: $82.60/person/dayMin. days: 3-5 days minimum
Serengeti plains at golden hour — endless savannah with acacia trees and wildebeest

Day 3-4

Ngorongoro Crater

A collapsed volcanic caldera 19km wide and 600m deep, holding one of the world's most intact ecosystems. The crater floor supports 30,000 animals including the highest density of predators on Earth. Black rhinos are reliably seen here — a feat found almost nowhere else. Ngorongoro is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the most productive safari park per square kilometre in Africa.

Black rhinoBig Five in one dayPredator densityCompact wildlife concentration
Park fee: $82.60/person/day (includes crater service fee)Min. days: 1-2 days
Ngorongoro Crater floor from the rim at golden hour — wildlife concentrated in the caldera below

Day 4-5

Tarangire National Park

Famous for its ancient baobab trees and enormous elephant herds — Tarangire has some of the highest elephant densities in Africa. The Tarangire River is a permanent water source that draws wildlife even in the dry season when the park's numbers swell. Compared to the Serengeti, Tarangire is quieter, more intimate, and has a distinctive landscape characterised by those extraordinary trees.

Elephant herdsBaobab photographyBirdlife (550+ species)LeopardQuiet off-season
Park fee: $52/person/dayMin. days: 1-2 days
Ancient baobab tree in Tarangire National Park, Tanzania, with elephant herd in the foreground

Day 5

Lake Manyara National Park

A narrow park at the base of the Great Rift Valley escarpment, centred on a lake that turns pink with flamingos in the wet season. Lake Manyara is known for its tree-climbing lions (a rare behaviour found in only a few populations in Africa), large hippo pods, and dramatic escarpment backdrop. The park is compact — you can do a thorough game drive in half a day — making it the ideal first stop on a Northern Circuit.

FlamingosTree-climbing lionsHipposEscarpment viewsBirdlife
Park fee: $52/person/dayMin. days: Half to one day
Flamingos on Lake Manyara with the Rift Valley escarpment rising behind them

Choose Your Circuit

How Many Days Do You Need?

The circuit scales from a fast 5-day highlights tour to a 12+ day deep exploration. Most first-time safari visitors choose 7 days.

5 Days

3 parks

The essential circuit — Tarangire, Ngorongoro Crater, 2 days Serengeti. For travellers with limited time who want the highlights.

From $1,800 pp

Most Popular

7 Days

4 parks

The sweet spot — adds Lake Manyara, a third Serengeti day, and more flexibility. This is what we recommend for most first safaris.

From $2,800 pp

9 Days

4 parks +

The comprehensive circuit — adds the Western Corridor or Lamai Wedge, allowing you to experience different regions of the Serengeti.

From $3,800 pp

12+ Days

6+ parks

The complete Northern Circuit plus a fly-in extension to the Southern Circuit, or time at Ndutu in green season. For the definitive Tanzania experience.

From $5,200 pp

5 Days

Luxury Northern Circuit

6 Days

Northern Circuit + Serengeti

8 Days

Extended Northern Circuit

12 Days

Full Circuit + Zanzibar

10 Days

Complete Northern Circuit

14 Days

Northern + Zanzibar

When to Go

Best Time to Do the Northern Circuit

Dry Season: June to October

The classic safari season. Wildlife concentrates around permanent water sources, making animals easier to find. The Great Migration is at its most dramatic in the northern Serengeti (July to October). For the optimal timing, see our guide to the best time to visit the Serengeti. Skies are clear, roads are passable, and vegetation is low. Peak pricing and more vehicles at sightings.

Great Migration crossings
Rhino sightings (Ngorongoro)
Clear skies and golden light
Best visibility in Serengeti

Green Season: November to May

Tanzania at its most beautiful. The plains turn emerald green, wildlife births coincide with predator action (January to March calving), birds migrate in huge numbers, and the photography is extraordinary. Rates are 25-40% lower than peak. The trade-off: some roads become difficult after heavy rain.

Great Migration calving (Jan-Mar)
Fewer vehicles, more solitude
25-40% lower rates
Spectacular green season photography

Questions

Northern Circuit FAQ

What is the Northern Circuit in Tanzania?
The Northern Circuit is Tanzania's primary safari route, visiting four parks in the north: Tarangire National Park, Lake Manyara National Park, the Ngorongoro Conservation Area (including the Crater), and the Serengeti National Park. It is called a 'circuit' because the route forms a logical loop departing from and returning to Arusha, visiting each park without backtracking.
How many days do you need for the Northern Circuit?
Five days is the minimum for a meaningful Northern Circuit safari: one day each at Tarangire and Lake Manyara, one day on the Ngorongoro Crater floor, and two days in the Serengeti. Seven days is the sweet spot — it allows two full days in the Serengeti, time to explore different regions of the park, and a less rushed experience. Ten days or more allows you to add the northern Lamai Wedge for migration crossings, or extend into the Western Corridor.
What is the best time to do the Northern Circuit?
The Northern Circuit works year-round, but the best time depends on your priorities. For the Great Migration river crossings (July to October), focus on the northern Serengeti and Lamai Wedge. For calving and predator action (January to March), the southern Serengeti around Ndutu is extraordinary. For general wildlife viewing, the dry season (June to October) concentrates animals around water sources and offers the best visibility. The green season (November to May) has lower rates, fewer vehicles, and dramatic photography.
How much does a Northern Circuit safari cost?
A 7-day Northern Circuit safari ranges from $2,800 per person (standard) to $6,500+ per person (premium lodges). Park entry fees are $82.60/person/day for Serengeti and Ngorongoro combined. We offer transparent pricing — ask us for a specific itinerary based on your dates, group size, and preferred lodge tier.
Which is better: Ngorongoro Crater or the Serengeti?
They are not alternatives — they are complements. The Ngorongoro Crater is a compact, enclosed ecosystem with the world's highest density of predators and reliable rhino sightings. The Serengeti is 15 times larger, offers the Great Migration, epic landscape photography, and a sense of wilderness. Our guests do both: Ngorongoro for intensity and reliability, the Serengeti for scale and drama.
Is the Northern Circuit suitable for children?
The Northern Circuit is generally suitable for children aged 6 and older. Below that age, early starts and long game drives can be challenging. The minimum age for entering the Ngorongoro Crater is 6 years (some operators enforce 12 years). We design custom family safaris that account for children's ages, interests, and stamina — see our guide to the best Tanzania parks for families for detailed ratings.
Do you fly or drive between the parks?
A combination of both gives the best result. Driving between Arusha, Tarangire, Lake Manyara, and Ngorongoro is practical — the roads are good and the distances are manageable (1-3 hours). Flying is recommended for the Ngorongoro-to-Serengeti transfer: the drive is 5-6 hours but the flight is 45 minutes. See our Arusha to Serengeti drive time guide and Arusha to Ngorongoro drive time guide for realistic overland travel expectations. Most operators use a mix of driving and light aircraft.
What is the Great Migration — and can I see it on the Northern Circuit?
The Great Migration is the annual movement of 1.5 million wildebeest plus hundreds of thousands of zebra and gazelle across the Serengeti and Maasai Mara ecosystems — the largest remaining land mammal migration on Earth. The migration is entirely within the Northern Circuit, with the most dramatic moments being the Mara River crossings in the north (July to October) and the calving in the southern Serengeti around Ndutu (January to March). Our detailed guide to the migration on the Northern Circuit covers the route, timing, and best camps for each phase.

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Continue Planning Your Safari

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Peak season groups fill 6–8 weeks ahead — availability is limited

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