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Tanzania's National Parks
From the Serengeti's endless plains to the Ngorongoro Crater, Tanzania is Africa's greatest safari country. Discover every park on the northern circuit, when to go and how to combine them into the perfect safari.
01 · Overview
Africa's greatest safari country
Tanzania has more than 20 national parks, and around a third of the country is protected in some way. From the endless plains of the Serengeti to the crater floor of Ngorongoro and the baobab country of Tarangire, it's home to the Great Migration, all of the Big Five and some of the wildest places left in Africa.
Most of our safaris explore the northern circuit, a group of parks within a few hours of Arusha and Kilimanjaro. This page explains what makes each one special, when to go and how they fit together, so you can choose the safari that's right for you.
02 · The map
The northern safari circuit
Every park on our map is within a day of Arusha. Tap a park to explore it.
03 · The parks
Choose your parks
Filter by what matters to you, then dive into each park's full guide.
Serengeti
Endless plains and the Great Migration.
- Best for
- The migration, big cats
- Best time
- Jun–Oct · Jan–Feb
- Getting there
- Full day by road · 1–1.5 hrs by air
Ngorongoro Crater
A lost world, 600 metres deep.
- Best for
- Rhino, lions, a Big Five day
- Best time
- All year
- Getting there
- 3–4 hrs from Arusha
Tarangire
Baobabs and huge elephant herds.
- Best for
- Elephants, baobabs, birds
- Best time
- Jun–Oct
- Getting there
- 2.5–3 hrs from Arusha
Lake Manyara
Forest, flamingos and lions in the trees.
- Best for
- A half-day safari, birds
- Best time
- Jun–Oct
- Getting there
- 2.5–3 hrs from Arusha
Arusha National Park
Walking, canoeing and Mount Meru.
- Best for
- A day trip, walking, canoeing
- Best time
- All year
- Getting there
- 40 min from Arusha
Kilimanjaro
Africa's highest mountain, 5,895 m.
- Best for
- Climbing to the Roof of Africa
- Best time
- Jan–Mar · Jun–Oct
- Getting there
- 1.5 hrs from Arusha
Mkomazi
Rhino, wild dogs and no crowds.
- Best for
- Rhino conservation, solitude
- Best time
- Jun–Oct
- Getting there
- 2.5–3 hrs from Moshi
04 · Compare
The parks at a glance
| Park | Best for | Best time | Big Five | Crowds | How long | Getting there |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Serengeti | The migration, big cats | Jun–Oct · Jan–Feb | Yes (rhino rare) | Busy in the centre, quiet elsewhere | 3–4 nights | Full day by road · 1–1.5 hrs by air |
| Ngorongoro Crater | Rhino, lions, a Big Five day | All year | Yes | Busy, so start early | 1–2 nights | 3–4 hrs from Arusha |
| Tarangire | Elephants, baobabs, birds | Jun–Oct | 4 of 5 (no rhino) | Quiet | 2 nights | 2.5–3 hrs from Arusha |
| Lake Manyara | A half-day safari, birds | Jun–Oct | 4 of 5 (no rhino) | Moderate | Half day – 1 night | 2.5–3 hrs from Arusha |
| Arusha National Park | A day trip, walking, canoeing | All year | No (no lions or rhino) | Quiet | 1 day | 40 min from Arusha |
| Kilimanjaro | Climbing to the Roof of Africa | Jan–Mar · Jun–Oct | N/A | Varies by route | 6–9 days | 1.5 hrs from Arusha |
| Mkomazi | Rhino conservation, solitude | Jun–Oct | Rhino in the sanctuary | Almost empty | 2 nights | 2.5–3 hrs from Moshi |
05 · When to go
When each park is at its best
Our rating for wildlife in each park, month by month. Darker means better. For Kilimanjaro it shows climbing conditions.
06 · Itineraries
How the parks fit together
These are the routes our guests love most. Every safari is private and tailor-made, so treat them as a starting point.
A taste of safari
3 days- Tarangire
- Ngorongoro Crater
Elephants and baobabs, then a full day in the crater. Perfect after a climb.
Plan this safari →The classic northern circuit
5 days- Tarangire
- Serengeti
- Ngorongoro Crater
Our most popular safari: elephants, endless plains and the crater, all in one trip.
Plan this safari →The full northern circuit
7–8 days- Tarangire
- Lake Manyara
- Serengeti
- Ngorongoro Crater
Time to follow the migration, with two areas of the Serengeti and every habitat in between.
Plan this safari →Climb, safari and beach
12–15 days- Kilimanjaro
- Serengeti
- Ngorongoro Crater
- Zanzibar
The ultimate Tanzania trip: summit Kilimanjaro, see the Big Five, then relax on the beach.
Plan this safari →07 · Beyond the north
Beyond the north
Tanzania's southern and western parks are wilder, more remote and far less visited. Ask us about adding one to your trip.
Nyerere
Tanzania's largest national park. Boat safaris on the Rufiji River, wild dogs and very few vehicles.
Ruaha
Wild, rugged and remote, with big lion prides, elephants and greater kudu.
Mikumi
Open plains within a day's drive of Dar es Salaam. Great for a short safari.
Katavi
One of Africa's most remote parks, famous for huge hippo pods and buffalo herds.
Mahale Mountains
Track wild chimpanzees in forest that runs down to the beaches of Lake Tanganyika.
Saadani
Where the bush meets the beach, just across the water from Zanzibar.
08 · Good to know
Good to know
Park fees are included
Every Legend quote includes park and conservation fees, so there are no surprises at the gate.
Private vehicle, your own guide
You'll have a 4x4 with a pop-up roof and your own guide, so you set the pace and stay as long as you like at a sighting.
Fly or drive
Drive between the northern parks, or save time with short bush flights. Many guests drive in and fly out.
Early starts pay off
Animals are most active at dawn and dusk. Most gates open at 6 am, and the first hour is often the best of the day.
Pack layers
The plains are hot by midday, but the Ngorongoro rim and early game drives can be cold. Bring a warm layer.
Respect the rules
Most parks don't allow driving off the tracks, and there are strict rules about distance from wildlife. Our guides follow them to protect the animals.
09 · FAQ
National park questions
It depends on what you want to see. The Serengeti is best for the Great Migration and big cats, the Ngorongoro Crater for rhino and a Big Five day, and Tarangire for elephants. Most safaris combine two or three parks.
For a five-day safari, three parks is ideal: usually Tarangire, the Serengeti and the Ngorongoro Crater. Trying to fit in more means more time driving and less time watching wildlife.
The northern circuit is the group of parks reached from Arusha: the Serengeti, the Ngorongoro Crater, Tarangire, Lake Manyara and Arusha National Park. It's Tanzania's most popular safari region, and it's close to Kilimanjaro.
The dry season, from June to October, is best for most parks, as animals gather around water. January and February are excellent for the calving season in the southern Serengeti. See when each park is at its best.
The Ngorongoro Crater is the best place to see all five in a day, including black rhino. The Serengeti has all five, though rhino are rare. Mkomazi offers rhino in its sanctuary.
Yes, and most of our travellers do. The northern parks are a short drive from Kilimanjaro, and Zanzibar is a short flight away. We handle every transfer and internal flight.
Plan your safari
Not sure which parks to choose?
Tell us when you'd like to travel and what you'd love to see. Jack will design your safari personally, usually within 24 hours.
Design your safari