Northern safari circuit in Tanzania is a part of the country which is famous for wildlife viewing during tours. The places to visit around northern Tanzania include Mount Kilimanjaro, Serengeti national park, Lake Manyara national park, Tarangire national park, the Ngorongoro conservation area, Arusha national park among others.

Tours to the northern safari parks of Tanzania can be done in independent national parks or combined with other parks in the north and another alternative is a wildlife safari and a beach holiday at the end of the tour or at the start of the tour.

Serengeti national park

Serengeti National Park is one of the most famous parks in Africa and is known for its variety of wildlife species, vast savannah plains and annual wildebeest migration.  The park is home to over 70 wildlife species, including zebras, giraffes, hyenas, hippos impalas, gazelles, waterbucks, and zebras. The big five which include lions, leopards, rhinos, elephants and buffalos can also be seen during safaris in Serengeti national park. Safaris in the Serengeti typically involve game drives through the park, during which visitors can observe the wildlife in their natural habitat. The best time to visit the Serengeti depends on what you want to see. The wildebeest migration is one of the most popular attractions in the park, and takes place from December to July.  The dry season from June to October is also a good time to visit Serengeti national park as wildlife congregates around water sources during this time of the year.

Ngorongoro conservation area

The Ngorongoro Conservation Area is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is home to the Ngorongoro Crater, which is the largest unbroken caldera in the world.  The area is also home to several Maasai communities who have lived in harmony with wildlife for centuries. There are several safari options available for those interested in exploring Ngorongoro. One popular option is a game drive through the crater itself. This allows visitors to get up close and personal with the wildlife in the crater such as elephants, lions, rhinos, leopards, buffalos, cheetahs, wildebeests, zebras, hippos, elands, gazelles among others.  Another option is a walking safari on the rim of the Ngorongoro crater. This provides stunning views of the surrounding landscape and allows visitors to see some of the smaller wildlife that may not be visible from a vehicle.

Tarangire national park

Tarangire National Park is known for its large elephant herds and baobab trees. The park also has a diverse range of bird species, making it a popular destination for birdwatchers. A number of activities are carried out during safaris in Tarangire national park and they include game drives, hot air balloon safaris, bird watching, guided nature walks among others. Wildlife species in Tarangire national park include elephants, giraffes, hartebeests, waterbucks, hyenas, warthogs, elands among others. The different wildlife species in the national park can be spotted around the Tarangire river especially during the dry seasons.

Lake Manyara national park

Lake Manyara National Park is famous for the tree-climbing lions and also for flocks of flamingos which can be seen along the lake’s shores.  The park also has several hot springs and a dense forest that is home to baboons and blue monkeys. Other wildlife species found in Lake Manyara national park include elephants, hippos, giraffe, impala and zebra among others. Activities to do around Lake Manyara national park during safaris include game drives which can be done in the day and also at night, guided nature walks, canopy walk, bird watching and also cultural tours.

Kilimanjaro national park

Mount Kilimanjaro National Park is another park to visit in northern Tanzania and it is the home to Mount Kilimanjaro which is the highest mountain in Africa.  The park offers several trekking routes that lead climbers to the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro known as the Uhuru peak.  Hiking is a major activity carried out in Kilimanjaro national park and the routes used during the hikes include Marangu route, Machame route, Lemosho route, Rongai route and also Umbwe route. The hike to the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro takes between 5 and 9 days, depending on the route chosen. The Marangu route offer hut accommodation at Kibo hut, Horombo hut and Mandara hut.

Arusha national park

Arusha national park is located near Arusha town and is easily accessible by road during tours in northern Tanzania. During tours in Arusha National Park, visitors can explore the park’s unique landscapes, including montane forests, grasslands, and volcanic craters.  Visitors can also explore the Ngurdoto Crater which is part of the attractions in Arusha national park. The crater is a collapsed volcano that is now home to a variety of wildlife, including buffalo, baboons, and warthogs. Attractions in Arusha National Park include Mount Meru, which stands at 4,566 meters and offers stunning views of the surrounding area. The park is also home to a wide range of wildlife, including elephants, giraffes, zebras, and various species of antelope. Visitors can also spot predators such as leopards and hyenas. Activities to do in Arusha national park include game drives, Mount Meru hiking, canoeing, guided nature walks, bird watching and also cultural tours. For those interested in hiking, Arusha National Park has a variety of trails ranging from easy walks to challenging hikes up Mount Meru which take about 4 days to get to the summit of the mountain which is called the socialist peak. Mount Meru is the second highest mountain in Tanzania after Kilimanjaro mountain. Arusha national park also has several picnic areas where visitors can relax and enjoy the scenery.