The Northern Circuit is Tanzania's most complete safari route — four parks, nine days, and some of the highest concentrations of wildlife on the continent. It covers the Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater, Tarangire, and Lake Manyara in a logical loop that starts and ends in Arusha. It is also the natural counterpart to a Kilimanjaro climb. Many travellers who summit the mountain and then head to the Serengeti and Ngorongoro describe the transition from the quiet of the mountain to the drama of the plains as the most striking shift of their trip.
Which Parks Make the Northern Circuit
The Northern Circuit is not a single park — it is a route through four distinct ecosystems. Each park has a different character, wildlife focus, and optimal visit length. Understanding what each offers helps you plan the right pacing.
The Serengeti is the centrepiece: 14,750 square kilometres of endless savanna, riverine forest, and rocky outcrops that support the largest concentration of large mammals on earth. Ngorongoro Crater is a collapsed volcanic caldera — a self-contained ecosystem with very high predator density and a reliable population of black rhinos. Tarangire is known for elephant herds of up to 300 animals gathering around the Tarangire River in the dry season, plus ancient baobab landscapes. Lake Manyara adds a soda-ash lake, groundwater forest, and one of the most reliable populations of tree-climbing lions in Tanzania.
The Northern Circuit works year-round, but the experience changes dramatically between seasons. The dry season (June–October) delivers peak wildlife density and the Great Migration. The wet season (November–May) offers green landscapes, newborn wildlife (February–March), fewer crowds, and lower prices — a very different, equally valid safari.
Day-by-Day Northern Circuit Itinerary
Day 1 — Arusha to Tarangire
Depart Arusha after breakfast and drive approximately two hours to Tarangire National Park. The park's landscapes shift quickly from cultivated fields to acacia woodland to the broad Tarangire River valley. Game drives begin immediately — the river is the gathering point for elephants, giraffes, and warthogs in the dry season. Lions are frequently spotted here, including the park's famous tree-climbing individuals. Overnight at a lodge or tented camp adjacent to the park.
Day 2 — Tarangire to Lake Manyara
A short morning game drive in Tarangire before departing for Lake Manyara — a drive of roughly 90 minutes. Lake Manyara is a compact park that rewards a half-day visit: the lake surface Covered in pink flamingo colonies, the groundwater forest filled with baboons and colobus monkeys, and the acacia woodland where tree-climbing lions are spotted with some regularity. A full day in Lake Manyara is not necessary; the afternoon can be spent at leisure or travelling toward the Ngorongoro highlands.
Days 3–4 — Central Serengeti
The drive from Lake Manyara to the central Serengeti takes three to four hours, descending from the highlands onto the endless plains. Two full days in the central Serengeti allows for morning and afternoon game drives — the best wildlife watching happens in the cooler hours. The central plains are where the great Migration herds gather during the green season, and where resident lion prides, leopards in the riverine forest, and large elephant herds are found year-round. A hot-air balloon safari over the Serengeti at dawn can be arranged on one morning as an optional add-on.
Days 5–6 — Northern Serengeti and the Mara River
The drive to the northern Serengeti takes three to four hours on good roads. These two days target the Mara River crossings — the most dramatic wildlife event in Africa. From July through October, thousands of wildebeest attempt the river crossing each day, with crocodiles waiting below and predators watching from the banks. Even outside the migration months, the northern Serengeti is remote, beautiful, and less visited than the south, with excellent predator sightings year-round.
Day 7 — Southern Serengeti and the Crater Highlands
A morning game drive in the southern or central Serengeti before driving up into the Ngorongoro highlands. The drive is roughly four hours, with views opening over the caldera rim as you approach. The altitude is noticeably higher here — the crater rim sits at approximately 2,400 metres. An evening at a lodge on the crater rim is one of the most memorable parts of the circuit, with the caldera visible in the distance and the sound of wildlife carrying up from below.
Day 8 — Ngorongoro Crater
Descend into the Ngorongoro Crater at sunrise for a full day game drive. There is a 6-hour limit on vehicle time inside the crater, which is ample for a thorough circuit. The crater floor supports one of the highest densities of lions, hyenas, and elephants in Africa, plus a reliable population of black rhinos — the rarest of the Big Five to spot in the wild. Flamingos line the lake in the crater floor, and the soda-ash content of the water gives the landscape an almost otherworldly quality. Overnight again on the crater rim.
Day 9 — Crater to Arusha
A leisurely morning on the crater rim — a nature walk along the crater rim trail or a visit to a nearby Maasai village are optional activities. Drive back to Arusha in the afternoon, approximately three hours. Departure flights from Kilimanjaro International Airport are typically in the evening, allowing time to freshen up and have a final meal in Arusha before the airport transfer.
Northern Circuit Park Fees
Tanzania National Parks fees for 2026 (subject to annual adjustment by TANAPA):
| Park | Fee (USD/person/day) | Typical Stay |
|---|---|---|
| Serengeti National Park | $77 | 4 days |
| Ngorongoro Crater (24-hour entry) | $93 | 1 day |
| Tarangire National Park | $64 | 1 day |
| Lake Manyara National Park | $54 | Half–1 day |
| Total park fees (9 days) | ~$639 | 9 days |
Park fees are charged per person per 24-hour period. Children aged 5-15 pay approximately half the adult rate. Fees cover vehicle entry and game drives within the park. They do not cover accommodation, meals, or the services of a guide and safari vehicle — which are arranged as part of your package.
Why Combine the Northern Circuit with Kilimanjaro
The Northern Circuit and Kilimanjaro are natural counterparts. The climb is an achievement — demanding, focused, and culminating in a sunrise at the highest point in Africa. The safari is a reward — the chance to be present for the wildlife without the physical pressure of altitude or distance. The transition between them is part of the trip's arc.
Most longer Kilimanjaro routes (Lemosho, Rongai, Northern Circuit) take 7-9 days, with the summit on day 6-8. The standard rest day in Arusha falls on day 8 or 9, with the Northern Circuit departing on day 9 or 10. The combined timeline for a Kilimanjaro climb plus the Northern Circuit is 17-21 days, depending on the specific Kili route chosen. The total cost of a combined climb-and-safari package is typically 30-40% less than booking the same itinerary through two separate operators.
When you book both through Safari Kilimanjaro, one operator handles the entire trip. There is no handover between mountain and safari operations, no re-briefing a new guide, and no gap in support between the two legs. The same team manages your gear transfer from the mountain to the safari vehicle, your Arusha rest day, and your complete park fee schedule.