where to go

Tanzania's parks and circuits

From the Serengeti plains and the Ngorongoro Crater to the southern parks and Zanzibar's beaches, choose the corner of Tanzania that suits your trip.

three circuits

One country, many wild places

We are based in Arusha, the gateway to the northern safari circuit, and know those parks well. We also run safaris in the quieter south, including flying safaris from Zanzibar, and arrange beach holidays on the islands and the coast. Tell us what you want to see and we will suggest the right mix.

Great Migration plains

Serengeti National Park

Open savanna, rivers and granite kopjes in northern Tanzania, home to big predators and the wildebeest herds of the Great Migration.

Best time: All year; June – October for general game viewing, November – February for the calving season

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Volcanic caldera

Ngorongoro Crater

A vast volcanic caldera in northern Tanzania, with grassland, forest, swamp and a soda lake on its floor and a high concentration of wildlife.

Best time: All year; June – October is drier, March – May brings the long rains and fewer visitors

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Elephants and baobabs

Tarangire National Park

Big elephant herds, ancient baobabs and the Tarangire River, a short drive from Arusha and at its best in the dry season.

Best time: June – October, when wildlife gathers along the river; the green months are good for birds

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Tree-climbing lions

Lake Manyara National Park

A compact park below the Great Rift Valley escarpment, with groundwater forest, a soda lake, rich birdlife and its famous tree-climbing lions.

Best time: June – October for general game viewing; November – February for green scenery and birds

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Roof of Africa

Mount Kilimanjaro

Africa's highest mountain at 5,895 m, climbed through rainforest, moorland and alpine desert to Uhuru Peak on the rim of Kibo.

Best time: January – mid-March and June – October, the drier months

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Meru, crater and lakes

Arusha National Park

A compact park at the foot of Mount Meru, close to Arusha town, with Ngurdoto Crater, the Momela Lakes, forest and walking safaris.

Best time: All year; June – October is driest, November – February greenest for scenery and birds

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Arusha's volcano

Mount Meru

Tanzania's second-highest mountain at 4,566 m, climbed in three or four days from Momela Gate inside Arusha National Park.

Best time: June – October and late December – February, the drier months

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Rift Valley volcano

Lake Natron & Ol Doinyo Lengai

A shallow soda lake in the Rift Valley near the Kenyan border, below the active Ol Doinyo Lengai volcano, with flamingos and waterfall walks.

Best time: June – October and December – March; expect strong heat around midday

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Crater Highlands trekking

Empakai & Olmoti Craters

Two quieter volcanic craters in the northern Ngorongoro highlands, explored on foot: Empakai's crater lake and Olmoti's rim and waterfall.

Best time: June – October and December – February; nights on the rim are cold all year

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Hadzabe homeland

Lake Eyasi

A seasonal soda lake below the Rift escarpment south-west of Ngorongoro, home to the Hadzabe hunter-gatherers and Datoga herders.

Best time: June – October; visits run all year, though the lake shrinks in the dry season

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Sukuma lake shore

Lake Victoria

Africa's largest lake, a short drive west of the Serengeti, where Sukuma fishing and farming villages line the shore around Speke Bay.

Best time: June – October and December – February, the drier months

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Mkata Floodplain

Mikumi National Park

An accessible southern park with open grassland around the Mkata Floodplain, reached by road from Dar es Salaam or by air from Zanzibar.

Best time: June – October for the easiest game viewing; November – December for green scenery

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Rufiji River safaris

Nyerere National Park

Tanzania's largest national park, once part of the Selous Game Reserve, with boat safaris on the Rufiji River, game drives and walks.

Best time: June – October, the dry season; November – February is green and good for birds

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Spice Islands

Zanzibar

White-sand beaches, clear water and the old streets of Stone Town on the Spice Islands, an easy place to end a safari or a climb.

Best time: June – October and December – February, the drier months

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north, south and coast

Tanzania at a glance

Northern Circuit

The best-known safari route in Africa, starting from Arusha. It covers the Serengeti and the wildebeest migration, the Ngorongoro Crater, Tarangire's elephants and baobabs, the forests and lakes of Lake Manyara and Arusha National Park, and Kilimanjaro itself. Serengeti National Park, Ngorongoro Conservation Area, Tarangire National Park, Lake Manyara National Park, Arusha National Park, Kilimanjaro National Park.

Southern Circuit

Large, wild and far less busy. Nyerere National Park, once part of the Selous Game Reserve, offers boat safaris on the Rufiji River. Mikumi is the easiest to reach from Dar es Salaam and Zanzibar, including on a flying safari.

Zanzibar and the coast

Stone Town, spice farms, coral reefs and white beaches on Zanzibar, and quiet mainland beaches at Dar es Salaam, Pangani and Bagamoyo.

start your own journey

Ready to plan Tanzania?

Tell us your dates, interests and budget. Our team in Arusha will plan an itinerary around you and send you a quote.