The northern circuit
Most safaris visit the northern parks, which are linked by road from Arusha and can be combined in a week.
Serengeti National Park
Tanzania's most famous park: endless grass plains, granite kopjes and the Great Migration of wildebeest and zebra. It is excellent for big cats — lion, leopard and cheetah — all year. The park is huge, so where you stay depends on the season and the herds.
Ngorongoro Crater
A vast volcanic caldera with a permanent population of wildlife on its floor, including black rhino. The density of animals makes it one of the best single game drives in Africa. It is a conservation area, not a national park — the Maasai live and graze their cattle in the wider area.
Tarangire National Park
Known for its big elephant herds and ancient baobab trees. In the dry season, from June to October, thousands of animals gather along the Tarangire River. It is quieter than the Serengeti and close to Arusha.
Lake Manyara National Park
A small park below the Rift Valley escarpment, with groundwater forest, a soda lake, flamingos and a reputation for tree-climbing lions. A good first or last stop on a northern safari.
Arusha National Park
Right next to Arusha: Mount Meru, the Momella Lakes, colobus monkeys and giraffes, and walking safaris. Ideal for a day trip or the day you arrive.
Kilimanjaro National Park
Africa's highest mountain, at 5,895 metres. Climbed on our Kilimanjaro treks; non-climbers can visit the lower slopes on a day trip.
The south
Nyerere National Park
Formerly part of the Selous Game Reserve, Nyerere is vast and remote, with boat safaris on the Rufiji River, walking safaris and wild dogs. Fewer visitors make it feel truly wild.
Ruaha National Park
One of Tanzania's largest parks, with big lion prides, large buffalo herds, elephants and rare antelope. Usually reached by light aircraft.
Mikumi National Park
The most accessible southern park from Dar es Salaam, with open plains and good general game — popular for short safaris from the coast.
The west and the highlands
Katavi National Park is one of the most remote parks in Africa, with huge hippo and buffalo gatherings in the dry season. In the Southern Highlands, Kitulo National Park is a plateau famous for its wildflowers. In the north-east, Mkomazi National Park protects black rhino and wild dogs.
How to combine the parks
- 3–4 days: Tarangire and the Ngorongoro Crater, or a short Serengeti fly-in.
- 5–7 days: Tarangire, Lake Manyara or Ngorongoro, and two or three nights in the Serengeti.
- 8–10 days: the northern circuit with more time in the Serengeti, or add Zanzibar.
- Remote safaris: fly to Nyerere, Ruaha or Katavi, alone or after the north.
Read more in 7 best national parks in Tanzania, or see all Tanzania destinations.
