November 5, 2026
Key takeaways
- The northern circuit starts and ends in Arusha. Tarangire is about two hours away, the Ngorongoro gate about three to four, and the central Serengeti a full day’s drive.
- In five days you get one long transfer day, so expect six to eight hours in the vehicle on the day you reach the Serengeti.
- Park fees are a large part of the cost. At the time of writing (November 2026), entry runs from roughly US$50 to US$83 per adult per 24 hours depending on the park, and Ngorongoro adds a crater fee per vehicle.
- June to October is the dry season and the easiest time for game viewing. December to March is calving season in the southern Serengeti.
- Most visitors need a Tanzanian visa, and since 1 October 2026 Tanzania also requires a government travel insurance policy for foreign visitors.
What is the Tanzania northern circuit safari?
The Tanzania northern circuit safari is the classic route through the national parks west of Arusha: Tarangire National Park, the Ngorongoro Conservation Area and Serengeti National Park, often with Lake Manyara as a fourth stop. The three main areas sit along one road, so they can be combined without flying.
Serengeti, Ngorongoro and Tarangire in brief
- Tarangire National Park: known for large elephant herds and baobab trees. In the dry season, animals concentrate along the Tarangire River.
- Serengeti National Park: about 14,763 square kilometres of plains and woodland, home to the wildebeest migration and to big cats throughout the year.
- Ngorongoro Crater: a collapsed volcano roughly 600 metres deep with a floor of about 260 square kilometres. It holds a dense, resident wildlife population, including a small number of black rhinos.
Can you really see all three parks in 5 days?
Yes. Five days is enough for Tarangire, the Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater if you accept one long driving day and limit the Serengeti to its central area. Fewer than five days means dropping a park.
A typical 5 day Tanzania safari outline
- Day 1: Arusha to Tarangire, about two to two and a half hours by road. Afternoon game drive. Overnight near the park.
- Day 2: Tarangire to the central Serengeti through the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. This is the long day, with game viewing once you pass the Serengeti gate.
- Day 3: full day in the Serengeti, with morning and afternoon game drives around the Seronera area.
- Day 4: morning game drive, then drive back to the Ngorongoro rim. Overnight on or near the rim.
- Day 5: early descent into the crater, picnic lunch on the floor, then three to four hours back to Arusha.
The exact order changes with the season and with lodge availability. Our 5-day Tanzanian safari page shows the current routing we offer.
Where the time goes
Roads are tarmac from Arusha to the Ngorongoro gate. Beyond it, the road across the conservation area and into the Serengeti is gravel and corrugated, so distances take longer than a map suggests. A 4×4 Land Cruiser with a pop-up roof is the standard vehicle on this route.
How much are park fees on the northern circuit in 2026?
At the time of writing (November 2026), non-resident adults pay roughly US$50 to US$83 per person per 24 hours for the main northern parks, including 18% VAT. The exact figure depends on the park and the season.
- Serengeti National Park: roughly US$70 to US$83 per adult per 24 hours.
- Tarangire National Park: roughly US$50 to US$59 per adult per 24 hours.
- Ngorongoro Conservation Area: about US$71 per adult per 24 hours. This is also charged when you drive through the area on the way to or from the Serengeti.
- Crater service fee: about US$295 per vehicle for each descent into Ngorongoro Crater, shared between the passengers.
- Concession or camping fees: an extra nightly charge per person when you sleep inside a park or the conservation area.
These figures are a guide only. Children aged 5 to 15 pay reduced rates. Tariffs are set by Tanzania National Parks (TANAPA) and the Ngorongoro Conservation Area Authority and are revised from time to time, so confirm them before you budget. On a guided safari the fees are normally included in the package price, and we itemise them on request.
When is the best time for a northern circuit safari?
The dry season from June to October is the most reliable time for the whole circuit, because vegetation is thin and animals stay near water. Each park also has its own strong months.
- June to October: dry and cool. Tarangire is at its best, and the migration moves through the western and northern Serengeti.
- November and December: short rains. The herds move south again.
- January to March: calving season on the southern Serengeti plains and around Ndutu, with many predators.
- April and May: long rains. Some tracks are muddy and a few camps close, but the parks are quiet and green.
Ngorongoro Crater has resident wildlife all year. The migration follows the rain, so its position in any given week cannot be promised.
How do you start a Tanzania safari from Nairobi?
From Nairobi you can reach Arusha by road through the Namanga border in about five to six hours, or fly to Kilimanjaro International Airport in about one hour.
By road through Namanga
The distance is roughly 270 kilometres on tarmac. Namanga is a one-stop border post, where you clear Kenyan exit and Tanzanian entry formalities in the same building. Kenyan safari vehicles do not normally carry out game drives in Tanzanian parks, so you change to a Tanzania-registered vehicle and driver-guide at the border or in Arusha.
Entry requirements for Tanzania
- Visa: most nationalities need one. Apply on the official Tanzania eVisa portal. An ordinary single-entry visa has long cost US$50, and US citizens are issued a US$100 multiple-entry visa.
- Yellow fever certificate: required if you arrive from a country with a risk of yellow fever transmission, which includes Kenya.
- Travel insurance: since 1 October 2026, foreign visitors to mainland Tanzania must buy a government inbound travel insurance policy from the National Insurance Corporation. It costs US$44 per adult and is valid for up to 92 days. Residents of East African Community and SADC states are outside the rule. Check how it is being applied before you travel.
- Plastic bags: Tanzania bans plastic carrier bags, so pack without them.
If your trip begins in Kenya, you will also need Kenyan entry clearance. Our guide to Kenya eTA requirements covers that step.
How do the three parks compare?
| Feature | Tarangire | Serengeti | Ngorongoro Crater |
|---|---|---|---|
| Known for | Elephants and baobabs | Migration and big cats | Dense wildlife in a caldera, black rhino |
| Drive from Arusha | About 2 to 2.5 hours | About 7 to 8 hours to the central area | About 3 to 4 hours to the gate |
| Strongest months | June to October | All year, varies by region | All year |
| Nights in a 5-day plan | 1 | 2 | 1 |
| Adult entry per 24 hours (approx.) | US$50 to US$59 | US$70 to US$83 | About US$71, plus about US$295 per vehicle |
| Managed by | TANAPA | TANAPA | NCAA |
Is five days enough, or should you add more?
Five days covers the highlights, but six or seven days make the trip noticeably less rushed. An extra night in the Serengeti is the most valuable addition.
- Add a Serengeti night if you want a real chance of following the migration to the north or the south.
- Add Lake Manyara to break the drive between Tarangire and Ngorongoro.
- Combine with Kenya if you want the Masai Mara as well. Our 9-day Kenya and Tanzania safari joins the two countries.
How Ramja Safaris can help
We plan northern circuit safaris starting from Nairobi or Arusha. See our tours for the Serengeti, the Ngorongoro Conservation Area and Tarangire, then request a quote with your travel month and group size.
Frequently asked questions
How many days do you need for the Tanzania northern circuit?
Five days is the practical minimum for Tarangire, the Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater together. Six or seven days allow a third night in the Serengeti or a stop at Lake Manyara, which makes the driving easier.
Can I do a Tanzania safari from Nairobi?
Yes. Arusha is about five to six hours from Nairobi by road through the Namanga border, or about one hour by air to Kilimanjaro International Airport. You then continue in a Tanzania-registered safari vehicle.
How long can you stay inside Ngorongoro Crater?
The Ngorongoro Conservation Area Authority limits each vehicle’s time on the crater floor, usually to about six hours per descent, and the crater service fee is paid per vehicle per descent. That is why most itineraries plan one morning visit with a picnic lunch.
Will I see the wildebeest migration on a 5-day safari?
It depends on the month. A five-day route normally stays in the central Serengeti, which the herds pass through at certain times of year. From July to October they are usually far to the north, which needs extra nights. No sighting can be promised.
Are park fees included in a Tanzania safari package?
On a guided safari, park entry, crater and concession fees are normally included in the quoted price. Ask for them to be itemised so you can compare quotes fairly, because they make up a large share of the total cost.
