East Africa Serengeti Safari: Tanzania’s Northern Circuit from Nairobi
East Africa Serengeti safari at a glance
| Best months | June to October for dry weather and the northern river crossings; December to March for calving in the south. Resident wildlife all year around Seronera. |
| Typical trip length | 5 to 7 days for the northern circuit; 9 days or more with Kenya |
| Start point | Nairobi, with the Tanzania circuit itself starting in Arusha |
| Vehicle options | 4×4 safari vehicle with a pop-up roof on the Tanzanian circuit; 4×4 Land Cruiser or safari minivan on the Kenyan leg |
| Comfort levels | Comfort, mid-range and high-luxury lodges and tented camps |
| Who it suits | Travellers who want the migration outside July to October, and anyone adding Tanzania to a Kenya trip |
Serengeti safaris you can book with Ramja Safaris
Both itineraries include the Serengeti and Ngorongoro. You can also browse tours by park: Serengeti National Park, Ngorongoro Conservation Area and Tarangire National Park.
- 5-Day Tremendous Tanzanian Safari: five days from Arusha through Tarangire, the Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater.
- 9-Day Kenya & Tanzania Luxury Safari: The Ultimate East Africa Safari: nine days from Nairobi, combining the Masai Mara with the Serengeti and Ngorongoro.
For other lengths or comfort levels, request a quote with your dates.
Where is the Serengeti, and how does it fit into East Africa?
The Serengeti is in northern Tanzania, directly south of Kenya’s Masai Mara. The two form one ecosystem, and the wildebeest migration moves between them each year.
The national park covers roughly 14,760 square kilometres, far larger than the Mara. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the UNESCO listing describes an annual circular trek of about 1,000 kilometres by wildebeest, zebra and gazelle.
To the south-east lies the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, and beyond it Tarangire. Together they make up Tanzania’s northern circuit, which begins in Arusha.
How do you get to the Serengeti on a safari from Nairobi?
A Serengeti safari from Nairobi usually goes overland: by road to the Namanga border, on to Arusha, and then west through the northern circuit. The alternative is to enter from the Masai Mara through the Isebania border post.
- Via Namanga and Arusha: suits a Tanzania-only trip. Tarangire, under two hours from Arusha by paved road, is often the first park.
- Via the Masai Mara and Isebania: suits a combined Kenya and Tanzania route, entering the Serengeti from the north-west.
- By air: some travellers fly to northern Tanzania and start the circuit there.
Arusha to the Ngorongoro area is about 190 km, or three and a half to four hours, and the Serengeti lies beyond that. Expect at least one long driving day in each direction.
When is the best time for a Serengeti National Park safari?
It depends on which part of the park you visit. A Serengeti National Park safari works in every month, because the herds are always somewhere in the ecosystem and the central Seronera valley has resident game all year.
| December to March | Southern plains and Ndutu: calving, usually centred on February |
| April to June | Centre and western corridor: long rains, then the rut near the Grumeti River |
| July to October | Northern Serengeti: Mara River crossings |
| November | East and centre: short rains, herds moving south |
Timing shifts with the rains, so treat the months as a pattern. April and early May are the wettest weeks, when some tracks are difficult and a few camps close.
What does a Serengeti Ngorongoro safari include?
A Serengeti Ngorongoro safari combines open-plains game drives with a half-day descent into Ngorongoro Crater, and often a first night in Tarangire. Five days is a workable minimum from Arusha.
- Tarangire: large elephant herds and old baobab trees, at its best from June to October.
- Serengeti: two nights or more for big cats, plains game and, in the right region, the migration.
- Ngorongoro Crater: a floor of about 260 square kilometres enclosed by walls roughly 600 metres high. The descent gate opens at 6 am, and time on the floor is commonly limited to about six hours.
The crater has no giraffes, and its black rhinos are usually seen at a distance. Lion, buffalo and elephant are likely.
What fees and documents should you plan for?
Plan for park fees charged per person for each 24 hours, a per-vehicle crater service fee at Ngorongoro, and a Tanzania visa. These are normally itemised in your safari quote.
Rates and season dates are revised from time to time, so we do not quote them here. The current figures are on the Tanzania National Parks tariff page.
At the time of writing (November 2026), published Tanzania tourist visa fees range from USD 50 to USD 100, depending on nationality. If you start in Nairobi you will also need a Kenya Electronic Travel Authorisation, unless your nationality is exempt.
Why book with Ramja Safaris
Ramja Safaris is a Nairobi-based safari tour operator licensed by Kenya’s Tourism Regulatory Authority. The company has been operating for more than 10 years and runs guided safaris in Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda and Rwanda.
- Tanzania northern circuit routes planned from Nairobi and Arusha, on their own or joined to a Kenya itinerary.
- A choice of 4×4 Land Cruiser or safari minivan on road safaris, both with a pop-up roof.
- Office: Internet Business Centre, Building No. 22, Plums Lane off Ojijo Road, Parklands, Nairobi.
- Open Monday to Saturday, 8 am to 7 pm (East Africa Time).
- Phone and WhatsApp: +254 758 156 046. Email: sales@ramjasafaris.com.
We do not publish fixed prices, because the cost depends on your dates, group size, vehicle and accommodation. Request a quote and the planning team will reply with a written itinerary.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Serengeti in Kenya or Tanzania?
The Serengeti is in northern Tanzania. It borders Kenya’s Masai Mara, and the two form one East Africa Serengeti and Mara ecosystem that the wildebeest migration moves through each year.
Can I visit the Serengeti from Nairobi?
Yes. You can travel overland from Nairobi through the Namanga border to Arusha and on to the Serengeti, or cross from the Masai Mara at Isebania on a combined Kenya and Tanzania safari.
How many days do I need in the Serengeti?
Three to four nights is a sensible minimum for the park itself. It is large, and getting between regions can take most of a day. A full northern circuit with Ngorongoro and Tarangire needs five to seven days.
Is the Serengeti worth visiting outside migration season?
Yes. Resident lion, leopard, cheetah, elephant and giraffe are present all year, particularly around Seronera in the centre of the park.
Do I need a 4×4 for the Serengeti and Ngorongoro?
In practice, yes. The crater roads are steep, and safari operators use 4×4 vehicles with pop-up roofs on the northern circuit.
Related safaris and guides
- Kenya Tanzania safari: Masai Mara and Serengeti in one trip
- Wildebeest migration safari in the Masai Mara and Serengeti
- All African safari tours
- Kenya eTA requirements: how to apply before your safari
- Safari Land Cruiser vs minivan
Last updated: 11 November 2026 ยท Ramja Safaris planning team, Nairobi.
