Discover the Northern Circuit Tanzania
The Northern Circuit Tanzania: Where Legends Are Born
For over a decade, Extraordinary Safari has guided travelers through the heart of East Africa’s most celebrated wilderness. When travelers dream of Africa, they dream of the Northern Circuit Tanzania. This iconic route is not just a safari; it is a pilgrimage through the cradle of wildlife, a front-row seat to nature’s greatest drama. From the tree-climbing lions of Lake Manyara to the endless plains of the Serengeti, the Northern Circuit offers the highest concentration of game parks and diverse landscapes on the continent. Let us take you on a journey through this legendary circuit.
Why Choose the Northern Circuit?
Embark on the classic Northern Circuit Tanzania safari. Explore the Ngorongoro Crater, the Serengeti, and Lake Manyara with Extraordinary Safari. Choosing the Northern Circuit means choosing density, diversity, and drama. Here is why this legendary circuit should be at the top of your travel list.
Unmatched Wildlife Density & The Big Five
While other safari destinations offer excellent experiences, the Northern Circuit Tanzania boasts the highest concentration of game per square kilometer on the continent. This is the land of the “Big Five” (Lion, Leopard, Elephant, Buffalo, and Black Rhino), but it is also the land of the “Little Five” and everything in between.
Ngorongoro Crater: Nowhere else on earth can you stand in one spot and see over 25,000 animals. The crater floor is a natural amphitheater where a leopard sleeps in a tree while a rhino grazes in the distance.
Tarangire: In the dry season, it hosts the largest elephant herds in Tanzania.
Why this matters to you: Less time searching means more time observing. You’ll spend your days captivated by action, not just scanning empty horizons.
Witness the Great Migration: The Eighth Wonder of the World
There are safaris, and then there is the Great Migration. The Northern Circuit is the only place on earth where you can witness this epic, year-round spectacle.
Choosing this circuit puts you front and center for nature’s greatest drama:
The Calving Season (Southern Serengeti): Witness the circle of life as thousands of wildebeest are born, attracting hungry predators.
The River Crossings (Northern Serengeti): Hold your breath as herds plunge into crocodile-infested waters in a frenzy of survival.
With Extraordinary Safari, we don’t just tell you about the migration; we position you directly in its path.
Landscape Diversity That Changes Daily
One of the most compelling reasons to choose the Northern Circuit is the sheer variety of scenery. Many safaris offer one habitat; the Northern Circuit offers a dozen.
In the span of a week, you will wake up to:
The Savanna: Endless golden plains of the Serengeti.
The Crater: The emerald, enclosed world of Ngorongoro.
The Rift Valley: The dramatic escarpment overlooking Lake Manyara.
The Baobab Forests: Ancient, otherworldly landscapes in Tarangire.
This geological diversity means your photo album will be a stunning mosaic of colors and backdrops, never a repetitive landscape.
The “Safari-Ready” Infrastructure
As the most popular circuit in East Africa, the Northern Circuit Tanzania benefits from decades of well-managed tourism. This translates directly to a better experience for you.
Expert Guides: The lodges and parks here attract the best wildlife guides in Africa. They know animal behavior, they know the roads, and they know how to give you the best view.
Quality Accommodation: From luxurious lodges perched on the crater rim to authentic mobile camps following the migration, the options are world-class.
Reliable Transport: The roads between parks are well-maintained, and the airstrips allow for fly-in safaris, saving you valuable game-viewing time.
The Gems of the Northern Circuit
Tarangire National Park – The Land of Giants
Often overlooked but absolutely unmissable, Tarangire is your first taste of the wild. Known for its majestic baobab trees and massive herds of elephants, this park is a hidden gem of the Northern Circuit Tanzania. During the dry season, the Tarangire River becomes a magnet for wildlife, offering spectacular game viewing.
Lake Manyara – A Rift Valley Jewel
Nestled at the base of the Great Rift Valley escarpment, Lake Manyara is a shallow alkaline lake that hosts thousands of flamingos. This park is world-famous for its tree-climbing lions and large troops of baboons. The groundwater forests and hot springs here create a unique microclimate that sets the stage for your safari adventure.
Lake Manyara is often described as the “gem” or “jewel” of Tanzania’s Northern Safari Circuit, and for good reason. Nestled at the base of the towering Great Rift Valley escarpment, this shallow, alkaline lake and its surrounding national park offer a breathtakingly scenic and uniquely diverse safari experience in a relatively compact area.
The Ngorongoro Crater – Africa’s Garden of Eden
No visit to the Northern Circuit Tanzania is complete without descending into the Ngorongoro Crater. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is the largest intact volcanic caldera in the world. It functions as a natural enclosure, hosting a permanent population of over 25,000 animals, including the rare black rhino. It is quite simply the best place in Africa to see the Big Five in a single morning.
The Serengeti National Park – The Endless Plains
The name “Serengeti” conjures images of vast savannahs and thrilling predator action. As the crown jewel of the Northern Circuit Tanzania, the Serengeti is the stage for the Great Migration—the annual movement of over 1.5 million wildebeest and zebra. Whether you are witnessing river crossings in the north or the calving season in the south, the Serengeti delivers a wildlife experience unmatched anywhere else on earth.
The Great Migration: Nature’s Masterpiece
The Northern Circuit Tanzania provides the best vantage point to witness the Great Migration.
December – March: Calving season in the Southern Serengeti (Ndutu area).
April – May: The herds move through the central park (Seronera).
July – November: The dramatic river crossings in the Northern Serengeti (Kogatende).
With Extraordinary Safari, we position you in the right place at the right time to witness this spectacle.
Why Book Your Safari with Extraordinary Safari?
Choosing the right operator is the key to unlocking the magic of the Northern Circuit Tanzania. Here is why we stand out:
Expert Guides
Our guides are not just drivers; they are seasoned naturalists who know the secret spots and animal behaviors.
Quality Vehicles:
We provide custom-built, pop-top 4×4 Land Cruisers for optimal viewing and photography.
Luxury & Comfort
From tented camps to lodges, we select accommodation that blends luxury with the wild.
Responsible Tourism
We are committed to preserving Tanzania’s heritage and supporting local communities.
Ready to Explore the Northern Circuit?
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best time of year for the Northern Circuit Tanzania?
The Northern Circuit is a year-round destination. The dry season (June to October) is best for general game viewing, while the wet season (December to March) offers excellent bird watching and the calving season in the Serengeti.
Is the Northern Circuit suitable for first-time safari goers?
Absolutely. The Northern Circuit Tanzania is perfect for first-timers due to its high concentration of wildlife, well-established infrastructure, and variety of landscapes.
Do I need a visa for Tanzania?
Yes, most international visitors require a visa, which can be obtained on arrival or online before travel.