Serengeti, by season
The herds move through the Serengeti across the year. Which part of the park makes sense depends entirely on your travel dates.
Tanzania Safaris & Zanzibar
Follow the northern circuit through the Serengeti, Ngorongoro and Tarangire, then trade the plains for the sandbars and reefs of Zanzibar.
The northern circuit, then the ocean
Tanzania concentrates an enormous amount into one route. The Serengeti carries the wildebeest herds through the year, the Ngorongoro Crater holds a dense resident population inside its walls, and Tarangire and Lake Manyara add elephant country and the Rift Valley escarpment within a short drive of each other.
Most journeys begin in Arusha and work north and west by road or light aircraft. Zanzibar sits a short flight away, which is why so many Tanzania itineraries finish on the coast. Start with the parks that interest you, then look at how many nights each leg deserves.
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Short distances, very different country
The northern parks sit close together, so the decisions that matter are nights per park, road versus air, and where the herds are during your dates.
The crater in one day
Ngorongoro is usually a descent and a full crater morning. Where you sleep on the rim or in Karatu changes how early you get down.
Elephants and baobabs
Tarangire and Lake Manyara work well at the start or end of a circuit, and both reward more than a single night.
Finish on Zanzibar
A short flight connects the northern circuit to Zanzibar’s beaches, Stone Town and the reef, with no long overland transfer.
Where you will travel
Open a destination for its landscapes, wildlife, places to stay and the journeys that include it.
More than the crater floor
Activities available across the northern circuit. Availability and inclusions are confirmed against your chosen parks and itinerary.
Great Migration
Plan a Masai Mara safari around the movement of the Great Migration herds. Time in the reserve allows for extended wildlife observation across…
Explore experience
Game Drives
Explore the Mara Triangle on guided game drives, following the changing activity of wildlife across the landscape. Build time in your safari for…
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Big Five Safaris
Track lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo and rhino across Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda. Each park offers different odds on the five, so the route…
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Hot-Air Balloon Safari
See the Masai Mara from the air on a hot-air balloon safari. This experience is listed as an optional addition to selected safari…
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Walking Safari
Experience the landscape on foot with guided walking safaris along the edge of the Oloololo Escarpment. A walking experience creates space to notice…
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Cultural Experiences
Add a cultural visit to a local Maasai village to selected safari journeys. These encounters offer another perspective on the places you travel…
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Photographic Safari
Make photography part of your time in the Masai Mara. Selected itineraries offer opportunities to photograph wildlife and the surrounding landscape, with time…
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Bush Breakfast & Bush Dinner
Take a meal beyond the lodge with a bush breakfast on the plains or a bush dinner experience. These outdoor dining moments feature…
Explore experienceTanzania journeys
Compare routes by travel style and length. Each itinerary sets out its parks, transfers, stays and inclusions.
- From $1,280
- Per Person Sharing
- 4 Days
Tanzania’s northern circuit offers a profound connection to the natural world through its most iconic landscapes. This journey travels.
Destinations:
Serengeti National Park | Ngorongoro Crater | Arusha
- From $1,695
- Per Person Sharing
- 4 Days
Northern Tanzania’s most iconic wilderness areas unfold in a balanced and steady sequence. This journey transitions from the ancient.
Destinations:
Tarangire National Park | Ngorongoro Conservation Area | Serengeti National Park
- From $3,225
- Per Person Sharing
- 5 Days
Northern Tanzania’s most iconic landscapes unfold in a purposeful sequence through this five-day journey. The route transitions from the.
Destinations:
Lake Manyara National Park | Ngorongoro Conservation Area | Serengeti National Park
- From $2,125
- Per Person Sharing
- 6 Days
Tanzania’s northern circuit offers a rhythmic journey through some of the most iconic wildlife landscapes in East Africa. The.
Destinations:
Tarangire National Park | Serengeti National Park | Ngorongoro Conservancy | Arusha
- From $3,145
- Per Person Sharing
- 4 Days
Tanzania’s most iconic landscapes unfold during this short but intense fly-in journey. Travelers transition directly from the white sands.
Destinations:
Serengeti National Park (Central/Seronera) | Ngorongoro Conservation Area | Ngorongoro Crater Floor
- From $1,205
- Per Person Sharing
- 4 Days
Northern Tanzania’s landscape transitions from the lush highlands of Arusha to the ancient baobab forests of Tarangire. This journey.
Destinations:
Arusha National Park | Tarangire National Park | Ngorongoro Crater | Lake Manyara National Park
Know which parks you want? Send your dates and we will sequence the circuit around them.
EnquireCamps and lodges on the circuit
A selection of Tanzania properties from our collection, from crater-rim lodges to mobile camps that follow the herds.
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24Hr Front Desk
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Eco-Friendly
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Kids-Friendly
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Laundry Services
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Restaurant
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Swimming Pool
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Wifi
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Wildlife Viewing
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24Hr Front Desk
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Bar / Lounge
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Eco-Friendly
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Family Rooms
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Free Parking
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Restaurant
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Wifi
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Wildlife Viewing
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Bar / Lounge
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Eco-Friendly
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Family Rooms
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Kids-Friendly
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Restaurant
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Spa & Wellness
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Swimming Pool
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Wifi
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24Hr Front Desk
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Bar / Lounge
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Eco-Friendly
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Family Rooms
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Kids-Friendly
-
Restaurant
-
Swimming Pool
-
Wifi
-
Bar / Lounge
-
Eco-Friendly
-
Family Rooms
-
Kids-Friendly
-
Laundry Services
-
Restaurant
-
Wifi
-
Wildlife Viewing
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Eco-Friendly
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Family Rooms
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Kids-Friendly
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Laundry Services
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Restaurant
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Room Service
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Wifi
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Wildlife Viewing
One migration, two countries
The same herds that cross the Serengeti move into the Masai Mara later in the year. A combined route follows that movement rather than treating each country separately, so it is worth reading our Kenya safaris page alongside this one.
If your dates fall near a handover between the two, compare both sides before fixing the route. Our Kenya versus Tanzania guide sets out the differences in cost, access and timing.
Explore migration safarisPlan the details
Get the timing and the country choice right before fixing a route.
Time the migration
The herds are somewhere in the ecosystem all year, but the part of the Serengeti that makes sense shifts month by month. Our year-round guide explains the pattern and its limits.
Explore migration timing
Kenya or Tanzania?
Both deliver outstanding wildlife and the honest answer depends on your dates, budget and how much time you have for transfers. The comparison guide sets out the trade-offs.
Compare the twoRead before you travel
Practical guides to timing, routes and costs across East Africa.
From idea to itinerary
Start with the parks and dates; settle the route and the practical details before confirming.
Tell us what matters
Share your dates, party size, pace and the parks or wildlife you most want to see.
Shape the circuit
We sequence the parks, decide road or air between them, and match camps to each leg.
Confirm the details
Check the proposal, availability, inclusions and booking terms, including any Zanzibar extension.
How many days do I need for a Tanzania safari?
Short circuits of three to four days can cover Tarangire, Lake Manyara and the Ngorongoro Crater. Adding the Serengeti usually means more nights, because the drive or flight in deserves time at the other end. Use the duration filters to compare real itineraries.
When is the Great Migration in the Serengeti?
The herds are within the wider ecosystem all year and move between the southern plains, the west and the north. The sensible area changes with your dates, and no month guarantees a river crossing. Our year-round migration guide explains the pattern.
Should I fly or drive between parks?
Driving lets you see the country between parks and is often better value; flying returns hours to your safari days on longer routes. Many itineraries mix the two. We can check the actual connections and baggage limits for your dates.
Can I combine Tanzania with Zanzibar?
Yes. Zanzibar is a short flight from the northern circuit and several of our itineraries already connect the two. Tell us how many beach nights you want and we will balance them against the safari portion.
Can I combine Tanzania with Kenya?
Yes. Our combined routes link the Serengeti and the Masai Mara, and work particularly well when your dates sit near a seasonal handover between the two. Border crossings and flights are arranged as part of the route.
Is the Ngorongoro Crater worth a full day?
A crater descent is usually a half or full morning, and the drive down and back takes time. Where you sleep, on the rim or in Karatu, affects how early you can be on the floor.
Are Tanzania safaris suitable for families?
Many properties and routes work well for families, but suitability depends on the children’s ages, room configuration, drive lengths and individual activity rules. Tell us the ages when you enquire so we can check each property.
What is included in the price?
Start with the inclusions and exclusions on each itinerary. Park fees, accommodation, transport, meals and optional activities vary between programmes. Your final proposal sets out the exact inclusions before you confirm.
Do I need to book far in advance?
Camps in the Serengeti and on the crater rim have limited rooms and fill early around peak migration months and the festive season. Earlier enquiries give you more choice of property and room type.
How do I start planning with JohnBow?
Send your dates, party size, preferred pace, the parks you have in mind and an indicative budget. We use those details to discuss a route and properties. Sending the form does not itself confirm a booking.