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Northern Tanzania is home to some of East Africa’s most famous parks.
The main parks in the north are the Serengeti Game Reserve, the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, Lake Manyara National Park and Tarangire National Park.
Serengeti Game Reserve
The Serengeti is notable for its million strong migratory herds of zebra and wildebeest. Ngorongoro has Africa’s densest lion and spotted hyena population as well as the rare, big tusked black rhino.
Lake Manyara has flocks of flamingos in the shallows and tree climbing lion in the surrounding vegetation whilst Tarangire is known for having dense elephant populations in the dry season.
These parks are very easy to combine and can be accessed either by light aircraft, or more commonly by driving on a guided safari.
Flamingos of Lake Natron
Trips tend to start in Arusha where international flights land and then head west taking in Tarangire, Lake Manyara and the Ngorongoro Crater before ending in the Serengeti. However, the north is not just home to the most famous parks, it also has a number of lesser known areas that are no less spectacular. Lake Natron, far from the beaten track is a breeding ground for lesser flamingos and has spectacular scenery with the wall of the Great Rift Valley running alongside it.
Maasai culture
West Kilimanjaro is an area of unparalleled beauty with vast plains home to both antelope and cattle. It is a Maasai stronghold and visiting here gives you an insight into traditional Maasai culture. Finally, it is possible to walk around the rim of the crater, stay on a coffee farm in the Ngorongoro highlands, take in the scenery at the foothills of Kilimanjaro or even climb to the top.
We recommend combining some of these lesser known areas with some of the famous parks for a unique safari.
who's been there
Start planning your tailor-made trip to Northern Tanzania by contacting one of our Tanzania specialists
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Places to visit in Northern Tanzania
Featuring heavily on our experiences of visiting Northern Tanzania, these selected places are destinations that also prove consistently popular with our travelers. Our specialists can help you choose how to include them in your wider trip, based on your preferences.
Suggested itineraries featuring Northern Tanzania
Our itineraries will give you suggestions for what is possible when you travel in Northern Tanzania, and they showcase routes we know work particularly well. Treat them as inspiration, because your trip will be created uniquely by one of our specialists.
Places in and around Northern Tanzania
- Arusha Northern Tanzania
- Karatu Northern Tanzania
- Lake Eyasi Northern Tanzania
- Lake Manyara National Park Northern Tanzania
- Lake Natron Northern Tanzania
- Mount Kilimanjaro Northern Tanzania
- Ngorongoro Crater Northern Tanzania
- Ol Doinyo Lengai Northern Tanzania
- Rubondo Island Northern Tanzania
- Serengeti National Park Northern Tanzania
- Tarangire National Park Northern Tanzania
- West Kilimanjaro Northern Tanzania
- Tanzania's Swahili Coast 463 kilometers away
- Saadani 474 kilometers away
- Ruaha National Park 478 kilometers away
Photos of Northern Tanzania
Accommodation choices for Northern Tanzania
We've selected a range of accommodation options for when you visit Northern Tanzania. Our choices usually come recommended for their character, facilities and service or location. Our specialists always aim to suggest properties that match your preferences.
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Responsible ChoiceWe've hand-selected a range of tours and stays across the world that go above and beyond to be a force for good by supporting local businesses, educating staff, challenging local norms, or promoting conservation and biodiversity efforts. Your Responsible Choice helps increase the positive impact of your trip.
Rubondo Island Camp
Rubondo Island -
Mountain Dome Tents
Mount Kilimanjaro -
Kisima Ngeda Tented Camp
Lake Eyasi -
Kirurumu Tarangire Camp
Tarangire National Park -
Tarangire River Camp
Tarangire National Park -
Oliver's Camp
Tarangire National Park -
&Beyond Lake Manyara Tree Lodge
Lake Manyara National Park -
The Manor at Ngorongoro
Karatu -
&Beyond Ngorongoro Crater Lodge
Ngorongoro Crater -
Ngorongoro Farmhouse
Karatu -
Endoro Lodge
Karatu -
Lemala Ngorongoro Camp
Ngorongoro Crater -
Plantation Lodge
Karatu -
The Highlands
Ngorongoro Crater -
Gibb's Farm
Karatu -
Arusha Coffee Lodge
Arusha -
Arumeru River Lodge
Arusha -
Onsea House
Arusha -
Rivertrees Lodge
Arusha -
Lemala Serengeti Camp
Serengeti National Park -
Sasakwa Hill Lodge
Serengeti National Park -
Sayari
Serengeti National Park -
Sabora Plains
Serengeti National Park -
&Beyond Klein’s Camp
Serengeti National Park -
Nomad Serengeti Safari Camp
Serengeti National Park -
Ndutu Lodge
Serengeti National Park -
Kimondo Camp
Serengeti National Park -
Ubuntu Mobile Camp
Serengeti National Park -
Serengeti Kati Kati Camp
Serengeti National Park -
Olakira Mobile Camp
Serengeti National Park -
Namiri Plains
Serengeti National Park -
Responsible ChoiceWe've hand-selected a range of tours and stays across the world that go above and beyond to be a force for good by supporting local businesses, educating staff, challenging local norms, or promoting conservation and biodiversity efforts. Your Responsible Choice helps increase the positive impact of your trip.
Dunia Camp
Serengeti National Park -
Lamai Safari Camp
Serengeti National Park