Northern Circuit Tanzania: Best Time to Visit Serengeti, Ngorongoro & Kilimanjaro

In Tanzania, destinations are distributed throughout the country. And for this reason, the country has zones: Northern Circuit, Southern Circuit, Western Circuit, and Eastern Circuit. The Northern Circuit is, of course, the most famous of all, the reason being the presence of world-class destinations like the Serengeti National Park, Ngorongoro Crater, and Mount Kilimanjaro. This article will highlight the northern circuit and the best time to visit. Let’s dive right into it!

Tanzania’s northern part is simply called the Northern Circuit. This region is home to Tanzania’s tremendous attractions. And for good reason, the northern circuit is the favorite not just because of its spectacular attractions. It’s due to its friendly climate.

There is plenty to see here, from wildlife and volcanoes to interesting cultural and ethnic groups like the Maasai and Hadzabe. Here are a few attractions in a nutshell:

Serengeti National Park

The Serengeti is famous for several reasons. It hosts the planet’s biggest mammal migration, dubbed the Great Migration. Wildebeests in their hundreds of thousands form herds and unite with zebras and gazelles. These hoofed animals walk from the south to the north border of the Serengeti. They then enter the Masai Mara and return to the green grazing grounds. Serengeti’s also a go-to destination in Africa; every safari is turned into an action-filled adventure. Wildlife viewing is guaranteed, even in the so-called “Big Five.”

Ngorongoro Conservation Area

This area is undoubtedly another striking wildlife sanctuary in Tanzania. It’s well-known for hosting the Ngorongoro Crater—the world’s biggest intact caldera. This crater has the highest density of lions, rhinos, and other animals. It’s the guaranteed place to tick off all the Big Five animals. Aside from wildlife, the landscape of this iconic crater is magical. You can stand on the crater rim and view animals at specific viewing points. However, don’t expect to see giraffes on the crater floor. These tall creatures can’t survive well there because they are browsers, while the crater floor mainly consists of grassy plains. Also, the slope is too steep for them to descend and ascend.

Mount Kilimanjaro

Africa is proud of this dormant volcano. It’s another magical feature found in the Northern Circuit of Tanzania within the Kilimanjaro National Park. Mt. Kilimanjaro is 5895 meters above sea level. It’s the tallest freestanding mountain and one of the Seven Summits. Hikers whether experienced or not can trek it to the summit. It’s a walk-up trek unlike other great mountains which are technical climb.

Tarangire National Park

Tarangire is another must-go destination in the northern circuit. It’s famous for the largest elephant population in the country. Additionally, animals migrate close to the Tarangire River, which remains as the only reliable water source. This mighty river never dries up. It supplies water throughout the year. Therefore, during the dry season, animals move close to their banks to quench their thirst. This makes game viewing very interesting.

Lake Manyara National Park

Covering just 330 square kilometers, Lake Manyara National Park is a wonderful place to be. Most nature lovers go there to see its unique lions: the ones that climb up trees. The tree-climbing lions are exceptionally rare. Their population is incredible in this park. Imagine witnessing a lion resting on an acacia branch. They always climb to escape insects and to cool off.

The Best Time to Visit the Northern Circuit

The dry season

The northern circuit is a year-round destination. However, the dry season (June to October) is the best time. Here’s why. There is almost no rain at this time. So, you won’t be interrupted during your safari. It’s the ideal time for those who want to climb Mount Kilimanjaro. The trail, especially in the rainforest zone is dry which makes climbing easier. Moreover, you don’t have to pack a lot of clothes and gear to protect yourself from rain.

The grass is short. Dense forests lose grass as it dries off. This makes wildlife viewing superb. In addition to that, animals congregate at a few remaining water sources. So, you’ll have a high chance of seeing animals in bulk crowds.

Some challenges with the dry season include;

A large number of visitors. Tanzania receives the highest number of visitors during the dry season. That being said, competition for spots in hotels is very high. Prior booking is key. Otherwise, you may miss out on your favorite activity.

Some destinations get crowded. If you like being alone, then that might be a challenge. Some parks, especially famous ones like the Serengeti, Ngorongoro, and Mount Kilimanjaro, get more traffic than others. To avoid encountering many safari vehicles, we suggest you start with less-visited places like Tarangire, Lake Manyara, and Arusha National Park. Another tip to avoid the crowd is to book a private vehicle. With this mode of transport, you’re free to search for animals in less-frequented places.

Services are overpriced. Due to stiff competition for slots in accommodation facilities and for other services, prices go up. As a result, you’ll be charged a little bit more money at this time. To reduce the cost, consider booking a group safari.

The rainy season

Not everyone will afford the dry season. Some might be busy with work. Others want to cut the cost. Either way, the rainy or wet season is the best alternative. Here’s why.

Birds are in their breeding season. Birding becomes an additional service to enjoy in the wilderness. Migratory birds settle for breeding.

There is no crowd. You’ll enjoy a secluded safari. With a few visitors in the wet season, prices go down. Safari packages are affordable to everyone.

However, you might encounter several challenges. They include frequent rains, slippery roads, tall grass, and susceptibility to malaria.

And there you have it. Now you know the best time to visit Tanzania’s most celebrated safari zone. Start your plan with 4×4 Adventures today. If you still have more inquiries, reach out to our safari planners.