Reasons to visit Northern Tourism Circuit in Tanzania

1.Africa's greatest safari area?

The Tanzania North area, centred on the magnificent Serengeti and Ngorongoro, is one of the big hitting safari areas to contend for the title of Africa's greatest.

But where Tanzania North wins hands down is in the categories of spectacle, variety and adventure. 

This part of the world offers three elements in roughly equal measures ... magnificent landscapes, amazing gameviewing and awesome tribal cultures.

We often find ourselves saying that if you want to fall in love with Africa then go on an overland safari to the Serengeti.

Maasai herders in the Ngorongoro Highlands

 2. Incredible range and volume of game 

Although very seasonal, with good planning this safari area can deliver awesome game viewing at virtually any time of year.

The diversity of game is due to the wide range of different landscapes in the region, from humid cloud forest on the Ngorongoro mountains to the baking open plains of the Serengeti. These provide habitats for an extraordinary range of animals and birds.

But what provides the real spectacle are the various herbivore and predator migrations that are superimposed upon these populations, driven by the seasonality of the rainfall and the limited number of permanent water sources.

A good Tanzanian safari should plan to cover both the resident and migratory game, much on this subject to follow.

Out for a light lunch

3. Serengeti wildebeest migration

The Serengeti wildebeest and zebra migration is generally considered to be the largest movement of land mammals in the world, involving around 1.5 million animals on an 800km annual trek between seasonal grazing areas.

When planning a safari to this area it is critical to understand the nature and seasonal movements of the migration. In a nutshell the main highlights are ...
- the calving season in January to March
- the rut and march north in April
- the crossing the Grumeti river in May and June
- the crossings on the Mara river in July to October
- the southern trek in November to December

4. Serengeti predator density

The Serengeti contains prolific numbers of predators, especially lion, cheetah and hyena. Safaris to this part of the world should never find themselves short of predator action, especially in the main safari seasons. In fact at certain times of the year, this situation becomes even more pronounced ...

During the dry season, July to October, the vast majority of herbivores which usually inhabit the plains of southern Serengeti are obliged to migrate in towards water in central areas. Following close behind are the predators. Serengeti Central is believed to have the highest density of lion and cheetah in Africa at this time. It is not unusual to get sight of over 100 lion and two dozen cheetah in a single day. But with the high density of visitors in this busy core area also at this time, it is more about the quality rather than the quantity of sightings.

5. Ngorongoro Crater
The Ngorongoro Crater is one of the greatest natural spectacles on the planet ... a 25km diameter flat bottomed caldera containing a microcosm of East African safari, with forest, plains, soda and freshwater lakes and virtually the whole range of game except for giraffe. The landscapes are gobsmacking and the gameviewing virtually guaranteed.

Vista across the Ngorongoro Crater from the southern viewpoint.

6. Volcanic scenery 

Over and above the Ngorongoro Crater itself, the awesome volcanic scenery that dominates this region is a major defining feature of a safari here.

The volcanoes of Ngorongoro form an impressive barrier between the steppe of Tarangire to the southeast and the plains of the Serengeti to the northwest. Virtually all overland safaris through this region make their way up and over these mountains. 

Further north, way off the beaten track lie the mysterious Empakai Crater, whilst down at Lake Natron stands the formidable Ol Donyo Lengai, the Maasai Mountain of God, a picture perfect active volcano, which regularly sends columns of smoke high into the air.

The presence of so much amazing scenery adds a totally other dimension to a safari. Many visitors find themselves suddenly enthused by geology, it is all so raw, readable and inextricably tied in to the wildlife and culture of the region.

Aerial view of the active crater of Ol Donyo Lengai

7. Walking with Maasai 

Interaction with the Maasai people is one of the greatest highlights and privileges of a safari to this area.

The main circumstance under which you will meet and interact with Maasai is where they are employed by the camps in which you are staying. Maasai morani are authentic warriors who have earned their badges of honour by passing through various ritual trials and tests. Despite their fearsome appearance, they are thoughtful and considered people.

Ultimately the memory from your safari that etches deepest onto your psyche may well be the evening you spent watching the sun set over the plains of the Serengeti in the company of a Maasai morani.

Kadogo looks out across the short grass plains of the Serengeti from the kopje at Olduvai Camp.

8. Tarangire elephant

Compared with other prime safari areas, especially those in Botswana and Zambia, this part of the world can sometimes seem to be a little thin on elephant. Sure there are some very approachable animals in Manyara and a few big bulls in the Ngorongoro Crater, but the Serengeti can seem very quiet on that score, especially in more southerly areas.

The big exception is Tarangire, which particularly during the dry season months of July to November absolutely pumps with elephant. So much so that we now consider this park to be perhaps the finest area in East Africa to view elephant. Certainly it is in terms of sheer numbers, we have seen over 1000 head in a single day!

9. Amazing range of camps and lodges 

Something which really makes this region stand out from other safari areas is the sheer range and variety of lodges and camps.

Probably our personal favorites are the tented camps for which the Serengeti is famed, all the way up from the simplest dome tented bivouac to the most luxurious tented lodges. This is where the real atmosphere of the bush can be best absorbed.

Also inside the parks one can find the whole range of more permanent lodges, from small luxury camps to the largest and most commercial motel style lodges. Whilst outside the parks one finds some beautiful farmsteads, as well as a range of more budget accommodation.

This really does represent an extraordinary range of accommodation options.

Early morning tea amidst the rolling hills at Sanjan Camp in Serengeti Southeast.

No matter how or why you are visiting ... welcome to one of the world's greatest wildlife areas!