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Northern vs Southern Tanzania Safari Circuit: Which Is Right for You?

Northern or southern Tanzania safari? Compare Serengeti and Ngorongoro with Nyerere, Ruaha and Mikumi on wildlife, crowds, cost, access and seasons.

· Golden Memories Safaris

Tanzania has two safari circuits, and they offer very different holidays. The northern circuit, around Arusha, takes in the Serengeti, the Ngorongoro Crater, Tarangire and Lake Manyara, and is the classic Tanzania safari that most visitors take. The southern circuit, reached by air from Dar es Salaam or Zanzibar, covers Nyerere, Ruaha and Mikumi, and is wilder, quieter and more varied in how you see the bush. Choosing between them is one of the biggest decisions you will make, and this guide gives you what you need to decide.

In this guide

  • The two circuits at a glance
  • The northern circuit: Serengeti, Ngorongoro, Tarangire and Manyara
  • The southern circuit: Nyerere, Ruaha, Mikumi and Udzungwa
  • Wildlife: what you see in each
  • Crowds and the feel of the safari
  • Cost and park fees
  • Getting there and getting around
  • Seasons and the best time for each
  • Activities: game drives, walks and boats
  • Which is better for first-time visitors, families and honeymooners?
  • Can you combine both?
  • Frequently asked questions

The two circuits at a glance

  • Northern circuit: Arusha is the base. The parks are Serengeti, Ngorongoro Conservation Area, Tarangire and Lake Manyara, plus Arusha National Park. Road and air access, the widest choice of lodges, the migration and the crater.
  • Southern circuit: Dar es Salaam, or Zanzibar, is the base. The parks are Nyerere (formerly the Selous Game Reserve), Ruaha and Mikumi, with Udzungwa Mountains for forest walking. Mostly air access, fewer lodges and far fewer vehicles.

Neither is better in every way. They are different kinds of safari, and the right one depends on what you want to see, how much you want to spend and how you like to travel.

The northern circuit: Serengeti, Ngorongoro, Tarangire and Manyara

The northern circuit is the most famous safari route in Africa, and it earns its reputation. The Serengeti National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, offers vast plains, big cats, huge herds and the Great Migration of more than a million wildebeest and hundreds of thousands of zebra and gazelle. The Ngorongoro Crater, a collapsed volcano whose floor holds a concentrated population of wildlife, offers the best chance in Tanzania to see black rhino. Tarangire is known for its large elephant herds and baobab trees, especially in the dry season, and Lake Manyara for tree-climbing lions in some seasons, flamingos and groundwater forest.

The circuit is compact. The parks lie within a few hours of Arusha by road, and good roads and airstrips link them. That means you can see a great deal in a week, and the choice of lodges, from simple camps to luxury properties, is the widest in the country. Many of our itineraries combine Tarangire, Manyara, the Serengeti and Ngorongoro in 5 to 7 days.

Strengths

  • The Great Migration, with the best months for river crossings in the northern Serengeti from about July to October, and calving in the southern Serengeti from January to March.
  • The Ngorongoro Crater, a rare chance to see lions, elephants, buffalo, hippos and rhino in a single morning.
  • Short transfers and a wide choice of itineraries for 3 to 10 days.
  • The best chance of seeing the Big Five in a short trip.
  • A very wide range of accommodation and prices.

Limitations

  • More vehicles at popular sightings, especially in the dry season and in the crater.
  • Higher park fees, particularly the Serengeti and the Ngorongoro Crater.
  • Some famous areas can feel busy, particularly at the crater and at river crossings.

The southern circuit: Nyerere, Ruaha, Mikumi and Udzungwa

The southern circuit is the wilder, less visited side of Tanzania, and it suits travellers who want space and variety.

Nyerere National Park

Nyerere, which was part of the Selous Game Reserve before the area became a national park in 2019, is one of the largest protected areas in Africa. It is built around the Rufiji River and a chain of lakes, so you can see wildlife from a boat as well as from a vehicle, with hippos, crocodiles, elephants coming to drink and a rich birdlife. Walking safaris and fly camps are common, and the park is known for African wild dogs, lions and elephants. It is reached by a short flight from Dar es Salaam or Zanzibar, which makes it a handy add-on for beach visitors.

Ruaha National Park

Ruaha is one of the largest national parks in Africa and sits in the centre of the country, with dry, rugged landscapes of baobabs, rocky hills and the Great Ruaha River. It is known for large lion prides, leopards, wild dogs and antelope that are rare further north, such as greater and lesser kudu, and for huge elephant herds. It is remote, and receives a small fraction of the visitors that the Serengeti does, which gives it a strong sense of wilderness. Access is usually by flight.

Mikumi National Park

Mikumi lies a few hours' drive from Dar es Salaam on the road to the south, and can also be reached by a short flight, including from Zanzibar. Its open floodplain makes wildlife easy to see, with giraffe, zebra, buffalo, elephant and lion, and it is the easiest southern park to fit into a short trip. It does not have the scale of Ruaha or Nyerere, but it is a good introduction.

Udzungwa Mountains

The Udzungwa Mountains National Park, near Mikumi, offers forest hiking and primates, including endemic species, and waterfalls. It is not a game viewing park but a good addition for nature lovers.

Strengths

  • Far fewer vehicles and visitors, and a stronger sense of wilderness.
  • Boat and walking safaris in Nyerere, and fly camping.
  • Distinct wildlife, including large lion prides and kudu in Ruaha.
  • Lower park fees in most southern parks than in the Serengeti, though flights offset some savings.
  • A convenient add-on for Zanzibar and Dar es Salaam visitors.

Limitations

  • No Great Migration and no crater.
  • Fewer lodges and often a higher price for what you get, as remote camps cost more to run.
  • Most parks require a flight, adding cost and baggage limits.
  • Some camps close in the heavy rains, around March to May.
  • Wildlife can be less concentrated, so game viewing can take more patience.

Wildlife: what do you see in each?

The northern parks are known for abundance and the spectacle of the herds. In the Serengeti you can see enormous numbers of wildebeest, zebra and gazelle, with lions, cheetahs and leopards following them. In Ngorongoro you can see rhino, a large density of lions and many herbivores in a small area. In Tarangire, elephants gather along the river in the dry season, and in Manyara you can find hippos, flamingos and monkeys.

The southern parks are known for variety and for quieter encounters. Nyerere is excellent for hippos, crocodiles, elephants and birds from the river, and also has lions, giraffe and wild dogs. Ruaha has big prides, packs of wild dogs, leopards and many antelope, and the dry open country there makes it good for predators. Mikumi gives easy, reliable sightings of giraffe, zebra, buffalo and elephant.

If your list of must-see animals includes the Big Five, the north is the better bet in a short trip, because Ngorongoro offers rhino, which is rare in the south. If your list is about big cats, wild dogs and a feeling of being alone with the animals, the south has a strong case.

Crowds and the feel of the safari

This is where the circuits differ most. In the north, you will often share sightings with other vehicles, especially in the dry months, and the busiest places can be crowded. Good guides know how to avoid the worst of it, with early starts, quieter loops and picnic lunches in remote places. In the south, you may see hardly anyone for hours, and a sighting of lions may be yours alone. For some travellers the privacy is the whole point, and for others the busy north is part of the excitement.

How do costs and park fees compare?

Park fees in the northern parks are among the highest in the country, because the Serengeti and the Ngorongoro Crater are the most visited. At the tariffs published for 2023 and 2024, the Serengeti was 70 US dollars per adult per day in the high season and 60 dollars in the low season from mid March to mid May, Tarangire, Manyara and Arusha were 50 dollars per day with a lower rate in the low season, and the Ngorongoro Conservation Area charged an entry fee of 70.80 dollars per adult plus a crater service fee of 295 dollars per vehicle. Mikumi was lower, at about 30 dollars. Please check the current tariff, because they change.

In the south, entry fees are lower than in the Serengeti, but the cost of getting there and of running remote camps can cancel the saving. A southern safari that uses flights and fly camps can cost as much as a northern one, and sometimes more. A short, road-based trip in the north, such as a 4 day midrange safari, can be cheaper than a southern trip of the same length. For a full breakdown of what a safari costs, see our guide to Tanzania safari prices.

Read: How much does a Tanzania safari cost?

Getting there and getting around

For the north, you fly into Kilimanjaro International Airport, which is about an hour from Arusha, or into Arusha, and drive or take light aircraft between the parks. The roads to Tarangire, Manyara and Ngorongoro are good, and the drive to the Serengeti is long but scenic, or replaced by a flight. Most itineraries finish with a short flight or a drive back to Arusha.

For the south, you fly into Dar es Salaam, or Zanzibar, and take a short flight on a small aircraft to Nyerere or Ruaha, usually 45 minutes to 2 hours, depending on the park. Mikumi can be reached by road or air. There are fewer roads and fewer routes between parks, so most itineraries visit one or two parks, not a long chain. Baggage limits on small aircraft are strict, usually soft bags of around 15 kilograms, so plan your packing.

Seasons: when is the best time for each?

Both circuits are best in the dry season, from June to October, when animals gather at water and the grass is short. The Tanzania Meteorological Authority describes the pattern of rainfall, with the long rains from March to May and the short rains around November, and the main dry months from June to October.

  • North: the dry season, June to October, is the classic time. January to March is excellent for calving in the southern Serengeti. The long rains bring a green, quiet season with lower prices, and many lodges stay open.
  • South: the dry season, June to October, is the prime time, and wildlife is concentrated along rivers. Some camps close between March and May because of the heavy rains and flooded roads.

If you can only travel in the wet months, the north has more open lodges and more to see, since its wildlife is spread over huge open plains. If you want to travel in the drier months, both are excellent, and the south will feel much quieter.

Activities: game drives, walks and boats

In the north, game drives in a 4x4 are the main activity, with the option of a balloon safari over the Serengeti, which is one of Africa's famous experiences, and cultural visits to Maasai communities. Walking is restricted in most northern parks and offered in a few places, such as Arusha National Park and some conservation areas.

In the south, you can combine game drives with boat safaris on the Rufiji River, walking safaris in Nyerere and Ruaha with an armed ranger, and fly camping, sleeping in a small tent in the bush. These add a more intimate and active feel to the trip. Tell us if walking or boats matter to you, because they affect which circuit and which camps we suggest.

Which is better for first-time visitors, families and honeymooners?

  • First-time visitors: the north. It has the best chance of seeing the major animals and landscapes in a short trip, and the largest choice of itineraries.
  • Families with children: the north for short drives and facilities, or Mikumi for an easy first safari. Southern parks work for older children who enjoy boats and walks. Our family safari guide has more advice.
  • Honeymooners: either. The north offers balloon flights and luxury tented camps, the south offers privacy and remote camps. Many couples add Zanzibar. See our honeymoon guide.
  • Repeat visitors: the south, to find a different Tanzania and avoid the crowds.
  • Photographers: the north for the migration and the crater, the south for quieter, more patient predator work.
  • Short on time: the north, which has shorter transfers, or Mikumi, close to Dar es Salaam.

Sample seven day plans, side by side

A northern circuit week

  1. Arrive Kilimanjaro or Arusha, rest and briefing.
  2. Tarangire National Park: elephants and baobabs, a full day of game drives.
  3. Drive to the Serengeti by way of Ngorongoro, or fly if you prefer.
  4. Full day in the central Serengeti: big cats and plains.
  5. Morning game drive and move towards the northern or southern Serengeti, depending on the migration.
  6. Ngorongoro Crater at dawn, then the crater rim.
  7. Drive back to Arusha and onward travel, or Lake Manyara on the way.

A southern circuit week

  1. Arrive in Dar es Salaam, or Zanzibar, and rest.
  2. Fly to Nyerere National Park, settle in and take an evening game drive.
  3. Boat safari on the Rufiji River in the morning, game drive in the afternoon.
  4. Walking safari with a ranger in the morning, rest at midday and a sunset drive.
  5. Fly to Ruaha National Park, a longer flight, and take an afternoon game drive.
  6. A full day in Ruaha: lions, kudu and elephants among the baobabs.
  7. Morning drive, flight back to Dar es Salaam and onward travel.

Both plans fill seven days, but the pace and the feel differ. The northern week moves between landscapes and ticks off famous names. The southern week stays in two parks and spends its time on varied ways of watching wildlife.

Accommodation styles in each circuit

In the north, you can choose between park lodges, tented camps and permanent tented camps inside the parks, and lodges on the rim of the Ngorongoro Crater or near Tarangire and Manyara. The range runs from simple, good-value camps to luxury properties with private plunge pools. Some camps move with the migration during the year.

In the south, accommodation is mostly small tented camps, either permanent or seasonal, set on rivers and lakes. Many have fewer than twenty beds, so the service is personal, and the camps are often more remote and quieter. There are fewer budget options, and prices reflect the cost of running a camp far from roads. Fly camping, in which a small crew sets up a simple tent in the bush for one night, is a distinctive option in Nyerere and Ruaha.

Practical points: health, packing and baggage

  • Malaria: both circuits are in malaria areas, and the lowland southern parks and the rainy season carry a higher mosquito load. Speak to a doctor about prevention. See our health guide.
  • Packing: neutral colours, a warm layer for early mornings, a hat, sunscreen and insect repellent. See our safari packing list.
  • Baggage on small aircraft: soft bags of about 15 kilograms are the norm for bush flights, and you may need to leave extra luggage in Arusha or Dar es Salaam.
  • Connectivity: expect limited mobile coverage in the south. A few camps have wifi in the main area.
  • Tipping: guides, camp staff and drivers rely on tips. See our money and tipping guide.

How do you decide? Five questions

  1. Do you want the Great Migration or the Ngorongoro Crater? If yes, choose the north.
  2. Do you value quiet, privacy and a wilderness feel above famous names? If yes, consider the south.
  3. How much time do you have? A week or less favours the north. Ten days or more allows the south or both.
  4. Are you coming through Zanzibar or Dar es Salaam? If yes, the south can be added with a short flight.
  5. Do you want to walk or travel by boat? If yes, the south has more of both.

If you are still unsure, send us your dates, your group and what you most want to see, and we will recommend one option and explain why.

Can you combine the north and the south?

You can, but you need time. A combined trip means flying between the circuits and adding at least four to five days to cover both properly. Many visitors take a first safari in the north and come back for the south on a second trip. If you want both on one trip and have ten days or more, we can plan it. If you have a week, we recommend choosing one and doing it well.

Frequently asked questions

Is the southern circuit cheaper than the northern one?

Not necessarily. Park fees are lower, but flights and remote camps cost more. The north often gives better value for a short trip.

Which circuit has the better wildlife?

The north has bigger concentrations and the migration. The south has fewer animals in total but quieter, more personal sightings and some species that are less common in the north.

Can I see the Big Five in the south?

Lions, elephants, buffalo and leopard are found there, but rhino is very rare. For the full Big Five, the Ngorongoro Crater in the north is the most reliable place.

Is the Great Migration in the south?

No. The migration is in the Serengeti and Ngorongoro area in the north, and moves across the Kenya border at some times of year.

How many days do I need?

Five to seven days is a good length for the north. For the south, three to five days in one park is typical.

Is Nyerere the same as the Selous?

Nyerere National Park covers the northern part of what was the Selous Game Reserve, and was named in 2019. The wider ecosystem is still often called the Selous.

Plan my Tanzania safari

Keep planning your Tanzania trip

These guides cover the next questions most travellers ask.

Serengeti or Ngorongoro: how to choose

Best time to visit Tanzania, month by month

Tanzania honeymoon: safari and beach

How to choose a Tanzania safari company

Sources and further reading

Facts and figures in this guide come from the sources below. Fees, schedules and entry rules change, so confirm current details before you book.

  • Tanzania National Parks Authority (TANAPA), Tariffs from 1 July 2023 to 30 June 2024, tanzaniaparks.go.tz.
  • Ngorongoro Conservation Area Authority, Tariffs, ncaa.go.tz.
  • Tanzania Tourism Board, destination and Great Migration pages, tanzaniatourism.com.
  • Tanzania Meteorological Authority, climate statements, meteo.go.tz.
  • UNESCO World Heritage Centre, Serengeti National Park and Selous Game Reserve, whc.unesco.org.

Tanzania National Parks Authority

Tanzania Tourism Board

Last reviewed 7 October 2026. Park fees, camp opening dates and flight schedules change, so confirm current details before you book.