Northern Circuit - off the beaten track

Welcome to: Arusha

Arusha town is a pleasant introduction to East Africa. It is a green, orderly town with several nice coffee bars and restaurants. Being considered the safari capital of Africa, it's bustling with Landcruiser's, safari guides and the like, but you're a trendsetter when going on a self-drive safari! 

Start: Arusha
Destination: Tarangire National Park
Drive: 150 km | 2,5 hours

It's an easy 2-hour journey on a smooth asphalt road, so you can still bite some dust for your first afternoon self-drive safari in Tarangire. The game viewing tracks are well signposted and the public facilities like toilets and picnics sites are well maintained. There are even food trucks ( bush baristas nowadays..). Tarangire is famous for its large herds of elephants, giant baobabs and scenic landscapes. During dry season, Tarangire has, after the Serengeti, the highest wildlife density of any Tanzanian National Park. Animal concentration peaks between July till November and January to February. Between March and early June, much of the wildlife has migrated and you might want to consider visiting Lake Manyara National Park instead. 

Tip the Tanapa public campsite in Tarangire is at a scenic location, and as opposed to the campsites in the Serengeti, it feels like a bush camping experience. 

Enjoy: Tarangire National Park

The amount of wildlife in Tarangire is world-class. We recommend a minimum of 2 nights. If time is not on your side, you can consider skipping this day and continue to Lake Eyasi. 

Start: Tarangire
Destination: Lake Eyasi
Drive: 140 km | appr 3,5 hours. 

Start: Lake Eyasi
Destination: Karatu town/ Ngorongoro Conservation Area
Drive: 55 km | appr 90 mins

After a day of unique cultural experiences at Lake Eyasi, you drive to Karatu in the afternoon. Karatu is the gateway town to the NCA where you find a lot of accommodation options in all price ranges. Inside the NCA, you only find lodges in the upper price segment and a public campsite which needs to be reserved in advance. We can arrange this for you.

Start: Karatu / Ngorongoro Conservation Area
Destination: Serengeti - Seronera section
Drive: 166 km | appr. 3,5 hours 

The Ngorongoro Crater is a Unesco World Heritage Site. The crater is the world's largest intact caldera and is the only place in the world where you have a very high chance of seeing the 'Big 5' in one day. In half a day, you are able to cover most of the game-viewing tracks. Consult our Ngorongoro Travel Guide for more practical information. 

Approximate driving times to the Serengeti are as follows:
-Loduare Gate (NCA entrance) to Naabi Hill Gate (Serengeti entrance): 2.5 hours
-Naabi Hill Gate to Seronera: 1 hour

Note:
The main entrance road from Naabi Hill gate to Seronera is a challenging road, with a rocky surface and washboard ribbons. Drive at limited speed (25 km/h), or else you'll risk losing control instantly. 
The public campsites in the Seronera section have a large setup and can be crowded with overland trucks and budget safari operators. It comprises the bush camping feeling. 

Enjoy: Serengeti

Enjoy game drives in the Serengeti. It's great fun to drive yourself. We personally like to spot the wildlife ourselves and be surprised and rewarded ( that's why it's called '' game drive'') instead of following the other tour guides with their radios, as then you can be certain you shall be lined up with other vehicles when watching the game. Serengeti is rattling with wildlife. If you nevertheless find it hard to spot predators or have a specific interest, you can always decide to hire a ranger to help you spot wildlife better. You can arrange this at one of the gates. 

Start: Serengeti - Seronera section
Destination: Serengeti -Lobo section
Drive: 70 km / full-day game drives

The Lobo section lies in the northeast corner of the Serengeti, you'll enter/ exit via Kleins Gate. Lobo public campsite is a little visited campsite. Lobo Wildlife Lodge is a rather out-of-place lodge with its grand set up but it's a great place for a sundowner with endless views over the Serengeti.In case you're camping, good to know they also cater to dinner walk-ins. 

Start: Serengeti Lobo 
Destination: Engare Sero, Lake Natron 
Drive: 160 km | appr 4 -5 hours. 

Enjoy: Lake Natron 

After some intens days of driving and moving from one place to another - we recommend a break in Lake Natron. If you enjoy walks and hikes, we recommend 2 to 3 nights.

You can walk out across the baked mud to the shores of the great soda lake itself, in which algae and zooplankton thrive – which in turn attract the flamingos that line the lake’s shore.

You can walk up to the Engero Sero Waterfalls. After a few hours, you’ll reach a beautiful natural swimming pool surrounded by steep rock walls and palm trees. The fit and brave might like to try and climb Oldoinyo Lengai, an active vulcano. 

Optional: enjoy another day at Lake Natron 

The fit and brave might like to try and climb Oldoinyo Lengai, an active vulcano. This climb usually starts at midnight, to avoid the heat, and you climb for around six hours, through the night, to reach the spectacular views of the top by sunrise. Oldoinyo Lengai is not a climb to take lightly, it's tough.

Start: Engare Sero, Lake Natron 
Destination: Matadi, West Kilimanjaro
Drive: 300 km | appr 7 hours. 

It's a scenic drive on tarmac back roads and all-weather dirt roads from Engare Sero to West Kilimanjaro, via Longido, Oldonyosambu and Engare Nanyuki. 

Enjoy: Kilimanjaro area

The foothills of Kilimanjaro are a great base from which to undertake outdoor activities such as mountain biking (offered by Rivertrees Inn) and canoeing at Lake Duluti ( offered by Wayo). Mount Kilimanjaro and Mount Meru in Arusha National Park are fantastic for walking and hiking. Simba Farm offers 1-day hikes up to the Kili. Moshi town is nice to visit and a good place from which you can arrange cultural tours such as visiting a coffee farm or banana plantation. Still enjoy being on the road? It's a scenic drive around Kilimanjaro thereby crossing small, lively towns. 

Hence, if you have the time, the Kilimanjaro Foothills is a fine place to linger around a bit longer. 

Start: Matadi, West Kilimanjaro
Destination: Kilimanjaro International Airport
Drive: 60 km | appr 90 mins