The Tanzania northern circuit complete self-drive covers all four northern circuit parks — Tarangire, Lake Manyara, Ngorongoro Crater, and Serengeti — in a 12-day hire vehicle circuit from Arusha that is the most comprehensive Tanzania self-drive experience available. This is the circuit that experienced visitors consistently describe as the benchmark Tanzania safari, combining the elephant concentration at Tarangire, the crater’s resident Big Five, and the Serengeti’s migration in a single uninterrupted road trip.
Circuit Overview
- Duration: 12 days / 11 nights
- Total distance: approx 1,400 km
- Vehicle: Land Cruiser V8 with full camping kit
- Parks covered: Tarangire → Lake Manyara → Ngorongoro → Serengeti (central + north)
- Best timing: July–October (dry season — all parks at their wildlife peak simultaneously)
12-Day Route Summary
Days 1–3: Arusha → Tarangire (2 full days). Day 4: Tarangire → Lake Manyara half-day → Karatu overnight. Days 5–6: Karatu base → Ngorongoro Crater (rim camp, 6 am descent Day 6). Days 7–12: Ngorongoro → Naabi Hill → Serengeti — central circuit (Days 7–8), western corridor Grumeti (Day 9), drive north to Kogatende (Day 10), Kogatende Mara crossing (Day 11), return Arusha via Naabi Hill (Day 12).
Vehicle hire from USD 130/day. Book now or request a full circuit quote.