Travel Guide for Northern Tanzania Circuit (2025)
The Northern Tanzania Circuit is one of Africa’s most spectacular safari destinations, featuring world-famous national parks, diverse wildlife, and breathtaking landscapes. Here’s everything you need to plan your 2025 adventure.
1. Overview of the Northern Tanzania Circuit
This region is famous for its abundant wildlife, the Great Migration, and the stunning scenery of the Great Rift Valley. It includes:
• Serengeti National Park – Home to the Great Migration.
• Ngorongoro Crater – A UNESCO-listed caldera with diverse wildlife.
• Tarangire National Park – Known for large elephant herds and baobab trees.
• Lake Manyara National Park – Famous for tree-climbing lions and flamingos.
• Arusha National Park – A lush park near Mount Meru, ideal for walking safaris.
2. Best Time to Visit
• Dry Season (June – October): Best for wildlife viewing, as animals gather around water sources.
• Wet Season (November – May): Green landscapes, fewer tourists, and excellent birdwatching. The Great Migration calving season happens in January–March.
3. Travel Requirements
• Visa: Most travelers require a Tanzanian visa, which can be obtained online or on arrival.
• Vaccinations: Yellow fever vaccination is mandatory if coming from an endemic area. Recommended vaccines: Typhoid, Hepatitis A/B, and Malaria prophylaxis.
• Travel Insurance: Essential for medical emergencies and trip cancellations.
4. How to Get There
• Main Airport: Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) is the main entry point.
• Domestic Flights: Small planes operate between safari parks, e.g., from Arusha to Serengeti.
• Road Transfers: Safari operators provide 4x4 transport for overland travel.
5. Accommodation Options
• Luxury Lodges: Four Seasons Serengeti, &Beyond Ngorongoro Crater Lodge, Singita.
• Mid-range Lodges: Serena, Sopa, and Kubu Kubu lodges.
• Budget Camps: Public campsites and tented camps in and around the parks.
6. Top Safari Experiences
• Game Drives: Early morning and evening drives for the best wildlife sightings.
• Hot Air Balloon Safari: A unique way to see the Serengeti at sunrise.
• Walking Safaris: Available in Tarangire, Ngorongoro, and Arusha National Park.
• Cultural Tours: Visit the Maasai and Hadzabe tribes.
• Night Safaris: Offered in select areas, such as Lake Manyara.
7. Budget Planning
• Luxury Safari: $600–$1,500 per person per night.
• Mid-Range Safari: $300–$600 per person per night.
• Budget Safari: $150–$300 per person per night.
8. Packing List
• Neutral-colored safari clothes
• Binoculars & camera
• Sunscreen, hat & sunglasses
• Insect repellent
• Sturdy hiking shoes
• Rain jacket (if visiting during the wet season)
9. Responsible Travel Tips
• Choose eco-friendly lodges
• Avoid plastic waste
• Respect local cultures
• Follow park regulations
Why Choose Kibo Guides?
• Expertise: Specializing in the Northern Circuit, Kibo Guides has an in-depth understanding of the region’s landscapes, wildlife, and cultures.
• Customized Itineraries: They offer tailor-made safaris, allowing clients the freedom to explore Tanzania’s most stunning and remote regions at their own pace.
• Diverse Safari Programs: From short 6-day adventures to extensive 12-day explorations, Kibo Guides provides a range of programs to suit different interests and schedules.
Sample Safari Programs
1. 6 Days / 5 Nights: Explore the Best of Tanganyika
• Delve into Tanzania’s rich wildlife and landscapes in a compact yet comprehensive itinerary.
2. 9 Days / 8 Nights: Unforgettable Tanzania
• Experience the diverse ecosystems and cultures that make Tanzania unique.
3. 12 Days / 11 Nights: Wildlife & Wilderness
• An extensive journey through Tanzania’s most iconic national parks and conservation areas.
Contact Information
• Address: Plot 16 Mateves, Kisongo, P.O. Box 8281, Arusha, Tanzania
• Phone: +255 (0) 272 970 157/158
• Email: info@kiboguides.com
• Website: kiboguides.com
For travelers seeking a reputable and experienced operator to explore Tanzania’s Northern Circuit in 2025, Kibo Guides offers a blend of expertise, personalized service, and a deep passion for the region’s natural beauty.
The name Tanzania conjures up images of wildebeest stampeding across vast savannah, rain forests teeming with monkeys and birdlife, and great plains brimming with legions of game. All of these natural wonders and more are on offer in this exceptionally diverse African nation. Visitors typically visit Tanzania to partake in at least one of the four well-known Tanzanian tourist experiences: a relaxing seaside vacation on the picturesque island paradise of Zanzibar, an underwater tour of some of the world’s most renowned dive sites around the gorgeous Spice Islands, a safari adventure in some of Africa’s most impressive game reserves, or a hiking excursion around Mount Kilimanjaro National Park. Whichever of these incredible holidays you choose, you will undoubtedly be welcomed by some fabulously friendly and peaceful inhabitants who, despite being divided into 120 different ethnic groups and cultures, live in harmony with one another and provide some of the most wonderfully exotic local cuisine you could imagine. With all of this diversity on offer, the most difficult part of your Tanzanian holiday experience is likely to be deciding where to go!
Banking and Currency
Currency
Local currency: Tanzanian Shilling
Symbol: TSh
ISO code: TZS
Subunit: Cent
Banknotes: 500, 1000, 2000, 5000, 10000, and 20000 shillings
Coins: 1, 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, and 200 shillings
Banking
Card Transactions: Yes
ATMs: Yes
Mastercard: Yes
Visa: Yes
American Express: No
Diner’s club: No
Banking Hours:
Weekdays: 8:30 AM - 3:30 PM
Weekends: Closed
Public Holidays: Yes (limited hours)
Foreign exchange services: Yes
Travel, Transport and Getting Around
Air:
Main airlines: Air Tanzania, Precision Air
International Airports: Julius Nyerere International Airport (Dar es Salaam), Kilimanjaro International Airport
Domestic Airports: Zanzibar International Airport
Road:
Driving on the: Left
Tar roads: Yes
Gravel roads: Yes
Valid International Driver's License needed: Yes
Car hire available: Yes
Taxis: Yes
E-hailing services: No
Bus:
Inter-city bus services: Yes
Local city bus networks: Yes
Rail:
Railway system: Limited
Subway System: No
Water:
Ferries: Yes
Water taxis: Yes
Leisure cruises: Yes
Food, Drink and Cuisine Advice
Food and water safety:
Can you drink the tap water: No
Fresh fruit and veg: Yes
Ice: No
Meat: Yes
Street food: Yes
Local cuisine: Tanzanian cuisine reflects its diverse cultural influences, offering a blend of Indian, Arab, and European flavors. Staple foods include ugali (maize porridge), nyamachoma (grilled meat), pilau (spiced rice), and chapati. Traditional dishes like mshikaki (marinated meat skewers) and samosas are popular street foods. Don't miss trying the Swahili cuisine with its rich seafood dishes.
Drinks: Notable local drinks include Tangawizi (ginger soda), Tembo (local beer), and Konyagi (a spirit).
Tipping: 10-15%
Climate and Weather
Annual rainfall: Varies by region, averaging around 1,000 mm
Average temperature: 25°C
Summer:
Average highs: 30°C
Average lows: 20°C
Winter:
Average highs: 25°C
Average lows: 15°C
Best time to visit: The best time to visit Tanzania is during the dry season, from June to October, when wildlife viewing in national parks like Serengeti and Ngorongoro is optimal.
Clothing and Dress Recommendations
Spring and Summer
Cool, light, breathable and comfortable: Yes
Lightweight warm clothes: No
Winter and Autumn
Jerseys, cardigans, sweaters, jackets: Recommended
Heavyweight clothing and boots: No
General
Umbrella and raincoat: Yes
Warm gloves, hat and scarf: Yes
Swimming costume (bathing suit): Yes
Hat, sunglasses and sunblock: Yes
Walking shoes: Yes
Casual: Yes
Smart-casual attire: Yes
Internet Availability
Internet cafes: Yes
Accommodation options: Yes
Restaurants: Yes
Cafes: Yes
Shopping malls: Yes
Public parks: Yes
Libraries: Yes
Electricity and Plug Standards
Plug Type: Type D and Type G
Voltage (V): 230
Frequency Hertz (Hz): 50'
* A travel plug adapter and voltage converter might be necessary depending on your appliances.
