From €2,350 pp | 10 days | 803 km
Tanzania is truly gifted by Mother Nature, but its northern region is the spoiled kid. One legendary safari park after the next; the Northern Circuit is the classic safari self-drive itinerary of Tanzania.
Scroll below to see our day-to-day itinerary with realistic driving times, route directions, and travel tips for Tanzania. The trip includes airport pick up & drop off, car rental, park permits and hand-picked accommodation.
Prices are per person, based on 2 people sharing a Land Cruiser Troopy and travelling in low season. You can choose your accommodation preferences below.
Low season: March – May | Peak season: July – September
* A combo tour is not available during the low season due to the risk of heavy rainfall, which can lead to flooded campsites.
Planning to visit Tanzania during peak season? Book your tour several months in advance!
Prefer a private guided tour? Travel with a driver-guide! This is an option you can select in the online booking form.
All park entrances fees (approx. €940 pp)
Hotels (Full Board and Bed & Breakfast)
Car rental with unlimited mileage
Car insurance
Airport transfer
Travel Notes with directions and stops along the way
Electrical fridge
24/7 roadside assistance
Tanzania driving manual and Roadmap
Driver – Guide
Book your self-drive tour with stays in campsites, mid-range or luxury lodges – or adjust it to your liking.
Since the first day you start planning your safari until the moment you deliver your rental car keys back to Roadtrip Africa, you are provided with all the tools required which will allow you to create your own Safari experience. We were 12 days on the road through the North of Tanzania, exploring National parks.
If you are considering to visit the most famous national parks in Tanzania definitely Roadtrip Africa is your partner. They have all detailed information and the local contact person they have in Arusha (Yusuf) is been super nice and helpful. For me self-drive is the winner option to see Serengeti, Ngorongoro, etc… far away from dozens of TO vehicles chasing big five like crazy.
Yusuphu, the boss from Roadtrip Africa in Arusha, was so helpful, and the Land Cruiser double cap was like a big mothership for us and never broke.
We met helpful people and saw many animals. The trip through Tanzania’s north lasted 14 days and we are so impressed that we can only recommend this way of traveling.
We recommend 10 days / 8 car rental days for Tanzania’s Northern Circuit itinerary, spending two to three nights at each location.
Time is not on your side? Depending on your flight times, you can minimize the Northern Circuit tour to 8 days.
Road conditions
Road conditions from Arusha to the entrance gates of Tarangire and the Ngorongoro Conservation Area are good – you’ll find smooth tarmac here all the way. The game-viewing tracks within Tarangire, Manyara, and Ngorongoro Crater are well-marked, non-technical, and provide a gentle introduction to self-driving in Tanzania.
Do note that the gravel road from Naabi Hill gate to Serengeti is challenging. It has a rocky surface and washboard ribbons. We advise you to drive at a limited speed. Find more tips and advice in our Driving in Tanzania blog.
The Northern Circuit is possible to travel year-round.
The Tanzania Northern Circuit Tour can be booked in three options and price categories:
Luxury: When opting for luxury, we seek out barefoot luxury resorts that offer a high level of intimacy, top-notch service and attention to detail.
Mid-range: This is your best option for comfortable, self-contained (‘en suite’) accommodations set in beautiful locations which do not cost a fortune.
Combo – Campsites & Lodges: Experience the best of both worlds: travel with camp gear and alternate camping in the bush and combine it with stays in lovely comfort lodges.
We handpick outstanding small-scale and eco-conscious lodges. To view some of your accommodations, click the orange arrow and scroll through the pictures.
Exploring Tanzania at your own pace is an unforgettable experience. Still, planning a self-drive trip here can feel like a lot. We’ve seen firsthand that our travellers enjoy Tanzania most when the practical details are arranged in advance by us, leaving more space to enjoy the journey itself. That balance of freedom and preparation is what our Tanzania self-drive tours are all about.
On this page, you’ll find practical information to support your planning. We’ve brought together 13 key topics with tips and frequently asked questions about self-driving and independent travel in Tanzania. They’re here to help you hit the road well prepared.
