From €3,280 pp | 14 days | 997 km
This off-the-beaten-track itinerary combines Tanzania’s top safari parks with undiscovered treasures. It involves picturesque drives on lesser-known routes, beautiful hikes and unforgettable cultural experiences.
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. €810 pp)
Hotels (Full Board and Bed & Breakfast)
Car rental with unlimited mileage. Fuel own expense
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.
We hired a driver and a guide through Roadtrip Africa. Ansi was amazing. He was always on time, flexible, and very enjoyable to be around. Working with Road Trip Africa was nice as well. The safari vehicle held up with very few issues during our trip.
We went on a self-driving roadtrip. The car was in good condition, and also the perfect vehicle for this trip (we had a Toyota Land Cruiser). Also, the 2 80l tanks and Pop-Up roof had a high value for us. The staff was also great and extremely friendly and helpful. The pick-up from the airport worked perfectly. We would absolutely recommend this experience.
If you don’t want to book a safari out of the box but wish to plan your trip yourself, Roadtrip Africa is the ideal (and an affordable) partner. All of our wishes were made possible by Renske and Joost. Yusuphu helped us book the park and overnight fees. Our driver Ansi was a stroke of luck.
We recommend 14 days / 13 car rental days for the Northern Circuit Off-The-Beaten-Track itinerary, spending two to three nights at each location.
Time is not on your side? Depending on your flight times, you can minimize this tour to 9 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 and Ngorongoro Crater are well-marked, non-technical, and provide a gentle introduction to self-driving in Tanzania.
The gravel roads from Karatu to Lake Eyasi, from Naabi Hill gate to Serengeti and the last stretch to Lake Natron are challenging. They have rocky surfaces and washboard ribbons. We advise you to drive at a limited speed. Check out our Driving in Tanzania page for more tips and advice.
The Northern Circuit is possible to travel year-round.
The Northern Circuit – Off the Beaten Track 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 the campsites and lodges, 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.
