When is the best time for a Northern Circuit safari?
The dry seasons are the best time for safari in Tanzania. The period from January to March is optimal for observing juvenile wildlife and verdant scenery. The period from June to October is optimal for observing several creatures. However, there will be throngs of people. Here is an overview of the safari seasons in Tanzania.
The Northern Circuit provides the finest safari experience in Tanzania.
Tanzania provides travelers with three safari alternatives:
A safari in the Northern Circuit
Although the southern and western regions provide exceptional park and wildlife encounters, the northern region unequivocally leads in big-game safaris. The rationale for this is that the Northern Circuit possesses:
Ngorongoro Crater, Serengeti National Park
The Magnificent Faunal Migration
An extraordinary concentration of the Big Five
One of the most significant populations of predators in Africa
This page discusses the optimal times for visiting the parks of the Northern Circuit in Tanzania for safari experiences.
Which game parks are located in the Northern Circuit?
The primary gaming parks of the Northern Circuit are four in number:
Serengeti National Park
Ngorongoro Conservation Area, which includes Ngorongoro Crater
Tarangire National Park
Lake Manyara National Park
Additionally, there are additional notable game parks in northern Tanzania, such as Arusha National Park. Additional remarkable locations for wildlife observation include the Lake Natron Game Controlled Area, Maswa Game Reserve, and the Ngorongoro Conservation Area (NCA). This page concentrates solely on the aforementioned four national parks, as they are the most renowned in the region.
Map of the Northern Circuit
The map below illustrates the positions of the principal Northern Circuit parks in Tanzania. Ngorongoro Crater is located in the southeastern region of the Ngorongoro Conservation Area.
Which parks in the Northern Circuit are worth visiting?
Serengeti National Park and Ngorongoro Crater are the principal attractions of the Northern Circuit, attracting the majority of annual visitors.
Lake Manyara National Park and Tarangire National Park are relatively obscure, thus providing peaceful safari experiences. Safari guides like these less frequented parks due to their diverse landscapes, habitats, and animal populations compared to the Serengeti and Ngorongoro.
We strongly advise exploring the Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater, in addition to at least one of the less frequented parks during your Northern Circuit safari. The Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater merit their acclaim, although the less frequented parks are also remarkable treasures.
Summary of the safari seasons
The Northern Circuit possesses a subtropical climate. This indicates the presence of warm, humid seasons alongside drier, cooler periods.
Tanzania’s proximity to the Equator ensures approximately eight hours of daily sunlight throughout the year, irrespective of the season. This indicates that one can partake in an exceptional Northern Circuit safari at any time during the year.
The Northern Circuit has four primary seasons.
1. A brief arid season: January to mid-March
From January to mid-March, there is a reduction in rainfall, which is advantageous for wildlife drives. Nevertheless, the days can be exceedingly hot.
This season is excellent for avian enthusiasts, since numerous migratory species are present in all four parks. This season saw the birth of several juvenile animals, particularly antelopes and zebras. The period is favorable for undertaking a safari in Tanzania.
2. An extended rainy season: mid-March until May
This period marks the Northern Circuit’s least active season, coinciding with the onset of the prolonged rains. The abundant rainfall results in lush green landscapes and numerous flowers. On days when the conditions are not excessively damp for a game drive, the parks appear to be largely unoccupied.
Be aware that specific areas of the parks may become impassable during the peak of the wet season.
3. An extended arid period: June to mid-October
The Northern Circuit’s safari season is the most popular. Two principal explanations account for this. Initially, the days are arid and moderately warm, resulting in favorable circumstances for game drives. Secondly, the desiccation of vegetation facilitates the identification of fauna due to the prevalence of shorter grasses and sparser shrubs and trees.
The crowds increase at this period as the likelihood of encountering more game is greater than at any other time of the year. The river crossings of the Great Migration occur throughout the extended dry season, prompting several travelers to schedule their safaris to witness this phenomenon.
4. A brief rainy season: Mid-October until December
Late October, November, and December experience essential precipitation in the Northern Circuit. Emerald sprouts swiftly emerge to soften the terrain. This is a subdued safari season, characterized by a significant decline in tourist numbers.
Migratory birds commence their arrival in the region in November. Tarangire is particularly renowned for its exceptional migratory bird population.
When is the best time for a Northern Circuit safari?
When deciding the optimal time for a safari in Tanzania, specifically a Northern Circuit safari, it is essential to evaluate the most favorable periods for visiting each park. We outline the monthly expectations for each park to assist you in planning your Tanzania safari.
A Northern Circuit safari can be enjoyed at any time of the year. The location boasts an extraordinary concentration of enormous creatures, ensuring that one need not concern oneself with the possibility of overlooking them.
Determining the ‘optimal time’ involves identifying your primary interests for a safari in Tanzania. For example, the remarkable (and tumultuous) river crossings during the Great Wildebeest Migration. The calving season witnesses the birth of numerous young hoofed animals. Enormous herds of elephants assemble near the Tarangire River during the dry season. The enumeration continues.