Tanzania conjures in our mind images of endless plains full of animals, lions hunting for prey, wildebeest crossing rivers, in short everything we have seen in many, many documentaries about Serengeti. There are also few other major national parks from which Ngorongoro is the most famous one. It is a huge extinct crater where a multitude of animals are protected and while self driving into it can be an issue it is completely worth it. Other major parks on the northern circuit are Tarangire and Lake Manyara both worth visiting in our opinion.
Another major attraction in Tanzania is Kilimanjaro, the highest mountain in Africa which can be climbed on a multi day hike. Mount Meru is less known but can also be climbed on a shorter expedition. From a cultural standpoint Zanzibar island with its capital Dar-es-Salaam, a historically important spice city, is the major attraction while at the same time also having some of the best beaches in Tanzania.
Given this we always wanted to do a trip focused on the huge national parks in the northwestern part of the country and in 2026 we finally were able to make our dream a reality. Self driving here is more of a exception but it is for certain possible with some precautions. We have booked everything online and had no major issues. The people were invariably friendly and except at one location not pushy so we enjoyed meeting them. We also felt safe throughout our visit and besides bureaucracy haven’t encountered any major roadblocks. The prices to enter the national parks are hugely expensive especially in the more famous ones but as long as the animals and areas continue to be protected it is worth it.
Map of Travels
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Trips
- Looking for colobus monkeys between Tanzanian villages
Our last hike in Tanzania is with a guide from our lodge to look for colobus monkeys among Tanzanian villages - Meru Mbega Lodge, a cheap, nice lodge
The last night in Tanzania is spend in a cheap lodge bordering Arusha NP with beautiful grounds and a more than reasonable room - Tanzanite Experience on the way to Arusha
On the way to Arusha we stop at the Tanzanite Experience to see the history of tanzanite and look for any interesting souvenirs - Souvenir buying at Marera Village Gallery
We still have lots of Tanzanian money left so we stop at a souvenir complex to buy some additional souvenirs for our friends and relatives - One night at The Retreat at Ngorongoro
We spend the afternoon and morning exploring the grounds of the surprisingly beautiful Retreat at Ngorongoro finding lots of birds - Leaving Ngorongoro starting from Ndutu
Today we exit the Ngorongoro protected area stopping a few times for birds and mammals but otherwise just trying to get to the gate in time - Birding around Lake Masek
In the afternoon we weave between patches of rain while visiting Lake Masek and the surrounding area full of birds and mammals - Towards Ndutu Marsh and back
We spend the morning exploring around Ndutu towards the Marsh finding lots of mammals on migration and some interesting birds - Genets and birds at Ndutu Lodge
We spend two nights at Ndutu Lodge seeing genets and enjoying the beautiful grounds with reasonable though expensive food and accomodations - From Seronera to Ndutu
Today we have a long drive in front of us relocating from Seronera to the Ndutu area and seeing lots of special mammals and birds along the way - Seronera area and exploring west
We spend the afternoon being rained on and avoiding the rain while seeing birds and exploring Seronera and having lunch by the riverside - To the Hippo Pools and back to relative safety
We start the day with the most adventurous drive to date to Retima Hippo Pools seeing cheetahs, servals and of course hippos - Two nights in a tent stalked by leopards
We spend two nights in the heart of Serengeti in a tented camp being stalked by leopards at night while enjoying hiking and good food during the day - Naabi Hill and into the heart of Serengeti
After somehow navigating the combined exit and entrance process we explore Naabi Hill followed by a beautiful drive through Serengeti to our lodge - Dusty drive from Ngorongoro to Serengeti
After dropping our guide today we make our way towards Serengeti seeing traditional villages, lions, antelopes and birds along the way - Flamingoes on Magadi Lake
We end the day skirting Magadi Lake seeing lots of flamingoes and other birds and even noticing our second rhino between the herds of wildebeests - Lunch at Lerai Forest
We eat lunch at Lerai Forest Picnic Area while exploring the savanna and wetlands along the way - Descent to Ngoitokitok Picnic Area
Our day in Ngorongoro starts with a beautiful descent and then driving to and exploring Ngoitokitok Picnic Area while seeing a rhino, lions and lots of birds - Staying at the edge of Ngorongoro
Next on our route is Ngorongoro Crater where we spend two nights on the Rim at Lions Paw enjoying a great room and beautiful views - Lunch and birding at famous Gibb’s Farm
Lunch today is at the famous Gibb’s Farm preceded by a birding walk through the grounds seeing owls and domestic animals - Turacos on the Elephant Trail
Our day starts with a morning hike along Elephant Trail with a guide and an armed ranger looking for turacos and other interesting birds - A day in stunning Lake Manyara NP
Today is dedicated to Manyara National Park where we drive in as far as we dare finding beautiful and rare birds and lots of mammals - Occupying the high ground at Serena Lodge
Two nights are spent at Lake Manyara Serena Safari Lodge on a bluff overlooking Lake Manyara with quite a bad access road - Matete Picnic to Entrance via River Loop
Matete Picnic Area is full so we just enjoy the views before driving part of the Main River Loop and reaching the entrance gate right before our required exit time - Turning back towards Matete Picnic Site
From our lodge it is time to return towards the entrance exploring multiple river loops and visiting the very busy Silale Picnic Area - Afternoon jaunt near our lodge
We spend the late afternoon exploring the main road around the lodge and finding lots of interesting birds - Spotting birds and wildlife near Silale Swamp
After a great night, birdwatching in the morning and breakfast we are ready to start our exploration of Tarangire. Our plan is to drive towards Silale Swamp, as much as we can and look for birds and mammals on the way. Then at lunch the plan is to return eat lunch and then relax and leave later in the afternoon […] - Pinnacle of luxury at Kuro Treetops
We spend two magnificent nights at Kuro Treetops amid birds and mammals with great food and beautiful views from our elevated luxury tent - Reaching our secluded lodge in Tarangire NP
In the afternoon we make our way to Tarangire and then drive to our lodge deep into the interior finding animals and birds left and right - Mysterious Engikaret Plains
We start our safari with an exploration of Engikaret Plains using a local guide looking for the endemic Beesley’s Lark and other special birds - Ngare Sero Lodge and its beautiful grounds
We spend the afternoon at Ngare Sero Mountain Lodge recuperating after the flight and exploring the beautiful grounds - Picking our car and exploring Arusha
Our long flight is broken up by a complimentary hotel which makes arriving in Arusha and picking up the car easier than we expected