Tanzania is a country that needs preparation to visit. The country has some of the world's best places to find wildlife. Itineraries also depend on the great migration and the rainy seasons. If you need some more culture, it also fits, and of course, you can always fit in a nice hike on the famous Kilimanjaro. In these itineraries, I will talk about the different times of the year, where you should go, and I will give you an itinerary that is more focused on cultural and active activities. At the end I will give you some options you can add, but which are not my favourites. I only speak about the popular Northern Tanzania, as I have never been to the South. Tanzania is one of the only countries I would not recommend arranging it by yourself. I will put Zanzibar at the end of almost each itinerary, but you can easily keep it out if you are not a fan of beaches. For Tarangire I will always recommend two nights, although one can also be sufficient. 

The great migration

I don't know if anyone has heard about it, but the Great Migration is the migration of over one million wildebeests, zebras, and Thompsons gazelles in the Serengeti. The famous videos of BBC are in July-October, when the herds are crossing the Mara River. Although the Serengeti is interesting for so much more than the migration, it can be very convenient to have a chance of seeing this amount of individuals. Although there is kind of an annual circulation, it will always be nature, and you can never predict the migration for 100%. 

Itinerary mid December - mid March

This itinerary adds the beautiful area of Ndutu, where the migration will stop and the wildebeests give birth to their calves. The area is also nice as you can drive off-road for a short amount of time. This is the dry season, so you do not have to worry about heavy rains. This itinerary can be different when you fly out from the Serengeti.

Day 1: Arusha

On the first day you will only arrive in the relaxed Arusha. Have a bit of a chilled vibe and get in early, as tomorrow the real adventure starts.

Day 2: Arusha - Tarangire

Tarangire is a surprising national park with a lot of Baobabs and many elephants. Today you will drive up to three hours towards the park, and you will enjoy a game drive en route to your lodge, where you will have your lunch. After lunch you will have an afternoon game drive. If you have an accommodation outside the park, you will have an afternoon at leisure, but you may do an excursion in Arusha to do some canoeing in Lake Duluti. 

Day 3: Tarangire

Today you will have the option of making a morning and afternoon game drive or having a full-day game drive in Tarangire. If you do two game drives, you will have lunch in between the game drives at your lodge. When you do a full-day game drive, you can go further into the national park, and you can go to locations with fewer tourists. Your guide will bring a picnic lunch. If you are staying outside the park, you can only do a full-day game drive.

Day 4: Tarangire - Lake Manyara - Karatu

Drive outside the park (maybe you will find some cool wildlife on the way) and drive to Lake Manyara National Park in an hour, where you will drive from South to North. During this ride you are driving through a forest, where you can find wildlife. The park is especially interesting for several species of monkeys, but you can find other wildlife as well. After the park, drive to Karatu. You can visit the village of Mto Wa Abu as well.

Day 5: Karatu - Ndutu

Today, drive to the Ndutu area in 4 hours. You will have a view of the Ngorongoro crater first, and then the drive is kind of a game drive.  You can have lunch at your accommodation, and after lunch you can make a game drive in this area, where the migration stopped, and you can find a lot of wildebeests with calves.

Day 6: Ndutu

Today you will have the option of making a morning and afternoon game drive or having a full-day game drive in Ndutu. If you do two game drives, you will have lunch in between the game drives at your lodge. All accommodations are inside the Ndutu area, so both options are similar.

Day 7: Ndutu - Serengeti

Today you will drive in a couple of hours to the famous Serengeti. The drive here is a great route, and you can find a lot of wildlife. The lunch will be at the accommodation in the Serengeti. After lunch you can do a game drive in the Serengeti. The amount of wildlife, and especially big cats, is so impressive.

Day 8-9: Serengeti

The Serengeti is my absolute favourite national park because there are so many different species of wildlife. It is such a beautiful national park where you are short on eyes. The park is expensive, so you can also stay for one night less, but three nights for me is the perfect amount of time. You can go on a full-day game drive or on a morning and afternoon game drive. I recommend doing a balloon flight on one of these days, so you will have great views of this gorgeous area.

Day 10: Serengeti - Karatu

Today you will drive to Karatu, which is the village to visit the Ngorongoro crater. On the way there, you can find wildlife when you are driving towards Karatu. In Karatu you will have a lunch. You can have an afternoon at leisure, but you can also have an excursion to the Elephant Caves. A nice hike to caves, where you can have some views and maybe find some small wildlife.

Day 11: Ngorongoro 

Today you will go the whole day to the biggest crater in the world. The crater is filled with wildlife, and there will almost not be a moment that you don't see some wildlife. It is by far the best place to find the rhino in Tanzania. This is a highlight you can't miss when you are in Tanzania. 

Day 12: Karatu - Arusha - Zanzibar

Today you drive back to Arusha, where you can go home, but you can also head further to the tropical island of Zanzibar. When you arrive, you can relax for the rest of the day.

Day 13-16: Zanzibar 

These days are mostly relaxing days, but there are some excursions you can do. The most interesting excursion is going to the capital, Stone Town, where you will enjoy some great sights, such as a market and lovely alleys. Another excursion is going to Jozani Forest, where you will see the red colobus monkey, which only lives in Zanzibar. In Zanzibar you can go snorkelling and diving as well. After a couple of nights here, you can go home.

Itinerary mid March - May

This itinerary is in the rainy season, so the prices are lower and everything is greener, but it has more rains. The roads are worse, so you cannot visit every area, like areas in Lake Manyara. The Great Migration is mostly in the central area of the Serengeti, which is the area you should visit every part of the year. 

Day 1: Arusha

On the first day you will only arrive in the relaxed Arusha. Have a bit of a chilled vibe and get in early, as tomorrow the real adventure starts.

Day 2: Arusha - Tarangire

Tarangire is a surprising national park with a lot of Baobabs and many elephants. Today you will drive up to three hours towards the park, and you will enjoy a game drive en route to your lodge, where you will have your lunch. After lunch you will have an afternoon game drive. If you have an accommodation outside the park, you will have an afternoon at leisure, but you may do an excursion in Arusha to do some canoeing in Lake Duluti.

Day 3: Tarangire

Today you will have the option of making a morning and afternoon game drive or having a full-day game drive in Tarangire. If you do two game drives, you will have lunch in between the game drives at your lodge. When you do a full-day game drive, you can go further into the national park, and you can go to locations with fewer tourists. Your guide will bring a picnic lunch. If you are staying outside the park, you can only do a full-day game drive.

Day 4: Tarangire - Karatu

Enjoy a morning game drive in Tarangire to find more wildlife here. Afterwards head to the village of Mto Wa Mbu to have lunch and learn more about the culture of the country. Drive in one hour to Karatu, where you will have some time at leisure.

Day 5: Ngorongoro

Today you will go the whole day to the biggest crater in the world. The crater is filled with wildlife, and there will almost not be a moment that you don't see some wildlife. It is by far the best place to find the rhino in Tanzania. This is a highlight you can't miss when you are in Tanzania. 

Day 6: Karatu - Serengeti

Today you will drive for five hours towards the famous Serengeti. The drive there is already great, and you can find a lot of wildlife. After lunch at the accommodation or by picnic lunch, you can make an afternoon game drive in the central area of this special national park.

Day 7-9: Serengeti

The Serengeti is my absolute favourite national park because there are so many different species of wildlife. It is such a beautiful national park where you are short on eyes. The park is expensive, so you can also stay for one night less, but three or four nights for me is the perfect amount of time. You can go on a full-day game drive or on a morning and afternoon game drive. I recommend doing a balloon flight on one of these days, so you will have great views of this park, and you may find a lot of wildlife. I saw lions, hippos, elephants, zebras, hyenas, vultures, and more during the flight. 

Day 10: Serengeti - Arusha - home

Wake up in the morning and have a game drive en route to the airstrip. You will enjoy the last wildlife of your trip. From the Serengeti you will fly towards Arusha, where you have a relaxed afternoon before you head home. The other option is flying from the Serengeti to Zanzibar and enjoying a relaxed ending of your trip. Note that the island can be rainy during this period.

Itinerary June - mid July

This itinerary may be the most difficult one, because the migration is often splitting into two different routes. You can find them in both central Serengeti (where I always recommend going) and the West. There are no large rains anymore, so the roads are often open again. The prices are rising in comparison to the months before but are not as crazy as the months after. The itinerary is very similar to the itinerary in April and May.

Day 1: Arusha

On the first day you will only arrive in the relaxed Arusha. Have a bit of a chilled vibe and get in early, as tomorrow the real adventure starts.

Day 2: Arusha - Tarangire

Tarangire is a surprising national park with a lot of Baobabs and many elephants. Today you will drive up to three hours towards the park, and you will enjoy a game drive en route to your lodge, where you will have your lunch. After lunch you will have an afternoon game drive. If you have an accommodation outside the park, you will have an afternoon at leisure, but you may do an excursion in Arusha to do some canoeing in Lake Duluti.

Day 3: Tarangire

Today you will have the option of making a morning and afternoon game drive or having a full-day game drive in Tarangire. If you do two game drives, you will have lunch in between the game drives at your lodge. When you do a full-day game drive, you can go further into the national park, and you can go to locations with fewer tourists. Your guide will bring a picnic lunch. If you are staying outside the park, you can only do a full-day game drive.

Day 4: Tarangire - Lake Manyara - Karatu

Drive outside the park (maybe you will find some cool wildlife on the way) and drive to Lake Manyara National Park in an hour, where you will drive from South to North. During this ride you are driving through a forest, where you can find wildlife. The park is especially interesting for several species of monkeys, but you can find other wildlife as well. After the park, drive to Karatu. You can visit the village of Mto Wa Abu as well.

Day 5: Ngorongoro

Today you will go the whole day to the biggest crater in the world. The crater is filled with wildlife, and there will almost not be a moment that you don't see some wildlife. It is by far the best place to find the rhino in Tanzania. This is a highlight you can't miss when you are in Tanzania. 

Day 6: Karatu - West-Serengeti

Today you will have a long drive towards the western area of the Serengeti. On the way there you can see a lot of wildlife. It is a great drive, and you will enjoy your full day of looking for wildlife. After this drive you can have a lovely evening in the western area of this gorgeous national park.

Day 7: West-Serengeti

This area is the least visited area of the Serengeti, and it is a very picturesque area. The migration can be seen here in this period (or in the central area, but guess where you have to go next), and the area is gorgeous with many hippos and other wildlife. The relaxed vibe is fantastic here.

Day 8: West-Serengeti - Central-Serengeti

Drive towards your next accommodation in a couple of hours towards one of the next highlights of your trip. The drive is treasure where you will find a lot of different wildlife. Have a lunch at your accommodation, and after a swim or relaxed moment, have another afternoon game drive.

Day 10: Serengeti - Zanzibar

Wake up in the morning and have a game drive en route to the airstrip. You will enjoy the last wildlife of your trip. From the Serengeti you will fly towards Zanzibar. You can also fly towards Arusha and head home.

Day 11-14: Zanzibar

These days are mostly relaxing days, but there are some excursions you can do. The most interesting excursion is going to the capital, Stone Town, where you will enjoy some great sights, such as a market and lovely alleys. Another excursion is going to Jozani Forest, where you will see the red colobus monkey, which only lives in Zanzibar. In Zanzibar you can go snorkelling and diving as well. After a couple of nights here, you can go home.

Itinerary mid July - October

Day 9: Central Serengeti

Today you can do a full-day game drive or a morning and an afternoon game drive in this fantastic area of the Serengeti. If you did not find the migration in the west, there is a very good chance of seeing them here. The chance of seeing this great phenomenon in both areas in this period is good.

This itinerary is the priciest one, but it gives you the chance of seeing the great migration crossing the mighty Mara River. This is one of the most famous phenomena in nature. The spectacular sighting can be very crowded, so keep that in mind. The wildebeest and zebras are moving towards the Masai Mara in Kenya and back. There are still no rains.

Day 1: Arusha

On the first day you will only arrive in the relaxed Arusha. Have a bit of a chilled vibe and get in early, as tomorrow the real adventure starts.

Day 2: Arusha - Tarangire

Tarangire is a surprising national park with a lot of Baobabs and many elephants. Today you will drive up to three hours towards the park, and you will enjoy a game drive en route to your lodge, where you will have your lunch. After lunch you will have an afternoon game drive. If you have an accommodation outside the park, you will have an afternoon at leisure, but you may do an excursion in Arusha to do some canoeing in Lake Duluti.

Day 3: Tarangire

Today you will have the option of making a morning and afternoon game drive or having a full-day game drive in Tarangire. If you do two game drives, you will have lunch in between the game drives at your lodge. When you do a full-day game drive, you can go further into the national park, and you can go to locations with fewer tourists. Your guide will bring a picnic lunch. If you are staying outside the park, you can only do a full-day game drive.

Day 4: Tarangire - Lake Manyara - Karatu

Drive outside the park (maybe you will find some cool wildlife on the way) and drive to Lake Manyara National Park in an hour, where you will drive from South to North. During this ride you are driving through a forest, where you can find wildlife. The park is especially interesting for several species of monkeys, but you can find other wildlife as well. After the park, drive to Karatu. You can visit the village of Mto Wa Abu as well

Day 5: Ngorongoro

Today you will go the whole day to the biggest crater in the world. The crater is filled with wildlife, and there will almost not be a moment that you don't see some wildlife. It is by far the best place to find the rhino in Tanzania. This is a highlight you can't miss when you are in Tanzania. 

Day 6: Karatu -  Serengeti

Today you will drive for five hours towards the famous Serengeti. The drive there is already great, and you can find a lot of wildlife. After lunch at the accommodation or by picnic lunch, you can make an afternoon game drive in the central area of this special national park.

Day 7-8: Central Serengeti

The Serengeti is my absolute favourite national park because there are so many different species of wildlife. It is such a beautiful national park where you are short on eyes. The park is expensive, so you can also stay for one night less, but three or four nights for me is the perfect amount of time. You can go on a full-day game drive or on a morning and afternoon game drive. I recommend doing a balloon flight on one of these days, so you will have great views of this park, and you may find a lot of wildlife. I saw lions, hippos, elephants, zebras, hyenas, vultures, and more during the flight. 

Day 9: Central-Serengeti - North-Serengeti 

Drive towards your next accommodation in a couple of hours towards one of the next highlights of your trip. The drive is treasure where you will find a lot of different wildlife. Have a lunch at your accommodation, and after a swim or relaxed moment, have another afternoon game drive for the first chance to see the crossing. 

Day 10: North-Serengeti

Enjoy a full-day game drive or a morning and afternoon game drive in this area of the Serengeti. A game drive can be very different from other parts of Tanzania, as you are mostly waiting for the moment until the animals cross. I recommend looking at the river, but also taking a drive around the area.

Day 10: Serengeti - Zanzibar

Wake up in the morning and have a game drive en route to the airstrip. You will enjoy the last wildlife of your trip and maybe have a small peek at the Mara River. From the Serengeti you will fly towards Zanzibar. You can also fly towards Arusha and head home.

Day 11-14: Zanzibar

These days are mostly relaxing days, but there are some excursions you can do. The most interesting excursion is going to the capital, Stone Town, where you will enjoy some great sights, such as a market and lovely alleys. Another excursion is going to Jozani Forest, where you will see the red colobus monkey, which only lives in Zanzibar. In Zanzibar you can go snorkelling and diving as well. After a couple of nights here, you can go home.

Itinerary November - mid December

This itinerary is actually the same as in mid-March, April, and May. The prices are better, and the flowers are gorgeous. The rainy season is smaller than in a different time of year, but there can be rains as well, especially in the second part of November. The migration is moving between the North and Ndutu. They go over the eastern part of the Serengeti, but there are only a few very high-end accommodations. You will see the migration on the route between the Ngorongoro area towards the Serengeti. 

Day 1: Arusha

On the first day you will only arrive in the relaxed Arusha. Have a bit of a chilled vibe and get in early, as tomorrow the real adventure starts.

Day 2: Arusha - Tarangire

Tarangire is a surprising national park with a lot of Baobabs and many elephants. Today you will drive up to three hours towards the park, and you will enjoy a game drive en route to your lodge, where you will have your lunch. After lunch you will have an afternoon game drive. If you have an accommodation outside the park, you will have an afternoon at leisure, but you may do an excursion in Arusha to do some canoeing in Lake Duluti.

Day 3: Tarangire

Today you will have the option of making a morning and afternoon game drive or having a full-day game drive in Tarangire. If you do two game drives, you will have lunch in between the game drives at your lodge. When you do a full-day game drive, you can go further into the national park, and you can go to locations with fewer tourists. Your guide will bring a picnic lunch. If you are staying outside the park, you can only do a full-day game drive.

Day 4: Tarangire - Karatu

Enjoy a morning game drive in Tarangire to find more wildlife here. Afterwards head to the village of Mto Wa Mbu to have lunch and learn more about the culture of the country. Drive in one hour to Karatu, where you will have some time at leisure.

Day 5: Ngorongoro

Today you will go the whole day to the biggest crater in the world. The crater is filled with wildlife, and there will almost not be a moment that you don't see some wildlife. It is by far the best place to find the rhino in Tanzania. This is a highlight you can't miss when you are in Tanzania. 

Day 6: Karatu -  Serengeti

Today you will drive for five hours towards the famous Serengeti. The drive there is already great, and you can find a lot of wildlife. During the drive there is a good chance of seeing big herds of wildebeests, zebras, and Thompson gazelles. After lunch at the accommodation or by picnic lunch, you can make an afternoon game drive in the central area of this special national park.

Day 7-9: Serengeti

The Serengeti is my absolute favourite national park because there are so many different species of wildlife. It is such a beautiful national park where you are short on eyes. The park is expensive, so you can also stay for one night less, but three or four nights for me is the perfect amount of time. You can go on a full-day game drive or on a morning and afternoon game drive. I recommend doing a balloon flight on one of these days, so you will have great views of this park, and you may find a lot of wildlife. I saw lions, hippos, elephants, zebras, hyenas, vultures, and more during the flight. 

Day 10: Serengeti - Arusha - home

Wake up in the morning and have a game drive en route to the airstrip. You will enjoy the last wildlife of your trip. From the Serengeti you will fly towards Arusha, where you have a relaxed afternoon before you head home. The other option is flying from the Serengeti to Zanzibar and enjoying a relaxed ending of your trip. Note that the island can be rainy during this period.

Itinerary Culture and other activities

In this itinerary you will still find wildlife, but there are some more other activities put in the itinerary. These activities are also possible in other itineraries. In this itinerary you can see more than only wildlife in the special country. From visiting several tribes to hiking Kilimanjaro, this is an interesting out-of-the-box itinerary.

Day 1: Moshi

On the first day you will only arrive in the relaxed Arusha. Have a bit of a chilled vibe and get in early, as tomorrow the real adventure starts.

Day 2: Kilimanjaro - Arusha

Today you will do a one-day hike on the highest mountain in Africa. The hike is around 8 hours, and you will see some different ecosystems, which make the hike very interesting. The hike will bring you to the first camp, where you will have lunch. Note that you do not have a view of the top of the mountain. At the end you will drive to Arusha.

Day 3: Arusha, Africa Amini Maasai Lodge

Drive to the Africa Amini Maasai Lodge, where you will have an authentic experience with the famous Maasai tribe. You can do several activities with the locals, and this is a great place to have a different experience. It may be a bit more for children, but as an adult, this lodge is also very interesting. If you are not interested in activities, you can also enjoy the fantastic pool.

Day 4: Africa Amini Maasai Lodge - Tarangire

Enjoy a morning walk with the Maasai and afterwards have lunch at the lodge. Then head to Tarangire National Park, where you stay outside of the park. The drive will be around 3-4 hours. Enjoy some drinks and dinner before heading towards bed. 

Day 5: Tarangire:

Today you will make a full-day game drive in Tarangire. When you do a full-day game drive, you can go further into the national park, and you can go to locations with fewer tourists. Your guide will bring a picnic lunch. Enjoy the sights of elephants, buffaloes, ostriches, giraffes, lions, and more. 

Day 6: Lake Manyara 

Drive to Lake Manyara National Park in an hour, where you will drive from South to North. During this ride you are driving through a forest, where you can find wildlife. The park is especially interesting for several species of monkeys, but you can find other wildlife as well. After the park, drive to Karatu. You can visit the village of Mto Wa Abu as well.

Day 8: Lake Eyasi - Karatu

The beginning of this day will be a very interesting one. You will be hunting with the Hadzabe tribe, and that is very cool. They will do the hunting, and you will accompany them. Note that this can be a rough experience and that there is a chance that a wild animal can be killed in front of you. After this experience, head to Karatu, which is close to the Ngorongoro crater.

Day 9: Ngorongoro

Today you will go the whole day to the biggest crater in the world. The crater is filled with wildlife, and there will almost not be a moment that you don't see some wildlife. It is by far the best place to find the rhino in Tanzania. This is a highlight you can't miss when you are in Tanzania. 

Day 7: Lake Manyara - Lake Eyasi

Drive in three hours to Lake Eyasi, where you will meet different tribes. First enjoy lunch at your accommodation and get ready for the next activity. You will visit the Datoq, who are mostly forging iron. This is a cool experience. After trying to forge iron, you can head back to your accommodation. 

Day 10: Karatu -  Serengeti

Today you will drive for five hours towards the famous Serengeti. The drive there is already great, and you can find a lot of wildlife. During the drive there is a good chance of seeing big herds of wildebeests, zebras, and Thompson gazelles. After lunch at the accommodation or by picnic lunch, you can make an afternoon game drive in the central area of this special national park.

Day 11-13: Serengeti

The Serengeti is my absolute favourite national park because there are so many different species of wildlife. It is such a beautiful national park where you are short on eyes. The park is expensive, so you can also stay for one night less, but three or four nights for me is the perfect amount of time. You can go on a full-day game drive or on a morning and afternoon game drive. I recommend doing a balloon flight on one of these days, so you will have great views of this park, and you may find a lot of wildlife. I saw lions, hippos, elephants, zebras, hyenas, vultures, and more during the flight. 

Day 14: Serengeti - Zanzibar

Wake up in the morning and have a game drive en route to the airstrip. You will enjoy the last wildlife of your trip and maybe have a small peek at the Mara River. From the Serengeti you will fly towards Zanzibar. You can also fly towards Arusha and head home.

Day 15-18: Zanzibar

These days are mostly relaxing days, but there are some excursions you can do. The most interesting excursion is going to the capital, Stone Town, where you will enjoy some great sights, such as a market and lovely alleys. Another excursion is going to Jozani Forest, where you will see the red colobus monkey, which only lives in Zanzibar. In Zanzibar you can go snorkelling and diving as well. After a couple of nights here, you can go home. 

Add to the itinerary

Although you can always add sights to the itinerary, I would say that this covers all the important things to see for a tourist in the northern part of Tanzania. 

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