Most safaris start in Arusha, the gateway to the Northern Circuit, about an hour from Kilimanjaro International Airport. Southern safaris often start in Dar es Salaam, while western parks are usually reached by flight.

A classic route runs from Arusha to Tarangire, then Lake Manyara or Karatu, onto the Serengeti for two or more nights, then Ngorongoro Crater before returning to Arusha or flying to Zanzibar.

Roughly, Arusha to Tarangire takes two to three hours, Tarangire to Ngorongoro about three hours, and Ngorongoro to the central Serengeti around three to four hours. Times vary with roads, weather and wildlife stops.

Driving is ideal for the Northern Circuit, adding game viewing en route. Flying saves time for long distances, such as the Serengeti to Zanzibar or Arusha to southern and western parks. Many itineraries combine both.

The Serengeti is roughly a full day's drive from Arusha, often split with stops at Tarangire, Lake Manyara or Ngorongoro Crater. A flight from Arusha to Serengeti airstrips takes around an hour or more.

Ngorongoro Crater lies in the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, between Lake Manyara and the Serengeti, west of Arusha. Most Northern Circuit itineraries pass through it on the way to or from the Serengeti.

Nyerere National Park lies southwest of Dar es Salaam, and Ruaha is further inland in central-southern Tanzania. Mikumi and Udzungwa sit between them. They are usually reached by flights or long road transfers.

Gombe Stream and Mahale Mountains are on the eastern shore of Lake Tanganyika in far western Tanzania. They are reached by flights to the region followed by boat transfers, often combined with Katavi.

Zanzibar lies off Tanzania's coast, a short flight from Arusha or directly from Serengeti airstrips. Many travelers fly from the Serengeti to Zanzibar at the end of their safari to save time.

Yes. The migration circles the Serengeti ecosystem: Ndutu and the southern plains around January to March, central and western areas around April to June, and the northern Serengeti from July to October.

Five to seven days covers the main Northern Circuit parks at a comfortable pace. Eight to ten days allows extra Serengeti nights or Ndutu, and 12 to 14 days adds Zanzibar or a southern park.

Yes. With 10 to 14 days, you can combine the Northern Circuit with a southern park such as Ruaha or Nyerere using scheduled flights. This offers both classic wildlife and remote wilderness.

Costs depend on route, trip length, season, lodges, flights and group size. Road-based Northern Circuit safaris offer good value, while fly-in and southern routes cost more. Park fees are set by the authorities and change.

Foot Slopes Tours and Safaris is a Tanzania-based local operator that knows every route and travel time first-hand. We design efficient, private itineraries that balance driving, flights and wildlife, with transparent pricing and 24/7 support.

Send your travel dates, group size, budget and preferred parks through our enquiry form. Our team designs a tailor-made route with a detailed quote. A deposit confirms your safari, and we support you until you return home.