Some places you visit. Tanzania, you feel. This seven-day journey through the country's legendary Northern Circuit gathers up the very best of the wild — the giants, the plains, the golden light — and hands them to you one unforgettable day at a time.
You'll begin gently in Moshi, in the shadow of Kilimanjaro, before the land opens wide. In Tarangire, ancient baobabs stand guard over some of Africa's largest elephant herds. At Lake Manyara, forest gives way to shimmering lakeshore, where buffalo, giraffe and birdlife gather beneath the Rift Valley escarpment. Then comes the Serengeti — those endless plains where lions laze in the acacia shade and, in the right season, wildebeest and zebra move in their thousands across the grass.
The finale is pure theatre: the Ngorongoro Crater, a lost world of lions, hyenas and flamingo-flecked swamps cradled inside an ancient caldera. You'll close on a human note too — a guided wander through the colourful Mto wa Mbu market, all fabrics, carvings and everyday life.
Travelling in a small group by Landcruiser with a photographic roof and a seasoned driver-guide, you'll enjoy a guaranteed window seat, comfortable Full Board lodges and tented camps, and the easy rhythm of a well-run safari. This is the classic Tanzania — raw, generous and endlessly beautiful. Come and let it move you.
Karibu Tanzania. You'll be met at Kilimanjaro International Airport and whisked the short drive to Chanya Lodge, tucked just east of Moshi at the foot of the great mountain itself. Settle in, breathe out, and let the anticipation build — the wild starts tomorrow.
Today the adventure finds its stride. Drive to Tarangire, land of baobabs, big skies and some of the largest elephant herds you'll ever lay eyes on. The life-giving Tarangire River draws wildlife from every direction. Enjoy a game drive before settling in on the park's western edge.
A day of shifting scenery. Enter Lake Manyara via Iyambi, where forest, lakeshore and acacia woodland shelter waterbuck, buffalo, giraffe and glorious birdlife. Pass steaming hot springs and Rift Valley viewpoints, pause for a scenic picnic, then roll on to Kirurumu Manyara Lodge.
The big one. Climb through the Ngorongoro Conservation Area — rolling hills, dormant volcanoes, ever-changing bush — then sweep through Naabi Gate onto the Serengeti's famous plains. From January to March, this region can throng with migrating wildebeest and zebra. Overnight in the heart of it all.
A whole day given over to the wild. Explore the Seronera Valley, where acacias, fig trees and waterholes draw impala, reedbuck, baboons — and, if fortune smiles, hippos, leopards and lions. No schedule but the animals' own. Pure, unhurried safari.
An early start carries you to the crater's edge by lunchtime, then down onto the floor of one of nature's true wonders. This ancient caldera brims with lions, hyenas, zebra, wildebeest, warthogs, gazelles and endless birdlife. Drink it in before your final safari night at Pembeni Rhotia.
One last, very human highlight. Wander the vibrant Mto wa Mbu market with a local guide — produce, fabrics, carvings, papyrus baskets, schools and bustling kitchens all telling the story of everyday life. Then it's a transfer to Arusha or the airport, hearts full and camera rolls fuller.
The best airline for flights to Africa depends on your origin and destination. From the UK and Europe, KLM, British Airways, Lufthansa, and Air France operate strong direct services to major African gateways. From North America, Ethiopian Airlines and the Gulf carriers (Emirates, Qatar, Etihad) cover the widest range of destinations. For intra-African travel, Ethiopian Airlines and Kenya Airways are the most comprehensive options for flights to Africa.
No. The Gulf carriers are excellent but are not the only routing available. Travellers from the UK and Europe have direct or one-stop options via Amsterdam, London, Frankfurt, and Paris that are often faster and more convenient. From the US, Ethiopian Airlines operates non-stop flights to Africa to Addis Ababa with strong onward connections across the continent.
Ethiopian Airlines currently operates the most extensive network of any African carrier, connecting over 60 destinations within Africa and maintaining long-haul routes to Europe, North America, and Asia. It is the most useful airline for multi-country African itineraries and for travellers wanting their flights to Africa on an African-owned carrier throughout their journey.
O.R. Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg (JNB) is the primary hub for flights to Africa, particularly southern Africa, and the most practical entry point for itineraries covering South Africa, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Zambia, and Mozambique. Cape Town International (CPT) is a direct entry point for Western Cape itineraries, and Windhoek is the best gateway for Namibia-focused travel.
For travel during peak safari season (June to September) and major holiday periods, booking six to nine months in advance is advisable, particularly for business or premium cabin seats on popular routes such as London to Johannesburg or Amsterdam to Nairobi. Shoulder season travel allows more flexibility, but lodge availability often drives the booking timeline as much as flight availability does.
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