Exploring Northern Tanzania

Highlights of the Tanzanian Northern Circuit:

Tanzania is known as one of Africa’s top wildlife countries, where animals are still free to migrate and where humans try to peacefully cohabit with fauna. It’s rich in tribal diversity – more than 120 tribes, including the Hadzabe, Datoga, Chagga, Sukuma and Maasai are all part of the colourful background that shapes this country.

Arusha City is a bustling city situated on the foothills of Mount Meru.

Arusha National Park is the perfect day trip from Arusha and is mostly populated by forest animals. The best time to visit is from June to March.

Mt Meru is Africa’s fifth highest mountain and offers unparalleled views of its famous neighbour, Kilimanjaro.

Kilimanjaro is the world’s tallest freestanding mountain, which attracts mountaineers and nature enthusiasts from all over the world.

Tarangire National Park boasts the most scenic and varied landscapes and is famous for its large number of baobab trees and massive herds of elephants. The best time to visit is from July to October.

Mto wa Mbu Town is home to more than 80 different tribes and is famous for its colourful local market that offers traditional crafts.

Lake Manyara National Park is considered one of the best places for birdwatching and offers diverse wildlife, like lions, elephants, giraffe, waterbuck, monkeys, and more. The best time to visit is from December to March and June to October.

Lake Eyasi is the largest soda lake in Tanzania and is home to the Hadzabe and the Datoga tribes. Get to know their traditions and share moments of their daily lives.

Karatu Town is a colourful and bustling town located between the Rift Valley and the Ngorongoro Conservation Area.

Ngorongoro Conservation Area is home to the Ngorongoro Crater, which is considered one of the natural wonders of the world. This UNESCO World Heritage Site boasts an abundance of plants, birds and wildlife.

Lake Natron is a soda lake at the base of the active Ol Doinyo Lengai volcano offering dramatic scenery of a desolate landscape. The lake is the most important breeding site for lesser flamingos in the world.

Serengeti National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and Tanzania’s most famous park due to the largest concentration of migratory animals in the world.

Zanzibar is best known for its white sandy beaches, turquoise Indian Ocean, and rich marine life.

Lake Victoria is shared by Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania, and is the world’s largest tropical lake and the second largest freshwater lake.

Lodge and Permanent Camp Safaris

Tanzania has an impressive variety and standard of safari lodges and permanent tented camps, ranging from 5 star luxury to basic hostel-type accommodation. These are permanent structures in fixed locations. Whether you require rose petal strewn baths with champagne breakfasts, or just a roof over your head and clean water, you will find something to match your interests and budget.

Very well planned and very nice both the organization and the guide. Very supportive during all the organization and the hotels chosen have been incredible. Very recommendable.

Ana, Spain

Our safari with Nature Discovery has been the experience which changed our lives! We spent 10 days in the north to see the migration, each day a new adventure in the parks, being part of nature. The camping in public camps has been unforgettable: totally immersed, no price! Emilie, Henry our guide, and Jacks our cook made the trip perfect.

Augusta & Andrea, France

It was the second time now that we went on safari with ND and it was the best decision to book it with them again. Everything was so easy, the correspondence was uncomplicated, same as the organization and planning of the trip. If we needed any assistance or help even before the trip, it was no problem at all. We always felt safe throughout the trip.

Janine, Germany

Very good safari, enjoyed a lot. Good communication from start to end. Our guide was experienced and very nice. Recommendations!

Markku Nieminen, Finland

If like us you have done a huge amount of reading/research and are unsure which tour operator to use, then look no further than Nature Discovery. The communication from the central office is quick and clear as you email direct to the office in Arusha. We undertook two trips with this company and could not fault them.

Michelle, UK

We had the most exciting moments of our lives! Our main guide Polite and his well-organized team were amazing. We could feel their overall experience, care, knowledge, and safety in every step. Even the hardest moments they didn’t give us a single doubt that we will not make it to the peak! Keeping us in positive thinking and perfect organization helped us reach the Peak of Kilimanjaro!

Laura Kaukenaite, Lithuania

Excellent support from Emilie from Nature Discovery, who organized our safari. She listened carefully beforehand to understand our wishes and adjusted our itinerary accordingly. Contacts by email and WhatsApp were very fluid and responsive. We felt very well accompanied throughout our entire trip. The safari itself ran perfectly. Our guide and driver, Joseph, was very friendly and attentive.

Sophie Valais, France

It was fabulous! Excellent organization, super guide. If it was possible, we could come back again just with Nature Discovery. We have a lot of memorable pictures. It was a wonderful trip. Thanks a lot.

Cochemé, France

Tout d’abord sachez que nous avons été enchantés de notre voyage en Tanzanie. La partie Nord que vous avez organisée a été parfaite, elle a pleinement répondu à nos attentes. Les lodges étaient tous super bien très différents des uns des autres. Mais surtout la réussite de cette partie du voyage tient à un nom… Joseph ! Il a été exceptionnel à tous niveaux, professionnel, précis, discret, humble.

Pierrette Mercadal, Nouvelle Calédonie, France

Très bon circuit avec un guide très professionnel où on a pu voir des milliers d’animaux dans leur lieu de vie. Des instants magiques. La journée à Longido était super avec Sambeke. Juste j’aurais aimé partir une fois au lever du soleil en safari. Émilie a été super disponible à l’écoute de nos attentes. Sinon tout était au top. Voyage juste magique.

Lamera, France

Working with Upendo to plan this amazing experience was absolutely wonderful. She was thoughtful, knowledgeable, professional, and impressively responsive. When we arrived, she helped us have an amazing experience in Arusha, Ngorongoro Crater, Kilimanjaro, and Arusha National Park. Even when we came out of the mountain trek a day early, she made us wonderful last-minute accommodations. Upendo is a dream to work with.

Gretchen Warner, USA

I have just returned from the trip of a lifetime to Tanzania with Nature Discovery. I completed the 8-day Grand Traverse Kilimanjaro Trek, followed by a two-day Safari in Tarangire. The entire trip was extraordinary. Everyone who supported us on the Kilimanjaro trek was kind, caring, generous, professional, happy, and supportive. I strongly recommend Nature Discovery for the trip of a lifetime!

Katrina, Australia

Excellent safari, with a great guide/driver (Nelvin) and a perfect contact officer (Emilie). We saw what was supposed to be expected (Mara River crossings) and much more. We are strongly recommending Nature Discovery for a Northern Tanzania safari (including a Zanzibar extension).

Marc Lebrun, France

C’est Emilie de Nature Discovery qui nous a organisé ce SAFARI photos. Ce fut parfait : très professionnel, tout à la hauteur de nos esperances aussi bien les parcs que les lodges, et aucun incident à deplorer. Cerise sur le gateau: notre guide Joseph PANDA, parle parfaitement le français, plein de savoir sur la faune, repere les animaux mieux qu’une paire de jumelles et est très attentionné.

Mantovani Mireille, Nouvelle Caledonie

Very well organized safari and activities, great choice of accommodations. Upendo helped a lot with organizing the perfect safari, communication was always very fast and clear. The biggest Thank You goes out to Mbise who was a reliable, funny, and heartwarming guide, who made us feel comfortable the whole trip, showed us amazing wildlife and taught us a lot about Tanzanian life and culture.

Anna, Austria

Excellent organization with a very good choice of accommodation. Quality welcome and contact on arrival. Pleasant and competent French-speaking guide, thanks to Joseph and Emilie for this wonderful trip.

Brigitte de Coulon, Switzerland