Kilimanjaro, Serengeti and Northern Tanzania Holidays

Ngorongoro and Northern Tanzania holidays have it all: mighty mountains (including Kilimanjaro), world-famous wildlife watching and some of mother nature’s most spectacular sites including the deep Ngorongoro's crater and lofty Crater Highlands. In short, there's far more to a Northern Tanzania safari than the Serengeti - magnificent as the scene of the great wildebeest migration undoubtedly is. The main event away from the Serengeti on Northern Tanzania holidays is, of course, the Ngorongoro Crater, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This three million year old and 12 mile wide caldera of an extinct (thankfully) volcano is quite possibly the world's best natural zoo, with the high walls acting like a vast pen, and the lush crater floor home to game including elephants, buffaloes, giraffes, black-maned lions and endangered black rhinos in unprecedented numbers. Throw in local Maasai herders in their bright red shukas grazing their cattle for the full Ngorongoro holiday photographic experience. Once you've hit these game viewing heights, lace up your walking boots to tackle Kilimanjaro, enjoy natural highs sampling the delicious produce in the Karutu coffee region, or lie low to spot the abundant birdlife on the shores of lovely Lake Manyara. Explore Ngorongoro and Northern Tanzania from the air on a private flying tour to get a true sense of this epic landscape, or stay closer to the ground while you hike through the wilderness and keep your eyes peeled for the wonderful wildlife that resides here.

Kilimanjaro, Serengeti and Northern Tanzania holiday ideas

A few suggestions to get the holiday planning process started

Kilimanjaro, Serengeti and Northern Tanzania Guide

Practical advice and inspiration to help you prepare for your holiday

Tanzania Testimonials

12 reviews
4.7 / 5
"We had a wonderful time! Our guide was amazing - he really did make sure we had the best experience and animal sightings. The Tarangire Park was especially brilliant, but we loved them all as they were all so different. We all thoroughly enjoyed the night safari - we saw lots and it was a great experience. The accommodation was great and the welcome we had at each camp was fabulous. We have had a really wonderful holiday. Thank you so much for another great trip. "
Helen - London
Published on 20th August 2024
"Excellent balancing of days spent on the right locations, matching our expectations in terms of quality and strategic location. Bakari the Concierge was very responsive and helped us organise a last minute day activity in Stone Town. Our safari driver/guides were simply outstanding and made a difference when spotting animals in the national parks. We loved our complimentary honeymoon dinner on the beach organised by you, thanks again!"
Valerio - London
Published on 18th April 2024
"We had the most amazing time in Tanzania, it really was so special, thank you so much for organising such an amazing trip. Jabali ridge was incredibly special. They went above and beyond to look after us and it definitely will remain one of my favourite places I’ve been. I really can’t say better things about the hotel and the staff. The chef was truly incredible and so considerate about all of our requests. Zanzibar was also beautiful, and the staff again were just impeccable. Hotel was stunning and it was all round an amazing week. Thank you so much for organising our sunset dhow, it was such a treat and was a highlight of the trip. Really appreciate all your help and thanks again for the best holiday. "
Cecilia - London
Published on 8th January 2024

Who are Ngorongoro and Northern Tanzania holidays best for?

Land of safaris, Tanzania will appeal to anyone with a love of wildlife watching. See chimpanzees swing through the treetops, crocodiles lurking in the water and lions lazing in the sun. Anyone with a craving for culture will also find plenty to impress with opportunities to meet mighty Massai warriors, enjoy traditional dance performances and delve into colourful local markets. Fitness fanatics will likely jump at the challenge of climbing the towering Kilimanjaro. Choose a route that best suits your level of fitness, lace up your walking boots and prepare yourself for an unforgettable, blood pumping, pulse racing adventure as you hike into the clouds. For those who prefer to admire this magnificent mountain without the sweaty climb to the peak, the views from Kia Lodge and the Kenyan Amboseli reserve are hard to top. Exploring the elephant dotted savannah with the summit in the distance is a truly special and utterly romantic experience that will stay with you forever.


Which experiences are Ngorongoro and Northern Tanzania holidays best for?

Safaris are a must on a trip to Tanzania. Whether you’re in a 4x4 or on a walking tour, seeing these magnificent animals in their natural environment is a truly special experience. Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro is another experience not to be missed on a visit to this spectacular country. Climbing this mighty mountain on Kilimanjaro holidays isn’t for the faint hearted but fortunately, you don’t have to traverse the steep sides to be able to appreciate this feat of nature. Even from ground level, the site of this massive mountain will likely leave you speechless. Rising up from the flat savannah that surrounds it, this ancient volcano is a spectacular sight to soak up.


The best ways to discover Ngorongoro and Northern Tanzania

For athletes intending to climb Mount Kilimanjaro, there are a range of routes to choose from. Opt for the popular Marangu route which is less challenging of the Machame route which is more challenging. Complete the ascent in seven to eight days including a landing day or, for travellers with less time on their hands, hike up part of the way over the course of a few days. If adrenaline racing heights and sweaty treks aren’t your idea of fun, set aside a couple of days for a safari in the Amboseli reserve. Enjoy spectacular views from the ground and rise with the sun in the morning to see the first rays of light shine on the summit.


Special experiences on a trip to Ngorongoro and Northern Tanzania

- Take in Tarangire - a National Park that flies below most people's radar yet which in our summer months boasts one of the highest concentrations of game in East Africa. The park itself is also extremely beautiful, dotted with huge ancient baobabs and an ideal spot for a walking safari.

- Neighbouring Lake Manyara dovetails beautifully with Tarangire, offering birdlife outstanding and plentiful enough to turn the least ornithologically minded into born again twitchers. Add tree-climbing lions (presumably trying to catch all those birds) and the spectacular sight of thousands of flamingos on the lake and it's another African classic.

- Finally, less dramatic but an excellent potential pitstop between safari and beach action is the hill country of Karutu, home to many of Tanzania's finest coffee producing farms. Lovers of the black stuff will have to employ strict discipline to avoid a caffeine OD, but these lodges offer a great change of pace and scenery, but our favourites are still within reach of Ngorongoro should the safari urge strike.

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