Destinations

The parks we visit

Northern Tanzania’s best-known parks sit within a day’s drive of Arusha, which is why one trip can take in several of them.

Where they are

The map is a sketch, not a survey, but it shows the order we usually visit them in. Distances are the real constraint: Tarangire and Manyara are about two hours from Arusha, Ngorongoro about half a day, and the central Serengeti a full day by road.

Short on time? Choose two parks and spend longer in each. The drives are part of the trip, but they eat daylight.

Two giraffes walking across the Serengeti plains with a hot-air balloon behind them

Serengeti National Park

Open plains, big cats and the migration herds

7–8 hoursRead more

Ngorongoro Crater

A volcanic bowl with most of the big animals in it

3.5–4 hoursRead more

Tarangire National Park

Elephants and baobabs, two hours from Arusha

2–2.5 hoursRead more

Bare trees standing in the water at the edge of Lake Manyara

Lake Manyara National Park

Forest, flamingos and a lake below the escarpment

2–2.5 hoursRead more

Mount Meru rising above the land near Arusha

Arusha National Park

Colobus monkeys and Mount Meru, 45 minutes from town

45 minutesRead more

Compare

Which park suits you?

Park	Best for	From Arusha
Serengeti National Park	Big cats, the Great Migration, wide-open scenery	About 7–8 hours by road to the central Serengeti (Seronera), or a short scheduled flight
Ngorongoro Crater	Dense wildlife in a small area, black rhino, photography	About 3.5–4 hours by road (usually combined with a night near Karatu)
Tarangire National Park	Elephants, baobabs, birdlife, a first safari day	About 2–2.5 hours by road
Lake Manyara National Park	Varied scenery, birds, a relaxed half-day game drive	About 2–2.5 hours by road
Arusha National Park	Day trips, walking safaris, forest and mountain scenery	About 45 minutes by road