Tanzania Northern Circuit vs. Southern Circuit
1st February 2016 bushbuck
The northern and southern circuits of Tanzania offer very different experiences, so choose carefully if you are planning a safari trip. Both safari parks have their pros and cons, and it also entirely depends on the type of adventure you are looking for.
South versus North
The safari parks of the south are more remote but easier to access. The camps in the south are intimate and offer better value for money. They also offer various activities for their guests, such as hiking, boating and fly camping. There are open-sided vehicles for game viewing which considerably adds to your viewing experience. Also, the southern safari adventure is shorter but it’s combined with a trip to the beach as well. In a nutshell, the south offers a compact adventure full of exciting things that visitors can enjoy. Lastly, the southern parks are much less crowded than the north, so you are sure to have a more private safari experience.
In comparison, the northern safari experience requires the use of closed sided vehicles, which diminishes your viewing experience. Also, you are not allowed to wander off on your own, except for a few designated areas. There are no boating, hiking or fly camping activities available. The north is also a lot more crowded with visitors and a lot of camping and lodging options don’t offer value for money. So, why is the north more crowded? The northern safari allows you to see the big five (big five deadly mammals of Africa), the Great Migration (of the wildebeest and zebra) and of course the beautiful scenery. All these attractions obviously drive up the prices, which means you will be paying a lot more to go the north than the south. Let’s take a closer look at both circuits.
The Northern Circuit
Northern Tanzania offers a more diverse safari experience. It has many attractions such as the Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater, Lake Manyara, Tarangire National Park, the Great Migration and view of Mount Kilimanjaro. These parks have successfully preserved the amazing wildlife of Northern Tanzania and it attracts thousands of people from around the globe each year. The game viewing environment of the Ngorongoro crater combined with the view of the amazing Kilimanjaro is something that cannot be experienced anywhere else in the world. Apart from these attractions, the rift valley lakes of Eyasi and Natron are a must visit as well if you would like to interact with the Hadzabe tribes.
The Southern Circuit
Game viewing in the south is fairly good as well, but obviously not as exciting as the north. On a good day, you can catch a lot of predator action. There are quite a few attractions to visit in the southern circuit as well, including Selous, Ruaha, Mahale and Katavi. The safari experience in the south is much less crowded and there are plenty of activities for you to enjoy. Selous and Ruaha are easily accessible by air, which considerably shortens your travel time. Also, the mainland coast provides an excellent African beach experience.