Tanzania is a vast land of wonders ranging from rich cultures and jaw-dropping landscapes teeming with abundant wildlife, to historical sites and bustling towns. But whenever there’s talk of a Tanzania safari, many people automatically assume that it involves the Serengeti. While they are technically correct, seeing as the Serengeti is one of the world’s prime safari destinations and home to some of the best luxury safari camps in Africa, but there are so many other safari parks and other attractions around the Serengeti worth considering. This way, you have an idea of which parks to include in your itinerary along with the famous Serengeti. 

Tarangire National Park

While not located on the main safari route, the Tarangire National Park is definitely worth visiting, especially since it is usually less crowded than most other national parks in Tanzania’s northern region. The park is known for its breathtaking array of baobab trees and amazing natural beauty, as well as being home to a robust population of wildlife during the dry season. The distance from Tarangire to the Serengeti is between 230 and 310 km depending on which area of the Serengeti you’re visiting (around 235 km to Southern Serengeti and around 300 km to Serengeti Central).

Lake Manyara National Park 

This famous park boasts a vast soda lake teeming with vibrant pink flamingoes, zebras, white rhinos and elephants, while tree-climbing lions perch across the distance. Fondly referred to as a mini Serengeti, Lake Manyara hosts as many as 11 ecosystems, including a groundwater forest that offers a break from the usual rolling savannahs that characterize safari parks. The distance from Lake Manyara to Serengeti National Park ranges between 200 and 300 km (210km to Serengeti Central and 290km to Serengeti North and North East).

Ngorongoro Conservation Area

Believed to have been formed millions of years ago, the Ngorongoro Crater is one of the few places in Africa where you can spot all of the Big Five (elephant, lion, rhino, leopard, and buffalo) in one day. It’s also home to some of Tanzania’s last remaining endangered black rhino populations. What makes Ngorongoro so appealing is its abundant wildlife and exotic plant species bordered within its natural crater walls. The Central Serengeti to Ngorongoro distance comes to around 160km.

At the end of your tour, head on to the famous spice islands of Zanzibar to enjoy a healthy dose of sand, sea, and sun. That’s actually the ultimate safari adventure as you get to relax and have some leisure moments at the beach after exploring the wild.  There are several Serengeti to Zanzibar flights available and your tour operator can easily include it in your itinerary.

Tanzania’s Northern Safaris Main Gateway 

The main entry hub for Tanzania’s northern circuit safaris is the bustling town of Arusha. One of the most common options is to fly into the Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) which is located about 46km from Arusha. This is the case even for travelers who are wondering how to get to the Serengeti from Nairobi in neighboring Kenya. From the airport in Kilimanjaro to the Serengeti, the distance comes to around 295km.

How far is the Serengeti from Arusha?

At the end of the safari tour, most travelers also return to Arusha for some additional sightseeing or shopping before they depart the country. The distance from the Serengeti to Arusha is around 350km by road, though it can be longer if you’re coming from the Western Serengeti (around 460km). 

At the end of the day, Tanzania remains one of the best places to visit for an unforgettable safari experience and mixing and matching these fantastic parks only adds to the overall thrill and excitement. Now that you have an idea of the distances required to cover these destinations, you can better plan your itinerary and make provision for the hours that you will likely spend on the road. Here at Acacia Collections , we can work with you to deliver the ideal safari based on your travel style and preferences. From helping you choose the right Serengeti safari camp to planning the other important details of your trip, we are the company to call. Get in touch with us today to get started.