Serengeti National Park
5,700 square miles of savanna: the Great Migration herds, the big cats (the densest lion population in Africa), and kopjes (rock outcrops) dotted across the plains.
Why go: The greatest wildlife arena on earth.
3–4 nights
Destination Overview
About Tanzania
Tanzania is safari at its grandest scale. The Serengeti's endless plains host the Great Migration for most of the year; the Ngorongoro Crater packs 25,000 animals into a volcanic caldera; Tarangire's baobabs shelter some of Africa's largest elephant herds. And off the coast, Zanzibar adds white-sand beaches and the labyrinth of Stone Town.
The northern circuit — Tarangire, Ngorongoro, and the Serengeti — is the classic route, typically 6–8 days with a private guide and 4x4. The Great Migration moves in a circle: calving in the southern Serengeti (January–March), river crossings in the north (July–September). There is no bad time — only different acts of the same show.
Kilimanjaro, Africa's highest peak (19,341 ft), is the other great draw: a 5–9 day trek requiring no technical climbing, just fitness and acclimatization. Many combine a trek with a short safari.
Tanzania suits safari purists, honeymooners (the bush-and-Zanzibar combination is the classic), photographers, and trekkers. Private-vehicle safaris are the norm — your own guide, your own pace.
Photo Gallery
Tanzania in photos
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Top Attractions
The best things to see in Tanzania
What to prioritise, why it is worth your time, and roughly how long to allow.
Ngorongoro Crater
A 12-mile-wide volcanic caldera holding 25,000 animals — the easiest place in Africa to see the Big Five in one day, including rare black rhino.
Why go: The densest big-game viewing in Africa.
1–2 days
Tarangire National Park
Giant baobab trees and some of Africa's biggest elephant herds (300+ gather in the dry season), with far fewer vehicles than the Serengeti.
Why go: The underrated gem of the northern circuit.
1–2 nights
Mount Kilimanjaro
Africa's highest peak and the world's tallest free-standing mountain. No technical climbing needed — routes take 5–9 days through five climate zones to the summit.
Why go: The most achievable of the world's great summits.
6–9 days (trek)
Zanzibar
The spice island: Stone Town's carved doors and sultan's palaces, spice farms, and some of the Indian Ocean's finest beaches (Nungwi, Paje, Matemwe).
Why go: The perfect beach finale after safari.
3–5 nights
Stone Town
Zanzibar's old city: a UNESCO maze of Swahili, Arab, Indian, and European layers — carved doors, the old slave market, and rooftop restaurants at sunset.
Why go: One of the most atmospheric old towns in Africa.
1–2 days
The Great Migration
Two million wildebeest, zebra, and gazelle circle the Serengeti year-round: calving in the south (Jan–Mar), the Grumeti and Mara river crossings (Jun–Sep).
Why go: Nature's greatest show — position your camp with the herds.
Year-round (moves seasonally)
Arusha & the gateway
The safari capital at the foot of Mount Meru: coffee lodges, the starting point for the northern circuit, and Arusha National Park's giraffes and flamingos for a soft first day.
Why go: The gentle launchpad for the circuit.
1 night
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Things To Do
Ways to spend your days in Tanzania
Grouped by the kind of trip you're planning.
Safari
- Serengeti game drives. Private 4x4 with your own guide — the Tanzanian standard; dawn drives are golden.
- Ngorongoro Crater day. Descend at 6am for the best light and fewest vehicles; rhinos before lunch.
- Hot-air balloon over the Serengeti. Dawn flight over the herds with a champagne breakfast.
- Walking safaris. In designated areas and private concessions — the bush at ground level.
Kilimanjaro
- Machame or Lemosho route. 7–8 day routes with the best acclimatization and scenery.
- Marangu route. The hut route (no camping) — 5–6 days, busier but comfortable.
- Day hikes on the lower slopes. Rainforest trails and waterfalls without the summit commitment.
- Coffee tours, Moshi. Bean-to-cup with Chagga farmers on the mountain's foot.
Zanzibar
- Stone Town walking tour. Carved doors, the old fort, and the slave-market memorial.
- Spice farm tour. Vanilla, cloves, and cardamom — the island's history in an hour.
- Mnemba Atoll snorkeling. The island's best reef — turtles and dolphins.
- Sunset dhow cruise. A traditional sail along the Stone Town waterfront.
Culture
- Maasai boma visit. Community visits on the Ngorongoro highlands road.
- Hadzabe bushmen, Lake Eyasi. Morning hunt with one of the last hunter-gatherer tribes.
- Arusha coffee lodges. Stay on a working coffee farm at the circuit's start.
- Swahili cooking, Zanzibar. Market tour and spice-laden lunch in Stone Town.
Where To Stay
Best areas to stay in Tanzania
Location matters more than star rating. Here's what each area is actually best for.
Serengeti (Central / Northern / Southern)
MigrationBig cats
Camp location follows the herds: south for calving (Jan–Mar), north for crossings (Jul–Sep), central year-round.
Ngorongoro highlands
Crater accessScenery
Crater-rim lodges (book early) or the coffee-country highlands at Karatu for value.
Tarangire & Lake Manyara
ElephantsFirst/last safari nights
The circuit's southern anchors, 2 hours from Arusha.
Zanzibar (Stone Town / Nungwi / Paje)
Beach finaleCulture
Stone Town for history, Nungwi for the best all-tide beach, Paje for kitesurf vibe.
Arusha / Moshi
ArrivalKilimanjaro
Coffee-farm lodges around Arusha; Moshi for the Kilimanjaro trailheads.
Recommended Stays
Where we book clients in Tanzania
A cross-section by budget. Send us any property — including one you found online — and we'll check our rate before you book.
Luxury
Luxury tented camps & lodges
Serengeti / Ngorongoro
Singita, andBeyond, and seasonal migration camps — the pinnacle of safari. We position your camp with the herds' location for your dates.
Luxury
Migration camps
Serengeti
Mobile camps that move with the herds — the front-row seat for the migration.
Upscale
Crater-rim & highland lodges
Ngorongoro / Karatu
Rim lodges for dawn crater access; Karatu's coffee lodges for charm and value.
Upscale
Zanzibar beach resorts
Nungwi / Matemwe / Paje
Barefoot-luxury beach hotels — the post-safari reward.
Mid-Range
Mid-range camps
All parks
Comfortable tented camps bring the circuit within reach; green-season rates are the deal.
Hotel suggestions are editorial recommendations based on location and traveler fit. Availability, room categories, and rates are confirmed at the time of quoting.
When To Go
Best time to visit Tanzania
Weather, crowds, and what the season does to pricing.
Season by season
- Best overall
- June to October (dry season) or January to March (calving season)
- High season
- June–October (dry, great viewing) and December–February (calving season in the south).
- Shoulder season
- November and early December — short rains, green landscapes, good value.
- Low season
- April–May (the long rains) — some camps close, but the parks are lush and empty, and rates drop sharply.
Weather
Dry season (Jun–Oct): warm days, cold highland mornings. Wet seasons: Nov (short) and Mar–May (long). Zanzibar is tropical year-round.
Crowds
The crater and Serengeti hotspots peak July–September; private concessions avoid the clusters.
Pricing
April–May can be 40% below peak; migration-season camps book a year out.
Month-by-month weather
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Conditions | Good for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 82°F / 28°C | 60°F / 16°C | Calving season in the south; green | Calving season |
| February | 83°F / 28°C | 60°F / 16°C | Peak calving; predators active | |
| March | 82°F / 28°C | 61°F / 16°C | Long rains begin late month | |
| April | 79°F / 26°C | 61°F / 16°C | Long rains; some camps close | Lowest rates |
| May | 77°F / 25°C | 59°F / 15°C | Rains ease; lush and empty | |
| June | 75°F / 24°C | 55°F / 13°C | Dry season begins; herds move north | Season begins |
| July | 75°F / 24°C | 54°F / 12°C | Cool, dry; river crossings begin | Peak season |
| August | 77°F / 25°C | 55°F / 13°C | Crossings in the north; cold mornings | |
| September | 79°F / 26°C | 56°F / 13°C | Superb; dust and drama | |
| October | 81°F / 27°C | 58°F / 14°C | Dry end; herds turn south | |
| November | 82°F / 28°C | 59°F / 15°C | Short rains; green season value | Shoulder value |
| December | 82°F / 28°C | 60°F / 16°C | Herds return south; festive peak | Book early |
Temperatures are typical seasonal averages and are provided as general guidance only.
Trip Planning
How many days do you need in Tanzania?
What each trip length realistically gets you — plus day-by-day plans.
6–7 nights
The northern circuit: Tarangire, Ngorongoro, and the Serengeti.
9–11 nights
Safari plus Zanzibar — the classic bush-and-beach.
12–14 nights
Add a Kilimanjaro trek or the southern parks (Nyerere, Ruaha).
Sample itineraries
Day 1
Arusha
Arrive at Kilimanjaro airport; coffee-lodge overnight.
Day 2
Tarangire
Elephants and baobabs; first game drive.
Day 3
Ngorongoro highlands
Drive up the escarpment; overnight near the crater.
Day 4
Ngorongoro Crater
Dawn descent — the Big Five in a day.
Days 5–7
Serengeti
Three nights positioned with the herds; balloon option at dawn.
Days 8–10
Zanzibar
Fly to the island: Stone Town evening, then beach days and a spice tour.
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Getting There & Around
Airports and transportation in Tanzania
Kilimanjaro International
30 miles from Arusha
Typical transfer: 45–60 minutes
- Safari operator transfer
Arusha Airport
Domestic/bush flights
Typical transfer: 15 minutes
- Bush flights to the parks
Abeid Amani Karume (Zanzibar)
5 miles from Stone Town
Typical transfer: 15 minutes; 60–90 to beach resorts
- Taxi / hotel transfer
Getting around
Private 4x4 with guide
RecommendedThe Tanzanian standard: your own vehicle and guide for the whole circuit — flexible and personal.
Bush flights
UsefulHop between the Serengeti, Arusha, and Zanzibar; saves long drives. Soft bags, 15 kg limit.
Ferry to Zanzibar
SituationalThe Dar es Salaam ferry is cheap but slow; most visitors fly.
Self-drive
SkipPark logistics and road conditions make guided safaris the sensible choice.
Food & Dining
What to eat in Tanzania
On safari everything is included — the memorable meals are bush breakfasts and sundowners. In Stone Town, book the rooftop tables for sunset.
Known for
Safari lodge diningSwahili coastal cuisineZanzibar spicesNyama chomaTanzanian coffee
Dishes to try
- Swahili seafood. Coconut curries, grilled octopus, and spiced rice in Stone Town.
- Nyama choma. Grilled meat with ugali — the mainland staple.
- Zanzibar pizza. The Forodhani Gardens night-market specialty — sweet or savory.
- Bush breakfast. Full breakfast cooked in the bush after the dawn drive.
- Pilau. Spiced rice — the celebration dish of the coast.
Best dining areas
- Safari camps. All-inclusive and excellent; dietary needs handled with notice.
- Stone Town, Zanzibar. Rooftop restaurants and the Forodhani night market.
- Arusha & Karatu. Coffee-lodge kitchens and local grill spots.
Family Travel
Tanzania with kids
- Family safari camps. Many camps offer family tents, private vehicles, and junior bush programs.
- Ngorongoro Crater. Guaranteed animals in one day — perfect for shorter attention spans.
- Zanzibar beaches. Calm lagoons and tidal pools after the safari early mornings.
- Spice farm tour. Hands-on and fun — kids taste everything.
Family-friendly areas: Ngorongoro · Serengeti (family camps) · Zanzibar (Nungwi)
Recommended trip length: 9–11 nights; one safari region done well plus the beach.
- Check camp age minimums (often 6+; some 12+); private vehicles give flexibility.
- Malaria prophylaxis advice for children — consult your doctor.
- The crater is cold at dawn — pack fleeces.
Couples & Luxury
Tanzania for two
- Balloon over the Serengeti. Dawn, the herds below, champagne breakfast after.
- Private tented suite. Outdoor showers, star beds, and lantern-lit dinners.
- Zanzibar finale. Barefoot luxury on Matemwe or Nungwi.
- Crater-rim sundowners. Drinks above the caldera as the light fades.
Luxury stays
- Serengeti migration camps
- Ngorongoro rim
- Zanzibar (Matemwe)
Spa
- Lodge spas in the Serengeti
- Zanzibar beach resort spas
Special occasions
- Private vehicle and guide
- Bush dinners for two
- Sunset dhow cruise, Stone Town
Practical Information
Good to know before you travel
Currency
Tanzanian Shilling (TZS); US dollars (post-2006 notes) widely accepted
Language
Swahili and English — English is universal in tourism
Time zone
East Africa Time (UTC+3, no daylight saving)
Plugs & voltage
Type G (British), 230V
Tipping
Safari guides $20–30 per day per vehicle; camp staff $10–15 pooled; restaurants 10%
Local transport
Private 4x4 with guide on safari; bush flights between parks; taxis in Stone Town
Entry & visas
US citizens need a visa (e-visa online or on arrival, $100); passport valid 6 months; yellow fever certificate if arriving from endemic countries
Safety
Safari areas and Zanzibar are very safe. Malaria prophylaxis is advised — consult your doctor. Follow camp rules around wildlife.
Entry, visa, and health requirements change. Always confirm current rules with the official government sources for your nationality before travel.
Know before you go
- Position your camp with the herds. The migration moves: south (Jan–Mar) for calving, north (Jul–Sep) for crossings. We match your camps to your dates.
- Book a year ahead for peak season. Migration-season camps and crater-rim lodges sell out early.
- Pack for cold mornings. Ngorongoro's rim is at 7,500 feet — dawn drives need a fleece and windbreaker.
- Soft bags, 15 kg. Bush-flight luggage limits are strict; camps do laundry daily.
- Visa and yellow fever. Get the e-visa online before travel; a yellow fever certificate is required if transiting endemic countries.
- Tipping is expected. Budget roughly $30–45 per day per couple for guide and camp staff tips.
Map
Tanzania at a glance
Main tourist areas, major attractions, neighborhoods, and the airport.
AttractionAirportNeighborhoodBeach
FAQs
Tanzania travel questions
The questions our travelers ask most.
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Where to stay in Tanzania
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