Explore Tanzania on Safari

Tanzania

Why Go to Tanzania

Tanzania is one of Africa’s most complete safari destinations, offering legendary wildlife, dramatic landscapes, rich culture, and world-class beach escapes — all within one country.

It is home to the Serengeti, the stage of the Great Wildebeest Migration, the Ngorongoro Crater, one of the highest concentrations of wildlife on Earth, Mount Kilimanjaro, Africa’s highest peak, and the exotic spice island of Zanzibar.

Whether you seek classic game drives, luxury fly-in safaris, mountain climbing, cultural encounters, or safari-and-beach combinations, Tanzania delivers on every level.

 

Key Highlights

  • The Great Wildebeest Migration in Serengeti National Park
  • The Ngorongoro Crater, a UNESCO World Heritage Site
  • Africa’s highest mountain: Mount Kilimanjaro (5,895 m)
  • Exceptional Big Five viewing
  • Zanzibar’s white-sand beaches and Swahili culture
  • Diverse safari styles: budget, mid-range, luxury, and ultra-luxury
  • Stable, well-established tourism infrastructure

 

Top Destinations in Tanzania

Serengeti National Park

The heart of Tanzania’s safari experience and one of the most famous wildlife areas on Earth. Endless plains, large predator populations, and the Great Migration make the Serengeti a must-visit.

Best for: Migration safaris, big cats, photography, luxury camps

 

Ngorongoro Conservation Area

A vast volcanic caldera supporting dense wildlife populations, including black rhino. Combines wildlife viewing with Maasai cultural landscapes.

Best for: Big Five, dramatic scenery, short high-impact safaris

 

Tarangire National Park

Known for massive elephant herds, ancient baobab trees, and seasonal river wildlife concentrations.

Best for: Elephants, dry-season safaris, quieter parks

 

Lake Manyara National Park

A compact but diverse park famous for tree-climbing lions, birdlife, and scenic Rift Valley views.

Best for: Birding, scenic drives, short add-on safaris

 

Mount Kilimanjaro

Africa’s highest peak and the world’s tallest free-standing mountain. Multiple trekking routes cater to different experience levels.

Best for: Adventure travelers, trekking, once-in-a-lifetime climbs

 

Zanzibar

A tropical island paradise offering white-sand beaches, coral reefs, spice farms, and historic Stone Town.

Best for: Safari & beach combos, honeymoons, relaxation

 

Selous (Nyerere) National Park

One of Africa’s largest protected areas, offering boat safaris, walking safaris, and a more remote wilderness experience.

Best for: Off-the-beaten-path safaris, boat safaris

 

Wildlife & Nature

Tanzania hosts some of the highest wildlife densities in Africa.

Wildlife commonly seen includes:

  • Lions, leopards, cheetahs
  • Elephants and buffalo
  • Black rhino (Ngorongoro)
  • Giraffes, zebras, wildebeest
  • Hippos and crocodiles
  • Over 1,000 bird species

Ecosystems range from open savannah and volcanic highlands to forests, wetlands, and coral reefs.

 

The Great Wildebeest Migration

The migration is a year-round cycle, not a single event.

  • Jan–Mar: Calving season (southern Serengeti)
  • Apr–Jun: Movement through central Serengeti
  • Jul–Oct: River crossings in northern Serengeti
  • Nov–Dec: Return south

Each phase offers unique experiences, from dramatic river crossings to predator-rich calving grounds.

 

Best Time to Visit Tanzania

  • June – October: Dry season, best general wildlife viewing
  • January – March: Calving season, fewer crowds
  • April – May: Green season, lush scenery, lower rates

Zanzibar is best year-round, with peak beach conditions from June to March.

 

Safari Experiences

  • Classic 4×4 game drives
  • Hot air balloon safaris (Serengeti)
  • Walking safaris (Selous, Ngorongoro Highlands)
  • Boat safaris (Selous / Rufiji River)
  • Cultural visits with Maasai communities
  • Mountain trekking (Kilimanjaro & Meru)

 

Accommodation Styles

Tanzania offers accommodation for every travel style:

  • Budget and mid-range lodges
  • Tented safari camps
  • Mobile migration camps
  • Luxury and ultra-luxury lodges
  • Exclusive private concessions

 

Safari & Beach Combinations

Tanzania is ideal for combining wildlife with relaxation.

Popular combinations:

  • Serengeti + Ngorongoro + Zanzibar
  • Tarangire + Lake Manyara + Zanzibar
  • Kilimanjaro climb + Zanzibar beach recovery

 

Who Tanzania Is Ideal For

  • First-time safari travelers
  • Honeymooners
  • Families (selected lodges)
  • Luxury travelers
  • Adventure seekers (climbing & trekking)
  • Wildlife photographers

 

Practical Travel Information

  • Visa: Available online or on arrival for most nationalities
  • Currency: Tanzanian Shilling (USD widely accepted in tourism)
  • Language: Swahili (English widely spoken)
  • Getting Around: Road safaris or domestic flights
  • Health: Yellow fever certificate may be required depending on travel route

 

Best Places to Visit in Tanzania

Location: Where Is Tanzania?

Tanzania is East Africa’s second-largest country and one of the continent’s most iconic safari destinations. Located along the scenic Indian Ocean coastline, it borders several remarkable wildlife regions, including Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, Zambia, Malawi, and Mozambique.

Best Things to Experience in Tanzania

Experience the Spectacle of the Great Wildebeest Migration

Few places on the planet can match the scale and drama of the annual Wildebeest Migration. If you want to experience Tanzania at its most spectacular, this is the perfect time to visit. Considered the highlight of most first-time Tanzania safari journeys, the Migration showcases nature in its rawest and most powerful form. Around two million wildebeest, zebras, and antelopes travel across the vast Serengeti–Mara ecosystem, facing predators and challenging terrain as they search for fresh grasslands. This natural phenomenon is one of the world’s last remaining large-scale animal movements — the herds are so enormous that they can even be seen from space.

Key Highlights:

  • Serengeti National Park, Tanzania’s premier wildlife reserve, is home to the largest portion of the Migration.

  • Mobile safari camps shift locations throughout the season to stay close to the moving herds.

  • Some lodges and camps provide easy access to major river-crossing points.

Important Note:
Safari camps in prime locations fill up quickly from June to October, when the dramatic river crossings occur. For the best viewing opportunities, it’s recommended to plan and book your Tanzania safari about a year ahead. Alternatively, traveling during the calving and grazing season is equally unforgettable — the plains are full of newborn animals, predators are active, and there are fewer tourist crowds.

When is the Best Time to Go to Tanzania?

Thousands of travellers visit the Mara each year to experience some of Africa’s most authentic and wildlife-rich safaris. Here are a few reasons why a Masai Mara safari stands out:

Tanzania Safari Travel Advice

We take pride in providing our travellers with unbiased advice based on extensive, first-hand experience in the destinations we recommend. We’ve been tailor-making Masai Mara safari itineraries since 1998 – here are some of our top tips:

Best Tanzania Tours and Safaris

Thousands of travellers visit the Mara each year to experience some of Africa’s most authentic and wildlife-rich safaris. Here are a few reasons why a Masai Mara safari stands out:

We take pride in providing our travellers with unbiased advice based on extensive, first-hand experience in the destinations we recommend. We’ve been tailor-making Masai Mara safari itineraries since 1998 – here are some of our top tips:

Tanzania Family Holiday

Tanzania Honeymoon

Tanzania Luxury Safari