Tanzania
Tanzania
Tanzania
Tanzania
Tanzania is a vast and beautiful country characterised by diverse landscapes and cultural experiences. Mount Kilimanjaro, which rises from the plains in the north, attracts adventurers from across the world, while the gentle, undulating plains of the Serengeti, the quiet swish of the ocean on Zanzibar’s tropical beaches and the wild national parks of the south offer unique experiences and scenery. Like Kenya, a strong Maasai culture dominates, with English and Swahili the two national languages.
KILIMANJARO AND ARUSHA: Starting point for northern circuit safaris. Trek Mount Kilimanjaro. Home to coffee plantations and plenty of fun activities.
SERENGETI AND GRUMETI: Vast plains teeming with game, this is Big 5 country. Migration peaks from July to October. Hot-air ballooning in the southwest.
NGORONGORO CRATER: UNESCO World Heritage site. Explore the crater floor by vehicle or escape the crowds and walk the crater rim for exceptional views.
LAKE MANYARA: Home to a vast population of flamingos during the rainy season and beautiful old forests hugging the shore.
TARANGIRE NATIONAL PARK: Home to the largest concentration of elephants in Tanzania. Endless giant baobabs and diverse scenery.
NYERERE NATIONAL PARK: Remote park with large groups of elephants, crocs, hippos, and wild dog. Very few tourists and great walking country.
RUAHA NATIONAL PARK: Remote and pristine wildlife haven. Diverse scenery and enormous biodiversity. Excellent game viewing.
MAHALE, KATAVI AND LAKE TANGANYIKA: For the adventurous traveller. Wild and wonderful areas full of unique wildlife and very few people.
ZANZIBAR: Melting pot of cultures, scents and scenery. From glorious beaches and tropical reefs to the hustle of Stone Town, a UNESCO World Heritage site.
MAFIA, THANDA AND FANJOVE ISLANDS: Undisturbed island paradise. For those who want to escape everything. Highlights include diving, snorkelling and lounging in your hammock.
Arusha, watched over by Mount Kilimanjaro, is the hub of all things safari and is where you will start and finish your northern circuit safari. Explore the flamingo-dusted shores of Lake Manyara before heading south to Tarangire National Park and its trumpeting herds of elephants. Continue to the awe-inspiring Ngorongoro Crater, one of the world’s natural wonders — nothing beats the view down into this ancient volcano. Fly north into the Serengeti and Grumeti area, marvelling at the sheer vastness of the plains teeming with game. You might be one of the lucky few who witnesses the wildebeest migration crossing the Mara River, dodging crocs and waiting lions on the shore.
Keep heading west and you will encounter Lake Victoria, one of the world’s largest freshwater lakes. Then make a turn and head southwest as the crow flies and you will encounter Lake Tanganyika stretching for miles down the Great Rift Valley. Resting on the shores of Lake Tanganyika is Mahale National Park, home to one of the world’s largest wild chimpanzee populations. This destination has an almost mythical quality and is the perfect combination with Katavi and Ruaha national parks to the east. Heading back towards the coast, you will come across Nyerere National Park, carved up by the languid waters of the Rufiji River and its glinting sand banks.
Tanzania’s coastline is a heady mix of Robinson Crusoe-esque islands, ruins of ancient trading settlements and glorious beaches. Mafia Island offers a more rustic lifestyle, with a choice of small lodges that will appeal to explorers and divers. Thanda and Fanjove islands are private and home to luxurious lodges suited to those looking for exclusivity. Head further out to sea and you’ll discover Zanzibar, the spice island steeped in history ringed by palm trees, powdery white sand beaches and an azure twinkling ocean.
Depending on your flight timings, you may need to overnight in either Dar es Salaam or Arusha. Dar is a vibrant African city on the edge of the Indian Ocean — think seafood platters and cocktails by the seaside with a warm breeze on your face. Arusha is home to lush coffee plantations, and your morning will start with a brisk caffeine hit.
Tanzania is a diverse country offering many unique experiences and places to stay. There are four main areas to travel: the southern circuit, the northern circuit, Zanzibar, and the Tanzanian coastal islands. We will build a trip for you by matching your preferences with the different areas.
Looking for something truly wild and wonderful? Then we recommend the Nyerere, Ruaha and Katavi national parks along with chimp trekking in the Mahale National Park forests on the shores of Lake Tanganyika.
If you are wanting guaranteed Big 5 wildlife viewing and iconic scenery, the classic northern circuit safari is for you. The perfect itinerary includes Lake Manyara, Tarangire, Ngorongoro Crater and the Serengeti. This is ideally done as a combination driving and flying safari to fully appreciate the country’s diversity.
Complete your trip with a few days of R&R on one of Tanzania’s islands. Mafia, Thanda and Fanjove islands all offer a beautifully simple experience for those wanting to explore the ocean and the cultural offerings of small-island life. Zanzibar is more well-developed and offers a diverse range of accommodation and is perfect for those wanting white sandy beaches and a taste of vibrant Stone Town. The heady feeling of relaxing on the rooftop of your guesthouse, listening to the call to mosque before heading out to explore the local market for dinner, is unforgettable.
These are just a few nibbles of what is possible — and after we’ve had a good chat, we’ll figure out where is best for you.
The peak season for travel is typically from June to October and December. During this time, there is minimal rainfall and it coincides with the epic migration from June to August in the Serengeti. It's worth noting that in November, the migration circles back to Tanzania as the wildebeest give birth to their young just after the first rains. Picture long-legged baby wildebeest pronking around the grassy plains – it's truly a sight to behold.If you prefer to avoid the busy peak season but still want to witness the migration, November to February is a lovely time to travel. Additionally, this period offers the opportunity to enjoy the beauty of the coast and islands.
On the other hand, from March to May, it's considered the 'green' season with higher rainfall. While this means the occasional rain shower, the skies quickly clear up. This can be a great time to visit as safari tourism drops off, and you may even have an entire game-viewing vehicle to yourself. However, it's important to note that heavy rainfall makes it less ideal to visit the coast during this time. Some lodges and areas might be closed, so it's best to plan accordingly.
June-Oct | Dec
Nov | Jan | Feb
March | April | May
Driving and flying are both options for exploring Tanzania, depending on your preference. There are numerous international flights into Dar Es Salaam, great for a southern circuit safari and Zanzibar, as well as into Kilimanjaro International airport, the starting point for a safari into the northern areas. Both airports are hubs for various connecting flights in East Africa.
The airport you choose to fly into is important, as this will inform your starting point. Some connections are easier than others, so please consult us before booking any international flights.
The local currency is the Tanzanian shilling, but we recommend carrying US dollars in small denominations for tipping and buying curios. Credit cards are widely accepted at hotels and lodges.
Passports must have a minimum validity of six months. Tanzania does require a visa to be purchased for certain nationalities. Please consult the government information website https://immigration.go.tz/index.php/visa-and-pass-information
When traveling from certain destinations, a yellow fever certificate might be necessary.
- Tanzania is an area with malaria, so it is advised to contact your doctor for advice and precautions.
-As of now, Covid-19 travel restrictions have been lifted and no protocols such as PCR tests or vaccination certificates are required for entry. However, please check for updates closer to your travel date.
- Random rapid antigen testing may be conducted at the port of entry.
- For additional health guidelines, please consult the Travelhealthpro website.
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