available in Tanzania
offering Safaris
Reserves and Wildlife
Areas
Overview
Situated in Eastern Africa, Tanzania lies in the Great Lakes Region and includes magnificent swathes of wilderness as well as several offshore islands including Zanzibar, Pemba and Mafia. Tanzania boasts both the lowest and highest points in Africa, with Mount Kilimanjaro at 5,895m above sea level and the floor of Lake Tanganyika at 352m below sea level. This large country is brimming with stunning sights, from the sprawling beaches, towering Mount Kilimanjaro and majestic wildlife to the impressive ruins and fascinating cultures. Most importantly, when it comes to the best safaris in Tanzania it offers its visitors an impressive 16 national parks to explore.
The well-established northern safari circuit offers some superb scenery and wildlife viewing. It includes the Serengeti National Park, one of the most celebrated parks in Africa, renowned for its annual Great Migration when an estimated three million antelope, mostly wildebeest, migrate to Kenya’s Masai Mara Game Reserve. In the Serengeti, which means ‘endless plains’ in the Masai language, visitors can expect to see an incredible variety of wildlife including a high concentration of predators.
The northern circuit also includes the remarkable Ngorongoro Crater, the world’s largest intact volcanic caldera, with around 25,000 large animals living in the crater, including the rare black rhino, and one of the best places to see the Big Five; Lake Manyara National Park, with its soda ash lake which attracts thousands of flamingos and unique tree-climbing lions; and Tarangire National Park, known for its huge elephant herds, baobab trees and wonderful birding.
Mount Kilimanjaro, the highest peak in Africa, is not strictly a mountain, but a stratovolcano that began forming around a million years ago. Kilimanjaro attracts around 30,000 people each year hoping to reach the summit. Kilimanjaro has a wide range of ecosystems from the tropical jungle, savannah and desert to montane forests, subalpine plants and the alpine zone and is home to blue monkeys, olive baboons, civets, leopards, mongoose and bush pigs.
The national parks in the southern circuit of Tanzania are more remote and less-visited, hidden gems offering a less crowded safari experience. Selous National Park, Africa’s largest national park, offers diverse activities including boating, walking and fly camping and an abundance of wildlife, while Ruaha National Park is more inaccessible but the rewards are well worth it predators such as lion, cheetah and wild dog as well as large elephant and buffalo herds. Over in the west, head to Gombe and Mahale Mountains Naitonal Parks for chimpanzee trekking.
Browse through some of the best Tanzania safari packages below offered by top Tanzania safari tour operators and plan a trip to Tanzania now to enjoy an unforgettable safari! You can also check out how to get to Tanzania guide which provides information on flights, passports and visa requirements.
Tanzania Safari Travel Seasons
- Jun-Oct – High Season. Weather is cooler and dry. Game viewing is at its best when foliage is sparse and animals converge on water sources. This is the best time to visit Tanzania for a safari, but availability is tight in the popular areas so book early.
- Nov – Feb – Shoulder Season (although prices are high mid-Dec to mid-Jan). The Tanzania weather, especially during December to February is hot. The short rains arrive from around the middle of October, this is also when the seasonal trade wind blows – the Kusi.
- Mar-May – Low Season. It’s the rainy season which can make it tough going on the secondary roads. It doesn’t rain all day, expect downpours then blue skys, transforming the landscape into a lush, green paradise. It is not unusual for hotels to be closed during this time, you can get some heavily discounted rates in the ones that are open.
General Information
- Capital: Dodoma
- Largest city: Dar es Salaam
- Currency – Tanzania Shilling
- Languages – Swahili, English
- Size – 947,300 km²
- Population – 55.57 million (2016)
Tanzania Travel Safety and Health
- Travel insurance is essential for all international travel. Click below to find out more:
- CDC recommend the following vaccinations for Tanzania: hepatits A, typhoid. Check with your doctor for other possible vaccinations and make sure your routine vaccinations are all up-to-date.
- Malaria is present in some areas – get medical advice on which prophylaxis you might need to take.
- It’s best to stick to drinking bottled water.
Pros
- Abundant Tanzania animals and birds offer superb wildlife viewing
- Annual wildebeest migration in the Serengeti
- Off-the-beaten-track safaris in Selous and Ruaha parks
- There are several wildlife viewing circuits for repeat visits
- Gombe and Mahale Mountains chimpanzee tracking
- Zanzibar beach holiday extensions
- Traditional indigenous cultures
- Large tracts of land designated as national parks
Cons
- Limited availability in prime areas
- Can be expensive, particularly in high season
- Tropical climate can be hot for younger children
Arriving in Tanzania
- Most travellers arrive by air into one of the international aiports – Dar es Salaam, Zanzibar or Kilimanjaro.
- Others arrive via road from Kenya.
Getting Around
- Tanzania is a large country with very specific tourism areas, distances between them can be large so travelling around may well be a mix of road transfers and internal flights.
Visas Requirements in Tanzania
- Visas are required by most visitors. These can be obtained on arrival at the three international airports mentioned above or at the Namanga Entry Point between Kenya and Tanzania. Alternatively, you can get visas prior to departure via the Tanzania Consulate. Please check all details before you travel – Tanzania Visas >>
Tanzania Safaris
Tanzania Camping Safari Northern Circuit
- 10 Days
Discover and experience nature first hand with our 11-day camping safari: from the wildlife in the national...
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Country:Tanzania,
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Departures:Year Round
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Length:10 Days
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Start/end:Start/end in Arusha
The Great Migration Safari
- 7 Days
A week of amazing wildlife visiting both Northern and Central Serengeti, ensuring that you see the...
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Country:Tanzania,
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Departures:Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct
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Length:7 Days
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Start/end:Start/end in Arusha
10-Day Family Safari and Zanzibar Beach
- 10 Days
This safari offers quality family time, combining the wonders of wildlife viewing in the Serengeti and...
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Country:Tanzania,
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Departures:Year Round
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Length:10 Days
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Start/end:Start in Kilimanjaro, end in Dar es Salaam
3-Day Tanzania Wilderness Safari
- 3 Days
This short safari takes in three of Tanzania's wildlife gems; Lake Manyara National Park, Ngorongoro...
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Country:Tanzania,
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Departures:Year Round
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Length:3 Days
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Start/end:Start/end in Kilimanjaro Airport or Arusha
Best of Tanzania Safari
- 7 Days
Discover the best of Tanzania on a safari that takes you to the famous Serengeti, Tarangire and Lake...
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Country:Tanzania,
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Departures:Year Round
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Length:7 Days
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Start/end:Start/end in Arusha
9-Day Serengeti Migration Safari
- 8 Days
Explore the vast open plains of the Serengeti National Park for the chance to see the largest migration...
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Country:Tanzania,
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Departures:Jan, Feb, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct, Nov, Dec
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Length:8 Days
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Start/end:Start/end in Moshi
8-Day Kilimanjaro Climb Lemosho Route
- 8 Days
The Lemosho Route is considered the most scenic trail on Kilimanjaro, offering some of the best panoramic...
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Country:Tanzania,
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Departures:Year Round
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Length:8 Days
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Start/end:Start/end in Moshi
Classic Best Adventures in Kenya and Tanzania
- 12 Days
Discover Amboseli, with its breathtaking views of Mt. Kilimanjaro; scenic Lake Manyara; Ngorongoro Crater...
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Country:Kenya, Tanzania,
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Departures:Year Round
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Length:12 Days
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Start/end:Start/end in Nairobi
Tanzania Big 5 Safari
- 8 Days
Visit Tanzania for a fantastic safari, exploring the four largest reserves in the country: the immense...
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Country:Tanzania,
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Departures:Year Round
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Length:8 Days
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Start/end:Start in Arusha, end in Kilimanjaro
10-Day Kilimanjaro & Wildlife Charity Safari
- 10 Days
Discover Mount Kilimanjaro and the spectacular wildlife of Tanzania on this 10-day safari that sees you...
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Country:Tanzania,
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Departures:Year Round
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Length:10 Days
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Start/end:Start/end in Arusha
