Tanzania

Big 5 Safaris, Paradise Islands and Africa’s Highest Mountain

Why Visit Tanzania

From the iconic Serengeti National Park where the drama of the Great Migration unfolds, to the mighty peaks of Kilimanjaro, Africa’s highest mountain, Tanzania offers a symphony of breathtaking landscapes.

Tanzania offers a diverse safari experience, from the big 5, to whale sharks and even chimpanzees, all in one country. Discover the iconic Ngorongoro Crater, and the azure waters of Zanzibar’s pristine beaches. Immerse yourself in vibrant cultures, from the Maasai tribes to the Swahili coastal heritage. Whether seeking adventure in the wild or tranquillity by the Indian Ocean, Tanzania is an enchanting destination where the spirit of Africa comes alive.
Tanzania is the perfect destination for those seeking a beach and safari adventure, or for those wanting to take on Africa’s highest mountain peak.

Great Migration
Great Migration
Big 5 Safaris
Big 5 Safaris
Paradise Island Zanzibar
Paradise Islands
Kilimanjaro
Africas Highest Mountain
image-400x300-61
Diverse Safari Experiences
Lake Manyara Photographic
Photographic Safaris
Zanzibar White Sands
Honeymoon Safaris
Hot Air Balloon Lemala
Adventure Activities

Discover Tanzania

Top Destinations

Serengeti National Park

Serengeti National Park is one of Africa’s greatest safari parks. Offering an untamed wilderness, renowned for its high density of wildlife, as well as the unparalleled spectacle of the Great Migration. This bucket list safari experience is a breathtaking sight that embodies the raw essence of nature's cycles. The park's diverse ecosystems, from savannahs to riverine forests, harbour an incredible array of wildlife, including the Big Five, offering unparalleled safari experiences. Its rich biodiversity, coupled with the opportunity to witness predator-prey interactions, draws tourists seeking immersive encounters with nature. The Serengeti is a seasonal park due to animal migrations and therefore different regions are better at certain times of the year.

Attraction List:

  • Witness the Great Migration, one of the most spectacular natural events on Earth.
  • Wildebeest river crossings in the Northern Serengeti (July to September).
  • Embark on thrilling game drives to witness the abundant wildlife.
  • One of the highest densities of predators in the world, including Lion, Cheetah, Leopard and Hyaena.
  • Glide over the endless Serengeti plains on a hot air balloon safari.
  • Visit Maasai villages to learn about their culture, traditions, and way of life.
  • Excellent wildlife photography opportunities due to scenic landscapes and dense wildlife.
  • For the adventurous, consider a trek up an active volcano, Ol Doinyo Lengai,
  • With over 500 bird species recorded in the park, the Serengeti is a paradise for birdwatchers.
  • Sunset and sunrise over the savannah, perfect for capturing stunning photographs.

Top Experiences

Great Migration
Great Migration Safaris
Big 5 Lemala Serengeti
Big 5 Safaris
Honeymoon dinner is safari
Honeymoon Safaris
Chimpanzee in Kibale National Park
Chimpanzee Tracking
Fly In Safari Serengeti
Fly In safaris
Zanzibar Free
Beach Holidays
Mnemba Island
Private Islands
Climbing Kilimanjaro
Hiking
Hot Air Balloon Lemala
Hot Air Ballooning
Swimming with Whale Sharks
Swim with Whale Sharks
Kiteboarding Zanzibar
Kiteboarding
Fishing
Fishing
Scuba Diving
Scuba Diving

Best Time to Visit Tanzania

Although Tanzania is an all-year-round destination although there are still prime times for game viewing and beaches alike.

Best Time for Safari in Northern Parks (Serengeti and Ngorongoro): June to October

Great Migration in the Northern Serengeti: July to September

Best time for Beaches and Islands: June to October

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Dry Season (June to October): This period is generally considered the best time to visit for superb wildlife viewing. The region is dry and wildlife viewing is better as animals gather around localized water sources.

Shoulder Season (November to Feb): This period is somewhat of a shoulder period with wetter periods for November and December with a short dry spell between January and February. The rain is fairly unpredictable but shouldn’t have an impact on most safari activities. This period has slightly less visitors than the above dry season and the wildlife sightings are still excellent.

Wet Season (March to May): This period is known to have the highest rainfall. With this rainfall brings clear skies for photography, beautiful landscapes, whilst the wildlife sightings will still be great. The newborn animals will be dropped during this season allowing for many predator action to follow. This is also the best time for keen birders. The Northern Parks have their lowest rates and most availability at this time of year. Ngorongoro Crater offers a world class safari during this time, whilst all the other Northern Parks still offer a great safari experience for travellers.

Great Migration in Northern Serengeti (July and September): This is the best time to visit the Northern Serengeti to see the migration crossing the rivers into the Mara and seeing epic predator prey conflicts.

NB: The serengeti has many different wildlife regions. At certain times of the year, one area would be better than another. We will guide you on the best places to visit within your travel dates.

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Dry Season (June to October): This period is the best time to visit for superb wildlife viewing. The weather is generally dry, and wildlife viewing is better as animals gather around localized water sources.

Wet Season (November to May): The scenery is green and beautiful; it’s low season, meaning lower rates and less crowded parks. Bird watching is at its best and there are a lot of babies being dropped meaning a lot of predators’ interactions. Between March and May is the peak of the rainy season and some lodges will close during this period.

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Dry Season (June to October, Jan and Feb): The June to October periods is considered the best time to visit the islands due to lower rainfall and moderate temperatures. This time also perfectly coincides with the best time for safaris in Tanzania. January and February also offer a good time for visiting the islands and a safari is also great due to the short dry season.

Wet Season (November and December, March to May): The short rains begin in November and December, these are short-lived and still allow good conditions for travelling Zanzibar. The long rains from mid-March to end of May are quite heavy and not considered the best time to travel.

Best time for Diving and Snorkeling: January to March, July and August.

Whale Sharks (Mafia Island): October to March

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The most recommended times to climb Kilimanjaro are the warmest and driest months.

Dry months (January to February, June to October): Although the weather is unpredictable, these months are when the weather conditions are the most consistent. Expect clear skies, great views, little-to-no rain, and the sunshine.

Wet Months (March to May, November to December): These months will be the toughest climbing conditions in terms of rain. However they have the benefit of seeing greater snow on the summit as well as more solitude during your trek. Although December can still be a busy trekking month.

NB: The best months also are the busiest in terms of hikers.

Fequently Asked Questions

Tanzania offers something for all budgets. Tanzania offers a lot of diverse experiences and levels of comfort. One can choose from safaris, trekking and beach holidays.

The price of one’s trip will be dependent on:

  • Level of comfort
  • Included Activities
  • Period of Travel

Can you travel Tanzania on a budget?

Yes, there are ways to enjoy Tanzania on a budget.

Tanzania offers camping safaris and group tours that help share costs and keep a basic level of comfort, but a high level of adventure.

Zanzibar can also be travelled on a budget as there are many guesthouses and hotels that offers simple amenities and still allow for all the adventures.

Safari Costs are dependent on:

Location: The best camps and concessions are usually the highest priced, these concessions will have the best all year-round game viewing and are situated in private/exclusive concessions. These include the safari camps closest to the action of the Great Migration.

Seasonality: Peak season prices tend to be far higher than the other periods.

Level of Luxury: Lodges offer different levels of luxury, the top end lodges would have world class chefs, plunge pools at each room and private safari vehicles for their guests.

Transport to and from: Many lodges in Tanzania are more suited for fly-in safaris (small aircraft), these transfers can be quite expensive when hopping from lodge to lodge, although the flights are very scenic and offer a birds eye view of wildlife and landscapes.

Activities: There are bucket list activities like hot air ballooning that are worthwhile experiences but come at a high price.

Tanzania is an easy country to travel to.

The main airports that travellers arrive and depart from:

  • Kilimanjaro International Airport
  • Zanzibar International Airport
  • Julius Nyerere International Airport (Dar es Salaam)

Tanzania is a large and diverse country. Distances between destinations can be very large.

Options for travelling in Tanzania:

Fly In: For travellers short on time or wanting to fly straight into the prime locations, there are daily flights hoping into all the luxury lodges and safari destinations.

Safari Guide: The most common way of travelling in East Africa where you would have a tour guide taking you in a safari vehicle from one location to another, he/she would also be your point of contact, general information and help with keeping your itinerary in line.

Road Transfers: One can do road transfers from one main destination to another. This is better if you are doing only one location or staying at a place for many nights (where you don’t need a vehicle at the destination).

Self-Drive: One can rent a vehicle in Arusha or Dar es Salaam and travel easily throughout the country. 4×4 required for most parks, especially in wet season!

Taxis: Only available in the major cities.

Tours: Tanzania is a great country to join a guided multi day tour, either on an overland truck or a customised safari vehicle. This is especially good for solo travellers who want to share the experience with travellers from throughout the world. Also, you will have a professional guide showing you the interesting sites and facts along the way.

Day Trips: There are various day trips from Arusha, Dar es Salaam and Zanzibar.

Tanzania is generally considered safe for travellers. It has a relatively low crime rate compared to some other African countries. The larger cities do have more petty crime than most outlying areas. However, like any destination, it’s wise to take precautions and be aware of your surroundings, especially in urban areas where petty theft and opportunistic crimes can occur.

In remote areas or when driving long distances, it’s essential to be prepared with enough supplies, including water, especially in more desolate regions where services might be limited.

Overall, Tanzania is a beautiful country with welcoming people, but as with travel anywhere, staying vigilant and informed is key to having a safe and enjoyable experience.

At AfriVenture we will never design an tour or itinerary that would put you into a risky situation or area.

Yes, Malaria is present in all parts of Tanzania. The risk of malaria is dependent on the location and time of year you will be travelling.

It’s important to take precautionary measures if you’re traveling to malaria-prone areas, especially during the rainy seasons, when mosquito populations are higher.

Preventive measures against malaria includes:

  • Taking anti-malarial medication prescribed by a healthcare professional (if necessary).
  • Using insect repellent.
  • Wearing protective clothing in the evenings. (eg, Long Sleeves and Long Pants)
  • Sleeping in accommodations with mosquito nets, screened windows, fans and air conditioning.

Always consult with a healthcare provider or travel doctor before your trip to get the most up-to-date and personalized advice on malaria prevention based on the specific areas you plan to visit and your individual health considerations.

Visa requirements for Tanzania vary depending on your nationality.

Some countries have visa-free arrangements with Tanzania, allowing their citizens to visit for a specified period without needing a visa. Other nationalities might need to apply for a visa in advance.

To determine whether you need a visa to visit Tanzania, you should check with the nearest Tanzanian embassy or consulate in your country or visit the official website of the Tanzanian Department of Home Affairs. They will have the most updated information about visa requirements.

Visa requirements can change, so it’s essential to confirm the most current information well before your planned travel dates.

Always consult with a healthcare provider or travel doctor several weeks before your trip to get personalized advice based on your health history, itinerary, and current health recommendations.

At the time of writing the only compulsory vaccination for travellers entering Tanzania is a Yellow Fever vaccination certificate.

Malaria Prevention: Please see other frequently asked question on Malaria.

Vaccination requirements can change, so it’s essential to confirm the most current information before your planned travel dates.

 

The currency used in Tanzania is the Tanzanian Shillings (TSH), however a lot of tourism establishments accept United States Dollars (USD).

There are a variety of methods to pay for goods and services:

  1. Credit and Debit Cards: The most popular means of paying for goods and services. Visa and MasterCard are commonly accepted in most establishments. American Express and Diners Club cards are less widely accepted. Inform your bank about your travel plans to prevent any issues with card usage abroad.
  2. Cash: Carrying some cash in TSH or USD can be useful for small purchases, markets, tipping, and places where card payments might not be accepted. ATMs are widely available in cities and towns and accept most international cards.

Tipping:

It is customary to tip for services in Tanzania.

  • Restaurants: Tipping around 10% of the total bill is common if the service charge is not already included. Check the bill; sometimes a service charge is included, in which case additional tipping might not be expected.
  • Hotels: Tipping hotel staff, such as porters and housekeeping, is customary.
  • Taxis: Tipping taxi drivers isn’t mandatory, but rounding up the fare is appreciated.
  • Lodges: This depends on the lodge standard and services, please enquire with us or directly with lodge management.

Even though tipping is customary, it is still discretionary, and the amount can vary based on the quality of service you received.

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