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Tanzania is your quintessential African destination. From vast savannahs playing host to hordes of wildebeest migrating, the majesty of the Serengeti and the snow-capped peaks of Mount Kilimanjaro, Tanzania offers adventures for everybody.

Home to the famed wildebeest migration for most of the year plus a healthy population of chimpanzees, this is a true safari heavyweight. But there's much more to Tanzania than the wildlife.

The country has some of the best mountain trekking in Africa, more than 500 miles of sublime coastline and a rich history as a spice route. And over all this profound beauty, the legendary Maasai people still stand proud.

Hidden gems in Tanzania

Serengeti National Park

Tanzania safari in green season

Khuzeima Zavery
Khuzeima Zavery
Experience

The general consensus on the best times for a safari in Tanzania (or anywhere in Africa for that matter) is to avoid the rainy seasons at all costs. According to received wisdom, the rainy season means wildlife is more dispersed as they don’t have to congregate around scarce waterholes. The foliage is thick and lush which, although beautiful, makes spotting wildlife even harder. And heavy rains may make more remote roads impassable, and lots of camps shut down during the “long rains” of mid-March to early June. In Tanzania, timings are further complicated by the movement of the wildebeest migration, especially the heavily-marketed river crossing period which creates even more pressure to be on safari during the peak months of July to September. Personally, I think this is a big shame. It creates unsustainable pressure on a handful of key locations during a few short months, and it does a great disservice to the rest of the country – and the rest of the year. For visitors on a limited schedule, or perhaps those who’ve already had the ‘classic’ safari experience before, I often suggest coming during the rainy, or ‘green’ season. Contrary to the general consensus, I think this is a lovely time to be in Tanzania. This is when nature bursts back into life, fresh grass carpets the plains, rivers are ripe and waterholes are full, and wildlife thrives in the renewed ecosystem. Yes you’ll expect rain, but it doesn’t rain all day, every day. Showers are usually short-lived, and the sun often comes out shortly after. In my experience, the warnings about missing wildlife sightings during this period are exaggerated – it’s just as exciting as other seasons, if not more. This is when the southern Serengeti and Ndutu areas become nurseries for thousands of newborn wildebeest, zebra, and other herbivores. The entire wildebeest migration is set out on the Central and Southern plains, as far as your eyes can see. And with so many young and vulnerable animals, the big cats and cheetahs are all highly active. But for me, the biggest advantage of a green season safari is the solitude. Unlike the peak season, where a single kill can attract crowds of vehicles, the green season offers a more personal and exclusive experience. It is not uncommon to be the only vehicle watching a lioness teach her cubs to hunt, with no other vehicles in sight. If you’ve ever dreamed of having the Serengeti (almost) to yourself, this is the season to go. Plus, coming in an "off" season helps tackle unsustainable overcrowding such as around the river crossings during peak season. And finally, visiting in the green season offers one other big perk: value for money! Prices for lodges and camps drop by up to 50%, which means you can either get more luxury for your budget or enjoy a longer stay than you’d otherwise afford. The only thing I’d note is that although I usually recommend tented camps for a more authentic experience, during this rainy period, a permanent lodge would be more comfortable.

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Saadani National Park

Best for an unusual coastal safari

Philip Briggs
Philip Briggs
Place

Another of Tanzania’s hidden gems, Saadani lies on the beautiful stretch of Indian Ocean coastline that divides the port cities of Dar es Salaam and Tanga. The palm-lined beaches here form the last remaining turtle nesting site on the country’s north coast. This is also the only East African coastal reserve where you’ll see lions, leopards, elephants, buffalo and giraffes. Wildlife densities at Saadani are admittedly rather low, so it isn't the place for first-time visitors wanting to tick all the boxes in one short safari. But the wilderness feel, the beautiful beachfront location and a wide range of activities – including boat trips on the Wami River, birdwatching in the salt flats, guided bush walks, and of course game drives – make it a great option for adventurous travelers who want to get truly off the beaten path.

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Arusha National Park

Underrated Arusha

Philip Briggs
Philip Briggs
Place

It always surprises me how few visitors to northern Tanzania make the effort to visit the underrated Arusha National Park. This, as its name suggests, is the closest park to the safari gateway town of Arusha (the drive takes around 45 minutes) and it packs a huge amount of diversity into a relatively small area. Set in the shadow of Mount Meru, the park incorporates rainforests alive with colobus monkeys, tracts of savannah grazed by giraffes and zebras, spectacular calderas and waterfalls, and much more besides. While here you’ll want to take a canoe trip on the gorgeous Momella Lakes where you’ll see plenty of hippos, buffalo and flamingos.

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Rubondo Island National Park

Best for a quirky Serengeti add-on

Heather Richardson
Heather Richardson
Place

One of Africa's quirkiest and most underrated protected areas, Rubondo comprises a lushly forested 240 sq km island set in the Tanzanian waters of Lake Victoria (the world’s second largest lake). The park was established in the 1960s as a proposed breeding centre for introduced Congolese rainforest animals. This experiment never really came together, but Rubondo does still support some introduced wildlife, including elephant and giraffe, alongside naturally occurring species such the swamp-loving sitatunga antelope. The island is also home to around 70 chimps descended from eight males and nine females released there in the late 1960s. After being left to their own devices for decades, Rubondo’s chimps have now been habituated for tourist visits. Home to just one small luxury beach lodge, Rubondo Island makes for an exclusive and very tranquil add-on to a safari in the ever-popular Serengeti National Park. Rubondo’s chimps are descended from individuals that were born wild in West Africa, then captured as youngsters and held in zoos or circuses. It is thus the easiest place to see the western chimpanzee, a critically endangered subspecies that is far rarer than its eastern counterpart. Although Rubondo’s chimps are almost certain to be seen by determined visitors, locating them might involve a long walk, and they are shyer than in most other trekking destinations. It is not easy for independent or budget-conscious travellers to arrange chimp trekking here.

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Mahale Mountains National Park

For chimp trekking

Heather Richardson
Heather Richardson
Place

Mahale is a remote and mountainous park set on the sandy banks of Lake Tanganyika in the far west of Tanzania. It is best known for its habituated chimpanzees, which can be tracked on foot on guided forest walks. Other primates include red colobus and vervet monkeys. The driest months (August to October) are the best time to trek through the forest. Chimp trekking and other guided walks can be organised from a scattering of lakeshore camps and lodges. These include one ‘barefoot luxury’ option, Greystoke Mahale, as well as a government-run cluster of affordable self-catering huts.

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Mkomazi National Park

Best for genuine wilderness

Heather Richardson
Heather Richardson
Place

Common wisdom when comparing Tanzania’s two main safari "circuits" is that the north attracts the crowds while the south is quieter and more remote. This is an overly simplistic equation, as anyone who has visited Mkomazi National Park, in northeastern Tanzania, will testify. Scenic Mkomazi is an ideal choice for those who value a genuine wilderness experience over non-stop wildlife viewing. On my most recent visit, I had good sightings of lion, buffalo, giraffe, zebra and a wide variety of antelope, but encountered precisely one other tourist vehicle. There is also a special rhino sanctuary here which gives you the best chance of seeing the critically endangered black rhino anywhere in Tanzania. Mkomazi is also an unusually affordable safari destination, thanks to a complex of well-priced government-run cottages at the main entrance.

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Katavi National Park

Best for crowd-free safaris

Heather Richardson
Heather Richardson
Place

Katavi is one of Tanzania’s largest national parks but it attracts a fraction of the visitors, and feels very distant from, the likes of the Serengeti, Ngorongoro or Nyerere. And with just a handful of small camps scattered around the park, there are few other vehicles with which to contend. Indeed, it is estimated that Katavi attracts fewer visitors in an entire year than the Serengeti might get on any given day. In the dry season, Katavi offers great wildlife spotting opportunities. Buffalo herds here often comprise more than 1,000 individuals, and mind-boggling numbers of hippo can be seen concentrated in a few small pools towards the end of the dry season. Other wildlife includes elephants, lions and large herds of plains game (topi, giraffe, zebra and impala).

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Ruaha National Park

Best for a wild & remote safari

Heather Richardson
Heather Richardson
Place

Wild and remote Ruaha, Tanzania's second-largest national park, is home to scattered baobabs, grasslands and rolling hills. Along with Nyerere, it is the main stop on Tanzania's southern circuit, which draws relatively few tourists compared to the country's northern hotspots. Arguably better for wildlife spotting than Nyerere (and more affordable too), Ruaha supports one the world’s largest lion populations, along with massive herds of elephants and various grazers. There are cheetahs, leopards and African wild dogs too. When it comes to accommodation, Ruaha offers a mixture of luxury lodges and basic fly-camping operations for walking safaris – the park's speciality. For self-drivers, there are simple but affordable self-catering huts at the park headquarters,

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Nyerere National Park

Best for African wild dogs & canoe safaris

Heather Richardson
Heather Richardson
Place

Tanzania’s largest national park, Nyerere (formerly Selous Game Reserve) extends across almost 12,000 square miles – making it bigger than Belgium. Its most notable geographic feature is the Rufiji River, which flows throughout the year and is a major wildlife magnet in the dry season. Despite this, the drier climate means that animal densities away from the river are far lower than they are in the Serengeti, and the thick bush can make wildlife spotting more challenging. Nyerere supports large numbers of lion, elephant, giraffe, hippo and buffalo. It is also a key area for the endangered African wild dog, which is more frequently seen here than anywhere else in Tanzania. In recent years, commercial poaching has led to a massive decline in the park’s elephant population, but this still stands at more than 15,000 individuals. Nyerere feels more remote than most of the northern parks, but because its camps are concentrated in one small area north of the Rufiji (which is also visited by plenty of day safaris from Zanzibar), it can feel busier than might be expected. What really sets the park apart is the range of activities on offer. Boat safaris on the Rufiji and an associated network of lakes are a real highlight. Other special activities include walking safaris and fly-camping.

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Lake Manyara National Park

Best for flamingos & birdwatching

Heather Richardson
Heather Richardson
Place

Situated a short distance northwest of Tarangire, scenic Lake Manyara National Park sits in the shadow of a dramatic stretch of the Great Rift escarpment. The park’s centrepiece is the lake for which it is named, but it also protects large areas of acacia woodland, groundwater fig forest, and grassy floodplain. Manyara is a haven for birdwatchers. At least 400 bird species have been recorded, with aquatic birds and raptors being especially well represented. The park is also famous for its tree-climbing lions, and for hosting one of Tanzania’s most-studied elephant populations. In addition to game drives, guided walking safaris are possible, and there’s a treetop walkway that takes you up into the forest canopy.

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Ngorongoro Conservation Area

For compact game drives & crater views

Khuzeima Zavery
Khuzeima Zavery
Place

The other major tourist attraction on Tanzania’s Northern Circuit is the Ngorongoro Crater. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is thought to be the world’s largest intact volcanic caldera that isn’t filled with water. Wildlife numbers fluctuate seasonally, but the crater floor is invariably home to tens of thousands of large mammals, including elephant, lion and buffalo. It is also the most reliable spot on the northern circuit for black rhino. Ngorongoro is a year-round wildlife destination, but it also attracts year-round crowds, especially from mid-morning to mid-afternoon. It stands at the centre of the much larger Ngorongoro Conservation Area, which is a great place for hiking and trekking. There are no accommodations within the crater itself and you have basically three options here: firstly the premium, high-demand lodges that are on the crater rim itself. These select few lodges have an unimpeded 270 degree view of the entire crater. With a good pair of binoculars, you can spot wildlife from your lodge or camp and most rooms have amazing views right from the bedroom. Good picks include Ngorongoro Serena, Ngorongoro Lodge Melia Collection, Crater Lodge by &Beyond, Ngorongoro Sopa Lodge. The added bonus of these camps is that you’re already within the Ngorongoro Conservation Area so you don’t need to pass through the main Loduare gate and can head straight to the nearest trail. But prices are high and availability is tight. The second category is other lodges within the NCAA but not on the crater's edge. There's a few properties there and they are a short drive to the crater. The key thing they lack is the majestic views of the crater. I recommend Lion's Paw, Rhino Lodge, Lemala Ngorongoro, Pakulala, Ngorongoro Tortilis. The third option is to stay in the nearby town of Karatu, between 15-30 mins away from Loduare gate. There’s a wide range of hotels here for pretty much every budget and since you’re outside the conservation area you don’t need to pay concession fees. In my experience, if option one is not viable then option three is the better way to go. The value of staying inside the NCAA but not on the rim is limited and does not add significantly to the experience.

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Tarangire National Park

Best for elephants and baobabs

Heather Richardson
Heather Richardson
Place

Tarangire National Park, which lies to the southeast of Lake Manyara, is renowned for its large elephant herds and huge baobab trees. The park is also home to lion, leopard and cheetah, and very occasionally it may be visited by packs of endangered African wild dog. In the dry season, it has a particularly high concentration of mammals, with July to October being the best months for wildlife viewing. The main road circuit in northern Tarangire attracts large volumes of day visitors, who usually arrive mid-morning and leave mid-afternoon. This means it can be uncomfortably busy around lunchtime. Relatively few safaris stay overnight in the park, however, so the roads tend to be much quieter in the early morning and late afternoon. As with the Serengeti, some private reserves around the national park offer more exclusivity, but generally at a higher cost.

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Tanzania travel guides

The best places to see the wildebeest migration
Guide

The best places to see the wildebeest migration

Hans Cosmas Ngoteya
Hans Cosmas Ngoteya

Sometimes called ‘the greatest show on earth’, the wildebeest migration sees mega herds of almost two million wildebeest, zebras and gazelles continuously travel thousands of kilometres in a broadly clockwise direction from the southern Serengeti, north into Kenya’s Maasai Mara, and back again. The migration is one of Africa's classic safari experiences, drawing visitors year round to witness this magnificent spectacle.

The Best Time To See The Wildebeest Migration
Guide

The Best Time To See The Wildebeest Migration

Hans Cosmas Ngoteya
Hans Cosmas Ngoteya

By definition, the wildebeest migration is a continually moving and perpetually active phenomenon; where you go depends very much on when you decide to travel. A note on the "route" Beware any safari company that tells you they can guarantee the route the herds will take.

Where Is The Wildebeest Migration In January?
Guide

Where Is The Wildebeest Migration In January?

Hans Cosmas Ngoteya
Hans Cosmas Ngoteya

A new year means new life, and the stage for the spectacle this month is around the Ndutu Plains in the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, to the south of the Serengeti National Park.

Where Is The Wildebeest Migration In February?
Guide

Where Is The Wildebeest Migration In February?

Hans Cosmas Ngoteya
Hans Cosmas Ngoteya

In February most of the migration action takes place in the Ndutu Plains, to the southwest of the Serengeti. Behold the classic image of endless plains, blanketed and dotted as far as the eye can see with grazing wildebeest and their newborn calves.

Where Is The Wildebeest Migration In March?
Guide

Where Is The Wildebeest Migration In March?

Hans Cosmas Ngoteya
Hans Cosmas Ngoteya

After a long period of grazing in the Ndutu region, the once green grass is now over-grazed, with little left for the enlarged herd. The time to move on has come.

Where Is The Wildebeest Migration In April?
Guide

Where Is The Wildebeest Migration In April?

Hans Cosmas Ngoteya
Hans Cosmas Ngoteya

Long rains mean thicker vegetation and scattered herds, which makes viewing more of a challenge. But the rewards of the low season are lower prices and few other people as the migration makes its way north and into ‘big cat territory’.

Where Is The Wildebeest Migration In May?
Guide

Where Is The Wildebeest Migration In May?

Hans Cosmas Ngoteya
Hans Cosmas Ngoteya

The long rains taper off and the herds are on the move, heading north towards Kenya. Routes diverge somewhat, but they’ll all funnel through a narrow corridor between two rivers in a dramatic spectacle.

Where Is The Wildebeest Migration In June?
Guide

Where Is The Wildebeest Migration In June?

Hans Cosmas Ngoteya
Hans Cosmas Ngoteya

The skies are clear, the land dries out, and the herds gain strength and power as the calves mature. But June is no walk in the park.

Where Is The Wildebeest Migration In July?
Guide

Where Is The Wildebeest Migration In July?

Hans Cosmas Ngoteya
Hans Cosmas Ngoteya

July is primetime viewing for what many consider to be the main act of the migration theatrics – the crossing of the Mara River.

Where Is The Wildebeest Migration In August?
Guide

Where Is The Wildebeest Migration In August?

Hans Cosmas Ngoteya
Hans Cosmas Ngoteya

Welcome to the height of the high season. Everyone has the same idea of witnessing the most action-packed month for river crossings.

Where Is The Wildebeest Migration In September?
Guide

Where Is The Wildebeest Migration In September?

Hans Cosmas Ngoteya
Hans Cosmas Ngoteya

The September high season in Kenya’s Maasai Mara has its obvious rewards.The skies are sunny, crowds are thinning somewhat, dramatic river crossings are still going strong in Mara side with few crossing between Lamai and Kogatende, predators have hit their stride, and the ‘big five’ are all out in view.

Where Is The Wildebeest Migration In October?
Guide

Where Is The Wildebeest Migration In October?

Hans Cosmas Ngoteya
Hans Cosmas Ngoteya

The end of the high season means the crowds have (mostly) gone.The migration is straddled between Kenya’s Maasai Mara and Tanzania’s Serengeti.

Where Is The Wildebeest Migration In November?
Guide

Where Is The Wildebeest Migration In November?

Hans Cosmas Ngoteya
Hans Cosmas Ngoteya

In November the ‘short rains’ start to fall in the Mara.The plains return to their emerald green hue, and the migration is on the move southward, back to Tanzania’s Serengeti.

Where Is The Wildebeest Migration In December?
Guide

Where Is The Wildebeest Migration In December?

Hans Cosmas Ngoteya
Hans Cosmas Ngoteya

The annual cycle of life is turning full circle.The rains have returned, and the wildebeest are on the move back toward the rich grasses of Ndutu.

What to do in Tanzania besides safari
Guide

What to do in Tanzania besides safari

Anthony Ham
Anthony Ham

If you're coming to Tanzania, chances are you'll be going on safari.

The time to move has come
Article

The time to move has come

Anthony Ham
Anthony Ham

Having spent the last decade searching out the best wildlife spectacles the planet has to offer, I thought I’d seen it all. But nothing could prepare me for the first time I laid eyes upon East Africa’s Great Wildebeest Migration.

The great migration faces extinction
Article

The great migration faces extinction

Dr Joseph Ogutu
Dr Joseph Ogutu

Migratory animals across the world are under threat from the impact of humans. In Kenya, fencing, settlements, farms and other developments are cutting off migratory routes and reducing wildebeest’s territory.

Decolonising African travel—and travel writing
Article

Decolonising African travel—and travel writing

Mazuba Kapambwe
Mazuba Kapambwe

Travel writing in Africa has always been an overwhelmingly white affair. Early accounts from 19th century explorers like Henry Morton Stanley and fiction writers like Joseph Conrad depicted Africa as uncivilised, mysterious and barbaric, reflecting the racist attitudes that underpinned European empire building.

The best safaris in Tanzania
Guide

The best safaris in Tanzania

Philip Briggs
Philip Briggs

Tanzania’s northern circuit, the Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater, Lake Manyara and Tarangire, is an easy sell for safari operators. They’re easily packaged together, transport links are well-established, and accommodation options cover most budgets.

The best time for safari in Tanzania
Guide

The best time for safari in Tanzania

Heather Richardson
Heather Richardson

With the exception of the rainy months of March and April, Tanzania is a great safari destination through most of the year. The dry season – June to October – is the most popular and best for wildlife sightings, but January and February also see a break in the rains.

How to book a Tanzania safari
Guide

How to book a Tanzania safari

Heather Richardson
Heather Richardson

There's no denying it, a safari anywhere is an expensive trip – and a safari in Tanzania is at the pricier end of the spectrum.

Where To See The Big 5 In Africa
Guide

Where To See The Big 5 In Africa

Stuart Butler
Stuart Butler

The "Big 5" safari beasts – lion, elephant, buffalo, leopard and rhino – were so named because they were the prize targets of colonial-era hunters. Fortunately, modern safari has become a force for wildlife conservation not destruction, and today's safari-goer is more likely to be shooting with a camera than a rifle (aside from the many trophy hunting reserves, which we resolutely do not cover in this guide).

Trekking in Tanzania
Guide

Trekking in Tanzania

Stuart Butler
Stuart Butler

I’ve spent my career trekking in some pretty far-flung places, from Nepal to Norway.

Chimpanzee trekking
Guide

Chimpanzee trekking

Philip Briggs
Philip Briggs

Trekking with wild chimpanzees through the East African jungle is one of the most thrilling adventures I’ve ever experienced. I’ve been privileged to track chimps on numerous occasions in my capacity as a guidebook writer and tour leader specialised in East Africa.

Being a responsible safari tourist
Article

Being a responsible safari tourist

David Blanton
David Blanton

Serengeti – ‘endless plain’ in the Maasai language; endlessly beautiful and in seemingly endless demand by modern tourism. That’s the Serengeti’s blessing, and its curse.

Tanzania itineraries

Wild southern Tanzania
Tanzania

Wild southern Tanzania

Explore Tanzania's famous game reserves
8 days
Tanzania safari and beach
Tanzania

Tanzania safari and beach

See all the spectacular wildlife Africa has to offer
11 days From $9,531 pp
Kilimanjaro and Tanzania wildlife adventure
Tanzania

Kilimanjaro and Tanzania wildlife adventure

Explore snow-capped Kilimanjaro and tour wild game reserves
14 days From $5,840 pp
Unexplored Tanzania
Tanzania

Unexplored Tanzania

Off the beaten path safari and beach escape
15 days From $7,131 pp
Tanzania safari, Kilimanjaro and islands
Tanzania

Tanzania safari, Kilimanjaro and islands

From mountain top and safari adventure to island beaches
16 days From $7,883 pp
Calving season safari on Tanzania's Ndutu Plains
Tanzania

Calving season safari on Tanzania's Ndutu Plains

A crowd-free alternative to river crossing season
8 days

Tanzania travel companies

Africa

Discover Africa Safaris

Authentic Luxury African Safaris, tailored for you
Tanzania

Tanzania Odyssey

Creating tailor-made trips to Tanzania since 1998
Africa

Wild Frontiers

Safaris into East, West and Southern Africa
Africa

Rwanda Eco Company & Safaris

Tailor made gorilla and wildlife safaris
Tanzania

Pinnacle Adventures & Safaris

Adventures to Tanzania
East Africa

Natural World Kenya Safaris

The leader in customized and budget-friendly East Africa safaris
Tanzania

Tanzania Specialist

The most extensive range of Tanzania safaris
Africa

Take Me To Africa

Experts in small group travel to Africa

Places to go in Tanzania

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