Tanzania Safari Guide | Everything You Need to Know
A good travel guide doesn't replace the advice and assistance from one of our Africa Safari Experts, but it does equip you to be an active and informed decision-maker in planning your Tanzania safari.
In this guide, we focus on the tips and insights that will help you make the most of your time and money.
Location: Where is Tanzania?
Tanzania is the second-largest country in East Africa and one of the continent's stalwart safari destinations. It lies on the idyllic Indian Ocean coast and shares borders with other incredible safari destinations like Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, Zambia, Malawi, and Mozambique.
Top Experiences in Tanzania
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Excellent Year-round Game Viewing Tanzania is home to a great diversity of wildlife, fascinating cultures, and natural scenic beauty. It's a dream destination, from the classic, sweeping savannah of the Serengeti to the flamingo-lined shores of Lake Manyara, world wonder Ngorongoro Crater, and Mount Kilimanjaro (Africa's highest mountain).
It also offers bucket-list experiences like chimpanzee trekking in the rainforests of Mahale and Gombe, and game viewing in the far-flung wildernesses of Katavi, Ruaha, and Nyerere National Park (Selous).
Tanzania's best wildlife safari destinations are:
Destination Why Go Ngorongoro Crater Best place in Tanzania to see the Big 5 Incredible cliff-top lodges Tarangire National Park See huge numbers of elephant, buffalo, and giraffe (June to October) Fantastic bird watching – over 550 species Lake Manyara National Park Boat safaris Excellent bird watching, especially flamingos Spot tree-climbing lions Ruaha National Park Undiscovered and off the beaten path See the biggest elephant herds in East Africa Superb predator sightings, especially wild dogs Nyerere National Park (Selous) Remote, raw, and phenomenally wild See animals in very large numbers – elephant, buffalo, hippo, and giraffe Home to rare wild dogs Mahale Mountains National Park Trek for chimpanzees in remote mountains Sunset boat cruises on Lake Tanganyika Serengeti National Park Witness the Wildebeest Migration High density of big game like elephant, buffalo, lion, leopard, and giraffe It's worth noting that Tanzania combines beautifully with other safari destinations in East Africa like Kenya (home to the Masai Mara), Uganda, and Rwanda (exhilarating gorilla trekking adventures).
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The Wildebeest Migration Without a doubt, Tanzania's greatest wildlife attraction is the annual Wildebeest Migration, which sees almost two million wildebeest and zebra follow seasonal rains across the Serengeti-Mara Ecosystem each year. Tanzania hosts the lion's share of the Migration, with two main events taking place in the Serengeti:
- The mass calving season when almost a quarter of a million babies are born in the southern Serengeti.
- The dramatic Grumeti River crossings.
If witnessing the Migration is on your bucket list, then knowing when to go is all-important.
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Bush-and-Beach Holidays Tanzania offers superb safari-and-beach combinations, thanks to its long tropical coastline and coral-fringed islands. You can easily fly from a safari camp after breakfast and be on a powder-soft beach in time for sunset cocktails.
Tanzania's top tropical islands are:
- Zanzibar – one of the world's most romantic honeymoon destinations.
- Mnemba Island – a private island holiday paradise.
- Pemba Island – among the world's best diving sites.
- Mafia Island – swim with migrating whale sharks (about October to April).
The Best Time to Go to Tanzania
Deciding when to visit Tanzania depends entirely on what it is that you want to experience.
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Peak game viewing in Tanzania is in the dry winter season (about June to October). This is the ideal time to explore the Serengeti, Ngorogoro Crater, and Lake Manyara because game is concentrated around water sources. The Wildebeest Migration river crossings also take place between July and October. If you'd prefer to avoid high season crowds, we recommend combining Ruaha and Nyerere (Selous) with a beach break on the coast or heading to Lake Victoria to combine chimp trekking in Mahale and Gombe with game viewing in Katavi.
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During the low or Green Season (about November to March), there are baby animals everywhere, the days are deliciously hot, the dust is settled by afternoon thundershowers, and, best of all, you'll enjoy the very best value for money and crowd-free game viewing. Game viewing is still excellent after the short rains in November, but, for the best value, travel before 15 December to avoid the Christmas crowds (and prices!).
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For keen photographers, this quiet period offers very special advantages: expect lush green landscapes rather than the dull browns of winter; dramatic cloudy skies rather than winter's endless pale blue skies; and much more relaxed game viewing conditions, which means more time to get that winning shot.
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The best time to summit Kilimanjaro is between July and October or between January and March – which makes it easy to combine a mountain trek with both game viewing and relaxing on a tropical island.
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Combine your big game safari with Tanzania's islands between August and October. We don't recommend the coast or islands during the long rains from March to May when it's very wet and humid.
Budget: What Does a Tanzania Safari Cost?
It's always tricky to give exact costs for a Tanzania safari, as there are variables that influence costs:
- The time of year you travel.
- The level of comfort you prefer at accommodations.
- Whether you drive or fly between destinations.
- Extra activities – like hot-air ballooning, spa treatments, and cultural tours – that you'd like to add on.
At SafariBando, we don't sell one-size-fits-all safari packages. We prefer tailor-making safari itineraries that match your unique travel wishes and budget. That being said, here are some ballpark figures for a Tanzania safari, with transfers and accommodation included on a price-per-person-per-night (PPPN) basis:
| Category | Low Season | High Season |
|---|---|---|
| 4-Star Comfort | $500 – $675 | $550 – $725 |
| 4-Star Luxury | $800 – $1,200 | $950 – $1,350 |
| 5-Star Luxury | $1,250 | $1,850 |
Please note that the above amounts are guidelines only. If you're considering a Tanzania safari, get in touch with one of our Africa Safari Experts for accurate costs that match your personal needs and travel wishes.
Why We Love Tanzania
It's easy to fall in love with Tanzania's rich cultures, big game attractions, and natural beauty. As safari experts, what we value most about this country is the old-school service, the authentic safari style, and the level of luxury you'll experience here. Not to mention the incredible game viewing in Tanzania's heavyweights like the Serengeti!
Start planning your dream Tanzania safari with SafariBando and embark on an unforgettable adventure in the heart of Africa.
