4. Climb Africa’s Highest Mountain.
Mount Kilimanjaro is not only the tallest mountain in Africa, it’s also the highest free-standing mountain on Earth. Rising almost 6 kilometers (4 miles) above Tanzania’s plains, climbing to the ‘Roof of Africa’ can take five or more days to complete. There are many routes to the top with varying levels of difficulty, climbing time, crowdedness and natural beauty. Chat with one of our Experts about planning a Kilimanjaro hike, based on your wishes and abilities. We can also easily combine your Kili experience with a Tanzania safari in nearby parks and reserves.
5. End Your Safari on a Tropical Island.
Many Tanzania safaris end with a relaxing stay on a palm-fringed beach lapped by the Indian Ocean’s warm azure waters. Days on safari can be long and dusty, and a sun-kissed tropical island is the ideal place to reflect on your incredible experience before heading back to everyday life. You can easily fly from a Tanzania safari camp after breakfast and be on a powder-soft beach in time for sunset cocktails 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).
Where to Go in Tanzania
From witnessing millions of wildebeest, zebra and other antelope traverse the plains of the Serengeti to ascending to the snow-capped peak of Mount Kilimanjaro or sipping chilled drink on the white-sand beaches of Zanzibar, Tanzania offers travelers some of the most diverse safari experiences in Africa. A vibrant and beautiful country with exceptional parks and reserves, Tanzania is blessed with the winning combination of unparalleled game viewing and dazzling tropical beaches. Because Tanzania is so vast (almost 1.5 times the size of Texas), it helps to divide the country’s major holiday destinations into four areas: Northern Safari Circuit – the most popular Tanzania safari route comprising the Serengeti, Ngoro Ngoro, Lake Manyara, Tarangire and Kilimanjaro. Tanzania Coast and Islands – the country’s beaches, especially those on islands like Zanzibar, are breath-taking and very accessible. Southern Tanzania – includes the wonderfully wild and underrated Nyerere and Ruaha, some of the best-kept Tanzania safari secrets. Western Tanzania – head to the far-flung corners of Katavi and Mahale for the ultimate off-the-beaten-path Tanzania safaris. Where you go will depend on what you want to see and experience while on safari in Tanzania. While the Northern Safari Circuit provides is a favorite among first-time and experienced safari goers alike, both Southern and Western Tanzania are hidden gems of this multifaceted destination. Read our Tanzania safari guide to find out everything you need to know about planning your ideal Tanzania safari.
Best Time to Go to Tanzania
Most safari areas in Tanzania enjoy warm days and cool evenings year-round. While temperatures drop to below freezing on Mount Kilimanjaro and Mount Meru, the country’s Indian Ocean coast and lakeside regions are hot and humid. Tanzania has two distinct rainy seasons: April to May (the ‘long rains’) and November to December (the ‘short rains’). Generally, the country’s main rainy season (the long rains) produces tropical downpours in the afternoons and many safari camps close. The short rains season sees the occasional brief shower, but safari camps stay open and game viewing is good. The best time for a Tanzania safari will depend on where you want to go and what you want to see. For first-time safari goers, the best time to go to Tanzania is usually during the dry season, as wildlife is easier to track and spot. Whether you're visiting Tanzania for the first time, understanding the difference between the safari high season vs low season is a great place to start.
TANZANIA SAFARI HIGH VS LOW SEASON
| High or Peak Season | Low or Green Season |
| About June to October (long dry season) | About January to March and November to December |
| Highest rates | lowest rates |
| Need to book well in advance | No need to book too far in advance |
| Cool and dry weather | hot and occasionally wet weather |
| Not many baby animals around | Lots of baby animals around |
| Not many migrant birds to see | Fantastic time for bird-watching |
| Most crowded | Least crowded |
| Good photography conditions | Greenest, most scenic landscapes with the best light of the year for photography |
Good photography conditions
Greenest, most scenic landscapes with the best light of the year for photography The best time to go on a Tanzania safari depends entirely on what you want to see and experience: The major national parks like the Serengeti, Ngoro Ngoro Crater, Lake Manyara and Tarangire deliver superb year-round game viewing, but visitor numbers peak from about June to October. The best time to visit Tanzania if you want to climb Mount Kilimanjaro is between July and October, or January and March. If it’s a tropical beach holiday that you’re after, the best time to visit Tanzania's coast, Zanzibar and other islands is between June and March. If you want to take your chances during the long rains (April to May), you could have a week of sunshine or a week of rain – but you’ll get low season rates. In addition to knowing what you want to see and experience, knowing when you intend to visit will also affect your plans for where to go in Tanzania.
WHEN TO SEE THE WILDEBEEST MIGRATION IN THE SERENGETI
| Event | Approximate Time |
| Calving or Birthing Season | January to March |
| Intense Big Cat Action | January to March |
| Rutting (a period of sexual excitement, reproductive activity and mating battles between males) | January to March |
| Grumeti River Crossings | May to July |
| Mara River Crossings | July to September |
Note: the above are approximate dates only. The Wildebeest Migration is a year-round, circular journey and the river crossings cannot be predicted, although they generally occur between May and September. Sometimes the herds stay put for two weeks, other times they could cross four times in one day! You can take a look at our detailed Wildebeest Migration guide for more information about this natural spectacle.
Tanzania safari travel advice.
At witness Africa safaris, we live and breathe providing our clients with unbiased advice and extraordinary safari experiences. Our Africa Safari Experts are permanently based in Africa, are well travelled, and have extensive first-hand knowledge of the destinations they recommend. They regularly inspect new lodges, experiences and activities to ensure these offerings meet our clients’ expectations. There's nothing like up-to-date, relevant travel information direct from someone who’s been there.
Tips for Planning Your Tanzania Safari
Plan your timing carefully: if you want to see the Wildebeest Migration on your safari or enjoy the best beach weather in Zanzibar, make sure your itinerary matches your travel wishes. Book early for high season: Tanzania’s sought-after safari destinations and well-located camps at Wildebeest Migration hotspots get booked out early, often a year in advance. Choose your activities: morning and afternoon game drives are standard safari activities, but excursions like night game drives, guided bush walks and hot-air balloon safaris are only allowed in certain areas or camps. Expect other visitors in high season: Tanzania’s heavyweight national parks like the Serengeti, Ngoro Ngoro Crater, Lake Manyara and Tarangire can attract a lot of visitors from about June to October. Consider visiting during low or Green Season (about November to March) if you want to escape the crowds and still enjoy great game viewing. Go private: if it’s exclusivity you want, then head for one of Tanzania’s private reserves. The accommodation is superb, game viewing is as good as the main parks, and extra safari activities (see number 3) are occasionally offered
Money and spending.
Tanzania's unit of currency is the Tanzanian Shilling, but our advice is to use US Dollars only – and in cash: credit cards and traveler’s cheques (although accepted in most establishments) incur transaction fees. ATMs are found throughout the major towns and cities in Tanzania, but not in the national parks and game reserves. Note: US Dollar bills printed before 2006 are not accepted in Tanzania. Tipping lodge staff and drivers/guides is customary for good service on a Tanzania safari, but check first to see whether a service charge has been added to your bill. Tipping is always in addition to the price quoted by your operator and the amount varies depending on the size of your group, the level of luxury of the safari and whether you thought an exceptionally good job was done. When travelling in the major Tanzania cities, a 10% tip is customary in restaurants and bars when a service charge is not included.
Climate
Tanzania’s Seasons:
| Long Rains | Short Rains | Long Dry | Short Dry |
| Months | April to May | November to December | June to October | January to March |
| Average Temperatures | 72–81°F 22–27°C | 81–86°F 27–30°C | 70–81°F 21–27°C | 84°F 29°C |
Flights and getting around.
Main International Airports Kilimanjaro International Airport – Tanzania's second international airport – serves the Serengeti, Ngoro Ngoro Crater, Tarangire and Lake Manyara. However, you need to transfer to nearby Arusha Airport for charter flights to these safari destinations. International flights often arrive at Kilimanjaro Airport late in the day, so an overnight stay in Arusha is usually necessary. Dar-es-Salaam International Airport – Tanzania's main airport – is the gateway to the Indian Ocean coast and Zanzibar, as well as Selous Game Reserve and Ruaha National Park. Regional Airports Arusha Airport – the gateway to northern Tanzania's safari airstrips – is located about 30 kilometers (18.5 miles) from Kilimanjaro International Airport. Safari vehicles Guided road transfers and game drives in Tanzania are conducted in closed 4x4s with big windows and pop-up roofs, although visitors to destinations like Mahale will enjoy a boat transfer across Lake Tanganyika. Most safari destinations in Tanzania have extensive road networks and closed vehicles are therefore the norm when doing long-distance road transfers between airstrips, camps and lodges. A closed 4x4 game drive vehicle generally has three rows of seating and features a pop-up roof hatch that can be raised for game viewing and taking photographs.
Visa and Passport Requirements
Almost all visitors to Tanzania require a visa. You must contact the relevant issuing authorities in good time (ideally, several months in advance) to ascertain the entry requirements to Tanzania, and to arrange the necessary permits and visas. We strongly encourage all clients entering Tanzania via Kilimanjaro International Airport to obtain their visas online at Tanzania Immigration Department before arriving in Tanzania. E-visas can take 2 to 3 weeks to be issued. Visitors to Tanzania must possess a passport that is valid for six months after the initial date of travel.
History and Economy
In many ways, Tanzanian history is the history of humankind. Fossils found at Olduvai Gorge, one of the world's premier archaeological sites, suggest that Tanzania has been settled by hominids for over 2 million years. Iron Age migrations from West Africa were followed by European and Arabian merchants, missionaries and slavers, and by the mid-1800s Zanzibar had become the centre of the East African slave trade. Colonized first by the Germans and then the British, independence came peacefully to mainland Tanganyika in 1961. The addition of Zanzibar in 1964 created the modern state of Tanzania. Rich in mineral wealth and natural gas, Tanzania's economy is nevertheless dominated by agriculture, which employs 75% of the workforce and accounts for half the country's GDP. Tanzania's main exports include gold, coffee, tea and cotton. But its tourism, increasing in importance year after year, that is the country's biggest foreign exchange earner.
