BackIf you’re planning a vacation to Tanzania, our travel guide will help you decide where and when to go, and what to do while you’re there.
On a tailor-made Wayfairer vacation to Tanzania, you can discover Tanzania's dramatic beauty and phenomenal wildlife.
Experience the remote wilderness of Selous Game Reserve and Ruaha National Park in the south, track wild chimpanzees in Mahale Mountains National Park in the west, or challenge yourself by climbing to the snow-capped peak of Mount Kilimanjaro.
You can also head to Tanzania's pristine coast to combine your luxury safari vacation or trekking adventure with a few days of relaxation at Ushongo Beach on the northern coastline, the exotic island of Zanzibar, or the laid-back Mafia Island.
Where To Go in Tanzania
Our tailor-made Tanzania itineraries focus on the national parks, game reserves, and private wildlife conservancies in the north (Northern Circuit), south (Southern Circuit), and west (Western Circuit), as well as the mainland coastline and the islands of Zanzibar and Mafia Island.
Northern Circuit: Serengeti National Park > Lake Manyara National Park > Ngorongoro Crater > Tarangire National Park
Southern Circuit: Selous Game Reserve > Ruaha National Park
Western Circuit: Katavi National Park > Mahale Mountains National Park
Mainland Coast and Islands: Ushongo Beach > Zanzibar > Mafia Island
Our Tanzania vacations typically start in either Arusha or Dar es Salaam.
Located at the foothills of Mount Meru, Arusha is the gateway to the northern safari circuit. For vacations that start in Arusha, you’ll need to fly into Kilimanjaro International Airport (airport code JRO). Then you’ll be transferred by private vehicle to your accommodation in Arusha (transfer time approximately one hour).
Dar es Salaam (often referred to as Dar) is Tanzania's largest city. Dar es Salaam means "Haven of Peace" in Arabic – a name which was perhaps more fitting for its former status as a sleepy fishing village rather than the busy, bustling city which it is today.
For most travelers, Dar es Salaam is simply an arrival destination before flying to Zanzibar, Mafia Island, or heading inland to start their safari. There are daily flights from Dar es Salaam (airport code DAR) to the exotic spice island of Zanzibar (flight duration 20 minutes) and Mafia Island (flight duration 30 minutes). Tanzania's less-visited southern and western parks, such as Selous, Ruaha, Katavi, and the Mahale Mountains, are also easily accessed from Dar es Salaam.
What To Do in Tanzania
Here are eight different activities and excursions to choose from in Tanzania:
- Witness huge herds of wildebeest and zebra migrate from the Serengeti to the Masai Mara Reserve in Kenya.
- Conquer Mt Kilimanjaro and watch the sunrise from ‘The Roof of Africa.’
- Enjoy an adventurous and authentic bush experience in Ruaha National Park in southern Tanzania.
- See resident hippo pods at Lake Manyara.
- Visit the Mahale Mountains National Park in western Tanzania to observe chimpanzees in their natural habitat and enjoy activities such as hiking through the forests, swimming in the icy-cold pools of the mountain waterfalls, and kayaking on the turquoise waters of Lake Tanganyika.
- Enjoy a river safari in the Selous Game Reserve.
- Spot an abundance of wildlife, including zebra, buffalo, warthog, wildebeest, hippo, and elephants in the Ngorongoro Crater.
- Relax on the idyllic, palm-fringed and secluded Ushongo beach on the northern coastline (voted “One of the World’s best beaches” by The Sunday Times Travel Magazine.)
When To Visit Tanzania
Tanzania is a vast country with significant regional variation in geography and climate, as well as two distinct rainy seasons. Therefore, deciding when to visit Tanzania depends on what you want to experience during your stay.
Game viewing in Tanzania's parks (including the Serengeti National Park, Lake Manyara National Park, Ngorongoro Crater, Tarangire National Park, Selous Game Reserve, Ruaha National Park, and Mahale Mountains National Park) is at its peak during the dry season from June to October. The best chance of seeing the wildebeest migration in the Serengeti is during June and July, whilst late January to February is the time to visit for the wildebeest calving season.
The ideal time to visit Tanzania's coast and the Zanzibar Archipelago is between August and October, whilst the coast and the islands are best avoided during the long rains from March to May.
Our month-by-month guide to Tanzania’s weather will help you plan your visit to this incredible East African country.
If you’re interested in climbing Mount Kilimanjaro, we recommend doing so during the warmest and driest times of the year: December to mid-March and mid-June to the end of October. Our month-by-month guide to Kilimanjaro’s weather will help you plan when to climb this iconic mountain.
Where To Stay in Tanzania
Discover where to stay in Tanzania with some examples of fantastic accommodations we use for Tanzania safaris:
Northern Circuit
Serengeti Serena Safari Lodge – a Maasai village-inspired lodge located high on a hill with 360-degree views over the Serengeti National Park.
Lake Manyara Serena Safari Lodge – a luxury safari lodge with panoramic views over Lake Manyara National Park.
Ngorongoro Crater Lodge - situated on the edge of the Ngorongoro Crater with incredible views.
Tarangire Treetops - a secluded, luxury lodge set at the border of Tarangire National Park.
Southern Circuit
Lake Manze Camp – an authentic safari camp situated on the shores of Lake Manze in the Selous Game Reserve.
Mdonya Old River Camp – a 12 tent camp set in acacia woodland in the heart of Ruaha National Park
Western Circuit
Chada Katavi – a stylishly simple bushcamp located in Katavi National Park in the far west of Tanzania
Greystoke Mahale - a remote tented camp in the chimp-inhabited forests of the Mahale Mountains
Mainland Coast and Islands
The Tides Lodge – a barefoot-chic lodge set on the palm-fringed Ushongo Beach on the mainland coast of Tanzania.
Pongwe Beach Hotel - a relaxed and peaceful property located on one of the most beautiful beaches on Zanzibar.
Chole Mjini - a charming, rustic eco-lodge on Chole Island in the heart of the Mafia Island Marine Park on Mafia Island
Tanzania Travel Itinerary Ideas
The suggestions below are examples of holidays which we can arrange, however they can be tailored to suit your personal preference.The suggestions below are examples of vacations which we can arrange; however, they can be tailored to suit your personal preference.
Northern Tanzania Safari & Zanzibar – 12 days
This classic itinerary features incredible game drives in the national parks of Tarangire, Lake Manyara, and the Serengeti, as well as the spectacular Ngorongoro Crater. You’ll also have a few days of post-safari relaxation on the beautiful beaches of Zanzibar.
Remote Tanzania: Safari & Beach – 12 days
This vacation offers a remote and authentic safari experience in the Selous Reserve and Ruaha National Park, along with five nights of rest and relaxation on the secluded Mafia Island in the Indian Ocean.
Selous & Zanzibar Holiday – 10 days
Enjoy a remote and personal safari experience in the Selous Reserve in southern Tanzania, and then relax on the romantic island of Zanzibar.
Responsible Travel in Tanzania
We are committed to responsible, sustainable, and ethical tourism, and we’re proud to work with a fantastic supplier in Tanzania that wholeheartedly shares our core values regarding responsible tourism. You can read more about our responsible tourism values here.
We encourage all our clients visiting Tanzania and Zanzibar to travel responsibly and respectfully, ensuring that tourism has a positive impact on the economy, the environment, and local communities. You can read our guide to responsible travel in Tanzania and Zanzibar.
Travel Essentials for Tanzania
Flying time: London to Dar Es Salaam Airport = 11 hours 50 minutes via Nairobi. London to Kilimanjaro International Airport = 11 hours 10 minutes via Nairobi.
Recommended airlines: Kenya Airways
Time difference: Tanzania is 2 hours ahead of the United Kingdom.
Currency: Tanzanian shilling (TSh). The exchange rate is approximately UK£1 = TSh 2,988.59, US$1 = TSh 2,239.21 and €1 = TSh 2,637.94.
Visa requirements: US citizens require a passport with at least one blank page and a validity of at least six months, as well as a visa to enter Tanzania. Single-entry visas are available upon arrival at Tanzanian airports, or your can obtain one in advance through the Tanzania eVisa portal. For the most up to date visa requirements and travel advisories, visit the US State Department’s Tanzania Travel Advisory page.
Vaccinations: Visitors to Tanzania should ensure they have received vaccinations for Hepatitis A, Typhoid, and Tetanus. There is a high risk of malaria in most areas of Tanzania (including Zanzibar); therefore, anti-malaria medication is recommended, and you should take precautions to avoid mosquito bites. Avoid mosquito bites by wearing long-sleeved shirts and long trousers, especially after sunset, using insect repellent on exposed skin, and sleeping under a mosquito net.
Although there is a low risk of yellow fever in Tanzania, vaccination is generally not recommended. Under International Health Regulations, a yellow fever vaccination certificate is required for travellers arriving from countries with risk of yellow fever transmission and for travellers who have transited for more than 12 hours through an airport of a country with risk of yellow fever transmission. Check out TravelHealthPro for more information about yellow fever vaccination certificates and recommended vaccinations for Tanzania.
Language Tips for Tanzania
We encourage our clients to travel with a Swahili phrasebook in their hand luggage and make an effort to learn some key words and phrases. The Tanzanian language, Swahili, is easy for native English speakers to pick up, as the words are pronounced exactly as they look to an English speaker.
- Welcome/Come in - Karibu (kah-ree-boo)
- Hello - Jambo (jah-mboh)
- Goodbye - Kwaheri (kwah-heh-ree)
- How are you? - Habari yako? (hah-bah-ree yah-koh)
- Very well - Mzuri sana …and you?
- Na wewe je? - Okay Sawa
- What’s up? (informal) - Mambo?
- My name is… - Jina langu ni… (jee-nah lah-ngoo)
- What is your name? - Jina lako ni nani? (jee-nah lah-koh nahnee)
- Pleased to meet you - Nimefurahi kukutana
- Thank you - Asante (ah-sah-nteh)
- You are welcome - Karibu (kah-ree-boo)
- Please - Tafadhali (tah-fah-thah-lee)
- Sorry - Pole (poh-leh)
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Start Planning Your Tanzania Adventure
- Tanzania offers an unparalleled blend of wildlife safaris, pristine beaches, and rich cultural experiences that will create memories to last a lifetime. Whether you are dreaming of witnessing the Great Migration, summiting Mount Kilimanjaro, or relaxing on Zanzibar’s white-sand beaches, the adventure of a lifetime awaits. If you'd like to plan a vacation to Tanzania, call our Luxury Travel Specialists for a chat about your dream trip or fill out our no-obligation enquiry form.
