Where to visit in Tanzania

The Serengeti is the most iconic park in Tanzania, if not, all of Africa! Although the Serengeti is home to the Big Five (elephant, cape buffalo, leopard, lion and rhino), the biggest attraction to this incredible park is the wildebeest migration. Approximately 1.5 million wildebeest and 200,000 zebra set out on an annual pilgrimage in search of fresh rains and green pasture. They move in a clockwise direction and can be seen throughout the year in different locations of the Serengeti. Arguably, the most exciting times of their journey are January to March when their calves are born, and the July to September window where the famous river crossings take place, but you are able to see the herds all year round. Mobile tented camps are great options for those who want the best wildebeest migration experience – these camps pack up and move every few months, in conjunction with the herds’ movement. Along with the wildebeest migration, the resident wildlife in the Serengeti is fantastic, with Big Five sightings on offer.

See the Great Migration on our Tanzania Migration Safari example itinerary

Located in northern Tanzania, Tarangire is a national park often combined with the Ngorongoro Crater and the Serengeti. The park itself is known for its congregating herds of elephant, seen best between the months of July and October. The landscape is diverse – you can drive from one area of vast, open plains to another area where dense scrubs and a network of swamps dominate the land. Tarangire homes some more rustic tented camps which offer that “wilderness” experience, such as Oliver’s Camp and Kuro Camp. Tarangire is a great option for those who want to do a shorter safari, as you can drive from Arusha to Tarangire easily. On the other hand, it’s also a good option for those who are looking to do a longer safari and combine multiple safari parks and reserves. Tarangire, Lake Manyara, the Ngorongoro Crater and Serengeti National Park are often combined in a northern itinerary which works very well as they each offer unique landscapes and wildlife sightings. Image: Olivers Camp, Tarangire

Meet the elephants of Tarangire on our Northern Tanzania & Zanzibar example itinerary

Ruaha National Park is definitely more “off the beaten track” than other national parks in Tanzania, but it offers such a fantastic safari experience. Ruaha is the largest national park in Tanzania and its name takes after the Great Ruaha River that flows through. This is the best area for game viewing, where lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo, kudu and sometimes African wild dog can be seen. Ruaha combines well in a safari itinerary with the Selous Game Reserve and is definitely one to consider for safari enthusiasts. This park is arguably one of our favourites, because it feels a lot more authentic and ‘wild’ than other parks. Although there are some luxurious properties, like Jabali Ridge and Ikuka, most of the accommodation in Ruaha is tented camps, which makes it feel very authentic. Image: Jabali Ridge

Experience a back to nature safari on our Tanzania: Off The Beaten Track example itinerary

Zanzibar (although the official name is Unguja) is an island located off the eastern shores of Tanzania’s mainland. The capital, named Stonetown, is filled with colonial history and winding alleyways to explore. The southern shores have some of the best diving spots to explore coral reefs including potential dolphin sightings. The northern and eastern beaches are white-sand havens, and this is where most of the luxury hotels are located. Spend a week or so waking up to the sound of gentle waves and island bliss. Zanzibar also homes Jozani forest and organic spice farms, hence its nickname “Spice Island”. There is a wealth of accommodation to choose from on Zanzibar Island – from small, boutique properties to much larger hotels. Generally, the northern and eastern coasts offer the best beaches, so hotels like Baraza, the Palms, the Z Hotel and the Residence are all good options.

Tanzania is proud to home Africa’s tallest mountain, named Mount Kilimanjaro, which stands at a height of 5,895 meters above sea level. Interestingly, some of the best views of the mountain are in Amboseli National Park in Kenya, but on a clear day, the mountain peak can be seen from Tanzania’s northern city, Arusha. There are several routes you can take to climb the mountain including Marangu, Machame, Lemosho, Shira and Rongai. They all vary in length and time to ascend, but for first-time climbers, the Machame route is the most popular as you have a longer time to acclimatize. On clear days, you can see the mountain from Arusha, but often the tip is behind the clouds. Interestingly, the best views of Mount Kilimanjaro are actually from Amboseli National Park which is located in Kenya. The famous ‘Amboseli postcard’ is the mountain in the background, and a herd of elephants in the foreground.