Overview
Tanzania combines three of Africa's great experiences in a single country: safari in the Serengeti and the Ngorongoro Crater, a climb up Kilimanjaro, and the beaches and spice-trading history of Zanzibar. The classic trip is five to seven days on the northern safari circuit, followed by several days on Zanzibar's beaches. It's not a cheap destination, since park fees and safari logistics are expensive, but the wildlife is among the best on the continent, especially during the Great Migration.
Main regions
The northern safari circuit. Arusha is the gateway to the Serengeti's endless plains, the Ngorongoro Crater (an extinct volcano with one of the densest concentrations of wildlife in Africa), Tarangire's baobabs and elephants, and Lake Manyara.
Kilimanjaro. Africa's highest mountain (5,895 meters) can be climbed without technical skills in six to eight days, via routes such as Machame, Lemosho and Marangu. Longer routes give more time to acclimatize and have higher summit success rates.
Zanzibar. Start with our Zanzibar destination page and the 5-day Zanzibar itinerary. Stone Town's winding alleys and carved doors, spice farm tours, and beaches such as Nungwi and Kendwa in the north (swimmable at all tides) and Paje on the east coast (kitesurfing, big tides).
The southern parks. Nyerere (formerly Selous) and Ruaha, vast and far less visited than the north, with boat and walking safaris.
The west and the islands. Chimpanzee trekking at Gombe and Mahale on Lake Tanganyika, and the quieter islands of Mafia (whale sharks from about October to March) and Pemba.
Best time to visit
- June to October (long dry season): the best game viewing, as animals gather around water and vegetation thins. From July to October, the Great Migration herds cross the Mara River in the northern Serengeti. Peak season, with the highest prices.
- January to February: the calving season in the southern Serengeti, when hundreds of thousands of wildebeest are born, drawing predators. A short dry spell with good weather.
- March to May (long rains): heavy rain, low season prices, and some camps close, especially in April and May. The landscapes are lush and crowds minimal.
- November to December (short rains): brief showers, fewer visitors and good value.
Kilimanjaro is best climbed from January to mid-March and June to October. Zanzibar's best beach weather runs from June to October and December to February.
Getting around
- Safaris: almost always done with a licensed operator in a 4x4 with a driver-guide; self-driving is rare. Choose between a shared group safari (cheaper) and a private one (more flexible).
- Domestic flights: light aircraft link Arusha, the Serengeti airstrips, Zanzibar and the southern parks. Luggage limits are strict, often 15 kg in soft bags.
- To Zanzibar: fly from Arusha (about 1 hour 20 minutes) or Dar es Salaam, or take the Azam Marine fast ferry from Dar es Salaam (about two hours).
- On Zanzibar: taxis and private drivers are the easiest way to get between Stone Town and the beaches.
Visa basics
Most visitors need a visa, best obtained online through the official Tanzania Immigration e-visa portal before travel. UK and EU citizens pay $50 for a single-entry tourist visa; US citizens pay $100 for a one-year multiple-entry visa. Visas on arrival are also available, but queues can be long. Visitors to Zanzibar must buy the government's mandatory $44 inbound travel insurance from the Zanzibar Insurance Corporation, in addition to your own policy. You need a yellow fever vaccination certificate if you arrive from, or transit for more than 12 hours through, a country with yellow fever risk. Plastic bags are banned and can be confiscated on arrival.
Typical daily costs
Prices as of September 2026. The Tanzanian shilling trades at about 2,640 to the US dollar, but safaris, park fees and most hotels are priced in dollars:
- Budget (about $40–70 a day, off safari): guesthouses in Stone Town or Arusha, local restaurants and dala-dala minibuses.
- Mid-range safari (about $250–450 per person per day): a shared or small-group safari with a vehicle, guide, park fees and mid-range lodges or tented camps.
- Luxury (about $700–1,500+ per person per night): all-inclusive tented camps in prime migration areas and private safaris.
Park fees are a large part of any safari cost: Serengeti entry is about $83 per adult per 24 hours including VAT, and the Ngorongoro Crater has separate fees. Kilimanjaro climbs with a reputable operator typically cost $2,000–4,000 or more, and very cheap operators often underpay porters. Tip safari guides, cooks and porters generously; your operator will provide guidelines.
Top destinations
- Zanzibar: start with the Zanzibar destination guide and the full Zanzibar travel guide for Stone Town, beaches and spice tours.
- The Serengeti: the Great Migration and big cats.
- The Ngorongoro Crater: a day in the crater, with rhino sightings possible.
- Tarangire: elephants among baobab trees.
- Kilimanjaro: the roof of Africa.
Tanzania pairs well with southern Africa: Cape Town connects via Johannesburg, about four hours from Zanzibar by air, and Dubai has direct flights to Zanzibar. Or let our trip planner build a day-by-day Tanzania route around your dates.