Tanzania is one of East Africa’s great safari destinations, offering some of Africa’s spectacular wild landscapes, mountains, lakes, islands, and cultural experiences. The country’s northern region is famous for harbouring the best wildlife protected areas including the open plains of the Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater and the elephant country of Tarangire. In addition to the northern circuit, Tanzania has got among other great regions that are worth exploring. In the remote south are large wilderness areas; Nyerere and Ruaha national parks that are rarely visited. The western region is marked by Lake Tanganyika, encompassed by Mahale mountains with dense lowland and montane tropical forests home to eastern chimpanzees. Along the Indian Ocean Coast the Swahili culture, historic towns, beaches and islands make Tanzania, a complete destination where a classic wildlife safari can be combined with mountain climbing, cultural tours, and beach vacation. When it comes to people, there are over 120 ethnic groups, each with its own cultural traditions of which the Maasai are among Tanzania’s famous peoples. Archaeological sites such as Olduvai Gorge in Ngorongoro Conservation Area offer the rich history of human evolution in East Africa.
Tanzania’s Landscapes and Geography
The reason why Tanzania supports a wide range of wildlife safari and travel experiences is due to its geographical diversity. Northern region is dominated by the Great Rift Valley, savannahs, and several volcanic crater highlands including Empakaai, Lake Eyasi and Ol Doinyo Lengai. This is where the major northern safari circuit is concentrated, with Serengeti, Ngorongoro, Tarangire and Lake Manyara national parks forming the circuit’s destinations. The landscape in the south contains Miombo woodland, a dry forest ecosystem, characterized by Brachystegia and Julbernardia tree species. As such, the southern parks are ecologically distinct from the wide-open acacia savannas found in the Northern Circuit like the Serengeti. Rufigi river and its tributaries including Ruaha river bisect some of the parks where they create a complex network of channels, swamps, lagoons, and oxbow lakes, framed by riverine forests and borassus palm trees. The south serves as convergence of the east and southern wildlife is both spectacular, a must-visit gem for a keen photographer and rich in biodiversity including East Africa’s last stronghold of African Painted Dogs.
The southern circuit is famous for having some of Africa’s largest thriving populations of African elephants and buffaloes. The region also supports approximately 10% of Africa’s remaining lion population. Western Tanzania is located within the Albertine rift valley along the border with DR Congo and Burundi. The landscape is shaped by Lake Tanganyika and steep and rugged mountains blanketed by tropical montane forests. Lowland areas featuring seasonal floodplains, muddy riverbeds, and sparse acacia woodlands also exist.
Where to go in Tanzania
Northern Tanzania
Northern region is the main safari circuit for those intending to visit for the first time. The routes connecting national parks are well established connecting from Arusha town to Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater, Tarangire, Lake Manyara and Mount Kilimanjaro respectively. This route offers opportunities to spot the Big Five, witness the Great Wildebeest migration among other seasonal wildlife movements in Tarangire. Lake Manyara national park in particular is famous for harbouring Tree Climbing Lions and the alkaline lake attracts lesser and greater flamingos that gather along its shores in huge flocks mainly to feed on blue-green algae and small crustaceans. Trekking in Mount Kilimanjaro national park adds an adventurous dimension to the northern circuit. At 5,895 meters (19,341 feet) above sea level, it is the highest free standing mountain in Africa and the world. The archaeological attractions of Olduvai Gorge and Laetoli situated between the Ngorongoro highlands and Serengeti plains, can be incorporated into this main route. The above destinations form the backbone of the circuit. However, there’s an adventurous detour that reveals the untamed wilderness of the northern region. A hiking route from Ngorongoro highlands ascends through the forested caldera of Empakai crater and descends down the rift valley escarpment into the arid basin of Lake Natron. The climax of this route is Mount Ol Donyo Lengai, the only active carbonate volcano in the world. Lake Eyasi, situated off the main route that connects Lake Manyara and Ngorongoro, is another stop worth considering for cultural experience with the Hadzabe people. Access roads to these areas are rough, unpaved, and physically demanding, requiring 4×4 vehicles and extra driving time.
Explore Northern Tanzania: Serengeti National Park, Ngorongoro Conservation Area, Tarangire National Park, Lake Manyara, Mount Kilimanjaro and Olduvai Gorge, Lake Eyasi, Empakai Crater, Olmoti Crater,Lake Natron, Ol Doinyo Lengai.
Southern Tanzania
Southern Tanzania remains remote least visited with most of the destinations reachable by connecting air from Dar es Salaam along with road transfers in between. Nyerere, the largest protected area in the country together with Ruaha national parks form the circuit’s major destinations. This is due to their unique ecology and wildlife viewing activities including private boat safaris on the great Rufigi and Ruaha rivers. Nyerere’s primary ecosystem revolves around Rufigi river channels, ox-bow lakes, and miombo woodland with key wildlife being to spot hippos, crocodiles, and birds. The main component of the experience is relaxed with some guided walking. In Ruaha, there are semi-arid rugged hills and baobab studded wilderness valleys that support massive elephant herds and predators, particularly lions. Those intending to experience different sides of the south can visit Mikumi and Udzungwa mountains national parks and transform the experience into traditional game viewing and tracking red colobus monkeys in the ancient tropical rainforest and mountains.
Explore Southern Circuit: Nyerere, Ruaha, Mikumi, Udzungwa, Eastern Arc Mountains.
Tanzania’s Western Circuit
Western Tanzania is much more remote and offers a truly adventurous journey into the southern tip of the Albertine rift valley on the shores of Lake Tanganyika. The crystal clear waters and hidden beaches meet the primary tropical rainforests of Mahale mountains and Gombe stream and the golden open floodplains, muddy rivers and golden savanna of Katavi, creating a Tanzanian trip that starts with wildlife viewing in the savanna and ends with beach and chimpanzee trekking.
Explore Western Tanzania: Katavi, Mahale Mountains, Gombe Stream, Lake Tanganyika, Rubondo Island, Lake Victoria.
Coasts and Islands
Tanzania’s Coasts and Islands form the backbone of the coastal and marine tourism naturally complimenting wildlife safari. Dar es Salaam is the mainland hub to Zanzibar Islands and Stone Town Capital city, a UNESCO world heritage site. Among other islands include Mafia to the far south and Pemba to the north characterized by shallow lagoons and calm coral gardens and deep abysses in the open ocean and strong current drift walls respectively. On the mainland coast, the historical dhow building town of Bagamoyo consists of shallow waters, mangrove estuaries and offers snorkeling and sailing cruises. Saadani national park located north of Bagamoyo is where the ‘bush meets the bush’ with opportunities for boat safaris on Wami river to watch hippos, tracking green turtles on the beaches, and snorkeling.
Wildlife Safaris in Tanzania
Most people visit Tanzania for wildlife viewing and choosing a Tanzania wildlife safari requires deciding what type of landscapes, species, experiences and activities you want to do. For first-time visitors, the northern circuit is the place to go. The main parks are Ngorongoro Crater, Serengeti and Tarangire National parks with wildlife highlights being the great wildebeest migration, Big Five mammals and huge herds of elephants in Tarangire’s unique baobab studded landscape. In the southern circuit, the wildlife safari takes place in remote protected areas which include Nyerere and Ruaha national parks. Wildlife viewing is centered on boat safaris. In western Tanzania, the focus shifts from savanna to tropical forest and chimpanzee tracking experiences in Mahale Mountains and Gombe Stream National Parks.
The Great Wildlifebeest Migration is one of Tanzania’s major wildlife experiences. This wildlife phenomenon involves over 1.5 million animals moving through the Serengeti ecosystem according to changing conditions, following seasonal patterns of rainfall, grazing pasture and water. As such, the timing and location of a migration safari requires careful consideration. Some of the detailed travel guides regarding the migration include as follows:-
Great wildebeest migration – understand the broader migration cycle.
Serengeti Calving Season – learn about the period when large numbers of wildebeest give birth.
How to See the wildebeest river crossings – understand the northern Serengeti river crossing experience.
Where to stay for the migration safari – explore accommodation according to the movement of the herds. The Serengeti ecosystem which includes Serengeti national park in Tanzania and Maasai Mara national reserve in Kenya serve as the center of the migration story.
Mountains and Hiking in Tanzania
Mount Kilimanjaro
Tanzania is famous for harbouring Africa’s highest mountain which is Mount Kilimanjaro. Its summit, Uhuru Peak, stands at 5,895 meters above sea level and the mountain’s structure also includes among other peaks which include Kibo, Mawezi and Shira. Among other mountains in the country that offer hiking include Mount Meru in Arusha and Udzungwa mountains. Those intending to climb Kilimanjaro, here is our detailed description of Mount Kilimanjaro including its routes, preparation, and the best time to climb.
People, Culture and Heritage
In addition to wildlife and scenery, traveling through Tanzania offers an opportunity to learn about the country’s communities and cultural traditions of over 120 ethnic groups including the Sukuma and Nyamwezi representing the largest by population respectively.
The Maasai
The Maasai are famous for their unique culture and relationship with nature associated with Northern Tanzania and Kenya. Our travel guide to visiting the Maasai explores their history, culture and relationship with the landscape.
Olduvai Gorge
Tanzania also contains archeological and historical sites. Olduvai Gorge is one of the most important archeological sites in Africa located in the northern region between Ngorongoro Crater and Serengeti national park. The gorge is associated with several discoveries pertaining human evolution in East Africa. A trip through northern Tanzania can combine wildlife, culture and archeological heritage within the same itinerary. Explore our guide to Olduvai Gorge Archeological Site.
Planning a Trip to Tanzania
To have an excellent trip you need to carefully select the destinations and experiences that match your interest, time and travel style.
When to visit Tanzania
Tanzania can be visited anytime of the year. However, weather and seasonal wildlife movements influence the safari experience. What you intend to see and do in Tanzania determines when and where to go. Our Tanzania climate and weather guide offers more details on deciding when to travel.
Where to stay in Tanzania Tanzania offers a wide range of accommodations including city hotels and beach resorts to safari lodges, tented camps and campsites. Where you stay should be considered along with the destination and the experience you want. For instance, those intending to go on a migration safari, the location of a camp or lodge can be particularly important given that wildlife movements change during the year. Explore where to stay for the migration safari in this detailed guide.
Getting Around Tanzania
Getting around Tanzania depends largely on where you are travelling and the type of safari you intend to have. The country is vast, and distances between some national parks and wildlife areas can be considerable. The Northern Circuit is relatively easy to explore by road. Flying becomes useful when travelling to the remote Southern and Western circuits.
For most safari itineraries, travellers combine 4WD safari vehicles and domestic flights. The best option depends on your route, the time available and the parks you intend to visit.
Travelling by Road
Road travel is the most common way of exploring Tanzania’s Northern Circuit. From Arusha, a 4WD safari vehicle can reach several of the country’s major wildlife destinations relatively easily, allowing travellers to experience the landscape between parks.
Some useful road distances and approximate driving times include as follows:-
Arusha to Tarangire National Park is about 109 km, approximately a 2 hour drive.
Arusha to Lake Manyara National Park is 120 km, approximately 3-hour hours.
Lake Manyara to the Ngorongoro Conservation Area about 56 km, approximately 1 hour drive.
Ngorongoro to Central Serengeti is 135 km, approximately a 4-hour drive, depending on road and track conditions.
Central Serengeti to Northern Serengeti is about 154 km, approximately a 5 hour drive.
Note that driving times should always be treated as estimates. Safari roads, weather, wildlife viewing stops and road conditions can considerably affect journey times, especially inside national parks and conservation areas. Road safaris are much more convenient when visiting Tarangire, Lake Manyara, Ngorongoro and the Serengeti as part of one continuous Northern Circuit itinerary.
Travelling by Air
Domestic flights are an important part of Tanzania’s tourism network for those intending to visit remote parks or those who want to reduce long overland journeys.
The country’s main aviation gateways include Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO), which serves the Northern Circuit; Julius Nyerere International Airport (DAR) in Dar es Salaam, an important gateway to southern Tanzania and the coast; Arusha Airport (ARK), which handles regional and safari flights; and Abeid Amani Karume International Airport (ZNZ) in Zanzibar.
Safari airlines in East Africa operate scheduled and charter flight services between major towns and several airstrips located within or close to national parks. This makes it possible to fly directly into the wilderness other than spending many hours travelling by road. For instance, in the Serengeti, travellers can use airstrips such as Seronera, Kogatende, Grumeti and Ndutu, depending on their itinerary and the time of year. Tarangire and the Manyara area also have air connections. Flying can be useful when travelling between Arusha and the Serengeti. A flight to an airstrip such as Seronera or Kogatende can save many hours of overland travel, making it possible to spend more time in the park.
Getting Around the Northern Circuit
The Northern Circuit is the easiest part of Tanzania to explore by road. A conventional safari itinerary can link Arusha, Tarangire, Lake Manyara, Ngorongoro and the Serengeti in one overland journey. With more time, driving provides an opportunity to experience the changing landscapes of northern Tanzania, from the open plains around the Serengeti to the highlands surrounding Ngorongoro. Flying is an alternative for travellers who have limited time, prefer shorter transfers or are travelling between sectors of Serengeti. Flights can also be combined with road safaris. For instance, driving from Arusha through Tarangire and Ngorongoro before flying from the Serengeti to another destination.
Getting Around the Southern Circuit
Southern Tanzania covers enormous areas of wilderness, and distances are much greater than on many Northern Circuit itineraries. The principal destinations include Nyerere National Park, Mikumi National Park and Ruaha National Park. Mikumi is relatively accessible by road from Dar es Salaam, making it one of the more convenient southern parks for an overland safari. The park is approximately 280 km (5 hour- drive), depending on traffic and road conditions. Nyerere National Park, formerly known as Selous Game Reserve, can also be reached by road, although the journey from Dar es Salaam can take several hours.
For visitors with limited time, flying into one of the park’s airstrips is often a more convenient option. Ruaha National Park is considerably farther from Dar es Salaam, making domestic flights particularly useful. The overland journey can take much of a day, whereas flying allows travellers to reach the park much more quickly. Airstrips serving the southern safari areas include Msembe in Ruaha and several airstrips within Nyerere National Park, including Matambwe and Siwandu. Mikumi also has an airstrip.
Getting Around Western Tanzania
Western Tanzania is among the country’s most remote travel regions. Destinations such as Gombe National Park, Mahale Mountains National Park and Katavi National Park are far from the main tourism routes and major road networks. For this reason, flying is often the most practical way to reach western Tanzania, particularly when travelling from Arusha or Dar es Salaam. Depending on the destination, travellers may then continue by road or boat. Gombe and Mahale, located on the shores of Lake Tanganyika, are especially distinctive given that access can involve a combination of air and boat travel. Katavi can also be reached by air, with safari airstrips serving the park and surrounding areas. These remote parks are therefore best considered as part of a fly-in safari and not just simply added to a conventional Northern Circuit road itinerary.
Combining Road and Air Travel
You do not necessarily have to choose between driving and flying. Many of Tanzania’s best safari itineraries combine the two. For instance, a traveller might consider traveling from Arusha to Tarangire to Lake Manyara to Ngorongoro to Serengeti by road and to Zanzibar by air. Dar es Salaam to Nyerere by air to Ruaha and to Zanzibar by air. This approach reduces lengthy transfers retaining the experience of travelling through Tanzania’s landscapes by road at the same time.
Which Way of Travelling Should You Choose?
For the Northern Circuit, road travel is generally the most practical option for a classic multi-park safari, although flights are useful for saving time or reaching remote parts of the Serengeti.
For the Southern Circuit, a combination of road and air travel is often more appropriate given the greater distances between destinations.
For Western Tanzania, flying is particularly valuable due to the region’s remoteness and the limited practical road connections to some of its major parks.
Ultimately, the best way to get around Tanzania depends on your itinerary, budget and available time. A well-planned safari can combine road travel and domestic flights to make the most of both Tanzania’s spectacular landscapes and its remote wilderness areas.
Tanzania can be explored through its wildlife, landscapes, mountains, people, history and islands and the most rewarding itineraries often bring several of these experiences together.