Tanzania travel guide

The largest country in East Africa, Tanzania encompasses sprawling savannah plains, Indian Ocean beaches, the highest mountain on the continent, great lakes where flamingos wade, and forests in which chimpanzees dwell. The Serengeti National Park is home to the famous Great Migration, where around 2.5 million wildebeest, zebra and gazelle chase the rains in an endless cyclical migration — encountering lions, cheetahs and crocodiles along the way. Nearby, the Ngorongoro Crater is an ancient caldera, home to around 25,000 large animals, including lions, black rhinos, buffalo and wildebeest.
In the south, Ruaha is the biggest national park in the country — a land of huge baobabs, undulating hills and grassland plains where wild dogs and lions hunt. The Selous Game Reserve is one of the largest protected areas on the continent, with just a scattering of camps, water-based safaris, and wildlife such as lions, leopards, black rhinos and elephants.
Off the safari circuit, the highest freestanding mountain in the world, Kilimanjaro, reaches 5,895m, its snow-capped peak an iconic sight in northeast Tanzania. The palm-fringed beaches of the mainland and the so-called spice islands of Zanzibar and Pemba, with their coastal fusion of Arabic, Swahili and Indian cultures and heritage, are suitably idyllic places to wrap up an epic East African holiday.
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In the north of Tanzania, the Serengeti National Park is one of the most famous safari destinations in the world. The Great Migration is a year-round spectacle; watch the wildebeest thundering across the Mara River from June to October or visit the herds grazing and calving in the southern Serengeti from December to February. Aside from the wildebeest migration, the Serengeti is an excellent place to see big cats, as well as other wildlife — from wild dogs to the endangered black rhino — roaming its vast savannah plains.
Tanzania’s popular northern circuit also includes the Ngorongoro Crater — where you can take safaris inside the crater or hikes around the rim — and the quieter Tarangire National Park, with its huge herds of elephants and prides of lions. Also in the north is the famed Mount Kilimanjaro, Africa’s highest mountain; expect multiple hiking routes to the summit that differ in length and difficulty. If you’re aiming to escape the crowds, travel south, where parks such as Ruaha National Park, where walking safaris are a highlight, and the Selous Game Reserve — perfect for boat safaris — see far fewer tourists than the north.
Whether you’ve been mountain hiking or on a safari, some time on the beach sounds good, right? The spice islands of Zanzibar are easily accessed from the cities of Arusha or Dar es Salaam. You can go kite surfing or scuba diving, take leisurely sunset dhow cruises, wander the narrow streets of Stone Town, or just unwind on the beach.
Tanzania has a range of safari camps and lodges in its national parks and reserves, with most options in the north, the most visited part of the country. At the higher end, there are chic luxury lodges in private reserves that make for the most exclusive safari experience — if you have the cash, this is the best way to experience the Serengeti in peak season, as you can largely avoid the crowds. The Serengeti also has a slew of mobile camps — some basic, others more stylish — that move with the Great Migration wildebeest herds — setting up in the north for river crossing season, then decamping to the south for calving. In the south of Tanzania, there are fewer accommodation options, but you can still find a full range of camps and lodges, from budget to high-end. You’ll usually be fly camping in the bush on a walking safari.
If you’re climbing Kili, you’ll be camping or sleeping in huts, depending on the route you pick. In and around Arusha, the jumping-off point for the northern circuit and Kilimanjaro climbs, there are budget guesthouses and hostels, comfortable country lodges and fancy farmhouse retreats; Dar es Salaam, Tanzania’s financial hub, has more corporate hotels, but also many beach resorts along its Indian Ocean coast.
Over the water, on the islands of Zanzibar, you might stay on the beach — in resorts or simple bungalows — or in Stone Town, where there are international chain hotels and B&B guesthouses.
Best safari camps and lodges in Tanzania
In western Tanzania, on the shore of Lake Tanganyika, Mahale Mountains National Park is known as one of the best places for tourists to see chimpanzees in the wild. Beneath a mountainous backdrop, the forests of Mahale are home to a large population of eastern chimpanzees. There are guided walks into the forest to visit the habituated troops — unlike other places where the primates tend to be less habituated, it’s uncommon not to see chimps here. There’s plenty more to see in the park too: lions, giraffes and zebra live on the savannah. You can also take sundowners or fishing trips out on the lake. Mahale is not the easiest place to reach, with only a few scheduled flights a week from Arusha or Dar, and fewer options outside the dry season (some camps close during the rains). By road, it takes at least a couple of days. Those with the budget can book charter flights. The driest months of August to October are best for chimp trekking.
June, September and October are the best for dry weather. Avoid the peak months of July and August if you can.
Is Tanzania safe?Tourism is mostly safe in Tanzania. Follow the usual travel guide advice: take licensed taxis at night and be cautious of flashing valuables in cities. It is not an LGBTQ-friendly country, though generally tourists won’t face problems in places such as safari parks.What is the best month to visit Tanzania?September tends to be best for safaris and the Great Migration. How many days do you need in Tanzania?For a dual-destination safari in the north, eight days is about right — take two weeks if you’re travelling to Zanzibar or into the south as well. A Kilimanjaro hike requires at least a week.
Currency Tanzanian shilling. US dollars are often accepted.
Inspired to visit Tanzania but yet to book your trip? Here are the best packages from Tui Holidays* and Expedia*.
• Discover holiday packages to Zanzibar*• Discover holiday packages to Dar es Salaam*• Discover holiday packages to Arusha*• Discover tours in Tanzania*
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