Tanzania is one of Africa’s most remarkable travel destinations, home to seven UNESCO World Heritage Sites and with nearly 38% of the country protected for conservation and wildlife. From the vast plains of the Serengeti and the wildlife-rich Ngorongoro Crater to the tropical beaches of Zanzibar, Tanzania offers an incredible mix of safari and coastal experiences. If this inspires you to visit this beautiful country, explore the best times to visit Tanzania, Tanzania and start planning your ideal safari and beach getaway. Our tours and safaris above highlight some of Tanzania’s most iconic destinations, or we can tailor-make a Tanzania safari to suit your interests while you brush up on your Swahili greetings.
Northern Tanzania is home to some of Africa’s most iconic safari destinations, including Serengeti National Park, the Ngorongoro Crater, Mount Kilimanjaro and Tarangire National Park, all typically accessed through the gateway town of Arusha. The Serengeti is world-renowned for the Great Migration, one of the planet’s most extraordinary wildlife spectacles, where nearly two million wildebeest, zebras and antelope move across the plains in search of fresh grazing. This dramatic journey takes place between Tanzania’s Serengeti and Kenya’s Maasai Mara and is closely followed by predators such as lions, leopards, hyenas and cheetahs. The timing and movement of the migration are influenced by rainfall and grazing conditions, meaning the exact locations of the herds vary slightly from year to year.
The Ngorongoro Crater, the world’s largest inactive volcanic caldera, offers exceptional wildlife viewing and is home to around 25,000 animals within its natural bowl-shaped landscape. The crater provides a safe haven for a wide variety of species, including the Big Five—lion, elephant, buffalo, leopard and rhino—making it one of the best places in Africa for concentrated game viewing. Nearby Olduvai Gorge is one of the most important archaeological sites in the world, where discoveries of some of the earliest known human remains have provided valuable insight into human evolution. The wider Ngorongoro area also offers opportunities to visit and interact with the local Maasai communities, learning about their traditions, culture and way of life.
Further east, the sight of Mount Kilimanjaro rising above the plains is truly breathtaking. Standing at 5,896 m (19,343 ft), it is Africa’s highest mountain and one of the world’s most famous trekking destinations. For those who are fit and well prepared, reaching the summit is a challenging yet achievable goal, as the climb does not require ropes or technical mountaineering experience, only determination, proper acclimatisation and good physical fitness.
Southern Tanzania is dominated by the vast Selous Game Reserve (now part of Nyerere National Park), offering a quieter and more remote safari experience compared to the busier parks of northern Tanzania. This immense wilderness is known for its diverse landscapes of rivers, lakes, woodlands and open plains, and provides excellent opportunities to see elephants, lions, wild dogs and a wide variety of birdlife. After an exciting safari, many travellers choose to end their journey on the idyllic island of Zanzibar, where white sandy beaches, turquoise waters and rich Swahili culture create the perfect setting for relaxation.
The best time to visit Tanzania for wildlife viewing is generally during the dry season from late June to October, when animals gather around water sources and vegetation is sparse. The peak of the rainy season typically occurs around March and April. The Great Migration follows a natural cycle throughout the year: wildebeest calving usually takes place in the southern Serengeti between late January and February, while the herds are commonly found in the northern Serengeti and Kenya’s Maasai Mara from late July to mid-October. During this time, the dramatic river crossings at the Grumeti and Mara Rivers often occur between late August and late September, creating one of the most spectacular wildlife events in Africa.
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