- The northern circuit of Serengeti, Ngorongoro and Tarangire is one of the world's great safari routes
- The Great Migration is somewhere in the Serengeti almost all year
- No direct UK flights, so connect via Doha, Dubai, Amsterdam, Istanbul or Nairobi
- Finish on Zanzibar, a short flight from the parks
- Airports
- Kilimanjaro (JRO), Dar es Salaam (DAR), Zanzibar (ZNZ)
- Flight time
- about 12-14h with one stop from London to Kilimanjaro
- Best time to go
- June-October for dry-season safaris; January-February for calving in the southern Serengeti
- Currency
- Tanzanian shilling (TZS); US dollars widely used for safaris
Tanzania has more land set aside for wildlife than almost any country on earth. The Serengeti's plains hold the bulk of the Great Migration for most of the year, the Ngorongoro Crater packs lions, elephants and rhino into one huge volcanic bowl, and Mount Kilimanjaro, Africa's highest peak, rises above it all. Then there is Zanzibar, with spice-scented Stone Town and powder-white beaches less than an hour's flight from the bush.
There are no direct flights from the UK, and good safaris are not cheap, but few trips in our Africa guides are as memorable. This guide covers the regions, timing, flights, entry rules and realistic costs.
Where to go in Tanzania
The Serengeti
The Serengeti is Tanzania's flagship park, and its central Seronera area has year-round resident lions, leopards and cheetahs. Mobile camps follow the migration around the park, so where you stay depends on the month: the south for calving in early in the year, the Western Corridor around June, and the north for Mara River crossings from July to October.
Ngorongoro Crater
The crater floor is about 20km across and supports a dense population of animals, including one of the few places in East Africa where you have a reasonable chance of seeing black rhino. Vehicles may only spend a limited time on the floor each day, so start early.
Tarangire and Lake Manyara
Tarangire, about two hours from Arusha, is known for big elephant herds and baobab trees and is best in the dry season. Lake Manyara is smaller, with forest, flamingos and tree-climbing lions if you are lucky. Both fit neatly into a northern-circuit itinerary.
Kilimanjaro
Climbing Kilimanjaro takes six to nine days depending on the route, with longer routes giving better acclimatisation and summit success rates. You need a licensed operator and guide.
Zanzibar
Zanzibar combines the UNESCO-listed old quarter of Stone Town with beaches on every coast. It is the natural place to end a safari, and good value for a week of sun in the UK winter.
Southern and western parks
Nyerere (formerly part of Selous) and Ruaha in the south are wilder and far less visited, with boat and walking safaris.
Best time to visit Tanzania
| Season | What to expect |
|---|---|
| January-February | Short dry spell; calving season in the southern Serengeti, with lots of predator action |
| March-May | Long rains, heaviest in April and May; some camps close; very green and cheap |
| June-October | Dry season and peak safari time; best for Tarangire, river crossings in the north Serengeti |
| November-December | Short rains; herds move back south; good value before Christmas |
Zanzibar is best from June to October and December to February.
Getting to Tanzania from the UK
There are currently no direct flights from the UK. Popular one-stop routes are with KLM via Amsterdam to Kilimanjaro and Dar es Salaam, Qatar Airways via Doha, Emirates via Dubai, Turkish Airlines via Istanbul, Kenya Airways via Nairobi and Ethiopian via Addis Ababa. Expect about 12 to 14 hours in total to Kilimanjaro. A Gulf hub can double as a stopover; our Dubai stopover guide explains how. Tanzania is two hours ahead of the UK in summer and three in winter.
Entry requirements
British passport holders need a visa, best applied for online through the official Tanzanian immigration e-visa site well before travel; the single-entry fee for UK citizens has been around US$50. Visas on arrival have also been available but can mean long queues. Your passport should be valid for at least six months with blank pages, and a yellow fever certificate is required if you arrive from, or transit for long through, a yellow fever risk country. Zanzibar also requires its own mandatory travel insurance policy. Rules change, so check GOV.UK foreign travel advice before booking.
Getting around
Most safaris are guided, in a 4x4 with a pop-up roof and a driver-guide. The drive from Arusha to the central Serengeti via Ngorongoro takes a full day, so many people drive in and fly out on a light aircraft. Coastal Aviation, Auric Air and other small airlines link the parks with Arusha, Dar es Salaam and Zanzibar. Luggage limits of about 15kg in soft bags apply on these flights.
Money and costs
Tanzania is one of the more expensive safari countries because of high park fees. Serengeti entry has been around US$70-80 per adult per day plus VAT, and the Ngorongoro Crater adds a vehicle fee per descent. Mid-range lodge or tented camp safaris typically cost about £350-650 per person per night including park fees, meals and game drives, while budget camping safaris start lower. Zanzibar is much cheaper. US dollars are accepted for safaris and park fees, but bring notes printed after 2009 as older ones are often refused. Tip your guide and camp staff at the end of the trip.
Top attractions in Tanzania
Tanzania on the map
Frequently asked questions
Where is the Great Migration each month?
Roughly: southern Serengeti and Ndutu from December to March, central and western Serengeti in April to June, northern Serengeti and Kenya's Maasai Mara from July to October, and heading south again in November. It varies with the rains.
Can I combine Tanzania and Kenya?
Yes, though border crossings and flights add time and cost. Many people choose one country per trip. See our Kenya guide and first safari guide to help decide.
Is Tanzania good for families?
Yes, with older children. Long drives and early starts can be hard for under-sixes, and some camps set minimum ages. Malaria is present across most of the country, so take advice from a travel clinic.
How long should a Tanzania safari be?
Five to seven nights covers the northern circuit comfortably: Tarangire, Ngorongoro and at least three nights in the Serengeti. Add four to six nights on Zanzibar for a complete holiday.
Written by
Thomas Ski, mountains & expeditions editor
Thomas is happiest above the tree line or below the Antarctic Circle. He writes our ski, mountain and polar expedition guides.
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