Tanzania travel guide: when to go, where to go and how to plan it together

November 8, 2026 · 9 min read

Tanzania has the landscapes that most people mean when they say Africa: the endless plains of the Serengeti, the walls of the Ngorongoro Crater with animals packed on its floor, baobab-studded Tarangire and, to the north, Kilimanjaro, the highest mountain on the continent. Add the spice-scented streets of Zanzibar and a long Indian Ocean coast and you have a trip that moves from wildlife to beach without feeling like two different holidays.

Distances are large, roads are slow and the best camps are small, so the trip rewards planning. This guide covers when to go, where, an eleven-day route, and what to sort out before you book with friends.

Capital: Dodoma (Dar es Salaam is the largest city)
Currency: Tanzanian shilling (TSh)
Languages: Swahili and English
Plugs: Type D and G, 230 V
Driving: On the left
Time zone: UTC+3, no daylight saving
Best time to go: June to October and January to February
Daily budget: About US$220–400 a person a day, mid-range, 2026

When to go

Tanzania has two rainy seasons and two dry ones, and the wildlife follows the water. The huge herds of wildebeest and zebra circle the Serengeti and Kenya's Maasai Mara through the year, so where they are depends on the month.

The long dry season (June to October) is the most popular time and the best for most parks. The grass is short, animals gather at rivers, and the roads are good. From about July to October the herds are in the northern Serengeti and around the Mara River, where the crossings are. It is the most expensive season and camps book far ahead.

The calving season (January and February) is the other great time. Hundreds of thousands of wildebeest calves are born on the southern plains around Ndutu, and predators follow. It is hot, dry and quieter than July, and an excellent time for the Serengeti, Ngorongoro and Tarangire.

The long rains (March to May) bring heavy rain, cloud and mud. Many camps close and the coast is very humid. The parks are empty and green and prices fall, but travel is slower and some roads are hard to use.

The short rains (November and December) are lighter and shorter. Landscapes are green, birdlife is good and the crowds are thin until Christmas.

Kilimanjaro has its own calendar. The most popular climbing windows are January to March and June to October, when the weather is more stable. Zanzibar is hot all year, wettest in April and May, and best from June to October and December to February.

Where to go

Arusha

A busy town at the foot of Mount Meru and the starting point for most northern safaris and Kilimanjaro trips. It is a place for supplies, rest and meeting your guide, not for sightseeing. One night is enough, and it helps you recover from a long flight before the drive.

Tarangire

Dry, hilly country with baobabs and some of the biggest elephant herds in Tanzania, especially in the dry season when they gather at the river. It is close to Arusha and a good first stop. Two nights.

Lake Manyara

A small park beside a long lake with a forest, flamingos in some seasons and the tree-climbing lions it is known for. Often a stop between Tarangire and Ngorongoro rather than a destination on its own.

Ngorongoro Crater

A collapsed volcano with a floor about 260 square kilometres wide, enclosed by walls up to 600 metres high. It holds lions, hyenas, elephants and some of the best chances to see a black rhino. A day is enough, with an early start. Lodges on the rim have views but are cold at night.

Serengeti

The heart of any trip. The park covers the southern plains, the central Seronera valley with its leopards and lions, the western corridor and the north, where the Mara River crossings take place. Where you stay should follow the herds. Three to four nights.

Kilimanjaro

At 5,895 metres, Kilimanjaro can be climbed without technical gear, but it is a serious trek of five to nine days and altitude is the main risk. Climbs must be done with a licensed guide and crew, and the longer routes give your body more time to adapt and succeed more often. Think about it before you book and ask your doctor.

Zanzibar

An island off the coast with a long Swahili history. Stone Town has narrow lanes, carved doors, markets and old merchant houses. The east coast has white sand and shallow water, the north is lively and the south has quieter villages. Visit a spice farm, eat seafood and take a dhow trip. Four nights is a good rest after the parks.

Nyerere and Ruaha

Two big parks in the south, far from the crowds of the north, with walking safaris, boat trips on rivers and plenty of lions and wild dogs. They suit a second trip or a safari with more time.

An 11-day itinerary

Day 1: Arusha. Arrive at Kilimanjaro Airport, transfer to Arusha, and rest.

Days 2–3: Tarangire. About two to three hours by road. Game drives for elephants and baobabs, with a night in or near the park.

Day 4: Ngorongoro Crater. About three to four hours from Tarangire, stopping at Lake Manyara if you like. Descend into the crater early the next morning for the best chance of seeing animals before the heat and the other vehicles.

Days 5–7: Serengeti. A long day by road or a short flight from Arusha. Stay in the part of the park where the herds are, and spend two full days on game drives.

Days 8–11: Zanzibar. Fly from the Serengeti via Arusha or Dar es Salaam to Zanzibar, which usually takes most of a day. Spend the last days between Stone Town and a beach on the coast, and fly home from Zanzibar.

With more time, add a Kilimanjaro climb before the safari, or a few days in the south. If you only have a week, do the northern circuit and skip Zanzibar.

Getting around

Domestic flights link Arusha, the Serengeti airstrips, Dar es Salaam and Zanzibar. Small planes use soft bags and have strict luggage limits, so pack in a duffel.

Road transfers are slow. A 4x4 with a driver-guide is the norm on safari. Even sealed roads have long, uneven stretches, and a trip that looks short on the map can take most of a day. Leave generous time on days that include a flight.

Ferries run between Dar es Salaam and Zanzibar in about two hours. They are fine in good weather, but the sea can be rough, and the flight is easier with luggage.

On Zanzibar, taxis and private drivers are the easiest way to cross the island, and the dala-dala minibuses are cheap but crowded. If you are tempted to drive yourself, read about driving abroad first, as driving is on the left and local roads are unpredictable.

If you are combining Tanzania with Kenya, the Kenya travel guide covers the Maasai Mara, the other half of the migration.

Money and costs

Tanzania uses the Tanzanian shilling, although many tourist businesses price in US dollars. Cards are accepted in larger hotels and lodges, but cash is needed in markets, small shops and for tips. ATMs are common in towns and rare near parks, so withdraw before you leave.

Tipping is expected on safari and on Kilimanjaro, where the crew relies on it. Your operator can tell you what is normal for your group, and it is best handed over in person at the end of the stay or climb. See tipping around the world for the general approach.

Park access, vehicles and camps drive the cost. Your price depends on the season, how many people share the vehicle, and whether you stay in simple tented camps or luxury lodges. Zanzibar is better value, and a beach stay can balance the budget.

Rough daily costs a person, in 2026, on days that include a safari:

Budget: about US$100–170, with camping, shared safaris and simple guesthouses.
Mid-range: about US$220–400, with comfortable lodges, meals included and a flight or two.
Comfortable: US$550 and up, with luxury camps, private vehicles and a high-end beach stay.

Planning Tanzania as a group

A northern safari is built around a shared vehicle, which makes it natural for groups, but decisions about size and timing matter.

One vehicle or two. A safari vehicle usually seats six or seven, with a window for each person. A group of four to six in one vehicle is ideal. A larger group splits into two, and everyone should agree how to share the guide's time and plan.

Kilimanjaro. If some of you want to climb and others do not, plan the climb and the safari so they do not depend on each other. Climbers need a few days to rest afterwards, and the others can take a lodge or a day trip.

Booking order. Dates for the Serengeti and Ngorongoro camps are the hardest to find, especially from June to October and in the calving season. Lock those in first, then book the flights and the coast.

Costs. Safari operators usually take a deposit, then a balance, and everything else is cash: tips, meals outside camps, the Zanzibar days. Record each payment with its currency so the group can settle at the end.

Before you go

Entry rules: check the official government site of Tanzania and your own government's travel advice before you book, as requirements depend on your passport and can change.
Travel insurance that covers medical costs, evacuation and, if you will climb, high-altitude trekking. See travel insurance explained.
Connectivity: a local SIM or eSIM works in towns and on Zanzibar, but there is little signal in the Serengeti and on Kilimanjaro. Download maps and documents first.
A plug adapter for Type D and G, and check your devices handle 230 V; most phone and laptop chargers do.
Health: ask a travel clinic well ahead about vaccines and malaria prevention. Some countries ask for proof of yellow fever vaccination on arrival from certain places.
Customs: dress modestly in Stone Town and in coastal villages, as most people are Muslim. Avoid camouflage patterns, which are restricted. Greet people before you ask for anything: jambo or habari goes a long way, and pole pole means slowly, slowly.

What to pack

Pack in a soft duffel for small planes. Wear neutral colours for safari and avoid dark blue and black, which attract tsetse flies. Bring warm layers: early drives and the Ngorongoro rim are cold, even in the dry season.

Add a hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, repellent, a headtorch, binoculars and a refillable water bottle. For Kilimanjaro, you need proper boots that are already broken in, layers rated for freezing summit nights and trekking poles; your operator will give you a list. For Zanzibar, a swimsuit, light cover-ups that go below the knee and shoulder, and sandals.