Tanzania Travel Guide
Tanzania is one of those places that recalibrates you. The endless plains of the Serengeti with tens of thousands of animals in motion, the Hadzabe people who still hunt exactly as they did a thousand years ago, the turquoise waters of Zanzibar, and Kilimanjaro rising like a dream on the horizon. This was one of the most intense travel experiences of my life.
Best Time to Visit
Dry Season (June – October)
Best time for safari. Animals congregate around water sources, making sightings easier. The Great Migration crossing also happens during this window.
Short Rains (November – December)
Green landscapes, far fewer tourists, lower prices. Dramatic skies and great for photography.
Avoid
Heavy rains March–May — some roads become impassable and animals are hidden in thick vegetation.
Key Destinations
Serengeti3–5 days
Tanzania's crown jewel. The Great Wildebeest Migration (year-round, peaks July–October), lions, elephants, cheetahs. Go out on early morning game drives — that's when the action happens.
Ngorongoro Crater1–2 days
A collapsed volcanic caldera that forms a self-contained ecosystem. Highest density of large predators in Africa. One of the few places you can see the endangered black rhino.
The HadzabeHalf to full day (from Lake Eyasi area)
One of the last true hunter-gatherer tribes on earth. You sit with the Hadzabe, light fires, hunt with bows. A deeply human experience that shifts the way you see life. Please go with a responsible local guide only.
Zanzibar3–5 days
The spice island in the Indian Ocean. Stone Town's narrow streets and carved doors, the white sands of Nungwi and Paje, and the sunset food market at Forodhani with fresh seafood grilled on open flames.
Mount Kilimanjaro6–8 days (climb)
Africa's highest peak at 5,895m. Even if you're not climbing, seeing it from a distance — especially from Amboseli in Kenya — is one of the most memorable sights in all of Africa.
Getting Around
Domestic Flights
Small prop planes connect Dar es Salaam, Arusha, Serengeti, and Zanzibar. Faster than road and reasonably priced for the distances covered.
Safari Vehicle & Guide
You cannot (and should not) do a safari without a local guide. Good guides read animal behaviour and respect the ecosystem — they make the whole experience.
Dala-dala & Taxis
Shared minibuses (dala-dala) are cheap in cities. In Zanzibar, motorbike taxis (bodaboda) or shared taxis get you around easily.
Budget Guide
Budget
$80–120 / day- Budget tented camps on safari
- Local food and meals
- Road transfers instead of flights
Mid-range
$200–350 / day- Mid-tier lodges
- Group safari with guide
- Domestic flights included
Luxury
$500–1,500 / day- Camps like Four Seasons or Singita
- Private safari vehicle
- Hot air balloon over Serengeti
Practical Tips
Visa
Visa on Arrival available for many nationalities. Bring $50 USD in clean, post-2006 bills. Check your country's requirements before travel.
Vaccines
Yellow fever certificate required. Malaria prophylaxis strongly recommended. See a travel clinic at least 4 weeks before departure.
Money
Tanzanian shilling is the currency. USD is widely accepted. ATMs are plentiful in Arusha and Dar es Salaam — stock up before heading to parks.
Clothing
No white or bright colours on safari — animals notice. In Zanzibar (predominantly Muslim), cover shoulders and knees when not at the beach.
SIM Card
Get a Vodacom or Airtel SIM at the airport. Good internet in cities. No signal in national parks — bring downloaded offline maps.
Hadzabe — Respect
Always go with a responsible local operator. Do not give cash directly — ask that fees go back to the community. Never photograph without clear permission.
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