A lone acacia on the savannah at golden hour

East Africa

Tanzania

Endless plains, volcanic craters and an Indian Ocean shore — one journey, several different Africas.

Photo: Hu Chen / Unsplash

In Tanzania the safari begins before sunrise: cool air, a dusty track and a silence broken only by a lion calling somewhere in the distance. On the Serengeti plains the horizon seems endless, and the herds of wildebeest and zebra moving across the grass are a reminder that here nature still keeps its own rhythm.

The northern parks — the Serengeti, the Ngorongoro Crater and Tarangire — are the best known, but the country is far larger. Ruaha and Nyerere in the south offer a quieter, wilder safari with walking and boat trips on the river, while Kilimanjaro calls to those who want to see Africa from its highest summit.

After dusty days on safari, it feels natural to come down to the sea. Zanzibar's Stone Town, its spice farms and white-sand shores with traditional dhows show a completely different side of Tanzania — a beautiful way to end the journey.

Why go

01
The Serengeti and the great migration
Vast herds of wildebeest and zebra circle between the Serengeti and the Maasai Mara all year, following the rains and fresh grass. Where they are in any given week depends on that year's weather, so we plan around the migration flexibly and with local guides' advice — no one can guarantee it, but the Serengeti is remarkable in every season.
02
The Ngorongoro Crater and Tarangire
Ngorongoro is a vast collapsed volcanic caldera where zebra and buffalo graze on the crater floor and rare black rhino are sometimes seen. Nearby Tarangire is known for its ancient baobabs and for the elephants that often gather along the river in the dry season.
03
Kilimanjaro, the roof of Africa
Africa's highest mountain rises almost six kilometres above the plains. The climb takes several days, through rainforest, heath and stony alpine desert, and calls for good fitness, enough days to acclimatise and an unhurried pace. For those who'd rather not summit, shorter walks on the lower slopes are an option.
04
Zanzibar and the Swahili coast
Stone Town's narrow lanes with their carved wooden doors, spice farms fragrant with clove and cinnamon, and sunsets from the deck of a dhow. On Zanzibar the journey slows down — it's worth staying at least a few days.

Ways to travel

Ways to experience it

Ways to travel aren't separate paths — the best journeys often bring several together.

Wildlife & nature
Game drives with experienced guides in the northern parks and, in the south, walking safaris and boat trips that show wildlife from a completely different angle.
Exceptional stays & escapes
Tented camps that move with the migration, lodges on the crater rim and quiet villas on Zanzibar's shore.
Adventure & active travel
Climbing Kilimanjaro, walking in the Ngorongoro Highlands and a hot-air balloon flight over the Serengeti at dawn.
Honeymoons & special journeys
Evenings by the fire under the savannah stars, followed by a few slow days on Zanzibar's beaches.
Family journeys
Safari days shaped around children's rhythms, family-friendly camps and time by the sea to finish.
Tailor-made journeys
Parks, light-aircraft flights and stays combined around the safari you're after — from the classic circuit to somewhere truly remote.

Tanzania

Journey inspiration

Illustrative ideas for how a tailor-made journey could look. Not bookable packages: no prices, dates or inclusions are implied.

0112–16 days
Northern safari and Zanzibar
Tarangire, the Ngorongoro Crater and several nights in the Serengeti, followed by slow days in Zanzibar's Stone Town and by the sea.
Wildlife & nature · Exceptional stays & escapes
Plan something like this
0210–14 days
The wild south
Light-aircraft flights to Ruaha and Nyerere — walking safaris, boat trips on the river and evenings with no other vehicles in sight.
Wildlife & nature · Adventure & active travel
Plan something like this
0314–18 days
Kilimanjaro and the savannah
Several days climbing Kilimanjaro on an unhurried route that allows time to acclimatise, followed by rest and safari in the northern parks.
Adventure & active travel · Wildlife & nature
Plan something like this

Planning your journey

When to go

The dry season, roughly June to October, is often considered the best for wildlife, as animals gather near water. In the southern Serengeti the wildebeest calves are usually born early in the year, while river crossings in the north tend to happen from mid-summer into autumn — but the migration's timing varies every year. The long rains usually fall from March to May, when the parks are quieter and some camps close.

How long to allow

We suggest at least 6–8 nights on safari so you're not rushing between parks; with Zanzibar the trip naturally stretches to two weeks. Allow another week for Kilimanjaro.

Natural combinations

Tanzania pairs naturally with Kenya, as the migration crosses between the two. For those hoping to see gorillas, Uganda makes a wonderful continuation.

Areas to explore

The Serengeti
Endless plains, big cats and the path of the migration.
Ngorongoro and Tarangire
A volcanic crater, highland villages, baobabs and elephants.
The southern parks
Ruaha and Nyerere — remote and wild, with walking and boat safaris.
Kilimanjaro
A multi-day climb or walks on the lower slopes.
Zanzibar
Stone Town, spice farms and the Indian Ocean shore.

General guidance only. Weather, seasons and wildlife are never guaranteed, and travel requirements are always worth checking before you go.

Sample journey