Tanzania

Tanzania is home to some of the most famous landscapes and wildlife on Earth. It has the vast Serengeti plains, where millions of wildebeest and zebra move in a never-ending circuit; the Ngorongoro Crater, a volcanic caldera that shelters one of the densest concentrations of wildlife in Africa; Mount Kilimanjaro, the highest peak on the continent; and the spice-scented beaches and alleyways of Zanzibar. Few countries offer such a range of experiences, from big-game safaris to mountain climbs to turquoise Indian Ocean islands.

It is also a country of warm hospitality, with more than 120 ethnic groups and Swahili as a unifying language, and a tourism industry that is well developed around its national parks. A trip here takes planning, because distances are large and the best experiences, safaris and climbs, are best booked in advance, but the reward is some of the most memorable travel you can do. This guide explains how to plan.

Quick Facts

• Capital: Dodoma (the largest city and commercial hub is Dar es Salaam)
• Languages: Swahili and English
• Currency: Tanzanian shilling (TZS); US dollars are widely used for park fees and tours
• Best seasons: Late June to October (dry season) for wildlife
• Gateways: Kilimanjaro (JRO), Dar es Salaam (DAR), and Zanzibar (ZNZ) airports

The Best Time To Visit

The dry season, from late June to October, is the classic time for safari. Vegetation thins out, animals gather around water sources, and wildlife is easy to spot. The great wildebeest migration moves through the Serengeti in a circular pattern all year; broadly, calving takes place in the southern Serengeti around January to March, the herds move north and west from May to July, and the dramatic Mara River crossings generally occur in the northern Serengeti from about July to October, though the timing varies from year to year.

The long rains fall from roughly March to May, when some camps close and the landscape is lush and green but travel can be difficult. The short rains arrive in November and December and are usually lighter. These "green season" months offer lower prices, fewer crowds, excellent birdwatching, and good photography conditions. For climbing Kilimanjaro, January to March and June to October are the driest and clearest months. Zanzibar is pleasant most of the year, with the hottest and most humid weather from December to March.

Getting There And Getting Around

Most safari travelers fly into Kilimanjaro International Airport near Arusha, which is the gateway to the northern safari circuit, while Dar es Salaam and Zanzibar have their own international airports. Domestic flights on small planes connect Arusha, the Serengeti, Zanzibar, and other regions and save long days on rough roads. Many travelers book safaris with an operator that arranges vehicles, drivers, park permits, and camps, since independent self-drive travel is less common and park rules are strict.

Choose a reputable, licensed safari company, check reviews carefully, and ask about how they treat guides and porters. Overland drives between parks can take many hours on rough roads. Ferries run between Dar es Salaam and Zanzibar, though flights are quicker. Buses link the cities but are slow and often crowded.

The Serengeti

The Serengeti is the country's most famous park, covering a huge expanse of grassland, kopjes (rock outcrops), and acacia woodland. It is home to lions, leopards, cheetahs, elephants, giraffes, hyenas, and over a million wildebeest, along with hundreds of thousands of zebras and gazelles. Game drives at dawn and dusk are the best times to see predators in action. Some travelers choose a hot air balloon ride over the plains at sunrise, followed by a bush breakfast, which is expensive but unforgettable.

The park is large, so decide whether to stay in one area or move between regions to follow the migration. Permanent lodges and mobile tented camps both offer different experiences, and mobile camps move with the herds.

Ngorongoro Crater And Tarangire

The Ngorongoro Crater is the world's largest intact volcanic caldera, with a floor about 260 square kilometres wide and walls rising some 600 metres. Wildlife is dense and easy to see, including black rhinos, one of the few places in the country where they can be seen with reasonable reliability. Descents start early in the morning to beat the crowds and to catch the animals at their most active. Tarangire National Park is famed for its enormous baobab trees and large herds of elephants, especially in the dry season. Lake Manyara is known for tree-climbing lions and flamingos, and it makes an easy add-on.

Climbing Kilimanjaro

At 5,895 metres, Kilimanjaro is the highest mountain in Africa and the highest free-standing mountain in the world. It requires no technical climbing skill but is a serious high-altitude trek, and altitude sickness is the main challenge. Several routes are available, including Machame, Lemosho, Rongai, and Marangu, with longer itineraries of seven to nine days offering better acclimatisation and higher summit success rates. A licensed operator, a guide, and porters are legally required, so choose an operator that pays porters fairly and follows ethical standards. Pack good quality layers, because summit night is bitterly cold.

Zanzibar And The Coast

Zanzibar is a perfect place to relax after a safari or a climb. Stone Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is a tangle of narrow alleyways, carved doors, and markets that reflect centuries of Swahili, Arab, Indian, and European influence. Visit the spice farms, wander the Forodhani night food market, and then move to the beaches of the north and east coast, such as Nungwi, Kendwa, Paje, and Jambiani, for white sand and turquoise water. Dolphin tours, snorkelling, and kitesurfing are popular. Dress modestly in Stone Town and away from the beach resorts, as Zanzibar is predominantly Muslim.

What To Eat

Tanzanian cuisine is simple and hearty. Ugali, a stiff maize porridge, is a staple and is eaten with stews, grilled meat, and vegetables. Nyama choma (grilled meat) is a social favourite, and chipsi mayai (a chips omelette) is a popular street snack. On the coast and Zanzibar, Swahili cuisine adds coconut, spices, and seafood, with dishes such as pilau rice, biryani, and fish curry. Fresh tropical fruit is abundant, and Tanzanian coffee and tea are excellent. Lodges on safari usually offer filling buffet or set menus.

Culture And Etiquette

Greetings are important. Take time to say "jambo" or "habari" (how are you?) and shake hands. Ask permission before photographing people, and be prepared for some to ask for a small payment. Dress modestly in villages and in Zanzibar's Muslim communities, with knees and shoulders covered. On safari, follow your guide's instructions, keep voices low, stay in the vehicle, and never feed or approach animals. Tipping guides, drivers, and camp staff is customary and an important part of their income.

Practical Tips

• Check current visa, vaccination, and malaria precaution requirements well before you travel
• Book safaris and Kilimanjaro climbs months ahead for peak seasons
• Pack neutral-coloured clothes, a good hat, sunscreen, binoculars, and a warm layer for early game drives
• Bring small US dollar notes (recent print years) for tips and some payments
• Use insect repellent and sleep under nets in malaria zones
• Bring a camera with a good zoom lens and spare batteries or power banks
• Allow ten days to two weeks for a safari, plus time on Zanzibar

Tanzania is a country that stays with you. A single morning on the Serengeti plains, or a sunrise at the top of Kilimanjaro, can change how you think about travel.

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