Tanzania Safari Destinations: National Parks, Arusha & Zanzibar
Tanzania offers some of Africa’s most dramatic wildlife and one of its most beautiful coastlines, and the easiest way to plan is to think in three parts. The National Parks of the northern circuit, including the Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater and Tarangire, hold the Great Migration and legendary game viewing. Arusha, at the foot of Mount Meru, is the gateway to the circuit and a relaxed place to begin or end a journey. And Zanzibar, off the coast, offers Stone Town’s history and white-sand beaches for time to unwind after the bush. Many travellers combine all three, and we design each journey privately around your dates and pace.
When to Go to Tanzania
Tanzania can be visited all year, and the best time depends on where you’re going.
June to October is the dry season and the most reliable time for game viewing across the northern parks. Animals gather around rivers, and Tarangire’s elephants concentrate along the Tarangire River. River crossings in the northern Serengeti are usually seen from around July to October, though timing shifts each year with the rains.
January to February is calving season on the southern Serengeti plains, with newborn wildlife and the predators that follow it. It’s also a good time for Zanzibar’s beaches.
March to May brings the long rains. The landscape is green and camps are quiet, but some roads are slower and some properties close. Zanzibar is at its wettest, and some resorts reduce services.
November and December bring shorter rains and a fresh landscape.
By destination
- Serengeti: July to October for river crossings in the north, January to March for calving in the south.
- Ngorongoro Crater: year-round, with the dry months easiest for access.
- Tarangire: June to October, when elephants gather along the river.
- Arusha: year-round, with clear views of Mount Meru in the dry season.
- Zanzibar: December to February and June to October.
Tanzania Safari FAQs
When is the best time to visit Tanzania?
The dry season, June to October, offers the easiest wildlife viewing across the northern parks. January to February is excellent for calving in the southern Serengeti and for Zanzibar’s beaches. The green season, March to May, is quieter and more affordable.
When is the Great Migration in the Serengeti?
The herds move through the Serengeti all year. River crossings in the northern Serengeti are usually seen from around July to October, and calving on the southern plains from around January to March. Timing varies with the rains, so we choose camps and dates with some flexibility.
How many days do you need for a Tanzania safari?
Most travellers spend five to seven nights on safari, often across two or three parks such as the Serengeti, Ngorongoro and Tarangire. Add three to five nights if you’re finishing on Zanzibar.
Can I combine a safari with Zanzibar?
Yes. A northern-circuit safari followed by a beach stay on Zanzibar is one of Tanzania’s most popular journeys, and we arrange the flights and transfers.
How do you travel between Arusha and the parks?
By road or by light aircraft, depending on the itinerary, with flights usually saving time between parks. We plan the combination that suits your dates and budget.
Should I choose Tanzania or Kenya for a safari?
Both are excellent. Tanzania’s northern parks are vast, with long drives and strong migration viewing. Kenya’s Masai Mara and private conservancies offer a compact, flexible safari. Many travellers combine the two, and we can help you decide.
Do I need a visa or vaccinations to visit Tanzania?
Entry and health requirements depend on your nationality and can change, so please check official government and health sources before you travel, and speak to your doctor about vaccinations and malaria prevention.