When is the best time to visit Tanzania?

A Tanzania safari can be booked throughout the year, but the best time depends on your interests. If seeing the wildebeest migration is the main focus of your visit, you will have to plan carefully. June to September is the best period to see the migration in the Serengeti, but you’ll have to stay in different areas of the park at different stages of the migration, and as this all depends on the rain, this isn’t completely dependable. If you want to get away from the crowds, you should book your accommodation in the Serengeti away from the wildebeest migration. The wettest months are March and April, and any safari might be compromised at this time.”

Why visit Tanzania, what are the major attractions?

Tanzania is the quintessential safari destination, offering both quality and quantity. The wildlife viewing is superb and there is just so much choice in terms of places to visit and things to do. In fact, it would be hard to experience all of the highlights even in three Tanzania holidays, let alone one. There are three distinct safari circuits: the most popular northern safari circuit includes famous places like the Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater; the lesser-known southern circuit centers on Selous Game Reserve and Ruaha National Park; and the off-the-beaten-track western circuit includes Katavi National Park and the chimpanzee reserves on the shore of Lake Tanganyika. Avid mountain climbers might be surprised to learn the highest peak in Africa is in Tanzania. Mount Kilimanjaro lies between Kenya and Tanzania, but is climbed from the Tanzanian side.

What does a Tanzania safari cost?

Tanzania tours are not designed for large groups. The optimal way to experience the national parks is through a personalized safari for two or four individuals, such as a family or a group of friends. Naturally, this level of exclusivity comes at a cost. While it's challenging to pinpoint an exact figure for your trip, as numerous factors come into play, you should consider a starting rate of around US$500 per person per day.

Variables like the choice between camping and lodge safaris significantly affect the cost. Camping safaris are generally more budget-friendly than lodge safaris. On the other hand, parks like the Serengeti in the northern circuit offer larger, more economical hotels compared to the smaller, more exclusive lodges and tented camps, even though the latter might offer a more basic experience.

Seasonal timing also plays a substantial role in pricing. Traveling during the rainy season may fetch you discounted rates, whereas visiting during the peak of the wildebeest migration typically commands a premium.

How safe is Tanzania for tourists?

Tanzania has a slick and experienced tourist industry, and a Tanzanian safari overall is very safe. That said, there is a lot of petty crime in big cities such as Dar es Salaam and Mombasa, so walking around alone isn’t recommended. Tourists sometimes get targeted in Arusha and other urban tourist hot spots, but most of the time the hassle is benign and is really just touts wanting to sell things (anything from safaris to beaded necklaces). Being firm and standing your ground is usually all it takes to diffuse any situation. In any case, most people on Tanzanian tours don’t spend very much (or any) time in urban centers, so none of this is likely even to be a concern.

How is the wildlife viewing in Tanzania?

The wildlife viewing in Tanzania is superb. A Tanzania safari in the northern circuit takes in Lake Manyara, Tarangire, the Serengeti and the Ngorongoro Crater. Any of these parks offer fantastic game viewing, although some of it is seasonal. Doing the whole circuit enhances the experience as you’ll be going through a variety of habitats and environments. Due to the sizes of the parks, it is possible to get away from the crowds, but as this is the most popular circuit, you will be surrounded by other tourists at times. If you really want to get away from all that, you can visit the southern circuit, where the game viewing is slightly more challenging but very good all the same. This circuit is perhaps more suited to repeat Africa visitors who are less driven to tick off the Big Five.