There are places that feel larger than the picture you had of them in your mind, and Tanzania is one. The plains of the Serengeti run to every horizon. The Ngorongoro Crater holds a world within its walls. Kilimanjaro rises above the clouds, and off the coast, Zanzibar waits with spice markets and white sand. It is a country of scale, variety and extraordinary natural drama.
Tanzania suits travellers who want depth. Its northern circuit is superb for first time visitors and for repeat safari goers chasing the Great Migration, while its remote southern and western parks offer a quieter, more adventurous side of Africa that very few people ever see. It is also where the most refined mobile camps and private fly in lodges are found, making it ideal for guests who want exclusivity as well as wildlife.
Experiences and activities
The Serengeti is the great stage. Resident lions, leopards and cheetahs are found here throughout the year, and the Great Migration moves through it in a continuous cycle. In the southern Serengeti and the adjoining Ndutu area, the herds gather between roughly January and March to give birth, drawing predators in large numbers. Later in the year the herds move north, with river crossings in the northern Serengeti commonly seen between about July and October. Travelling with a guide who understands where the herds are moving makes all the difference, and we select camps to place you in the right region for your dates.
The Ngorongoro Crater, a vast collapsed volcano, supports a dense population of wildlife on its floor, including black rhino, and a descent to the crater at dawn is a highlight of any northern circuit. Tarangire is famed for its elephants and ancient baobab trees, particularly in the drier months, and Lake Manyara offers lush forest and birdlife. In the far south, Ruaha and Nyerere National Parks offer walking safaris, boat safaris and a sense of wild space with few other vehicles in sight. Adventurous travellers can also trek to see chimpanzees in the remote Mahale Mountains on the shores of Lake Tanganyika, or climb Kilimanjaro. And after the bush, Zanzibar offers Stone Town's historic lanes, spice farms and some of the most beautiful beaches in the Indian Ocean.
Best time to visit
The dry season from late June to October is considered the prime time for game viewing across much of Tanzania, with river crossings in the north and animals concentrated near water elsewhere. January to March is a wonderful season for calving in the southern Serengeti, with green landscapes and dramatic predator activity. The long rains in April and May bring the quietest period, with lower rates and lush scenery, though some camps close. Zanzibar's beaches are generally at their best in the drier months, with a hot and humid spell in the early year.
Getting there and around
International flights arrive at Kilimanjaro International Airport near Arusha or at Julius Nyerere International Airport in Dar es Salaam, with connections from Australia typically through the Gulf, Nairobi or Johannesburg. Many travellers begin in Arusha, the gateway to the northern circuit.
By road. Driving between parks in northern Tanzania is part of the safari tradition, with game viewing along the way, but distances can be long and some roads are rough. We design road itineraries with care and rest days built in.
By charter and scheduled light aircraft. Light aircraft link the major airstrips of the Serengeti, Ngorongoro area, Tarangire, Ruaha, Nyerere and Zanzibar, turning a full day's drive into a scenic flight of an hour or less. Private charters offer flexibility for families and groups, and flying in is the best way to reach the remote southern and western parks.
Luxury lodges and camps
In the Serengeti, Singita Sasakwa Lodge in the private Grumeti reserve is a grand, elegant hilltop retreat, and Four Seasons Safari Lodge Serengeti brings polished, resort style comfort to the central plains. At the crater's rim, andBeyond Ngorongoro Crater Lodge is famed for its extravagantly decorated suites and sweeping views. In the south, Jabali Ridge in Ruaha blends into a boulder strewn hillside with a calm, contemporary design. For a beach finish, Mnemba Island, off the coast of Zanzibar, is a private island retreat of barefoot luxury.
