Things to do in Tanzania
Game drives
From the epic expanse of the Serengeti to the self-contained basin of the Ngorongoro Crater, a Tanzanian safari is as close as you can get to playing a starring role in the Lion King. The Big Five can be found here – the crater being the most likely place to tick them all off – but it’s the Great Migration that draws so many to this part of the world.
Andrew Appleyard, from our supplier Exodus, explains why this is one of his favourite things to do in Tanzania: “For me, it is one of the top five wildlife sights in the world, it’s quite unbelievable. You can see the migration from miles away as there’s a huge spiral of vultures in the sky where the river crossings are. You’ve got the huge Nile crocodiles there which only actually eat twice a year – during the river crossings. They have one of the lowest metabolism rates of any animal. They’ll bury the wildebeest or zebra in log jams in the river so they nicely soften up, then just tear the meat off. You can actually smell it from quite a long way off – all the carcasses on the river.”
For wildlife fans who fancy something a little different, the southern parks have populations of African wild dog, a rare creature with strangely pretty “painted fur”. Or head to the shores of Lake Tanganyika to track chimpanzees.
Andrew Appleyard, from our supplier Exodus, explains why this is one of his favourite things to do in Tanzania: “For me, it is one of the top five wildlife sights in the world, it’s quite unbelievable. You can see the migration from miles away as there’s a huge spiral of vultures in the sky where the river crossings are. You’ve got the huge Nile crocodiles there which only actually eat twice a year – during the river crossings. They have one of the lowest metabolism rates of any animal. They’ll bury the wildebeest or zebra in log jams in the river so they nicely soften up, then just tear the meat off. You can actually smell it from quite a long way off – all the carcasses on the river.”
For wildlife fans who fancy something a little different, the southern parks have populations of African wild dog, a rare creature with strangely pretty “painted fur”. Or head to the shores of Lake Tanganyika to track chimpanzees.
Our Tanzania Holidays
Tanzania safari and Zanzibar beach holiday, tailor made
Your tailor-made Tanzania safari & Zanzibar beach holiday
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£3495 to £5950
13 days
ex flights
Exciting family holiday in Tanzania
A family holiday for all ages including the best of Tanzania
From
£2395 to £2785
13 days
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Tanzania Selous safari holiday & Zanzibar
Off-the-beaten track safari experiences & paradise beaches
From
£1950
10 days
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Tailor made safari, gorillas, Masai Mara & Zanzibar
Gorilla trekking in Rwanda, safari in Kenya, plus Zanzibar
From
£4950
11 days
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Big game safari in Tanzania
Big game safari including luxury private camping
From
£3185 to £3605
8 days
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Serengeti Trail, Kenya & Tanzania safari
Overland truck safari
From
£1058 to £1450
8 days
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Selous safari & Mafia Islands diving holiday
Africa's largest game park
From
£3050
13 days
inc UK flights
Kilimanjaro climb, Machame route
Amazing Private Or Group Kilimanjaro Climb: Machame Route
From
£2049 to £2249
9 days
ex flights
Climbing Kilimanjaro, Machame Route 7 days
Climb Kilimanjaro and enjoy the scenery & wildlife of Tanzania
From
US $1995 to US $2995
7 days
ex flights
Tanzania tailor made safari, Selous and Ruaha
Private adventure penetrating deep into the African bush
From
£2595
13 days
ex flights
Tanzania big game safari, northern parks
Ten day intensive safari with a relaxed pace.
From
£4770
10 days
ex flights
Tanzania Safari and beach holiday
Selous Game Reserve, Ruaha National Park & Mafia Island
From
£4400
12 days
ex flights
Kilimanjaro climb Lemosho route
Awesome 10-Day Kilimanjaro Climb via the Lemosho Route
From
£2399
10 days
ex flights
The Masai Heartlands safari
An amazing and great value 2 week truck safari
From
£2050 to £2430
15 days
ex flights
Tanzania classic bush safari, 9 Days
Northern National Parks are a true African experience
From
US $2550 to US $2750
9 days
ex flights
Southern Tanzania luxury safari holiday
Two of the most wild and unspoilt parks of Tanzania
From
£6800
12 days
inc UK flights
Tanzania holiday, safari, culture and wildlife 7 days
Genuine cultural experiences and iconic wildlife parks
From
US $2245 to US $2895
7 days
ex flights
Tanzania volunteering projects
Have fun by helping people help themselves
From
£600
14 days
ex flights
Tanzania national parks safari holiday
Our camping safaris in Tanzania is perfect for nature lovers
From
US $1500 to US $2000
6 days
ex flights
Luxury Tanzania safari with Maasai experience
New authentic Maasai experiences in classic Tanzania safari.
From
£3995 to £6795
11 days
ex flights
Rongai route Kilimanjaro tailor made trek
Trek the low traffic route from the North
From
US $1800 to US $2000
7 days
ex flights
Tanzania safaris, highlights holiday
Tarangire, Lake Manyara, Ngorongoro and Serengeti.
From
US $2990 to US $3500
8 days
ex flights
Nairobi to Dar-Es-Salaam overland tour
From mountain gorillas to blue waters of Zanzibar
From
£1375
33 days
ex flights
Kilimanjaro trek, Rongai Route
See Africa from the peaks of Mt Kilimanjaro.
From
£2230 to £2380
8 days
ex flights
Kilimanjaro Climb, safari & Zanzibar holiday
Roof Top of Africa & Palm fringed Island of Zanzibar
From
US $4550 to US $5850
15 days
ex flights
Nairobi to Harare overland tour, 41 days
From mountain gorillas to blue waters of Zanzibar
From
£1595
41 days
ex flights
Kenya & Tanzania safari holiday
Holiday activities that are geared towards learning
From
US $4650 to US $5550
11 days
ex flights
Private tailor made Kilimanjaro climb and safari
13 day Kilimanjaro Climb and Safari
From
£3499
13 days
ex flights
Cairo to Cape Town overland truck tour, the Nile route
Explore the length of Africa on this epic overland journey
From
£9375 to £9475
142 days
ex flights
Mount Kilimanjaro trekking holiday, Machame route
This route perhaps is the easiest and most comfortable.
From
US $1850 to US $1950
6 days
ex flights
Over native 260 tribes live here, as well as Arabs and Indians who have migrated over the centuries; Tanzania’s culture is even more diverse than its wildlife.
Culture
The Maasai live throughout the north – and a walking safari with a Maasai guide is an eye-opening experience as they reveal not just animal tracks and traces, but medicinal plants and the secrets of the savannah that come with a lifetime of living in the bush. Contrast this with the Swahili culture of the coast, or the Datooga with their distinctive facial tattoos. Just be sure to travel with an ethical operator.
Despite the number of celebrities summiting the mountain, and the thousands of charity climbers, Kilimanjaro has not lost its appeal or its sense of mystery.
Kilimanjaro
Standing guard over the plains of the Serengeti, Kili is visible for miles, an unexpected, snow-capped backdrop to the Big Five. There are six official routes – but we highly recommend the longer trails, which allow more time to acclimatise to the almost 6,000m altitude – meaning you’re more likely to make it to the peak. The porters and guides are fantastic, the hearty food will keep you going – and our hand-picked tours are committed to ensuring your safety as well as the welfare of the local staff.
Our top Tanzania Holiday
Tanzania safari and Zanzibar beach holiday, tailor made
Your tailor-made Tanzania safari & Zanzibar beach holiday
From
£3495 to £5950
13 days
ex flights
Tailor made:
This trip can be tailor made throughout the year to suit your requirements
This trip can be tailor made throughout the year to suit your requirements
Travel Team
If you'd like to chat about Tanzania or need help finding a holiday to suit you we're very happy to help.
Beaches
Trade Winds, Spice Routes and Persian, Omani and Swahili traders have put Tanzania’s coastline and archipelagos on travellers’ maps for centuries. But happily, today the draws are not slaves or spices – but sea and sand.
Zanzibar is the biggest and best-known of all Tanzania’s islands; its Indian Ocean beaches are some of the best places to kick back after a dusty week on safari – or scaling the chilly heights of Kilimanjaro. Break up your beach days with trips to the atmospheric alleyways of Stone Town or the protected Jozani forest, which shelters endemic red colobus monkeys.
Mafia and Pemba Islands are a secluded divers’ paradise, with green turtles, whale sharks and pristine reefs found offshore. Few visitors sail across to these islands, so you’ll have their exquisite beaches virtually to yourself – shares with the odd fisherman and an occasional turtle hatchling. Chumbe is quieter still – a private island with no more than 14 guests at any one time. True castaway bliss.
Zanzibar is the biggest and best-known of all Tanzania’s islands; its Indian Ocean beaches are some of the best places to kick back after a dusty week on safari – or scaling the chilly heights of Kilimanjaro. Break up your beach days with trips to the atmospheric alleyways of Stone Town or the protected Jozani forest, which shelters endemic red colobus monkeys.
Mafia and Pemba Islands are a secluded divers’ paradise, with green turtles, whale sharks and pristine reefs found offshore. Few visitors sail across to these islands, so you’ll have their exquisite beaches virtually to yourself – shares with the odd fisherman and an occasional turtle hatchling. Chumbe is quieter still – a private island with no more than 14 guests at any one time. True castaway bliss.
More about Tanzania
The best time to visit Tanzania is when two million animals make the precarious Mara River crossing in June and July - but outside of those months you can still track the migration elsewhere in the Serengeti.
Tanzania plays host to some of Africa's most iconic sights: the plains of the Serengeti, the Wildebeest Migration, the snow capped peak of Mount Kilimanjaro, and the tall silhouettes of the Maasai.
Our interactive map, top highlights and sample itineraries will help you plan where to go in Tanzania, and choose the best off-the-peg or tailor made holiday for you and your travel companions.
An absolutely standout destination for wildlife, safaris in Tanzania take advantage of this country’s huge parks, abundant fauna and accommodation to suit all tastes and budgets.
For a taste of true African wilderness, well away from the safari crowds, head to southern Tanzania.
Tanzania’s Serengeti National Park fits most people’s idea of a classic African landscape – sweeping plains, herds of wildebeest, elephants plodding in front of silhouetted acacia trees and lions snoozing in the long grass.
Towering over the Serengeti plains, Tanzania’s Mount Kilimanjaro is not only Africa’s tallest peak, but the highest free-standing mountain in the world.
A highlight of most northern Tanzania safari holidays, there’s nowhere quite like the Ngorongoro Crater.
A year-round movement of some 1.5 million or so wildebeest, zebra, eland and gazelle, the Wildebeest Migration in Tanzania is one of the world’s biggest wildlife spectacles.
Combine game drives to see the Wildebeest Migration in the Serengeti, or a walking safari in Selous, with snorkelling over Mafia Island’s pristine coral reefs and you’ve got the ultimate Tanzanian wildlife adventure.
There is a whole Lion King cast of wildlife in Tanzania - with school summer holidays being one of the best times to spot the Big Five and the Wildebeest Migration.
We spoke to our members who have been leading holidays in East Africa for years to hear their top Tanzania travel advice.
Ethical travellers should bear in mind that there are some big issues when it comes to responsible tourism in Tanzania.
All our Tanzania guides. Find all of our Tanzania guides in one place, for particular places in Tanzania such as Kilimanjaro or Selous.
protection
Photo credits: [Page banner: Atosan] [Game drives: Chen Hu]
[Culture: jjmusgrove]
[Kilimanjaro: Byrdyak]
[Beaches: benitolinares]
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