Tanzania
Migration · Crater · Coast
The world's greatest wildebeest migration. A crater full of Big Five. Africa's highest summit. Spice island beaches a short flight south. Tanzania doesn't do anything at small scale.
Big Scale. Untouched Wild.
Tanzania Wildlife Safari
Tanzania is East Africa's largest country and one of its most rigorously protected: 38% of its territory is set aside as national park, game reserve or conservation area, overseen by Tanzania National Parks. The Serengeti sustains the year-round movement of 2.5 million wildebeest, zebra and gazelle tracing ancient rain-following circuits across the plains — a circuit that crosses north into Kenya's Maasai Mara between July and October. Ngorongoro Crater holds more Big Five per square kilometre than anywhere else on the continent. South of the northern circuit, Ruaha and Nyerere open up a different Tanzania entirely: vast, barely visited, and home to lion prides, wild dogs and elephant herds that move through the bush with almost no one watching. A short flight offshore, Zanzibar adds white-sand beaches and warm Indian Ocean water to complete one of Africa's most rounded itineraries. For a full picture of the region, Tanzania pairs naturally with Kenya on an extended East Africa circuit.
The Serengeti sustains 2.5 million wildebeest, zebra and gazelle year-round. Calving season (Jan to Mar) brings over 8,000 births a day to the southern plains
Ngorongoro Crater holds Africa's highest concentration of Big Five within a single enclosed ecosystem, including one of the continent's last black rhino populations
Kilimanjaro rises to 5,895m and remains one of the world's most attainable high-altitude summits, requiring no technical climbing experience — see our Tanzania natural wonders guide for routes nearby
Tarangire holds Africa's highest elephant density outside Botswana, with ancient baobab trees framing herds that can number in the hundreds
Ruaha National Park is one of Africa's great off-circuit destinations, with outstanding lion populations and some of the continent's most consistent wild dog sightings
Nyerere National Park covers a vast southern wilderness where boat safaris and walking trails reveal Tanzania well beyond the tourist circuit
Zanzibar sits a short flight offshore, pairing Indian Ocean beaches with any safari itinerary for a natural finish
The Wild Places Inside Tanzania
Tanzania's Parks & Wild Ecosystems
Serengeti NP
Great Migration · Big Five
The year-round movement of 2.5 million animals plays out across its endless plains. Calving season fills the south from January to March. River crossings take over the north from July to October. Africa's largest lion prides are here throughout.
Ngorongoro Crater
Highest Big Five Density
A 260 km² volcanic caldera sheltering around 25,000 animals within a single enclosed ecosystem, including one of Africa's last remnant black rhino populations. The Maasai have grazed cattle inside the conservation area for generations, making this a rare meeting of wildlife and living culture.
Tarangire NP
Elephants · Baobab Trees
Ancient baobab trees frame elephant herds that can number in the hundreds. Africa's highest elephant density outside Botswana, consistently underestimated and consistently worth it.
Ruaha NP
Lions · Wild Dogs · Walking Safaris
Tanzania's great southern wilderness. Lion populations here represent a significant share of what remains on the continent. Ruaha is also among Africa's most reliable places to find wild dogs, and the walking safaris rank among the finest available anywhere.
Nyerere NP
Boat Safaris · Walking · Wilderness
Formerly the Selous Game Reserve and one of Africa's largest protected areas. Boat safaris along the Rufiji River, guided walks through open woodland, and very few other visitors. Southern Tanzania at its most unhurried.
Zanzibar Archipelago
Beaches · Culture · Spices
The natural conclusion to any Tanzania itinerary. UNESCO-listed Stone Town, coral gardens, and Indian Ocean beaches a short flight from the mainland.
The Creatures You'll Track
Who Lives on Tanzania's Plains
The Big Five
Tanzania's parks offer some of Africa's finest Big Five game viewing. Ngorongoro and the Serengeti consistently deliver, while Ruaha and Nyerere add depth for those willing to venture south.
Black Rhinoceros
Ngorongoro Crater holds one of Africa's last remaining black rhino populations. Slow-moving and rarely seen elsewhere, every encounter here carries real weight.
African Elephants
Tanzania holds one of Africa's largest elephant populations. Tarangire hosts herds of hundreds. Ruaha's elephants move through ancient corridors that conservation efforts are actively working to protect.
Big Cats & Wild Dogs
The Serengeti's open grasslands are among Africa's finest for cheetah encounters. Leopards are found in the riverine forests and fig tree groves. Ruaha and Nyerere rank among the continent's most reliable places to find wild dogs on the hunt.
Read the Season Before You Book
When to Come to Tanzania
Peak season offers optimal wildlife viewing and dry trail conditions. Green season provides lush scenery and fewer crowds.
Jan
Calving
Feb
Calving
Mar
Good
Apr
Off peak
May
Off peak
Jun
Peak
Jul
Migration
Aug
Migration
Sep
Migration
Oct
Peak
Nov
Good
Dec
Good
Peak Season: best wildlife & weather
Good Season: great value, greener landscapes
Off Season: possible but wetter
Tailor-Made for Tanzania
Tailor-Made Tanzania Safaris
Bespoke African Safaris Awaits
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Tanzania Tanzania Cannot Be Rushed.
Tanzania Cannot Be Rushed.
And You Won't Want To.
From Arusha to the Serengeti to a Zanzibar dhow, we join the dots into one seamless journey. Tell us what draws you and we'll build the route around it.