A country of six extraordinary places.
From the endless Serengeti plains to the coral atolls of Zanzibar, Tanzania holds more variety in a single country than most continents.
Where you'll go in Tanzania
Five Northern Circuit parks, Hadzabe culture at Lake Eyasi, and the spice islands
Tanzania holds 38% of its land under conservation - more than any other country in Africa. Each destination below is hand-picked by our planners as part of our 40+ itineraries. Open any park for the full guide: wildlife, when to go, where to stay, and how to combine it with the rest of your trip.
Explore the map
Tanzania, end to end
Tap any pin to open the full destination guide - wildlife, when to go, and how to fit it into your trip.
Tanzania at a glance
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Region
Northern Circuit
The classic Tanzania safari loop - four world-class parks within a few hours of each other, all reachable from Arusha.
Region
Indian Ocean
Spice islands, UNESCO-listed Stone Town and coral reefs - the ideal bush-and-beach finale to a safari.
At a glance
Compare all six destinations
| Destination | Region | Best time | Signature wildlife | Ideal stay |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Serengeti | Northern Tanzania | Year-round; migration river crossings July–October | Lion, Cheetah, Leopard | 3–5 nights |
| Ngorongoro | Crater Highlands | Year-round (cool, often misty) | Black rhino, Lion, Hyena | 1–2 nights |
| Tarangire | Northern Circuit | June–October (dry season) | Elephant (huge herds), Lion, Leopard | 1–2 nights |
| Lake Manyara | Rift Valley | June–October & January–March | Tree-climbing lion, Elephant, Hippo | 1–2 nights |
| Arusha NP | Mount Meru | Year-round | Giraffe, Buffalo, Colobus monkey | 1–2 nights |
| Zanzibar | Indian Ocean | June–October & December–February | Red colobus monkey (Jozani), Dolphin, Whale shark (season) | 4–7 nights |
Plan your route
Popular destination combinations
Most travellers combine 2–4 destinations. Here are our planners' most-recommended routes - every one can be tailored to your dates, pace and budget.
Seasonality
When each destination is at its best
Serengeti
Year-round; migration river crossings July–October
Ngorongoro
Year-round (cool, often misty)
Tarangire
June–October (dry season)
Lake Manyara
June–October & January–March
Arusha NP
Year-round
Zanzibar
June–October & December–February
FAQ
Common questions about Tanzania's destinations
Which Tanzania destinations should I combine?+
Most first-time visitors do the Northern Circuit (Tarangire, Ngorongoro and Serengeti) over 6–8 days, then add 4–5 nights of beach in Zanzibar. Adding Lake Manyara or Arusha NP works as a half-day soft-landing en route.
When is the best time to visit Tanzania overall?+
June to October is the dry season - easiest game-viewing and the Mara River crossings. January to March offers the wildebeest calving in the southern Serengeti and excellent weather. April–May is the long rains and many camps close.
Do I need internal flights between destinations?+
Optional. Drive transfers are scenic and cheaper; light-aircraft flights save a full day each way to Serengeti or Zanzibar. We mix-and-match based on your time and budget.
How long should a Tanzania trip be?+
A minimum of 7 days does justice to the Northern Circuit. 10 days lets you add Zanzibar or the Hadzabe and Datoga communities at Lake Eyasi; 14+ days allows a fly-in to a remote camp too.
Not sure where to start?
Tell us your dates, group size and what you'd love to see. A senior planner will reply personally within 24 hours with a tailored route through Tanzania.