Serengeti migrations, Kilimanjaro and spice islands
Tanzania is East Africa's classic safari country, home to the Serengeti, the Ngorongoro Crater and Africa's highest peak, Mount Kilimanjaro. The northern circuit around Arusha is the main draw, with vast herds and big cats. Zanzibar adds white beaches and the historic Stone Town. It suits safari first-timers, trekkers and honeymooners combining bush and beach.
Tap a card or a pin. Add a place to a day of your trip, or look for tours.
Endless plains where the great wildebeest migration moves through the year, followed by lions and cheetahs. It is one of the best wildlife areas on earth.
A huge collapsed volcano whose floor holds dense wildlife, including black rhinos. It is part of the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, which UNESCO lists as in danger.
Africa's highest mountain, a free-standing volcano climbed without technical gear on routes of five to nine days. Summit night is tough and very cold.
A maze of coral-stone houses, carved doors, mosques and markets on Zanzibar's west coast. Its history includes the slave trade and the sultans.
White sand and turquoise water along the north and east coasts, from Nungwi to Paje. The east is tidal, with kitesurfing.
A park of baobab trees and big elephant herds that gather by the river in the dry season. It is quieter than the Serengeti.
A forest and lake park below the Rift Valley wall with flamingos and lions that sometimes climb trees. It is often visited on the way to Ngorongoro.
A huge wilderness of rivers and lakes with boat safaris and walking safaris. It covers much of the former Selous Game Reserve.
A remote, rugged park with large lion prides, elephants and few visitors. It suits repeat safari-goers.
A quiet island with a marine park, coral reefs and whale shark season from about October to February. It is much calmer than Zanzibar.
A gorge famous for early human fossils, with a museum at the site. It lies on the road between Ngorongoro and the Serengeti.
A soda lake in the Rift Valley where flamingos breed, below the active volcano Ol Doinyo Lengai. It is hot and remote.
Ruins of a medieval Swahili trading city with a great mosque and palace on an island. UNESCO lists it as in danger.
A hike to a tall waterfall on Kilimanjaro's slopes, combined with a Chagga coffee farm visit. It is a good rest day.
A small forest park on Lake Tanganyika where Jane Goodall studied chimpanzees. Visits are by boat.
Everything above is open to read. A Hodolog account lets you build the trip around it: pick cities, add places to days, see the weather for your dates.
Each city with a guide opens its own page: map, where to stay, what to eat.
Safari hub for the north.
gateway, safari · Open the city guideKilimanjaro base.
hiking · Guide comingNgorongoro highlands base.
safari · Guide comingStone Town and island gateway.
history · Open the city guideBeach village on Zanzibar.
beach · Guide comingLargest city and southern gateway.
gateway · Guide comingQuiet base for the Swahili ruins on Kilwa Kisiwani.
history, coast · Guide comingBase for Ruaha and the southern highlands.
safari, countryside · Guide comingThe classic safari region of plains and craters.
Serengeti, Ngorongoro, Tarangire
Mountain and farmland around Moshi.
Mount Kilimanjaro, Materuni
Spice islands with beaches and history.
Stone Town, Nungwi, Paje
Remote wilderness safaris.
Nyerere, Ruaha
Chimpanzees and Lake Tanganyika.
Gombe, Lake Tanganyika, Mahale Mountains
Home of the big-name parks and the main tourist infrastructure around Arusha.
Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater, Tarangire
Choose how long you have, then add the whole route to a trip as places and nights.
Best: June to October. The long dry season brings easy game viewing and the Serengeti migration in the north.
Calving season in the southern Serengeti runs from about January to March; Zanzibar is wettest in April and May.
January. Busy season. Higher prices, bigger crowds.
86°F daily high, 74°F average, 3.5 in
Average of past years from NASA POWER, worked out at each city's position. A place far from these cities can be quite different.
The US State Department rates Tanzania Level 3, Reconsider Travel, citing unrest, crime, terrorism (especially in the Mtwara Region) and targeting of gay and lesbian people.
Roads between parks are long and rough, so most visitors use safari vehicles and small planes.
Park fees and lodges make safaris costly, though Zanzibar has options at all prices.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Members see the rules for their own passport here.
Passport and visa rules change often and without notice. Always check the official pages before you book and again before you travel.
| Entry | Check visa rules on the Tanzania Electronic Visa Application System (visa.immigration.go.tz) and your own government's travel advice before you go. |
| Plugs | Type D, G; 230 V 50 Hz |
| Tap water | not safe |
| Tipping | Tipping safari guides, cooks and porters is expected; ask your operator for guidelines. |
| Payments | Cash in US dollars and shillings is common; cards often carry a surcharge. |
| Emergency | 111 or 112 |
| Etiquette | Greet people before asking questions, and ask before photographing Maasai and others. Public affection is frowned upon, and same-sex relationships are illegal. On Zanzibar, respect Islamic customs, especially during Ramadan. |
| What to wear | On Zanzibar and in towns, cover shoulders and knees away from the beach. |
| Driving | On the left |
| Between cities | Safaris use 4x4 vehicles with driver guides, and small planes link parks, Arusha and Zanzibar. Ferries connect Dar es Salaam and Zanzibar. Self-driving is possible but hard. |
| Main airports | JRO, DAR, ZNZ, ARK |
| Ride apps | Uber, Bolt |
The coast was part of a Swahili trading world for centuries, linking Africa with Arabia, Persia and India. Zanzibar became a centre of the Omani sultanate and of the spice and slave trades. German and then British colonial rule followed on the mainland. Tanganyika became independent in 1961 and united with Zanzibar in 1964 to form Tanzania.
Researched 2026-10-13. Check official sources and recent changes before you go.