Migration map showing seasonal wildebeest movements
Following the Great Migration
Where the herds are, month by month — and how to be there for the river crossings.
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Map, compass and safari planning items laid out on a table — 2400×1400
Plan Like a Local
Tanzania Travel Guide
Honest, practical advice from the people who live here — when to go, how to get there, what to pack and how to make the most of your Tanzania adventure. Everything you need to plan a smooth, unforgettable trip.
IWhen to Go
The Best Time to Visit Tanzania
Tanzania is a year-round destination, and there is no single “best” time — only the best time for you, depending on what you want to see.
June to October — the long dry season
The classic safari window. Wildlife concentrates around shrinking water sources, vegetation thins for easier viewing, and the dramatic Great Migration river crossings usually take place in the northern Serengeti between July and September. Skies are clear and days are warm. This is peak season, so book well ahead.
November to March — the green season
Lush landscapes, beautiful light and fewer crowds. December to March is calving season on the southern Serengeti, when hundreds of thousands of wildebeest give birth — and predators gather. Migratory birds arrive, rates are better, and the parks feel wonderfully uncrowded. Short rains fall mainly in November, usually as brief afternoon showers.
April and May — the long rains
The greenest, quietest and best-value time, with dramatic skies. Some remote camps close and a few tracks become muddy, but for photographers and budget-conscious travellers it can be magical. Zanzibar is best avoided at the height of the long rains.
IIHealth & Safety
Staying Healthy and Safe
Tanzania is one of the most stable and welcoming countries in Africa, and a safari is a very safe way to travel — you are always with an experienced, licensed guide. A few sensible preparations will keep you healthy and worry-free:
- Vaccinations — consult a travel clinic six to eight weeks before departure. A yellow-fever certificate is required if you are arriving from a country with risk of transmission.
- Malaria — antimalarial medication is strongly recommended for most areas; your doctor will advise. Cover up at dusk and use repellent.
- Water & food — drink bottled or filtered water, which we provide throughout. Camps and lodges maintain high standards of hygiene.
- Travel insurance — comprehensive insurance covering medical evacuation is essential, and required for Kilimanjaro climbs.
On the ground, common sense applies as anywhere: keep valuables secure and follow your guide’s advice. We choose reputable camps, handle all logistics, and are reachable around the clock throughout your trip.
It is also worth pacing yourself in the first day or two, especially if you have flown a long way or are heading straight up Kilimanjaro — a little rest and plenty of water go a long way. The sun near the equator and at altitude is strong, so sunscreen, a hat and sunglasses are your friends. Beyond that, relax: Tanzania is an easy and rewarding place to travel, and with a good local team looking after you, the only thing left to do is enjoy it.
IIIPacking
What to Pack for Safari
Safari packing is all about neutral colours, lightweight layers and travelling light — internal flights often have a soft-bag limit of around 15kg. Our essentials:
- Clothing — neutral tones (khaki, olive, beige), light long-sleeved shirts and trousers for sun and insects, a warm fleece for chilly dawn drives, and a light waterproof.
- Footwear — comfortable closed shoes or light boots, plus sandals for camp.
- Sun protection — wide-brimmed hat, sunglasses and high-factor sunscreen.
- Kit — binoculars (one of the best things you can bring), a good camera with a zoom lens and spare batteries, a headtorch, and a reusable water bottle.
- Documents & extras — passport, visa, insurance details, any medication, and a small amount of US dollars for tips and incidentals.
Avoid bright colours and camouflage patterns (the latter is discouraged in Tanzania). We’ll send a full, tailored packing list with your booking, whether you’re heading on safari, up Kilimanjaro or to the beach.
Practicalities
Money, Connectivity & Etiquette
The Tanzanian shilling is the local currency, but US dollars are widely accepted for tourism — bring newer notes (post-2013) in good condition. Card payment is common at lodges and larger establishments, though cash is useful for tips, markets and small purchases. Tipping guides, drivers and camp staff is customary and warmly appreciated.
Mobile coverage is surprisingly good across much of the country, and most camps and lodges offer Wi-Fi, though it can be slow in remote areas — a chance to properly switch off. English is widely spoken alongside Swahili, and a few Swahili words (jambo for hello, asante for thank you) go a long way.
Above all, Tanzanians are famously warm and courteous. A friendly greeting, patience and respect — especially when photographing people, always ask first — will be met with genuine kindness.
Tanzanian shillings and a local market scene — 1000×750
Traveller arriving at Kilimanjaro International Airport — 1000×750
Getting There
Flights, Visas & Arrival
Most international visitors fly into Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO), the most convenient gateway for the northern safari circuit and Kilimanjaro, or into Julius Nyerere International in Dar es Salaam for the south and coast. Zanzibar has its own international airport for beach add-ons.
Citizens of most countries require a visa, which can be obtained on arrival or, increasingly, online in advance through the official Tanzanian e-visa system — we recommend applying ahead to save time. Your passport should be valid for at least six months beyond your travel dates with blank pages for stamps.
We arrange all airport transfers and internal flights, and meet you on arrival, so from the moment you land your journey is in safe hands.
Small safari aircraft on a bush airstrip — 1000×750
Getting Around
Internal Flights & Road Transfers
Tanzania is a big country, and getting between its parks is part of the adventure. Many northern-circuit safaris are done entirely by road in a comfortable 4x4 with a pop-up roof for game viewing — the drives themselves become mini game drives, with wildlife and scenery along the way. Distances are manageable, and your guide-driver stays with you throughout for continuity and local insight.
For longer distances — reaching the remote southern and western parks, or connecting the mainland with Zanzibar — light aircraft make everything quick and easy, turning what would be long drives into short, scenic hops with breathtaking views. We arrange all internal flights and transfers, coordinate the timings seamlessly, and meet you at every step, so moving through the country is effortless.
Where to Stay
Camps, Lodges & Everything Between
Where you sleep is a big part of the safari experience, and Tanzania offers something for every taste and budget. At the classic end sit tented camps — canvas suites with proper beds and en-suite bathrooms, often unfenced and wonderfully close to nature, where you fall asleep to the sounds of the bush. Lodges range from comfortable and family-friendly to genuinely luxurious, with pools, fine dining and sweeping views.
For the adventurous, mobile camps move with the migration to keep you in the heart of the action, while budget camping safaris offer an authentic, great-value way to experience the wild. We know these places personally — their quirks, their strengths and their locations — and we match them carefully to your style, your budget and the season, so every night is as memorable as every day.
Luxury tented camp interior overlooking the plains — 1000×750
VGood to Know
Travel FAQ
Most nationalities do. You can obtain a visa on arrival or apply in advance through the official Tanzanian e-visa portal, which we recommend to save time. Ensure your passport is valid for at least six months beyond your trip with blank pages.
Yes. Tanzania is politically stable and very welcoming to visitors, and safaris are a safe, well-established way to travel. You’re always with a licensed guide, we handle all logistics, and we’re reachable around the clock throughout your trip.
Tipping is customary and appreciated. As a rough guide, many travellers budget around US$15–25 per day for a safari guide and a little for camp staff, and more for a Kilimanjaro team. We’ll give you clear, current guidance before you travel.
Bring US dollars (newer notes in good condition) for tips and incidentals; cards are accepted at most lodges. You can also use Tanzanian shillings for local purchases. We’ll advise exactly what you’ll need based on your itinerary.
Begin the Journey
Still Have Questions?
Got a question about planning your Tanzania trip? Our Arusha team would love to help — just ask, and we'll get back to you within a day.
IVRead More
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Preparing for Kilimanjaro
How to train, what to expect, and how to give yourself the best chance at the summit.
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Zanzibar beach with a dhow at sunset
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Why the spice island is the perfect way to end a Tanzania safari, and when to go.
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