Tanzania & Zanzibar

The Serengeti and the craters and lakes of the Great Rift Valley, the cycle of the wildebeest migration & Zanzibar beach holidays.

Overview

Tanzania is a breath-taking safari destination. Both for those new to safaris and for experienced safari enthusiasts alike. Over 25% of the country is either a game reserve, national park or game management area. A Tanzania safari offers abundant wildlife in world famous locations such as the Ngorongoro Crater, the Tarangire and the Serengeti. And some less-visited areas like Western Tanzania, Ruaha National Park and Selous Game Reserve are equally stunning.

Cedarberg Africa offers tailor-made Tanzania safari options including safaris to see the Great Wildebeest Migration. Then you can end your Tanzania safari by soaking up the sun on a pristine beach. Beach destinations include Zanzibar, Pemba and Mafia Island. Why not spend a night absorbing the spice-scented atmosphere of the winding streets of Stone Town?

Travel tips for Tanzania Safaris & Zanzibar

We usually recommend fly-in safaris if you are short of time, especially in the southern game reserves.  There are several reliable light aircraft flights linking the game reserves and parks.

However another option is to take a private vehicle and guide for a road safari. This is great if you have some more time to spend and you can explore more remote areas such as Lake Natron. But you can add in a judicious use of safari flights to cut out the longer road journeys.

If you are on a budget, or a solo traveller, you you can join a set departure Tanzania safari group. Here you join other English-speaking guests and travel in a shared 4×4 safari vehicle. However be aware that these road safaris do involve some long journeys.

Features

Why you may love it

  • Hot-air Balloon Safaris in the Serengeti, Tarangire and the Selous in the south.
  • The constant movement of the Great Wildebeest Migration.
  • Village visits and the opportunity to talk with Masai walking guides.
  • Game drives and, outside of National Parks, bush walks.
  • Sleeping under the stars at certain more upmarket camps.
  • An under-rated mainland coast and world famous offshore islands of Zanzibar, Pemba and Mafia.

Where to go in Tanzania & Zanzibar

These are some of the best rated places to visit in Tanzania & Zanzibar based on popularity and experience rating by our travelers

Card image cap

Serengeti National Park

Gaze for miles over the African plains, green or gold according to the season but always full of life.

View More
Card image cap

Ngorongoro Crater

One of the most spectacular sights in Africa.

View More
Card image cap

Tarangire National Park

Head to the riverbanks in the early summer, when the Tarangire river is the only water source for wildebeest, elephant, zebra and more...

View More
Card image cap

Zanzibar Islands

Give in to the siren call of the islands, to the warm waters and beaches of Zanzibar and its coral reefs.

View More
Card image cap

Mount Kilimanjaro & Arusha

Admire Africa's iconic peak from afar or prepare for the trip of a lifetime.

View More
Card image cap

Ruaha National Park

Enjoy Tanzania's varied wildlife & scenery in one of the largest & wildest national parks in Africa.

View More
Card image cap

Nyerere National Park

Selous offers not only the wild landscapes of the road less-travelled - but boats to see the hippo & crocodile and paths to track elephant on foot.

View More
Card image cap

Lake Manyara

Sometimes pink-tinged with the wings of migratory flamingos, Lake Manyara is home to pelicans and many other aquatic bird species.

View More
Card image cap

Mahale & Katavi

The most inaccessible spots reward the adventurer; vast herds of buffalo & the chance to track wild chimpanzees.

View More
Card image cap

Lake Natron

Lake Natron is one of the great soda lakes of the Great Rift Valley. Here you can see thousands of pink-tinged lesser flamingos, a wondrous sight for all, but especially keen photographers.

View More
Card image cap

Mafia Island

Quieter and less visited than neighbouring Zanzibar, but also a "spice island" on the historic trade routes, Mafia Island is the largest of a small archipelago of unspoilt islands and atolls in...

View More
Card image cap

Tanzania Coast

Stay on the mainland coast for Swahili culture and long walks or horse rides on peaceful Indian Ocean beaches.

View More

When to visit Tanzania & Zanzibar

 

December to mid-March

Summer in Tanzania & Zanzibar

Due to its position just south of the Equator, Tanzania’s climate is tropical with little overall seasonal variation in temperature. In fact rainfall is the greater differential. Tanzania’s climate varies from the coast to the interior. Coastal Tanzania and the islands of Zanzibar, Mafaia and Pemba are hot and humid. Whereas inland the higher altitude mitigates the temperatures with pleasantly warm temperatures rather than scorching heat. The summer is fairly dry and is the hottest season, though there is little year-round difference.
TALK TO US
AVG RAINFALL 108mm
AVG DAYLIGHT 7 Hours
MAX TEMP 25 ℃ / 77 ℉
MIN TEMP 17 ℃ / 63 ℉
 

Mid-March to May

Long rains in Tanzania & Zanzibar

The prevailing winds change and blow cooler wetter weather in from the Indian Ocean. This brings the start of the “long rains” mid-March and this is the wettest time throughout Tanzania. Many camps close during this time as the game park roads can become difficult to navigate, especially in the black cotton-soil of the Serengeti.
TALK TO US
AVG RAINFALL 108mm
AVG DAYLIGHT 7 Hours
MAX TEMP 25 ℃ / 77 ℉
MIN TEMP 17 ℃ / 63 ℉
 

June to August

Dry season in Tanzania & Zanzibar

This is the start of the long dry season which is also considered the best time to visit, especially for game-viewing. The wildebeest migration moved northwards into the northern Serengeti before crossing over into Kenya’s Masai Mara somewhere between mid-July and August. However, many animals are territorial and so remain in Tanzania.
TALK TO US
AVG RAINFALL 108mm
AVG DAYLIGHT 7 Hours
MAX TEMP 25 ℃ / 77 ℉
MIN TEMP 17 ℃ / 63 ℉
 

September to Mid-October

Dry season in Tanzania & Zanzibar

The dry season continues even though most of the migration of wildebeest and Zebra tends to be on the Kenyan side.
TALK TO US
AVG RAINFALL 108mm
AVG DAYLIGHT 7 Hours
MAX TEMP 25 ℃ / 77 ℉
MIN TEMP 17 ℃ / 63 ℉
 

Mid-October to mid-December

Short rains in Tanzania & Zanzibar

Again, a change in prevailing winds heralds the second rainy period, the short rains, from mid-October to early December. The rain mainly takes the form of downpours or thunderstorms in the afternoon or evening.
TALK TO US
AVG RAINFALL 108mm
AVG DAYLIGHT 7 Hours
MAX TEMP 25 ℃ / 77 ℉
MIN TEMP 17 ℃ / 63 ℉

Popular tours & safaris

We arrange trips to more than 100+ destinations throughout the African continent.

Card image cap

Migration Paths and Crater

Migration Paths and Crater is a 8+ night safari combining road and flights.

WHEN Jun - Mar
DURATION 8 Nights
FROM ₤ 4,679
Card image cap

Elewana Sky Safari Tanzania

A fly in nine night safari. After a night of luxury to relax on arrival, 2 or 3 days at each of the exclusive Elewana lodges in three of Tanzania's most famous national parks; Tarangire,...

WHEN Jun - Mar
DURATION 9 Nights
FROM ₤ 9,157
Card image cap

Tanzania Discovery Safari

This is the classic northern Tanzania safari visiting the four main game reserves, You visit the iconic Ngorongoro Crater, and Olduvai Gorge, Lake Manyara ,Tarangire National Park and game-filled...

WHEN Jun - Mar
DURATION 7 Nights
FROM ₤ 2,692
Card image cap

Timeless Tanzania

This 8 night tailor-made safari takes you from game-rich Tarangire ,Lake Manyara, the Ngorongoro highlands and the Serengeti to experience its wide spaces and teeming herds of wildlife. 

WHEN Jun - Mar
DURATION 9 Nights
FROM ₤ 4,460
Card image cap

Northern Highlights & Zanzibar

This 9 night fly in safari and beach holiday will show you some of the best safari that Tanzania can offer.

WHEN Jun - Mar
DURATION 9 Nights
FROM ₤ 5,424
Card image cap

Southern Tanzania Adventure & Coast

The Southern Tanzania Adventure & Coast 12 night safari represents great value, consider the remoteness of the destination, with intimate camps offering an authentic atmosphere.

WHEN Jun - Oct
DURATION 12 Nights
FROM ₤ 6,328

Start planning your dream trip

Find me the best in for

Need a little help? View our Safari Guide to help you get started

Download our Guide to Tanzania Safaris

Major Game Reserves, Sample Tours & Camps, plus the low-down on Best Time to Visit! Get our Free guide here
 

Kate Bergh

Co-founder & Director

Hi I'm Kate, I'm here to help you plan your ideal holiday experience
LET'S PLAN YOUR ULTIMATE SAFARI

Experiences in Tanzania & Zanzibar

Card image cap

Diving off Zanzibar & Mafia Island

Deep channels, vertiginous drop-offs and colourful coral make Zanzibar and Mafia Island the perfect spot for divers with a multitude of islands to choose from,,,

Card image cap

Hot air balloon safari over the Serengeti

The adventure of a hot air balloon safari over one of Africa’s most famous and majestic national parks is not easily captured in words. The quiet of floating over plains...

Card image cap

Walking and Hiking from Lake Natron

Kilimanjaro is not the only option for hiking in Tanzania. At Lake Natron, these range from a serious night hike up Ol Doinya Lengai to an adventurous, but accessible, hike to a stunning...

Card image cap

Hiking in Ngorongoro Highlands & Great Rift Valley Escarpment

If Mount Kilimanjaro is not your thing, or you’ve ‘’been there, done that’ then you may like to consider the wonderful walking opportunities around the Ngorongoro Highlands, the Rift...

Card image cap

Treetop Canopy Walk in Lake Manyara

The treetop canopy walk is 500 metres walkway across a series of 9 suspended bridges between trees. It's a great way to see some of the forest birds from a unique eye-level viewpoint, as well as...

Card image cap

Hadza bushmen and the Datoga homesteads of Lake Eyasi

South of Karatu and the Ngorongoro crater lies Lake Eyasi. Here there are opportunities for cultural interaction with the Hadza bushmen.

Card image cap

Kite-surfing in Zanzibar

Zanzibar is a great place to either learn or enjoy kite-surfing. The warm is warm and much of the east coast is protected by a coral reef so that there is a more gentle area for learning inside of...

Card image cap

Zanzibar Spice Farm Tour

Our Zanzibar Spice Farm tour is recommended if you are staying in Stone Town for a night or two, or even en route to your beach resort. It lasts around 2 to 2½ hours. You go to a small family run...

Card image cap

Eat at the Rock Restaurant in Zanzibar

Visit the Rock Restaurant in Zanzibar for a truly magical dining experience

View More Experiences
Did you know
  • ConservationNearly 30% of Tanzania is National Parks
  • GeographyHome to the tallest free-standing mountain in the world, Mount Kilimanjaro

Tanzania & Zanzibar Articles

Card image cap

Leopard vs. Cheetah: Do YOU know the difference?

Probably the most common wildlife mistake that a first-time safari visitor to Africa makes is to confuse a leopard with a cheetah. But in fact, there are plenty of differences between these two...

Card image cap

New Destinations for Second Time Visitors

One of the things that Safari Tour Operators are not always very good at is getting our clients to travel with us over and over again. But we should because there are so many new (and amazing)...

Card image cap

Tanzania safari photo blog by Kate, of her recent trip to Northern Tanzania incl Lake Natron

Back in May, I had the good fortune of going on another Tanzania photographic safari in the northern regions. This time I was visiting outside of the peak season so I was keen to see how the...

Card image cap

How much does a Tanzania safari cost? 5 tips to bring down the safari costs. Plus a secret one

“”What does a Tanzania safari cost?” “So how much is a safari in Tanzania?” These are the questions that people are always itching to ask us. But often they don’t. Because they know that asking...

Card image cap

North or South for your Tanzania wildlife safari?

If you had to decide to visit north or south Korea, you would probably arrive at the answer pretty swiftly. Not that finely balanced a choice.North or south pole? That’s a bit harder (depends on...

Card image cap

Best time to see the Wildebeest Migration?

The Serengeti & the Migration To answer the question of when is the best time for the wildebeest migration, we need to first understand that the animals move in continuous cycle in search of water...

Load More Articles

Book with confidence

 

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Start planning

How it works

 
Cedarberg talk-to-us
Chat with us about your perfect itinerary
Cedarberg curate
We listen, discuss and curate your ideal experience
Cedarberg pack
You pack and enjoy your holiday

Natasha Jantjies

Africa Travel Specialist

Hi I’m Natasha, I’m here to help you plan your ideal holiday experience
LET’S PLAN YOUR ULTIMATE SAFARI

Subscribe to our newsletter

Keen to get some more useful info about planning a dream safari? Enter your name and email below

  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.