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

When to visit Tanzania & Zanzibar

Dec to mid-Mar

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.
AVG RAINFALL 108mm
AVG DAYLIGHT 7 Hours
MAX TEMP 25 ℃ / 77 ℉
MIN TEMP 17 ℃ / 63 ℉

Mid-Mar 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.
AVG RAINFALL 108mm
AVG DAYLIGHT 7 Hours
MAX TEMP 25 ℃ / 77 ℉
MIN TEMP 17 ℃ / 63 ℉

June to Aug

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.
AVG RAINFALL 108mm
AVG DAYLIGHT 7 Hours
MAX TEMP 25 ℃ / 77 ℉
MIN TEMP 17 ℃ / 63 ℉

Sep to Mid-Oct

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.
AVG RAINFALL 108mm
AVG DAYLIGHT 7 Hours
MAX TEMP 25 ℃ / 77 ℉
MIN TEMP 17 ℃ / 63 ℉

Mid-Oct to mid-Dec

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.
AVG RAINFALL 108mm
AVG DAYLIGHT 7 Hours
MAX TEMP 25 ℃ / 77 ℉
MIN TEMP 17 ℃ / 63 ℉

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Mari Jacobs

Africa Travel Specialist

Hi I'm Mari, I'm here to help you plan your ideal holiday experience

Experiences in Tanzania & Zanzibar

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

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