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Tanzania Tours & Vacations
Small Group Tours & Tailor-Made Vacations
Overview
The perfect stage on which to watch the full majesty of wild Africa unfold before you, Tanzania is blessed with an astonishing diversity of ecosystems and wildlife.
Three times the size of France, the country plays host to the greatest animal migration on earth each year, as the grassy plains of the Serengeti witness thousands of wildebeest, zebras and antelope brave the treacherous crossing of the Mara River in search of new pastures. Against the backdrop of the Ngorongoro Crater, ...
The perfect stage on which to watch the full majesty of wild Africa unfold before you, Tanzania is blessed with an astonishing diversity of ecosystems and wildlife.
Three times the size of France, the country plays host to the greatest animal migration on earth each year, as the grassy plains of the Serengeti witness thousands of wildebeest, zebras and antelope brave the treacherous crossing of the Mara River in search of new pastures. Against the backdrop of the Ngorongoro Crater, Lake Manyara and Tarangire, you can enjoy some of the greatest wildlife experiences anywhere, whilst Mount Kilimanjaro, the highest freestanding mountain in the world, provides a host of great hiking challenges.
To the south lie the lesser-known gems of Selous and Ruaha, with its vast populations of wild elephants, whilst the western corner of the country is home to a virgin landscape little explored by visitors, where chimpanzees inhabit the towering slopes of the Mahale Mountains. Along its eastern coast, Tanzania can boast miles of untouched beaches that are lapped by the warm waters of the Indian Ocean and dotted with some of the finest dive sites anywhere in the world. This rich bounty has naturally attracted some fantastic accommodation options with everything available from wild bush camps, to the luxury of plunge pools overlooking watering holes and binoculars in every room.
Start your journey
Group tours
Travel to Tanzania with like-minded people on one of our small group tours (max size 12), featuring knowledgeable local guides and an expert tour leader.
TAILOR-MADE HOLIDAYS
Whether you want to travel on one of our award-winning itineraries or build your own journey from scratch, our expert consultants will help create the perfect tour for your tastes and budget. Below are a few suggestions of the kind of trips we can offer, all of which can be tailored to you.
EXAMPLE ITINERARIES
HIGHLIGHTS OF TANZANIA
BEST EXPERIENCES
Explore the famous national parks
Synonymous with wildlife and natural scenery, the Serengeti is the oldest national park in Africa. Home to the big five and a variety of other wildlife, a safari through the Serengeti landscapes is a bucket list experience which should be done more than once.
Take in spectacular views
Take a trip to the top of the Ngorongoro Crater with your guide for spectacular views over the Serengeti. The herds of animals at the watering hole below, the sprawling plains and the scenery, reminiscent of the Lion King, will take your breath away.
Enjoy barefoot luxury on the coast
A Tanzanian holiday would not be complete without a day lazing on the white sandy beaches. This slice of paradise is the perfect place to relax and unwind after a busy holiday, so take in a cocktail on the beach and enjoy the sunset.
Do an epic safari combination
Take a day to go through the Selous Game Reserve, 54,600 square kilometres that houses thousands of buffalos, lions, wildebeests, giraffes, zebras and many more mammals. Afterwards, drive along the coast and take in the peaceful views out over the sea.
Try to spot the ‘Big Five’
Ticking off the ‘Big Five’ is one of the main draws to Tanzania and includes lion, leopard, rhino, elephant and buffalo. A safari through the Serengeti gives you a favourable chance of seeing all five in their natural habitat with the help of your local guide.
See the Great Wildebeest Migration
Witness one of the incredible sights of the natural world, the Great Migration. Migrating all year to find fresh grass, these animals can zig-zag through the Serengeti following the rainfall. Best time to see them crossing in Tanzania can be June-September.
Safari in the Ngorongoro crater
Spotting the ‘Big Five’ (lions, leopards, rhino, elephant and buffalo) is one of the main draw cards to Tanzania. Taking a safari through the Ngorongoro Crater gives you a chance to see all five in their natural habitat, with the help of your local guide.
Explore the ‘Spice Island'
Explore and learn about the different Zanzibarian spices used in local cuisine and culture. Your guide will take you through the use and meaning behind each of the spices; learn how they grow, their taste and their uses outside of food.
Combine a walking and boat safari
Enjoy a walking safari through the Selous National Park to get up close and personal with the local wildlife. Then, enhance the experience with a boat safari along the waterways and rivers to encounter hippos, birds and crocodiles for a well-rounded tour.
TOP PLACES TO VISIT
Ngorongoro Crater
The extinct caldera of the Ngorongoro Crater is, behind the Serengeti, Tanzania's most iconic safari area and one almost all visitors include in a visit to the north of the country. This ...
Nyerere National Park
A truly magical wilderness area, the vast Selous Game Reserve occupies over 50,000 square kilometres of Southern Tanzania and offers a wonderful game viewing experience for first-timers and old hands ...
Ruaha National Park
A huge chunk of pristine wilderness in South-central Tanzania, the Ruaha National Park is a wonderful spot for a few days safari and is a key part of the country's less well known, but fantastic Southern ...
Zanzibar
The Spice Island rightly holds its place as one of Tanzania’s most popular visitor attractions and is a wonderful spot to unwind after a safari. With easy access from all of the main National ...
The Serengeti
The Central Serengeti is dominated by the towering Moru Kopjes, with these huge granite rock formations offering a favourite vantage point for lions to sit atop and survey their kingdom beneath. The ...
OUR FAVOURITE PLACES TO STAY
&Beyond Ngorongoro Crater Lodge, Ngorongoro Crater
One of Africa’s most renowned and instantly recognisable safari lodges, the iconic Ngorongoro Crater Lodge occupies a stunning location looking down from the rim to the crater floor. Traditionally…
Baraza Resort & Spa, Zanzibar
Nestled on beautiful Bweju beach on the south-eastern coast of Zanzibar, Baraza is a small resort, ideal for visitors looking for elegant surroundings in which to relax, enjoy superb food, pristine…
Kirurumu Serengeti North Mobile Camp, Serengeti North
Kirurumu Serengeti North, or Ndutu Camp, is a classic-style mobile camp which moves seasonally between Ndutu & Northern Serengeti to take advantage of the vast Serengeti. As a small and intimate camp,…
Kwihala Camp, Ruaha National Park
Offering a distinct nod to safaris of a bygone era, Kwihala is a wonderfully traditional camp tucked away in a remote, game-rich corner of the Ruaha National Park and is an ideal retreat for safari…
Pongwe Beach Lodge, Zanzibar
Pongwe Beach was opened with the intention of being one of the most relaxed hotels on Zanzibar and we certainly feel that it achieves this. Found on a quiet stretch of the island’s east coast, the…
Ruaha River Lodge, Ruaha National Park
Found amidst a series of rocky kopjes on a majestic sweep of the Ruaha River, the lodge is ideal for exploring the wilds of the Ruaha National Park. Although a relatively large lodge with 24 stone…
Sanctuary Ngorongoro Crater Camp, Ngorongoro Crater
Set just back from the rim of the Ngorongoro Crater, the classically styled Sanctuary Ngorongoro Crater Camp is a wonderful addition to any safari taking in this area on Tanzania’s northern circuit.…
Sand Rivers Selous, Nyerere National Park
Located on the banks of the Rufiji River, Sand Rivers Selous is one of the best lodges in the reserve, offering guests a combination of superb accommodation, laid back hosting and excellent safaris.…
Singita Mara River, Serengeti North
Found within the 40,000-hectare Singita Lamai area of the Northern Serengeti, Singita Mara River is a gloriously luxurious tented camp where no detail has been spared to ensure that guests have the…Discover more
WHEN TO GO
Tanzania is a huge country sitting just south of the equator, so the climate can vary depending on where you are, so the best time to go will depend on what you are planning to do.
The main rainy season, or the 'long rains', lasts around three months from March - May. Afternoon tropical downpours are common – and these are heavier and more predictable beside the coast and on the islands. The humidity is high and daily temperatures reach the mid 30s.
Meet the Expert, Clem
Clem is our Tanazaia expert, who has travelled extensively in the country.
Speak to Clementine by calling
+44 (0) 20 8741 7390
LGBTQIA+ Guidance
When planning to travel as a member of the LGBTQIA+ community, there may be additional things you wish to consider doing, such as:
- Speaking to one of our travel experts for information about travelling in your chosen destination and local attitudes towards members of the LGBTQIA+ community
- Checking the Human Dignity Trust map which highlights regions and countries which are potentially dangerous to LGBTQIA+ people, or Equaldex, which tracks the progress of LGBTQIA+ rights around the world.
- Checking the ‘Local laws and customs’ section of your country's official foreign travel advice page
- Looking for any updates for your desired destination on the Human Rights Watch LGBTQIA+ rights page
- Buying a recommended guidebook, as many include an LGBTQIA+ section and advice for LGBTQIA+ travellers
USEFUL INFORMATION
Health and Vaccinations
There is a low risk of exposure to yellow fever throughout Tanzania and a yellow fever vaccination certificate is required if arriving from a destination where yellow fever is present. There is a high risk of malaria in all areas of Tanzania below 1,800 metres so we recommend you seek advice from your local GP or travel centre as to the correct immunisations and preventative treatments. It is recommended that travellers always be up-to-date with Typhoid, Tetanus, Polio and Hepatitis.
Currency
In Tanzania the official unit of currency is the Tanzanian Shilling (TZS) which is sometimes abbreviated to TSh.
To check out the latest exchange rate for the places that you are visiting you can go to www.oanda.com.
Cultural Sensitivity
On our tours you will frequently interact with local people, each with their own distinct customs and traditions. We therefore ask you to be considerate and to treat them with respect. Your tour-leaders and guides will always be able to advise you accordingly.
Language & Religion
Kiswahili is the official language of Tanzania and is thought to be the largest unifying factor amongst all the tribes over which Tanzanians feel a sense of pride. English is also widely spoken as it is used in secondary and higher education (although less so and sometimes absent from rural areas). Various other native languages are also present.
Although accurate religious statistics in Tanzania are hard to come by, the majority of the population identify as being either Christian or Muslim with Zanzibar being almost 100% Muslim. Many members of Tanzania’s different tribes will also believe in their own indigenous beliefs which will often merge in with their Christian or Muslim traditions. Of note are also the Hindu minorities present in the country.
Time
Tanzania is 3 hours ahead of GMT.
A useful website to check the time zone differences is www.worldtimezone.com.
Food and drink
Tanzanian cuisine is a wonderful mix of East African, Indian and Middle Eastern flavours.
Main meals for lunch and dinner often involve a meat, such as goat, beef, chicken or fish accompanied by the ever-present staple of ugali, made of cornmeal, cassava or sorghum. In addition to ugali, spiced rice (pilau) or coconut rice (wali na wazi) and vegetables are also used as an accompaniment to protein.
Tangawizi is a local version of ginger ale and due to Tanzania’s wonderfully fresh fruit, fruit juices are widely available. Beers are ubiquitous, with the big local brands being Safari and Kilimanjaro. Interesting drinks to try while in Tanzania include mbege (banana beer), uraka (a cashew brew) and pawpaw (a papaya brew).