Serengeti
Endless plains and the stage for most of the Great Migration. Camps move with the seasons, so where you stay depends on the month you travel.
Best for The migration, sheer scale
Why Tanzania
Tanzania is classic East African safari: the Great Migration in the Serengeti, the Ngorongoro Crater, elephants in Tarangire and then the beaches of Zanzibar.
Highlights
- The Serengeti and the Great Migration
- The Ngorongoro Crater
- Tarangire's elephants
- Zanzibar
Where to go in Tanzania
The places our travelers love most, and what each one does best.
Getting around
- Arusha to TarangireAbout 2 hours by road
- Arusha to Ngorongoro CraterAbout 3 hours by road
- Arusha to the Serengeti1 to 1.5 hours by light aircraft
Ngorongoro Crater
A collapsed volcano filled with wildlife, including lions, buffalo and one of the best chances in the region to see black rhino. Lodges on the rim have spectacular views.
Best for Rhino, a full day of game in one place
Tarangire
Ancient baobabs, big elephant herds and a river that draws wildlife in the dry season. An easy first or last stop from Arusha.
Best for Elephants, a gentle start
Zanzibar
White sand, turquoise water and the winding lanes of Stone Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The perfect place to slow down after the early starts of safari.
Best for Beach time, honeymoons, culture
When to go
June to October is the prime dry season. January and February bring calving season in the southern Serengeti.
There’s good game viewing every month. The long dry season is the classic choice, the calving months are a close second, and the green season brings lush landscapes and quieter camps.
- JanDry spell, calving begins
- FebCalving in the southern Serengeti
- MarWarm, rains build late
- AprLong rains, lush and quiet
- MayRains ease, green season rates
- JunDry season begins, Grumeti crossings
- JulMara River crossings begin
- AugHerds in the Mara, cool and dry
- SepRiver crossings, prime game viewing
- OctDry, herds start turning south
- NovShort rains, landscapes turn green
- DecHerds head south, holiday weeks
Peak season Shoulder season Low season
Average temperatures and rainfall
Jan3.3″
Feb3.1″
Mar5.8″
Apr6.2″
May2.4″
Jun0.5″
Jul0.4″
Aug0.4″
Sep0.4″
Oct1.5″
Nov4.4″
Dec4.7″
Average daily high and low in °F, with average monthly rainfall in inches. Both cities sit above 4,000 feet, so mornings and evenings are cooler than you might expect so close to the equator.
Long dry season
Late June through October is prime time. Grass is short, animals gather near water and the migration reaches the northern Serengeti and the Maasai Mara for the river crossings. Mornings are cool and the best camps book a year out.
Short rains
November into early December brings brief afternoon showers that turn the plains green. The herds start moving south, prices soften and you share sightings with fewer vehicles. The holiday weeks fill early.
Calving season
From late January through February, the herds gather on the short-grass plains of the southern Serengeti and Ndutu, and thousands of calves are born each day. Predators follow, and the action can be extraordinary.
Long rains
April and May are the wettest months. Some camps close, but those that stay open offer lovely rates, dramatic skies and empty roads. It’s also a good moment for a beach week on Zanzibar to wait out the rain.
Ideas by month:
Trip ideas
Starting points only. Every Tanzania trip we plan is built around you.
Northern Circuit Safari
Tarangire, Ngorongoro and the Serengeti.
Safari and Zanzibar
A few beach days on the Indian Ocean to finish.
Where you'll stay
Luxury tented camps and crater-rim lodges. We choose every hotel ourselves and know which rooms have the view.
Good to know
The small things that make a big difference once you land.
Pack soft and light
Bush flights have strict weight limits and need soft-sided bags. We’ll confirm your allowance. Kenya, Tanzania and Rwanda all ban plastic carrier bags, so pack toiletries in reusable pouches.
Dress for the bush
Neutral colors and layers work best. Early game drives can be chilly in an open vehicle, then warm up fast by midday. A fleece, a hat and good sunscreen cover most days.
Tipping and cash
Tipping guides, trackers and camp staff is customary, and we’ll give you guidelines before you go. Bring small, crisp, recent U.S. bills; older or marked notes are often refused.
Health and vaccines
Talk to your doctor or a travel clinic well before your trip about yellow fever, malaria and routine vaccines, and check the CDC’s pages for each country. Keep your yellow fever card with your passport if you have one.
Zanzibar’s insurance rule
Zanzibar requires visitors to buy its own inbound travel insurance, separate from any policy you already carry. We’ll take care of it with the rest of your arrangements.
Book early for peak weeks
Small camps in the Mara and northern Serengeti fill nine to twelve months ahead for July to October, and gorilla permits are limited each day. Green season trips can come together more quickly.
Tanzania questions
When is the best time to visit Tanzania?
June to October is the prime dry season. January and February bring calving season in the southern Serengeti.
How long should I spend in Tanzania?
Most of our travelers spend 9 to 14 days in Tanzania. We'll shape the length around what you want to see and how you like to travel.
Can Global Escapes plan a private trip to Tanzania?
Yes. Every trip we plan to Tanzania is designed around you, with hand-picked hotels, private guides where they make a difference and support while you travel. Call 706.549.1164 or tell us about your trip below.
Tell us about your Tanzania dream.
Share as much or as little as you like. A member of our team will reach out personally to start shaping your trip.
Rather talk it through? Call 706.549.1164