Tanzania safari vacations guide
The Great Migration lures more than just tourists. Vultures spiral in the skies, crocodiles line the riverbanks, lions prowl the sidelines. This is nature at its harshest – and most thrilling. But there is much more to a safari in Tanzania than the thundering of wildebeest hooves. The sprawling Serengeti shelters wildlife of all shapes and sizes; take a guided bush walk with a Maasai guide to experience the savannah from a different perspective. Nearby, the Ngorongoro Crater is a bowlful of the Big Five, while the incomprehensibly vast parks of the south receive just a handful of visitors – despite the abundant wildlife.
This epic East African nation is far wilder than South Africa, with a far greater sense of wilderness. 
It has some of the world’s most exclusive lodges, particularly in the south – but these are balanced out by accessible campsites and lodges in the north. Additionally, the migration takes place virtually year round –moving into Kenya for just a few short weeks. More unusually, the Rift Valley has carved a series of lakes into the landscape – meaning hippos, flamingos and crocodiles are in their element; cruise past them on a boat safari for the ultimate relaxing wildlife experience. Read more in our Tanzania safari vacations guide.
Our Tanzania safari Vacations
Tanzania safari and Zanzibar beach vacation, tailor made
Your tailor-made Tanzania Safari & Zanzibar Beach vacation!
From
£3495 to £5950
13 days
ex flights
Tanzania Selous safari vacation & Zanzibar
Tailor-made, authentic, remote safari and islands
From
£1900 to £3850
11 days
ex flights
Exciting family vacation in Tanzania
A family vacation for all ages including the best of Tanzania
From
US $2921.9 to US $3397.7
13 days
ex flights
Serengeti Trail, Kenya & Tanzania safari
Overland truck safari
From
US $1564 to US $2085
8 days
ex flights
Big game safari in Tanzania
Big game safari including luxury private camping
From
£3060 to £3470
8 days
ex flights
Selous safari & Mafia Islands diving vacation
Africa's largest game park
From
£3050
13 days
inc UK flights
Tanzania wildlife, people and beach vacation
Best wildlife viewing in north Tanzania plus Fanjove Island.
From
£4625 to £5735
13 days
ex flights
Southern Tanzania luxury safari vacation
Two of the most wild and unspoilt parks of Tanzania
From
£6800
12 days
inc UK flights
The Masai Heartlands safari
An amazing and great value 2 week truck safari
From
US $3040 to US $3410
15 days
ex flights
Tanzania Safari and beach vacation
A truly remote Tanzanian safari and beach combination
From
£3295 to £6000
12 days
ex flights
Tailor made safari, gorillas, Masai Mara & Zanzibar
Mountain gorilla trekking, Masai Mara safari and Zanzibar
From
£3950 to £6000
11 days
ex flights
Tanzania tailor made safari, Selous and Ruaha
Private adventure penetrating deep into the African bush
From
US $3395
13 days
ex flights
Tanzania classic bush safari, 10 Days
Northern National Parks are a true African experience
From
US $2550 to US $2750
9 days
ex flights
Tanzania big game safari, northern parks
Ten day intensive safari with a relaxed pace.
From
£4770
10 days
ex flights
Camping safari in the Serengeti, Tanzania
4 days of exploring Tanzania
From
€1130 to €2400
4 days
ex flights
East Africa safari & Zanzibar vacation
Kenya &Tanzania safari with Zanzibar ultimate experience!
From
£3697
15 days
ex flights
Luxury Tanzania safari and Zanzibar beach vacation
Selous safari then relax on beautiful Zanzibar
From
£3400
13 days
inc UK flights
Tanzania camping safari, Selous and Ruaha
Private adventure penetrating deep into the African bush
From
US $3395
12 days
ex flights
Tanzania family safari vacation
visit most famous wildlife reserves, Masai Mara & Serengeti
From
US $4500 to US $5550
15 days
ex flights
Tanzania national parks camping safari
Unforgettable Africa safari
From
US $1700 to US $2800
6 days
ex flights
Luxury Tanzania safari with Maasai experience
New authentic Maasai experiences in classic Tanzania safari.
From
£3995 to £6795
11 days
ex flights
Lemosho route Kilimanjaro climb and safari
A unique climb and a classic Tanzania safari
From
US $6975
13 days
ex flights
Kenya & Tanzania classic safari
See the most amazing wildlife phenomenon in Africa
From
£4340
15 days
ex flights
Tanzania family Safari
Family-friendly luxury safari into Tanzania's wilderness
From
£5095
8 days
ex flights
Kenya & Tanzania safari vacations
Some of the best wildlife spots in Tanzania and Kenya
From
£4325
13 days
ex flights
Tanzania Luxury safari vacation
A luxury safari discovering the wilderness of Tanzania
From
£4800
9 days
ex flights
Tanzania classic safari, Serengeti & Ngorongoro
Olduvai Gorge, Lake Manyara, Ngorongoro and Serengeti.
From
US $2950 to US $4200
7 days
ex flights
Tanzania lodge safari, Serengeti & Ngorongoro Crater
Come and see the amazing wildlife
From
US $1600 to US $2900
5 days
ex flights
East Africa and Zanzibar vacation
The perfect contrast of Safari and Beach
From
£5110
15 days
ex flights
East Africa adventure vacation, safari, gorillas & beach
An extensive journey through east Africa
From
US $3648 to US $6029
22 days
ex flights
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Our top Tanzania safari Vacation
Tanzania safari and Zanzibar beach vacation, tailor made
Your tailor-made Tanzania Safari & Zanzibar Beach vacation!
From
£3495 to £5950
13 days
ex flights
Tailor made:
This trip can be tailor made throughout the year to suit your requirements
This trip can be tailor made throughout the year to suit your requirements
Helpdesk
Hello. If you'd like to chat about Tanzania safari or need help finding a vacation to suit you we're very happy to help. Rosy & team.
Where to go on a Tanzania safari
Northern Tanzania is a one-stop-shop for safari experiences, boasting the Great Wildebeest Migration, the Serengeti, the Ngorongoro Crater and classic Maasai culture. It’s brilliant for first-time safari goers with abundant lodges to suit tastes and budgets, and it’s easy to get around, meaning you won’t need to look into costly flights. It’s also convenient if you’re heading to Kilimanjaro – or on into Kenya. However, if you’re looking for something a bit more special, consider heading south. Flying is a must to get to Selous or Ruaha, and lodges are few and far between – so you’ll have these vast game parks virtually all to yourself. You can also take boat cruises on the river as a tranquil way of viewing wildlife.
1. Camping
2. The Great Migration
3. Ngorongoro Crater
4. Ruaha National Park
5. Selous Game Reserve
6. Serengeti National Park
2. The Great Migration
3. Ngorongoro Crater
4. Ruaha National Park
5. Selous Game Reserve
6. Serengeti National Park
Camping
1. Camping
Luxury lodges are wonderful, but nothing quite beats being separated from the bush and the wildlife by just a sheet of canvas. You’ll be surrounded by the sounds and smells of the savannah – a temporary guest in the home of the Big Five. Permanent camps offer more comfort and facilities; temporary camps offer a sense of freedom and a real wilderness experience.
The Great Migration
2. The Great Migration
The highlight of any safari in Tanzania, the Great Migration sees millions of animals stampeding across the savannah while predators and scavengers seek out a tasty meal. The most thrilling moment is the dramatic Mara River crossing – but if you’re not traveling from June-September you can see them elsewhere in the Serengeti at this time.
Ngorongoro Crater
3. Ngorongoro Crater
Some 30,000 animals live in this ancient crater, a 25km-wide bowlful of African wildlife. It’s one of the best spots in Tanzania to see the rare black rhino as well as leopards and huge bull elephants. Ngorongoro is a self-contained ecosystem, so the wildlife can be seen year-round. You can camp on the rim of the crater, but bring warm layers!
Ruaha National Park
4. Ruaha National Park
One of the most remote and magical national parks in Tanzania, Ruaha is Africa as it used to be – untouched by humans, with the smallest scattering of tourists, even in peak season. But those who make it this far are rewarded with sightings of fierce predators including lions and hyenas, as well as huge herds of elephant who thrive in this vast wilderness.
Selous Game Reserve
5. Selous Game Reserve
At over 50,000 km2, Tanzania’s largest protected area dwarfs the Serengeti, yet receives just a handful of the visitors. No permanent structures are permitted within the reserve, which was declared a UNESCO reserve in the 1980s. Wildlife lives here in vast numbers, including the rare African wild dog. Take a cruise on Lake Tagalala to get up close to crocs and hippos.
Serengeti National Park
6. Serengeti National Park
The famous backdrop for the Great Migration – during which more than a million wildebeest, zebras and gazelles thunder across the plains in search of grass – the Serengeti needs almost no introduction. Tanzania’s oldest park is an easy safari destination – it has camps and lodges to suit all tastes and budgets, Big Five game drives and thrilling bush walks.
More about Tanzania safari
The best time to go on safari in Tanzania is any time outside of the March to early May rains.
Why book with Responsible Travel
Photo credits: [Page banner: Atosan] [Map topbox: Anita Ritenour]
[camping: Henrik Palm]
[migration: Christopher Michel]
[Ngorongo crater: Ganesh Raghunathan]
[Ruaha National Park: Pius Mahimbi]
[Selous Game Reserve: Manuel Bierbauer]
[Serengeti National Park: Feans]
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