Tanzania travel advice
Wildlife tips
Andrew Appleyard, from our supplier Exodus, shares Tanzania travel advice on his favourite way to watch wildlife: “It is one of those incredible things to see the huge migrations lines. When I led one of my last safaris down there we saw the big five within a few hours and so I asked the group what they wanted to do. They asked me “what would you do?” I said I’d park the vehicle up in the middle of the migration, turn the engine off and sit there for two or three hours and just watch it pass. And that would be my top tip. I’d also ban photography for an hour – get everyone to put their cameras down. Too many people just shoot Africa through a lens and come back with 7,000 images – but don’t actually just sit there and take it all in. So I make everyone put their cameras down and just sit there and watch it with their engines off.”
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Tanzania safari and Zanzibar beach vacation, tailor made
Your tailor-made Tanzania Safari & Zanzibar Beach vacation!
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£3495 to £5950
13 days
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Exciting family vacation in Tanzania
A family vacation for all ages including the best of Tanzania
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US $2921.9 to US $3397.7
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Tanzania Selous safari vacation & Zanzibar
Tailor-made, authentic, remote safari and islands
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£1900 to £3850
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Serengeti Trail, Kenya & Tanzania safari
Overland truck safari
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US $1564 to US $2085
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Selous safari & Mafia Islands diving vacation
Africa's largest game park
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£3050
13 days
inc UK flights
Tailor made safari, gorillas, Masai Mara & Zanzibar
Mountain gorilla trekking, Masai Mara safari and Zanzibar
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£3950 to £6000
11 days
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Big game safari in Tanzania
Big game safari including luxury private camping
From
£3060 to £3470
8 days
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Tanzania classic bush safari, 10 Days
Northern National Parks are a true African experience
From
US $2550 to US $2750
9 days
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The Masai Heartlands safari
An amazing and great value 2 week truck safari
From
US $3040 to US $3410
15 days
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Tanzania big game safari, northern parks
Ten day intensive safari with a relaxed pace.
From
£4770
10 days
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Tanzania wildlife, people and beach vacation
Best wildlife viewing in north Tanzania plus Fanjove Island.
From
£4625 to £5735
13 days
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Tanzania tailor made safari, Selous and Ruaha
Private adventure penetrating deep into the African bush
From
US $3395
13 days
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Tanzania volunteering projects
Have fun by helping people help themselves
From
£600
14 days
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Tanzania Safari and beach vacation
A truly remote Tanzanian safari and beach combination
From
£3295 to £6000
12 days
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Kilimanjaro climb Lemosho route
Awesome 10-Day Kilimanjaro Climb via the Lemosho Route
From
US $2995
10 days
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Southern Tanzania luxury safari vacation
Two of the most wild and unspoilt parks of Tanzania
From
£6800
12 days
inc UK flights
Kenya & Tanzania classic safari
See the most amazing wildlife phenomenon in Africa
From
£4340
15 days
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Kilimanjaro climb, Machame route
Amazing Private Or Group Kilimanjaro Climb: Machame Route
From
US $2695
9 days
ex flights
Community volunteering in Tanzania
Have fun helping people help themselves
From
£600
14 days
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Zanzibar beach vacation
Exotic sun, sea & sand in an African paradise!
From
£750 to £2000
5 days
ex flights
Whale Shark conservation vacation in Tanzania
Whale Shark Conservation in the stunning island of Mafia
From
£1305 to £2480
21 days
ex flights
Tanzania small group safari
Experience the beauty of Africa from Nairobi to Zanzibar
From
US $2019 to US $2720
13 days
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Tanzania safari, northern serengeti
Serengeti small group safari in Tanzania
From
US $6665
8 days
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Kenya & Tanzania wildlife tour, Masai to Serengeti
Experience the ultimate wildlife adventure in 10 days
From
US $1746 to US $3069
10 days
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East Africa and Zanzibar vacation
The perfect contrast of Safari and Beach
From
£5110
15 days
ex flights
Oman and Zanzibar beach vacation
Muscat Souks followed by stunning Island relaxation
From
£1871
12 days
inc UK flights
Tanzania Luxury safari vacation
A luxury safari discovering the wilderness of Tanzania
From
£4800
9 days
ex flights
Tanzania safari honeymoon
.Serengeti National Park and Zanzibar Island
From
US $4160 to US $5050
13 days
ex flights
Nairobi and Cape Town African overland truck tour
The best of Eastern and Southern Africa overland
From
US $3532 to US $4490
71 days
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Tanzania national parks safari vacation
Our camping safaris in Tanzania is perfect for nature lovers
From
US $1500 to US $2000
6 days
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Tips on exploring the south
Roman Biondic, from our supplier Eyes on Africa:
“Tanzania is a very huge country, and the southern parks are still something to be discovered; very few people go down there and it’s very undeveloped for driving around. It is a jewel, it’s a treasure that is still hidden. It’s actually a bit expensive to go there; there is no mass tourism as the only way is to fly. But if you have a small group of travelers, you can travel around the south overland. We have mostly individual travelers, couples families or groups of friends – a maximum of six people which is perfect for one car, and it makes it relatively cheap per person.”
“Tanzania is a very huge country, and the southern parks are still something to be discovered; very few people go down there and it’s very undeveloped for driving around. It is a jewel, it’s a treasure that is still hidden. It’s actually a bit expensive to go there; there is no mass tourism as the only way is to fly. But if you have a small group of travelers, you can travel around the south overland. We have mostly individual travelers, couples families or groups of friends – a maximum of six people which is perfect for one car, and it makes it relatively cheap per person.”
Advice on when not to go
Stuart Rees Jones, director of our supplier Camps International, shares his Tanzania travel advice:“Try and avoid the rains. If you’re going to climb a mountain, rain at ground level means snow and no visibility up at the top. The rains can ruin the beach experience for you, and it’s not a great time to view animals on safari as the water sources are so readily available that the animals displace. You’ll get great rates, but the safari, mountain and the beach are going to be tougher. Scuba diving in the rainy season – you have all the wash off from the rivers and poor visibility. But if you go to the coast in February, you’re into the high 30s with 20-30m visibility.”
Tips on visiting the Ngorongoro Crater
Amanda Marks, from our supplier Tribes Travel, shares her Tanzania travel advice:
“Some people think the crater can be overrated, but really that’s to do with having the wrong expectations. Some people go in there and aren’t expecting the hundreds and hundreds of vehicles – so they can be disappointed, as they’re up against a lot of other people seeing the wildlife. But it’s down to the guides as well. If our guides go into the crater and see a huddle of cars around a leopard, they won’t go there. But most other guides will join the fray –which in my opinion is a horrible experience. So you have to understand that the crater is actually quite busy.”
“Some people think the crater can be overrated, but really that’s to do with having the wrong expectations. Some people go in there and aren’t expecting the hundreds and hundreds of vehicles – so they can be disappointed, as they’re up against a lot of other people seeing the wildlife. But it’s down to the guides as well. If our guides go into the crater and see a huddle of cars around a leopard, they won’t go there. But most other guides will join the fray –which in my opinion is a horrible experience. So you have to understand that the crater is actually quite busy.”
Tips on how to climb Kili - successfully
Andrew Appleyard, from our supplier Exodus, on being prepared for the mountain:“I’ve seen plenty of tears before bedtime on the mountain, sometimes the person who you don’t think is going to make it to the top walks up there with the greatest of ease, and sometimes the fittest person is the one who’s struggling. Altitude sickness is a complete unknown. But if you do a longer route and have longer to acclimatise, your success rates are higher. My top tip is that if you’re going to do it, do not scrimp on cost. Don’t try and carry tons of your own gear so that you can cut down on porters; it’s just not worth it. There were 11 in our group – I took ten of those to the summit. The other group on the mountain had 19 people – and only three made it. They told us they came up too quickly, they had altitude sickness, they didn’t eat enough food, ran out of water… a whole load of things."
Health & safety in Tanzania
HEALTH
SAFETY
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Hello. If you'd like to chat about Tanzania or need help finding a vacation to suit you we're very happy to help. Rosy & team.
Tanzania tips from our travelers
At Responsible Travel, we think the best people to advise our travelers are often... other travelers. They always return from our tours with packing tips, weather reports, ideas about what to do - and opinions about what not to.
We have selected some of the most useful Tanzania travel tips that our guests have provided over the years to help you make the very most of your vacation - and the space inside your suitcase.
We have selected some of the most useful Tanzania travel tips that our guests have provided over the years to help you make the very most of your vacation - and the space inside your suitcase.
Be prepared for the train trip! First class in Tanzania railways is not the same as UK first class. It's a bit of a culture shock
– Michael Moulsley
"We went in December and the scenery was really beautiful because it rained a bit once in a while. It was nice and green, but it was extremely humid and hot. If you cannot stand this very well, it's probably better to go in another season." - Natalie Lefevre
"We booked the six day camping safari followed by four days on the beach which worked really well as we spent long days on safari, getting up at 6.30am every day - so the relaxation time at the end was very welcome." - Nicola Wilks
"Be prepared for the train trip! First class in Tanzania railways is not the same as UK first class. It's a bit of a culture shock, especially the toilets. Take snacks too! Take a pack of pencils - if you go to the Massai village the children really appreciate them." – Michael Moulsley
"We booked the six day camping safari followed by four days on the beach which worked really well as we spent long days on safari, getting up at 6.30am every day - so the relaxation time at the end was very welcome." - Nicola Wilks
"Be prepared for the train trip! First class in Tanzania railways is not the same as UK first class. It's a bit of a culture shock, especially the toilets. Take snacks too! Take a pack of pencils - if you go to the Massai village the children really appreciate them." – Michael Moulsley
Read itinerary carefully and be prepared for long, dusty truck journeys fondly referred to as having an "African massage" as roads are very bumpy.
– Lesley Halliday
"Positive attitude is essential [when climbing Kilimanjaro]. Bring snacks; there is plenty of food but nice to have home comforts and to share with guides and porters." - Mair James
"Research, research, research and find the right safari for you. Get exact information/itineraries. check all prices and facts… it is worth talking personally to operators, rather than relying online." - Sally Moir
"Aim to enjoy every part of the vacation, whether it is the flight in a prop plane and landing on an air strip with elephants and giraffes standing to on either side, or hundreds of hairy caterpillars in procession. Big or small, take it all in and enjoy watching and listening. The animals will be doing something different every time you see them and remember that it is a privilege to be in their environment. Don't worry about dressing up for travel or evening meals, and forget make-up and hair styling too. I would also recommend taking a travel washing line and biodegradable washing liquid – clothes dry quickly. And ladies, wear a sports bra... " - Joanne Davenport
"Research, research, research and find the right safari for you. Get exact information/itineraries. check all prices and facts… it is worth talking personally to operators, rather than relying online." - Sally Moir
"Aim to enjoy every part of the vacation, whether it is the flight in a prop plane and landing on an air strip with elephants and giraffes standing to on either side, or hundreds of hairy caterpillars in procession. Big or small, take it all in and enjoy watching and listening. The animals will be doing something different every time you see them and remember that it is a privilege to be in their environment. Don't worry about dressing up for travel or evening meals, and forget make-up and hair styling too. I would also recommend taking a travel washing line and biodegradable washing liquid – clothes dry quickly. And ladies, wear a sports bra... " - Joanne Davenport
More about Tanzania
The best time to visit Tanzania is when two million animals make the precarious Mara River crossing in June and July - but outside of those months you can still track the migration elsewhere in the Serengeti.
Tanzania plays host to some of Africa's most iconic sights: the plains of the Serengeti, the Wildebeest Migration, the snow capped peak of Mount Kilimanjaro, and the tall silhouettes of the Maasai.
Our interactive map, top highlights and sample itineraries will help you plan where to go in Tanzania, and choose the best off-the-peg or tailor made vacation for you and your travel companions.
An absolutely standout destination for wildlife, safaris in Tanzania take advantage of this country’s huge parks, abundant fauna and accommodation to suit all tastes and budgets.
For a taste of true African wilderness, well away from the safari crowds, head to southern Tanzania.
Tanzania’s Serengeti National Park fits most people’s idea of a classic African landscape – sweeping plains, herds of wildebeest, elephants plodding in front of silhouetted acacia trees and lions snoozing in the long grass.
Towering over the Serengeti plains, Tanzania’s Mount Kilimanjaro is not only Africa’s tallest peak, but the highest free-standing mountain in the world.
A highlight of most northern Tanzania safari vacations, there’s nowhere quite like the Ngorongoro Crater.
Combine game drives to see the Wildebeest Migration in the Serengeti, or a walking safari in Selous, with snorkelling over Mafia Island’s pristine coral reefs and you’ve got the ultimate Tanzanian wildlife adventure.
There is a whole Lion King cast of wildlife in Tanzania - with school summer vacations being one of the best times to spot the Big Five and the Wildebeest Migration.
Ethical travelers should bear in mind that there are some big issues when it comes to responsible tourism in Tanzania.
All our Tanzania guides. Find all of our Tanzania guides in one place, for particular places in Tanzania such as Kilimanjaro or Selous.
Why book with Responsible Travel
Photo credits: [Page banner: Atosan] [Wildlife tips: alaina buzas]
[Tips on exploring the south: African Impact]
[Tips on visiting the Ngorongoro Crater: Joren De Groof]
[Health & Safety: alchen_x]
[Michael Moulsley Quote: Richard Stupart]
[Lesley Halliday Quote: Jalil Arfaoui]
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