East Africa

Tanzania
Safari Tours

Explore the Serengeti and Zanzibar on your own terms. Our private safari packages range from luxury African safaris to mid-range adventures, fully tailored to you.

5.0(200+ reviews)
50+ verified partners
Expert Avatar

Not sure where to start?

Our local experts offer free advice.

Help me plan my safari
Response in 12 hours
No booking pressure
Personalized itinerary

Curated Safari Holidays

Browse our top-rated 2026 Tanzania safari packages. Use the filters above to find specific Great Migration routes, luxury family safaris, or romantic honeymoon itineraries. From 2-day escapes to 10-day adventures, every trip is private and fully customizable.

Loading tours...

Best Time for Safari in Tanzania

The best time to visit Tanzania for safari depends on your goals. June to October offers the famous river crossings, while January is best for the calving season. See how the weather in Tanzania impacts wildlife viewing month by month.

The Dry Season
June – OctoberMost Popular

The Dry Season

Blue skies, golden plains, and the dramatic Mara River Crossing.

Best for first-timers, river crossings & easy wildlife spotting.

First-timers & Migration ChasersWildebeest River CrossingsHigh visibility at waterholes

Pros:River Crossings & High Visibility

  • The Great Migration: This is the peak window for action. From July to October, the herds face the Mara River crossing in the Northern Serengeti. It is the most dramatic wildlife event on earth.
  • Wildlife: As the bush dries out, animals cluster around water sources. Tarangire National Park becomes a hotspot for elephant herds, while predator sightings in the Central Serengeti are frequent and easy.
  • Weather: June to October brings sunny days and cool nights with almost no rain. It is arguably the best time to see wildebeest migration in Serengeti due to the comfortable climate and dry roads.

Cons:Peak Season Crowds

  • Because this is the best time for great migration Tanzania safaris, the popular parks (especially Ngorongoro Crater and Seronera) can be busy. Prices for luxury lodges are at their highest.
  • Expert Tip: Book 9-12 months in advance for a river-facing room.

Expert Verdict: If witnessing a Mara River crossing is on your bucket list, this is the only time to go. It offers the classic 'National Geographic' scenes you expect. Just be prepared for higher rates and more vehicles at major sightings.

Recommended Duration

Don't rush the Serengeti. Due to road distances in Tanzania, we recommend a minimum of 5 to 7 days to explore the Tarangire, Manyara, and Serengeti ecosystem comfortably. For a more relaxed pace that includes cultural visits, a 9-day itinerary is ideal.

3-5 Day Safari
(The Express)
Quick Glimpse
Most Popular
6-7 Day Safari
(The Classic)
Best Value
9+ Day Safari
(Extended)
Deep Immersion
Parks Visited
1-2 Parks (e.g., Tarangire & Crater)
3-4 Parks (incl. Serengeti)
All Key Parks + Remote Areas
Big 5 Chance
Possible (Requires luck)
High
Very High
Pace of Travel
Rushed (Long days driving)
Balanced
Relaxed (Time to unwind)
Serengeti Time
Little to None
2-3 Nights (Essential)
4+ Nights (In-depth)
Great Migration
Unlikely
Good Chance (Seasonal)
Best Chance (Track the herd)
Cultural Visit (Maasai)
No time
Optional Add-on
Included (if desired)
Ideal For
Budget trips & short safaris.
Best Tanzania safari itinerary for first-timers.
Photographers & deep immersion.

Expert Verdict: While a 5 day safari tanzania is the most searched option, we highly recommend 7 days. This extra time allows you to reach the Serengeti without spending 8 hours a day in a car. For the best balance of cost and comfort, a 7 day Tanzania safari is the sweet spot.

Safari Realities

Travel Distances & Drive Times

Arusha to Serengeti drive time is approximately 8-9 hours. On short 3-day trips, you spend most of your time on the highway. We recommend flying one way to save time.

Park Rules & Gate Timings

Strict national park rules require all vehicles to exit by 6:00 PM. Safari gate fees are paid per 24-hour cycle, so a well-planned itinerary is crucial to avoid penalties.

Wildlife Behavior

Animals don't follow a schedule. A longer Tanzania safari itinerary increases your odds of seeing the Big 5 and rare predator action, simply because you have more time in the bush.

Lodges & Tented Camps

Your choice of sleep affects the price. We offer everything from luxury lodges in Serengeti with private pools to authentic tented camps inside the parks.

  • Private en-suite bathrooms
  • Hot showers & 24/7 electricity
  • Restaurant & Bar lounge
  • Swimming pool (seasonal)

THE NORTHERN SAFARI CIRCUIT

Tanzania's Top National Parks

Explore the famous route connecting Tarangire, Lake Manyara, the Ngorongoro Crater, and the Serengeti. These parks host the Big 5 and the Great Migration, all located within comfortable driving distance of each other.

Northern Safari Circuit Overview

Serengeti National Park

Serengeti National Park

Home of the Great Migration

Tanzania's most famous park and the stage for the Great Migration. It offers world-class Serengeti National Park safari experiences with vast plains and high predator density year-round.

Wildlife Sightings

Wildebeest
Great Migration
Lion
Common
Elephant
Common
Hippo
Common
Park Fees: $70-83 / day
Arusha to Serengeti: 8-9 hours drive (Fly-in recommended).
Lake Manyara

Lake Manyara

Home of Tree-Climbing Lions

A compact gem known for its unique tree-climbing lions and thousands of flamingos painting the lake pink. A perfect first stop on your safari itinerary.

Wildlife Sightings

Tree-climbing lions
Unique
Lion
Common
Elephant
Common
Hippo
Common
Park Fees: $50-59 / day
Arusha to Lake Manyara: 1.5 - 2 hours drive.
Ngorongoro Crater

Ngorongoro Crater

The Best Place to See the Big 5

A UNESCO World Heritage Site. This ancient volcanic caldera holds the highest density of wildlife in Africa and is the best place to spot the rare Black Rhino.

Wildlife Sightings

Black Rhino
Best Chance
Lion
Common
Elephant
Common
Hippo
Common
Park Fees: $70/day + $295 vehicle fee
Arusha to Ngorongoro: 3-4 hours drive.
Tarangire National Park

Tarangire National Park

Elephants & Ancient Baobabs

Famous for its massive elephant herds and iconic Baobab trees. In the dry season, it rivals the Serengeti for wildlife density as animals flock to the Tarangire River.

Wildlife Sightings

Elephant
Huge Herds
Lion
Common
Giraffe
Common
Hippo
Common
Park Fees: $50-59 / day
Arusha to Tarangire: 2 hours drive (Easy tarmac road).

Average Cost of Safari in Tanzania

How much does a safari cost? Prices range from $250/day (camping) to over $1,000/day (luxury). We provide a full breakdown of park fees, vehicle costs, and government taxes so you can see exactly where your money goes.

Daily Cost Breakdown by Tier

Budget
$300 / day
Park fees
Vehicle and guide
Accommodation
Mid-Range
$500 / day
Park fees
Vehicle and guide
Accommodation
Luxury
$800 / day
Park fees
Vehicle and guide
Accommodation
Park fees
Vehicle & guide
Accommodation

Pricing Explained

2026 Park Fees are Fixed

Serengeti National Park fees and conservation levies are set by TANAPA. Expect to pay ~$83 per person/day (including VAT) for entry, regardless of whether you sleep in a tent or a luxury lodge.

Accommodation Drives the Cost

The biggest variable is where you sleep. A budget camping safari starts at $250/day, while luxury safari lodges can exceed $1,500/day due to the high cost of remote logistics and all-inclusive service.

Tipping & Extras

Common "hidden" costs include the Tanzania visa fee ($100 for US citizens) and gratuities. The standard safari driver tip is $20-30 per day per group. Always check if drinks and laundry are included in your quote.

The main difference? Accommodation is what separates Budget from Luxury. The government taxes and park fees remain the same for everyone.

Bush & Beach Holidays

Combine the thrill of the wild with the beaches of Zanzibar. Our Tanzania and Zanzibar packages include flights, transfers, and relaxation at the best resorts in Nungwi or Kendwa.

Stop Searching, Start Planning.

Tell us your dates and preferences, and we'll send you a custom itinerary and quote within 12 hours. No obligation.

2 Adults
0 Children
We respect your privacy. No spam, ever.

What Travellers Say

Genuine reviews from our guests and partner operators.

YourTravel Manita

YourTravel Manita

December 2025

Excellent Safari with Get Together Adventures!

We had an incredible journey with Get Together Adventures in Tanzania, based in Arusha. The trip was perfectly organized, with excellent lodges and breathtaking safaris in several stunning national parks.

Our professional safari guide Emmanuel (and owner of Get Together Adventures) was truly the best guide we could have hoped for — incredibly knowledgeable about wildlife, animal behavior, and great knowledge birdlife! On top of that, he was extremely service-oriented, a pleasure to travel with, great safari car and always at the right place at exactly the right time.

In short: if you're planning a safari holiday in Tanzania, including a beach extension on Zanzibar, Get Together Adventures is the company to go with!

Thanks again Emmanuel & Savilinyi for this increadible experience with your company!!

Warm regards,
Manita & Robert
🐘🦓🦛🦒🦏

Review for Get Together Adventures

PaulSadio

PaulSadio

December 2025

Love these guys!

Where to start…. Oh yeah CARLOS!!!!!!! This man is a Gem, he was our driver the entire time we needed one. He picked us up at the airport and took us on a 3hr drive to our hotel in Karatu! Along some rough roads in the pitch black night. We made sure to have tea with him and get to know him, and just lovely guy. He took us 2hrs to the start of our 1st safari as well! He also took us back to our airport hotel, giving us a little tour as well went along!

In terms of the safari, it was amazing we did the 3 day one, the 1st two days we had Augustine, who despite being a Liverpool fan was a legend! He made sure we saw as much as possible in Tarangire and Ngorongoro. Managed 4 out of the big 5! Walter took over for the last day at Manyara, and although I still loved it, he said he doesn’t enjoy that park and sadly you could tell, he did however make sure to find us lions and elephants in a very difficult area to see animals!

Rosemary in the office always kept us up to date even with slight changes in our plans and in their plans! We met her at the office and she gave my wife a huge hug which was lovely to see!

Fully recommend this company! And when we return we want Carlos to take us everywhere, especially on safari next time when he has a jeep!

Thanks guys!

Review for Mountain Warriors Tours and Safaris

Thomas H

Thomas H

December 2025

The best trip we’ve had. Exceeded all expectations!

We have been very fortunate to have had some amazing tours in the past, but this was our best.
Throughout the whole experience, we felt genuinely looked after, Beatrice was very helpful and had lots of useful recommendations and advice whilst we were planning our tour, 7 days in total, 5 day safari with accommodation in Arusha the day before and two nights after. Wakanda definitely make you feel like this is a personalised tour, particularly through all of the team’s can-do attitude and the wonderful hospitality.

Our safari was an incredible experience. Our guide, Benedict, was superb, he is very welcoming, patient and is an incredible source of wildlife knowledge; a fantastic asset to the team.
Each day was built around what we hoped to see and do but with relevant and timely guidance from Benedict, who ensured we got the most from our tour, which we absolutely did.

We had our own combination of accommodation, including two nights at a tented lodge at Safari Haven in central Serengeti (highly recommended), and the Ngorongoro Simba Campsite before our morning game drive into the crater.
The campsite was safe, had stunning views and warm showers! Not to mention great freshly cooked meals from our chef Salim, with a nice variety of international and local cuisine throughout the tour.

We finished our trip with a city tour of Arusha with Joshua, who looked after us very well and ensured we got fair prices (and when to walk away!) in the markets.

We could not have asked for more, we will definitely come back to the beautiful wilderness of the Serengeti and without hesitation, will use Wakanda when we do.

Review for Serengeti Wakanda Tours and Safaris

Frequently Asked Questions

Get answers to common questions about planning your Tanzania safari adventure.

Yes, Tanzania is one of the safest countries in East Africa for travelers. Most visits are trouble-free, especially on a private safari where you are accompanied by a guide at all times. We recommend standard precautions in cities (don't walk at night), but the national parks are very safe.
US and UK citizens can obtain a Tanzania visa on arrival at Kilimanjaro Airport ($100 for US, $50 for others), but lines can be long. We strongly recommend applying for the Online E-Visa at least 3 weeks before travel to breeze through immigration.
Pack light, breathable layers. Mornings are chilly (fleece jacket), while afternoons are hot. Stick to neutral colors like khaki, beige, or green. Avoid dark blue/black (attracts Tsetse flies) and bright white (spooks animals). Hiking boots are not necessary; comfortable sneakers are fine.
Both are incredible, but Tanzania offers a bigger, wilder experience. The Serengeti is 10x larger than the Masai Mara, meaning you can escape the crowds. If you want a private safari with vast, untouched wilderness and the bulk of the Great Migration, Tanzania is the winner.
Technically, Yellow Fever vaccination is only required if you are arriving from a country with risk of transmission (like Kenya or Ethiopia). If you are flying direct from the US or Europe to Tanzania, it is generally not required. However, rules can change, so consult your travel clinic.
Yes, malaria is present in Tanzania. We recommend visiting a travel doctor to get a prescription for Malaria tablets (Malarone is common). Most lodges provide mosquito nets and insect repellent, but carrying your own DEET spray is essential.