The 10 Best Places to Visit on a Tanzania Safari
From the endless Serengeti plains to the beaches of Zanzibar — the top ten destinations to include on your Tanzania trip.
9 min read
Tanzania's top destinations
Tanzania protects around a third of its land in national parks and reserves. Most first-time visitors explore the Northern Circuit, while the southern and western parks reward those looking for remote wilderness.
1. Serengeti National Park
Home to the Great Migration and some of Africa's highest predator densities. Spend at least two to three nights to explore different regions.
2. Ngorongoro Crater
A collapsed volcano with a 260 km² crater floor full of wildlife, including one of the best chances of seeing black rhino in Tanzania.
3. Tarangire National Park
Famous for huge elephant herds and ancient baobab trees, especially during the dry season.
4. Lake Manyara National Park
A compact park beneath the Rift Valley escarpment, known for flamingos, birdlife and tree-climbing lions.
5. Mount Kilimanjaro
Africa's highest mountain at 5,895 m — a bucket-list trek that requires no technical climbing experience.
6. Zanzibar
White-sand beaches, historic Stone Town and spice tours — the perfect way to relax after a safari.
7. Nyerere National Park (Selous)
One of Africa's largest protected areas, offering boat safaris on the Rufiji River and walking safaris.
8. Ruaha National Park
A remote, wild park with large lion prides, wild dogs and very few visitors.
9. Arusha National Park
Ideal for a first day: canoeing, walking safaris and views of Mount Meru, close to Arusha town.
10. Lake Eyasi
Meet the Hadzabe hunter-gatherers and Datoga people for an authentic cultural experience.
How to combine them
| Trip length | Suggested route |
|---|---|
| 3–4 days | Tarangire, Ngorongoro Crater, Lake Manyara |
| 5–7 days | Tarangire, Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater |
| 8–10 days | Northern Circuit plus Lake Eyasi or Zanzibar |
| 10+ days | Northern Circuit, Zanzibar, or a southern park such as Nyerere |
Plan your route
Every trip we plan is tailor-made. Share your dates, budget and interests with our Arusha-based team and we will send a personalised itinerary within 24 hours.
