What is the best time to visit Tanzania?

Tanzania is a year-round destination. The dry season from late June to October offers the easiest wildlife viewing, with animals gathering around water and thinner bush. January to February is calving season in the southern Serengeti and the best window for predator action. The green season from March to May brings lower prices, lush landscapes and fewer vehicles, with some heavier rain.

When is the best time to go on safari in Tanzania?

June to October is the classic dry season with the easiest game viewing. January to March is superb for the Serengeti calving season and quieter parks. We plan around your dates rather than the other way round.

How many days should I spend here?

Two to three nights is the sweet spot for most travellers; add a night if you want a full day without driving between camps.

Do I need a visa for Tanzania?

Most nationalities do. The e-visa is applied for online before travel and usually issued within ten working days; a single-entry tourist visa is USD 50 (USD 100 for US passports).

How many days do I need for a Tanzania safari?

Most first-time visitors are comfortable with 6 to 8 days. A 3 to 4 day safari covers Tarangire and Ngorongoro, 6 to 7 days adds the Serengeti at a relaxed pace, and 10 days or more allows a full northern circuit or a safari plus Zanzibar beach extension.

Are your safaris private?

Yes. We only operate private safaris, with your own 4x4 Land Cruiser and professional guide throughout the journey.

What is the best Tanzania safari for first-time visitors?

The classic northern circuit is the strongest first safari: Tarangire, Ngorongoro Crater and the Serengeti in 6 to 8 days. It combines the highest density of wildlife in Tanzania with short driving distances, excellent lodges and a very high chance of seeing the Big Five.

What vaccinations do I need?

Yellow fever is required only if arriving from a yellow-fever country. Malaria prophylaxis is strongly recommended. Always confirm with your own travel clinic.

How much does a Tanzania safari cost?

Budget roughly USD 250 to 350 per person per day for a comfortable mid-range lodge safari, USD 400 to 700 for premium tented camps and USD 900 and above for luxury and fly-in itineraries. Prices include park fees, guiding, 4x4 vehicle, accommodation and meals, and vary with season and group size.

Which Tanzania safari destinations should I visit?

Serengeti National Park for big cats and the Great Migration, Ngorongoro Crater for concentrated Big Five viewing, Tarangire for elephants and baobabs, Lake Manyara for tree-climbing lions and birdlife, and Zanzibar for the beach finish.

How much should I budget for tips?

Tipping is entirely voluntary and never mandatory. If you feel your guide or camp team provided excellent service, you are welcome to offer a gratuity in any amount that feels comfortable to you.

Can I combine a Tanzania safari with Zanzibar?

Yes, and it is our most requested itinerary. A short flight connects Arusha or the Serengeti to Zanzibar in about 90 minutes, so most guests do 5 to 7 days on safari followed by 3 to 5 nights on the coast in one seamless trip.

Can you tailor an itinerary for us?

That is all we do. Use Customize This Safari on any itinerary and we will rebuild it around your dates, pace, budget and interests.

What is the Great Migration?

The Great Migration is the year-round movement of around two million wildebeest, zebra and gazelle through the Serengeti and Maasai Mara ecosystem in search of grazing. Calving happens in the southern Serengeti from January to March, the western corridor river crossings peak around June, and the dramatic Mara River crossings usually run from July to October.

Is Tanzania safe for families?

Very. We use family-friendly lodges, shorter driving days and guides experienced with children.

We accept Bank Transfer or Credit/Debit Card payments, with Bank Transfer free of charge and a 3.5% surcharge on card payments; a 30% deposit is required to confirm the booking, with the remaining 70% payable at least 60 days before the safari departure date, and once you are ready to make the payment, our bank details will be provided to you.

How difficult is Kilimanjaro?

Kilimanjaro is a non-technical trek, so no climbing skills or ropes are needed, but it is a serious high-altitude challenge at 5,895 m. Good general fitness and a longer route such as the 8-day Lemosho or 7-day Machame greatly improve acclimatisation and summit success rates.

Northern Circuit

Lake Manyara

A soda lake framed by the Rift Valley escarpment and flamingo flocks.

Browse Safaris

Overview

About Lake Manyara

A soda lake framed by the Rift Valley escarpment and flamingo flocks.

A narrow strip of groundwater forest, floodplain and soda lake under the Rift Valley escarpment. Compact enough for a half-day, and excellent for birding.

Best time to visit

June to October

Getting there

Ninety minutes by road from Arusha, on the way to Ngorongoro.

Highlights

•Tree-climbing lions
•Flamingos
•Groundwater forest

Wildlife

Wildlife to look for

Tree-climbing lion
Flamingo
Hippo
Blue monkey
Baboon
Pelican

Activities

Things to do

Game Drives
Full and half-day drives in a 4x4 Land Cruiser with a pop-up roof and a private guide.
Night Game Drive
Spotlit drives in private concessions where nocturnal wildlife comes out.
Birdwatching
Over 1,100 recorded species across Tanzania, from flamingos to Fischer's lovebirds.

Recommended safaris

Journeys that include Lake Manyara

3 Days

Tarangire National Park · Ngorongoro Crater · Lake Manyara

3-Day Luxury Northern Tanzania Safari

Three luxury days across Tarangire, the Ngorongoro Crater and Lake Manyara, finishing at Kilimanjaro International Airport.

From

$1,027