"Welcome to our curated list of recommendations for traveling in Tanzania. These suggestions are personal insights gathered from myself and my team at Timeless Africa Safaris. These recommendations are personally vetted by us, they come highly recommended. Please feel free to add your own favourite spots or share any updates in the comments section below." Marco van Embden, Cape Town
1. Tour Operator Recommendation
Marco van Embden owns a great tour operator based in Cape Town South Africa, Timeless Africa Safaris with expertise in 15 African countries: Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda, Botswana, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Namibia, Mozambique, Madagascar, Malawi, South Africa, Uganda, Republic of Congo, Mauritius and Seychelles. Timeless Africa Safaris is a family business with Marco’s eldest daughter, Casey, being involved in the business for the past twelve years. The team truly understands the YPO philosophy – many of the travel managers have fostered relationships with local and international YPO’ers through the personal and/or family trips curated for them, their friends and their Forums as well as Intl YPO chapter visits to South Africa. These YPO’ers have become ambassadors for the work that Timeless Africa Safaris does in Africa, spreading their positive – and often life-changing – experiences with future YPO travellers.
There are a lot of good people out there, doing great work in bringing travellers to Africa. The most important thing is that you come to our magnificent continent which greatly relies on foreign travellers to support the communities and the wildlife.
2. Best Time to Go to Tanzania
- Peak Season: June, July, August, September
- Mid Season: January -May, October, December
- Rainy Season: November
While Tanzania is mostly a year-round destination, the best time to visit Tanzania for safari is over the dry season, June to October. There are two rain periods, the “long rains” April – May and the “short rains” in November. The coast and islands of Tanzania are warm and humid throughout the year.
3. Access to Tanzania
The most common way to get to Tanzania is by flying into one of the several international airports:
- Julius Nyerere International Airport (DAR) in Dar es Salaam.
- Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) near Arusha.
- Abeid Amani Karume International Airport (ZNZ) in Zanzibar.
Several major airlines fly to Tanzania, either directly or with connections. You may need to take a connecting flight from major international hubs like Doha, Dubai, Nairobi, or Addis Ababa.
4. Insights on Tanzania
- The legendary Serengeti region is the main stage on which The Great Migration takes place, when over 1.5 million wildebeest and hundreds of thousands of zebra and gazelle migrate in May or early June.
- Tanzania also has a very large lion population, which makes it a must for lion lovers hoping to see plenty of prides.
- With a diverse range of landscapes, including riverine forests, swamps, kopjes, grasslands, and woodlands, keen photographers won’t be able to get enough of their travels through this region.
- If the mountains make you come alive, Africa’s highest peaks can be found in Tanzania. Mount Kilimanjaro is a world-famous hiking and climbing destination you won’t want to miss!
- Lake Tanganyika is an African Great Lake and is the second-deepest lake in the world, bordering four nations and is vital for trade and commerce for people living along it. The lake is home to the oldest-running ferry in the world.
- The second largest national park in Tanzania, the Serengeti National Park’s best months for wildlife viewing are between June and September.
5. Marco's Accommodation Recommendations
With so many key attractions, you are spoiled for choice when it comes to selecting your accommodations.
- In Arusha: Legendary Lodge or Arusha Coffee Lodge
- In Serengeti and Grumeti: Elewana Pioneer Camp, Lemala Kuria Hills, One Nature Mara River, Serian’s Serengeti South, Singita Mara River Tented Camp, Singita Sasakwa Lodge
- In Ngorongoro Crater: andBeyond Ngorongoro Crater Lodge, Gibbs Farm
- In Tarangire and Lake Manyara: Sanctuary Swala Camp, Chem Chem Safari Lodge, Lake Manyara Tree Lodge
- In Ruaha National Park: Jabali Ridge and Jabali Private House
- Mahale Mountains National Park: Greystoke Mahale
- Nyerere Selous: Roho Ya Selous
- Pemba Island: Fundu Lagoon, Manta Resort
- Zanzibar: White Sands, Zuri Zanzibar
- Mount Kilimanjaro: Depending on your trekking package and the route you choose, accommodations along your hike range from huts to high-quality mountain tents. Pre and Post hiking accommodation is offered in the towns of Moshi and Arusha.
YPO Owned Accommodation:
- Chuini Zanzibar Beach Lodge, Bububu Zanzibar
- Coral Beach Hotel, Msasani Peninsula Dar es Salaam
- Peninsula Hotel, Oyster Bay Dar es Salaam
7. Destinations Tanzania Pairs Well With
South Africa
- Highlights: Award winning restaurants, wineries; Big Five Safari; Water & land adventures; The lush Garden Route; Iconic Cape Town – the best city in the world
- Travel Appeal: Renowned for its incredible safaris, city breaks, the Cape's Winelands and cultural diversity.
Kenya
- Highlights: Nairobi, Maasai Mara, Amboseli National Park, Diani Beach.
- Travel Appeal: Kenya's renowned wildlife safaris and beach resorts pair well with Tanzania's diverse offerings.
Zanzibar
- Highlights: Stone Town, the historic center of Zanzibar City, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Zanzibar is often referred to as the "Spice Island" due to its spice plantations. Diving and Snorkeling
- Travel Appeal: Cultural Diversity, Historical Stone Town, Stunning Beaches, Spice Plantations, Unique Wildlife, Diverse Culinary Experience
EXPERIENCE GORILLA TREKKING:
Rwanda
- Highlights: Kigali, Volcanoes National Park, Kigali, Nyungwe National Park
- Travel Appeal: Rwanda’s Mountain Gorilla and Chimpanzee trekking and beautiful landscapes offer an enriching experience that complements Tanzania's attractions.
Uganda
- Highlights: Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Queen Elizabeth National Park, Murchison Falls
- Travel Appeal: Known for gorilla trekking and diverse wildlife, Uganda adds a unique dimension to an African safari experience.
8. Regions in Tanzania
- Arusha – A lively safari hub beneath Mount Meru and Kilimanjaro, offering dining, markets, museums, and scenic coffee plantations.
- Serengeti National Park – Home to the Great Migration, this vast conservation area teems with wildebeest, zebra, predators, and breathtaking landscapes.
- Ngorongoro Crater – A diverse ecosystem of volcanoes, grasslands, and waterfalls, rich in wildlife and home to the Maasai people.
- Lake Manyara National Park – A birding paradise with over 400 species, vast flamingo-filled alkaline lakes, and a variety of wildlife.
- Tarangire National Park – Known for its winding river, seasonal wildlife concentrations, massive baobabs, and thriving elephant population.
- Selous Game Reserve – Africa’s largest and oldest game reserve, featuring woodlands, plains, rocky outcrops, and the Rufiji River.
- Mahale Mountains National Park – A pristine reserve along Lake Tanganyika, offering rare chimpanzee trekking experiences.
- Ruaha National Park – East Africa’s largest national park, home to elephants, diverse birdlife, crocodiles, and hippos along the Great Ruaha River.
- Mount Kilimanjaro – Africa’s highest peak, attracting trekkers to its snow-capped summit and lush forested foothills teeming with wildlife.
- Zanzibar – A tropical paradise of stunning islands, crystal-clear waters, world-class water sports, and rich spice heritage.