The 2024 safari calendar has started and this Tanzania travel guide for first-timer travelers comes at the right time. Tanzania is an East African country bordering Kenya and Uganda to the North, Rwanda, Burundi, and the Democratic Republic of Congo to the West, and Mozambique, Malawi, and Zambia to the south. It also borders the Indian Ocean and has one of the longest coastlines covering 1,424 kilometers.
Tanzania is an African safari giant and a leading travel destination. With the negative press reporting and little information known about the African continent, remarkably beautiful and diverse destinations like Tanzania also get affected negatively. In this Tanzania Travel guide we highlight key aspects of Tanzania travel first-timers could be interested in.
Tanzania Travel Destinations
Tanzania is a large country with several travel destinations. It covers a land area of 947,303 square kilometers with many protected areas. Tanzania has the largest national park in East Africa (Nyerere National Park) and all its wildlife destinations are large with a high animal population.
It has three major wildlife travel regions including the northern circuit, the remote south, and the less traveled western region. The northern Tanzania tourism circuit is the most famous of all. It has incredible safari destinations like Serengeti, Tarangire, Lake Manyara, and Arusha National Parks. The Ngorongoro Crater which is the world’s largest unfilled caldera and the Ndutu Conservancy are all in this region.
Southern Tanzania has exclusive destinations like Mikumu, Ruaha, and Nyerere National Parks. All these are large and offer real untamed and exclusive Tanzania safari experiences. The less traveled paths of the West are even better and are more remote and exclusive. There you enjoy safaris to destinations like Gombe National Park, and Mahale Mountains, and endless adventures along Lake Tanganyika.
Eastern Tanzania is just the ocean and the secluded Zanzibar islands. The Ocean offers a different Tanzania Travel experience from the open savanna wildlife expeditions. Along the Ocean, you journey with sea wildlife including dolphins, or can choose to relax at the white sand beaches.
Tanzania Travel Adventures
Tanzania travel adventures vary depending on the Tanzania region you are visiting. On mainland Tanzania, you can be part of classic savanna wildlife Discovery Journeys. Serengeti National Park is a Must for big cats, wildebeest migration, and big cat experiences. Tarangire is a land of giants with the highest concentration of elephants in Tanzania. The Ngorongoro Crater is a natural enclosure with all the big five mammals.
Our 9-day Tanzania safari is extensive and features the major northern Tanzania safari destinations. The southern Tanzania route is interesting for those interested in exclusive safaris. The 10-day Southern Tanzania Discovery Journeys features the major three national parks there. It has game drives, a boat cruise, birding opportunities, and more. If you are interested in sport fishing then the 5-day fishing safari is recommended.
There are several flying safaris to Katavi, Mahale Mountains, and Gombe National Parks. You can also fly to northern Tanzania destinations depending on your preference and travel budget. We have other Tanzania travel guide and posts specific to the featured destinations and activities you can engage in. Check out our blog section for such featured posts and travel guide advisories.
Where to stay
Destination Tanzania has several accommodation options from budget camps to safari lodges and luxury tented camps. These are evenly distributed to the different Tanzania destinations and you can base from there for your Tanzania adventures. Notable safari lodges in Serengeti include Serengeti Serena Safari Lodge, Mbalageti Serengeti, and Lobo Wildlife Lodge among others.
There are mobile tented camps in Serengeti that follow the wildebeest migration. With these, you can catch up with the wildebeest migration journey.
Tanzania’s urban centers and entry points also have hotels that are fully furnished and offer great hospitality services. Whether you opt to start your Tanzania travel from Arusha, or Dar es Salaam you would get the most appropriate accommodation facility.
Getting there
Destination Tanzania can be accessed by road, air, or water transportation. Air transport is the most convenient means for international travel. Tanzania has a national airline carrier, Air Tanzania. Its major international airports are also served by international airlines. These include KLM, Uganda Airlines, Qatar Airways, and Egypt Air among others.
Within Tanzania are domestic flight operators like Auric Air and Grumeti Air. These fly on schedule but can also be chartered to access even the most remote Tanzania travel destinations. Road Transport is also widely used within Tanzania and is the most convenient for the travel experiences there.
Tanzania Visa policy
Tanzania has bilateral understandings with some regional neighbors and common markets whose citizens do not require a visa. There are other exceptional countries whose citizens can visit Tanzania without a Visa. Citizens from countries outside those categories are required to process a single entry visa that lasts up to 3 months. This can be applied online or at a Tanzania diplomatic mission in your country.
A valid passport with 6 months validity, passport size photo, return ticket, and payment of the visa fees are a Must. United States American citizens who intend to visit Tanzania for tourism are required to apply for a multiple-entry visa. This costs USD 100 and has a six-month validity.
Best time to Visit
Tanzania lies within the tropics with incredible weather and visiting the country is possible any time of the year. All Tanzania safari experiences are doable throughout the year. For the wildebeest migration safari, it is recommended to visit from September to June. This is when the herds are in the different sectors of Serengeti before or after crossing from Masai Mara.
You can directly contact us for other Tanzania Travel guides and adventures. We also feature safaris to Rwanda, Uganda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Email us now to start planning your ultimate Discovery Journeys.
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