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Draft data. Times, fares and step counts are desk estimates awaiting field checks. Unknown times stay unknown. How we verify

country

TanzaniaTanzania

First trip: land at Kilimanjaro (JRO), spend 1 night in Arusha, 4–6 lodge nights on the northern circuit (Tarangire, Ngorongoro, Serengeti), then fly to Zanzibar for 3–5 nights; do not add the southern parks on the same short trip.

Not field-verified

Tanzania's parks are large and far apart, and the roads between them eat days: the northern circuit alone is a long loop on rough tracks. Pick one circuit, give each park at least two lodge nights, and fly light aircraft when distances exceed half a day. The long rains (roughly March–May) close some camps and roads; the dry season (roughly June–October) is the busiest and easiest for wildlife. Park and conservation fees are charged per person per day, so check current rates with the park authorities or your operator.

All regions, cities and parks in Tanzania (Atlas) →

Regions

Arusha and Kilimanjaroplanned

Arrival base for the northern circuit and Kilimanjaro climbs

1–2 nights

Northern safari circuitplanned

Tarangire, Lake Manyara, Ngorongoro Crater and the Serengeti

4–7 nights

Zanzibarplanned

Stone Town and beach nights on Unguja

3–5 nights

Southern parksplanned

Nyerere (Selous) and Ruaha, usually by light aircraft from Dar es Salaam

3–5 nights

Arrive

JRO

Kilimanjaro International

Gateway for Arusha, the northern circuit and Kilimanjaro climbs

DAR

Julius Nyerere International (Dar es Salaam)

Main commercial hub; flights to the southern parks and Zanzibar

ZNZ

Abeid Amani Karume International (Zanzibar)

Direct international flights to Zanzibar; ferries also run from Dar es Salaam

Time math

5 days
Arusha 1 + Tarangire 1 + Ngorongoro 1 + Serengeti 2 (or fly direct to the Serengeti for 4)
8 days
Arusha 1 + Tarangire 2 + Ngorongoro 1 + Serengeti 3 + 1 buffer
12 days
Arusha 1 + northern circuit 6 + fly to Zanzibar 5

Country rules

Inherited by every page below
  • Check visa and entry rules for your passport on the official Tanzanian immigration portal; Zanzibar is part of Tanzania but may have its own additional requirements such as travel insurance.
  • Book a travel-clinic visit several weeks ahead; ask about malaria prevention and check whether a yellow fever vaccination certificate is required for your route, including transits.
  • Plastic carrier bags are banned; leave shop and duty-free plastic bags behind before you arrive.
  • Light aircraft between parks and to Zanzibar have strict baggage limits, usually soft-sided bags only and a low total weight (often around 15 kg); confirm the limit with your operator.

Etiquette

  • Dress modestly in Stone Town and villages on Zanzibar (shoulders and knees covered); swimwear is for the beach and the pool.
  • Greet before asking anything; a few words of Swahili (jambo, asante, pole pole) go a long way.
  • Ask before photographing people, including Maasai communities.
Long rains (roughly Mar–May)
Some camps close; roads in parks and on Zanzibar flood in places.
Peak dry season (roughly Jul–Sep)
Lodges and Kilimanjaro routes book out early; busy sightings in the northern parks.
Ramadan (moves each year)
Zanzibar slows down by day; many local restaurants close until sunset.

Money & passes

Cash necessity: 3/5

  • Currency is the Tanzanian shilling (TZS). US dollars are widely quoted for tourism; older or damaged dollar notes are often refused.
  • Cards work at larger hotels and lodges; park fees are usually paid by card or through your operator, not in cash.
  • Carry small notes for tips to guides, drivers and camp staff; ask your operator for local tipping norms.

Before you fly: eSIM before you fly · Visas and entry

Safety

  • Use hotel-arranged transport after dark in Dar es Salaam, Arusha and Stone Town; bag snatching from passing motorbikes happens.
  • Road travel is slow and accidents are a leading risk: avoid long drives after dark.
  • Kilimanjaro: altitude sickness is the main risk; choose a longer route and a licensed operator, and descend if symptoms worsen.
  • Some governments advise against travel to parts of the south near the Mozambique border: check your own government's advice before you go.
  • Same-sex sexual activity is illegal in Tanzania, including Zanzibar; be discreet in public.

Tanzania pairs with Kenya (Masai Mara) and Rwanda or Uganda (gorillas) by regional flights; check entry rules for each border separately.

Open Africa

Sources