Tanzania Travel Guide

Tanzania is amazing to visit year-round. Understanding the seasons may help you decide on the perfect time of year to explore Tanzania:

The dry season: June to October is ideal for wildlife viewing in any of the national parks, and most of the river crossings for the Great Migration in Serengeti are observed during these months.

The wet season:  November to December and again from March to May, provides lush landscapes, excellent bird watching, and animals enjoying rivers and watering holes. Rain is likely and some roads may be impassible. However, there are fewer crowds in the parks.

The hot season: Tanzania’s summer is January – February, and while these months are very warm, it is also the ideal time to catch wildebeest calving in Ndutu area of Serengeti.

The cool season: June and July are much cooler, with temperatures dropping to the low 60’s °F (15–17°C) in some areas. The exciting river crossings are likely to occur during these months, too.

It’s difficult to choose one or two, because so many of Tanzania’s national parks are incredible.

Here are our top picks, depending on the type of traveler you are:

Big-Five Enthusiast: 

1. Serengeti National Park: the ‘Endless Plains’ are home to big cats, elephants and herds of buffalo. This park offers the classic East African Safari experience.
2. Ngorongoro Conservation Area: see endangered black rhinos in the Ngorongoro Crater, and spend the night camping within the conservation area, to learn about the Maasai people who walk among lions as they herd their cattle.
3. Tarangire National Park: home to large herds of elephants, as well as lion prides and even the elusive leopard, too. This is an excellent park to spot wildlife in the dry season.

The Romantic:

1. Nyerere National Park: for incredible sunsets and exciting boat safaris along the Rufiji River.
2. Kitulo National Park: called the Garden of the Gods for a reason, you’ll see some spectacular flowers and hoards of butterflies.
3. Zanzibar: a favorite beach vacation for couples, with pristine beaches, dolphin sitings and warm ocean waters.

Nature Lover: 

1. Mkomazi National Park: visit the Black Rhino Sanctuary and learn about wildlife  conservation in Tanzania.
2. Udzungwa Mountains: A place with no roads; visitors hike through the lush mountains to see waterfalls and endemic bird species.
3. Manyara National Park: known for its unique birds, including flamingos, and tree-climbing lions.

The Adventure-seeker: 

1. Kilimanjaro National Park: Trek Africa’s highest mountain as part of your Tanzania Safari.
2. Katavi National Park: Tanzania’s most remote, and least-visited park. Here you will find elephants, giraffes, crocodiles and hippos.
3. Arusha National Park: but instead of a game drive, go for a walking or cycling safari to experience wildlife up close.

Chaser of Exclusive Experiences:

1. Gombe Stream National Park: Only accessible by boat. Trek with Chimpanzees and visit Jane Goodall’s Research Center.
2. Trek Tanzania’s active volcano, Ol Doinyo Lengai and see the incredible alkaline lake that is famous for its deadly, red water.
3. Saadani National Park: the only park in East Africa that has an Indian Ocean coastline.

Tanzania is home to the iconic “Big Five” – lions, elephants, buffalos, leopards, and rhinoceros. Additionally, witness wildebeests, zebras, giraffes, hippos, wild dogs, chimpanzees and other endemic primates, and an array of bird species in their natural habitats.

Accommodation options range from luxury lodges and tented camps to budget-friendly campsites.
Choose based on your preferences and budget, ensuring proximity to your but rest assured, every accommodation with Legacy Exchange Outfitters is set in breathtaking locations and offers warm hospitality.

Consult your doctor for recommended vaccinations, including for malaria prophylaxis options.
Overall, most avid travelers find they already have many of the vaccines required, perhaps with the exception of Yellow Fever Vaccination.

If you have traveled widely, it is required by the government of Tanzania that all in-coming travelers be effectively vaccinated against Yellow Fever, as to ensure it does not enter the country.

You should have your vaccination certificate to present upon arrival in Tanzania.

Pack lightweight, neutral-colored clothing, a hat, and comfortable closed-toe shoes.
Pack with the weather in mind, considering both warm days and cooler evenings, and the possibility of rain.

Bring a swimming costume for the pool or beach.

Yes, budget safaris are available, utilizing more basic accommodations and offering classic experiences, without the added-on activities.
Group tours and camping options can significantly reduce costs, as well.

Yes!
At Legacy Exchange Outfitters we love children and know the extra touches that set a family safari apart.

Typically, children pay lower fees to enter national parks, and at times receive a discount on accommodations, too.Most lodges and camps welcome children, and some even offer family- friendly activities such as beading, donkey rides, and nature walks.

If you do plan to come as a family, please let us know your children’s ages and any other essential information so we can ensure the best service possible.

Tipping is customary in Tanzania. Tips for guides, drivers, and camp staff are appreciated. 

Generally, tips are given at the end of an experience: after a walking safari for a park ranger; when you check out of a hotel for hospitality staff, or on the final day of your safari tour for your driver-guide.

Tanzanian Shillings, Euros or US Dollars are all acceptable forms of currency for tipping.