Tanzania’s iconic destinations

Arusha

Nestled at the base of majestic Mount Meru, Arusha is the vibrant safari capital of Tanzania and the perfect starting point for your adventures into the country

Bagamoyo

Wandering the narrow, unpaved streets of Bagamoyo feels like stepping into the pages of a 19th-century travel journal.

Dodoma

Set at the geographic center of Tanzania, Dodoma is more than just the nation’s political capital—it’s a warm, sunlit city steeped in tradition, brimming with c

Mkomazi National Park

Tucked away in northern Tanzania, where dry savannahs melt into distant green hills, Mkomazi National Park is a true hidden gem — quietly spectacular and wonder

Mwanza City

Cradled by the glittering waters of Lake Victoria, Mwanza is a city full of soul, scenery, and stories.

Saadani National Park

Saadani National Park is a rare gem on Tanzania’s coastline—a place where untamed wilderness meets the waves of the Indian Ocean.

Serengeti National Park

Tanzania’s most famous park: wide grass plains, big-cat country and the stage for the Great Migration all year round.

• Best time: Jun – Oct; Dec – Mar in the south
• Known for: The Great Migration, lions, cheetahs

Ngorongoro Crater

A huge volcanic crater about 600 metres deep, with one of the densest concentrations of wildlife in Africa on its floor.

• Best time: All year; Jun – Oct is driest
• Known for: Black rhino, lions, flamingos

Tarangire National Park

Ancient baobab trees and some of the largest elephant herds in Tanzania, gathered along the Tarangire River in the dry season.

• Best time: Jun – Oct
• Known for: Elephants, baobabs, birdlife

Lake Manyara National Park

A compact park below the Rift Valley wall, with groundwater forest, a soda lake and the famous tree-climbing lions.

• Best time: Jun – Oct; birds Nov – Apr
• Known for: Tree-climbing lions, flamingos

Arusha National Park

A short drive from Arusha: Mount Meru, the Momella lakes and forest where you can walk or canoe as well as drive.

• Best time: All year
• Known for: Colobus monkeys, giraffes, walking safaris

Ndutu Area

The southern Serengeti and Ngorongoro area where the herds give birth each year — and where the predators follow.

• Best time: Dec – Mar
• Known for: Wildebeest calving, big cats

Nyerere National Park (Selous)

Africa’s largest protected area, with boat safaris on the Rufiji River and its lakes as well as game drives.

• Best time: Jun – Oct
• Known for: Boat safaris, wild dogs, hippos

Ruaha National Park

A big, remote park with very few visitors, rugged scenery along the Great Ruaha River and large lion prides.

• Best time: Jun – Oct
• Known for: Elephants, lions, kudu

Mikumi National Park

Open plains a few hours’ drive from Dar es Salaam — a good short safari from the coast.

• Best time: Jun – Oct
• Known for: Elephants, giraffes, zebras

Katavi National Park

One of Tanzania’s most remote parks, famous for huge herds of buffalo and crowded hippo pools late in the dry season.

• Best time: Jun – Oct
• Known for: Buffalo herds, hippos

Gombe Stream National Park

A small forest park on Lake Tanganyika, where Jane Goodall began her chimpanzee research.

• Best time: Jun – Oct (drier trails)
• Known for: Chimpanzee trekking

Mahale Mountains National Park

Forested mountains rising from Lake Tanganyika, home to habituated chimpanzee groups and reachable mainly by air and boat.

• Best time: Jul – Oct
• Known for: Chimpanzee trekking, lake beaches

Zanzibar

White-sand beaches, warm Indian Ocean water and spice farms — the classic way to finish a safari.

• Best time: Jun – Oct; Dec – Feb
• Known for: Beaches, snorkelling, spice tours

Stone Town

Zanzibar’s old town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site of narrow lanes, carved doors, markets and sunset dhows.

• Best time: All year
• Known for: Old town walks, food markets

Pemba Island

Zanzibar’s hilly, much quieter neighbour, known for clove farms and some of East Africa’s best diving.

• Best time: Jun – Oct; Dec – Feb
• Known for: Diving, quiet beaches

Mafia Island

A small, laid-back island in a protected marine park, known for diving and seasonal whale sharks.

• Best time: Oct – Mar for whale sharks
• Known for: Whale sharks, diving

Mount Kilimanjaro

Africa’s highest mountain at 5,895 metres — a non-technical trek from rainforest to glaciers.

• Best time: Jan – Mar; Jun – Oct
• Known for: Summit trek, 5–8 days

Mount Meru

Tanzania’s second-highest peak at 4,566 metres, inside Arusha National Park — a great acclimatisation climb before Kilimanjaro.

• Best time: Jun – Oct; Dec – Feb
• Known for: 3–4 day trek with wildlife

Ol Doinyo Lengai

The Maasai “Mountain of God” above Lake Natron — a steep night climb to the crater of an active volcano.

• Best time: Jun – Oct
• Known for: Night climb, Lake Natron