Home to some of Africa’s most famous national parks, Tanzania boasts an unforgettable safari experience. Witness the Great Wildebeest Migration in the Serengeti, spot lions in the Ngorongoro Crater and meet chimpanzees in the Mahale Mountains. Then relax on Zanzibar’s pristine beaches.
5 reasons to go on a Tanzania safari in 2026-2027
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Ngorongoro Crater
The Ngorongoro Crater is the world’s largest intact caldera. All of the ‘Big Five’ are present, including black rhino and more lions per capita than anywhere on earth.
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Mahale Mountains National Park
The Mahale Mountains National Park is home to the largest known population of eastern chimpanzees. Meet wild groups on trekking excursions.
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Serengeti National Park
The Serengeti hosts the annual Great Wildebeest Migration. It’s a thrilling spectacle, with nearly two million wildebeest, zebra and gazelle on the move.
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Zanzibar
Zanzibar’s pristine white-sand beaches pair well with a safari. Go diving, spot red colobus monkeys or explore the UNESCO-listed capital, Stone Town.
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Mount Kilimanjaro
Mount Kilimanjaro is the highest peak in Africa. Pair this unforgettable trek with one of Tanzania’s best safari routes, the Northern Circuit, with Ngorongoro and Lake Manyara.
Luxury safari holidays in Tanzania
Tanzania boasts a wealth of national parks filled with wildlife, including the Big Five, and an excellent range of lodges with exciting activities. The Northern and Southern Circuits feature some of Tanzania’s greatest hits, promising unforgettable safari experiences. In the remote Wild West, you’ll find an untouched wilderness and a true nature escape. Start planning your 2026 Tanzania safari holiday.
The Northern Circuit reaches the Serengeti, where the Great Wildebeest Migration takes place. It also extends to Mount Kilimanjaro, Arusha and the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the world’s largest intact caldera. The north is also dotted with various lakes, including the saline lakes Natron and Eyasi, as well as Lake Manyara and its surrounding national park, which is famous for its tree-climbing lions. Lastly, Tarangire National Park is home to ancient baobabs and the north’s largest population of elephants.
The south of Tanzania is also full of exceptional parks known for their predators. Nyerere National Park (previously Selous) is known for its size and big game, while in Ruaha, incredible conservation efforts make it a hotspot for lion and wild dog. Tanzania’s diverse cultures include the famed Maasai pastoralists and the hunter-gatherer Hadzabe, while also holding links to ancient history, with settlements dating back to the Stone Age.
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SENIOR AFRICA TRAVEL EXPERT
“Tanzania is where raw wilderness meets unforgettable adventure. Beyond the iconic Kilimanjaro, Ngorongoro, Serengeti and the Great Wildebeest Migration, trek through the forests of Mahale or Rubondo to encounter wild chimpanzees in their natural habitat. Add to that barefoot days on Zanzibar’s white sand shores, and you have one unbelievable experience in Africa.”
Safari lodges
Take a look at our recommended camps and safari lodges in Tanzania.
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Ruaha National Park
This lodge sits in Ruaha, Tanzania’s largest national park. Walking safaris are legendary here, alongside spotting resident lion prides.
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Mwiba Wildlife Reserve
This exclusive retreat in Mwiba Wildlife Reserve, adjoining the Serengeti, offers helicopter tours and private game drives.
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Ngorongoro Crater
Perched on the edge of the Ngorongoro Crater, this homestead has soaring views across the vast caldera. Stay in a cosy cottage and get first dibs on seeing the crater’s wildlife before anyone else.
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Grumeti Game Reserve
Take a walk on the wild side. Inspired by old-world expeditions, this rustic-chic, tented camp moves with the wildlife for optimal viewings—with a bonus ensuite bathroom and pool.
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Serengeti National Park
Be at one with nature at this luxurious tented lodge. Set in the Serengeti, it has enviable access to the Great Wildebeest migration and the big cats that prowl the savannah.
Best time to visit Tanzania 2026-2027
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The dry season
June to October
Game viewing throughout Tanzania’s selection of game parks is at its best between June and October, with wildlife staying close to limited water sources and vegetation thinning throughout the season.
The Great Migration can be seen at any time of year in the Serengeti, with the most popular time to see the spectacle being between July and September for the dramatic river crossings – expect to see lots of vehicles in the Serengeti at this time. This coincides with some of the best game viewing throughout the country and beautiful weather in Zanzibar.
December to March
The rains begin to ease by December, with some lingering, short showers a possibility. Game viewing is excellent in the northern parks. This is calving season for the herds of the Great Migration as they move into the southern stretches of the Serengeti. It’s also a spectacular time for scuba diving and snorkelling in Zanzibar with great visibility and calm waters.
The green season
November
Moving into November, the short rains tend to break in short showers, and the herds of the Great Migration move south into the eastern stretches of the Serengeti. This is typically a much quieter time of year to travel, and game viewing remains impressive; it also offers an exceptional time for birding.
April & May
Towards the end of March, Tanzania receives its long rains. Regular downpours occur, which can affect safari activities.
Tanzania safari FAQs
The best safari in Tanzania depends on what you’re most excited about. The Serengeti National Park is an iconic safari destination and one of the top places to see the Great Wildebeest Migration. This wildlife spectacle is something you should see at least once in your life. Tanzania’s Northern Circuit features the Serengeti alongside other top attractions, including the Ngorongoro Crater, Mount Kilimanjaro, Tarangire and Lake Manyara. If you’re looking for an immersive wildlife safari, Katavi National Park and the Mahale Mountains might be perfect for you. Chat to us to create your personalised Tanzania safari itinerary.
The best time to visit Tanzania is the dry season between late June and October, as wildlife is easier to track. It’s also a fantastic time of year to see the Great Wildebeest Migration crossing the Grumeti and Mara rivers. If you’re keen to do a birding safari or want to see baby animals, the best months are January to March and November to December during the green season.
To get the most out of your Tanzania safari, we recommend at least 7-10 days. This gives you a chance to see wildlife in multiple national parks and enjoy the activities at your safari camps and lodges. We also suggest extending your stay to 14 days, so you can unwind on the island of Zanzibar at the end of your trip.
We specialise in bespoke luxury safaris in Tanzania. To make an enquiry or start planning your trip, send us an email, give us a call or chat with us directly on LiveChat. Visit our Contact page to find out more.
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“The best of the best. Nobody knows safari like The Safari Edit. Alex was incredible from start to finish from the planning process, to giving us all the info we needed before we travelled, to being in touch throughout the trip and also the follow up. Can’t recommend these guys enough!”
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What Our Clients Say
“We had a fantastic family holiday to South Africa thanks to The Safari Edit. We love to travel, but, with busy lives, we find it hard to make time to plan big holidays. Alex really knows how to put together a trip of a lifetime. We spent one hour discussing with him what we hoped to experience on our family holiday. Alex then created an outstanding bespoke itinerary. There were so many highlights, including a visit to a local rhino conservation project, exploring the Western Cape, and a “Big 5″ marine safari. We are already planning our next African adventure with The Safari Edit.”
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What Our Clients Say
“My wife and I enjoyed a wonderful holiday in Zanzibar with The Safari Edit. The team planned everything exactly as we requested, a mix of culture and sightseeing in Stone Town, followed by complete relaxation on the beach. Everything was taken care of, so we didn’t have to worry about connections, flights or transfers. The hotels that Alex suggested were spot on for our needs and he really took into account things that mattered to us, like stair-free properties and accessible old town tours. All in all, fantastic service and a wonderful trip. We can’t wait to book again.”
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What Our Clients Say
“Everything ran seamlessly, and we had great peace of mind in knowing that Alex was always available to smooth any glitches should they arise. We had the most amazing, unforgettable experience and leave South Africa resolved to return, and will most definitely be reaching out to Alex at The Safari Edit to create our future adventures.” -
What Our Clients Say
“I cannot recommend The Safari Edit highly enough! They organised the most magical, once-in-a-lifetime trip to South Africa for us at the start of the year, and it truly was the best trip we have ever been on. Every single detail was perfectly curated, from the hotels and transfers to the experiences and recommendations. A very special thank you to Alex, who was absolutely amazing from start to finish. He took the time to understand exactly what we wanted and delivered something beyond anything we could have imagined. It was truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience that we will treasure forever.”
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