1. Destinations
  2. Africa and the Middle East
  3. Tanzania

TANZANIA DESTINATION GUIDE

As the world leader in travel experiences since 1947, we connect you to the real Tanzania in a way like no other. A journey to Tanzania is like no other. It’s where you can spot the Big Five on the endless plains of the Serengeti, and see the ‘Greatest Show on Earth’, with the Great Migration of millions of wildebeest. It’s where you can swim with whale sharks off Pemba Island in Zanzibar, and watch the sunrise over the ‘Roof of Africa’ on Mount Kilimanjaro, Africa’s highest peak. Our Tanzania travel experiences take you from the lush coffee plantations of Arusha, to the depths of Ngorongoro Crater, home to remarkable wildlife and the Maasai people. We’ll see the rare tree-climbing lions of Lake Manyara, marvel at the magical baobabs of Tarangire, and visit Lake Victoria, the largest lake in Africa. We’ll meet the warm Tanzanian people and their multicultural heritage, from the ancient Swahili traditions, to the red-cloaked Maasai warriors. Wherever you go, you’ll be welcomed with ‘karibu tena’ (welcome again), drawing you back to this soul-stirring land. Travel with us and unlock the infinite possibilities thanks to our exclusive Trafalgar Highlights.
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Overall Rating

4.6

Out of 5

Based on 78,930 independent reviews

"Tanzania is a true bucket-list destination. Here you can witness the Great Migration in the Serengeti, climb Mount Kilimanjaro, swim with whale sharks in Zanzibar, and visit Lake Victoria, the largest lake in Africa"

Travel Director
Tanzania at a glance
Tanzania is where you can spot the Big Five on the Serengeti, see the migration of millions of wildebeest, swim with whale sharks in Zanzibar, watch the sunrise on Mount Kilimanjaro, and experience ancient Swahili culture. Join your expert Trafalgar Travel Director and take a journey like no other.
Currency
Tanzanian shilling
Winter avg
26°C
Summer avg
25°C
Time Zone
GMT+3
Capital Cities
Dodoma
Language
Swahili
Good morning
Habari za asubuhi
Good evening
Habari za jioni
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Our top 5 things to do in Tanzania

We’ll show you what to do in Tanzania, from spotting the tree-climbing lions of Lake Manyara and exploring the floor of Ngorongoro, to watching the Great Migration in the Serengeti.

Discover the secrets of the Serengeti's complex eco-system

The Serengeti is the largest national park in Tanzania, home to an incredibly ancient and complex ecosystem. It’s one of the best places in Africa for wildlife viewing, and your Tanzania guide will help you to spot all of Africa’s Big Five, over 500 bird species, and the Great Migration, the world’s largest overland migration.
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Descend hundreds of metres to the floor of Ngorongoro Crater

Exploring the floor of the Ngorongoro Crater is one of the most remarkable things to do in Tanzania. It’s the world’s largest unbroken caldera, formed around two to three million years ago, and is a thriving environment for wildlife like elephants and lions, and the Maasai people who have lived here for hundreds of years.
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Spot tree-climbing lions at Lake Manyara National Park

When you embark on a Tanzania safari with Trafalgar, we’ll show you the all the iconic animals, plus the rarer species like the tree-climbing lions of Lake Manyara. They’re one of only two documented populations of tree-climbing lions on earth, and we’ll take you on a game drive to spot these elusive creatures lounging in the treetops.
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Pass battalions of baobab trees at Tarangire National Park

We’ll take you to the ancient lands of Tarangire National Park, where centuries-old baobabs trees are strewn across the plains. This remote park is also a superb destination for wildlife viewing, and we’ll venture on a game drive to spot massive herds of elephants, and migrating wildebeest and zebra.
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Visit Tanzania's largest coffee plantations in Arusha

Arusha is the gateway to Tanzania’s safaris and mountains, while their fragrant coffee plantations are one of the top Tanzania attractions. We’ll take you for lunch at a restaurant within one of the country’s largest coffee plantations, where you’ll view the lush landscapes, smell the rich aromas and taste the local brews.
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Best museums in Tanzania

When you visit Tanzania with Trafalgar, we’ll reveal the country’s history through its museums, from the ancient history of Tanzania, to the grand Sultan’s Palace in Zanzibar.

National Museum of Tanzania

Discover Tanzania’s history at the National Museum of Tanzania, with exhibitions ranging from the Zanzibar slave trade to the British and German colonial periods. Among the treasures, you’ll find the bones of Paranthropus boisei and one of the original cars of King George V of England.
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Sultan's Palace, Zanzibar

The Sultan’s Palace is one of the most famous buildings in Zanzibar, and was the home of Sultan Seyyid Said from 1828 until 1896. Although it was largely destroyed by the British, it was rebuilt by the Tanzanian Republic, and today you can wander the opulent halls and discover how royalty lived.
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Arusha Declaration Museum

The Arusha Declaration Museum is an excellent photographic museum and one of the top places to visit in Arusha. The museum tells the story of life in Tanzania under socialism, and was named after the declaration that introduced the ‘Ujamaa’ or the African Socialism policy to Tanzania.
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Best food in Tanzania

Tanzania food is filled with tangy meats and flavoured rice, and our Local Specialists will show you the best places to try the classics, from tangy pilaf to spicy biryani.

Pilaf

A traditional dish originating from India, pilaf is made from seasoned rice, flavoured with meat, vegetables, stock and spices like garlic, ginger and cumin. It’s often served with cardamom, cinnamon, saffron and black peppercorns, and we’ll show you the best places to try this delicious dish.
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Biryani

Tanzanian biryani is a beloved Swahili dish, originating from the Indian subcontinent. It’s made with tender meat (usually chicken) and potatoes, cooked in spicy gravy and served over a bed of seasoned rice. The thick gravy is flavoured with a host of spices like garlic, ginger, turmeric and garam masala.
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Ugali

Ugali is the classic staple of Tanzania, and you’ll find it served with almost any meal in the country. It’s a doughy cornmeal porridge, typically used to dip into soups, curries and sauces, or served with salads.
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What to pack for Tanzania

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Adaptor plug

In Tanzania, the standard voltage is 230 V and the power plugs and sockets are of type D and G. The standard frequency is 50 Hz.

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Binoculars

Bring your binoculars to spot wildlife up close when we take you on a safari through some of Africa’s best wildlife destinations, from the Serengeti to Ngorongoro Crater.

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Biodegradable bags

Plastic bags are banned in Tanzania, so you’ll need to use carry bags made with biodegradable materials such as cotton. The ban also applies to Ziploc bags commonly used in airports.

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Mosquito repellent

Be sure to pack a strong mosquito repellent with DEET, to protect you from mosquito bites and other insects when you visit Tanzania.

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Versatile clothing

Pack a variety of long-sleeved and light-coloured layers, so you can easily go from cold morning game drives, to sizzling afternoon sunshine on your Tanzania safari.

Other things to know before you go

Depending on your nationality, you'll need a valid passport and may also need visas to enter. Please check this well in advance of your trip departure date here. Some countries also require passports to have 3-6 months left on them before the given expiry date, so be sure to double check this before booking your travels.

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