A safari in Tanzania is easier than most people expect, but a few details catch almost every first-time visitor. Most of them are about distance, temperature and money. None of them are difficult once you know. Here is what our guides tell guests before they land at Kilimanjaro International Airport.
Distances are longer than the map suggests
Northern Tanzania looks compact on a map. On the ground, Arusha to the central Serengeti is a full day by road, usually seven to eight hours with stops at the Ngorongoro Crater viewpoint and the Naabi Hill gate. Inside the parks, roads are gravel or dirt and the speed limit is 50 km/h, often less.
Guides call the ride an “African massage”. It is part of the experience, but it shapes how you plan:
- Stay at least two nights in each park. One-night stops mean you spend more time driving between parks than inside them.
- Consider flying one way. A light-aircraft flight from the Serengeti back to Arusha takes about an hour and saves a long return drive.
- Plan for rest days. On a trip longer than a week, a slow morning at camp makes the rest of the trip better.
See how we pace a first trip in The Northern Loop, which spends two nights or more in most stops.
Mornings are cold, middays are hot
Tanzania is close to the equator, but most safari country sits at altitude. Arusha is around 1,400 metres and the Ngorongoro Crater rim is about 2,300 metres. Early game drives in an open-roof vehicle can be close to 10°C, while the afternoon on the Serengeti plains is often in the high 20s.
Dress in layers: a T-shirt, a long-sleeved shirt, a fleece and a light windproof jacket. You will add and remove them all day. Our Tanzania safari packing list covers the details.
You will not see everything, and that is normal
Wildlife is wild. On a week in the northern circuit, most guests see lions, elephants, buffalo, giraffes, zebras and wildebeest. Leopards and black rhinos take more luck and patience. The Ngorongoro Crater gives you the best chance of rhino, and the Seronera area of the central Serengeti is known for leopards in the sausage trees.
Timing matters more than anything else. If the Great Migration is a priority, read our guide to the best time for a safari in Tanzania before you pick dates.
Park rules you should know
| Rule | What it means for you |
|---|---|
| Stay in the vehicle | Only get out at picnic sites, viewpoints and camps, or when your guide says it is safe. |
| Park hours | Game drives run roughly from 6:00 to 18:30. Vehicles must be back at camp or out of the park after dark. |
| No off-road driving | In most areas vehicles must stay on marked tracks. Your guide will not break this rule, even for a great sighting. |
| Keep quiet at sightings | Loud voices and phone calls disturb animals and other visitors. |
| No feeding animals | This includes the baboons and vervet monkeys at picnic sites, which will steal food from open bags. |
Money, tipping and cash
The local currency is the Tanzanian shilling, but US dollars are widely used in the safari industry. Bring dollars in good condition and printed in recent years. Older or torn notes are often refused, and small notes are useful for tips.
Tipping is expected in the safari industry. Many guests budget a daily amount for their guide and put a contribution in the staff tip box at each lodge. We send suggested amounts with your final documents so you can plan in advance rather than guess on the last day.
Health and paperwork
- Visa: most nationalities need a visa. Apply for the e-visa through the official Tanzania Immigration website well before you travel.
- Passport: valid for at least six months after arrival, with blank pages.
- Yellow fever: a certificate may be required if you arrive from, or transit through, a country with yellow fever risk.
- Malaria: the safari areas carry malaria risk. Talk to a travel clinic about prevention six to eight weeks before you leave.
- Insurance: choose a policy that covers medical evacuation.
Our full safari preparation checklist puts these in order.
Small things that make a big difference
- Tsetse flies are common in parts of Tarangire and the western Serengeti. They are attracted to dark blue and black, so wear khaki, beige and olive.
- Camouflage clothing is reserved for the military in Tanzania. Leave it at home.
- Plastic carrier bags are banned. Pack toiletries in reusable pouches instead.
- Power is 230V with British-style sockets in most lodges. Some remote camps only charge devices at set times.
- Wi-Fi is patchy in the parks. Tell family you may be offline for a day or two.
- Photographing people: always ask first, especially in Maasai villages and markets.
Private or shared safari?
A shared (group) safari is cheaper, but you follow a fixed plan and share window seats. A private safari costs more, and the vehicle, guide and schedule are yours. You can wait at a sighting as long as you like, and leave early or come back late. For a first trip, most of our guests choose private. See our guide to what a Tanzania safari costs for the difference in price.
A few words of Swahili
English is widely spoken in lodges, but guests who try a few words of Swahili always get a smile. Jambo (hello), asante sana (thank you very much), karibu (welcome) and pole pole (slowly, slowly) will get you through most days.
If you are still deciding on a route, Serengeti & Crater is a good five-night introduction, and our team can adjust it to your dates and budget.
Frequently asked questions
Yes. The northern circuit parks are well managed and your guide stays with you on every game drive. The main rules are simple: stay in the vehicle unless your guide says otherwise, and use an escort at night in unfenced camps.
Five to seven nights covers Tarangire, the Ngorongoro Crater and the Serengeti without rushing. With fewer than four nights, focus on the crater and one other park.
Bring some US dollars in small, recent notes for tips and small purchases. Lodges and most camps accept cards, but card fees and connection problems are common.
