Yes, most visitors need a visa to enter Tanzania. The easiest way is to apply in advance online through the official e-visa portal at visa.immigration.go.tz, where a single-entry tourist visa costs $50 (US citizens require a multiple-entry visa at $100). Visas on arrival are also available at Kilimanjaro and Julius Nyerere international airports, though applying ahead helps avoid queues. Your passport must be valid for at least six months, and depending on your travel history, a yellow fever certificate may be required. Note that Zanzibar also requires proof of travel insurance for entry.
Tanzania
Land of the Serengeti and Kilimanjaro
Discover Tanzania
Your adventure begins here
Land of the Serengeti and Kilimanjaro
Discover the wonders of Tanzania with Miroi Africa Safaris Ltd. From the majestic Serengeti to the towering Mount Kilimanjaro and the pristine beaches of Zanzibar, Tanzania is a land of unparalleled beauty and adventure.
Why visit Tanzania?
UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Great Migration, endless plains and the Big Five
UNESCO World Heritage Site, the world's largest intact caldera, dense Big Five wildlife and Olduvai Gorge, the "Cradle of Mankind
UNESCO World Heritage Site, Africa's highest peak at 5,895m, the "Roof of Africa
UNESCO World Heritage Site, historic Swahili trading town of carved doors and spice markets
Best time to visit Tanzania
Tanzania is a year-round destination, but timing shapes which spectacle you witness. The dry season (June to October) is peak safari time, when wildlife concentrates around water and the dramatic Mara River crossings unfold in the northern Serengeti from July to September, also the prime window for climbing Kilimanjaro. The short dry spell (January to February) coincides with the wildebeest calving season in the southern Serengeti and Ndutu, the most reliable migration spectacle. The long rains (March to May) bring lush landscapes, fewer crowds and lower prices, while the short rains (November to December) freshen the plains without seriously disrupting travel. Choose June to October for river crossings, January to February for calving, or the green months for value and solitude.
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Selected month
January
Why visit in January
Hot and clear. Calving season begins in the southern Serengeti and Ndutu, with intense predator action, lush green plains and excellent game viewing.
Plan with confidence
Tanzania safari FAQs
Answers to the questions travellers ask most before booking their journey.
Yes. Tanzania has a mature, well-run tourism industry, and a safari here is no more risky than travelling anywhere else in the world. Out in the parks you'll spend much of your time in wildlife-rich areas in close contact with animals, but the camps and lodges are safe, your guides are highly trained, and excellent medical air-rescue services are on call, with camps in constant radio contact. As anywhere, take normal precautions in cities like Arusha and Dar es Salaam. We select trusted camps, experienced guides and well-planned routes to ensure your comfort and safety throughout.
The local currency is the Tanzanian Shilling (TZS), but US dollars are widely accepted for major expenses such as park fees, lodges and organised tours. Dollar notes should be recent (series 2009 or later) and in good condition, as older or worn notes are often refused. For smaller everyday purchases, tips and local markets, Tanzanian shillings are best, and mobile money is widely used. Credit cards are accepted at larger hotels and lodges, usually with a small surcharge, but cash is essential in remote areas. Check a live exchange rate before travelling at xe.com.
The Great Migration is a continuous year-round cycle through the Serengeti ecosystem, so timing determines what you see. From January to March, the herds gather in the southern Serengeti and Ndutu for calving season, when thousands of wildebeest are born daily, and predator action is at its most intense- the most reliable migration spectacle. From June, the herds move north, with Grumeti River crossings in the Western Corridor, building to the famous, dramatic Mara River crossings in the northern Serengeti between July and September. River crossings depend on timing and luck, so we position our guests in the right region for their travel dates.
Absolutely, Tanzania is one of the finest Big Five destinations in Africa. The Ngorongoro Crater is arguably the single best place on the continent to see all five: lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo, and the critically endangered black rhino, often within a single day's game drive. The Serengeti offers superb sightings of four of the five, with some of the highest lion densities in Africa, while Tarangire is renowned for its huge elephant herds. Combining the Ngorongoro Crater with the Serengeti and Tarangire on the Northern Circuit gives you an excellent chance of seeing them all.
It depends on your interests. The classic Northern Circuit combines the Serengeti (migration and big cats), the Ngorongoro Crater (Big Five in a single day), Tarangire (elephants and baobabs) and Lake Manyara (tree-climbing lions and flamingos), usually over seven to ten days. For wilderness and fewer crowds, the Southern Circuit's Nyerere (Selous) and Ruaha offer exceptional predator viewing and boat safaris. For primates, Mahale and Gombe on Lake Tanganyika deliver world-class chimpanzee trekking. Many visitors finish with a Zanzibar beach extension or add a Kilimanjaro climb. We'll tailor the perfect mix to your time, budget and interests.
Yes, and many travellers combine a Kilimanjaro climb with a safari or beach extension. At 5,895 metres, Mount Kilimanjaro is Africa's highest peak and the world's tallest free-standing mountain, and reaching its summit is a genuine bucket-list achievement, requiring no technical climbing skill, just good fitness and determination. Climbs typically take six to eight days depending on the route, with the longer routes offering better acclimatisation and higher success rates. The best climbing seasons are the drier months of January to March and June to October. A common structure is to summit Kilimanjaro first, then unwind on safari or in Zanzibar afterwards.
Most Tanzania safaris travel by 4x4 with an experienced driver-guide, ideal for the Northern Circuit where you can drive scenically between the parks. Because distances are vast, many itineraries also use light aircraft flights to connect the Serengeti, the southern parks and Zanzibar, saving hours and maximising time on safari. Kilimanjaro International Airport is the gateway to the Northern Circuit, while Julius Nyerere International Airport in Dar es Salaam serves the south and coast. Internal flights carry strict luggage limits, usually 15kg in soft bags. We arrange all transport, guiding and accommodation for a seamless journey.
Yes, and it's one of Tanzania's great joys. The classic combination pairs a Northern Circuit safari with a few days on Zanzibar's white-sand beaches and historic Stone Town, a perfect "bush and beach" holiday connected by a short flight. You can also add a Kilimanjaro climb, or extend into Kenya for the Masai Mara, or into Uganda and Rwanda for gorilla trekking, since the region connects easily by air. Whether you want a focused safari or a grand multi-country adventure, we'll craft an itinerary that flows seamlessly from one experience to the next.
We recommend a minimum of five to seven days to experience Tanzania's Northern Circuit properly, though longer itineraries allow you to add the southern parks, a Kilimanjaro climb or a Zanzibar beach extension. Tanzania sits at the premium end of African safaris: mid-range lodge safaris typically run from around $350 to $600 per person per day, while luxury camps, private concessions and fly-in safaris cost considerably more. The main factors are your choice of accommodation, road versus air travel, the parks visited (park fees are significant), and your group size. We tailor every itinerary to your interests and budget.
Travel Tips & Practical Info
Wildlife Notes
Big Five: Tanzania is one of the very best Big Five destinations in Africa. The Ngorongoro Crater is arguably the finest place on the continent to see all five in a single day, including the critically endangered black rhino, while the Serengeti offers exceptional lion, leopard, elephant and buffalo viewing.
Specialities: The headline is the Great Migration, the largest land-animal movement on earth, as over 1.5 million wildebeest and hundreds of thousands of zebra circle the Serengeti year-round, with dramatic river crossings from July to October and calving in the south from January to March. Tanzania also offers the "Big Nine," world-class predator action, and chimpanzee tracking at Mahale and Gombe.
Birdlife: Over 1,500 species, one of the richest bird lists in Africa. From flamingos on the Rift Valley soda lakes to endemics like the Fischer's lovebird and grey-breasted spurfowl, the diversity across habitats is exceptional.
Other notes: Tanzania holds the largest mammal population in Africa and dedicates a vast share of its land to conservation. Beyond the classic circuit, the Rufiji River in Nyerere offers boat safaris, Ruaha delivers the finest predator viewing in the south, and the Indian Ocean islands of Zanzibar, Mafia and Pemba offer whale sharks, turtles, reefs and pure barefoot luxury.
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