Things to Do in Tanzania: Safaris, Kilimanjaro & More
The best things to do in Tanzania read like a wildlife wish list. A Tanzania safari brings together the Great Wildebeest Migration in the Serengeti, the wildlife-packed Ngorongoro Crater, remote southern parks, Africa’s highest mountain and wild chimpanzees on Lake Tanganyika. Few countries offer this much variety in a single trip, which is why Tanzania deserves a place on every traveler’s bucket list.
From endless plains and untouched wilderness to snow-capped peaks and ancient forests, Tanzania offers exceptional wildlife viewing in every month of the year. Each season brings a different reason to visit.
Quick Answer
The top things to do in Tanzania are a Serengeti safari during the Great Migration, a game drive in the Ngorongoro Crater, elephant viewing in Tarangire, a walking or boat safari in Ruaha or Nyerere, climbing Mount Kilimanjaro and chimpanzee trekking in Gombe. The best overall game viewing is from June to October, calving season runs from January to March, and most Northern Circuit safaris take seven to ten days.
Things to do in Tanzania
The Northern Circuit: Serengeti, Ngorongoro and Tarangire
Northern Tanzania is home to some of Africa’s most iconic safari destinations, and most first-time visitors start here.
Serengeti National Park hosts the Great Wildebeest Migration: more than a million wildebeest, along with hundreds of thousands of zebra and gazelle, moving through the ecosystem in a year-round cycle. Calving takes place in the southern Serengeti from January to March, while the dramatic Mara River crossings happen in the northern Serengeti from July to October.
The Ngorongoro Crater is a collapsed volcanic caldera within the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Its crater floor supports lions, elephants, buffalo and large herds of plains game, and it offers one of the best chances in Tanzania to see the endangered black rhino.
Tarangire National Park is known for its large elephant herds and ancient baobab trees. It is at its best in the dry season, from June to October, when wildlife gathers along the Tarangire River.
The Southern Circuit: Ruaha and Nyerere National Parks
For travelers seeking something more adventurous, away from the traditional routes, Tanzania’s Southern Circuit is a hidden gem. The vast wilderness of Ruaha National Park and Nyerere National Park (formerly part of the Selous Game Reserve) offers a more exclusive safari experience, with fewer visitors, dramatic landscapes and exceptional wildlife encounters.
Highlights include tracking endangered African wild dogs, walking safaris with expert guides and boat safaris on the Rufiji River, where hippos, crocodiles and abundant birdlife line the banks. The southern parks reveal a quieter, more intimate side of Africa. Discover it on our Southern Tanzania Safari.
Mount Kilimanjaro and Mount Meru
Beyond the safari plains, Tanzania is equally captivating for its mountain adventures. Mount Kilimanjaro is Africa’s highest mountain at 5,895 metres (19,341 feet) and the world’s tallest free-standing mountain. Most routes take six to nine days and need no technical climbing skills, making the summit achievable for fit, well-prepared trekkers. See our Kilimanjaro Climb package.
Mount Meru, Tanzania’s second-highest peak at 4,566 metres, rises inside Arusha National Park. A three- to four-day trek through lush forest, past giraffe and buffalo, makes it a rewarding climb on its own and excellent acclimatisation before Kilimanjaro.
Chimpanzee Trekking in Gombe Stream National Park
For a truly unique wildlife experience, travel west to Gombe Stream National Park on the shores of Lake Tanganyika. This is where Jane Goodall began her pioneering chimpanzee research in 1960. Guided forest treks offer the chance to encounter wild chimpanzees in their natural habitat, and the park is reached by boat from Kigoma.
When Is the Best Time for a Tanzania Safari?
Tanzania is a year-round destination, but each season offers something different:
- June to October (dry season): the best overall game viewing, with wildlife gathered around water and Mara River crossings in the northern Serengeti.
- January to March: the wildebeest calving season in the southern Serengeti, with plenty of predator action.
- April and May (long rains): a green season with fewer visitors and lower rates; some Southern Circuit camps close.
- November and December (short rains): brief showers, lush scenery and the migration moving south.
Combine Tanzania and Kenya in One Journey
The Serengeti and Kenya’s Maasai Mara form one connected ecosystem, so many travelers pair the two countries in a single itinerary. A Tanzania safari can easily begin or end in Nairobi, adding the Maasai Mara, Amboseli and the view of Kilimanjaro from the Kenyan side. Explore our Kenya and Tanzania safaris, including the 9-Day Maasai Mara and Serengeti Safari.
Start Planning Your Journey
Of all the things to do in Tanzania, whether your dream is to witness the Great Migration, explore remote wilderness, climb Africa’s iconic peaks or meet wild chimpanzees, Tanzania offers an extraordinary range of experiences. The Out of Africa Experience, a Nairobi-based safari company, designs tailor-made journeys across Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda and Rwanda. Browse all our Tanzania safari packages and our African safari tips.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best things to do in Tanzania?
Watch the Great Migration in the Serengeti, take a game drive in the Ngorongoro Crater, see elephants and baobabs in Tarangire, try a walking or boat safari in Ruaha or Nyerere, climb Mount Kilimanjaro or Mount Meru, and trek to see wild chimpanzees in Gombe Stream National Park.
What is the best time to go on safari in Tanzania?
The best time for general game viewing is the dry season from June to October, when animals gather around water and the Great Migration crosses the Mara River in the northern Serengeti. January to March is ideal for the calving season in the southern Serengeti. April and May bring rain, fewer visitors and lower rates.
How many days do you need for a safari in Tanzania?
Plan seven to ten days to see the Northern Circuit, including the Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater and Tarangire. Add three to five days for a Southern Circuit park such as Ruaha or Nyerere. A Kilimanjaro climb needs six to nine days on its own, so many travelers add it before or after their safari.
Where can you see the Great Migration in Tanzania?
The Great Migration moves through the Serengeti ecosystem all year. Herds calve in the southern Serengeti from January to March, move through the central and western Serengeti from April to June, and cross the Mara River in the northern Serengeti from July to October before heading south again in November and December.
What is the difference between Tanzania’s Northern and Southern Circuits?
The Northern Circuit covers the Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater, Tarangire and Lake Manyara, with classic big game and the Great Migration. The Southern Circuit covers Ruaha and Nyerere National Parks, which are larger, more remote and less visited, and offer walking safaris, boat safaris and good chances of seeing African wild dogs.
Can you see chimpanzees in Tanzania?
Yes. Gombe Stream National Park and Mahale Mountains National Park, both on the shores of Lake Tanganyika in western Tanzania, offer guided chimpanzee treks. Gombe is famous as the site of Jane Goodall’s long-running research, which began in 1960.
Can you combine Tanzania and Kenya on one safari?
Yes. The Serengeti and Kenya’s Maasai Mara are part of the same ecosystem, and the two countries are linked by short flights and road crossings. A combined itinerary can start in Nairobi, cover the Maasai Mara and Amboseli in Kenya, then continue to the Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater in Tanzania.
Plan Your Tanzania Safari
Not just a trip, but an unforgettable journey into the heart of wild Africa. Tell us your dates and our Nairobi team will design it around you.
