Top 5 Best Tanzania Itinerary Ideas.

The statement that Tanzania is arguably the most enticing safari location in the world is not hyperbole. So much so that the selections can be confusing for first-time tourists organizing an itinerary in Tanzania. The enormous Nyerere (Selous) and Ruaha National Parks are the centerpieces of the wilder Southern safari circuit, while the well-known Northern safari circuit is dominated by Serengeti National Park and its renowned wildebeest migration.

The stunning Ngorongoro Crater, the humid island of Zanzibar, and the snowcapped Mount Kilimanjaro are additional alluring features. Here, we assist you in understanding several suggested itineraries for Tanzania as well as some well-liked modifications.

 

Itinerary 1: 7-Day Serengeti Migration Explorer Safari

For first-time safari travelers, this traditional Tanzania itinerary is perfect. Along with three other amazing locations on the Northern safari circuit, it focuses on the renowned Serengeti and its distinctive wildebeest migration.

The high elephant numbers in Tarangire National Park are well-known. One of the rare locations where lions frequently scale trees is Lake Manyara National Park, which is situated beneath the vertical Rift Valley escarpment. Next comes Ngorongoro Crater, the largest volcanic crater in the world, where the Big Five flourish.

Day 1 – Arrive in Arusha town and enjoy its leafy setting below 4,562m/14,967ft Mt Meru

Day 2 – Transfer to Tarangire, where large herds of elephant huddle below ancient baobab trees

Day 3 – Head on to Lake Manyara to look for tree-climbing lions and marvel at the colorful birdlife

Day 4 – A morning drive in Ngorongoro Crater offers a good chance of spotting all the Big Five, including black rhino

Day 5 – Head out onto the endless Serengeti plains, where you might encounter some of the park’s 2 million migrant wildebeest

Day 6 – Continue exploring Serengeti, looking out for lion, leopard, cheetah and other iconic wildlife

Day 7 – After a morning game drive, return to the urban comforts of Arusha

 

 

Itinerary 2: 10-Day Tanzania & Kenya Highlights Safari

Afraid of Kenya, Tanzania’s equally seductive neighbor? So why not do a combo safari to see both? Compared to a safari focused on a single nation, this will involve a little more time spent traveling and switching between parks. But it also means you’ll get to see some of Kenya’s best wildlife spots, such the Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater.

These include the well-known Masai Mara National Reserve, Amboseli National Park at the foot of Mount Kilimanjaro, and Lake Nakuru National Park, which is home to a large number of rhinos and flamingos during certain seasons.

Day 1 – Drive from Nairobi to Masai Mara for an afternoon game drive

Day 2 – Spend a full day exploring Masai Mara, which is home to all the Big Five and receives the legendary wildebeest migration over July or August to October

Day 3 – After a morning game drive, head off to scenic Lake Nakuru

Day 4 – A full day in Nakuru allows plenty of time to look for black and white rhinos and enjoy the spectacular birdlife

Day 5 – Road transfer to Amboseli, then take an afternoon game drive hoping to see mighty tusker elephants and a clear view of Mt Kilimanjaro

Day 6 – A morning game drive in Amboseli provides one last opportunity to glimpse Mt Kilimanjaro. Cross into Tanzania at the Namanga border to overnight in the leafy town of Arusha.

Day 7 – Enjoy a relaxed breakfast in Arusha, then head to Lake Manyara for an afternoon game drive to look for its legendary tree-climbing lions

Day 8 – After a morning game drive in the majestic Ngorongoro Crater, home to all the Big Five, drive on to Serengeti

Day 9 – Experience a full day exploring Serengeti, looking out for its famous wildebeest herds, prolific big cats and other carnivores

Day 10 – After a last Serengeti game drive, return to Arusha or Nairobi by road or air

Itinerary 3: 11-Day Tanzania Wildlife Safari & Zanzibar Beach Holiday

This well-liked Tanzania itinerary combines a beach vacation in Zanzibar with a Serengeti safari (see the “7-Day Serengeti Migration Explorer Safari” above). Only a 15-minute flight from the Tanzanian mainland, Zanzibar—also referred to as the Spice Island—has a completely distinct vibe. Highlights include the charming old Stone Town, the fragrant inner spice plantations, coral reefs teeming with vibrant fish, and the alluring beaches of the Indian Ocean.

Day 1 – Arrive in Arusha, Tanzania’s unofficial ‘safari capital’, which is set below the slopes of Mt Meru

Day 2 – Transfer to Tarangire, home to some of Africa’s largest concentrations of elephant

Day 3 – Continue to Lake Manyara, where lions are often seen climbing trees below the scenic Rift Valley escarpment

Day 4 – Take a game drive in Ngorongoro Crater, an extinct volcanic caldera that provides refuge to all the Big Five

Day 5 – Explore Serengeti, the arena for the world’s greatest animal migration, comprising around 2 million wildebeest and zebra

Day 6 – Continue exploring Serengeti, looking out for characteristic wildlife such as lion, leopard and cheetah

Day 7 – Return to Arusha by road or air then fly to Zanzibar’s Stone Town

Day 8 – Explore Stone Town’s atmospheric alleys, colorful seafront and timeworn historic sites

Day 9 – Chill out on one of Zanzibar’s legendary palm-lined, silky-sanded beaches

Day 10 – Spend another day on the beach or go snorkeling on the reefs of the Mnemba Atoll

Day 11 – Take a boat out to pretty Changuu Island and its giant tortoise sanctuary, or a guided walk to look for monkeys in Jozani Forest before flying out of Zanzibar

 

 

Itinerary 4: 9-Day Southern Tanzania Adventure Safari

The Southern safari circuit, which includes a more wilderness feel and significantly less visitor traffic than northern parks like the Serengeti, is the main focus of this daring Tanzania itinerary. It includes Ruaha and Nyerere (previously Selous Game Reserve), the two biggest national parks in the nation. Both of these parks are suitable for African wild dogs and are home to four of the Big Five: lion, leopard, elephant, and buffalo, but not rhino. Hippo-dodging boat excursions on Tanzania’s largest river, the Rufiji, are a highlight of Nyerere.

Day 1 – It’s a 5-hour drive from the port city of Dar es Salaam to the vast Nyerere and mighty Rufiji River

Day 2 – Choose between game drives, guided walks or boat trips as you explore Nyerere

Day 3 – Spend another day in Nyerere looking for elephant, giraffe, buffalo, hippo and lion

Day 4 – Drive to Mikumi National Park via the pretty town of Morogoro, which sits below the Uluguru Mountains

Day 5 – Do a game drive through the classic savannah of Mikumi, then a short hike to look for monkeys found nowhere else in the world in Udzungwa Mountains National Park

Day 6 – Continue to Ruaha, crossing the scenic Great Ruaha River as you enter

Day 7 – Game drives in Ruaha often throw up surprises. This is the only park in Tanzania where lion, leopard, cheetah and African wild dog are all regularly seen.

Day 8 – Continue exploring Ruaha, enjoying the varied birdlife and diversity of antelope

Day 9 – A full-day drive returns you to Dar es Salaam

 

Itinerary 5: 7-Day Roof of Africa Kilimanjaro Climb

For many individuals, climbing Africa’s highest peak, Uhuru Peak (5,895m/19,341ft), is the ultimate travel goal. Although climbing Kilimanjaro isn’t for everyone, if you’re motivated and somewhat athletic, it’s a highly attainable objective.

The guided hike tends to take up most of any schedule that includes it because it takes at least five days (six or seven are better for altitude acclimation). The Machame Route is the one we have selected for this itinerary because, out of the many hiking routes available, it likely offers the best balance between convenience, expense, and crowding.

Day 1 – Road transfer from Moshi or Arusha to Machame Gate (1,640m/5,380ft); ascend 5km/3mi through evergreen forest to Machame Camp (2,890m/9,482ft)

Day 2 – Exit the forest zone into an open moorland of heather shrubs on the 5km/3mi hike to Shira Hut (3,840m/12,598ft)

Day 3 – A tough 10km/6mi hike ascends to the Lava Tower before descending to Barranco Camp (3,950m/12,959ft)

Day 4 – Continue acclimatizing on a steeply rolling 5km/3mi path to Karanga Camp (3,995m/13,105ft)

Day 5 – It’s only 4km/2.5mi to Barafu Camp (4,600m/15,092ft), but the breathless altitude and steep slopes make it slow work

Day 6 – Set off at midnight to reach Stella Point at sunrise. Continue to Uhuru Peak, then descend to Mweka Camp (3,100m/10,170ft) in the forest zone.

Day 7 – A relatively easy 10km/6mi descent through the forest leads to Mweka Gate (1,650m/5,415ft). Road transfer to Moshi or Arusha.