Tanzania

Tanzania is home to Africa’s most famous wildlife spectacles. The Serengeti Plains host the majority of the Great Migration, while the Ngorongoro Crater—a UNESCO World Heritage site—provides a self-contained Eden with the highest density of predators in Africa.

Quick Facts

  • Country: Tanzania
  • Size: ±947,303 km²
  • Major Regions: Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater, Tarangire, Selous
  • Wildlife: Highest concentration of large mammals on Earth
  • Malaria Zone: High risk; prophylaxis is strongly recommended
  • GPS Coordinates: ~6°00′S 35°00′E

Location & Access

  • Main Gate Towns: Arusha (Northern Circuit), Dar es Salaam (Southern Circuit)
  • Air Travel: Kilimanjaro International (JRO) is the hub for the north.
  • Road Access: Northern Circuit parks are often linked by private guided vehicle tours.

Wildlife Highlights

  • Ngorongoro Crater: The best place in East Africa to see the rare Black Rhino.
  • Predators: Renowned for large lion prides and high hyena concentrations.
Best Time to Visit
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Season
Months
Weather
Game Viewing
Dry Season
June–October
Dry, clear, sunny
Peak. Best for general sightings and river crossings in the north.
Calving Season
January–February
Warm, brief rains
Serengeti South. Peak time to see wildebeest calves and predator action.

Game Reserves & National Parks

  • Serengeti National Park: Home to the majority of the Great Migration and world-famous for its endless grassy plains.
  • Ngorongoro Conservation Area: A UNESCO site featuring a massive volcanic caldera where over 25,000 large animals live in a self-contained ecosystem.
  • Tarangire National Park: Known for its massive baobab trees and large elephant population during the dry season.
  • Nyerere National Park (Selous): Africa’s largest stand-alone park, offering a wilder, more remote experience with boat safaris on the Rufiji River.

Summary

Choose the dry season for classic safaris or the early year calving season for intense predator-prey interaction in the southern Serengeti.

Key Takeaways

Tanzania offers unmatched scale. It is the best choice for travelers wanting to see the full cycle of the Great Migration or combine a safari with the white-sand beaches of Zanzibar.