Tanzania Safari

Your Tanzania safari, planned by people who know it

Millions of wildebeest cross the Serengeti. Thousands of animals live on the floor of the Ngorongoro Crater. Elephants gather along the Tarangire River. Then the Indian Ocean waits at the end of the trip. Tanzania is big, and the right route makes it simple.

20+ years. 2,500+ trips. 4.9 on TripAdvisor from 270+ reviews. Every Rays Safaris tour is private, and every itinerary can be changed to fit you.

See the five Tanzania tours or tell us what you have in mind.

Why choose Tanzania for your safari?

The Great Migration

About two million wildebeest, zebra and gazelle move in a loop around the Serengeti and Maasai Mara each year. You can see something happening every month.

The Ngorongoro Crater

A collapsed volcano with wildlife on its floor. It's one of the most dependable places in East Africa to see the Big Five.

Big northern parks, quiet southern ones

The northern circuit is the classic. The south (Ruaha, Mikumi, Udzungwa) has far fewer vehicles.

Zanzibar

White-sand beaches, Stone Town and spice farms. It pairs easily with a safari.

Culture

You can meet the Maasai, the Datoga and the Hadzabe on selected tours. Ask your guide how to visit respectfully, and ask before you photograph anyone.

Where should you go in Tanzania?

Serengeti National Park

Tanzania's flagship park. Lions, leopards, elephants and giraffe live here, and most of the Migration passes through.

Ngorongoro Crater

You drive down into the crater for a full day of game viewing. Rhinos and lions are among the draws.

Tarangire National Park

Elephant herds along the river in the dry season, baobab trees, and more than 500 bird species recorded.

Lake Manyara National Park

A rift valley lake with flamingos, pelicans and the park's tree-climbing lions.

Arusha, Mkomazi and Lake Natron

Forest and crater at Arusha National Park, dry-country wildlife at Mkomazi, and flamingos at Lake Natron beneath the Oldonyo Lengai volcano.

Lake Eyasi

A remote lake where you can spend time with the Hadzabe, one of Tanzania's last hunter-gatherer peoples, and the Datoga.

Ruaha, Mikumi and Udzungwa (the south)

Wild and quiet. Ruaha has big elephant herds, sable antelope and African wild dogs. Udzungwa has rainforest, a waterfall hike and rare primates.

Zanzibar

Beaches, Stone Town and diving or snorkelling.

When is the best time to visit Tanzania?

Late June to October is the best time for most travellers. It's dry and animals gather near water. It's also the busiest and most expensive season.

• Jun to Oct: Long dry (high). Dry, best tracking, book early
• Nov to Dec: Short rains. Greener, brief showers, good birding
• Jan to Mar: Short dry (green). Calving in the southern Serengeti, fewer visitors
• Apr to May: Long rains. Wettest, lowest rates, some camps close

Where is the Migration when?

• Jan to Mar: Southern Serengeti and Ndutu, calving and big cat action
• May to Jul: Western Serengeti, Grumeti River crossings
• Jul to Sep: Northern Serengeti, Mara River crossings

These dates are approximate. The herds follow rain, not a calendar, and no one can promise a river crossing. We'll tell you when the odds are best.

Want river crossings?

Book early. Good camps in the north fill up well ahead of the season.

What do you need to know before you go?

How do you get a visa?

Most travellers need one. Apply online through Tanzania's official immigration system before you travel, and allow several weeks. Your passport needs six months' validity. Check the official site for current rules.

What's the currency?

The Tanzanian Shilling. US dollars are widely used for tourist services. Take recent notes in good condition. ATMs are in towns, not in the parks.

What languages are spoken?

Swahili and English.

What health steps do you need?

Check yellow fever rules for your route and talk to a doctor about anti-malaria medication well before you fly.

How do you get around?

Most northern tours start at Kilimanjaro Airport, and flights often land late, so you'll usually sleep in Arusha first. Southern tours start in Dar es Salaam. Your private 4×4 has a pop-up roof for game viewing.

What should you pack?

Light layers in neutral colours, a warm jacket for early drives and crater mornings, and a hat. In Zanzibar, dress modestly in Stone Town and the villages. Swimwear is fine on the beach and at the resort.

What about tips?

Tipping guides and lodge staff is customary.