Wilderness
How to plan a Tanzania safari
The essential guide for planning your dream Tanzania or Great Migration safari.
Planning a safari in Tanzania
Planning a safari in Tanzania
If you’ve been thinking about a safari in Tanzania. Perhaps tracking the wildebeest and zebra herds of the Great Migration across the Serengeti, exploring the Ngorongoro Crater, or watching herds of elephants in Tarangire, you’re in the right place. Planning a trip here takes some preparation, but with the right information (and advice from our experts), you’ll soon be experiencing the safari of your dreams.
Here’s everything you need to know to plan your Tanzania safari.
When to go
Tanzania is a rewarding safari destination year-round, with each season offering its own marvels. Peak season – from June to October – is the most popular time to visit, thanks to minimal rainfall, sparse vegetation, and excellent wildlife. This is also the best time to see the Great Migration in the Serengeti. Outside of this, from November to May the green season transforms the landscape into a lush paradise. With vibrant greenery, abundant birdlife, it is also calving season, and hundreds of thousands of young animals are born now. It’s a less crowded, more affordable time to travel.
Travel requirements
Visa information
Most visitors to Tanzania require a visa, which can be obtained online before travel or on arrival at major entry points. Tourist visas are typically valid for 90 days. Citizens of certain countries are exempt, so it’s best to check the latest requirements with your Travel Designer before departure. A valid passport with at least six months’ validity is also essential.
Health requirements & vaccines
Travellers to Tanzania should be up to date on routine vaccinations. A yellow fever certificate is required if arriving from a country where the disease is present. Malaria is also prevalent, so a prophylaxis is recommended, along with insect repellent and protective clothing. Always consult your doctor for the latest advice before travelling.
Travel insurance
Comprehensive travel insurance is strongly recommended for travel to Tanzania. It should cover medical emergencies, trip cancellations, lost luggage, and evacuation from remote safari areas. You also want to check that your policy includes adventure activities like hot air ballooning or walking safaris before you travel.
Transportation logistics
Most travellers arrive in Tanzania via Kilimanjaro International Airport or Arusha, with possible connections through Nairobi. From these hubs, we will arrange flights heading to Wilderness Usawa Serengeti via a short light aircraft to nearby airstrips, followed by a brief game drive to camp. Flights usually take under an hour and have strict luggage limits.
Visa information
Visa information
Most visitors to Tanzania require a visa, which can be obtained online before travel or on arrival at major entry points. Tourist visas are typically valid for 90 days. Citizens of certain countries are exempt, so it’s best to check the latest requirements with your Travel Designer before departure. A valid passport with at least six months’ validity is also essential.
Health requirements & vaccines
Health requirements & vaccines
Travellers to Tanzania should be up to date on routine vaccinations. A yellow fever certificate is required if arriving from a country where the disease is present. Malaria is also prevalent, so a prophylaxis is recommended, along with insect repellent and protective clothing. Always consult your doctor for the latest advice before travelling.
Travel insurance
Travel insurance
Comprehensive travel insurance is strongly recommended for travel to Tanzania. It should cover medical emergencies, trip cancellations, lost luggage, and evacuation from remote safari areas. You also want to check that your policy includes adventure activities like hot air ballooning or walking safaris before you travel.
Transportation logistics
Transportation logistics
Most travellers arrive in Tanzania via Kilimanjaro International Airport or Arusha, with possible connections through Nairobi. From these hubs, we will arrange flights heading to Wilderness Usawa Serengeti via a short light aircraft to nearby airstrips, followed by a brief game drive to camp. Flights usually take under an hour and have strict luggage limits.
What makes Tanzania a good safari destination
Tanzania is one of the world’s most famous safari destinations, known for its vast wildlife areas, diverse ecosystems, and authentic cultural experiences. It’s ideal for spotting the predators, elephants, and witnessing the Great Migration. Many travellers also combine a safari with the beaches and spice markets of Zanzibar for the perfect holiday.
What makes Tanzania a good safari destination
Decide on your safari style
Northern circuit
Discover Tanzania’s most famous safari route, including the Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater, and Tarangire. Track the Big 5, witness the Great Migration, and enjoy cultural encounters with the Maasai. This classic East African itinerary delivers iconic wildlife experiences and a variety of landscapes in one trip.
Mobile safari
Travel through remote areas with flexible itineraries that follow the animals, either at semi-permanent luxury camps like Wilderness Usawa Serengeti or more mobile camping options. This type of itinerary allows you to discover different ecosystems and wildlife while avoiding crowds, offering a more adventurous safari experience.
Bush and beach
Combine a safari with relaxation on Zanzibar’s pristine beaches. After several days of the drama of game drives, unwind on white sands, snorkel or dive on a coral reef, explore a spice plantation, and soak up coastal culture, for a balanced mix of adventure and leisure
Tanzania’s mountains
Trek Tanzania’s mountains, from Kilimanjaro to the Usambara ranges, then descend to explore rivers, wetlands, and lakes. Spot birds, hippos, and other wildlife while enjoying hiking, rafting, and nature walks.
Cultural journeys
Go beyond wildlife to experience Tanzania’s people and traditions. Visit Maasai villages or Zanzibar’s Stone Town. Explore local markets, participate in craft workshops, and learn about customs and daily life.
Northern circuit
Northern circuit
Discover Tanzania’s most famous safari route, including the Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater, and Tarangire. Track the Big 5, witness the Great Migration, and enjoy cultural encounters with the Maasai. This classic East African itinerary delivers iconic wildlife experiences and a variety of landscapes in one trip.
Mobile safari
Mobile safari
Travel through remote areas with flexible itineraries that follow the animals, either at semi-permanent luxury camps like Wilderness Usawa Serengeti or more mobile camping options. This type of itinerary allows you to discover different ecosystems and wildlife while avoiding crowds, offering a more adventurous safari experience.
Bush and beach
Bush and beach
Combine a safari with relaxation on Zanzibar’s pristine beaches. After several days of the drama of game drives, unwind on white sands, snorkel or dive on a coral reef, explore a spice plantation, and soak up coastal culture, for a balanced mix of adventure and leisure
Tanzania’s mountains
Tanzania’s mountains
Trek Tanzania’s mountains, from Kilimanjaro to the Usambara ranges, then descend to explore rivers, wetlands, and lakes. Spot birds, hippos, and other wildlife while enjoying hiking, rafting, and nature walks.
Cultural journeys
Cultural journeys
Go beyond wildlife to experience Tanzania’s people and traditions. Visit Maasai villages or Zanzibar’s Stone Town. Explore local markets, participate in craft workshops, and learn about customs and daily life.
Recommended itineraries
Let’s plan your next journey
Ready?
When we say we’re there every step of the way, we mean it, literally. From planning the perfect circuit, to private inter-camp transfers on Wilderness Air, and easing you through Customs. We’re with you on the ground, at your side, 24-7, from start to finish. Ready to take the road less travelled? Contact our Travel Designers to plan an unforgettable journey.