Tanzania — find the right stay, from deciding to booking
“Serengeti, Ngorongoro, Kilimanjaro, and the spice island of Zanzibar”
Tanzania is the land of the grandest safaris and nature in Africa — the Serengeti, a wildlife paradise of the Great Migration; the Ngorongoro Crater packed with the Big Five; Mount Kilimanjaro, the roof of Africa; and Zanzibar, the spice island with the World Heritage Stone Town and white-sand beaches scented with spices — an experience like nowhere else.
Tanzania at a glance
Choose a city in Tanzania
Each city has its own things-to-do and food guides plus in-depth ranked hotel reviews with real photos and price comparison — start with the city that fits your trip.
Decide — is Tanzania right for you?
Why people love Tanzania, how it compares to its neighbors, and which travel style suits you
Serengeti
The world's most famous national park — the migration of over a million wildebeest, the Big Five, and grasslands as far as the eye can see.
Ngorongoro
A giant volcanic crater packed with Big Five wildlife in one basin — one of the world's natural wonders.
Mount Kilimanjaro
Africa's highest peak at 5,895 meters, trekkable without climbing gear — a traveler's dream.
Zanzibar
A spice island in the Indian Ocean, with World Heritage Stone Town, white-sand beaches, clear water, and fresh seafood.
Maasai culture
Warrior tribes in red cloth adorned with beads — visit a village and learn their traditional way of life.
The Indian Ocean coast
Coral diving, dhow cruises, and the port city of Dar es Salaam, the gateway to the continent.
Tanzania vs its neighbors
| Tanzania | Kenya | Uganda | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily budget (excluding safari) | $43–100 | $51–114 | $34–80 |
| Visa for Thai citizens | e-visa / VOA | e-visa / VOA | e-visa / VOA |
| Highlights | Serengeti · Kilimanjaro · Zanzibar | Maasai Mara · varied safaris | Gorillas · Bwindi · Lake Victoria |
| Currency | Shilling (TZS) | Shilling (KES) | Shilling (UGX) |
| Getting around | Safari vehicle-boat-domestic flight | Matatu-safari vehicle | Boda-safari vehicle |
Figures are rough per-person, per-day estimates — your real budget depends on your travel style.
How do you travel?
Safari lover
Base in Arusha — Serengeti, Ngorongoro, and Tarangire, at least 5–7 days.
See this plan → 🏔️Summit seeker
Climb Kilimanjaro via the Machame or Lemosho route over 6–8 days, for adventure-loving travelers.
See this plan → 🏝️Beach relaxer
Zanzibar, Stone Town, Nungwi and Paje beaches, diving, and seafood, great for couples and honeymooners.
See this plan →Plan — stay, eat, see
Start with where to stay (the heart of the trip), then add food and sights, and gauge your daily budget.
Find the stay you want
1 ranked reviewsNo reviews match these filters — try removing some.
- 1🍛
Zanzibar Pilau
Fragrant rice richly cooked with dry spices — cardamom, cinnamon, cloves — served with meat or chicken.
📍 National dish - 2🦑
Forodhani Seafood
The Forodhani night market, with fresh grilled squid, shrimp, and fish, cheap with great atmosphere.
📍 Street food - 3🥘
Ugali
A firm cornmeal porridge eaten with meat stew or leafy greens — the staple of Tanzanians.
📍 Local food - 4🍢
Mishkaki
Marinated beef skewers grilled over charcoal with Swahili spices, sold along the streets of big cities.
📍 Street food - 5🧆
Mandazi
Triangular fried donuts flavored with coconut and cardamom, a morning snack with tea, a Swahili staple.
📍 Snack - 6🍹
Dawa Cocktail
Fresh young coconut under the tree, or the Dawa cocktail (vodka-honey-lime), Swahili Coast style.
📍 Drink
- 1🦁
Serengeti National Park
Endless grasslands, the migration of over a million wildebeest, and the Big Five all year round.
📍 World Heritage - 2🌋
Ngorongoro Crater
The largest intact volcanic crater in the world, packed with wildlife including the rare black rhino.
📍 World Heritage - 3🏔️
Mount Kilimanjaro
Africa's highest peak at 5,895 meters, trekkable by several routes, with views of the last glaciers.
📍 Roof of Africa - 4🏝️
Zanzibar Stone Town
A World Heritage old town of winding alleys, carved doors, spice markets, and a Swahili atmosphere.
📍 World Heritage - 5🐘
Tarangire National Park
Giant baobab trees and the largest elephant herds in Tanzania, best in the dry season (Jun-Oct).
📍 Elephants and baobabs - 6🌊
Nungwi Beach
A white-sand beach on the northern tip of Zanzibar, with clear azure water, evening dhows, and beautiful sunsets.
📍 Zanzibar
🚆 Getting around Tanzania
4WD safari vehicle
The main vehicle in the parks. Book through an Arusha tour company — you shouldn't self-drive in the parks.
Ferry to Zanzibar
Dar es Salaam-Zanzibar is 2 hours by speedboat ferry, or 20 minutes by flight.
Domestic flights
Save time between Dar es Salaam, Arusha, Serengeti, and Zanzibar, with Coastal / Precision airlines.
Dala dala
Cheap local minibuses in the cities, with no fixed schedule, for adventurous budget travelers.
Boda boda-tuk tuk
Motorcycle taxis and three-wheelers in smaller towns — always negotiate the fare before getting on.
🛂 Etiquette & culture in Tanzania
Greet in Swahili
Jambo (hello) and Asante (thank you) make locals smile and feel good right away.
Dress modestly
The mainland and Stone Town are largely Muslim — dress modestly, with shorts not too short.
Ask before photographing
The Maasai and some locals don't like being photographed — always ask first, and there may be a fee.
Malaria prevention
Tanzania is a malaria zone — take prophylaxis, use repellent, and sleep under a mosquito net.
Yellow fever vaccine
Many countries require you to show a yellow fever certificate before entering Tanzania — check the latest requirements.
💸 Daily budget — a rough guide
Budget
🛏️ Guesthouse / hostel $17–43
Daily living costs are cheap, but safaris add a high cost — joining a group safari tour cuts expenses a lot.
Comfort
🛏️ 3 star hotel / quality camp $51–100
A 3-day Ngorongoro-Serengeti safari + 3 days in Zanzibar is around $857–1,429 including the safari.
Premium
🛏️ Luxury lodge / premium tented camp $143+
A lodge amid the Serengeti plains, a balloon safari, and a Zanzibar beachfront villa — a world-class experience.
🗓️ When to visit Tanzania
The migration
Jul - OctWatch the wildebeest migration cross the Mara River in the Serengeti — the most thrilling time of year.
Long dry season
Jun - OctSparse vegetation makes animals easy to spot, all parks fully open, and the weather not too hot.
After the short rains
Jan - FebAnimal calving in the Serengeti, lots of migrating birds, fresh greenery — a favorite season for photographers.
Zanzibar at its best
Jun - Oct / Dec - FebClear seas and light winds, great for diving and beach trips. Avoid the Apr-May monsoon.
Book — hotels our team picked
Hand-picked from the highest guest-rated hotels we've reviewed in Tanzania — compare prices across 3 sites.
★ 9.6💑 Great for your trip
★ 9.6💑 Great for your trip
★ 8.8👑 Great for your tripWant to see every option in Tanzania?
Browse all our ranked stay reviews — every budget and area, with real photos and price comparison.
View the top city guide →FAQ — visiting Tanzania
How many days should I spend in Tanzania?+
10–14 days — a northern safari 5–7 days (Arusha-Serengeti-Ngorongoro) + Zanzibar 4–5 days, or add Kilimanjaro for 7 days if you want to summit.
What are the visa and entry requirements?+
Get an e-visa or visa on arrival (VOA) in advance + a yellow fever certificate is often required. Always check the latest requirements before traveling.
How much does a safari cost?+
A 3-day group safari (Ngorongoro + Serengeti) starts at 600–900 USD per person. Private safaris or luxury lodges cost several times more. Book with a well-reviewed Arusha company.
Which season is best for a safari?+
Jun-Oct is the long dry season, easiest for spotting animals. Jul-Oct sees the Mara River crossing in the Serengeti. Jan-Feb is good for seeing animal young.
Tips before you go to Tanzania
- Book safaris with a legally registered company in Arusha — check online reviews and licenses.
- Prevent malaria with medication + high-DEET repellent + long sleeves in the evening.
- Bring your yellow fever vaccine certificate, as some borders require it.
- Recommended safari clothing is khaki or brown — don't wear white or bright colors in the parks.
- You can negotiate prices at markets, but shops and hotels usually have fixed prices.
- Mobile signal in the parks is very weak — download offline maps before you set out.