Avila Travel Tanzania kilimanjaro with elephants

The big five

Round trip Tanzania

Tanzania is one of Africa’s best-known safari destinations and offers great variety within a single trip. You’ll travel through vast nature reserves, stay in lodges and tented camps in or near the national parks, and set out daily with an experienced guide. For many travellers, the Serengeti forms the heart of the trip, but Tarangire, Lake Manyara and the Ngorongoro Crater can also be easily combined. After the safari, you can round off your trip in style on Zanzibar, Pemba or Mafia. The result is a bespoke journey that beautifully combines wildlife, nature and tranquillity.

View our Tanzania sample trips

Discover the highlights of Tanzania

In the Serengeti, you’ll set out with a private guide to spot lions, elephants, buffalos, leopards and rhinos, amongst others. Depending on the time of year, you may also witness parts of the Great Migration here, when large herds of wildebeest and zebras pass through the area. In the north, Tarangire National Park, Lake Manyara and the Ngorongoro Crater can easily be combined into a single itinerary. Those wishing to look beyond the best-known parks can also opt for less-visited areas. Chimpanzees live in Mahale and Gombe National Park, whilst parks such as Ruaha and Selous offer a quieter alternative for travellers who prefer more space and fewer other safari vehicles around them.

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Sample itineraries for Tanzania

Well-planned trip through Tanzania

We will tailor your tour of Tanzania to your wishes, pace of travel and preferences. In doing so, we consider not only which parks you wish to visit, but also the location of your accommodation and how you will travel between the different areas. For example, you can combine longer stays with domestic flights, thereby minimising unnecessarily long travel days. During the safari, you’ll travel with a private driver and guide, and there’s scope to adjust the itinerary as you go. As far as we’re concerned, a luxury trip through Tanzania isn’t about a packed itinerary, but rather about excellent locations, personalised guidance, plenty of time and accommodation that suits the surroundings and the type of trip you wish to take.

Country information on Tanzania
Best travel time Tanzania
Sightseeing in Tanzania
Frequently asked questions Tanzania

Uncharted Tanzania
Tanzania is situated in East Africa and features significant differences between its various regions. In the north lie well-known areas such as the Serengeti, the Ngorongoro Crater and Lake Manyara, whilst the south is renowned for its larger, more tranquil nature reserves. The country also boasts lakes, mountains and coastal areas, making it easy to combine a safari with other parts of your trip. The variety of open savannahs, forested areas and volcanic landscapes makes Tanzania an attractive destination for travellers who wish to experience different types of natural scenery during a single tour.

Nature reserves and wildlife
Tanzania has a large number of national parks and reserves, offering plenty of opportunities for various types of safaris. The Serengeti is best known for the Great Migration and its vast numbers of wildlife, whilst the Ngorongoro Crater, due to its compact size, offers good chances of seeing many animals in a short space of time. Tarangire is home to large herds of elephants, amongst other wildlife, and Lake Manyara features a mix of woodland, marshland and open areas. In the southern parks, distances are often greater and visitor numbers are lower. Consequently, the choice of a particular area can depend heavily on the season and your preferred way of travelling.

Culture and tranquillity
As well as the natural environment, local culture is also an integral part of a tour of Tanzania. In various regions, you can get to know communities such as the Maasai; visits to these communities are most interesting when organised on a small scale and with expert guidance. At the same time, Tanzania offers plenty of opportunity to seek out tranquillity. Particularly in less-visited parks and remote lodges, you’ll notice just how vast and unspoilt the landscape can be. By alternating between nature, encounters with local people and peaceful stays, you’ll experience a journey that isn’t just about safaris, but also about the pace and the places where you stay along the way.

Travelling through Tanzania
Distances in Tanzania can be considerable. For this reason, a tour often involves a combination of private transfers, safari vehicles and domestic flights. In the north, several parks can be easily linked by land, whilst for remote areas a flight is often more convenient. In addition to classic game drives, some locations also offer walking safaris, boat trips and other guided activities. Anyone wishing to relax for a few days after the safari can travel on to Zanzibar, Pemba or Mafia. This allows you to round off an active tour with a more peaceful stay by the coast.

Avila Travel Tanzania game drive
Avila Travel Tanzania wildebeest migration

Tanzania can be visited all year round, but the best time to travel depends very much on the areas you wish to see and what is important to you during your trip. The drier months are popular for safaris, whilst the greener periods can be quieter and reveal a different landscape.

June to October (dry season): This is a popular time for safaris. Due to the drier conditions, the vegetation is less dense in many places and animals tend to gather more frequently around water sources. During these months, various stages of the Great Migration can be observed in northern Tanzania. The weather is generally dry and pleasant, making this period ideal for a tour covering several parks.

December to March (warm and dry): During these months, the weather is warmer and many areas are easily accessible. This is an ideal time for safaris and photography, partly because the vegetation is less dense in many places. In parts of the Serengeti, the Great Migration also plays a significant role during this period. Walks and other activities are also well suited to this time of year, depending on the region.

April and May: April and May see more rain, and some roads and areas are more difficult to access. On the other hand, the countryside is very green and the parks are often quieter. For travellers who do not prioritise completely dry conditions and actually prefer to travel outside the peak season, this can be an interesting time to visit.

Especially for the best views and wildlife sightings: June to October are often considered the best months for classic safaris. December to March is also a good time to visit, depending on the chosen route and the location of the Great Migration. The best time to visit therefore always depends on the areas you wish to visit and how you wish to structure your trip.

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Tanzania is a country with a great variety of landscapes. You’ll find open savannahs, volcanic regions, lakes, mountains and a long coastline. This means you can combine different types of natural scenery and activities during a single tour.

Discover the highlights of Tanzania:

  • Serengeti National Park: One of Africa’s most famous safari destinations, home to vast numbers of wildlife (including the Big Five: lion, elephant, rhino, buffalo and leopard) and various stages of the annual Great Migration.
  • Ngorongoro Crater: A large volcanic crater (UNESCO World Heritage Site) where many different animal species, such as lions, hippos and flamingos, live within a relatively short distance of one another.
  • Maasai culture: In various parts of Tanzania, you can meet the Maasai and learn more about their way of life and traditions.
  • Lake Manyara: A diverse nature reserve featuring forests, marshes and open plains, home to various species of birds and animals (including tree-climbing lions).
  • Tarangire National Park: Known for its large herds of elephants and the striking baobab trees that characterise the landscape.
  • Lake Victoria: Africa’s largest lake, with fishing villages and various opportunities to get to know local life around the water.
  • Selous Reserve and Ruaha: Large nature reserves in southern Tanzania, which attract fewer visitors and where the safari experience is often more peaceful.

Whether you opt for the well-known parks in the north, quieter areas in the south or a combination with the coast, Tanzania offers plenty of opportunities to tailor a tour to your own pace and interests.

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1. Do I need a visa for Tanzania?
Travellers from the Netherlands and Belgium generally require a tourist visa for Tanzania. This can be arranged in advance or, depending on current regulations, applied for on arrival. As entry requirements are subject to change, it is advisable to always check the most up-to-date information before departure.

2. What is the best length of stay for Tanzania?
For a tour of Tanzania, around 2 to 3 weeks is a good length of stay. This gives you plenty of time to visit several national parks and, if you wish, round off your trip with a few days on the coast or in Zanzibar. If you limit yourself to a single region, you can also put together a good itinerary with a shorter stay.

3. What is the best way to travel around Tanzania?
A tour usually involves a combination of private transfers, safari vehicles and domestic flights. In the north, the various parks are relatively close to one another, so much can be done by land. For longer distances or remote areas, domestic flights are often more comfortable and efficient.

4. Can Tanzania be easily combined with another travel destination?
Tanzania combines well with neighbouring destinations such as Kenya or Uganda. Extending your holiday with a beach break on Zanzibar or another island in the region is also a great option. Which combination works best depends mainly on the length of your trip and the areas you wish to visit during your safari.

5. Will I get by well in Tanzania with English?
English is widely used in the tourism sector and is generally spoken well by guides and staff at lodges and hotels. Swahili is also a major language of communication. During an organised tour, you’ll generally be able to get by just fine in English in most situations.

Our travel specialists will be happy to assist you with any queries regarding the itinerary, duration of the trip and options for a tour of Tanzania.

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Train trips

From South Africa to Tanzania in 16 days: this epic train journey takes you through five different countries and is one of the world's most famous train journeys for good reason. From your luxury compartment, you can watch the extraordinary, fast-changing landscape glide past you. A rich variety of excursions is also not lacking during the journey: from safaris to city walks and from boat trips to museums. 24-hour service, outstanding gastronomy and ultimate comfort make this dream trip a reality.

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