8 DAYS · PRIVATEMigration-focused
Wildebeest Migration Safari
A Serengeti route adjusted to your month, with camps chosen around the migration’s likely position.
Private · Tailor-made · Expert local guides
Private Tanzania Safari Tours
Private Tanzania safaris planned around your dates, with the route and Serengeti area chosen for the season.
Plan My Tanzania SafariExplore the itinerariesWhy Tanzania
Why Tanzania works so well for a private safari
For a first Tanzania safari, most travellers choose the northern circuit: Tarangire, Ngorongoro and the Serengeti fit together naturally and offer very different landscapes without needing a flight between every stop. Seven to ten days normally gives the route enough breathing room. Shorter journeys are possible, but the driving and pace need to be considered honestly.
The south and west are different journeys rather than add-ons. Nyerere and Ruaha suit travellers looking for fewer vehicles, river country and a wilder scale; Mahale and Katavi require more time and careful flight planning. In every region, seasonality matters—especially within the Serengeti—so camp location is matched to your month rather than one fixed circuit.
Choose a starting point
Choose your Tanzania safari style
8 DAYS · PRIVATE7 DAYS · PRIVATEPredators & photography
Lion King Safari
A balanced northern route with enough Serengeti time for patient big-cat viewing.
5 DAYS · PRIVATEFirst-time safari
Big Five Safari
The shortest northern circuit we normally recommend for a first safari, with a fairly active pace.
7 DAYS · PRIVATEJuly to October
River Crossing Safari
Northern Serengeti during the usual crossing season, while keeping expectations realistic: no river crossing can be scheduled.
10 DAYS · PRIVATESafari and coast
Safari and Zanzibar
A private northern safari followed by a Zanzibar stay matched to your preferred beach style.
8 DAYS · PRIVATEDecember to March
Calving Season Safari
Ndutu and the southern Serengeti in the usual calving months, with strong predator activity.
10 DAYS · PRIVATERelaxed classic pace
Classic Tanzania Safari
A relaxed northern route for travellers who want fewer rushed departures and more time in camp.
12 DAYS · PRIVATEWildlife enthusiasts
Northern Circuit Safari
Longer stays and flexible game drives for wildlife enthusiasts and keen photographers.
3 DAYS · PRIVATEBest for limited time
Serengeti and Ngorongoro
A fast-paced Serengeti and Ngorongoro journey for travellers with very limited time.
How we shape your trip
How our Arusha team turns dates into a workable route
Listen
We start with your dates, group, interests and how you actually like to travel.
Shape
We choose the parks and the right Serengeti area for that time of year.
Refine
We compare camp location, character and value, then adjust the driving and flights.
Confirm
We check current availability and give you clear inclusions before anything is confirmed.
Why choose Tanzania for your safari
Northern, southern and western Tanzania are different safaris
Tanzania is sometimes sold as one enormous checklist, but the best trips have a clear shape. The north is the strongest choice for a first safari and the Great Migration. The south offers river systems, walking and fewer vehicles. The west is remote and rewarding, but it needs more days and a sensible flight plan. We would rather recommend the right region well than squeeze distant areas together simply to make an itinerary look impressive.
Northern Circuit
Serengeti National Park for year-round game and the Great Migration; Ngorongoro for concentrated wildlife; Tarangire for elephants and baobabs; and Lake Manyara National Park for forest, lake and Rift Valley scenery.
Southern Circuit
Nyerere National Park offers Rufiji River safaris and guided walks, while Ruaha brings vast landscapes, excellent predators and outstanding birding.
Western Tanzania
Mahale Mountains combines chimp tracking with Lake Tanganyika, while remote Katavi rewards travellers seeking raw wilderness and big dry-season herds.
Best time to visit Tanzania
A month-by-month safari guide
Seasons shape the experience, but exact migration timing can shift with rainfall. Tell us your dates and we will place you in the right area.
January–February
Calving in southern Serengeti and Ndutu, with newborn wildebeest and strong predator activity.
March
Green landscapes, fewer visitors and excellent photographic conditions between showers.
April–May
The long rains. Some camps close, while selected areas remain rewarding for flexible travellers.
June–October
Dry-season wildlife viewing across most parks, with clear skies and animals concentrated near water.
July–October
The usual Mara River crossing window in northern Serengeti; exact dates depend on rainfall and herd movement.
November–December
Short rains refresh the plains, birding improves and crowds often thin before and after the holidays.
Vehicles and guides
The vehicle and guide shape every day
You travel in a private, well-maintained pop-top 4×4 with large windows, charging points and a cooler or fridge. A good guide does more than identify animals: they read tracks and behaviour, judge when a sighting is worth waiting for, and balance a full wildlife day with the pace you asked for.
- Private safari vehicle and expert local guide
- Pop-top roof and wide viewing windows
- Flexible morning, afternoon or full-day drives
- Local support from arrival to departure
What is normally included
Private guiding, park and conservation fees, lodge or camp stays with meals, transfers, drinking water and in-country flights where stated.
Usually not included
International flights, visas, selected drinks, tips, personal purchases and travel insurance. Your proposal will show every inclusion clearly.
Signature experiences
The experiences worth making time for
Serengeti ballooning
A memorable sunrise view of the plains, but only where the balloon operation and route make sense for your dates.
Ngorongoro at first light
An early descent usually gives a quieter start and more time before the busiest part of the day.
Rufiji River safari
Explore Nyerere by boat, with an optional guided walk for a different view of the bush.
Tarangire slow day
Stay long enough to follow elephants through the river country instead of treating Tarangire as a quick transfer stop.
Photography-focused days
Early starts, patient sightings and flexible meals planned around the best light—not a race between parks.
Zanzibar extension
Add a few days on the Indian Ocean after seven to ten nights on safari. Read our practical guide to Zanzibar after safari to compare Stone Town and the different beach areas.
Tanzania safari FAQs
Helpful answers before you plan
How much does a Tanzania safari cost?
Costs depend on your travel month, group size, accommodation style, private vehicle requirements and internal flights. We check current availability and provide a clear, itemised proposal rather than relying on old published prices.
When is best for the Great Migration?
June to October often follows the herds north through the Serengeti, with river crossings usually from July to October. January and February are strongest for calving in southern Serengeti and Ndutu. Rainfall can shift exact timing.
How many days should I plan?
Seven to ten nights gives most travellers enough time to explore multiple ecosystems without rushing. Shorter focused safaris and longer journeys with Zanzibar are also possible.
Should I choose northern or southern Tanzania?
The north offers Serengeti, Ngorongoro and Tarangire with efficient logistics and a broad range of camps. Nyerere and Ruaha in the south are more remote, quieter and offer boat or walking experiences.
Is Tanzania suitable for families?
Yes. We select family tents, flexible guides and realistic drive times around the children’s ages and interests.
What should I pack?
Bring a soft-sided bag, neutral lightweight layers, a warm jacket for early drives, hat, sunscreen, comfortable footwear, binoculars and personal medication. Many camps provide laundry.
Your journey starts here
Build your private Tanzania safari
Tell us your dates, group and interests. Our safari team will review the route and respond within 24 hours.
Plan My Tanzania SafariEast African Safari Reviews
Tanzania is without doubt one of Africa's finest safari destinations
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