Tanzania itinerary

Serving stacks of unforgettable experiences, Tanzania is a sure-fire bucket-list-level destination. To help you make the most of your trip, read on to discover a rewarding Tanzania itinerary that’ll have you experiencing the country’s iconic wildlife, landscapes and culture in immersive style. Here we suggest ways to enjoy 10 days and a week in the country, along with how to include Kenya and Zanzibar in what's likely to be a trip of a lifetime.

Recommended Tanzania itineraries

Whether you have 10+ days, or just a week, here we present how to enjoy Tanzania’s top attractions, with wildlife safaris at the fore.

As a bonus, we also share a couple of combined itineraries that cover the varies charms of Kenya and Zanzibar.

Tanzania itinerary 10 days

Focusing on mainland Tanzania’s wildlife and cultural highlights, the following Tanzania itinerary for 10 days will take you from Arusha and Tarangire National Parks, to the epic Ngorongoro Conservation Area and majestic Serengeti.

Day 1: Arrive in Arusha

After arriving in Kilimanjaro International Airport, transfer to your lodge in Arusha — gateway to many of Tanzania’s top national parks, and well worth exploring beyond taking a safari in Arusha National Park.

The airport is around 50 km from Arusha, so you could be at your lodge in 1-1.5 hours. If you have time, you could spend your first afternoon visiting the Arusha Cultural Heritage Centre, shopping at a Massai market, or taking a tour of one of the coffee farms on the slopes of Mount Meru.

Day 2: Safari adventure in Arusha National Park 

Day 2 will see you enjoy your first safari of this Tanzania itinerary, thanks to spending a full-day in Arusha National Park.

Less crowded than parks covered later in this trip, it’s a wonderful way to ease yourself into safari life, and also plays host to significant numbers of giraffes and colobus monkeys, with Momella Lakes renowned for its flamingos.

You could also opt to go on a ranger-guided hike near Mount Meru, or enjoy a short canoe safari before returning to your Arusha lodge.

Day 3: Transfer to Tarangire National Park

Day two will see you transfer to Tarangire National Park (2–3 hours), a place that's especially known for its ancient baobab trees and huge herds of elephants. 

We suggest staying in a tented camp or lodge inside the park for a more immersive bush experience.

Day 4: Full-day safari in Tarangire

Day four is fully devoted to enjoying an immersive game drive through Tarangire’s varied habitats — think vast savannahs dotted with iconic baobab trees, grassy floodplains, and acacia woodlands.

Often overshadowed by its more famous neighbours like Serengeti and Ngorongoro (more on those later), it’s every bit as rewarding, in no small part thanks to the Tarangire River that snakes through the park, providing a vital water source for wildlife.

On that subject, though Tarangire is best known for its large elephant herds, here you can also spot lions, leopards, cheetahs, zebras, wildebeest, buffalo, giraffes, and smaller antelope. 

It’s also a joy for birdwatchers, with hundreds of species to look out for, including hornbills and the endemic yellow-collared lovebird.

Day 5: Game drive in Lake Manyara National Park

Day five involves a move to Lake Manyara National Park — a small, lush park that’s famous for its tree-climbing lions, hippos and flamingos.

After going on a guided game drive through forests and around the lakeshore, enjoy a picnic lunch inside the park and overnight at a lodge in Karatu.

Day 6: Transfer to Ngorongoro Crater 

On day six, it’s time to transfer to the spectacular Ngorongoro Crater area — a UNESCO World Heritage Site that’s been hailed the eighth wonder of the world.

Just 1.5 to 2 hours from Lake Manyara National Park, pre-booked tours and transfers can include cultural stops en route, offering the chance to learn about Maasai communities and local conservation efforts. 

Day 7: Ngorongoro Crater safari

Day 7 will see you descend into the Ngorongoro Crater. Created by volcanic upheavals that accompanied the formation of the Great Rift Valley, the spectacular 8288-square-kilometre site occupies the highlands between the valley and the Serengeti Plains. 

As you pass through Lodoare Gate, the road climbs through Oldeani Forest before serving an unforgettable view of the enormous caldera.

The magic continues when you enjoy a game drive that will most probably deliver sightings of all the Big Five (elephants, lions, leopards, rhinos and buffalos), along with incredible birdlife, including ostriches, Verreaux’s eagles, Egyptian vultures, kori bustards and lesser flamingos.

After a full day of game viewing, exit the crater and head towards Serengeti National Park to your next lodge, so you’re ready for the next day’s big safari adventure. 

Day 8: Central Serengeti game drive

Rise early on day eight to spend a full day in the Seronera region of Serengeti National Park. Known for its year-round predator activity, here the plains teem with the likes of cheetahs, wildebeest, lions and leopards.

After spending the afternoon on a drive, overnight in a tented camp or lodge for a magical under-the-stars safari experience.

Day 9: More Serengeti exploration

Depending on the season (more on when to visit a little later), head towards the north or south Serengeti to witness the Great Migration. 

Expect dramatic river crossings from July to October, while visits during the December-to-March calving season offer the chance to see young finding their feet.

Day 10: Departure day

On day ten, it’s time to leave Tanzania. 

If you have the budget, you could take a scenic bush flight from a Serengeti airstrip back to Arusha or Kilimanjaro airport to avoid the drive. 

Tanzania itinerary 7 days

If you only have a week, here’s how to condense the above 10-day itinerary into 7 days.

• Day 1: Arrive Arusha.
• Day 2: Drive to Tarangire.
• Day 3: Safari in Tarangire; transfer to Karatu.
• Day 4: Safari around the Ngorongoro Crater.
• Day 5: Drive to Serengeti, go on a game drive en route.
• Day 6: Full-day Serengeti safari.
• Day 7: Go on an early morning game drive before flying to Arusha.
• Day 8: Departure day.

Combined itineraries

Given that you’re going to the effort of getting to Tanzania, you might want to consider configuring an itinerary that also covers Kenya and/or Zanzibar, depending on your interests.

Here’s how you could cover these options across two terrific ten-day itineraries. 

Best safari itinerary: combining Tanzania and Kenya

If maxing out your chance of seeing more wildlife is a top priority, consider combining Tanzania and Kenya, bearing in mind that if you’re looking for an unforgettable family vacation, visiting Kenya with kids can be especially wonderful.

Day 1: Arrive in Nairobi, Kenya

After landing in Nairobi, transfer to your hotel and rest up ahead of a day two transfer that will see you start your safari adventures.

Alternatively, if you have the time and energy, consider enjoying a few of the best things to do in Nairobi before you leave, along them exploring the Oloolua Nature Trail — a scenic walk on the outskirts of the city — and visiting Nairobi National Museum.

Day 2: Transfer to Amboseli National Park

On day two, travel south to Amboseli National Park (4–5 hrs), which is most famous for its elephant-spotting opportunities against a Mount Kilimanjaro backdrop.

That afternoon, begin your safari experience with an afternoon game drive before bedding down in a lodge that offers majestic mountain views.

Editor’s tip: wise up on the best safari lodges in Kenya and compare options for places to stay throughout your trip.

Day 3: Amboseli Safari

Day three is devoted to a full-day game drive in Amboseli — expect to see large herds of elephants, giraffes, buffalo, and (if you get lucky) cheetahs. 

Looking for something extra-special? Be inspired by the best luxury safaris in Kenya.

Day 4: Cross into Tanzania; explore Arusha

Day four involves a drive to the Namanga border, where you’ll cross into Tanzania and transfer to a hotel in Arusha.

Arrive early enough, and you could head out to explore some of the city that same afternoon and evening. 

Day 5: Game drive in Tarangire National Park

Tarangire National Park is your day-five destination — a scenic, lesser-visited park that’s esteemed for its baobabs and huge elephant herds. 

Day 6: Go on a Ngorongoro Crater safari

Day six will see you take early morning drive to Ngorongoro Crater to descend into the world’s largest intact caldera and enjoy a full day spotting rhinos, lions, elephants and hippos.

Day 7: Explore Serengeti National Park

It’s time to drive to the Serengeti on day seven, stopping en route to visit a Maasai village or Olduvai Gorge ahead of taking an afternoon game drive across the plains, and overnighting in a tented camp

Day 8: More Serengeti safari adventures

Day 8 is fully devoted to exploring the Serengeti’s diverse habitats and wildlife on a guided game drive.

Day 9: Return to Nairobi

On day nine, take a morning flight from the Serengeti to Nairobi via Arusha. 

If you have time, head to a local market for some last-minute souvenir shopping before your final overnight stay.

Day 10: Depart Nairobi

Transfer to Jomo Kenyatta International Airport for your homeward flight.

Keen to uncover Kenya? Browse more Kenya itineraries, and wise up on the best time to go on a Kenya safari.

Tanzania and Zanzibar itinerary: from safari adventure to beach bliss

If you like the idea of blending unforgettable wildlife adventures with blissing out on the best beaches in Tanzania and Zanzibar, here’s how to do exactly that across a 10-day itinerary. 

Day 1: Arrive in Arusha, Tanzania

After landing in Kilimanjaro. transfer to Arusha. Hopefully, you’ll have time to head out to visit a local coffee plantation that afternoon, or simply relax at your lodge, taking in views of Mount Meru.

Day 2: Transfer to Tarangire National Park

Day 2 will see you transfer to Tarangire, stopping to enjoy a scenic game drive en route to your lodge. 

Day 3: Explore Lake Manyara National Park

Offering a diverse ecosystem that plays host to flamingos, hippos, and tree-climbing lions, exploring Lake Manyara is a richly rewarding way to spend day three. 

Alongside spotting wildlife from your jeep, you’ll get to picnic by the lake and explore forested trails before continuing to your lodge in Karatu.

Day 4: Ngorongoro Crater safari

Day five will see you descend into the Ngorongoro Crater for a full day of incredible wildlife viewing, with rhinos, lions and buffalo sitting top of the spotting tree.

Day 5: Game drive in Serengeti National Park

Transfer to Serengeti National Park on day five, preferably stopping at a Maasai village on the way, while leaving time for a late-afternoon game drive when you arrive.

Day 6: Full-day Serengeti safari

Spend the day exploring the Serengeti, where guided game drives give opportunities to see big predators and hidden watering holes.

Day 7: Fly to Zanzibar

After all that adventuring, day seven brings a shift in pace and scenery, when you’ll take a scenic flight from the Serengeti to Zanzibar (via Arusha). 

After transferring to your chosen beach resort on the east coast, unwind with a swim in bath-warm waters ahead of enjoying an oceanfront dinner.

Day 8: Bliss out on your Zanzibar beach 

Need we say anymore?! Zanzibar is known for its idyllic white-sand beaches and clear, calm waters.

Day 9: Explore Stone Town

Rise early on day 9 to do a deep dive in the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Stone Town.

Be sure to explore the Old Slave Market, fort and spice market before heading back to the beach for a chilled afternoon.

Day 10: Depart Zanzibar

Enjoy a final beachfront breakfast before transferring to Zanzibar International Airport for your onward flight.

Still undecided? Discover why the time to visit Zanzibar is now!

How to plan your Tanzania travel itinerary

Here’s an overview of pertinent Tanzania trip-planning tips, with more detail in our full guide to how to plan a trip to Tanzania. 

• Figure out your priorities and where to go to get what you want i.e., head to northern Tanzania for wildlife, Mount Kilimanjaro for epic hikes, and Zanzibar, Pemba or Mafia Island for beach breaks.
• Figure out when to go to Tanzania to do and see everything on your wish-list (we give more detail on the best time to visit Tanzania a little later).
• Take time to consider how to plan a Tanzanian safari, and wise up on how to safari safely and ethically.
• Book the essentials (international flights, internal flights/road transfers accommodation, and must-do safaris and tours) at least 3-5 months ahead of your trip.
• Fine tune your activity plan 2-3 months ahead of your trip i.e. think beyond just sitting in a jeep, and consider booking the likes of village visits, cultural experiences, sunrise wildlife treks, and night-time nature walks.
• A couple of months before traveling, attend to essential admin and health matters, by which we mean check out the visa situation (more on that below), arm yourself with insurance, and consult your doctor about vaccines. 

How many days do you need in Tanzania?

The answer to that question depends on your budget, travel style (slow travel versus being prepared to pack stuff in!), and the length of your must-do list.

It’s also essential to figure out how much time you’ll need to travel between regions, and to recover from those very early safari starts.

As revealed above, it’s possible to do a pretty deep dive into a circuit of northern national parks in a week. Alternatively, devote all your 7-day trip to a Zanzibar beach break.

Meanwhile, in ten days, you could enjoy the best of both worlds through spending, for example, a week on safari before hitting the beach.

Best places to add to your Tanzania trip

Covering many of the best things to do in Tanzania, here’s a handy checklist of the best places to include in your Tanzania itinerary.

• Arusha: gateway to Tanzania’s northern safari circuit, Arusha offers access to national parks, markets and coffee farms.
• Tarangire National Park: known for its huge baobab trees and elephant herds, this is a fabulous first safari stop (think fewer crowds).
• Ngorongoro Crater: this UNESCO World Heritage Site and natural wildlife sanctuary inside a volcanic caldera is home to the Big Five.
• Lake Manyara National Park: offering tree-climbing lions, flamingos and hippos, this is often visited as a half-day stop en route to Ngorongoro Crater.
• Serengeti National Park: renowned for the Great Migration, Tanzania’s most iconic park boasts endless plains and a richness of predator sightings.
• Ruaha National Park: one of the country’s largest and most remote parks, this is ideal for rugged, off-the-beaten-path safaris.
• Zanzibar: a picture-perfect post-safari retreat of white-sand beaches, spice tours, and snorkelling in turquoise waters.
• Mount Kilimanjaro: Africa’s highest peak is beloved by trekkers seeking a challenge, with easier scenic hikes available in the lower foothills.

When's the best time to visit Tanzania?

To see the Great Migration in the Serengeti, June-July is the best time to visit Tanzania.

Beyond these peak Great Migration months, it’s best to visit between June and October for wildlife sightings, especially in the west and south. 

This is the dry season, which means animals tend to congregate around known watering holes (making for easier viewing conditions), and there’ll be fewer mosquitos to bug you.

Do you need a visa to enter Tanzania?

While most travelers need a visa to enter Tanzania, the process is straightforward.

Either apply for an e-visa online before arrival (the recommended option if you want to avoid long queues), or obtain one when you arrive (expect a queue!)

Either option allows a stay of up to 30 or 90 days, depending on your nationality.

In addition, note that your passport must be valid for at least six months from your date of entry, and always check entry requirements before traveling — they can change with little notice.

Inspired to take a trip to Tanzania? Why not contact our local Tanzania travel experts to have them curate an itinerary that delivers everything you’re looking for, including options to add on experiences in Zanzibar and Kenya?