Where we go
Tanzania’s parks, lakes and coast
Twelve places we know well, from the Serengeti and the Ngorongoro Crater to Zanzibar’s beaches, and fifteen more across the country. See when to go, what you’ll see and which of our safaris visit each one.
- 27places to visit
- 167safaris and day trips
- All yearsomething in season every month
Northern circuit
The parks most safaris visit, in a loop from Arusha.
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Around Kilimanjaro
Mountains, waterfalls and coffee farms close to Arusha and Moshi.
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Southern Tanzania & the coast
Wilder southern parks and Zanzibar's beaches, linked by short flights.
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More of Tanzania
Fifteen more places we can add to your trip: ask us about any of them.
- Arusha National ParkNorthern · Mount Meru, the Momella lakes and walking safaris, an hour from Arusha.
- Olduvai GorgeNorthern · The fossil site between Ngorongoro and the Serengeti, with a small museum.
- Empakaai CraterNorthern · A deep crater lake in the Ngorongoro highlands, good for a hike.
- Mkomazi National ParkNorth-east · Dry bush country with a black rhino sanctuary.
- Usambara MountainsNorth-east · Green hills, farming villages and walks around Lushoto.
- Ruaha National ParkSouthern · One of Tanzania's largest parks, known for lions and elephants along the Great Ruaha River.
- Udzungwa Mountains National ParkSouthern · Rainforest trails to the Sanje waterfalls, with rare monkeys.
- Katavi National ParkWestern · A remote park with big buffalo herds and crowded hippo pools in the dry season.
- Mahale Mountains National ParkWestern · Chimpanzee trekking in forest on the shore of Lake Tanganyika.
- Gombe Stream National ParkWestern · The chimpanzees made famous by Jane Goodall, reached by boat from Kigoma.
- Rubondo Island National ParkLake Victoria · An island park with chimpanzees, birds and quiet lake shores.
- Saadani National ParkThe coast · Where the bush meets the Indian Ocean, north of Dar es Salaam.
- Mafia IslandThe coast · A marine park with diving, snorkelling and whale sharks from about October to March.
- Pemba IslandZanzibar islands · Quieter than Zanzibar, with clove farms and deep-water diving.
- Kilwa KisiwaniThe coast · Ruins of a medieval trading town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
When to go
Every destination, month by month
Best time to visitGreen season means rain most afternoons, fewer vehicles and lower prices. It is not a bad time to travel.
| Destination | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Serengeti | Very good | Very good | Very good | Green season | Green season | Very good | Peak | Peak | Peak | Very good | Very good | Very good |
| Ngorongoro | Very good | Very good | Very good | Very good | Very good | Very good | Peak | Peak | Peak | Very good | Very good | Very good |
| Tarangire | Very good | Very good | Green season | Green season | Green season | Peak | Peak | Peak | Peak | Peak | Very good | Very good |
| Lake Manyara | Very good | Very good | Very good | Green season | Green season | Very good | Very good | Very good | Very good | Very good | Very good | Very good |
| Zanzibar | Peak | Peak | Very good | Green season | Green season | Very good | Peak | Peak | Very good | Very good | Very good | Peak |
| Mikumi | Very good | Very good | Green season | Green season | Green season | Peak | Peak | Peak | Peak | Peak | Very good | Very good |
| Selous / Nyerere | Very good | Very good | Green season | Green season | Green season | Peak | Peak | Peak | Peak | Peak | Very good | Very good |
| Lake Natron | Very good | Very good | Very good | Green season | Green season | Very good | Very good | Very good | Very good | Very good | Very good | Very good |
| Lake Eyasi | Very good | Very good | Very good | Green season | Green season | Very good | Very good | Very good | Very good | Very good | Very good | Very good |
| Materuni | Very good | Very good | Very good | Green season | Green season | Very good | Very good | Very good | Very good | Very good | Very good | Very good |
| Kilimanjaro | Peak | Peak | Peak | Green season | Green season | Peak | Peak | Peak | Peak | Very good | Green season | Very good |
| Mount Meru | Peak | Peak | Peak | Green season | Green season | Peak | Peak | Peak | Peak | Very good | Green season | Peak |
Where they are
Map of our destinations
Destinations
- SerengetiNorthern circuit
- NgorongoroNorthern circuit
- TarangireNorthern circuit
- Lake ManyaraNorthern circuit
- ZanzibarThe coast
- MikumiSouthern Tanzania
- Selous / NyerereSouthern Tanzania
- Lake NatronNorthern circuit
- Lake EyasiNorthern circuit
- MateruniAround Kilimanjaro
- KilimanjaroAround Kilimanjaro
- Mount MeruAround Kilimanjaro
Arusha is the starting point for the northern parks.
Good to know
Questions about where to go
Which parks should I visit on a first safari?
Most first safaris combine Tarangire, the Serengeti and the Ngorongoro Crater. Four days covers all three; five or six lets you slow down and add Lake Manyara.
How many days do I need?
Two nights in the Serengeti is the minimum, because the drive in takes most of a day. Three to six days covers the northern circuit well.
Can I combine a safari with Zanzibar?
Yes. Fly from Arusha or the Serengeti to Zanzibar after your safari, or start in Zanzibar on one of our fly-in safaris.
When is the best time to go?
There is no bad month, only trade-offs. June to October is dry and easiest for game viewing; January to March is calving season in Ndutu; April and May are green, quiet and cheaper.
Guest reviews
Travellers on travelling with Makini
5.0Excellent · 105+ reviews
The communication with the company was very good, and we were in good hands from the minute we arrived… we got a lot of value for the money.
Saudat N. TripAdvisor The communication with Lucas via WhatsApp was always very friendly, direct and immediate… our tour guide Aboh was very familiar with all animals and plants.
Godfrey M. TripAdvisor Great value local Tanzanian operator that provided an unforgettable safari experience.
Damas F. TripAdvisor
Not sure where to go?
Tell us your month, your budget and what you’d love to see. We’ll suggest the right parks and send a full price.