Planning a safari in Tanzania is an adventure of a lifetime, offering unparalleled wildlife experiences, breathtaking landscapes, and vibrant cultures. Whether you’re from Europe, the United States, or any corner of the globe, understanding how to organize your journey ensures a seamless and unforgettable experience. Here is a comprehensive guide tailored to travelers from key regions, covering essential tips for your Tanzanian safari.
Planning a safari in Tanzania is an adventure of a lifetime, offering unparalleled wildlife experiences, breathtaking landscapes, and vibrant cultures. Whether you’re from Europe, the United States, or any corner of the globe, understanding how to organize your journey ensures a seamless and unforgettable experience. Here is a comprehensive guide tailored to travelers from key regions, covering essential tips for your Tanzanian safari.
Tanzania is home to some of Africa’s most iconic attractions:
Best Time to Visit
Dry Season (June to October): Ideal for wildlife viewing and the Great Migration. The Mara River crossing occurs during this period.
Green Season (November to May): A great time for birdwatching, lush landscapes, and fewer crowds.
Europe (UK, Germany, France, Italy, Netherlands, Spain, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Belgium, Switzerland): June-August coincides with summer holidays, making it a popular time to visit. Book early to secure accommodations.
United States & Canada: Spring and fall are great times to visit, aligning with Tanzania’s peak safari seasons.
Australia & South Africa: Tanzania’s dry season complements the winter months in these regions, making it an ideal escape.
Asia (China, Japan, India, UAE): Avoid monsoon seasons back home and head to Tanzania’s dry season for optimal experiences.
Russia: Summer months (June to September) are perfect for escaping the colder climate.
Guided Safaris
Perfect for first-time travelers, guided safaris ensure you benefit from the expertise of local guides. Private tours allow for a personalized experience, while group tours are budget-friendly.
Adventurous travelers may opt for self-drive safaris in select parks like Tarangire or Lake Manyara. However, guided safaris are better for those seeking an in-depth understanding of wildlife.
Visa Information
Most travelers, including those from Europe, United States, Canada, Australia, China, Russia, and the UAE, can obtain a visa online or on arrival in Tanzania.
Ensure your passport is valid for at least six months from your entry date.
Vaccinations
Yellow fever vaccination is required if traveling from a country with risk of yellow fever.
Recommended vaccines: Hepatitis A & B, Typhoid, and Tetanus.
Anti-malarial medication is advisable.
Flights to Tanzania
Europe: Direct flights to Tanzania are available from major hubs like London, Frankfurt, Paris, and Zurich.
United States & Canada: Flights often connect through Europe or the Middle East.
Asia & Australia: Popular transit points include Dubai, Doha, and Nairobi.
South Africa: Direct flights to Tanzania’s key cities like Arusha and Dar es Salaam.
Key Airports
Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO): Best for northern circuit safaris.
Julius Nyerere International Airport (DAR): Gateway to southern Tanzania.
Abeid Amani Karume International Airport (ZNZ): For Zanzibar beach holidays.
Northern Circuit (Most Popular)
Costs to Consider
Additional Expenses
Park entry fees
Tipping for guides and staff
Optional activities like hot air balloon rides or cultural tours
Clothing: Neutral-colored, lightweight clothes, and layers for cool mornings
Gear: Binoculars, camera, and sunscreen.
Documents: Copies of your visa, passport, and travel insurance.
Medications: Personal prescriptions and basic first-aid items.
While on safari, take time to explore Tanzania’s rich cultural heritage. Visit Maasai villages, shop for handmade crafts, and enjoy traditional Swahili cuisine
After an exhilarating safari, unwind on Zanzibar’s pristine beaches. Relax, snorkel, or dive in the turquoise waters to create the perfect end to your Tanzanian adventure.
A Tanzanian safari is a transformative journey that combines wildlife, culture, and natural beauty. Whether you are from Europe, North America, Asia, or elsewhere, careful planning ensures an experience that exceeds expectations. Start organizing your adventure now to explore one of the most extraordinary destinations in the world!
EXCELLENT Based on 112 reviews Steve L2024-10-12Verified Tanzania with Benson Tours We have just returned from the most amazing adventure, planned and arranged by Benson Safaris. We were met at the airport by Obedi, and from that moment on our journey was fun, safe and filled with so many sights and sounds! We could not image taking this journey with anyone else, Obedi ensured that we saw the all the sights and animals. He was energetic, fun to be around and extremely knowledgeable. We could not have had a better guide! Thanks for the memories! luba15242024-10-11Verified Benson Safari Rocks! My husband and I just returned from our safari with Benson Safari, which took place from September 26 to October 7th. From the beginning of my trip planning, which started a year before, Benson and his team made sure that our visit to Tanzania would be unforgettable, and it was. Over the year, I made several changes and asked many questions, and he never made me feel that I was asking too many questions. Benson was always ready for a WhatsApp call when communication through email didn’t seem enough. Ultimately, our trip was beyond my expectations. We booked an 11-day safari and stayed two nights at each location. We started at Tarangire, then to Ngorongoro, Mara River, Central Serengeti, and ended at Lake Manyara to unwind. Our driver and guide, Liberatus, was the face of Benson Safari and was terrific. He is gentle, patient, and always willing to go the extra distance, literally, for the best sightings. I don’t know how he does it, but we were often the first vehicle at the scene, witnessing nature's drama unfold. Liberatus knew how to position the jeep so that a cheetah jumped onto the hood of our jeep; we watched vultures and storks attack a recently killed zebra, again the first to arrive at this sight. We saw the river crossings and had an excellent view. Over and above the big 5, we love sighting birds. Liberatus was excellent in pointing out the wide variety of beautiful and colourful birds during our safari and gave us the time to take fantastic pictures. Pole Pole was how we travelled, and it paid off. After spending 11 nights with him, he was a part of our family. And we miss him. Don’t hesitate to sign up for this epic adventure with Benson Safari. Benson and his team will do everything to ensure you will be well taken care of through your safari. They are quick to reply to your questions, patient, and professional. The travel, from airport pickup to safari to dropoff, was seamless, and the accommodations exceeded our expectations. Asante Sana, Benson, for making this once-in-a-lifetime adventure the most brilliant we’ve had. And thank you for the delicious coffee! Reflecting on our journey, we are filled with a deep sense of satisfaction and fulfillment, knowing we've experienced something truly remarkable. I only wish we could do this again. It’s like being in a real-life Jurassic Park, with breathtaking and awe-inspiring moments at every turn. Aubrey S2024-09-19Verified Amazing Reliable, Professional, Flexibleand and thoughtful. Amazing!!!5/5What a trip completly Flashed from a lifetime of beautiful experiences with the people,animals accomodations.how friendly and helpful everyone was. a nation full of wonderful people and a safari full of lifetime experiences.I can only say if you can, do not wait to experience this once in a lifetime opportunity. Our Guide was also Fantasticone had the feeling he Knew all three parks like the back of his hand. and spotted Animals that we would have never seenhe also had the talent of knowing where to be at the right Time and always managed to manover so that we alwayshad a place in the first Row,this was incredible when you are competing with many other travel companys but he was clearlyone of the more respected guides.Thankyou once again Benson Safaris especially Libaratus who was at the end of our Travels ike a brother to me Siree2024-09-07Verified Amazing Safaris for the 1st time! It was my first time to Africa and Tanzania. My friend and I had a great time spent during our 7 days vacation in Tanzania Mainland which organized by Benson Safari.Benson and Peris were thoughtful and high customer focus. They customized our private trip professionally. Both were quick response and ensure that the itinerary met my expectation and all my questions were answered. The accommodations they chose for us were amazing! Clean room, great view and nice staffs.On arrival day, we met Zabron who was our driver and guide. He was kind, friendly and proactive, no doubt his professional. During our game drive in 4 parks (Tarangire, Serengeti, Ngorongoro, Lake Manyara) we have been to, he drove us to see abundant of wildlife and BIG5! Unbelievable but we have seen the all!! Thanks to his luck, his good connection with other guides and his professional.On the last day, unexpectedly our guide gave us a gift from Benson which was local coffee. We were impressed. Overall my friend and I had a wonderful experiences on our first trip to Africa and Tanzania.Only small things I would like to mentioned that on our last 2 day. Benson office offered us to stay at the other hotel as it’s close to the airport and have a transfer service. (Different from mentioned in our program). That was a great offer and I was happy with that. As I booked this trip as a private, I asked our guide to ensure that it’s a private transfer. He did confirmed and let the hotel staff be informed. However, on the day to the airport , the hotel staff told me i had to travel with a shared transfer and the bus was leaving in a minute. If I would like to travel base on my schedule, I had to pay extra. After 15 mins discussion, they provided us private transfer with no extra. I guess it was a miscommunication, but it would be great if this situation not happen. MC-Fam2024-09-07Verified True cultural experience Thank you, Benson and team! My family and l travelled to Lake Eyasi and Tarangire with Benson Safaris Tanzania and we had a brilliant trip.Our guide was fun, full of knowledge andd jokes, and very patient with the kids and happily answered all their questions and requests for a bathroom break! In Lake Eyasi we also had a local guide who was great fun, full of energy and shared so much information with us. Hunting with the Datoga tribe was a once-in-a-lifetime experience and the highlight of our safari. If you have kids who love culture and running around in the bush - do not miss out on Lake Eyasi! It's an early morning, but 100% worth it.Tarangire was amazing, and an elephant lover's dream. We also saw giraffes, zebra, lions and smaller animals. The lunch lookout was beautiful and it was great to spend some time out of the car. We were even able to buy an ice cream! Fortune in the office found accommodation for us in family rooms, so we were able to stay together, and both lodges had pools, which the children enjoyed. The food was family-friendly and the staff would make dishes requested by the children! The vehicle was spotless and we even had a cooler box with our favourite drinks. You thought of everything and made every moment a joy, thank you! I highly recommend Benson Safaris Tanzania. They made travelling with young children so easy and we can't wait to explore Zanzibar with them next week. Susanna G2024-08-28Verified Piece of Paradise TANZANIA!!! If you are planning to visit Tanzania - so only with BENSON SAFARIS agency!!!Benson is proffesional from start to finish, the service , bookings was very quick and proffesional and helpful. Our driver Liberatus - Thank you sooooo much , the best driver and he became our best friend, he was so friendly, they really made our trip memorable and unforgetable for us. The accommodation and vehicle were all to a high standart and we were very comfortable during the whole trip.Highly recommend: BENSON SAFARI to anyone planning to go Tanzania.GO TO TANZANIA - peace of paradide! Thank you guys, you are the best...we will back again Roberto D2024-08-26Verified Totally happy with Benson Safari We had a great experience with Benson Safari. We were 3 families and we arrived to Arusha 2 days later than expected due to a flight delay and they were able to adjust the whole safari super quickly. Our guides Liberatus and Alex were excellent. We would defenetly reccomend this tour operator to families and people travelling with kids! Navendu P2024-08-20Verified Magnificent wildebeest migration. We booked this trip to see the great migration of wildebeest and Benson Safari just delivered that. With the added bonus of seeing many other animals including chimpanzees in Gombe national Park. lions, leopards elephants and many more animals in central and north Serengeti .The tented camp accommodation were brilliant experience, with animals wandering around in the grounds and you can hear lions roaring and hippos at night time.The balloon Safari over the Mara river was an excellent choice,It was overall and excellent experience deliverd by Benson Safari. Johannes2024-08-04Verified Everything great We booked a custom tour, because we hat a lot of things we wanted to cover in the short time we had. The booking was professional. The lodges and our driver Oby were amazing. I can fully recommend Benson Safari. Jerry Bailey2024-07-05Verified AMAZING The safari experience offered by Benson Safaris Tanzania was great, and Amani, our guide, was excellent. His expertise about the Serengeti and its fauna was unmatched, and he made sure we experienced everything the area has to offer. The trip was made even more remarkable by Amani's love of the outdoors and his amiable disposition. Everything was excellent, from the cozy lodgings to the thoughtfully designed schedule. I heartily endorse Amani and Benson Safaris for a truly remarkable safari experience!
There’s nothing better than exploring the true magic of Africa! Enjoy games drive in the wilderness, luxury lodges, amazing sceneries, fascinating cultures and life changing moments in the African bush.
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