Things to do

From the Serengeti to the sea

Tanzania packs the Great Migration, classic big-game country and the beaches of Zanzibar into one trip. Flick through the experiences below to see what a tailor-made Tanzania safari can look like.

Wildebeest plunging across the Mara River in the northern Serengeti, Tanzania

The Great Migration

Tanzania's Serengeti hosts the greatest wildlife show on earth. More than a million wildebeest and zebra move through the ecosystem all year, from the calving on the southern plains in January and February to the heart-stopping Mara River crossings in the north between roughly July and October. We time your trip and place your camps to put you where the action is.

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Tracy looking across the Tanzanian safari landscape

Let the Serengeti set the rhythm

Build the route around the wildlife experience that matters most, then give each place enough time. A well-paced Tanzania safari feels richer than a rushed circuit, especially when the migration, big cats or a Zanzibar finish shape the journey.

TracyAfrica Travel Specialist

Tanzania safari trips

Every itinerary below is fully tailor-made, a starting point we'll shape around your dates, budget and the camps you love. Filter by length and price, then let our specialists perfect the routing.

Destination
Duration
Price (per person)

Showing 19 of 19 trips

The Great Wildebeest Migration
Tanzania

The Great Wildebeest Migration

This 7-day safari combines two of Tanzania's most impressive safari destinations: the Ngorongoro Crater and the Serengeti. You'll stay in luxury tented camps throughout your trip. If you travel between July and October, you'll have the opportunity to witness a river crossing of the Great Migration.

7 Daysfrom $9,275
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Best of Northern Tanzania
Tanzania

Best of Northern Tanzania

The ultimate northern Tanzania circuit. Stay in our personal favourite safari camps and lodges in the best locations to see the wildlife. Because we love them so much, Brilliant has exclusive access to these camps at the best rates.

10 Daysfrom $7,570
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Best of East African Wildlife & Beaches
Multi-country

Best of East African Wildlife & Beaches

This unforgettable journey weaves together gorilla trekking in Uganda, the drama of the Great Migration in Kenya and Tanzania, and barefoot luxury on Zanzibar’s white-sand shores. From misty forests to iconic savannahs and crater floors, this is the ultimate East African adventure.

19 Daysfrom $20,695
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Luxury Tanzania Safari Circuit
Tanzania

Luxury Tanzania Safari Circuit

The northern circuit is the most popular safari route in Tanzania. Explore the national parks of Tarangire and Lake Manyara, before meandering northwest to the beautiful Ngorongoro Crater. Finally, you'll arrive in the world's most famous safari destination, the endless savannah that is the Serengeti.

9 Daysfrom $13,776
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Northern Circuit Driving Safari
Tanzania

Northern Circuit Driving Safari

Tanzania's northern safari circuit by road. Connecting the dots by road helps keep a lid on costs without missing out on the best that Tanzania has to offer. Plus, you'll have a private vehicle and guide throughout your trip.

8 Daysfrom $4,895
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Exclusive East Africa
Multi-country

Exclusive East Africa

Explore Rwanda and Tanzania on this 11 day luxury adventure across East Africa. You'll be staying in East Africa's most exclusive lodges offering impeccable service and unparalleled access to the best wildlife areas.

11 Daysfrom $47,455
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Close-up of a lion in the Ngorongoro Crater, Tanzania

Rated Excellent by safari travellers

Excellent

4.9 out of 5 based on 188 reviews

We don't just write about these safari destinations; we send travellers there every season. Here's what they say about planning their trip with Brilliant.

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They created us a beautiful and seamless honeymoon

They created us a beautiful and seamless honeymoon. They…

Nikhila Reddy, June 2026

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Our Safari trip was an amazing experience

Our Safari trip was an amazing experience from the time we…

Bridget McKenzie, June 2026

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Once in a life time holiday

We went on my 60th Birthday once in a lifetime Safari. Wow…

Sheena, May 2026

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Memorable, amazing and well organised

Very well organised tour. Lovely lodges and tented lodges. Great…

Susan Twomey, June 2026

Tanzania safaris: your questions answered

When is the best time for a Tanzania safari?

Tanzania is a year-round destination. The long dry season, roughly June to October, is prime for general game viewing and overlaps with the Mara River crossings in the northern Serengeti. January to February is the calving season on the southern plains around Ndutu. The green months (November to December and the long rains of March to May) are quieter, lusher and better value. We'll time your trip around the wildlife you most want to see.

How much does a Tanzania safari cost?

It depends on how you travel. Our scheduled group and private driving circuits start from around $3,945 per person, a classic private northern circuit by light aircraft runs roughly $7,300 to $10,200, and a luxury safari combined with Zanzibar typically starts around $12,000 and rises with the most exclusive camps. Every trip is tailor-made, so we shape the camps and length around your budget and hold exclusive rates at many of the best camps.

Where does the Great Migration happen in Tanzania?

The Great Migration moves through the Serengeti ecosystem all year. The wildebeest calve on the southern short-grass plains around Ndutu in January and February, then move north and west through the central and western Serengeti, reaching the Mara River in the north (around Kogatende) for the dramatic crossings roughly July to October. We place your camps to match the herds' likely position for your dates.

Should I do the northern or southern circuit?

The northern circuit (Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater, Tarangire and Lake Manyara) is the classic, most accessible route and the home of the migration and the crater, so it's ideal for a first safari. The wilder southern and western parks (Ruaha, Nyerere/Selous) offer fewer vehicles and a remote feel that suits repeat visitors. We'll recommend the right circuit for your time, budget and what you want to see.

Can I combine a Tanzania safari with Zanzibar?

Yes, and many travellers do. A short flight links the Serengeti and Arusha with Zanzibar, so you can pair an action-packed safari with white-sand beaches, diving and the history of Stone Town. It's the classic safari-and-beach trip, and we handle all the routing and timing for you.

How many days do you need for a Tanzania safari?

We'd suggest at least 6 to 8 days to do the northern circuit justice, taking in the Serengeti, the Ngorongoro Crater and Tarangire. Many travellers add 3 to 4 nights on Zanzibar for a 10 to 11 day trip. Tell us how long you have and we'll build the right balance of wildlife and rest.

How do you get to Tanzania's safari parks?

Most northern circuit safaris start at Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) near Arusha. From there you reach the parks by light aircraft or by 4x4 on the driving circuits. The scenic flights over the Serengeti are part of the experience, and we arrange every internal connection for you.

Best time for a Tanzania safari

Tanzania is a year-round destination, but the experience changes with the seasons. The long dry season is prime for game viewing and the river crossings, while the green months bring the calving, lush scenery and better value. Here's how the year shapes up.

Calving season
Long rains (low season)
Dry season (peak)
Short rains
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Great Migration drama
Game viewing
Dry & comfortable weather
Value & space

Peak window: June to October for the dry season, big-cat sightings and the Mara River crossings. January to February for the calving on the southern plains.

Green seasonDry & flood seasonLowerHigher

Explore Tanzania month by month

The Great Migration, month by month

Roughly two million wildebeest, zebra and gazelle move in a continuous clockwise loop around the Serengeti–Mara ecosystem each year. Here's where the herds are, season by season.

Great Migration route map across the Serengeti and Maasai MaraAn illustrated map of the Serengeti–Mara ecosystem with Lake Victoria to the west, showing the wildebeest migration looping from the southern Serengeti calving grounds, west to the Grumeti River, north across the Mara River into Kenya's Maasai Mara, and back south.LakeVictoriaSpeke GulfKENYATANZANIASERENGETI N.P.NORTHERNSERENGETI123456Maasai MaraSeroneraMara R.Grumeti R.Ndutu · southern plainsNgorongoroN
1

Dec–Mar, Calving season on the southern plains (Ndutu)

2

Apr–May, Herds mass and move through the central Serengeti

3

May–Jun, Grumeti River & the Western Corridor

4

Jul–Aug, North to the Mara River crossings into Kenya

5

Aug–Oct, Grazing in the Maasai Mara

6

Nov, Returning south down the eastern Serengeti

Timings are typical patterns, not guarantees. The herds follow the rains, so they shift year to year. Our specialists position you for the best chance of the action when you travel.

Talk to someone who's actually been there

This page will get you started, but the best Tanzania trip is the one built around you. Every Brilliant specialist has travelled deep across East Africa, and we design each safari from scratch around your dates, budget and the wildlife you most want to see. No off-the-shelf packages, just impartial advice from people who know these camps first-hand.

  • Barry, Safari Specialist & Field Guide, Brilliant Africa

    Barry

    Safari Specialist & Field Guide
  • Alyson, Guest Experience Specialist, Brilliant Africa

    Alyson

    Guest Experience Specialist
  • Tracy, Tailor-Made Safari Specialist, Brilliant Africa

    Tracy

    Tailor-Made Safari Specialist
  • Holly, Guest Experience Specialist, Brilliant Africa

    Holly

    Guest Experience Specialist
  • Marc, Africa Travel Specialist, Brilliant Africa

    Marc

    Africa Travel Specialist

What does a Tanzania safari cost?

Every trip is tailor-made, so these are real starting points from the itineraries above rather than fixed packages, per person sharing and including internal flights. We shape the camps, length and pace around your budget, and hold exclusive rates at many of the best camps.

Trip styleWhat's includedGuide price (per person)
Group & guided value (8–10 days)A scheduled small-group or private driving circuit through the northern parks, comfortable camps and lodges, park fees and a private guide on the driving toursFrom ~$3,945
Classic northern circuit, private (9–11 days)Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater, Tarangire and Lake Manyara by light aircraft and 4x4, superb mid to upper camps, often finished on Zanzibar~$7,300–10,200
Luxury safari & Zanzibar (10 days+)The Serengeti's finest small camps and private concessions, premium guiding and barefoot luxury on the Zanzibar coast$12,000–20,000+
A smiling Brilliant Africa guide beside a branded safari vehicle

Ready to plan your Tanzania safari?

Share as much or as little as you like, even just a rough idea is enough to start. One of our Tanzania specialists will come back with first thoughts for your trip, with no obligation.

Speak to an Expert

Tell us a few quick details and one of our specialists will come back to you with ideas. Every trip is designed from scratch, so there are no wrong answers, just a starting point.

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The Telegraph
Forbes
USA Today
CNBC
Nature
University of Cambridge

Ready to plan your African adventure?

1
Listen

Listen

We start by getting to know you: your dates, who's travelling, your budget and the wildlife and moments you're dreaming of.

2
Match

Design

Then we design your safari from scratch, hand-picking the camps, routing and pace to suit you. No off-the-shelf packages, just impartial expert advice.

3
Reserve

Refine & reserve

We fine-tune every detail with you, then place a 24 hour hold on your preferred camps, with no obligation, before you confirm.

Whatever your budget, group size, length of stay, preferred activity or appetite for adventure, we can help.

+44 330 818 9960