Grumeti River, Serengeti, TanzaniaVideo: Bettina May, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Find your Bliss in Tanzania
Tanzania, made simple: safari, summit and spice island
Tanzania packs the Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater, Mount Kilimanjaro and the beaches of Zanzibar into one trip. This guide takes the guesswork out of entry, money, safety, getting around and costs, so you can plan with confidence and enjoy every day.
Your trip, step by step
- Before you flyEntry, health, money and seasons, answered
- LandingDar es Salaam, Kilimanjaro or Zanzibar, explained
- Your days in TanzaniaSafaris, beaches and cities, planned with care
- Home againDeparture tips so the last day is calm too
Where to go, eat and stay
- Plain answersClear, honest guidance on the questions first-timers actually ask.
- Official sourcesEntry, health and safety facts point you to the official pages to confirm.
- No price surprisesWe explain what costs more and what costs less, so your budget holds.
- Free to useEvery guide and the trip planner are free.
Our promise
Tanzania should feel exciting, not stressful. We answer the worries before they start, so you arrive confident and ready to find your Bliss.
Planning your first safari, or bringing the children to meet family in Dar or Moshi? This guide was written with you in mind.
How to use this guide
Four steps from first idea to a trip that feels easy.
- Choose your TanzaniaNorthern circuit safari, Kilimanjaro, Zanzibar or a family visit: start with the destinations that fit you.
- Sort the essentialsEntry, vaccinations, money and the right season, checked against official sources.
- Pick your placesUse our places to visit list for food, culture, nature and stays in each area.
- Plan your routeUse the free trip planner to shape your days and how you move between them.
Everything your Tanzania trip needs
Free tools and guides for every stage of the journey.
Destinations
The Serengeti, Ngorongoro, Kilimanjaro, Zanzibar, Arusha and Dar es Salaam, each explained in depth.
Explore destinationsPlaces to visit
More than a hundred restaurants, markets, viewpoints and stays, from classics to hidden corners.
See places to visitFlights and stays
Search flights into Dar es Salaam, Kilimanjaro and Zanzibar, and stays in each area.
Plan travelPlaces finder
Restaurants, sights and stays mapped around each base.
Find placesFree trip planner
Tell us your dates and interests and build a route that fits.
Plan your trip
The classic Tanzania trip
Safari, then the beach
Most first trips pair a few days on the northern safari circuit with time on Zanzibar. The two connect easily by short domestic flights, and the contrast of dusty plains and turquoise water is a big part of the magic.
- Serengeti and Ngorongoro from Arusha
- Short flights from Kilimanjaro or Arusha to Zanzibar
- Stone Town history and quiet east coast beaches
- Seasons that work for both
Start with the destinations
See how the Serengeti, Ngorongoro and Zanzibar fit together.
Tanzania destinationsPlan with confidence
Your route, without the worry
Distances in Tanzania are bigger than they look on a map. Our free planner helps you choose a realistic route and pace.
- Realistic travel times
- The right season for your plans
- Where to base yourself
Where to go in Tanzania
From the great plains of the north to the spice island in the Indian Ocean.
Northern Tanzania
Serengeti
Endless plains, big cats and the Great Migration, with the right area for every month.
Read the guidePhoto: Giles Laurent, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Northern Tanzania
Ngorongoro Crater
A vast volcanic caldera packed with wildlife, including black rhino, and a day trip unlike anywhere else.
Read the guidePhoto: Diego Delso, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Northern Tanzania
Mount Kilimanjaro
Africa's highest mountain, a climb within reach of fit walkers, with Moshi as a friendly base.
Read the guidePhoto: Roryjm0, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Indian Ocean islands
Zanzibar
Swahili history in Stone Town and white sand beaches along a warm, turquoise coast.
Read the guidePhoto: Mangapwani, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Northern Tanzania
Arusha
The friendly gateway to the northern safari circuit, with coffee farms, Mount Meru and its own national park.
Read the guidePhoto: Zenith4237, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Coast
Dar es Salaam
Tanzania's biggest city and main port, with markets, seafood, beaches and the ferry to Zanzibar.
Read the guidePhoto: Vijay8808, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
A note from our founder
A note from our founder
My first time visiting Kenya, I was genuinely surprised with how fast it began feeling like home. The people are so friendly, the food is delicious and familiar, and the accommodations are modern and upscale.
During my travels throughout the continent, I commonly hear tourists share stories about being scammed or taken advantage of, which is both frustrating and disheartening.
Living in Kenya for the last 2 years, I have had the great fortune to meet a network of wonderful Kenyans who have continuously help guide my family's journey. Their shared knowledge has not only greatly enhanced our overall experience here, but it has also saved us tons of time, energy, and resources.
With BlissPoint Travel, my hope is to build a global community that is willing to share useful, uncommon knowledge so that we can all blissfully enjoy the wonders our world has to offer.
Questions we hear most
Is Tanzania safe for first-time visitors?
Most visits pass without trouble. Government travel advice asks visitors to take normal care against petty crime in cities and on beaches, and to avoid a few border areas far from the usual routes. Use registered taxis or ride-hailing apps at night and keep valuables out of sight.
Do I need a visa for Tanzania?
Many visitors need a visa, which can be applied for online through the Tanzania Immigration Services Department's official eVisa portal. Rules vary by passport, so check the official immigration site before you book, and never use look-alike visa sites.
When is the best time to visit Tanzania?
The long dry season, roughly June to October, is the classic safari time. January and February are great for the calving season in the southern Serengeti. The long rains, around March to May, are quieter and greener but some lodges close.
Can I combine a safari with Zanzibar?
Yes, and most first trips do. Short domestic flights link Arusha and Kilimanjaro with Zanzibar, so you can finish your safari and be on the beach the same afternoon.
Is Tanzania expensive?
Safaris and park fees make Tanzania a mid-range to high-cost destination, while city food, local transport and simple stays are budget friendly. Check current park fees on the official national parks site before you budget.
How do I get help planning?
Use our free trip planner to shape your route, or send a question through our contact page.
Ready to find your Bliss in Tanzania?
Use the free trip planner to turn ideas into a route that fits your dates and budget.