— Destination guide
A country that never stops enchanting travellers
The Serengeti, Ngorongoro, Kilimanjaro, Zanzibar. One country holds almost every landscape on Earth.
01 — At a glance
Area
945,087 km²
(about four times the UK)
Population
63 M
(2023)
Capital
Dodoma
/ Dar es Salaam (commercial)
Language
Swahili
& English (official)
Currency
TZS
Tanzanian shilling
Time
GMT+3
East Africa Time
Power
230V
50Hz · type G/D plugs
Religion
Mixed
Islam · Christianity · traditional
02 — Highlights
Tanzania’s eight signature destinations
Vast World Heritage grasslands. Every year more than a million wildebeest move across them in the Great Migration, one of the great natural spectacles on Earth. Home to lion, leopard, cheetah, elephant, buffalo, hippo, giraffe and the rest of the Big Five.
A volcanic caldera about 20 km across, one of the largest in the world. Grassland, forest and lakes on the crater floor support around 25,000 animals in a self-contained ecosystem — lions, elephants and flamingos among them. A World Heritage Site (mixed natural and cultural).
A park along the Tarangire River, famous for the thousands of elephants that gather here for water in the dry season. Giant baobabs give it a unique landscape, and the birdwatching is excellent.
Known for the flamingos on its alkaline lake, and one of the few places in the world where you can see tree-climbing lions. Baboons, giraffes and hippos are plentiful too.
Diverse ecosystems around Mount Meru (4,566 m). Walking safaris on foot are a favourite here, with giraffe, buffalo and colobus monkeys.
Africa's highest peak (5,895 m) and the world's tallest free-standing mountain, famous for its snow near the equator. No technical climbing skills are needed, but managing altitude is essential. Several routes lead to the summit, Uhuru Peak.
The Spice Island of the Indian Ocean: white-sand beaches and emerald water. Stone Town (World Heritage), where Arab, Indian and African cultures meet, plus diving and spice farms.
Zanzibar's old town: a maze of stone streets shaped by Arab, Persian, Indian and African cultures, and the birthplace of Freddie Mercury. Listed as a World Heritage Site in 2000.
03 — Climate
The best time for safari is the dry season, June–October. The Great Migration peaks in July–September. December–March is also relatively dry and a good time to travel.
Jan
Short rains
25–30°
Feb
Dry
25–30°
Mar
Long rains
24–28°
Apr
Long rains
23–27°
May
Long rains
22–26°
Jun
Dry
20–25°
Jul
Dry
19–24°
Aug
Dry (best)
19–25°
Sep
Dry (best)
20–26°
Oct
Dry
22–28°
Nov
Short rains
24–29°
Dec
Short rains
25–30°
04 — Cuisine
Ten Tanzanian dishes
A staple made from maize flour, eaten with meat or vegetable stews across East Africa.
Rice cooked with spices, meat and vegetables — often made for celebrations.
Spiced rice with Indian and Arab influences, especially famous on Zanzibar.
Grilled skewers of beef or chicken, a street-stall favourite.
Charcoal-grilled meat, usually beef or goat — a national favourite enjoyed with beer.
Rice with fish, popular on the coast and Zanzibar, sometimes cooked in coconut milk.
A spiced bean stew that goes perfectly with ugali.
An omelette with chips mixed in — a hugely popular street food.
Triangular fried pastries of Indian origin, filled with meat or vegetables, found across the Swahili world.
Zanzibar's signature soup, loaded with potatoes, fritters, samosas and egg.
05 — Practical
A few things worth knowing before you plan your trip. Check visas, connectivity, safety and access before you leave, and you can focus on the journey once you arrive.
01
Tanzania is relatively safe for East Africa, but watch out for pickpockets and bag snatching in cities. Our local team is always with you to keep your trip safe.
02
4G is available in major towns and tourist areas. Local SIM cards from Vodacom, Airtel or Tigo are sold at the airport. Many areas inside national parks have no signal.
03
The main international airports are Kilimanjaro (JRO) and Dar es Salaam (DAR). Many visitors connect through hubs such as Doha, Dubai, Addis Ababa, Nairobi, Istanbul or Amsterdam.
04
Most visitors need a tourist visa, which can usually be obtained online as an e-Visa before travel. Requirements and fees depend on your nationality, so check the official immigration website. Zanzibar is part of the United Republic of Tanzania, so no separate visa is needed.
