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Simba Pride Safaris

Wildebeest on the Ngorongoro crater floor beneath the crater wall

Destinations

exploreevery corner of Tanzania

Twelve places we know road by road, from the migration plains to the Indian Ocean. Filter by region, read the profiles, then tell us which ones to link together.

  • 12destinations
  • 22national parks
  • 4regions
  • 1 hArusha to Zanzibar by air
Northern circuit01 Serengeti The Great Migration and the highest density of predators in Africa Best Jun to Oct, Jan to Mar3 to 4 nights Northern circuit02 Ngorongoro Crater A collapsed volcano holding 25,000 animals, including black rhino Year-round1 to 2 nights Northern circuit03 Tarangire Elephant families among ancient baobabs and a life-giving river Best Jul to Oct1 to 2 nights Northern circuit04 Lake Manyara Flamingo shallows, groundwater forest and lions that climb trees Best Jun to Oct1 night or a day Northern circuit05 Arusha National Park Colobus monkeys, crater lakes and canoeing an hour from town Year-roundDay trip Mountains06 Mount Kilimanjaro The highest free-standing mountain on earth, walkable without ropes Jan to Mar, Jun to Oct6 to 9 days Mountains07 Mount Meru Tanzania's second peak, a wildlife-rich warm-up for Kilimanjaro Jun to Feb3 to 4 days Rift Valley08 Lake Natron & Ol Doinyo Lengai A red soda lake, flamingo colonies and the Maasai mountain of God Jun to Oct2 nights South & west09 Ruaha Tanzania's largest park, wild, remote and almost empty of vehicles Best Jun to Oct3 nights South & west10 Nyerere (Selous) Boat safaris on the Rufiji, walking safaris and wild dog country Best Jun to Oct3 nights Coast & islands11 Zanzibar Stone Town's Swahili heritage, spice farms and white-sand beaches Jun to Oct, Dec to Feb3 to 5 nights Coast & islands12 Pemba & Mafia Quiet islands for diving, whale sharks and doing very little Oct to Mar for whale sharks3 to 4 nights

The profiles

place byplace

Wildebeest herd crossing the open Serengeti plains 01

Northern circuit · 14,750 km²

Serengeti National Park

BestJun to Oct for the Grumeti and Mara crossingsGive it3 to 4 nights

Endless grass plains cut by kopjes and rivers, and the stage for the Great Migration: around two million wildebeest and zebra moving in a slow clockwise loop all year. It is also the best place in Africa to watch lions, cheetahs and leopards at work, whatever the month.

Wildlife highlights

  • Wildebeest
  • Lion
  • Cheetah
  • Leopard
  • Elephant
  • Hyena
  • Game drivesDawn and late-afternoon drives, full-day drives with picnic lunch in migration season.
  • Hot-air balloonLaunch at first light over the plains, champagne breakfast in the bush. About US$599.
  • River crossingsWait at the Mara or Grumeti crossing points, Jul to Oct.
  • Walking safariGuided walks from selected camps in the western and northern sectors.
  • Kopje picnicsLunch on a granite outcrop with lions' eye view of the plains.
  • PhotographyPrivate vehicle with bean bags and charging, longer stops at sightings.
BudgetPublic campsites at Seronera and Lobo, or basic bandas. From US$40 p.p.
Mid-rangePermanent tented camps and lodges around Seronera and the western corridor. US$250 to 450 p.p.
LuxurySeasonal mobile camps that follow the herds, and small exclusive lodges in the north. US$600 and up.

Indicative per-person rates in high season. We book the lodge that fits your style and budget.

  • By road6 to 7 hours from Arusha via Ngorongoro, with game viewing on the way. Most itineraries enter after the crater.
  • By airDaily light aircraft from Arusha to Seronera, Kogatende, Grumeti and Ndutu airstrips, 1 to 1.5 hours.
  • AirstripsSeronera (central), Kogatende (north, Mara River), Ndutu (south, calving season).
  • TipDrive in, fly out saves a day and a bumpy return.
When is the migration in the Serengeti?

All year. It is in the south Dec to Mar, moving through the centre and west Apr to Jul, and on the northern Mara River Aug to Oct.

How many days do I need?

Three nights minimum. Four lets you stay in two areas and follow the herds.

Is there phone signal?

Patchy. Most camps have Wi-Fi in the main tent, slow but usable.

Wildebeest on the Ngorongoro crater floor 02

Northern circuit · UNESCO World Heritage

Ngorongoro Crater

BestYear-roundGive it1 to 2 nights on the rim

A 600 m deep caldera, 19 km across, with its own lake, forest and grassland and about 25,000 large animals living inside. One morning on the floor usually delivers lion, elephant, buffalo and, with luck, one of the last black rhino in northern Tanzania. Maasai herders share the wider conservation area.

Wildlife highlights

  • Black rhino
  • Lion
  • Elephant
  • Buffalo
  • Flamingo
  • Hippo
  • Crater descentSix hours on the floor, entering at dawn: the park allows six hours inside.
  • Rim walksGuided walks along the crater rim with a ranger, with views 600 m down.
  • Olduvai GorgeThe cradle of mankind museum and dig site, on the road to the Serengeti.
  • Maasai boma visitArranged with families in the conservation area, fees paid directly.
  • Empakaai Crater hikeA quieter crater to the north with a flamingo lake at the bottom.
BudgetSimba campsite on the rim, cold nights, huge views. From US$30 p.p.
Mid-rangeLodges and farmhouses around Karatu, 30 minutes from the gate. US$150 to 300 p.p.
LuxuryRim lodges with the crater below your window. US$500 and up.

Indicative per-person rates in high season. We book the lodge that fits your style and budget.

  • By road3 hours from Arusha on tarmac to the Lodoare gate, 30 minutes more to the rim.
  • By airFly to Lake Manyara airstrip, 1 hour by road to the crater.
  • TipDescend at 6 am when the gate opens. The floor is busiest 9 to 11.
Will I see rhino?

There are around 30 black rhino on the floor. Sightings are common but never guaranteed.

Is it cold?

The rim sits at 2,300 m. Nights drop to 8 C, bring a fleece.

Can I stay on the crater floor?

No. Lodges and camps are on the rim or in Karatu.

Ancient baobab tree in Tarangire 03

Northern circuit · 2 hours from Arusha

Tarangire National Park

BestJul to OctGive it1 to 2 nights

Named for the river that keeps it alive through the dry season, when elephant herds of a hundred or more come down to drink among giant baobabs. Quieter than the Serengeti, with excellent birding and some of the best walking and night-drive concessions in the north.

Wildlife highlights

  • Elephant
  • Lion
  • Leopard
  • Giraffe
  • Lovebird
  • Python
  • Game drivesElephant herds along the Tarangire River, especially Jul to Oct.
  • Night drivesAvailable from camps in the private concessions bordering the park.
  • Walking safariArmed-ranger walks among baobabs, from most camps.
  • BirdingOver 550 species, including yellow-collared lovebirds found almost nowhere else.
  • Cultural visitMaasai and Barabaig villages on the park's eastern edge.
BudgetPublic campsite inside the park or camps on the edge. From US$35 p.p.
Mid-rangeTented lodges on the ridge above the river. US$200 to 350 p.p.
LuxurySmall camps in the southern wilderness with walking and night drives. US$500 and up.

Indicative per-person rates in high season. We book the lodge that fits your style and budget.

  • By road2 hours from Arusha on tarmac, the easiest first stop on any safari.
  • By airKuro airstrip in the centre of the park, 25 minutes from Arusha.
  • TipSkip it in the green season if elephants are your priority, they spread out.
Is Tarangire worth it?

Yes, especially in the dry season. It is quieter than the Serengeti with the best elephant viewing in the north.

Are there tsetse flies?

In pockets. Wear neutral colours and avoid dark blue and black.

How long?

One night is enough for a taste, two for the southern half.

Wildebeest walking past flamingos on a shallow lake 04

Northern circuit · Rift Valley

Lake Manyara National Park

BestJun to Oct for gameGive itA day visit or 1 night on the escarpment

A narrow park squeezed between the Rift escarpment and a shallow soda lake. Groundwater forest full of baboons and blue monkeys gives way to floodplain, hippo pools and, in the right season, pink shorelines of flamingos. Famous for lions that rest in the trees.

Wildlife highlights

  • Flamingo
  • Tree-climbing lion
  • Hippo
  • Baboon
  • Blue monkey
  • Pelican
  • Game driveA half day covers the forest, the floodplain and the lake shore.
  • Treetop walkwayA 370 m canopy walk through the forest.
  • CanoeingOn the lake when water levels allow, hippos at a respectful distance.
  • Night drivesOne of the few northern parks that permits them.
  • Mto wa Mbu villageBike rides, banana beer and a local lunch just outside the gate.
BudgetGuesthouses in Mto wa Mbu. From US$25 p.p.
Mid-rangeLodges on the escarpment above the lake. US$150 to 280 p.p.
LuxuryTreehouse suites inside the park's forest. US$500 and up.

Indicative per-person rates in high season. We book the lodge that fits your style and budget.

  • By road2 hours from Arusha, 1 hour from Tarangire.
  • By airLake Manyara airstrip on the escarpment, 30 minutes from Arusha.
  • TipBest as a stop between Tarangire and Ngorongoro rather than a destination in itself.
Will I see tree-climbing lions?

Sometimes. It is a habit, not a species, and the lions do not perform on schedule.

Are there flamingos?

In the wet months when the lake is full. Numbers vary year to year.

Is a day visit enough?

For most guests, yes.

Elephant walking across grassland 05

Northern circuit · 40 minutes from Arusha

Arusha National Park

BestYear-roundGive itA day trip from Arusha

Small, green and under-visited, with the Momella crater lakes, Ngurdoto Crater and the lower slopes of Mount Meru inside its boundary. One of the few northern parks where you can canoe among hippos and walk with a ranger among giraffe and buffalo. Perfect for arrival or departure days.

Wildlife highlights

  • Colobus
  • Giraffe
  • Buffalo
  • Flamingo
  • Hippo
  • Bushbuck
  • CanoeingPaddle the Momella lakes among hippo and waterbirds.
  • Walking safariRanger-led walks below Mount Meru with giraffe and buffalo.
  • Game driveColobus monkeys in the forest, Ngurdoto Crater viewpoints.
  • Meru day hikeTo the first hut and back for acclimatisation.
  • Kilimanjaro viewsFrom the eastern side on a clear morning.
BudgetArusha city hotels and hostels. From US$20 p.p.
Mid-rangeCoffee-estate lodges between Arusha and the park. US$120 to 220 p.p.
LuxuryBoutique lodges on the park boundary with Meru views. US$350 and up.

Indicative per-person rates in high season. We book the lodge that fits your style and budget.

  • By road40 minutes from Arusha, 1 hour from Kilimanjaro airport.
  • TipPerfect for an arrival afternoon or a last morning before a flight.
Are there lions?

No big cats live here, which is why walking and canoeing are allowed.

Is it worth a full day?

Half a day for the drive, a full day if you add canoeing or a walk.

Giraffes beneath Mount Kilimanjaro 06

Mountains · 5,895 m

Mount Kilimanjaro

BestJan to Mar and Jun to OctGive it6 to 9 days on the mountain

Africa's highest peak rises alone from the plains, and any fit walker can reach Uhuru Peak without ropes if the route allows enough time to acclimatise. Five climate zones in a week: farmland, rainforest, heather, alpine desert and the glaciers at the summit.

Wildlife highlights

  • Colobus
  • Blue monkey
  • Sunbird
  • Chameleon
  • Eland (Shira)
  • Giant groundsel
  • Summit climbsMachame, Lemosho, Marangu, Rongai and the Northern Circuit, 6 to 9 days.
  • Day hikesMarangu gate to Mandara hut, or Shira plateau from the western gate.
  • Materuni waterfall & coffeeA village walk on the lower slopes with a coffee-roasting lunch.
  • Chagga cultureUnderground caves, banana beer and village life around Marangu.
  • Crater CampAn extra night beside the glaciers on selected climbs.
BudgetHostels and guesthouses in Moshi. From US$20 p.p.
Mid-rangeGarden hotels in Moshi or on the Marangu slopes. US$80 to 150 p.p.
LuxuryCoffee-farm lodges with mountain views for the night before and after. US$300 and up.

Indicative per-person rates in high season. We book the lodge that fits your style and budget.

  • By airKilimanjaro International Airport is 45 minutes from Moshi and 50 from Arusha.
  • By roadGates are 1 to 2 hours from Moshi depending on the route.
  • TipArrive two nights before your climb to rest and check gear.
Do I need climbing experience?

No. It is a walk, but a long, high one. Fitness and slow pacing matter more than technique.

Which route is best?

Lemosho for scenery and success rate, Machame for value, Rongai for the quiet north side.

What about altitude sickness?

Common above 4,000 m. Longer routes, hydration and our twice-daily checks reduce the risk.

Two hikers on a high plateau 07

Mountains · 4,566 m

Mount Meru

BestJun to FebGive it3 to 4 days with an armed ranger

Tanzania's second mountain and, for many guides, the more beautiful climb. The trail starts among buffalo and giraffe inside Arusha National Park, climbs through cloud forest and finishes on a knife-edge crater rim with Kilimanjaro floating on the horizon at dawn.

Wildlife highlights

  • Giraffe
  • Buffalo
  • Colobus
  • Elephant
  • Bushbuck
  • Turaco
  • Summit climb3 or 4 days to Socialist Peak at 4,566 m, with an armed ranger.
  • Crater rim walkThe final morning along a narrow ridge to the summit at sunrise.
  • Wildlife on the trailGiraffe, buffalo and colobus on the first day through the park.
  • Miriakamba hutComfortable huts rather than tents, a rarity in Tanzania.
On the mountainMiriakamba and Saddle huts, bunk rooms, included in the climb.
Before and afterLodges around Arusha National Park. US$120 to 350 p.p.

Indicative per-person rates in high season. We book the lodge that fits your style and budget.

  • By roadMomella gate is 1 hour from Arusha.
  • TipClimb Meru first, then Kilimanjaro a few days later, already acclimatised.
Is Meru easier than Kilimanjaro?

Shorter and lower, but the summit ridge is steep and exposed. Most guests find summit morning tougher than expected.

Why the ranger?

The route passes through wildlife areas with buffalo and elephant.

Tents at sunrise below a mountain 08

Rift Valley · Off the beaten track

Lake Natron & Ol Doinyo Lengai

BestJun to OctGive it2 nights

A blood-red soda lake at the foot of an active volcano the Maasai call the Mountain of God. The lake is the only regular breeding site for East Africa's lesser flamingos. Days are for waterfall walks with Maasai guides, nights for a moonlit climb of Lengai if you have the legs for it.

Wildlife highlights

  • Lesser flamingo
  • Zebra
  • Ostrich
  • Gerenuk
  • Golden jackal
  • Oryx
  • Ol Doinyo Lengai climbA midnight start up the active volcano, 6 hours up steep ash, summit at sunrise.
  • Engare Sero waterfallsA wet walk up a gorge to a swimming pool under the falls.
  • Flamingo walksMaasai guides lead you to the lake shore, where the colonies nest on the soda flats.
  • Hominid footprints19,000-year-old footprints preserved in the ash near Engare Sero.
  • Maasai village lifeStay near the village and share an evening with the families.
BudgetCamps at Engare Sero village. From US$40 p.p.
Mid-rangeTented lodges with lake and volcano views. US$180 to 300 p.p.

Indicative per-person rates in high season. We book the lodge that fits your style and budget.

  • By road4 to 5 hours from Arusha on rough roads, or 5 hours from the northern Serengeti via Loliondo.
  • TipCome between Serengeti and Arusha to avoid backtracking.
Is it hot?

Very. The lake sits at 600 m and days pass 38 C. Walk early, rest at midday.

Can anyone climb Lengai?

Fit, sure-footed walkers. It is steep and loose, and not for beginners.

Safari vehicle beside a baobab at sunset 09

South & west · 20,000 km²

Ruaha National Park

BestJun to OctGive it3 nights

One of Tanzania's largest parks and one of its least visited. Rocky hills, baobab forests and the Great Ruaha River hold ten percent of Africa's lions, large elephant herds and rarities like greater and lesser kudu side by side. You reach it by light aircraft and often see no other vehicle all day.

Wildlife highlights

  • Lion
  • Wild dog
  • Greater kudu
  • Elephant
  • Sable
  • Leopard
  • Game drivesAlong the Great Ruaha River and the Mwagusi sand river.
  • Walking safariRuaha is one of the best parks in Tanzania for walking with a ranger.
  • Fly-campingA night out under a mosquito net beside the river, from selected camps.
  • BirdingOver 570 species, both northern and southern African birds overlap here.
  • SundownersOn the rocky hills above the river.
Mid-rangeTented camps along the river. US$300 to 450 p.p.
LuxurySmall owner-run camps with walking and fly-camping. US$600 and up.

Indicative per-person rates in high season. We book the lodge that fits your style and budget.

  • By airDaily flights from Dar es Salaam (1.5 hours) and Arusha via Dodoma (2 to 3 hours).
  • By road10 hours from Dar. We only recommend it for overlanders.
  • TipCombine with Nyerere on a southern fly-in circuit.
Why so few visitors?

Distance and cost of flights. That is also the reward: whole days without another vehicle.

Best time?

Jun to Oct. Some camps close in the rains from Mar to May.

Lodge deck looking out over the bush 10

South & west · Formerly Selous

Nyerere National Park

BestJun to OctGive it3 nights

Africa's largest national park, built around the Rufiji River and its lakes. Safaris here happen by boat as much as by vehicle, with hippo, crocodile and elephant on the banks, and walking safaris and fly-camping are part of the routine rather than an add-on.

Wildlife highlights

  • Wild dog
  • Hippo
  • Crocodile
  • Elephant
  • Buffalo
  • Lion
  • Boat safarisOn the Rufiji River and its lakes, hippo, crocodile and elephant on the banks.
  • Walking safariMorning walks with an armed guide from most camps.
  • Fly-campingA night out on a sandbank with a campfire.
  • Game drivesWild dog, lion and huge buffalo herds around the lakes.
  • FishingCatch-and-release tigerfish from the boat.
Mid-rangeRiverside tented camps. US$280 to 420 p.p.
LuxuryLake-shore lodges with private boats. US$550 and up.

Indicative per-person rates in high season. We book the lodge that fits your style and budget.

  • By air45 minutes from Dar es Salaam or Zanzibar to Mtemere and Siwandu airstrips.
  • By road6 hours from Dar on improving roads.
  • TipThe easiest southern park to add to a Zanzibar holiday.
Selous or Nyerere?

The same place. The northern part of the old Selous reserve became Nyerere National Park in 2019.

Is it good for first-timers?

Yes, if you like variety. Boats and walks make it feel different from the north.

Nungwi beach in Zanzibar seen from above 11

Coast & islands · 1 hour flight from Arusha

Zanzibar

BestJun to Oct and Dec to FebGive it3 to 5 nights

The spice island: carved doors and rooftop cafes in Stone Town, spice farms in the interior, and a coastline that runs from lively Nungwi in the north to the kite beaches and tidal flats of Paje and Jambiani in the east. The natural full stop to any safari.

Wildlife highlights

  • Red colobus
  • Green turtle
  • Dolphin
  • Reef fish
  • Giant tortoise
  • Whale (Aug to Oct)
  • Stone Town walkCarved doors, the old fort, spice market and the House of Wonders.
  • Spice farm tourCloves, vanilla and cinnamon straight from the tree, with a farm lunch.
  • Dhow sunset cruiseFrom Nungwi or Stone Town, with drinks aboard.
  • Snorkelling at MnembaTurtles and reef fish on the atoll off the north-east coast.
  • Jozani forestRed colobus monkeys and the mangrove boardwalk.
  • KitesurfingPaje's lagoon is one of Africa's best spots, Jun to Sep and Dec to Feb.
  • Prison IslandGiant tortoises and a swim, a short boat ride from town.
BudgetGuesthouses in Stone Town and Paje. From US$30 p.p.
Mid-rangeBeach hotels in Nungwi, Kendwa and Jambiani. US$120 to 250 p.p.
LuxuryVillas and boutique resorts on the north and east coasts. US$400 and up.

Indicative per-person rates in high season. We book the lodge that fits your style and budget.

  • By air1 hour from Arusha or the Serengeti airstrips, 20 minutes from Dar. International flights arrive direct from Europe and the Gulf.
  • By sea2 hours by fast ferry from Dar es Salaam.
  • TipFly direct from the Serengeti to save a day.
Which beach?

Nungwi and Kendwa for swimming at all tides, Paje for kitesurfing, Jambiani and Matemwe for quiet.

Is there an island entry fee?

Yes, a mandatory insurance fee of about US$44 payable on arrival since 2024.

Is it safe to walk in Stone Town at night?

In the main streets, yes. Take a taxi late and keep valuables out of sight.

Thatched beach resort on a turquoise shoreline 12

Coast & islands · The quiet ones

Pemba & Mafia Islands

BestOct to Mar for whale sharksGive it3 to 4 nights

Two islands for travellers who found Zanzibar too busy. Pemba is green, hilly and ringed by some of the best wall diving in East Africa. Mafia, to the south, is a marine park where whale sharks gather each season and the pace never rises above a slow walk along the sand.

Wildlife highlights

  • Whale shark
  • Manta
  • Turtle
  • Pemba flying fox
  • Reef sharks
  • Dugong (rare)
  • Whale sharks at MafiaSnorkel beside them Oct to Mar off Kilindoni.
  • DivingPemba's walls and Mafia's marine park reefs, both among the best in East Africa.
  • Dhow tripsSandbank picnics and island hopping.
  • Village visitsSwahili fishing villages and clove plantations on Pemba.
  • Chole IslandRuins and fruit bats a short boat ride from Mafia.
Mid-rangeSmall eco-lodges and dive camps. US$150 to 250 p.p.
LuxuryPrivate-island lodges and treehouses. US$450 and up.

Indicative per-person rates in high season. We book the lodge that fits your style and budget.

  • By airPemba is 30 minutes from Zanzibar, Mafia is 35 minutes from Dar es Salaam.
  • TipMafia pairs naturally with Nyerere, Pemba with Zanzibar.
Which island is right for me?

Mafia for whale sharks and marine life, Pemba for diving and total quiet. Neither has nightlife.

Are the beaches like Zanzibar's?

Fewer and smaller. You come for the water, not the sand.

not surewhere to start?

Tell us your dates, who is coming and what you most want to see. We will pick the places that fit and link them into one route with no wasted driving days.

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