Tanzania Tours

Do you want to see Africa's iconic Big Five wildlife? Then a Tanzania tour should be at the top of your list.

Home to Africa's iconic Mt. Kilimanjaro and an incredible array of fascinating wildlife, our Tanzania tours will create a lifetime of memories.

Take in extraordinary views and explore lush valleys dense with tropical rainforest are on offer to all those wishing to trek to the top of Africa's highest mountain, while the National Parks of the Serengeti and Ngorongoro crater provide visitors with great opportunities to view the vast array of animals and birds that populate this beautiful African country.

Discover the incredible landscapes and warm hospitality on one of our group Tanzania tours. Whether you want to join us on our ascent of the iconic Mt Kilimanjaro or simply visit the Serengeti National Park to experience some of the very best wildlife viewing in the world, you'll look back at your tour to Tanzania as the trip of a lifetime.

For the perfect end to your stay in Tanzania why not spend a few nights exploring the beautiful islands, beaches and tropical blue waters of Zanzibar?

Our Tanzania tours also take you to the Serengeti National Park, which plays a key part in one of nature's greatest spectacles - the wildebeest migration. Every year, millions of wildebeest make their way from Kenya's Masai Mara Game Reserve, crossing the treacherous, Nile crocodile-infested waters of the Nile River and head back to the southern Serengeti to give birth to a new generation.

During the months of January to March, the migratory herds of wildebeest, zebra and other wildlife descend on southern Serengeti for calving season, giving travellers on safari in Tanzania the unique opportunity to see this live. Predator interaction is dramatic during this period as well, as lion, leopard and cheetah move into the area to take advantage of the vulnerable calves - creating the ultimate battle for survival.

The herds will slowly begin to make their way north between the months of March to August before they descend back into the Masai Mara - if you're lucky to be on an African safari at the time - you may see some early river crossings at the Grumeti River.

Thinking about going on a Tanzania tour but need some encouragement? Here are some quick facts that will make you want to explore Africa.

More information about Tanzania tours

Do you want to know more about Tanzania and its beauty? Or do you need accurate visa information?

Contact the Tanzania tourism board for more information.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

In general, Tanzania is a safe place to visit if you take precautions and follow the government travel advisories. You should avoid isolated areas and take taxis at night.

The currency used in Tanzania is the Tanzanian shilling (TZS), which is subdivided into 100 senti (cents).

The best wildlife viewing months are during the dry season from late June to October. If you want to see the wildebeest migration in the Serengeti, the best time to visit is during June and July.

Tipping in Tanzania is not obligatory and should always be dependent on the quality of service. For those working in the service industry, tipping can make up an important part of their income.

The tap water is not safe for drinking in Tanzania. To avoid getting sick, you should only drink bottled water or filtered water.

Planning a trip to Tanzania isn’t as hard as it may seem although a few things need to be considered – what is your budget like, how long you’re planning on staying, what you’d like to do, see, and so on.If you choose to plan a Tanzania tour through us at Encounters Travel you won’t have to do much planning as our Tanzania tours are already well planned out.

While meal prices in Tanzania can vary, however an average meal in Tanzania cost around TZS12,222 per person. Breakfast prices are usually cheaper than lunch and dinner.

Tanzania is an East African country and its official language is Swahili.English is widely spoken and a few others are also spoken in the country – this varies from different ethnic groups. The ethnic languages are mainly of Bantu and Nilotic origin.

Yes, certain vaccinations are needed when you travel to Tanzania – the CDC and WHO recommend the following: hepatitis A, hepatitis B, typhoid, yellow fever, rabies, meningitis, polio, measles, mumps and rubella (MMR), Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis), chickenpox, shingles, pneumonia and influenza.

Many factors play a role in the overall cost of a trip to Tanzania such as where you’d like to stay, how long you plan on staying, your budget, etc.

There are many things to do and see when you travel to Tanzania – some of the best places to visit and enjoy a safari include Katavi, Selous, Ruaha, Tarangire, and Ngorongoro.There's also the Serengeti where you can witness the great annual migration of millions of wildebeest.

This depends on what all you want to accomplish while you’re in Tanzania - 8 - 10 days should cover the Northern Circuit (Tarangire, Ngorongoro, Serengeti) if you want to visit other areas; Lake Victora, Mahale Mountains, Ruaha, Selous, Zanzibar then you can keep adding as many days as you like.

From late June to October is the best time to visit Tanzania - wildlife viewing during this time is generally at its best.The wildebeest migration in the Serengeti is usually during June and July and the time to see the wildebeest calving is late January to February.

Generally speaking, Tanzania is pretty affordable apart from its National Park fees – these are quite expensive.Yes, safaris can be expensive but once you get away from these then Tanzania is a very cheap country to visit.

TOUR REVIEWS

It all started with me searching for a good itinerary to visit Petra. Since I didn't have much vacation time, I was looking for something that would cover the places I was interested in visiting besides Petra, that’s how I found Encounters Travel online. At first, I was going to do only Jordan, but there was an option to do Petra and Dubai, so why not? The price was very affordable, the hotels were not the top of the line, but it was my decision to stay with the basic and so I did. Mariska was the person I exchanged emails with it; she made sure I had all the details taken care prior to my trip, and always answered my questions either by phone or via email. Despite the fact this trip was on a “shoestring” category, or more known as “budget” trip, from the time I was picked-up at Amman's airport until the time I was dropped off at Dubai's airport, everything went smoothly. I was part of a big group while travelling in Jordan, but solo in Dubai, yet everything occurred accordingly to the agenda. I’m a happy customer; I’ve already booked another trip with EncountersTravel. Roberto Lima

Encounters Travel did an amazing job. Everything was so well planned and our tour guide was just exceptional (Sherif). I can not praise both tour guides enough. They went out of their way to ensure that everyone needs were taken care of and that everyone was having a great time. They also looked out for our overall wellbeing. One person left items behind in his hotel room, they were able to get it delivered to him at our next stop. UNBELIEVEABLE!! Everyone was so friendly. The ABSOLUTE best I've been on. Much success in your future adventures.

I haven't traveled yet, so it is a bit premature to be giving a rating. That being said, I have been exceedingly impressed with the service I have received to date. No pushy salesmanship just quick and complete answers to all my questions. It shouldn't be hard to give this sort of service, but I have found it lacking elsewhere. And the itinerary looks to be the best for the time we have, really allowing us to see the places we are visiting instead of seeing how many places we can cram in - but I will be able to comment better on that after the trip.

We bought the Encounters Travel Discover Egypt trip through Groupon. The entire experience was amazing. They met us at the airport at the gate, helped us through customs and getting our visa, and every step of the way we were escorted. They would tell us what time to meet and where and we would show up and we'd be escorted off to another fabulous monument. Our Guide Mahmed was extremely knowledgeable and so much fun. My only caution would be that the trip is go-go-go all the time. Very little downtime, and if you do Abu Simbel and the Hot Air Balloon ride it's a lot of early mornings too. However, I cannot think of anything I would have been OK with cutting out, because everything was so amazing, I just wish we could have spent more time everywhere. I highly recommend this trip if you want to get a good overview of Egypt.

This was my second trip with Encounters, and I've had a great experience with both. This was a great trip in that we got to see a lot of the country and experience different parts of the culture. Just be aware, unlike some other trips, this one appeared to be contracted locally to a different company, so there was some confusion at the airport pickup when I didn't see my name, and none of the other tour groups had heard of "Encounters." Fortunately, one of them called the contact number for me, so it was all quickly resolved. Before you go, ask for the name of the local tour company, just in case.

Everything went really smoothly on the booking end and on the ground in Egypt. The only surprise was when arriving jet lagged at the hotel being presented with a list of fees that needed to be paid right then. The problem was that everything up until then had these fees in US dollars and now the fees were in Egyptian pounds. It pretty much cleaned out our stash of Egyptian money. Had we known we had to pay in Egyptian currency we would have sought out additional currencies places at home to get us the funds we needed. (Banks wouldn't order the funds). However after that the tour itself was great. Our guide Emad did a great job.

Before the trip Encounters Travel answered my enquiries promptly and responded to my many concerns. Pre-trip planning was a pleasant experience because they really seemed to understand my concerns and needs. Once on our way, everything was handled professionally and caringly. There was always someone there to meet us and also to return us to our hotel or plane or whereever we needed to be. The security was always evident and at no time did they appear to let their guard down. Our guide, Mohammed, was amazing—very knowledgeable about Egyptian history—a true academic—his classroom is his tour group and when those he has touched return home, ultimately his reach is the entire world. His enthusiasm and love for his country, its history, and its people is contagious as is his sense of humor and energy. There are many short nights—prepare to need a rest when you return home—so much to see and do—amazed we did it all in 2 weeks.

This was my first trip abroad and the Encounters Travel team kept me updated and informed from the moment I booked my tour of Egypt. Encounters Travel team member Ahmad Sol was there, upon our arrival in Egypt, to welcome and assist tour members safely to our hotel. Ahmad Sol was also there to bid us farewell to the stunning country of Egypt at the end of our tour. The food and hotels were wonderful. The Pyramids, Sphynx, the Nile River, the Temples and museum were fantastic, only to be made even more memorable by our Encounters Travel tour guide, Ahmad Kamouna. Ahmad Kamouna is very knowledgeable, charismatic, enthusiastic and passionate about Egypt, its history and future. There are no adequate words to thank Ahmad Kamouna for making my tour of Egypt the trip of a lifetime for me!!!

I probably think about parts of this trip everyday. It was well organized and planned by Encounters, and the guides and staff in Egypt are amazing human beings. Go on every extra side trip and mini adventure you can. We went in the pyramids and the camels ride behind the pyramids, went to Ramses II tomb, on a hot air balloon ride over Luxor, and to Alexandria, in addition to the amazing things to do on the trip. It was well worth the money. It was absolutely amazing everyday. Tips: Don't expect customer service to directly answer your questions. Mariska only sends generic emails. At least 4 people on our tour experienced this. The other staff and their amazing customer service makes up for this. Bring toilet paper, small 1 Egyptian pounds for the bathrooms, and expect to tip everyone. Also, its good to bring Imodium, heartburn, and allergy meds just in case i would go on this trip again...

Tanzania Country Guide

Factfile

Time: GMT+3
Dial Code: +255
Area: 945,087 km2
Elevation: The lowest point in Tanzania is the Indian Ocean at 0m | The highest point in Tanzania is Mount Kilimanjaro at 5,895m (19,341 ft.)
Population: 59,091,392 (2018)
Capital: Dodoma
Government: Republic, Presidential system, Unitary state, Federal republic, Constitutional republic
Language: English, Swahili

Tanzania, officially the United Republic of Tanzania, is a country in Eastern Africa, located in the African Great Lakes area. The country borders Uganda and Kenya to the north, Burundi, Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo to the west, Malawi, Mozambique and Zambia to the south, and the Indian Ocean to the east.

The population of Tanzania is made up of a variety of linguistic, ethnic, and religious groups. The official capital city, Dodoma, is where the National Assembly, the president's office and some government ministries are located. The sovereign state of Tanzania is a presidential constitutional republic.

In the northeast, the landscape of Tanzania is mountainous and forested. Three of Africa's Great Lakes are partly within Tanzania, including Lake Victoria, Africa's largest lake, and Lake Tanganyika, the continent's deepest lake.

The Zanzibar Archipelago is located on the eastern shore, which is humid and hot. On the Zambian border, Kalambo Falls, on the Kalambo River, is situated. This is the second highest uninterrupted waterfall in Africa. Tanzania also has 16 national parks.

There are over 100 languages spoken in Tanzania, which makes the country the most linguistically diverse in East Africa. There is no official language in Tanzania, although the national language is Swahili. Around 10% of Tanzanians speak Swahili as a first language and up to 90% speak it as a second language. English is used as a medium of instruction in secondary and higher education.

Highlights

Lushoto - a highland town, and a convenient base for hikes in the nearby hills.
Mahale Mountains National Park - positioned on the shores of Lake Tanganyika, the park is a protected area for chimpanzees.
Selous Game Reserve - a UNESCO World Heritage Site and Africa's largest wildlife reserve.
Mafia Island - part of Mafia's Archipelago in the Indian Ocean, this island is a world-class diving destination.
Kilwa Kisiwani - a small fishing village and a UNESCO World Heritage Site off the southern coast.
Lake Victoria - the largest lake in Africa with fresh water, home to more than 200 species of fish.
Katavi National Park - Tanzania's third-largest national park with unspoiled wilderness areas and large herds of buffalo.
Tarangire National Park - an underrated park with the highest concentration of elephants in the world.

Tips

Tanzania is a malaria risk area, so take precautions and consult your doctor beforehand.
Don't flaunt your valuables and keep an eye on them in busy areas.
The best months to climb Kilimanjaro are January, February and September.
Learn some simple phrases of Swahili to engage with the local people.
Throughout the country, especially along the coast, women should avoid sleeveless tops.
Pack light, comfortable clothes that are neutral coloured for game drives.
Avoid eating salad, as it might have come into contact with unhygienic water.
When it comes to tipping taxis, you should round it up to show appreciation.

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Tanzania Tours

More information about Tanzania tours

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Is it safe to visit Tanzania?

What is the official currency of Tanzania?

When is the best time of the year to visit Tanzania?

Should you tip in Tanzania?

Is the tap water safe to drink in Tanzania

How do I plan a trip to Tanzania?

How much is a meal in Tanzania?

Do people in Tanzania speak English?

Do you need vaccinations to go to Tanzania?

How much would a trip to Tanzania cost?

Where should we go in Tanzania?

How many days in Tanzania is enough?

What is the best month to visit Tanzania?

Is Tanzania expensive?

TOUR REVIEWS

Tanzania Country Guide

Factfile

Highlights

Tips

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Tanzania – A Wildlife Paradise

Tanzania National Parks

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