Tanzania

A Celebration of Wildlife and Diversity

Tanzania is where everything you imagine about Africa comes to life, and then some. From the endless plains of the Serengeti to the drama of the Ngorongoro Crater, the white beaches of Zanzibar to the misty Mahale Mountains, the country’s diversity is staggering. Here, you can follow wildebeest on their migration, trek with chimpanzees in a remote forest, float over the savanna in a hot air balloon, and end the day watching the sun sink into the Indian Ocean. With one-third of its land protected, Tanzania is a place where wildlife still roam freely and time in nature is measured in moments that stay with forever.

Map of Tanzania Highlights

1. Mount Kilimanjaro

2. Serengeti

3. Tarangire National Park

4. Ruaha National Park

5. Mahale Mountains

6. Katavi National Park

7. Ngorongoro Crater

8. Zanzibar

  • 1. Mount Kilimanjaro

    At 19,341 feet, Kilimanjaro is the highest mountain in Africa and a serious bucket-list trek. The climb is non-technical but demanding, and the views, from rainforest to glaciers, are unforgettable. If you’d rather admire from afar, the peak is often visible from the air or on clear days from Arusha or the Serengeti. A small group experience with a top guide is a must.

  • 2. Serengeti

    Even if you’ve been on safari before, the Serengeti will still stop you in your tracks. It’s a place of scale, of vast golden plains dotted with wildlife in every direction. Time it right and you’ll witness the Great Migration: over a million wildebeest and zebra moving steadily toward new grass, with predators following closely behind. But even outside the busy migration season, this ecosystem never rests. Lions lounge on kopjes, cheetahs stalk the plains, and giraffes wander through the acacia.

  • 3. Tarangire National Park

    Known for its giant baobabs and even bigger elephant herds, Tarangire is one of Tanzania’s most underrated parks. During the dry season, wildlife gathers along the Tarangire River in huge numbers; zebra, giraffe, lion, and leopard all drawn to the water. If you love elephants, this is the place. Some of the largest tuskers in Africa gather here in numbers.

  • 4. Ruaha National Park

    Ruaha evokes a sense of raw, wild Africa. Far fewer visitors make it to this remote southern park than the iconic parks of the north, and those who do are rewarded with uncrowded game drives and a sense of discovery and adventure. It’s leopard country, and the landscape, baobab woodlands and rocky escarpments, evokes a sense of ancient landscapes long gone in much of Africa. Large herds of Cape Buffalo reside in the area and its healthy lion population has become very skilled at bringing down this dangerous species. Huge crocodiles sunbathe along the river banks and bird watching is extraordinary.

  • 5. Mahale Mountains

    Set along the shores of Lake Tanganyika, Mahale is the ultimate in barefoot adventure. Hike into the towering rainforest to track chimpanzees with your guides, then return to camp for a swim or a dhow sail at sunset. It’s one of the best places in Africa for primate encounters and an incredibly peaceful spot to reset between safaris.

  • 6. Katavi National Park

    Katavi National Park is a hidden gem that invites a raw, untamed safari experience far from the crowds. When you visit, it feels like stepping into a forgotten Eden with vast floodplains teeming with hippos, crocodiles, and elephants, all set against a backdrop of golden savannah and miombo woodlands. The sense of solitude is surreal; you might go hours without seeing another vehicle, making every wildlife encounter feel deeply personal. It’s not just a park, it’s a place where nature still rules, and you’re just a quiet observer in its grand, wild theater.

  • 7. Ngorongoro Crater

    It’s hard to beat a morning game drive inside the Ngorongoro Crater. Formed by a collapsed volcano millions of years ago, this massive, lush, bowl-like caldera is now home to an extraordinary mix of wildlife. The chances of spotting the Big Five here, lion, leopard, elephant, rhino, and buffalo, in a single day, are high.

  • 8. Zanzibar

    After the bush, head to the beach for a few days of relaxation and sun. Zanzibar’s sparkling white sand beaches, turquoise waters, and vibrant coral reefs are ideal for snorkeling, diving with dolphins, or simply unwinding. Historic Stone Town adds history, culture and spice, literally. You’ll find a fusion of Swahili, Arab, and European influences in the architecture, food, and rhythm of life here. Virtually every one of the great colonial explorers made their stop here and you may visit the Sultan’s crumbling palace, or the ruins of the monastery built in honor of David Livingstone. A walk through the streets of Stone Town evokes images of Arabian nights and the bazaars of Cairo.

A Few of Our Favorite Experiences

  • Join the Herds

    Safari alongside the Great Migration and witness predators in pursuit, nature at its most raw and real.

  • Float over the Savanna

    Lift off at dawn for a bird’s-eye view of the Serengeti. Watching the sun rise over the herds from a hot air balloon is pure magic.

  • Explore the Coral Reefs

    Dive or snorkel off Zanzibar’s coast to find coral gardens, dolphins, and whale sharks.

  • Trek for Chimps

    In Mahale, hike into the forest and share a moment with wild chimpanzees, who live much as they always have.

  • Walk with the Hadzabe

    Spend time with the Hadzabe, one of the last hunter-gatherer tribes in East Africa. Their way of life offers insights into our own beginnings.

  • “From the first phone call right through until we boarded our flight home, everything EXPLORE did and recommended was PERFECT! The staff’s ability to translate my initial ideas into an actual adventure was PHENOMENAL and could not have been more perfect - in every way! Singita Faru Faru Lodge was B E Y O N D our wildest expectations. From the moment our guide met us at the landing strip until he dropped us off for our flight to Nyasi, we were provided with the most unique, special, consistently wonderful visit. Absolutely incredible in every way...from the guide to the staff, to the location, to the rooms - which were enormous and beautifully appointed, to the cuisine, to the wildlife surrounding the camp - just EVERYTHING was sheer perfection!!! We had three incredible, smart, kind, attentive, patient, fun, experienced guides who each came from a different past growing up in Tanzania. One whose father was a poacher. Another whose father left when he was a young child, so he grew up surrounded by villagers and family who cared for him. Another's father was a park ranger who had elephants walking down the "road" in front of their home growing up. No wonder we called him Doctor Doolittle! They made ALL the difference in our time there and each of them impacted our experience in a WONDERFUL and memorable way! EXPLORE made everything leading up to our trip flow seamlessly and guaranteed that we would be well prepared for our departure/arrival!! Just one big, enormous THANK YOU for curating the most spectacular trip! As I told the team, I thought this visit would be a one and done, check it off my bucket list trip. Alas, as they reminded me, I have caught the nasty African bug, aka the Safari bug and cannot wait to return. All thanks to the wonderful itinerary and selections you made. Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!”

    Kathy R

  • “My itinerary was perfectly designed by Explore (from start to end). Not one hiccup. I’ve been ruined for future trips. This sets a new bar. The EXPLORE team took care of all needs and addressed (very quickly) every single question (no matter how silly). The guides and drivers were most professional and friendly. I felt like I made friends. My expectations were exceeded by volumes.”

    Kevin G.

  • “Our trip was unbelievable. I felt like I was embodied in the Garden of Eden, for everywhere I looked was a feast for the eyes. So much fun!!!!”

    Adonna A.

  • “This trip was an ENORMOUS logistical challenge. The level of detail required was breathtaking. The transitions for one couple among five countries, over 20 aircraft take offs/ landings and accompanying transfers, nine lodging sites, and private tours over a four-week period. The talent, attention to detail, work ethic, demand for excellence, experience, and judgment of Cherri and the entire Explore staff are simply extraordinary. We now know why you, Cherri, are a legend in Africa trip planning. And you surround yourself with amazing people. And not only was the execution essentially flawless, (what seemed to us to be, frankly, an impossibility), but the planning process was great fun. It was very interactive; you are great listeners, always ready with good advice but always respectful of the client’s interests, desires, and budget. I consider the cost to have been fully justified and an excellent value. I would strongly recommend that anyone planning a trip to Africa retain the services of Explore. We now understand why so many people regard a trip to Africa to be life changing. For us, it was. It is a totally immersive experience in the natural world, like none other. NOTHING compares to Africa as you presented it to us. We are in your debt. Thank you!”

    Joanne & Ron L.

  • “The entire trip was better than we could have ever imagined. The accommodations and locations fit our preferences perfectly. We loved being in the remote areas and having very few, if any, other vehicles around us on the game drives and few others staying at the camps. The camps were all five star and had spectacular views, great dining options, and wonderful staff/hosts. We had such a great variety of wildlife and terrain that we were able to have an amazing and truly memorable experience at each location, with guides that we loved and will continue to keep in touch with. We were able to get amazing photos (my wife is a photographer), which will be framed in our homes and will help keep the memories alive. Our kids will be talking about this experience for years, at least until we go on the next safari, which we are honestly already looking forward to planning with you!”

    Stafford Family

  • “This entire trip blew us away. EXPLORE picked the perfect places and created the perfect itinerary for us. My husband and I both looked at each other constantly and remarked, “this is the best trip we’ve ever taken!” and we travel constantly!”

    Lauren M.

Where to Stay

  • Tulia Zanzibar, Tanzania

  • Little Chem Chem, Chem Chem Reserve

  • Namiri Plains, Asilia, Serengeti

  • Mila Tented Camp, Natural Selection, Serengeti

  • Singita Explore, Grumeti

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