Tanzania

Tanzania

Sweeping Savannas, Towering Mountains, & Beautiful Beaches

Known For: The Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater, Mt. Kilimanjaro, The Big Five, Adventure, World Class Beaches

Tanzania is home to some of the most stunning natural sights in Africa. From the peak of Mt. Kilimanjaro to the endless herds of wildebeest and zebra on the plains, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. And the sounds of bird calls echoing through Ngorongoro Crater or the crashing waves along the white sands of Zanzibar will stay with you long after you’ve left. So whether you’re looking for an adventure-filled climb or a relaxing safari, Tanzania is the perfect destination. Let’s get started on your African checklist!

General Information:

Main Airports:

  • Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO)
  • Julius Nyerere International Airport (DAR)

Capital City:

  • Dodoma

Currency:

  • Tanzanian Shilling but USD is widely accepted

Weather and Seasons:

  • Tanzania has a comfortable climate year-round, but with significant changes is ecosystem and elevation there can be significant variations in different regions
  • There are two rainy seasons during the year, the “short season” in November and December and the “long season” between March and May.
  • If you’re in search of the Great Migration then you’ll want to visit in late May, June or July, however if you simply want to see wildlife then the dry summer months (January, February and early March) for the herds to concentrate at watering holes, making the search much easier.

Who it’s great for:

Family Vacations

Tanzania is a great option for families of all ages and sizes! Whether you’re looking to explore with just your immediate family or the full extended crew there are amazing experiences to be found. Visit Maasai villages to learn about their history and culture, participate in conservation efforts for rhino or lion populations, or head out on a walking safari to learn about tracking animals and the native plant species.

Tanzania offers so many opportunities for romance – we love this as a destination for honeymoons, anniversary trips, or even a “just because” trip with your sweetheart! Enjoy sunset sundowners in the bush after a day’s game drive, dine under the stars at your tented camp, or hit the beach for a few days of fun in the sun – no matter your definition of romance, Tanzania has the answer!

Looking for an adventure? Tanzania is the perfect destination! With a variety of climate zones, there’s something for everyone. Climb Mt. Kilimanjaro, explore the Serengeti by hot air balloon or go surfing in Zanzibar. Whatever your interests, you’ll find it here!

Tanzania is a paradise for nature lovers, with its stunning landscapes and abundant wildlife. From the verdant slopes of Ngorongoro Crater to the golden plains of the Serengeti, there’s always something new to discover. Whether searching for the Big Five, hiking through rugged landscapes, or diving along the coast, Africa is sure to amaze and delight.

Advisor Tip

While the Great Migration in June and July might be the most well known “season” in East Africa (we’re looking at you National Geographic!), traveling during the shoulder seasons can be rewarding as well. Consider January and February as an alternative and get the chance to experience “baby season” when all the mammals such as wildebeest, zebra and even lions are raising their young.

Advisor Favorite Hotels

1. &Beyond Ngorongoro Crater Lodge – Ngorongoro Crater

This over the top, Maasai meets Versailles, styled property on the upper rim of Ngorongoro Crater offers guests a luxurious and often surprising experience in one of Tanzania’s most amazing destinations.

andBeyond Ngorongo Crater Lodge

2. Four Seasons Serengeti Safari Lodge

With an enviable location in the heart of the Serengeti, the Four Seasons Serengeti Lodge gives guests all the sumptuous luxuries and service that you expect of a Four Seasons and unexpected surprises like a watering hole with elephants playing and Maasai warriors dotted around the grounds, making this is a safari experience like no other.

Four Seasons Serengeti

3. &Beyond Mnemba Island

For travelers in search of seclusion, &Beyond Mnemba Island definitely fits the bill! This exclusive, private island resort off the coast of Zanzibar gives guests the daily choice of heading out on an ocean adventure (think snorkeling in the turquoise waters or drifting along the waves in a traditional Dhow) or sitting back and relaxing with experiences like yoga, spa treatments or simply enjoying the beach!

4. Singita Sasakwa Lodge

This gorgeous manor-style property, perched on a cliff line in the Western Corridor of the Serengeti, offers guests panoramic views and strikes the perfect balance between casual luxury and elegance. We love this lodge as a home base for exploring the Serengeti – especially during the Grumeti River crossing of the Great Migration.

Four Seasons Serengeti

More Inspiration

Whether you’re looking for your next safari destination or just want to be inspired, our blog is the perfect place to start. With details on our favorite hotels, experiences, and more, you’ll be able to plan your Tanzania trip.River Oaks Travel Recommends: Segera, on Kenya’s Laikipia Plateau

Ready to Plan YOUR East African safari?!

If you’re looking to explore Tanzania, Kenya, or Rwanda,
our River Oaks Travel Concierge team is here to help!

With our expert knowledge and outstanding partnerships, we
can make sure that your experience is seamless.

So reach out to us today, and let’s start planning
your adventure!

Gibb’s Farm

Gibb’s Farm Review

Many travelers bypass this charming countryside retreat in their rush to reach Ngorongoro Crater, but guests looking for a chance to relax after days of “African Massages” on the bumpy backroads of the many National Parks should consider stopping over for a day or two of relaxation and tranquility. Every corner of the property – from the original farmhouse built in 1929 to the 19 cottages and houses dotted around the grounds of this coffee farm – radiates charm and a sense of old-world comfort, inviting guests to linger over a cup of coffee or glass of wine.

Gibbs Farm

Style

Each of the 19 standalone accommodations on property are uniquely furnished with local art and artifacts – in fact everything on property from the linens to the furniture is either original to the estate or was made in Tanzania. While these spacious cottages with their private verandas, soaking bathtubs, and wood burning fireplaces are definitely a draw, the real gem to be found at Gibb’s Farm is the farm itself! The rich soil of the area makes the flora grow like crazy and the many gardens (herb, cactus, rose, vegetable and even a medicinal garden) around the property provide many opportunities to immerse yourself in nature.

Culinary

As you might expect from a working farm, the culinary offerings at Gibb’s Farm are truly Farm to Table with many of the menus on property focused on the amazing produce grown throughout the grounds. The culinary team here takes this philosophy one step further and sources any products not available through their own gardens from nearby sustainable farming operations. With full board and half board rates available guests have plenty of chances to sample the delicious pastries, preserves and other English and Tanzanian inspired cuisine on offer.

On Site Activities

While the main draw of the area is a visit to the nearby Ngorongoro Crater Conservation Area, Gibb’s Farm offers so much more for guests to explore and enjoy during their stay. A typical day at Gibb’s Farm might offer guests the chance to enjoy horseback riding around the property, tours of the many different gardens on site, a hike to local caves and waterfalls or even the chance to assist with milking the hotel’s cows or helping to collect eggs for breakfast. Most evenings end with a meeting at the fire pit to learn about everything from Maasai history and traditions to ways in which the local community is working to save the local lion population.

For guests looking for a more relaxing experience – the spa on property offers a small but tailored selection of treatments with (you guessed it!) all of the products used are made on site with items grown on property. Guests can also explore their creative side with art lessons from the current Artists in Residence – or simply a stroll through the gallery in search of an amazing piece to make your own.

quote icon

Get out & Explore:

Ngorongoro Crater Conservation Area

Lake Manyara National Park

Lake Eyasi National Park

Tloma Village

icon

Plan Your Tanzania Trip:

Ready to go and in need of expert trip planning?

Contact us

icon

Getting There:

Lake Manyara Airstrip -35 min

Arusha Airport – 2h30min

Kilimanjaro Airport – 4h

 

Ideal Length of Stay:

3 – 4 days

 

When to go:

A year-round destination
Peak season from June to September

 

Who should go:

Families, Couples, Animal Lovers, Adventurers, Wellness Seekers

icon

Combine with:

Tarangire National Park

Arusha

Ngorongoro Crater Conservation Area

Serengeti National Park

Zanzibar

Kenya

Interested in planning a stay at Gibbs Farms?

andBeyond Ngorongoro Crater Lodge

andBeyond Ngorongo

andBeyond Ngorongoro Crater Lodge Review

The Ngorongoro Crater Conservation Area is a must see for most travelers to Tanzania and this stunning lodge located directly on the crater rim offers travelers the chance to wake up right in the middle of the majesty. Whether you’re enjoying coffee on your private deck with your toes (in some cases literally!) hanging over the crater’s edge or you’ve ventured into the ancient caldera in search of the black rhino, elephants, or the numerous lion prides that the Crater is known for – this is an experience that you’ll never forget!

andBeyond Ngorongoro Crater Lodge

Style

With a design often described as Maasai meets Versailles, a stay at &Beyond Ngorongoro Crater Lodge is indulgent and often surprising. While the humble mud and thatch exteriors of the 30 suites might seem unassuming – once the door opens, you’re greeted by an interesting juxtaposition of crystal chandeliers hanging from banana leaf ceilings, silk curtains opening onto porches complete with tree-branch railings, and Victorian Era antique furniture sharing space with traditional African artworks and fabrics. This interesting mix of the extravagant and the natural extends into the shared spaces of the hotels as well with the main dining room dominated by panoramic views of the crater out the floor-to-ceiling windows and libraries full of comfortable leather chairs, well-loved books, and crystal decanters filled with everything from brandy to gin scattered throughout for guests to break into.

andBeyond Ngorongoro Crater Lodge

Culinary

Since the property is all inclusive, guests can look forward to treats from sunup to sundown. Your day may start with your personal butler arriving to your room with your favorite coffee or tea and some freshly baked pastries or biscuits for you to enjoy before heading to the sumptuous breakfast spread in the main dining room (think fresh fruits, eggs made to order, fresh bread and pastries and other breakfast favorites). Lunch is often enjoyed on the crater floor and could be a picnic with local favorites and a bottle of wine or you might “happen upon” a lavish banquet complete with a white tablecloth and sparkling silverware with which to enjoy your gourmet feast. Evening brings more surprises whether you’re enjoying drinks and dinner with other guests in the main dining room or you wind up with a private dinner under the stars on property.

On Site Activities

As you might expect the Ngorongoro Crater Conservation Area is the main draw when in the area, but due to the small nature of the Crater guests really only need one day to explore. After this you may find yourself heading out on a day trip to Olduvai Gorge (home to some of the earliest human remains ever found), hiking in Empaki Crater in search of flamingos, or visiting one of the nearby Maasai or Hadzabe tribes. On property the hotel’s gift shop beckons with local crafts, jewelry and more and while there isn’t a full spa on site there is the chance for an in-room massage. Evenings are often filled with talks by local experts on the conservation efforts in place in the area or by Maasai warriors performing traditional dances and drum songs.

quote icon

Get out & Explore:

Ngorongoro Crater Conservation Area

Karatu

Olduvai Gorge

Empaki Crater

icon

Plan Your Tanzania Trip:

Ready to go and in need of expert trip planning?

Contact us

icon

Getting There:

A number of airlines operate twice daily scheduled flights from Arusha to Lake Manyara Airstrip.

The lodge collects guests from the airstrip in closed game viewing vehicles, with the drive to the lodge taking approximately 1½ hours.

 

Ideal Length of Stay:

3 – 4 days

 

When to go:

A year-round destination
Peak season from June to September

 

Who should go:

Families, Couples, Animal Lovers, History Lovers

icon

Combine with:

Tarangire National Park

Arusha

Serengeti National Park

Zanzibar

Kenya

Interested in planning a stay at andBeyond Ngorongoro Crater Lodge?

Sanctuary Swala Camp

Sanctuary Swala Camp Hotel Review

While the iconic Serengeti National Park and Ngorongoro Conservation Area may be the best known parks in Tanzania the lesser know Tarangire National Park is a great opportunity to explore off-the-beaten-path! Located around two hours by car (or a quick 20 minute flight) southwest of Arusha this is a great first safari stop on a Tanzania itinerary before heading north to Serengeti or Ngorongoro.

While there are animals of all types in Tarangire, the park is most known for its high population of elephants, large number of bird species and the famous tree climbing lions of Tarangire and it’s sister park Manyara. Sanctuary Swala Camp’s ideal location in a secluded area of the park means that you’re often sharing breakfast with elephants and enjoying sundowners while monkeys and more play on the property.

Style

Thanks to its secluded location Sanctuary Swala Camp offers guests expansive and uninterrupted views across the lakefront of one of the park’s major watering holes. The camp’s twelve (Yes! Only twelve!) tented suites are spacious and elegant, with contemporary African designs throughout. The large outdoor spaces including a private deck and indoor/outdoor shower make the accommodations feel expansive and a very low carbon footprint means that guests can feel good about the environment while still having an amazing experience.

Culinary

With such a small footprint and only 24 guests in house at a time, Sanctuary Swala Camp is able to personalize service for each guest. Each meal is served on the main dining deck, which also happens to be the best place to gather for sundowners. Breakfast means fresh squeezed juices, bread and pastries made in house and eggs cooked to order, while lunch and dinner normally mean a couple of delicious options to choose from. If you’re looking for something a little more adventurous ask about setting up a picnic lunch in the bush!

On Site Activities

As with any National Park, Tarangire is all about the safari experience, but since it’s a lesser traveled location there are a lot of opportunities to explore in new ways. For travelers looking to venture out in alternate modes of transportation you can take to the sky in a hot air balloon, cast off in a canoe or even trust your own two feet on a walking safari. Not quite sure you want to leave the safari truck, but you still want a different experience, consider staying out late on a night game drive. Search for the nocturnal animals of the park as your guides use a spotlight to check for “eye flashes” along the ground, in trees and even on top of the park’s famous termite mounds.

quote icon

Get out & Explore:

Canoe Safari

Hot Air Ballon Safari

Game Drives

Bush Breakfasts, Picnics & Dinners

Walking Safaris

Game Drives at Night

icon

Plan Your Tanzania Trip:

Ready to go and in need of expert trip planning?

icon

Getting There:

The camp is accessible by air from:

  • Arusha (ARK) to Kuro Airstrip – 25 minutes
  • Kuro airstrip to Serengeti South (SGS) airstrip – 1 hour 30 minutes

There is a once a day scheduled light aircraft flight into Kuro from Arusha. Private charters are also available. Luggage restrictions of 15kg in a soft sided bag are applicable to all scheduled light aircraft flights.

 

Ideal Length of Stay:

3 – 4 days

 

When to go:

A year-round destination
Peak season from June to September

 

Who should go:

Families, Couples, Animal Lovers, Elephant Seekers

icon

Combine with:

Arusha,

Ngorongoro Crater Conservation Area

Serengeti National Park

Zanzibar

Kenya

Interested in planning a stay at Sanctuary Swala Camp?

Arusha Coffee Lodge

Arusha Coffee Lodge Hotel Review

The easily accessible town of Arusha is a great first (or last) stop for travelers exploring the iconic National Parks of Tanzania (Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater, Tarangire and Manyara)! It’s also home to this charming hotel nestled among the greenery of one of Tanzania’s oldest coffee plantations.

Enjoy waking up to the aroma of freshly roasted coffee and the chatter of the resident monkey clan but keep an eye on your cellphone – the monkeys are tech savvy! After a delicious breakfast served in the main house head out to explore Mt Meru or Mount Kilimanjaro or head into the Cultural Heritage center in town to shop for amazing local crafts.

Style

Arusha Coffee Lodge hearkens back to an earlier time by respecting the heritage of the original homestead from the early 1900’2. The spacious suites are housed in free standing cottages scattered throughout the grounds, each offering plenty of privacy and amenities to enable you to recover from jetlag or from your active safari circuit. With plenty of space to spread out, the rooms all include en suite bathrooms with shower and free-standing bathtubs, large beds romantically draped in mosquito netting, and ample outdoor space from which to enjoy the antics of the local monkey population. Each room also includes a private fireplace either indoors or on the outside verandah.

Culinary

The Homestead houses the main restaurant The Grill Room, as well as the smaller café bistro and a bar/lounge all arranged around a central reflecting pond that (like many other places on property) often attracts the attention of the resident monkeys. The Grill Room offers breakfast, lunch, and dinner each day – we recommend requesting a table in the garden to enjoy the beautiful grounds alongside your meal. Alternatively, the Bistro is an all-day and all-night alternative with a slightly more casual menu and its own pizza oven. Our favorite dish – the corn fritters featuring fresh local produce throughout!

On Site Activities

The charming collection of shops on property offer great shopping for all those gifts you need to bring home to loved ones (or for yourself 😉). With options ranging from a coffee shop to a Tanzanite dealer there’s something for everyone but our personal favorite is the Shanga shop. This amazing workshop is dedicated to supporting and empowering community members with disabilities. Through their on-site workshop they create works of art (often from recycled or upcycled materials) for sale in the shop. Make sure to ask for a tour of the workshop during your visit – many of the artisans even give lessons to guests!

Elsewhere on property, near the swimming pool, the Peaberries Spa offers relaxing treatments like massages, pedicures, manicures and more.

quote icon

Get out & Explore:

Coffee Estate Tours

Arusha National Park

Arusha Museum of Natural History

Maasai Market

Cultural Center

Tanzanite Museum

icon

Plan Your Tanzania Trip:

Ready to go and in need of expert trip planning?

icon

Getting There:

Arusha Airport (ARK)

5 min away from airport

Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO)

1,5h drive

 

Ideal Length of Stay:

2 – 4 days

 

When to go:

A year-round destination

 

Who should go:

Coffee Lovers, Couples, Families, Animal Lovers

icon

Combine with:

Tarangire National Park

Ngorongoro Crater Conservation Area

Serengeti National Park,

Zanzibar

Kenya

Interested in planning a stay at Arusha Coffee Lodge?