# The Ultimate Tanzania Safari Guide

*The Serengeti, the Ngorongoro Crater, Tarangire and Zanzibar: how to follow the Great Migration, when to go and what it costs.*

*Published: 2026-10-15*

> **Quick answer:** The ultimate Tanzania safari follows the northern circuit: Tarangire for elephants, the Ngorongoro Crater for dense wildlife, and the Serengeti for the Great Migration, ideally finishing on Zanzibar’s beaches. Time it to the herds: January to March for calving in the south, June and July for the Western Corridor, and July to October for river crossings in the north. Serengeti park fees are US$83 per adult per day plus VAT, and our Tanzania safaris start at US$2,800 per person.

Tanzania is safari on the grandest scale. The Serengeti alone covers almost 15,000 square kilometres, and every year more than a million wildebeest, with hundreds of thousands of zebra and gazelle, travel a great loop through it, followed by lion, cheetah and hyena. Add the Ngorongoro Crater, the baobab-studded hills of Tarangire and the white beaches of Zanzibar, and you have one of the finest journeys in Africa.

This guide covers where to go, how to time the migration, what it costs in 2026 and how to put a Tanzania safari together.

## Why Choose Tanzania?

- **The Great Migration.** The largest movement of land mammals on Earth, visible in some part of the Serengeti all year.
- **The Ngorongoro Crater.** A collapsed volcano with one of the densest concentrations of wildlife in Africa.
- **Huge variety.** Savanna, volcanic highlands, lakes and forests within a few hours of each other.
- **Beach finish.** Zanzibar is a short flight from the parks.
- **Flexible styles.** From great-value drive safaris to luxury fly-in camps.

## The Northern Circuit at a Glance

| Park | Best for | Ideal stay |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Tarangire | Elephants, baobabs, dry-season wildlife | 1 to 2 nights |
| Lake Manyara | Forest, flamingos, a short first game drive | Half day to 1 night |
| Ngorongoro Crater | Black rhino, lion, a full day on the crater floor | 1 to 2 nights |
| Serengeti | The Great Migration, big cats | 3 to 5 nights |
| Zanzibar | Beaches, Stone Town, diving | 3 to 5 nights |

## Following the Great Migration

The herds follow the rains, so their position changes through the year. Choosing the right part of the Serengeti for your dates is the single most important planning decision.

| Months | Where the herds usually are | Highlights |
| --- | --- | --- |
| December to March | Southern Serengeti and Ndutu | Calving season, predator action |
| April to May | Moving through the central Serengeti | Long rains, quiet and lush |
| June to July | Western Corridor | Grumeti River crossings |
| July to October | Northern Serengeti and the Masai Mara | Mara River crossings |
| November | Moving south again | Short rains, fewer visitors |

### Calving season in the south

From about late January to March, around half a million calves are born on the short-grass plains in just a few weeks. Predators gather, and the drama is constant. It is also excellent value compared with the northern crossing season.

> **package great-migration-safari-calving:** Five nights at Ndutu Safari Lodge in the heart of the calving grounds of the southern Serengeti.

### River crossings in the north

From July to October, the herds cross the Mara River in the northern Serengeti, with fewer vehicles than on the Kenyan side. Seasonal camps move with the migration so you are close to the action. If you are considering Kenya too, see our guide to [what a Masai Mara safari costs](/blogs/masai-mara-safari-cost/).

> **package serengeti-migration-fly-in:** Six nights in seasonal tented camps placed for your travel dates, with light-aircraft flights between airstrips.

## The Ngorongoro Crater

The crater floor covers around 260 square kilometres, enclosed by walls about 600 metres high. It is one of the best places in East Africa to see black rhino, and lion, elephant, buffalo, hyena and flamingos are often seen on a single drive.

![An elephant crossing in front of safari vehicles in the Ngorongoro Crater. Photo: Zenith4237, CC BY-SA 4.0](/images/journal/ngorongoro.webp)

> **package serengeti-classic:** Five nights combining the central Serengeti with a full day in the Ngorongoro Crater, staying at Serengeti Sopa Lodge and a highlands lodge.

## Tanzania Park Fees in 2026

| Fee | Non-resident adult |
| --- | --- |
| Serengeti conservation fee | US$83 per 24 hours, plus 18% VAT |
| Serengeti concession fee, staying inside the park | US$60 per night, plus VAT |
| Ngorongoro Conservation Area entry | US$70.80 per 24 hours |
| Ngorongoro concession fee, staying inside the area | About US$59 per night |
| Ngorongoro crater service fee | US$295 per vehicle per descent |

Park fees make up a large part of any Tanzania safari budget, and they are charged per 24-hour period, so a well-planned route can save money. Most packages, including ours, build them into the price.

## What a Tanzania Safari Costs

| Style | Approx. per person per night (USD), including park fees |
| --- | --- |
| Budget camping safari | 250 to 400 |
| Mid-range lodge safari with private vehicle | 450 to 750 |
| Luxury lodge or tented camp | 800 to 1,500 |
| Fly-in luxury migration camps | 1,200 to 2,500 and above |

> **How we quote prices:** Prices are approximate, per person sharing, in US dollars, excluding international flights. Kasi Africa Safari package prices are our published rates at the time of writing.

## Classic Tanzania Itineraries

### Five to six nights: Serengeti and Ngorongoro

The essential Tanzania safari, driving from Arusha through the highlands to the crater and on to the Serengeti, with an optional flight back.

### Nine to ten nights: the grand circuit and Zanzibar

Tarangire, the crater and the Serengeti, then fly to the coast for white sand, warm water and the spice-scented lanes of Stone Town.

> **package serengeti-grand-circuit:** Nine nights from Tarangire Treetops to the Ngorongoro highlands and the Serengeti, finishing on Zanzibar.

## Practical Tips

- **Arrival.** Fly into Kilimanjaro International Airport, near Arusha, the starting point for the northern circuit.
- **Visas.** Most visitors need a Tanzania visa, applied for online before travel.
- **Health.** Tanzania is a malaria area, and a yellow fever certificate may be required if you arrive from a yellow fever country. Consult a travel clinic.
- **Luggage.** Use soft bags of about 15kg if you are flying between parks.
- **Book early.** The best migration camps fill nine to twelve months ahead, especially for calving and the river crossings.

> Choose your month first, then your camp. In the Serengeti, being in the right place at the right time matters more than anything else.

## Plan Your Tanzania Safari with Us

We match every Tanzania safari to the herds' likely position for your dates. Explore our [Tanzania destination page](/destinations/tanzania/), our [Great Migration safaris](/safari-experiences/great-migration-safari/) and our [best time for an African safari](/blogs/best-time-for-african-safari/) guide, then tell us when you would like to travel.

## Frequently Asked Questions

### How much are Serengeti park fees in 2026?

Non-resident adults pay a conservation fee of US$83 per person per 24 hours, plus 18% VAT. Visitors staying at lodges and camps inside the park also pay a concession fee of US$60 per adult per night, plus VAT. These fees are normally included in safari package prices.

### How much does it cost to visit the Ngorongoro Crater?

Non-resident adults pay a conservation fee of US$70.80 per 24 hours to enter the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. Vehicles descending to the crater floor pay a crater service fee of US$295 per vehicle per descent, shared between the guests in that vehicle.

### Where is the Great Migration each month?

From about December to March the herds are on the short-grass plains of the southern Serengeti and Ndutu, where they give birth. April and May they move north and west. June and July they are usually in the Western Corridor, crossing the Grumeti River. From July to October they are in the northern Serengeti and the Masai Mara, crossing the Mara River.

### How many days do you need for a Tanzania safari?

Five to six nights covers the Serengeti and the Ngorongoro Crater. Eight to ten nights lets you add Tarangire or Lake Manyara and a few days on Zanzibar.

### Should I drive or fly on a Tanzania safari?

Driving between parks with a private guide is excellent value and lets you see the countryside. Flying between the Serengeti airstrips saves long road days, especially when the herds are in the far north or south.

### Can I combine Tanzania with Zanzibar?

Yes, and it is one of the most popular combinations in Africa. Daily flights link the Serengeti and Arusha with Zanzibar in about one to two hours.