The ideal duration of your stay in Tanzania depends on your plans—whether you’re opting for a quick beach getaway, a safari covering the major wildlife hotspots, or a more immersive experience exploring Tanzania’s diverse offerings. Here, we provide recommendations for itineraries ranging from 4 days to 4 weeks.

Planning Your Trip to Tanzania

Though Tanzania is vast, the list of main attractions is relatively short. If you have only three days, consider flying to Zanzibar for a beach retreat, with opportunities for watersports and cultural exploration in Stone Town. Zanzibar is also a great add-on for a longer, seven-day safari. Tanzania’s main draw is its incredible wildlife, with 32 game reserves covering almost 40% of the country. These reserves are spread across three regions: the popular “Northern Circuit,” the less-visited “Southern Circuit,” and the remote “Western Circuit.”

For a proper safari experience, plan to spend at least one week. Each reserve offers unique attractions, but you can see most of what you’re looking for in the Northern Circuit, where parks are closely located. Highlights include Serengeti National Park, famous for the great migration of wildebeest and zebras; Ngorongoro Crater, home to the largest concentration of permanent game; Tarangire National Park, known for its elephant herds; and Lake Manyara, renowned for its flamingos. Further afield, Nyerere National Park (Selous Game Reserve) in the south boasts one of Africa’s largest populations of black rhinos, while the western parks, Gombe and Mahale, are famous for their chimpanzees.

If you have two weeks, you can explore multiple regions, increasing your chances of spotting various species and experiencing different ecosystems. For adventure seekers aiming to climb Mount Kilimanjaro, you’ll need at least a week depending on the route.

Keep in mind the travel time between regions. In the Northern Circuit, travel between parks is easily done by vehicle, but the southern and western parks are more dispersed. Fortunately, nearly all reserves have airstrips, and flying between destinations is common.

Tanzania in 3-4 Days

A perfect short trip would begin with your arrival at Zanzibar International Airport, followed by a transfer to a beachfront resort on the island’s eastern coast. Spend the first day relaxing on white sands, swimming, or snorkeling in the turquoise Indian Ocean. On day two, explore Stone Town, Zanzibar’s historic quarter, and immerse yourself in its thousand-year-old blend of African, Arab, Indian, and European influences. Day three can be spent enjoying more beach time or going scuba diving and perhaps taking a sunset dhow cruise. Head back home on day four.

Tanzania in One Week

With a week, you can either dedicate all seven days to a safari or combine a three-day beach holiday in Zanzibar with a four-day safari in either Tarangire National Park and Ngorongoro Conservation Area or Serengeti National Park. Arrive at Kilimanjaro Airport in Arusha and transfer to Tarangire National Park, known for its elephants. Spend two days there, followed by a visit to Lake Manyara National Park on day three, which is great for spotting tree-climbing lions and hippos. Continue to Ngorongoro Crater for a day of viewing the Big Five. On days five and six, head to the Serengeti for two more days of safari, including an optional hot-air balloon ride at sunrise.

If witnessing the great migration is your priority, visit the Serengeti in June/July or August/September, when the herds are crossing rivers in the western or northern parts of the park. Adjust your itinerary accordingly to maximize your chances of seeing this spectacle.

Tanzania in 10 Days

Option 1: Combine the 7-day Northern Circuit safari with a 3-4 day beach holiday in Zanzibar, flying directly to Zanzibar after your return to Arusha.

Option 2: Skip the beach and extend your time in the northern parks, adding cultural experiences such as spending a day with the Hadza tribe in the Eyasi Valley or learning about Maasai traditions.

Option 3: Adventurous travelers can combine a 6-day trek up Mount Kilimanjaro with the first four days of the 7-day Northern Circuit safari.

Tanzania in 2 Weeks

Building on the 10-day itinerary, use your extra time to visit Tanzania’s western parks, such as Gombe or Mahale, known for their chimpanzees. After completing the 10-day itinerary, fly to either Kigoma for Gombe National Park or Mahale Mountains National Park. Spend three nights trekking for chimpanzees before flying back to Arusha or Dar es Salaam on day 14.

Tanzania in 3-4 Weeks

With a third week, you can explore more of Tanzania’s parks. After the 2-week itinerary, head to the Southern Circuit, starting with Nyerere National Park (Selous Game Reserve) for three days of boat safaris, followed by two days in Ruaha National Park for walking safaris and hot-air balloon rides. Next, visit Katavi National Park for its large herds of buffalo, and finish with three days of chimpanzee trekking in Mahale Mountains National Park. If you have a fourth week, consider adding a gorilla trek in Rwanda or Uganda.