Expert Knowledge

Your Tanzania
Travel Advisor

Planning a Tanzania safari is one of the most rewarding travel decisions you'll make — and one of the most complex. Our specialists have walked every trail, slept under every star, and know exactly when and where to be for the experience you're dreaming of.

Migration Guide Best Time to Visit

Nature's Greatest Show

The Great Migration — Month by Month

Over 1.5 million wildebeest, 200,000 zebras, and 400,000 Thomson's gazelles make a continuous 1,800km circular migration. Understanding where they are each month is the key to planning the perfect safari.

JAN

Calving

FEB

Calving

MAR

Moving

APR

N-bound

MAY

N-bound

JUN

Western

JUL

Mara River

AUG

Mara River

SEP

Mara River

OCT

S-bound

NOV

S-bound

DEC

Pre-calving

Calving Season (Jan–Feb) Moving North (Apr–May) Mara River Crossings (Jul–Sep) Moving South (Oct–Nov) Western Serengeti (Jun)

JAN – FEB

Calving Season

500,000 wildebeest calves born in 3–4 weeks. An extraordinary spectacle in the southern Serengeti. Predators are hyper-active — cheetah, lion, and wild dog hunting is outstanding. Our guide's personal favourite time.

JUL – SEP

Mara River Crossings

The iconic river crossing scenes. Vast herds mass on the riverbank then launch themselves across against massive Nile crocodiles. Unpredictable, dramatic, unforgettable. We position guides at prime crossing points daily.

MAY – JUN

Western Corridor

The herd enters the Western Corridor and crosses the Grumeti River — smaller but equally dramatic with enormous crocodiles. The western Serengeti is lush and green, with far fewer tourists than peak season.

Guide's Insider Tip

from Emmanuel, Lead Serengeti Guide — 14 years

"People obsess over the river crossings in August, but my honest recommendation is January for calving season. You'll see 10x more animal action — lion kills, cheetah hunts, hyena packs — than at any other time of year. And fewer tourists. If you can do only one time, do January."

Tailored Advice

When to Go — By Your Interest

Wildlife Photography

Low golden light, maximum animal activity, and calm weather. Dry season (Jun–Oct) for sharp visibility and animals congregating at water sources.

✓ Best: Jun–Oct

Newborn Wildlife

Wildebeest calving Jan–Feb, antelope fawns Nov–Dec. Green landscapes, excellent bird watching, and very active predators hunting weak calves.

✓ Best: Jan–Feb, Nov

Kilimanjaro Climbing

Two dry windows: Jan–Feb (cold and clear) and Jun–Oct (warmer). Avoid the long rains (Apr–May) — trails are hazardous and summit visibility poor.

✓ Best: Jan–Feb, Jun–Oct

Zanzibar Beach

Jan–Feb are perfect: hot, dry, calm Indian Ocean. Jun–Oct works well for the west coast. Avoid Apr–May (Zanzibar's long rains) and Ramadan's busiest weeks.

✓ Best: Jan–Feb, Jun–Oct

Budget Travellers

Shoulder seasons (Nov, Mar, Jun) offer 20–40% lower rates. Lodge prices drop significantly in low season while game viewing remains excellent in the parks.

✓ Best: Mar, Jun, Nov

Bird Watching

Tanzania has 1,100+ bird species. The green season (Nov–Apr) sees millions of Palearctic migratory birds arriving. Ngorongoro and Tarangire are world-class birding destinations.

✓ Best: Nov–Apr

Know Before You Go

Tanzania's Parks — Compared

Park	Big Five	Crowds	Best For	Best Months	Daily Fee
Serengeti NP	All 5 ✓	High (Jul–Oct)	Migration, big cats	Jan–Feb, Jul–Sep	$70 pp
Ngorongoro Crater	All 5 ✓	Medium	Density of game, lions	Year-round	$295 pp
Tarangire NP	4/5 (no rhino)	Low	Elephant herds, baobabs	Jun–Nov	$53 pp
Lake Manyara	3/5	Low	Tree-climbing lions, flamingos	Jul–Nov	$45 pp
Ruaha NP	All 5 ✓	Very Low	Wild dogs, wild feel	Jun–Oct	$53 pp
Nyerere (Selous)	All 5 ✓	Very Low	Boat safaris, wild dogs	Jun–Oct	$50 pp

* Daily park fees are per person per 24hr visit period. Prices may change — we always confirm current rates at booking.

Plan Your Spend

Tanzania Safari Budget Guide

Budget

$150–$250/day

Shared group departure
Budget tented camps
Shared vehicle (6–7 pax)
Simple camp meals

Mid-Range

$350–$550/day

Small private vehicle (2–4 pax)
Mid-range lodges/tented camps
Full board meals
Dedicated driver-guide

Luxury

$700–$1,200/day

Exclusive-use vehicle
Premium lodges & game camps
Bush dinners, spa treatments
Expert specialist guides

Ultra-Luxury

$1,500+/day

Private fly camps & villas
Private aircraft transfers
Personal concierge guide
Completely bespoke

Your Wellbeing

Health & Safety Essentials

Vaccinations Required

Yellow Fever certificate required for certain nationalities. Recommended: Hepatitis A+B, Typhoid, Tetanus, Rabies (optional), Meningitis. Consult your travel doctor 6–8 weeks before travel.

Malaria Prevention

Malaria is present in Tanzania year-round in lower elevations. We recommend Atovaquone-proguanil (Malarone) or Doxycycline. DEET repellent and long sleeves at dusk are essential. Our camps all have mosquito nets.

Travel Insurance

Comprehensive travel insurance including emergency medical evacuation is mandatory for all Nashivai clients. This must cover helicopter evacuation — critical for Kilimanjaro. Cover minimum $500,000 medical.

Sun & Heat Safety

Tanzania sits near the equator — UV radiation is intense even on overcast days. Use SPF 50+ daily, wear a wide-brim hat, and drink 2–3L of water minimum. Heat exhaustion is more common than most expect.

Getting to Tanzania

Main entry via Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) — direct from Amsterdam, Doha, and Nairobi. Also Julius Nyerere International (DAR) for southern circuits. We provide detailed arrival guidance on booking.

Staying Connected

Vodacom and Airtel SIM cards available at Arusha airport. Good 4G coverage in towns and major parks. WhatsApp works well for keeping in touch. We share emergency contacts before every departure.

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Your Tanzania
Travel Advisor