The Ultimate Guide to All Things Tanzania: African Safaris, Culture, and Adventure
Tanzania, an East African country, is famous for its vast wilderness and amazing wildlife, especially the great migration. It offers a rich cultural history and countless adventures for nature lovers and explorers. Whether you're planning to climb Mount Kilimanjaro, explore the Serengeti, or relax on Zanzibar's pristine beaches, this first-timer’s guide will help you navigate your trip with ease.
If you’re anything like us, you’ve probably spent countless hours reading articles and sifting through “best of” lists, and ultimately are feeling a bit overwhelmed on where to start. We started planning our trip to Tanzania about six months in advance - and honestly, we are spur of the moment travelers to our core, so this gave us a lot of time to plan and really ensure we make the most of our trip. We’ve compiled our research and experiences here to ensure you have the absolute best time in Tanzania.
Below we’ll share insight into our ten days trip - including our itinerary, highlights of our travels, what we learned, and things we’d do differently next time.
Table of Contents
Our stay at Riu Palace Zanzibar
Our stay at the Serengeti Serena Safari Lodge
Game Drives in the Serengeti National Park
Getting to the Ngorongoro Crater
Our stay the Ngorongoro Serena Safari Lodge
Game Drives in the Ngorongoro Crater
Important things to know before visiting Tanzania
Why Tanzania?
A few things Tanzania has to offer:
World-Class Safaris: Tanzania is home to some of Africa’s most famous national parks and wildlife reserves, including the Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater, where visitors can witness the Great Migration and spot the "Big Five" (lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo, and rhino).
Mount Kilimanjaro: The highest peak in Africa, Mount Kilimanjaro draws climbers and trekkers from all over the world. It's a bucket-list challenge that offers a rewarding experience and incredible views.
The Great Migration: One of the most awe-inspiring wildlife events on the planet, where roughly two million wildebeest and zebra trek about 800km to the Masai Mara in Kenya. It is the largest mammal migration on earth.
Pristine Beaches: After adventure-packed safaris, many visitors head to Zanzibar to relax on white-sand beaches, swim in turquoise waters, and explore the island’s rich history in Stone Town.
Rich Cultural Experiences: Tanzania offers visitors the opportunity to engage with the local Maasai people and learn about their traditional way of life.
Getting to Tanzania
We found most international flights into Tanzania landed in either Julius Nyerere International Airport (DAR) - Located in Dar es Salaam, or Zanzibar Airport (ZNZ) - Located on the island of Zanzibar. We decided to begin our trip to Tanzania with a few days in Zanzibar to relax on the beaches and give ourselves a few days to acclimate to the time zone. We flew from the United States, Atlanta (ATL) to Zanzibar (ZNZ) with a layover in Paris (CDG), and booked directly with Delta Airlines.
To fly from Atlanta (ATL) to Zanzibar (ZNZ), there are several options, although no direct flights are available. Most routes require one or two layovers. Common layover locations include Addis Ababa, Paris, Amsterdam, and Istanbul.
Ethiopian Airlines offers a route with a layover in Addis Ababa, which takes approximately 19 hours and 10 minutes, making it one of the fastest options​
Air France and Delta operate a flight with a layover in Paris, taking around 20 hours and 55 minutes​
Turkish Airlines offers a flight via Istanbul with a total journey time of about 21 hours and 30 minutes​
When we booked our flights about six months in advance, we experienced several changes, including shifts in the type of plane and departure times, which caused some confusion. Although we booked directly with Delta, only our flight from Atlanta to Paris was operated by them. The flight from Paris to Zanzibar was handled by their partner airline, Air France.
Because we were flying with two different airlines, we encountered a lot of back-and-forth issues, with each airline shifting blame and responsibility without resolving our seat and flight changes. Initially, we booked seats in Delta’s Comfort+ cabin, which we were thrilled about since we rarely opt for anything beyond economy. However, due to the disconnect between the airlines and changes in the aircraft type (which had fewer Comfort+ seats), we were unfortunately moved to economy.
We spent several hours with both airlines trying to secure seats together and find options with extra legroom. While this wasn’t essential, we wanted to ensure comfort for our family during our nearly 24-hour journey. If we could go back in time, we’d monitor our flights much more closely and ensure that the entire group is on one reservation in order to avoid all of the disconnect and time spent sorting out our flights.
Despite the airline issues, our journey went smoothly otherwise, and we arrived in Zanzibar the next evening. However, because our flight involved two separate airlines, our checked luggage had to be transferred in Paris, leading to a 48-hour delay in Zanzibar. And although our luggage was delayed, it was eventually delivered to our hotel a few days later. Our resort in Zanzibar, the Riu Palace, was also a huge component in getting our luggage to us, as they were constantly calling the airport and relaying the messages to us. This was such a nice gesture and greatly helped ease our anxiety.
Pro tip: Use AirTags in your checked luggage! They alleviated our concerns and helped us communicate effectively with the airlines, the Riu Palace resort, and Zanzibar airport to expedite the delivery of our luggage. Because of the AirTag in our bag, we were able to keep track of our bag in the Paris airport, monitor flights from Paris to Zanzibar, and confirm its detailed location. Unfortunately, AirFrance was consistently telling us our bag was on the next flight when we could see the AirTag had not moved in the Paris airport (and thus not actually on the next flight), and this helped us communicate better to locate it and confirm it would be on a flight out quickly. Although it wasn’t our ideal day of relaxing in Zanzibar, having the AirTag to keep track of our bag definitely helped ease our worries
All Things Zanzibar
Once we landed in Zanzibar, we went through the Visa On Arrival (VOA) process. Tanzania generally requires a visa for most travelers. U.S. citizens, for instance, need a visa to enter Tanzania. Visas can be obtained in advance through the Tanzanian Embassy or Consulate, or you can apply for an e-visa online before your trip. There are different types of visas depending on the purpose of your visit (tourism, business, etc.). Other nationalities might have different visa requirements or exemptions, so it's always a good idea to check the specific entry requirements based on your nationality before traveling.
Coming from the US, we had the option to apply for an e-visa prior to our visit, or get a visa on arrival (VOA) when going through customs. Because we hadn’t used the e-visa service before, we opted to get the VOA after landing in Zanzibar. Moving forward, we’d definitely do the e-visa to save time! It wasn’t overwhelmingly long (in terms of immigration, customs, and the VOA), but after almost an entire day of flying, any time savings here would be a huge help.
We hired a driver to pick us up from the Zanzibar airport to our hotel (and back to the airport from our hotel) and we highly recommend doing so. We booked our driver on GetYourGuide and the cost was about $62 each way for our group. We found it the price well worth it, as the roads to the Nungwi and Kendwa (the resort areas of Zanzibar) can be confusing, often unpaved, and not well-marked. The drive from the Zanzibar airport to our hotel was about 40 miles and took over an hour to get there.
Zanzibar Airport Tip: Several people will offer to bring your luggage to your car for you after your exit the Zanzibar airport on the way to the parking area where you’ll meet your driver. Only take them up on this service if you intend to tip, as it will be expected of you before you get to your driver’s car.
Where to stay in Zanzibar
There are several areas and neighborhoods to stay in Zanzibar, catering to all types of travelers! A few of the more popular include:
Stone Town: The historic heart of Zanzibar City, known for its narrow streets, cultural heritage, and vibrant markets.
Nungwi: Located on the northern tip, famous for its beautiful beaches, lively atmosphere, and water sports.
Kendwa: Just south of Nungwi, offers stunning beaches, and a relaxed vibe. We spent most of our time on the beaches of Kendwa, and the beaches are truly unmatched here!
Our stay at Riu Palace Zanzibar
Riu Palace Zanzibar is an adults only all-inclusive resort, situated right on the beaches of Kendwa with turquoise waters and white sand. There’s a handful of great resorts in the area, but we ultimately found Riu Palace the best fit for our budget and what we were looking for in a resort. We stayed for four nights and felt like it was the perfect amount of time to adjust to the time change and beat the jet lag, lounge by the pool and truly relax, as well as explore the stunning beaches.
The resort is located near the town of Nungwi, just north of the Kendwa beaches. It’s an adult only resort, and thus extremely serene and calm. With several pools overlooking the beaches, a full-service spa, fitness center, and tons of the other amentities, we knew it would be the perfect place to truly relax on the first few days of our vacation.
We booked a suite, which was equipped with a king bed, a sleeper-sofa, workspace, and a stunning balcony overlooking the garden. The room was spacious, the bed was extremely comfortable, and best of all - it was very clean. The entire property was well maintained and kept extremely clean throughout. We absolutely loved the sweet notes and towel designs each day from the housekeeping team.
We had so much fun during the day with pool-side entertainment offered by the resort staff, as well as nightly entertainment shows and themed evening dinners.
Since the resort is all-inclusive, there are various food and drink offerings. There are three main restaurant areas, a bar nearby both of the pools with drinks and light snacks, and a beach bar. We found the food to be mostly buffet style, which was fine at first - but after a few days there we were a bit tired of it. This is one of the biggest areas for improvement at the Riu Palace Zanzibar. While there were different dining areas, we found most of the food to be similar throughout, and none of it really “wowed” us. It also should be noted that we didn’t have any real late-night snack options, as most of the restaurants on the resort property closed early.
On the plus side, the staff truly made our experience so memorable. They were engaging, helpful, fun, and extremely hospitable. We loved learning a few Swahili sayings from them! Next door to the Riu Palace Zanzibar, was a sister property that guests staying at our resort had access to. We spent some time there trying the restaurants on their property (which we found to be about the same caliber as ours), and also spent time checking out their pools. It was nice to have the variety of amenities and dining options between the two resorts throughout our time there.
One thing we really regret was not exploring more of Zanzibar. We chalked this up to being exhausted and wanting to relax, but we didn’t leave the resort once! In hindsight, we wish we would’ve expolore the famous Stone Town area of Zanzibar, checked out other beaches, etc. Guess we’ll have to go back!
Serengeti National Park
Getting to the Serengeti
From Zanzibar, we took a quick 1 hour flight over to the Arusha Airport (ARK) via Flightlink. Flying with Flightlink was smooth in the booking process, but was a bit confusing at the Zanzibar airport.
We arrived early and entered the international terminal, as we completely missed the domestic terminal. The domestic terminal is quite small and in a separate building from the international terminal at ZNZ. Our trip from Zanzibar to the Serengeti included two flights, one operated by Flightlink and the other by Regional Air, however, we booked the entire flight via Regional Air Services online. While waiting near the Regional Air gate and were started to get worried as they told us they didn't have any reservations for our party on Regional Air from Zanzibar. It turns out, we were flying Flightlink from Zanzibar (ZNZ) to Arusha (ARK) and then hopping on Regional Air from Arusha (ARK) to the Serengeti. Once that was sorted, it was smooth sailing (or should we say flying?).
We landed in Arusha, which is one of the most scenic areas for an airport, flying above Mount Kilimanjaro just upon landing is something we’ll always remember!
We had about half an hour in Arusha where our bags were pulled and re-scanned through security - this was an interesting process as we were told to identify our bags from the airport runway, and we didn’t have a great chance to ensure we had everything before they were re-scanned through security. We were chauffeured through the airport to a smaller section with the airline we were flying. The Arusha airport was really unique, and most of it is actually outside! It was so cool to see planes landing with Mount Kilimanjaro in the distance.
And before we knew it we were hopping on our Regional Air flight! This was the smallest plane we’ve ever flown on! There were 6 seats plus two seats for the Pilot and First Officer on the plane. We were absolutely shocked how comfortable and spacious the plane was! It was such an enjoyable, relaxed flight. If we could fly like that all the time, we definitely would!
We flew for about an hour and a half or so, and landed RIGHT IN THE MIDDLE OF THE SERENGETI!! We landed at the Seronera Airstrip (SEU), and this was the first time we’ve ever done something like this. Landing on a small patch of land inside the Serengeti National Park was bucket-list level amazing. As we were approaching our landing, we saw zebra, giraffe, and elephants from the plane’s window.
One thing to note: Because the small size of the plane, there are weight limits. Because we were traveling for several weeks, we ended up having more luggage than was allowed. Because of this, we opted to buy an extra seat on the plane to make up for the added weight. This was all taken care of through Regional Air Services online and was seamless. It’s also important to note that only soft-sided luggage (suitcases, duffles, etc.) were allowed because of the plane’s cargo area and overall size. The specific crew we flew with wasn’t overly strict about the soft-sided luggage, but we weren't going to risk it!
We flew through Arusha on our way to the Serengeti, because we opted to spend time in Zanzibar prior to our time in the Serengeti. This route made the most sense for our group, however there are several international options that fly into the Kilimanjaro Airport (JRO) nearby. If you are looking for options to fly internationally to the Serengeti, there’s a few flight options to the Kilimanjaro Airport (JRO). These include:
KLM: Direct flights from Amsterdam
Condor Air: Direct flights from Frankfurt
Turkish Airlines: Direct flights from Istanbul
Kenya Airways: Direct flights from Nairobi
Precision Air: Direct flights from Nairobi
Qatar Airways: Direct flights from Doha
Ethiopian Airlines: Direct flights from Addis Ababa
RwandAir: Direct flights from Kigali
Other airlines offering flights to JRO include Northwest Airlines, British Airways, Air France and Swiss Air
After we deplaned, we were met by our driver Zachariah. Our safari lodge was all-inclusive, but did not have their own safari guides. Because of this, they arranged for our group to be guided by Zachariah with Mauly Tours & Safaris. We spent 6 days with Zachariah as our safari guide, and could not have had a better experience! We would highly recommend booking him if you get the chance to - he was knowledgable, trustworthy, and an extremely safe driver.
Our Stay at the Serengeti Serena Safari Lodge
Since we landed in the Serengeti National Park, our drive to the lodge was a game drive in itself! It’s about 37 minutes driving between the Seronera Airstrip and the Serengeti Serena Safari Lodge, however, we took our time and explored our first bit of the Serengeti on our way to the lodge. After a few hours, we arrived at the lodge where we were greeted by the most incredible staff to help us check in. We did hours and hours of research before deciding to book our stay at Serengeti Serena. We spent three nights here, and loved the location within the Serengeti as it was central, and near key areas for viewing the Great Migration.
The lodge also had an incredible panoramic views of the savannah from the overlook area and swimming pool. A huge plus was the unique design of the lodge, which was inspired by traditional Maasai huts. Each luxury suite was built within its own rondavel, and felt very authentic, private, and unique.
The suites themselves were modern with traditional African decor, ensuite bathrooms, and balconies with equally incredible views of the savannah. In our room we also had tea and coffee supplies, bottled water, a safe, and complimentary wifi. We had several wildlife sightings just off our back porch!
As of today, in October of 2024, the Serengeti Serena Safari Lodge offers rooms starting at around $250/night per person for the full board option. This rate also includes three meals a day, water, tea, and coffee, wi-fi, as well as daily game drives.
Since we knew we wanted to visit both the Serengeti National Park, and the Ngorongoro Crater, booking with Serena Hotels made this seamless, as they had lodges in both locations.
We spent three nights here, and we really enjoyed it. The suites were so unique, quiet, and spacious. Our wi-fi wasn’t the fastest, but it didn’t bother us at all - and it was actually really nice to disconnect a bit. The nightly shows were so exciting and entertaining, and one of our favorite parts of our stay. The food here was also served buffet style, with a few made to order options for breakfast like omelettes, pancakes, etc. We’ll preface by saying we aren’t “foodies” by any means - we love a good chain restaurant or a simple dinner in 99% of the time. We did find the food options here to be lacking - and that could simply be a proximity issue as it is in the middle of the Serengeti. But it is worth noting that we did find the food options to be sparse and a bit underwhelming here.
On our last night, the incredible staff arranged for us to have a private bbq nearby the lodge. This was such a fun surprise and we absolutely loved it. We had a table set up by the bonfire, with live music and incredible food. The bbq food here was the best we had all week, and it was overall a great way to end our last evening at this property.
It’s also worth noting how truly amazing the staff here were - everywhere we turned there was someone there to help us, smile and wave at us, or offer advice for things to do during our trip.
The lodge also offered various experiences that can be added to your reservation at an additional cost. There include:
Hot air balloon Safari (price varies)
Private breakfast in the bush (starting at about $35 USD per person)
Sundowners in the bush (starting at about $35 USD per person)
Guided Nature walks and bird watching (price varies)
If you’re looking for a solid safari lodge in a great location, offering a unique stay and stunning views of the great migration, do not hesitate to book the Serengeti Serena Safari Lodge.
Game Drives in the Serengeti National Park
As mentioned above, daily game drives were included with our stay at the Serengeti Serena Safari Lodge. Our drive Zachariah who picked us up from the airport, remained our safari guide and drive for our entire trip. Each morning, Zacharia would pick us up from the lodge at around 7am to begin our day. Differing from our time in South Africa (which offers two game drives per day with a break in between), we spent the entire day out in the Serengeti. The lodge packed us boxed lunches each morning that we took with us for our drive.
We would spend a few hours in the morning with the animals, find a spot for a bathroom break and to stretch our legs, and then continue on. Depending on the sightings, we would stop for lunch anywhere between 11am-1pm for about 45 minutes each day. We stopped at a few incredible spots where we were eating our lunch with wildlife close by. We would continue our afternoon viewing wildlife and whatever nature would provide for us, before heading back to the lodge around 4pm.
We weren’t expecting to spend full days on safari, as we assumed each safari would be a similar set up to those in South Africa, with two drives each day and a 3-4 hour lunch and relaxation break between drives. Because we spent all day out in the Serengeti - the sightings were UNREAL. We saw more wildlife and special sightings than we could’ve ever imagined, truly. We also didn’t feel rushed or pressure to head to the next sighting, which was a really nice feeling.
A few of our favorite sightings include:
A pride of lioness with their cubs catching two wildebeests right in front of us - it happened right before our eyes and SO QUICKLY!
Lion cubs sneaking out of the grasses to watch their mom drinking out of a puddle - her growl and their little chirps are sounds we want to remember forever!
A huge herd of 15+ elephants with several baby elephants playing in the water and mud - baby elephants might be one of our most favorites to see, they are so floppy and funny!
Several moments of the Great Migration - where thousands of wildebeests were making their way north. At times, it felt like we could see more wildebeests than land!
The Great Migration
The Serengeti National Park is one of the best places to witness the Great Migration, where roughly two million wildebeests head north to wetter land, with more nutritious grass in the Masai Mara in Kenya. The Great Migration is the largest mammal migration in earth! Wildebeests are often joined in the migration by gazelles and zebra, and we learned they actually rely on the zebra from their direction during this time. We visited the Serengeti in May, and were incredibly lucky to witness some special moments of the wildebeests, gazelles, and zebra migrating north. The offical Great Migration happens in a few key phases:
January to March: Calving season in the southern Serengeti where over 500,000 wildebeest calves are born. The grasses are at their shortest at this time, making it the safest time for the wildebeest to give birth, and protect their babies from predators.
April to June: The herds start moving northwest through the Serengeti as food and water become scarce, heading toward the Grumeti River. This time is exceptionally hard for the migrating animals, as the several lion prides are hunting nearly 24/7.
July to October: The famous Mara River crossing into the Maasai Mara, a dramatic scene where the migrating animals face nearly 3000 crocodiles!
November to December: The herds return south to the Serengeti as the short rains start, completing the migration cycle.
Getting to the Ngorongoro Crater from the Serengeti National Park
On our third day in the Serengeti, we began our trek to the Ngorongoro Crater. We spent the first part of our day continuing our incredible sightings throughout the Serengeti, followed by a few hours of driving to the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. Here we stopped for about half an hour while our safari guide Zachariah submitted our paperwork and showed receipt of visitor fees and concessions payments. This was a nice break to use the restroom, grab a snack from the convenience store, and shop for souvenirs. The drive from the entrance to the Serengeti National Park to the Ngorongoro Crater Rim takes around 4 hours - we thought 4 hours would feel like an eternity, but it was truly such a scenic drive, with beautiful landscape the whole way, and tons of wildlife sightings too (truly, so much wildlife on this path!). We were able to make several great stops along the way to break up the drive time, including an incredible visit to one of the Maasai villages and the Olduvai Gorge.
Visiting a Maasai Village
After our brief stop at the Ngorongoro Conservation Area entrance, we drove for a few more minutes before arriving at one of the Maasai Villages that we had arranged a visit at. If you have the time during your drive to the crater, we’d highly recommend a visit at one of the Maasai Villages.
One of the highlights of visiting Ngorongoro Crater is getting the chance to meet the Maasai people and experience their incredible culture firsthand. The Maasai are a semi-nomadic tribe who have lived in northern Tanzania and Kenya for centuries, and they’re known for their vibrant shúkà (the bright red and blue robes they wear) and their deep connection to cattle, which are central to their way of life.
As soon as we arrived, we quickly felt welcomed as they showed us their traditional celebratory songs and dances. We paid the village chief around $10 USD (bring cash!) per person for the visit, and we were told this contribution paid for the village’s water for the week.
Throughout our visit, we were shown how they heard their cattle, learned about their traditions, and were invited in their homes (known as manyattas) to better understand how they lived. The Maasai have a rich culture in art, and we spent quite some time shopping their various art during our visit. The art offerings included ebony carved animals and masks, intricately detailed beaded jewelry, and other handmade souvenirs. We learned about the colors and beading used in their art and jewelry, and it was fascinating how each color and pattern had a meaning. We also toured their school, where we were welcomed by young kids with the sweetest songs and celebrations.
One of the most memorable moments is witnessing the traditional dances, where the chants and high jumping create an energy that’s hard to describe. It’s fascinating to see how the Maasai have maintained their customs while also adapting to the modern world, all within the stunning backdrop of the crater. This experience was not just a cultural exchange—but a chance to connect with a people who have thrived in harmony with nature for centuries.
Exploring the Olduvai Gorge
Shortly after our incredible visit at the Maasai Village, we drove for about 45 minutes before we arrived at the the Olduvai Gorge. If you’re fascinated by history and human evolution, a visit to Olduvai Gorge is an absolute must when you're in Tanzania.
Often referred to as the “Cradle of Humankind,” this incredible site is one of the most important archaeological locations in the world. It’s where some of the earliest evidence of human ancestors was discovered, including fossils that date back millions of years. Thanks to these groundbreaking finds, scientists have been able to piece together key moments in human evolution.
When you visit Olduvai Gorge, you’re essentially stepping into a time machine that takes you back to the very roots of humanity. The on-site museum offers an insightful look into the discoveries made here, from ancient stone tools to fossilized remains of early hominids, like Homo habilis and Australopithecus. We were given a lecture about the details of the Olduvai Gorge, specific points in history, as well as various research groups that are still searching for fossils here. It was about 15 minutes long and super interesting! You can also walk around the gorge itself and take in the vast, dramatic landscape where these incredible finds were unearthed.
Having not known too much about the Olduvai Gorge and it’s significance before we visited, this trip allowed us to really understand the journey that led to humankind, and it’s truly not a place we would have ever imagined visiting before this trip. It definitely added a new layer of history to our time in Tanzania.
Our Stay at the Ngorongoro Serena Safari Lodge
As we mentioned earlier, we chose to stay at Ngorongoro Serena Safari Lodge. We spent 4 days/3 nights here and it was our favorite of all of our stays in Tanzania! There are several lodges within the Ngorongoro area, but the Serena property really stood out to us due to its location on the crater’s rim, the lodge views, and the suites. The lodge itself is situated on the rim of the Ngorongoro Crater, and the views of the crater floor are truly unmatched.
The rooms were similarly set up to Serena Serengeti, with private en-suite restrooms, etc. - but our favorite part of this lodge was the private balcony overlooking the crater floor. We spent a lot of time here spotting wildlife and taking in the vast crater and its beauty. One of the mornings, we went out on our balcony to find a giraffe snacking on leaves just feet from us. It was one of our favorite sightings thus far! In addition to this giraffe sighting, we had another giraffe make it’s way inside the lodge’s main area - when we arrived back from our game drive, we were heading back to our room when we found a giraffe eating leaves and grasses in the open area of the lodge. This was such a special sighting and truly such a surprise. The staff at the lodge mentioned that since there aren’t any gates, the animals that spend time at the crater’s rim (such as giraffes, zebras, and water buffalo) can often be spotted within the open areas of the lodges.
Each night before dinner was served, people gathered in the bar area for sundowners with incredible sunset views. The bar and dining areas of the lodge had floor to ceiling windows with full views of the crater - it was truly epic! Shortly after sunset, we watched nightly entertainment with traditional African songs and dancing - it was such a fun way to learn more about their culture and traditions and celebrate an incredible day. In terms of the food here, it was definitely a step up from the lodge in the Serengeti. Breakfast (and lunch for those who opted out of the full day game drive) was served buffet-style with a wide variety of choices for all dietary preferences. Dinners at the lodge were more of a traditional sit-down style with a salad buffet, soup, entree, various side dishes, as well as water, tea, and coffee. Alcoholic drink and sodas were available for purchase at the bar as well. We really enjoyed the meals here, and the majority of their fruits, vegetables, meats, and dairy products were sourced from local communities!
Our game drives, as they were in the Serengeti as well, were from roughly 7am - 4pm, so we ate boxed lunch within the park each day that was made by the lodge. For an additional cost, there is an option to setup a special lunch within the crater if your group prefers that over the boxed lunch option.
As of today, in October of 2024, the Serena Ngorogoro Safari Lodge offers rooms starting at around $250/night per person for the full board option. This rate also includes three meals a day, water, tea, and coffee, and wi-fi. Our game drives were built into our total rate, however, if you don’t want to do full day game drives each day, it is possible to book them separate at $100 per person for a half day in the crater, and $180 per person for a full day in the crater. Since our primary reason for visiting was to go on game drives within the Ngorongoro Crater, we opted to do full day game drives on each of the full days we were there.
On our last night, our safari guide and drive Zachariah told us to meet him in the dining area before the nightly entertainment and dinner. When we arrived we found he had set up a special sundowner evening for us, which was such a sweet surprise! We had an open bar with various cocktails, beers, wines, and snacks for about an hour and half as we watched the sun set over the crater. This was such an incredible way to bid farewell to the amazing staff, stunning lodge, and the Ngorongoro Crater.
If you are planning a trip to Tanzania, this stop is an absolute must. The sheer amount of wildlife of the crater floor is mind boggling, and it was truly amazing to have so many sightings with various animals throughout. We’d highly recommend checking our Ngorongoro Serena Safari Lodge for your stay - it was overall a great experience, value, and location!
Game Drives in the Ngorongoro Crater
A game drive in Ngorongoro Crater is like stepping into a wildlife documentary! This ancient volcanic caldera is packed with animals, making it one of the best places in Africa to see the Big Five in a single day. From the moment you descend into the crater, you’re surrounded by sweeping views of grasslands, acacia forests, and shimmering lakes—each home to different kinds of wildlife. You can easily spot lions, elephants, buffalo, zebras, and even the elusive black rhino!
Since we opted for a full day game drive in the crater during each of the days we were there, we had early starts each morning, as animals are most active in the cool mornings. And aside from the amazing wildlife sightings - the crater itself is stunning! It’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and one of the seven natural wonders of Africa.
The Ngorongoro Crater is one of the few places to see the super tuskers! These elephants are known for their exceptionally large tusks, which can grow so long they almost touch the ground. The Ngorongoro Crater is one of the few places in Africa to still see the super tuskers, as they are protected and have a safe habitat there. Unfortunately, their massive tusks make them a huge target for poaching, and due to such, researchers estimate there’s only around 24 super tuskers alive today.
The density of animals here is mind-blowing. Imagine watching lions lounging in the sun, while nearby zebras and wildebeest graze, always keeping one eye on their predators. Hyenas are often seen prowling, and we even spotted flamingos here! The sheer variety and number of animals all in one place means every turn offers something new to marvel at - and that we did!
Important things to know before visiting Tanzania
Visas: Visas are required to enter Tanzania for most travelers. Visas can be issued on arrival, or you can obtain an e-visa online in advance.
Vaccinations: Make sure to consult your primary doctor and/or a travel health clinic before your trip to ensure your are up-to-date with the recommended vaccinations. Prior to our trip, we were vaccinated for typhoid and tetanus, and took anti-malarial medication throughout our stay.
Safety: Tanzania is generally safe for tourists. As with traveling to any new area, we always recommend leaving flashy, expensive items at home so as not to attract any unwanted attention. We felt very safe throughout all of the areas in Tanzania we travelled to and had no problems whatsoever with our safety.
Currency: The Tanzanian Shilling (TZS) is the local currency, but the US dollar is also widely accepted. We found that the majority of vendors did not take card, especially in more remote areas. We highly recommend taking a small amount of cash out prior to your trip for drinks, snacks, gift shop trinkets, tips, etc. We overlooked the need for cash on our trip and had a very hard time finding an ATM to withdraw cash, especially in the more remote areas.
Languages: Swahili and English are commonly spoken. While Swahili is widely used, English is understood in most tourist areas. We had no issues communicating with others throughout our stay, and really enjoyed learning a few words/phrases in Swahili from the gracious staff at the resorts.
Ethnic Diversity: Tanzania is home to over 120 ethnic groups, each with its own language, traditions, and customs. Major groups include the Sukuma, Chaga, Maasai, and Haya.
Electricity: Tanzania uses a 230V supply with Type D and G plugs. Bring a suitable adapter if your devices use a different plug type. We lost electricity during a couple evening rain storms in more rural areas, but nothing lasting more than 10 minutes or so.
Culture and Religion: Islam is predominant along the coast and in Zanzibar, while Christianity is more common in the interior and southern parts. There are also traditional African religions practiced by some communities. Do note this when packing, and we recommending dressing modestly when visiting local towns or cultural sites to be respectful of all cultures and religions.
Weather:
Dry Seasons (June to October) - Warm and dry with less humidity. Rainfall is minimal, and temperatures are generally pleasant, ranging from the mid-70s to mid-80s °F (24-30°C). Best For: Safaris, trekking Mount Kilimanjaro, and beach holidays. This is the peak season for wildlife viewing, as animals are more likely to congregate around water sources.
Short Rains (November to December) - Short, sporadic rains with occasional thunderstorms. Temperatures remain warm. Best For: Lower tourist crowds and lush landscapes. Good for budget travelers, though some safari roads might be muddy.
Long Rains (March to May)- Heavier and more prolonged rainfall, with occasional flooding. It’s generally cooler but can be quite humid. Best For: Visiting the northern parks like Serengeti or Ngorongoro Crater if you don’t mind wet conditions. This period sees fewer tourists, which means more solitude and lower prices.
Hot Season (December to February)- Hot and dry, with temperatures often exceeding 90°F (32°C). This period is generally dry but can be hot, especially in inland areas. Best For: Beach holidays on the coast and islands like Zanzibar. This is also a good time for safaris, particularly for viewing the Great Migration in the Serengeti.
What to Pack
We spent so long researching what to bring, what to wear, what to avoid, etc. when planning our first few trips to Africa. After our fifth African Safari, we compiled a comprehensive packing list that goes into depth in everything we pack for our trip, including clothing, footwear, medications, camera equipment, and more.
Learn from our mistakes...
In terms of spending money - The official currency in Tanzania is the Tanzanian Shilling, but US dollars are widely accepted throughout the country. Most places in Tanzania only accept cash, and ATMs are scarce. It’s extremely important to plan ahead and bring a small amount of cash for tips, souvenirs, snacks, etc. We had (wrongly) assumed we’d be able to use credit cards for payments, or would have an opportunity to get cash out of an ATM, but that wasn’t the case here. Thankfully, a few people in our group planned ahead better than us and brought enough cash for themselves and for us to borrow.
Cash is especially important for tips - and while it’s not required to tip, if you have the means to, we’d highly recommend doing so. The resort and safari lodge staff, the guides and drivers, etc. work for a living off of tips and they truly go above and beyond to ensure you have a safe and enjoyable time in their country.
If you fly into the Seronera Air Strip, be prepared for your game drive to start right away. We expected to drive quite a ways before seeing any wildlife, but instead were met with a huge herd of elephants after our first turn out of the airport. We quickly rummaged through our bags to grab or camera gear, but unfortunately missed out on a few photo opportunities in the meantime.
Binoculars are a must, and bring multiple pairs if you can! We had one set of binoculars amongst the five of us in our group, and we found ourselves passing them around for wildlife viewing. There are SO many great viewing opportunities from the overlook at the Serengeti Serena Lodge, as well as from the crater rim at the Serena Ngorongoro Safari Lodge. While most of our sightings were close enough to see without binoculars, this was a really fun way to continue the wildlife sightings back at the lodge.
Time of year - We visited in May, during one of the “worst” months to visit the Serengeti, as it’s in the height of rainy season. We had a couple of light rain storms which lasted maybe an hour, and then it was sunny the whole rest of the trip. We also saw massive wildebeest herds, stretching miles, with thousands of zebra grouped in as well as they prepared for mating season and their crossing over the Masai Mara. Visiting during the rainy season allowed us to have so much of the parks by ourselves. And while we did see other groups of safari goers, it was not anything like the huge groups you see during peak season.
Budgeting
As much as I wish it were, visiting Tanzania is not cheap. However, it’s a once in a lifetime experience and to us, was worth every penny. To assist with further planning and budgeting, we’ve laid out our expenses for our ten day trip below. The expenses are for two people, sharing one room in each of the resorts/lodges. Do keep in mind our lodging was all inclusive of meals, coffee/tea, water, wifi, and our game drives.
Round Trip Flights (for two, from Florida, US, to Zanzibar): $3667 USD
Serena Lodges - Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater (for two, including full day game drives): $4648 USD
Riu Palace Zanzibar (for two): $1489 USD
Spending money (tips, snacks/drinks, souvenirs, etc.): $400 USD
Misc (airport transfers, toiletries, etc): $100 USD
Total (approximately) for two people, ten days in Tanzania: $10, 304 USD
Final Thoughts
If you can take the trip to Tanzania, DO NOT HESITATE! It was truly a life changing, bucket-list level trip, and ignited our love for traveling. There’s still so much of Tanzania that we have yet to see - Lake Manyara, Stone Town, Dar Es Salaam, Arusha National Park, and so much more. We cannot wait to go back one day and continue exploring this beautiful country. Our experience in Tanzania was filled with incredible, kind, caring, and compassionate people who ensured we had everything we needed for a great stay, made us feel so safe the entire time, and showed us/taught us so much about their country, culture, and traditions. Thank you Tanzania for opening your arms to us for 10 days - we cannot wait to visit again!!
Make sure to watch our Ten Days in Tanzania video for more excitement from this trip- available on YouTube now!
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Thank you so much for reading and for all of your support!
Xo, Allie & Ty
Down Set Fly Media
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