Tanzania contains some of the greatest concentrations of wildlife on earth — the Serengeti's endless plains, the extraordinary self-contained ecosystem of the Ngorongoro Crater, and the annual wildebeest migration that brings 1.5 million animals thundering across the landscape. Add the spice island of Zanzibar with its UNESCO-listed Stone Town and turquoise Indian Ocean beaches, and Africa's highest mountain in Kilimanjaro, and Tanzania becomes one of the world's most compelling travel destinations. Australian passport holders can obtain a bali-visa-on-arrival-australians-2026" title="How to Get Bali Visa on Arrival for Australians 2026" class="auto-internal-link">visa on arrival or by e-Visa in advance.

Visa Requirements for Australians

Australian citizens can obtain a visa on arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport (KIA), Julius Nyerere International Airport (Dar es Salaam) and Zanzibar International Airport. Cost: USD $50, payable in cash or by card. The visa allows a 90-day single-entry stay and is issued promptly at the immigration desk on arrival.

An e-Visa is also available online at immigration.go.tz — applying in advance (allow 5–10 business days) avoids the arrival queue and is recommended for those arriving on busy international flights where the on-arrival queue can be lengthy.

Important: a Travel Insurance for Australians 2026" class="auto-internal-link">Travel Insurance for Bali — What Australians Actually Need in 2026" class="auto-internal-link">yellow fever vaccination certificate is required if you are arriving from a yellow fever-endemic country (most of sub-Saharan Africa, parts of South America). Have your vaccination certificate readily accessible at immigration.

When to Visit Tanzania

June to October is the dry season and peak safari season across Tanzania. The Great Migration is in the northern Serengeti during this period — July to September sees the famous river crossings at the Mara River near the Kenya border. The central and southern Serengeti have excellent year-round wildlife. Visibility in the bush is at its best during the dry season as vegetation is sparse and animals concentrate around permanent water sources. Book accommodation 6–12 months in advance for this period, particularly for northern Serengeti camps.

December to March is the calving season in the southern Serengeti (Ndutu area). January and February see tens of thousands of wildebeest calves born within a few weeks — the grasslands are carpeted with newborns, and predator activity is extraordinary as lions, cheetah, leopard and wild dog hunt the vulnerable calves. This is a genuinely spectacular wildlife experience and an excellent alternative to the peak July-October season with better accommodation availability and lower prices.

April to May (the long rains) see many camps close and roads become difficult. November brings the short rains — some disruption but also green, lush landscapes and very reasonable prices. Zanzibar has its best beach weather from June to October and December to February — it can rain significantly in April and May.

Serengeti National Park

The Serengeti is Africa's most famous national park — 14,763 square kilometres of open savanna, acacia woodland and rocky kopjes (granite outcrops) that support one of the world's greatest concentrations of large mammals. The park's name comes from the Maasai word siringet meaning "endless plain" and the northern and central Serengeti is exactly that — a vast, unbroken horizon that feels genuinely limitless.

The different areas of the Serengeti offer different experiences depending on the time of year. The central Seronera area has the highest permanent density of resident wildlife including a large lion population and the best year-round viewing. The northern Serengeti (Lamai Wedge, Kogatende) is where the July-September river crossings occur and where the migration action is concentrated in peak season. The southern Serengeti (Ndutu, Kusini) is the calving ground in January-February.

The Serengeti has a diversity of wildlife beyond the migration: approximately 70 large mammal species and over 500 bird species have been recorded. Resident prides of lion, leopards (most frequently seen in the central Seronera area where they habitually rest in sausage trees), cheetah, spotted hyena, bat-eared fox, and African wild dog (particularly in the central and western Serengeti) all make for extraordinary game viewing even when the migration is elsewhere.

Ngorongoro Conservation Area and Crater

The Ngorongoro Crater is one of Africa's most extraordinary places — a complete, intact volcanic caldera 19km across and 610 metres deep, enclosing a self-contained ecosystem. The crater floor (260 square kilometres) supports approximately 25,000 animals living within the crater walls year-round. The wildlife density is extraordinary.

The crater is one of the best places in Africa to see the endangered black rhino — a small but stable population of approximately 26 rhinos lives in the crater under close anti-poaching protection. The lion population is one of Africa's densest. Elephant bulls (large tuskers come to the crater floor to drink) are regularly sighted. The soda lakes on the crater floor attract flamingos.

Access to the crater floor is by 4WD only — a steep descent and ascent on a rough single-lane track. Crater visits are typically done as a full day from a rim lodge or camp. The views from the rim looking down into the crater (particularly at dawn) are breathtaking.

The Ngorongoro Highlands above the rim are also worth exploring — the Olduvai Gorge (where key hominid fossils including Homo habilis were discovered) has a good on-site museum, and the Empakaai Crater (a different, water-filled caldera accessible on foot) offers outstanding hiking.

Kilimanjaro

At 5,895 metres above sea level, Kilimanjaro is Africa's highest peak and the world's highest freestanding mountain — the enormous volcanic massif rises dramatically from the surrounding plains and is visible for hundreds of kilometres on clear days. Climbing Kilimanjaro requires no technical mountaineering skills — it is a high-altitude trek on established paths. The challenge is altitude, not terrain.

The Machame Route (6–7 days) is the most popular and considered one of the most scenic — the approach through rainforest, moorland and the dramatic Shira Plateau offers excellent acclimatisation profile. The Marangu Route (5–6 days) is the only route with dormitory-style huts rather than tents, but has a lower summit success rate due to faster ascent. The Lemosho Route (7–8 days) is considered the best for acclimatisation and scenery but is more expensive.

All climbers must be accompanied by a licensed guide and registered porters — solo summiting is not permitted. The summit attempt departs around midnight and reaches Uhuru Peak (the true summit) at dawn. Summit success rates vary significantly by route and number of acclimatisation days — choose an itinerary with at least 7 days for the best chance. Cost: approximately AUD $2,000–4,000 total including park fees, guide, porters and accommodation depending on route and operator quality.

Zanzibar

The Zanzibar archipelago, 35km off the Tanzanian mainland, is a world apart from safari Tanzania — a fusion of African, Arab, Persian, Indian and Portuguese influences that produced a unique culture, architecture and cuisine over centuries of Indian Ocean trade. Stone Town (Unguja's historic capital) is a UNESCO World Heritage Site — a dense quarter of narrow lanes, carved Arab doors, ancient mosques and former palaces. The palace of the last Sultan of Zanzibar, Freddie Mercury's birthplace (marked by a small plaque), the old slave market and the Forodhani night food market are all within walking distance of each other in the historic core.

The beaches of the north and east coasts are exceptional — Nungwi and Kendwa in the north have calm, swimmable water year-round and the most developed resort infrastructure. Paje and Jambiani on the east coast have stronger surf and wind (excellent for kite surfing) and a more laid-back atmosphere. Mnemba Atoll just off the northeast coast has world-class snorkelling and diving — the marine reserve supports turtles, dolphins, whale sharks (seasonal) and extraordinary coral.

Zanzibar can be combined with a Tanzania mainland safari on a single visa — most itineraries fly from the mainland (Arusha or Dar es Salaam) to Zanzibar for the beach component. Direct flights from Nairobi to Zanzibar also available.

How Much Does Tanzania Cost?

  • Mid-range safari camp — AUD $400–700 per person per night (includes accommodation, meals, two game drives, and usually park fees)
  • Luxury safari camp (private concession, exclusive use) — AUD $1,000–3,500+ per person per night
  • Kilimanjaro climb — AUD $2,000–4,000 total per person all-inclusive
  • Zanzibar mid-range resort — AUD $150–350 per night
  • Zanzibar budget guesthouse — AUD $50–100 per night in Stone Town

Tanzania park fees (typically included in camp rates) are among Africa's highest — the Serengeti charges approximately USD $70 per person per 24 hours. International return flights from Australia to Kilimanjaro or Dar es Salaam typically cost AUD $2,000–3,500 via Doha, Dubai or Nairobi.

Travel Insurance for Tanzania

Medical facilities outside Dar es Salaam, Arusha and Zanzibar are very limited. Medical evacuation from the Serengeti to Arusha (by light aircraft) costs approximately USD $5,000–10,000. Evacuation back to Australia would cost significantly more. Malaria is high risk throughout Tanzania including safari areas and Zanzibar — prophylaxis is strongly recommended. Travel insurance with explicit medical evacuation cover, including air evacuation, is essential. See our travel insurance comparison for Australians.

Practical Information

  • Currency: Tanzanian Shilling (TZS). USD is widely accepted in safari camps, hotels and tourist areas. Card payments available in cities and larger towns
  • Language: Swahili (Kiswahili) and English are both official languages. English is the primary tourism and business language
  • Malaria: High risk throughout Tanzania year-round. Take prophylactic medication, use DEET repellent, sleep under nets
  • Flight time from Australia: Approximately 17–20 hours from Sydney via Doha (Qatar Airways) or Dubai (Emirates), with connections to Kilimanjaro or Dar es Salaam
  • Photography: Always ask before photographing Maasai people — payment is expected and appropriate. Never photograph government buildings, airports or military installations