Tanzania
Tanzania holds some of the biggest wildlife spectacles on earth, plus Kilimanjaro, the Ngorongoro Crater and a spice island with a thousand years of Swahili trading history. It pairs raw savanna with warm Indian Ocean beaches better than almost anywhere.
Why it is on my list
The Great Migration in the Serengeti, then a few days on Zanzibar. It is the classic combination: two million wildebeest and zebra on the move, followed by slow days on white sand and in the lanes of Stone Town.
Best time to go
June to October: dry season and the best overall game viewing. River crossings in the northern Serengeti run roughly July to October.
January to February: calving season on the southern plains near Ndutu, with predators close by.
March to May: long rains. Lodges are cheaper and quiet, but some roads and camps close.
Zanzibar: best June to October and December to February. April and May are very wet.
Where to stay
Central Serengeti (Seronera): year round resident game and easy access.
Northern Serengeti (Kogatende): the base for river crossings.
Ngorongoro rim: lodges look down into the crater. Four Seasons Safari Lodge Serengeti and Singita Grumeti are well known at the high end.
Stone Town: restored houses and rooftop terraces in the old quarter.
Nungwi or Kendwa (north Zanzibar): calm swimming beaches at all tides. The east coast is wilder and tidal.
Getting there and around
Airports: Kilimanjaro (JRO) for the northern circuit, Dar es Salaam (DAR) for the coast, and Zanzibar (ZNZ).
From the US: usually one stop via Amsterdam, Doha, Addis Ababa, Nairobi or Istanbul.
Internal: small bush planes link Arusha, the Serengeti airstrips and Zanzibar. Road transfers from Arusha to the Serengeti take a long day.
Ferries: fast boats run from Dar to Zanzibar in about two hours.
Permits: park fees are paid through your operator and are a large part of the cost.
What to eat
Ugali and nyama choma: maize porridge with grilled meat.
Zanzibar pizza: a pan fried street snack stuffed with egg, meat or sweet fillings.
Urojo: tangy Zanzibari mix soup.
Pilau: spiced rice, a coastal staple.
Grilled octopus and seafood: at the Forodhani night market in Stone Town.
What to drink
Beer: Kilimanjaro, Safari and Serengeti lagers.
Konyagi: the local spirit, mixed with soda.
Coffee: Kilimanjaro and Mbeya arabica.
Chai: sweet milky tea with ginger and cardamom.
Don't miss
Serengeti game drive at dawn: big cats are most active early.
Ngorongoro Crater: one of the densest concentrations of wildlife in Africa.
Great Migration river crossings: the Mara River in the north.
Stone Town: UNESCO listed alleys, carved doors and the old Slave Market memorial.
Day trips and side trips
Lake Manyara: tree climbing lions and flamingos.
Spice farm tour: on Zanzibar, tasting cloves, vanilla and cinnamon.
Jozani Forest: rare red colobus monkeys.
Mnemba Atoll: snorkeling by boat from the north coast.
Festivals and events
Sauti za Busara: Zanzibar's big African music festival, usually in February.
Zanzibar International Film Festival: usually in July.
Music and dance
Taarab: orchestral Swahili music born in Zanzibar.
Bongo Flava: Tanzanian hip hop and pop, heard everywhere in Dar.
Nightlife
Nights are early on safari and social on the coast. Dar es Salaam has the real nightlife scene, with live music and late hours.
When people go out: dinner around 8, bars fill after 10 in Dar.
Where the action is: Masaki and Oysterbay in Dar, beach bars at Nungwi, rooftops in Stone Town.
Good to know: Zanzibar is mostly Muslim. Dress modestly in town and keep public drinking low key.
Photography spots
Serengeti acacia plains: golden light at sunrise and sunset.
Ngorongoro rim: morning mist over the crater floor.
Stone Town waterfront: carved doors, dhows and Forodhani at dusk.
Nungwi: sunset over the sea and dhows at low tide.
Drones: heavily restricted. A permit is needed and flying in national parks is generally not allowed. Check before packing one.
Cost of living
Overall: $$$ to $$$$$ on safari, $$ on the coast, versus New York.
Coffee: $2 to $3.
Local lunch: $3 to $6.
Dinner for two: $20 to $50.
Beer: $1.50 to $3.
Mid range hotel: $90 to $200 per night.
Daily budget: $150 to $250 on the coast, $500 and up on safari.
Safari is the splurge and everything else is cheap. Prices are approximate in US dollars as of 2026.
Working remotely
Wi-Fi: good in Dar and Zanzibar hotels, patchy elsewhere. Mobile data is the backup.
Coworking: a few spaces in Dar es Salaam and Stone Town.
Time zone: 7 hours ahead of US Eastern in summer, 8 in winter.
Longer stays: tourist visas cover 90 days. Longer stays need a residence or work permit.
Nomad rating: 2/5.
Good to know
Language: Swahili and English. English is widely spoken in tourism.
Currency: Tanzanian shilling. US dollars are accepted by lodges and operators.
Plugs: UK style Type G, 230V.
Entry for US citizens: a visa is required, available online or on arrival. Check current rules, and note yellow fever certificate requirements when arriving from some countries.
Getting around apps: Uber and Bolt in Dar and Zanzibar.
Tipping: $10 to $20 per guest per day for safari guides and staff is customary.
Water: drink bottled or filtered.
SIM/eSIM: local SIMs are cheap, and eSIMs work.
Useful phrases
Jambo or Habari: hello.
Asante (sana): thank you (very much).
Pole pole: slowly, take it easy.
Karibu: welcome, or you are welcome.
Meeting people
Social scene: safari lodges have shared dinners, and Zanzibar hostels are social.
Apps: Couchsurfing and expat Facebook groups are more useful than dating apps.
Etiquette: greet before asking anything. Use your right hand to give and receive.
Stay smart: agree prices before boat trips and tours, and use licensed operators.
Staying safe
Operators: book safaris with a registered company that has reviews and park permits.
Cities: avoid walking at night in Dar and keep phones out of sight near open car windows.
Wildlife: never leave the vehicle or camp tent at night without a guide.