Suggested road trips in Tanzania
Tanzania is a huge country, and it's a road trip paradise. We've set out some really nice routes, including the justifiably popular Northern Circuit with the most popular safari destinations in Tanzania like Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater, but also include much less discovered areas, where prices are still low and you can avoid taking (expensive) domestic flights.
Take a look at our suggested routes in Tanzania to get a better understanding of distances and driving times, and build your road trip from there.
Many people underestimate driving times. Make sure your travel plan is not too ambitious and share your day-to-day itinerary with us, so we can cross-check feasibility. We know all the hidden corners of Tanzania and are happy to point you in the right direction as you plan for your independent travels in Tanzania.
Suggested routes
- Follow a carefully designed route
- Tips on places to stay
- 24 /7 roadside assistance
Highlights of the North
Tanzania is truly gifted by Mother Nature, but its northern region really is the spoiled kid! You tumble from one legendary safari park to another, all within a stone's throw distance of one another. Start and end your journey in Arusha, visiting Tarangire, Lake Manyara, the Serengeti and the Ngorongoro Crater along the way. You can customise this road trip by combining it with a Kilimanjaro or Zanzibar add-on.
Bush to Beach
Where in the world can you combine world class safaris, visiting tribal villages, hiking in mountains and swimming in the turquoise waters of the Indian Ocean into one epic trip? This is the ultimate one-way road trip. Start your journey in Arusha and end in Dar es Salaam. The Usambaras and Swahili coast are not touristy and easy to explore on a budget.
The wild South East
This roadtrip begins and ends in Dar es Salaam and takes you to the less visited national parks of south east Tanzania. Ideal for those that want to get off the tourist trail at friendly prices. Go on world class safaris in Ruaha National Park and Selous Game Reserve, experience local village life in traditional Tanzanian highland villages, and go birding and chimp trekking in the Udzungwa Mountains.
Like to discover other countries?
Uganda
Uganda is truly the pearl of Africa. Beautiful nature, laid back culture and friendly people who will make you feel at home. The silverback gorillas are a true highlight. Often referred to as “Africa condensed”, Uganda has the best of everything the continent has to offer, packed into one small, but stunning, country. This means you can drive between almost all of the country’s tourism highlights in less half a day.
UgandaKenya
There is no better place in the world to watch herds of elephants than in Amboseli National Park, and Masai Mara is home to one of the highest concentrations of wildlife on the planet. From Kenya's national parks to the Indian Ocean at its Swahili coast, Roadtrip Kenya are here to help you drive your own adventure.
KenyaMadagascar
For the true 4x4 adventurer. Few places on earth offer such an intense kaleidoscope of nature and cultural heritage, and half the fun is getting to these attractions. The endless white, sandy beaches, rain forests, baobabs, the remarkable Tsingy and national parks that only see 100 visitors a year. Combine this with a cultural melting pot of mixed African and Asian cultures and the French influence on the cuisine, and you can understand why we happily obeyed your wishes of adding Madagascar as our latest Roadtrip Africa destination.
Madagascar