Travel times and distances in Tanzania
How big is Tanzania?
Tanzania is much bigger than many travellers imagine. With enormous national parks, remote safari regions and long travel routes between destinations, understanding realistic travel times is key to creating a balanced safari itinerary.
Why 100 km at home doesn’t equal 100 km on safari
Driving in Tanzania is very different from driving on highways in Europe or the US. Distances between national parks may seem manageable on a map, but travel often takes longer than expected. Road conditions can vary greatly, especially outside major cities. Traffic, police checkpoints, changing weather conditions and long stretches through remote safari regions can all affect travel times. And because journeys between parks often cover huge areas of wilderness, safaris are planned in hours rather than kilometres.
Common travel times in Tanzania
Below are some of the most common travel routes across Tanzania’s Northern Circuit, Southern Circuit and Zanzibar.
Northern circuit 🚙
| Route | Distance 📏 | Approx. travel time ⏱ |
| Kilimanjaro Airport → Arusha | 55 km | 1 hour 20 min |
| Arusha → Tarangire NP | 109 km | 2 hours |
| Arusha → Lake Manyara NP | 120 km | 2 hours 15 min |
| Lake Manyara NP → Ngorongoro Crater | 56 km | 1 hour |
| Ngorongoro Crater → Central Serengeti | 135 km | 3.5 hours |
| Central Serengeti → Northern Serengeti | 154 km | 5 hours |
Southern circuit 🌿
| Route | Distance 📏 | Approx. travel time ⏱ |
| Dar es Salaam → Nyerere NP | 175 km | 4 hours |
| Dar es Salaam → Mikumi NP | 320 km | 7 hours |
| Mikumi NP → Ruaha NP | 330 km | 7 hours |
Zanzibar 🌴
| Route | Distance 📏 | Approx. travel time ⏱ |
| Zanzibar Airport → Stone Town | 10 km | 20 min |
| Zanzibar Airport → Beaches | Up to 1.5 hours |
Domestic flights ✈️
| Route | Approx. travel time ⏱ |
| Arusha → Zanzibar | 1 hour 20 min |
| Seronera (central Serengeti) → Zanzibar | 2.5 hours |
| Kogatende (northern Serengeti) → Zanzibar | 3 hours |
| Dar es Salaam → Zanzibar | 25 min |
| Dar es Salaam → Nyerere NP | 1 hour |
More time in nature, less time on the road
Some safari itineraries may look great on paper, offering a different destination every day. In reality, these rushed itineraries often mean leaving the parks early and spending more time on the road than in nature.
| Rushed itinerary | Better alternative |
| Serengeti → Karatu → Ngorongoro | Extra night in Serengeti |
| Less time for game drives | More time in the parks |
| More driving | Better safari experience |
We design our safaris differently. By carefully balancing travel times, overnight stays and game drives, we create journeys with more time in nature and less time on the road.
Plan your flights carefully
Tourists are not allowed on the road outside cities after dark, so airport transfers need to be timed carefully. If your first or last night is in the city, there is no problem – we can pick you up and drop you off day and night.
But if you’re heading straight to or from a national park, your flight should arrive before 1:00 PM or depart after 1:00 PM. This applies to Arusha, Kilimanjaro International and Julius Nyerere International airports.
Not sure? Check with us before booking and we’ll help you find the best option for your itinerary.
Need help planning the perfect route through Tanzania? Our travel specialists are happy to help you find the right balance between travel times, game drives and unforgettable safari experiences.
Looking for a specific route? Below you’ll find a complete overview of common travel routes, travel times and domestic flights across Tanzania.
Northern circuit 🚙
| Route | Distance 📏 | Approx. travel time ⏱ |
| Kilimanjaro International Airport – Arusha City | 55 km | 1 hour 20 min |
| Kilimanjaro International Airport – Moshi City | 50 km | 1 hour |
| Arusha – Moshi (Kilimanjaro region) | 100 km | 2.5 hours |
| Arusha – Lake Manyara National Park | 120 km | 2 hours 15 min |
| Arusha – Tarangire National Park, northern entrance | 109 km | 2 hours |
| Southern Tarangire – Ngorongoro Crater | 148 km | 2.5 hours |
| Southern Tarangire (Sangaiwe) – central Serengeti | 293 km | 5.5 hours |
| Tarangire – Lake Manyara National Park | 68 km | 1 hour 20 min |
| Lake Manyara National Park – Ngorongoro Crater | 56 km | 1 hour |
| Ngorongoro Crater – Ndutu (southern Serengeti) | 106 km | 2.5 hours |
| Ngorongoro Crater – central Serengeti | 135 km | 3.5 hours |
| Central Serengeti – northern Serengeti (via Ikoma gate) | 90 km | 4 hours (game drive) |
| Central Serengeti – northern Serengeti (via Lobo) | 154 km | 5 hours (game drive) |
| Lake Manyara National Park – Lake Natron | 116 km | 3 hours |
| Lake Natron – northern Serengeti | 159 km | 5 hours |
Southern circuit 🌿
| Route | Distance 📏 | Approx. travel time ⏱ |
| Dar Es Salaam – Mikumi National Park | 320 km | 7 hours |
| Dar Es Salaam – Julius Nyerere National Park | 175 km | 4 hours (via Kisarawe) |
| Mikumi National Park – Julius Nyerere National Park | 355 km | 7 hours |
| Mikumi National Park – Ruaha National Park | 330 km | 7 hours |
Zanzibar 🌴
| Route | Distance 📏 | Approx. travel time ⏱ |
| Zanzibar Abeid Amani Karume Airport – beaches | 1.5 hours | |
| Zanzibar Abeid Amani Karume Airport – Stone Town | 10 km | 20 min |
Domestic flights ✈️
| Route | Approx. travel time ⏱ |
| Arusha – Zanzibar | 1 hour 20 min |
| Seronera (central Serengeti) – Zanzibar | 2.5 hours |
| Kogatende (northern Serengeti) – Zanzibar | 3 hours |
| Ndutu (southern Serengeti) – Zanzibar | 2 hours 45 min |
| Dar Es Salaam – Arusha | 1 hour 45 min |
| Dar Es Salaam – Zanzibar | 25 min |
| Dar Es Salaam – Mafia | 30 min |
| Dar Es Salaam – Julius Nyerere National Park | 1 hour |
| Dar Es Salaam – Ruaha National Park | 2.5 hours |
| Zanzibar – Mafia | 1 hour |
| Julius Nyerere National Park – Ruaha National Park | 1 hour |
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