With wild safari experiences, grasslands, rainforests, woodlands, and savannah plains in abundance, Tanzania has a lot of different landscapes to explore. Moreover, one of the best ways to navigate this magnificent country is by car.
Driving around this expansive country, you’ll encounter not just natural beauty but human diversity too. Hundreds of ethnic groups call this East African nation home, from the Sandawe in northern Tanzania to the Hehe in the Southern Highlands, the Chagga people who live on Mt Kilimanjaro’s slopes, and the Zanaki near Lake Victoria. Consequently, they all love welcoming visitors from afar.
Be warned that journeys by road in Tanzania can be lengthy and arduous, with stretches on paved roads in better-traveled areas followed by hours on dirt roads. However, by taking your time, you’ll extract more from your journey. A slow, long drive is just the way to appreciate the vast range of history, culture, and wild allure Tanzania offers. Here are the best road-trip routes.
1. The Northern Circuit
Best route for a classic safari
Arusha to Serengeti National Park; distance 306km (190 miles)
Arusha town – the starting point for some of Africa’s most memorable safaris – is where the best road trips in Tanzania begin. This itinerary takes you to Serengeti National Park, so you’ll need a 4WD vehicle that can handle off-road detours; such sturdy rides are easily available from various car-rental agencies in town. The road from Arusha to Tarangire National Park is smooth asphalt, but once you’re in the park, be prepared to deal with unpaved roads that are often bumpy and generate dust.
One of the first stops on your way to Lake Manyara National Park is Mto wa Mbu. This vibrant tropical town is a great place to meet local people and fellow travelers, buy souvenirs, and enjoy snacks. It is famously convivial, reputed to be the only place in Tanzania where all 120 of the country’s ethnic groups live harmoniously together.
Make time for a few days at the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, a UNESCO World Heritage site on your way to Serengeti National Park. The world-famous Ngorongoro Crater is the largest caldera globally, with an astonishing concentration of wildlife in the valley below.
2. The Wild Southeast
Best road trip for unexpected landscapes
Dar es Salaam to Nyerere National Park; 256km (160 miles)
The country’s biggest city, Dar es Salaam, offers a lively introduction to Tanzanian life. There are ample car-rental agencies in town that offer cars for hire. Unless you’re truly ambitious, we recommend hiring a local expert to drive – one who knows the country’s roads and driving culture and can assist with any mechanical issues.
Setting out from the city, you’ll join the Tanzam Highway, which connects Dar es Salaam in the east to Mbeya in the west. This highway takes you through Mikumi National Park and Iringa, leading to Ruaha National Park. Though less famous than Serengeti or Ngorongoro, this remote rural park has breathtaking landscapes and an impressive array of wildlife.
Nyerere National Park, carved off for preservation from the massive Selous Game Reserve, is your final stop. Roads in Nyerere can be rough, but the park is excellent for incredible wildlife sightings, including antelope, buffalo, and lions.
3. The Southern Highlands and Western Tanzania
Best long road trip
Dar es Salaam to Arusha; 648km (403 miles)
This incredible journey across the Southern Highlands and Western Tanzania may take a few weeks or even a full month. From Dar es Salaam, you’ll head to Morogoro, a small town at the base of the Uluguru Mountains, where you can spend an afternoon hiking.
Next, you’ll drive through the Udzungwa Mountains en route to Iringa, home of the Wahehe people. Famous for their historical significance, the Wahehe bear a name originating from their war cry.
It’s a moderate drive from Iringa to Ruaha National Park, then along the Tanzam Highway to Mbeya. The journey onward from Mbeya offers plenty of excursions, including canoeing on Lake Nyasa or hiking on the hills of Tukuyu.
As you continue to Arusha, take a stop at Gombe National Park, a sanctuary for habituated chimpanzees first made famous by anthropologist Jane Goodall.
4. Northeastern Tanzania
Best road trip for variety
Kilimanjaro Airport to Dar es Salaam; 598km (372 miles)
A road trip through Northeastern Tanzania caters to all kinds of travelers, offering accommodations, food, culture, history, and adrenaline-fueled activities for every budget and taste.
From Kilimanjaro Airport, you’ll make your way to Moshi town, known for its lively, colorful markets. A visit to a coffee plantation provides insight into the bean growing and harvesting process.
Next come the stark Usambara Mountains, which offer abundant opportunities for hikers and bird enthusiasts among the valleys and rainforests. This region is still opening to tourists, so a knowledgeable guide is recommended.
As you approach the coast, you’ll come across the small town of Pangani, once a significant port in the trade of enslaved people, showcasing a blend of cultural influences in its architecture.
