Travel times and distances in Tanzania
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How big is Tanzania?
Many travellers underestimate just how large Tanzania is. The national parks are vast, some safari areas are remote and the routes linking destinations are long, so knowing what travel times are realistic is essential for building a well-balanced safari itinerary.
Why a 100 km drive on safari is not the same as 100 km back home
Getting around Tanzania by road is nothing like driving on a European or American motorway. On a map, the distance from one national park to the next can look easy, yet the journey frequently lasts longer than you would expect. Outside the larger cities, road surfaces differ enormously. Travel times can be influenced by traffic, police checks, shifting weather and long sections through isolated safari country. Since the drives between parks often cross wide stretches of wilderness, we plan safaris in hours instead of kilometres.
Common travel times in Tanzania
Here you will find a selection of the routes travellers use most often on Tanzania’s Northern Circuit and Southern Circuit and to 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 |
Spend more time in nature and less on the road
On paper, a safari itinerary with a new destination every single day can look appealing. In practice, such hurried schedules usually mean you leave the parks early and spend more hours driving than out 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 |
Our approach to safaris is different. We weigh up travel times, overnight stops and game drives with care, so your journey gives you more time in nature and less time on the road.
Plan your flights carefully
After dark, tourists may not travel on roads outside the cities, which is why airport transfers have to be planned with care. When your first or last night is spent in the city, this is not an issue – we can collect you and drop you off at any hour.
If you are travelling directly to or from a national park, however, your flight needs to land before 1:00 PM or take off after 1:00 PM. This rule covers Arusha, Kilimanjaro International and Julius Nyerere International airports.
In doubt? Get in touch with us before you book and we’ll help you choose the option that suits your itinerary best.
Would you like help mapping out a good route through Tanzania? Our travel team will gladly help you strike the right balance between travel times, game drives and memorable safari experiences.
Searching for one particular route? Further down you can see a full overview of popular travel routes, journey times and domestic flights within 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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NL: +31 6 29351377 WhatsApp: +31 6 29351377 tijskrops2005@gmail.com
During your trip: Baraka Dalali, Kilimanjaro Nature Tours, Arusha · +255 787 301 259
