The mountain lies near the Olmoti Crater on route to Empakaai Crater on the Ngorongoro Conservation Area's eastern border and is located entirely within Nainokanoka ward. The volcano is located in the geographic area known as in the Crater Highlands and is an extinct volcano that last erupted in the pleistocene.  The mountain also is the source of Simiyu River, which flows west to Lake Victoria in Simiyu Region.

Mount Lolmalasin is the highest crater mountain in the Ngorongoro Conservation Area and the third tallest mountain in Tanzania and the second highest peak in Arusha region after Mount Kilimanjaro and Mount Meru, reaching about 3,700 meters (12,080 ft) above sea level. 

Our safari experts have assembled a list of frequently asked questions to help answer some you may have, especially if it's your first time on safari.

Is Tanzania safe to travel?

”I want to visit Tanzania, but is it safe?” This is a question that regularly comes up from our clients seeking Tanzania travel advice. The short answer? Yes! Tanzania is one of the safest destinations in Africa, with more than 1 million tourists visiting the country every year.

When is the best time to travel to Tanzania?

While much of the year is suitable there are some key times you should plan to go to get the best experience, and see animals easier. Experts recommend visiting in the dry season, which runs from June to October. During this time the animals are easier to find and see as they have to concentrate around waterholes and rivers, and there is less vegetation for them to hide in. There are fewer mosquitoes at this time of the year, because there is almost no rain. Skies are clear and most days are sunny.

It gets very busy in June and July, when the huge mass migration activity peaks in the Serengeti. However, with millions of animals on the move many travellers still want to still go there to experience it. But availability will be tighter and prices higher.

I travelled in late May into early June, and we had overall good weather and incredible sightings of animals – including the “Big Five”.

What is the population of Tanzania?

The population of Tanzania is almost 60 million. One of Africa’s most ethnically diverse countries, around 125 different ethnic groups live in Tanzania, with more than 100 different languages spoken nationwide.

The Tanzanian people are well-known for their hospitality, often warmly welcoming tourists to experience their beautiful nature, wildlife and culture. Meeting the locals is one of the best ways to really learn more about a country and its culture and is well recommended on your Tanzania discovery!

Do I need a visa for Tanzania?

Most international travellers will need a visa to travel to Tanzania. Your visa can be requested online through the official visa website from the Tanzanian government. Please note that this is the only official link for Tanzania visa applications.

It is also possible to get a tourist or business visa for a single entry on arrival at the main ports of entry to Tanzania. This visa for Tanzania is valid for three months. You may be asked to provide proof of your return journey, and costs are $50 per person, US Citizens $100 per person.

When arranging your trip to Tanzania with Tanzania specialist, we guide you through every step of the visa and administration process.

Passport requirements

Passports should have at least six months of validity after the final day of travel.

What vaccinations are needed for Tanzania?

A yellow fever vaccination certificate is only required for travellers one year of age and older coming from – or who are in airport transit for more than 12 hours within – a country with risk of yellow fever transmission.

In addition to standard vaccinations such as MMR and TDP, the CDC and WHO recommend vaccinations for Tanzania, such as Hepatitis A, hepatitis B, and typhoid. Yellow fever and rabies vaccinations are also recommended depending on the traveller’s activities. As of January 2023 there are no more COVID-19 restrictions in Tanzania, and vaccinations or PCR-tests are no longer necessary before traveling.

As with all international travel, we always advise you to consult your physician for professional health advice before travelling to Tanzania. 

Travel Insurance

It is essential to take out comprehensive travel insurance, especially for medical issues. Many of the tour operators will insist on this when taking your booking. Your policy should include coverage for air evacuation to a hospital and back home if required. If you are injured, or have a serious medical incident, you will need to be evacuated from the park or lodge to a main centre, or even out to a neighbouring country like Kenya, mostly likely by plane.

A relatively inexpensive option, if your policy does not cover evacuation, is to take out an evacuation policy with Flying Doctors. They provide air evacuation by bush plane out of the wilds of Tanzania to Nairobi, Kenya. More details at https://flydoc.org

What is the time in Tanzania?

Tanzania is GMT + 3. To put that into terms we all understand, check out the time difference from Tanzania to LA, New York, London and more below.

• Los Angeles: -10 hours
• New York: -7 hours
• London: -3 hours
• Berlin: -2 hours
• Hong Kong: +5 hours
• Tokyo: +6 hours
• Sydney: + 8 hours
• Auckland: +10 hours

What is the currency of Tanzania?

The Tanzanian shilling is the official currency of Tanzania. You can use the Tanzanian shilling for smaller expenses like shopping at local markets, restaurants and supermarkets. The US dollar is used in many places, too, especially in tourist areas where many locals prefer to receive US dollars over local currency. 

1 US Dollar is 2,300 Tanzanian shilling.
1 GB Pound is 3,000 Tanzanian shilling.

What language is spoken in Tanzania?

There are over 100 different languages spoken in Tanzania. The official languages, however, are Swahili and English. You can expect all your Tanzania Specialist guides and hosts to speak English, but if you’re looking to learn a few words of Swahili before your trip.

Travelling in Tanzania is more than just a vacation. For many explorers of Tanzania, this is a bucket-list adventure to remember for a lifetime. For detailed Tanzania travel advice or to start planning your custom vacation in Tanzania, contact us now.

We look forward to welcoming you to Tanzania soon!

It is possible to trek Kilimanjaro all-year-round. However, certain months are characterised by colder weather, more rain and potentially loads of snow on the summit.

In this article we provide a brief outline on the two trekking seasons that are the best time to climb Kilimanjaro.

Winds and Kilimanjaro Weather

Kilimanjaro’s weather is heavily influenced by the interaction of trade winds with the structure of the mountain.

The South-east trade winds travelling over the Indian Ocean carry loads of moisture. When they hit Kilimanjaro, around March, then are forced upwards where they condense, form clouds and precipitation. This means March through to May is the wettest season on Kilimanjaro. The southern slopes are particular susceptible to rain during this time in the year.

If you are confined to a trekking date in April or May we suggest you consider the Rongai route, which departs from the Northern end of Kilimanjaro and is generally drier than the southern route options during these months.

Anti-trade winds from the North-east carry very little moisture but blow strongly. The strength of these winds which last from April through to October keep the South-east trade winds below them, hence these months are usually dry and cloud cover and precipitation is generally restricted to the lower slopes.

Best Trekking Months

There are two distinct trekking seasons which constitute the best time to climb Kilimanjaro.

• They are January-March and June-October.
• January-March is generally colder than June-October and there is a higher probability of encountering snow on the summit. For some this might be seen as a negative, but the benefits of a January-March trek is that the slopes are often quieter at this time of the year.
• The June-October trekking season coincides with the summer holidays in Europe and N.America and hence certain routes are often quite busy.
• March, April and November are the wettest months on Kilimanjaro, and not ideal of trekking.
• Snow fall and cold temperatures are common during December-May.

Following the reintroduction of zebra to Kitulo Plateau National Park in 2018, TANAPA is closely monitoring their movements and wellbeing. WCS is assisting this process, and we are happy to report they are doing well in their new home. This photo of one of the stallions was taken on a recent WCS visit, when the plateau was covered with flowers. 

The peak flowering season is January to March. The zebras' grazing will help safeguard the plateau’s unique terrestrial orchids through reducing the accumulation of biomass which presents a fire risk in dry months, and maintaining the natural balance of species competition. Plans are afoot to continue the re-wilding process with other grazing species that used to inhabit the plateau. Watch this space for news

Source: Wildlife Conservation Society Tanzania Program

Serengeti National Park in Tanzania came out as the clear winner of the best safari park on the African continent, in a poll of 139 safari animal parks. The ranking comes from online marketplace, SafariBooking.com, based on 2,530 reviews by safari-goers and renowned industry experts.

Crowned best safari park

The famous Serengeti beat all the other safari parks in major safari countries like Uganda, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Kenya, Botswana, Namibia and South Africa. Safaribookings.com stated: “ The Serengeti received an overall rating of 4.9 out of 5, an outstanding result. Hence it was the highest score amongst all parks and therefore the Serengeti has been crowned Africa’s Best Safari Park. This reflects the continued popularity of this stunning park with safari-goers and industry experts.”

Great wildebeest migration

This famous national park is popular for many reasons: the great annual migration of millions of wildebeest and zebra thundering the vast plains of the Serengeti in search of fresh water and grass; the great wildlife viewing year-round due to the abundance and variety of wildlife (including many predators and the Big 5); the endless plains and beauty of the landscape that offers an authentic Africa experience.

Moreover, Tanzania has two other parks in the top 10: 

1. Selous Game Reserve (no.9)
2. Ngorongoro Crater (no.10)

For more info about this survey check safaribookings.com

Every year, millions of zebra, wildebeest and other antelope migrate across the mighty plains of East Africa in search of better grazing. This annual pilgrimage is known as the Great Migration, and to witness it is a once-in-a-lifetime experience that should top the bucket list of every safari enthusiast. The mobile nature of the migration means that planning a trip around the spectacle can be tricky, however. Making sure that you're in the right place at the right time is key - so in this article, we take a look at the best locations and seasons for viewing the migration in Tanzania and Kenya.

What Is the Migration?

Each year close to two million wildebeest, zebra and other antelope gather up their young and start the long trek north from Tanzania's Serengeti National Park to Kenya's Maasai Mara National Reserve in search of greener pastures. Their journey runs in a clockwise circle, covers some 1,800 miles/ 2,900 kilometers and is notoriously fraught with peril. Annually, an estimated 250,000 wildebeest die en route. 

River crossings are especially dangerous. Herds gather in their thousands to forge the waters of the Grumeti River in Tanzania and the Mara River in Kenya - at both points running a gauntlet of strong currents and lurking crocodiles. Crocodile kills and hordes of panicked animals mean that the crossings are not for the faint-hearted; however, they undoubtedly offer some of Africa's most dramatic wildlife encounters. 

Away from the river banks, the migration can be just as exciting. The spectacle of thousands of wildebeest, zebra, eland and gazelle thronging across the plain is a sight in itself, while the sudden bounty of available food attracts a bevy of iconic predators. Lions, leopards, hyenas and wild dogs follow the herds and give safari-goers excellent chances of seeing a kill in action.

NB: The migration is a natural event that changes slightly each year in both timing and location. Use the information below as a general guideline.

The Migration in Tanzania

December - March: At this time of year, the herds congregate in the Serengeti and Ngorongoro Conservation areas of northern Tanzania. This is calving season, and an excellent time for viewing newborn babies; while big cat sightings (and kills) are common.

The southern Ndutu and Salei plains are best for spotting large herds during this time of year. Recommended places to stay include Ndutu Safari Lodge, Kusini Safari Camp, Lemala Ndutu Camp and any mobile tented camps in the area.

April - May: The herds begin to migrate west and north to the grassier plains and woodland of the Serengeti’s Western Corridor. Seasonal rains make it difficult to follow the herds during this stage of their migration. In fact, many of Tanzania's smaller camps shut down due to impassable roads.

June: As the rains stop, the wildebeest and zebra gradually start moving north and individual groups begin to congregate and form much larger herds. This is also mating season for the migrating wildebeest. The Western Serengeti is the best place to watch the migration unfold.

July: The herds reach their first big obstacle, the Grumeti River. The Grumeti can get deep in places, especially if the rains have been good. The depth of the river makes drowning a distinct possibility for many wildebeest and there are plenty of crocodiles to take advantage of their distress.

Camps along the river make for an incredible safari experience at this time. One of the best places to stay is Serengeti Serena Lodge, which is both central and easily accessible. Other recommended options include Grumeti Serengeti Tented Camp, Migration Camp and Kirawira Camp. 

The Migration in Kenya

August: The grasses of the western Serengeti are turning yellow and the herds continue north. After crossing the Grumeti River in Tanzania, the wildebeest and zebra head to Kenya's Lamai Wedge and the Mara Triangle. Before they get to the lush plains of the Mara, they have to make another river crossing.

This time it's the Mara River, and that too is filled with hungry crocodiles. The best places to stay to watch the migrating wildebeest tackle the Mara River include Kichwa Tembo Camp, Bateleur Camp and Sayari Mara Camp.

September - November: The Mara plains are filled to the brim with large herds, naturally followed by predators. Some of the best places to stay while the migration is in the Mara include Governors Camp and Mara Serena Safari Lodge. 

November - December: The rains start in the south again and the herds begin their long trek back down to Tanzania's Serengeti plains to give birth to their young. During the short rains of November, the wildebeest migration is best viewed from Klein’s Camp, while campsites in the Lobo area are also good.