Safari

Wildlife safari visitors to Tanzania recorded an average expenditure of USD 399 per person per day in 2024, second only to hunting safaris at USD 460, confirming safari as the country's highest-value tourism product.

Tanzania is primarily a safari destination, with globally recognized attractions such as the Serengeti National Park, the Ngorongoro Crater, and Mount Kilimanjaro.

Serengeti National Park was named Africa's Best Safari Park for several consecutive years^[5], while Tanzania was named Africa's Leading Destination in 2025^[4].

The country has set aside 40.5% of its land as protected areas, anchoring an extensive network of parks, reserves, and wildlife management zones dedicated to safari tourism.

Safari as Tanzania's Flagship Tourism Product

Wildlife is the backbone of Tanzania's tourism offering, as the country is primarily a safari destination.

Renowned attractions include Serengeti National Park, Ngorongoro Crater, Mount Kilimanjaro, and the Zanzibar archipelago.

Mount Kilimanjaro, the tallest mountain in Africa, was voted the continent's Leading Tourist Attraction in 2024^[6].

Beyond wildlife viewing, the country offers hunting, diving and snorkeling, mountain climbing, beach leisure, fishing, boating safaris, walking safaris, and exploration activities.

Tourism, driven largely by safari products, accounted for 25% of foreign exchange earnings, 22.4% of all exports, and 17.2% of GDP in 2024, while providing approximately 3.6 million direct and indirect jobs annually^[1].

Protected Areas and Safari Infrastructure

Tanzania's conservation estate is exceptionally large, with 40.5% of the national territory designated as protected areas.

The network comprises 22 national parks, the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, 22 game reserves, 28 game-controlled areas, 38 Wildlife Management Areas, and three Ramsar sites.

Additional protected and cultural assets include 465 forest reserves, 19 nature forest reserves, 23 forest plantations, 133 cultural heritage sites, and seven museums^[7].

Arusha serves as Tanzania's safari tourism hub and one of the most visited areas after Dar Es Salaam and Zanzibar.

Kilimanjaro International Airport serves the northern safari circuit, complementing Dar es Salaam and Zanzibar as the country's three international gateways.

Safari Visitor Expenditure and Value

Safari products command Tanzania's highest tourism yields, with spending varying sharply by activity.

Hunters recorded the highest average expenditure at USD 460 per person per day, followed by wildlife safari visitors at USD 399, while beach tourism visitors recorded an average expenditure of USD 179.

By purpose of visit, holidaymakers, most of whom pursue safari itineraries, recorded the highest average spending at USD 290.7 per person per night, ahead of business visitors at USD 226.7.

Among the top 15 source markets, visitors from China posted the highest average expenditure at USD 492 per person per night, followed by Canada at USD 346 and the United States at USD 345.

Accommodation Capacity Serving Safari Circuits

As of 2023, Tanzania had 293 registered and licensed tourist-class hotels, offering 25,045 rooms and 44,091 beds.

Dar es Salaam leads in accommodation facilities, with large five-star hotels providing a combined room capacity of 1,092^[2].

The average bed occupancy rate for the period September 2024 to August 2025 was 61.83%, peaking at 70.7% in December.

Occupancy was highest between August and January, aligning with peak safari seasons, and declined in the first quarter, reaching a low of 51.5% in April^[3].

Available accommodations across the safari circuits include hotels, motels, camps, lodges, apartments, and guesthouses.

Regional Safari Circuits

Tanzania's natural attractions are so immense and diverse that they are often divided into regional tourism circuits.

Northern Circuit

Already established as Tanzania's leading safari destination, the Northern Circuit will undergo further enhancements to maintain that position.

Planned infrastructure projects feature major concrete and gravel road improvements across the Serengeti and Ngorongoro reserves.

"Smart Gates" will be installed at Serengeti, Tarangire, and Arusha National Parks to streamline visitor flow and revenue collection.

Restoring the Ngorongoro-Lengai UNESCO Global Geopark status aims to broaden the region's overall appeal.

Western and Lake Circuits

New tourism products are planned, featuring water-based routes on Lake Victoria that join Saanane Island, Rubondo Island, and the Serengeti via the Speke Gulf.

The Connecting Corridor initiative seeks to secure the ecosystem bridging key reserves.

Coastal Circuit

High-potential routes have been identified across the South-East and Eastern zones, with attractions such as the Humpback Whale migration in Msimbati and historical sites like the local German Boma in Lindi and Mtwara undergoing development.

Beach and cultural tourism are expanding through the promotion of the Kilwa Kisiwani and Songo Mnara ruins.

Policy Framework for Safari Tourism

Tourism Policy Evolution

The national tourism policy was revised in 1999 to promote the development of high-quality tourism that is culturally and socially acceptable, environmentally sustainable, and economically viable.

It aimed to position Tanzania as a preferred destination for touring and adventure tourism, particularly wildlife safaris.

The framework targeted reaching one million arrivals by 2010, a milestone achieved in 2012 when international visitors reached 1,077,058.

Strategic Plan 2021/22 to 2025/26

In 2021, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism released its latest Strategic Plan 2021/22 to 2025/26, aligned with FYDP III, Vision 2025, and the SDGs 2030.

The Plan aims to strengthen the protection and conservation of wildlife and wetland resources through community-based conservation, an enabling environment for private sector participation, and enhanced anti-poaching patrols.

It targets upgrading 15 Game Controlled Areas to Game Reserves, establishing eight Wildlife Management Areas, and increasing designated resident hunting blocks from eight to 13.

The strategy also seeks to expand existing tourism products and diversify into new segments, including cruise tourism and Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions (MICE), and increase regional and international tourist arrivals to 5,000,000.

Additional priorities include broadening stakeholder involvement in natural resource management, improving tourism infrastructure, enhancing quality control, and promoting value addition.

Investment Opportunities in Safari Tourism

Safari accommodation remains a prime opportunity, with the national bed occupancy averaging 61.83% and peaking at 70.7% in December, indicating room for premium lodges and camps aligned with peak-season demand.

Hunting concessions offer the highest per-visitor yield at USD 460 per person per day, supported by policy plans to expand resident hunting blocks from eight to 13.

Wildlife Management Areas present community-linked conservation-investment models, with eight new WMAs planned and 15 Game Controlled Areas earmarked for upgrade to Game Reserves.

Digital safari products form part of the priority investment pipeline, including virtual reality content and the expansion of the Tanzania Safari Channel.

New water-based safari routes on Lake Victoria linking Saanane Island, Rubondo Island, and the Serengeti open opportunities in boating safaris, walking safaris, and specialized eco-tourism operators.

Cruise tourism and MICE are strategic diversification segments identified for private investment, alongside coastal circuit assets such as Kilwa Kisiwani, Songo Mnara, and the Humpback Whale migration in Msimbati.

Real estate in Arusha, Tanzania's safari tourism hub, remains attractive for hospitality-linked developments and serviced accommodation supporting the Northern Circuit.

Last Update: May 2026

References

1. https://www.maliasili.go.tz/assets/pdfs/HOTUBAYABAJETIYAWIZARAKWAMWAKA2025-2026_updated.pdf (Guide reference #170)
2. https://www.popi.go.tz/uploads/documents/en-1729763797-NATIONAL%20INVESTMENT%20REPORT%202023.pdf (Guide reference #174)
3. https://www.nbs.go.tz/uploads/statistics/documents/en-1769161667-HOTEL%20Statistics%20Release_August,%202025%20.pdf (Guide reference #175)
4. https://www.worldtravelawards.com/award-africas-leading-destination-2025 (Guide reference #176)
5. https://www.safaribookings.com/blog/260 (Guide reference #177)
6. https://www.worldtravelawards.com/award-africas-leading-tourist-attraction-2024 (Guide reference #178)
7. https://www.tfs.go.tz/uploads/documents/Ministry_of_Natural_Resources_and_Tourism_Strategic_Plan_202122_202526.pdf (Guide reference #179)