How to See Tanzania in One Week
Tanzania is a huge country with so much to see and experience. It might seem impossible to decide how you would like to spend your one week in Tanzania.
Even so, it is entirely possible to see the very best that Tanzania has in a single week. Whether you're focused on seeing the Wildebeest Migration, setting your sights on climbing Kilimanjaro, or wish to split your time between Zanzibar and a safari, we've got you covered!
Below, you'll find some ideas on how you can spend one week in Tanzania.
Conquering Mt. Kilimanjaro
Often called the Roof of Africa, Mount Kilimanjaro is Africa's highest mountain and the world's highest free-standing mountain.
With a variety of routes to the summit, you could climb Kilimanjaro a half-dozen times and do it differently every time!
Most of the Mount Kilimanjaro routes can be achieved in under a week, with Marangu and Machame routes being most popular.
Coca Cola or Whiskey: Marangu or Machame
The most famous Kilimanjaro routes are undoubtedly Marangu (Coca Cola) and Machame (Whiskey).
While one is famed for being the 'easy' way to the top, the other is hugely popular due to its immense beauty. Both Marangu and Machame can be completed in under seven days, making them a great choice for those with limited time.
Visitors will be contending with crowds on both routes, but Machame's superior beauty makes it a better option unless you only have five days for your climb.
If time is a factor, tackling Marangu over five days is possible, but not necessarily advisable.
The Scenic Route: Rongai or Lemosho
For people looking to avoid crowds, the breathtaking Rongai and Lemosho routes are worth a look.
Both Rongai and Lemosho can be completed in six or seven days, but both offer different benefits.
Lemosho has two degrees of difficulty, as well as giving visitors the chance to spot wildlife during the early portion of their climb.
With Rongai, you have a climb of comparable difficulty to Marangu, but with the opportunity to overnight in caves during your ascent.
Both options give you a chance to escape the crowds while also seeing a unique side of 'Kili.
What About Mount Meru?
Often overlooked by visitors to Tanzania, Mt. Meru is the country's second highest mountain and a great alternative to its big sister.
Starting and finishing in Arusha National Park, a climb up Mt. Meru gives you a chance to spot wildlife and make friends along the way.
Some say the mountain is a more difficult pure climb than Kilimanjaro, but it's achievable for adults and kids alike.
A Cultural Safari
While it is not uncommon for a visit to Tanzania to include a visit to a Maasai village, did you know you can embark on a full-blown cultural safari in Tanzania?
Our 5-day Tribes of Tanzania safari gives visitors the chance to interact with five distinct cultural groups: the Maasai, Hadzabe, Datoga, Iraqw, and Chaga!
The tour starts with a day to explore Marangu and learn more about the town's Chaga inhabitants. You'll then visit the Maasai, Datoga, and Iraqw before finishing with a Hadzabe hunting experience. There is no better way to learn about Tanzania's unique tapestry of cultures!
For those wishing to extend their trip, there is even the opportunity to stay at Africa Amini Maasai Lodge for a more immersive Maasai experience.
Does a cultural tour fascinate you? You can read more about our selection of cultural tours.
An Off the Beaten Path Southern Circuit Safari
The names Serengeti and Ngorongoro may be synonymous with a Tanzanian safari, but write off the Southern Circuit at your own peril.
Wilder and less crowded than the popular Northern Circuit, Tanzania's Southern Circuit has a rugged beauty all of its own.
With massive tracts of wilderness like Ruaha and Selous, as well as chimpanzee trekking in Gombe Stream or Mahale, the beaches of Saadani National Park, or the wildflowers of Kitulo, there is truly something for all walks of life.
For those starting their safaris from Dar Es Salaam or Zanzibar, the Southern Circuit offers a wealth of accessible options, and for people who have visited Tanzania before, the Southern Circuit is a great way to spend a unique week in Tanzania.
Shadows of Africa offers a variety of Southern Circuit safaris including the Southern Big Five Safari and the Four Day Selous Experience.
If you have already been on safari and done your Kilimanjaro hike, you might think you have already seen everything Tanzania has to offer.
Think again!
Our seven-day Ngorongoro Highlands Trekking experience sees you hiking through the pristine wilderness of Ngorongoro. You'll even finish with a climb up an active volcano!
It doesn't get much more off-the-beaten-path than that, we can assure you!
If the prospect of walking for seven days and living like a local isn't your cup of tea, you can also include the Ol Donyo Lengai volcano hike in your regular safari itinerary.
Safari from Zanzibar
Tanzania is perhaps most famous for two things: safaris and the white sand beaches of Zanzibar. Why not combine the two?
Shadows of Africa can arrange a variety of safaris from Zanzibar, ranging from quick excursions to extended adventures.
What better way to see the best of Tanzania in one week than by spending four days on safari and finishing with three days on the beach?
With offices in both Arusha and Zanzibar, Shadows of Africa is uniquely positioned to ensure the smoothest possible transition from bush to beach.
A Northern Circuit Safari
What list of ways to spend a week in Tanzania would be complete without a Northern Circuit safari?
The wide open plains of the Serengeti, the mystery of Ngorongoro, and the diverse landscapes of Tarangire, Lake Manyara, and Arusha National Park make the Northern Circuit heaven for wildlife enthusiasts.
No place on earth can boast playing host to the Wildebeest Migration for as long as Tanzania's Serengeti National Park. Kenya's Maasai Mara gets three months out of every year to Tanzania's nine months.
Our six-day river crossing safari, six-day Big Five safari, or seven-day Karibu Tanzania safari are all the perfect length.
A Wealth of Choices
As you can see, Tanzania is so much more than just world-class safaris on the Northern Circuit.
With so many ways to spend a week in Tanzania, why limit yourself to just one?
