What Are the Driving Times Between Destinations in Tanzania?
Tanzania's size and road conditions mean that overland travel times can be substantial. Many safari itineraries incorporate internal flights to maximize time in the parks rather than on the road.
Some sample driving times on the northern circuit: Arusha to Tarangire is approximately 2-3 hours, Arusha to Ngorongoro is 3-4 hours, and Ngorongoro to central Serengeti is 4-5 hours. These times assume reasonable road conditions and include the often rough roads within the parks.
From Kilimanjaro International Airport to Arusha town is about 1 hour on paved roads. The drive from Arusha to Dar es Salaam is approximately 8-10 hours and is typically done by those with considerable time or specific reasons to travel overland.
Internal flights dramatically reduce travel times. A flight from Arusha to the Serengeti takes about 1.5 hours, compared to a full day's drive. Flying between the northern circuit and Zanzibar takes about 2 hours, making beach extensions convenient.
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