Tanzania Cruises: Sailings, Embarkations & Ports of Call
6 ships from 4 cruise lines
Tanzania cruises at a glance
Waterways Cruise lists 13 upcoming sailings on 6 ships from 4 cruise lines visiting Tanzania, calling at 2 places. Cruises visit Tanzania as a port of call and do not start or end here. More Africa cruises.
Reviewed and fact-checked by J. Richard · About this page · About us
Compare Tanzania cruise lines
See every Tanzania cruise line by ocean and river and by ultra-luxury, luxury, premium and contemporary style, with fares, cruise lengths, ships and ports.
About Tanzania
Tanzania is East Africa's most complete cruise destination for travelers who want Indian Ocean history, remote islands, and the world's greatest wildlife. Small-ship and expedition lines anchor off Zanzibar, Mafia, and Kilwa, while a northern safari adds a once-in-a-lifetime land dimension. Avoid big-ship shore excursion herds by choosing 100- to 400-guest vessels and booking private guides.
Typical routes
- Indian Ocean Swahili Coast
- Southern Swahili & Mafia Channel
Ports overview
Tanzanian cruising is overwhelmingly coastal and expedition-focused. Most ships call at Dar es Salaam and Zanzibar; smaller ships add Mafia, Kilwa, Tanga, and Pemba. There is no meaningful river cruise industry, but Indian Ocean routes can be paired with northern Tanzania safaris.
Cruise season
June–October is best for wildlife and cooler weather; January–February is best for the coast and diving. Long rains run March–May and short rains November–December, limiting safari visibility and making some anchorages uncomfortable.
Find your Tanzania sailing
Upcoming sailings calling at Tanzania, earliest departure first.
20 Days One-Way from Mahe Island Seychelles to Mombasa
Visits Tanzania. Also visits Seychelles, Kenya
Emerald Raiya
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Where Tanzania cruises start and end
Embarkation ports (0)
No cruises start here.
Disembarkation ports (0)
No cruises end here.
Ships by type: 6 ocean · a ship that visits several places here is counted once; an expedition ship that also sails as an ocean ship appears under both types.
Plan your Tanzania cruise
Tanzania cruise port guide
Cruise ports, what to see, history and practical advice.
Tanzania cruise port guide →More Africa cruises
Morocco · Egypt · Tunisia · Algeria · Sao Vicente Island Cape Verde · South Africa · Namibia · Mauritius
Frequently asked questions about Tanzania cruises
How many places do cruises visit in Tanzania?
2 Tanzania places are visited by 6 ships from 4 cruise lines.
When is the best time to take a Tanzania cruise?
June–October is best for wildlife and cooler weather; January–February is best for the coast and diving. Long rains run March–May and short rains November–December, limiting safari visibility and making some anchorages uncomfortable.
Sources and further reading
Background on Tanzania draws on these references. Sailing, fare and port data come from cruise line itineraries and are refreshed regularly.
- CIA World Factbook: Tanzania - The World Factbook
- Encyclopaedia Britannica: Tanzania
- Tanzania Tourist Board: Visit Tanzania
- UNESCO World Heritage Centre: Stone Town of Zanzibar
- UNESCO World Heritage Centre: Ruins of Kilwa Kisiwani and Ruins of Songo Mnara
Created by the Waterways Cruise content team and reviewed and fact-checked by J. Richard, Sr. Cruise Travel Agent and Founder of Waterways Cruise.
Published September 9, 2026 · Last updated October 12, 2026
Fares, availability and itineraries change often. Confirm current details with your cruise line or a Waterways Cruise agent before you book.
Cruise Disclosure
Good to know: Prices are quoted per person based on double occupancy and include all applicable taxes and fees. Availability and prices can change quickly, so please continue through the booking process to confirm the latest availability and pricing before you pay.
We work hard to make sure everything on this website is accurate and up to date. However, some information may be incomplete or inaccurate, including details supplied by third parties or otherwise outside our control, and we cannot be held responsible for such errors. We work with 41 cruise line operators, that are providing cruises on 585 ships visiting 1,731 ports across 7,194 unique cruises, creating 13,822 itineraries. This is a great deal of data to continually update daily from our suppliers. If a pricing error, misrepresentation, or omission occurs, we reserve the right to adjust the pricing, correct the information, or cancel or decline any booking made in error, with notice to you. Thank you for your understanding!