Self Driving in Tanzania?

I did most of this, with the exception of Amoseli, a year ago with a local guide driving. I frankly cannot imagine trying to do this without local experience. The guides know the routes, where to find the animals (and have radio contact with other guides who may have spotted something), where to stay, etc., etc., etc. Our particular company was Caracal Tours & Safaris, but there are many.

You may want to also check other forums like TripAdvisor since you may not get a lot of responses here.

Also, since Amboseli is in Kenya, make sure you have all the right paperwork before you attempt the border crossing.

We went to Tanzania with a guided tour. Firstly, do not even consider driving in Dar es Salaam. It took 45 minutes to go the eight miles from the airport to our hotel, and I finally had to stop looking out the window because traffic was so horrid. I think someone would have to be born and raised there to even consider driving in the city. Secondly, I agree that having a guide made it so much more enjoyable. They knew how to find their way around the parks, where the find the animals, and where to stay.

We went to Nyerere National Park and Ruaha National Park (we wanted to avoid the large crowds in Ngorongoro Crater and Serengeti) and the roads were mostly unmarked. Given the large distances, we flew from Dar to Ruaha and then to Nyerere and back to Dar.

NO to self driving. What is your vehicle breaks down in the middle of a an area filled with dangerous lions or Buffalos?

I have been 3 times and also wondered about self drive. Namibia or South Africa would be better set for North American self-drivers. Though a few do self drive, they usually use some sort of Jeep/camping set up and not solo. They are also well experienced to self drives in other parts of Africa...most vacation this way. So they know how to use the 5 foot Long Jack required to do a tire change. Miss-use of that could kill you. Then right side drive and a standard.
You need a Jeep for these parks and as mentioned, a driver knows the lay of the land and animal behavior best, but if you have the experience, there are groups and websites that can support you with your planning. Something like 'four tracks' comes to mind? Back when I was researching it, Garmin was the best GPS for mapping. Google maps is uunreliable and park tracks are rarely marked. Also, nothing in Tanzania is fenced unlike many lodgings in other areas of Africa.

Thanks Maria for the thoughtful reply. The idea would be to use our own car between stops to the various accommodations. Once we are at a given lodge/camp/hotel/whatever we would utilize their services for the bush game drives. Obviously we are not equipped (or allowed) to drive in parks or reserves off road. I should have been clear about that in my original post. The idea of long drives in a van between stops with others and no ability to stop whenever we like doesn't appeal to me. It would be alot of logistic planning given we wouldn't be bundled into a singular package with a single tour operator. I'm still considering options but your input I found valuable, thanks You. R.

Hi Rhett. One thing to consider is that the drive from one location to another can often turn into a game drive on unpaved roads. Jeep breakdowns do occur and wildlife is unpredictable. We’ve been to Tanzania three times and we would never consider driving on our own. We have never been in a group either. We had a private driver/guide in Northern Tanzania and flew between locations with a private driver/guide in Southern Tanzania.

I have only been to Kenya, but the drive between your stops is not like driving between stops in Europe or the states. It isn't a highway or autoroute between the game preserves. And you can't just stop along the road to look at something in the wild. It may not be safe. Likewise, if you have a breakdown, you can't call up a service or repair truck. You will likely be on your own. Please listen to the other posters. On a tour in Tanzania your group will not be a big bus full of people. More likely a jeep or van holding 5-7 people, so not a tour bus. Please think about this.

Judy is correct.
When we did our safari in Tanzania and Kenya, we found the "roads" in the nature preserves are NOT roads. Our off-road vehicle was a large one for four passengers with a nice pop-up roof for taking photos.
We travled over very rough areas constantly, loaded with pits, potholes and more. After 11 days of that my wife and I developed significant back pain. It was worth it, but doing this on your own wouldn't be fun.

Our guide/driver had a radio that allowed him to communicate with others, so when a pride of lions or other wildlife was located, he took us there to see, enhancing our safari.

Also, how would you navigate effectively, even the real roads didn't have great signage.

Our safari in Tanzania was a private one for just the three of us with our guide.

Another thing to consider is that there will be a language barrier for you at the park entrances. Our guide had to present paperwork and discuss his plans with the employees there. I'm not sure how that would work for you.

Rhett, glad I could offer some extra insight into your planning. Now that you have described what you are thinking of, let me add more food for thought.
Hotels in Northern Tanzania generally do not keep a fleet of jeeps and drivers for day trips like some countries. They are sub contracted out and often have to come from Arusha. In southern Tanzania, your plans can work.
There, most people fly between parks, so game drives are run by the camps. You may be able to self drive. A friend that used to do that area would use a jeep and driver, so not sure how easy to self-drive, and a car may not be suitable.
Even if staying outside some parks, the roads are rough and unsaved. Karatu could be a central town for some of these parks, but again, my point above, bout accessible day trips. The camps in the Serengeti are mostly inside the park, so access is hard. There is more build up around Ndutu, just outside the border of the park, but the road to it is unsaved, and if after spring rains, a real quagmire with black cotton soil (think deep glue) and potholes.
The roads in the more habitat areas include big speed bumps (aka sleeping policemen) which really slow down progress and lord knows how uncomfortable that would be in a car vs jeep. Also, corrupt police. It is not uncommon to be pulled over and ticketed for some infraction...basically for their own pocket money...and, of course, in Swahili.
I appreciate wanting to have some independence. I am similar and like the road less traveled, but found having a car and driver/guide to be the best option. I made the plans, we stopped when I wanted, and took as much time as needed.
You may want to get your hands on Bradt Guide to Tanzania. I used that for my less traveled routes and does speak to more independent travelers. It was published in 2023 so more current than my experiences. Also, their website has updates, and I think trip reports and a forum?
And the Tanzania forum on TripAdvisor are extremely helpful with a vast range of travel types.