Tanzania is undoubtedly East Africa's ultimate big game safari destination, attracting millions of holidaymakers anually. When you talk about Tanzania safaris, the wildebeest migration is the first thing to click on your mind, but there is a lot more.
Tanzania is East Africa's premier big game safari destination, attracting millions of holidaymakers. Renowned for the wildebeest migration, Tanzania also boasts magical national parks, reserves, beaches, and historical sites, making it a top holiday spot.
Key safari regions include:
Northern Safari Circuit: Featuring Serengeti, Lake Manyara, Ngorongoro, Kilimanjaro, and Tarangire National Parks.
Tanzania Coast and Islands: Home to spectacular beaches and islands like Zanzibar.
Southern Tanzania: Known for Ruaha and Nyerere National Parks.
Western Tanzania: Featuring Katavi and Mahale Mountain National Parks.
Top attractions include Serengeti National Park, famed for the wildebeest migration, and Ngorongoro Crater, a haven for the Big Five. Tarangire and Lake Manyara National Parks offer unique wildlife experiences. Zanzibar Island is ideal for beach holidays, and Mount Kilimanjaro provides thrilling mountaineering opportunities.
Activities include game drives, mountaineering, birding, chimpanzee tracking, cultural tours, and relaxing on Zanzibar's beaches. The best time for safaris is during the dry seasons from June to September and January to March.
Tanzania is undoubtedly East Africa’s ultimate big game safari destination, attracting millions of holidaymakers to experience its natural treasures. When you talk about Tanzania safaris, wildebeest migration experience is the first thing to click on your mind but there is a lot more than wildebeests.
Tanzania is one of the most spectacular travel destinations in East Africa and boasts of its magical national parks, reserves, beaches, historical sites and others. This makes it an exceptional holiday destination in East Africa, boasting of over 16 spectacular national parks and 29 game reserves. These are the preferred destinations by most tourists on Tanzania safaris.
Why Tanzania safari?
While on Tanzania safaris, the 4 regions to expect to explore and experience include; The Northern Safari Circuit. The Northern circuit is the most famous Tanzania safari route consisting of Serengeti, Lake Manyara, Ngorongoro, Kilimanjaro and Tarangire National Park.
The Tanzania Coast and Islands, Tanzania is a vibrant destination with not only big game/wildebeest but also a home to some of the world’s magical beaches making it an exceptional beach or honeymoon destination. Most of Tanzania’s spectacular beaches and islands are on Zanzibar Archipelago.
The Southern Tanzania is another incredible region worthy visiting and covers the magical wild and the least visited Ruaha National Park and Nyerere which feature as the country’s most hidden safari secrets.
The Western Tanzania; this covers the magical sites of Katavi and Mahale Mountain National Parks. These are known to offer absolute off-the-beaten-path Tanzania wilderness experience.
Serengeti National Park
Serengeti National Park is one of the must-visit destinations by most holidaymakers on Tanzania safari tour. This is one of the ancient parks in Tanzania and hosts more than wildebeest. It is a famous destination to have the best of the dramatic wildlife viewing experience. In East Africa, it comes after Masai Mara National Reserve as top destinations to witness the dramatic wildebeest migration experience (normally from January to September).
Serengeti National Park also features among the extensive parks in Tanzania occupying over 14763sq.kms of land area. It is found along the Northwestern part of the country and makes up the popular Tanzania’s Northern Safari Circuit. This park protects the world’s popular wildebeest, the big game, gazelles, zebras, birds to mention but a few.
Ngorongoro Crater
Ngorongoro Crater is Tanzania’s true haven of big five game. Over 30,000 wildlife species are estimated to thrive within this magical crater area. It is a superb wilderness area in Tanzania, comprising of magical grasslands, forest, wetlands and a lot more. It is the popular area for tourists to have the easiest and excellent big five game viewing on East Africa safari holiday.
Tarangire National Park
Lying nearby Lake Manyara and Ngorongoro Crater, the Tarangire National Park is a beautiful destination of its own. It is popular for its huge profusion of elephants which confine around River Tarangire especially from the dry months especially from June to October. Tarangire National Park also boasts of its tranquility and endowed with wilderness features like riverine forests, open woodlands, huge swamps.
Lake Manyara National Park
Lake Manyara National Park isn’t only part of the famous Northern safari circuit but also one of the few places where you can see the unique tree climbing lions in East Africa. It is blessed with a range of wildlife species in addition to the tree climbing lions including hippos, elephants, leopards, buffaloes, giraffes. Besides, it is an outstanding birding destination offering birders a chance to sight several of the pelicans and flamingos in its scenic Lake Manyara. As well, you can look out for most of the floodplains, woodland, evergreen forests bird dwellers and a lot more.
Zanzibar Island holiday
When it comes to beach/honeymoon holidays, Zanzibar never goes unmentioned. It is Tanzania’s and East Africa’s top beach and honeymoon destination. A Tanzania safari on Zanzibar Island offers you with lots of unforgettable experiences. You have a range of activities to participate as a family, honeymooners, adventure seeker or solo traveler on Tanzania safari. They include dhow cruise, Spice tours, primate walk, scuba diving, snorkeling, relax on the sandy beaches like Chole, Mafia or Pemba among other exciting experiences.
Mt. Kilimanjaro.
If you are enthusiastic climber/hiker, Tanzania safari also has you sorted. The most amazing mountaineering experiences in East Africa are best offered at Mount Kilimanjaro. This is Africa’s tallest mountain and rises up to 5895m and undoubtedly the only free-standing mountain on earth. Climbing to the summits of Mt. Kilimanjaro is best done during the dry months of the year starting between July and October; January and March.
Other significant areas to visit include Ruaha National Park, Selous Game Reserve, Lake Tanganyika, Mahale Mountains National Park and Gombe National Park.
Activities to do on safari to Tanzania.
Game drives; Tanzania offers the most excellent wildlife safari experience. The top destinations to explore during game drive include Serengeti National Park, Selous Game Reserve, Tarangire National Park, Ngorongoro Crater and Lake Manyara National Park.
Mountaineering; this is best done while on Tanzania safari in Kilimanjaro National Park. It is the best place to start your trek to the summits of Mount Kilimanjaro. This magical volcano has various routes/trails leading to its summits including the Rongai route along the North-eastern, Marangu trail (35km) -the most popular of this volcano’s trails, Machame trail (40km).
Wildebeest migration; this is the main safari highlight for most holidaymakers on Tanzania safaris. This is carried out in Serengeti National Park and expect to see not only wildebeests but also gazelles, zebras and other grazers. Aside from witnessing wildebeest migration, there is also opportunity to look out for interesting birds which make up a population of about 500 species. These include ostriches, Kori bustards, and eagles.
Birding; Tanzania is undoubtedly a birder’s haven, boasting of diverse birdlife and amazing birding destinations. The leading birding sites to visit in Tanzania include Lake Manyara National Park, Lake Natron, Serengeti National Park, Ngorongoro Conservation Area, and Selous Game Reserve.
Chimpanzee tracking; the best chimpanzee safaris in Tanzania are best enjoyed in Mahale Mountain National Park and Gombe National Park.
Visiting Olduvai Gorge; if you are interested in understanding human history then a visit to Olduvai Gorge is worthy your Tanzania safari holiday. This archaeological site lies in Ngorongoro Conservation Area and it is where you can find the remains of the earliest man, discovered by Louis and Mary Leakey in 1959.
Zanzibar holiday; for beach lovers or honeymooners, a visit to Zanzibar Island should be a must-do while on Tanzania safari. Zanzibar is also famed as the Spice Island, being the once leading spice producer in the world.
A visit to this archipelago involves exploring the spice farms plus tasting some of its remarkable spices, explore the distinct cultures of Arabs, Indians, and Swahili people around the historical Stone Town. There are also other activities to engage in besides relaxing at the beach including scuba diving, snorkeling, and dhow cruise during sunset, walking tours/primate walks in Jozani Forest and a tour of the islands.
Cultural tours; Tanzania is a destination that is also endowed with unique cultures. On Tanzania safaris, you can interact with the local residents to learn more about their traditions, cultures, history, traditions, lifestyles and other practices. You can visit the Chagga people, Mto Wa Mbu to experience the best of authentic Africa cultures.
What should you expect on Tanzania safari holiday?
On a Tanzania safari, expect an African wilderness experience of a lifetime. It is a spectacular destination to explore whether as a first-time traveler or repeat visitor. You have a range of African bush experiences to enjoy in the remotest parks teemed with wildlife especially the big five game or if you are interested in primates, visit Mahale and Gombe National Park for chimpanzee tracking.
Best time to travel for Tanzania safaris.
Tanzania safaris can be done all-year-round. The best time usually varies depending on traveler’s interest at the destination. If it is to witness the wildebeests/game viewing, then the dry months of year to consider visiting Serengeti National Park are June, July, August and September. To witness them give birth, January, February are the best months.
The best way to have a successful Tanzania holiday is to ensure that you have the right gear. Your Tanzania safari packing list should consist of good safari shoes/boots for mountain climbers, camera that is clear with extra batteries, pair of binoculars, clothes that are environmentally friendly, a bottle of drinking water, first aid kit, sunscreen, sun hat, toiletries and insect repellents.
What does a Tanzania safari tour include?
Tanzania safari covers a number of things and most importantly, it is enjoyable as a solo traveler, family, friends, and group or self-drive. The tour can include accommodation, activities, transportation and others. The accommodation options in and around Tanzania’s safari park range from budget to luxury.
How safe is Tanzania?
Tanzania is a safe and secure holiday destination. But like other destinations, it is not 100% safe as petty crimes have been recorded in developed cities like Dar-es-salaam, Arusha and others. You have to be keen enough especially on your expensive gargets, jewelries.
