Safari is found practically anywhere in Tanzania. For decades, it has been a way of life in the country. Few African places can compete with Tanzania’s richness of animals and sceneries. A Tanzania safari gives one enormous experience after another. From the iconic savannah attractions of the Serengeti, Tarangire, and Ngorongoro Conservation area to the sandy beaches and coral reefs of Zanzibar. And that’s before you find off-the-beaten-path treasures like chimp trekking in the virgin rainforests of Mahale and Rubondo, or exclusive wildlife watching in the stunningly wild and distinctive landscapes of Nyerere (formerly Selous) and Ruaha. Tanzania is a wonderful Africa safari destination, with spectacular year-round game watching, the Wildebeest Migration, and tropical beach holidays.
Our Top Tanzania Safaris
When is the best time to visit Tanzania?
Tanzania is best visited during the lengthy dry season. These last from June through September. These are the greatest months in Zanzibar for safaris, the Great Migration, hiking, and beach vacations. Of course, these are high travel months. They’ll be busier, and some lodges, resorts, and parks will charge more. If you prefer a more private experience, try going during the brief rainy season, which lasts from October until the end of December. If at all possible, avoid visiting during the long rainy season in April and May. Rainstorms are frequently strong and abrupt, causing events to be canceled at the last minute.
Safari destinations in Tanzania
This UNESCO world heritage area, one of Africa’s most recognized destinations, serves as the backdrop for the annual wildebeest migration. Tanzania’s oldest park, encompassing 1.5 million hectares, is home to an astounding variety of species. In the northwest, the park borders Kenya and is linked to the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. Because of the abundance of big game, the Serengeti is one of the greatest destinations in Africa for safari. The Serengeti’s lush meadows feed millions of wildebeest until the dry season drives them north to the Masai Mara in southern Kenya. The scenery is dotted with woodlands and acacia trees, and massive granite outcrop rising from the savanna plains.
Serengeti is home to the Big 5: rhino, lions, leopards, buffalo, and elephants, in addition to the famed wildebeest migration. The Serengeti is home to some of the world’s most dangerous predators, including cheetahs, spotted hyenas (mostly in the morning), jackals, bat-eared foxes, and wild dogs. Giraffes, mongooses, baboons, colobus monkeys, aardvarks, monitor lizards, and enormous Nile crocodiles. The park also features the largest ostrich population in Africa, as well as over 350 bird species. Four endangered animal species can be found in this park: the black rhinoceros, elephant, wild dog, and cheetah.
It’s unusual to return from a safari in a state of mute amazement. During the dry season the short grasslands and fewer drinking holes make wildlife encounters easier. The richness of animals, the natural beauty of the park, and the sheer magnitude of it all make it the ultimate safari destination. The wildebeest migration occurs from late June to September each year. Around 2 million wildebeest, zebra, and gazelle, migrate through the Serengeti, crossing the Grumeti and Mara rivers before reaching Kenya in the Masai Mara. Some of the most iconic photographs of this migration have been captured along the Grumeti and Mara rivers. The animals are not only at risk of being carried away by the raging river but also of being attacked by crocodiles under the water. The predator (lions and leopards) await them on the plains. It’s a risky voyage, but it’s also one of nature’s most amazing migratory phenomena.
The Ngorongoro Crater lies west of Arusha and connects to the Serengeti in the northwest and the Great Rift Valley in the east. The park was created as a refuge for wildlife and the semi-nomadic Masai people that live there. The caldera is a notable historical site as well as an important habitat for animal variety. Despite its tiny size, the caldera has a high level of biodiversity, with some internationally vulnerable species living on its plains. These grasslands are part of the Great Migration route. The caldera is scientifically significant because key findings were unearthed here that shed light on the development of humans.
There are two more volcanic craters besides the main caldera: the Olmoti and the Empakai. The Olmoti is famous for its waterfalls, while the Empakai is famous for its deep lake and lush green cliffs. The Olduvai Gorge, a 14-kilometer-long valley, is another incredible sight. To conserve this unique natural beauty, tourist numbers are tightly managed, and entry to the crater and gorge requires a permit. The crater was produced some 2.5 million years ago when a volcano erupted and fell in on itself, considered to be roughly the same height as Kilimanjaro. The volcano’s crater, which is now dormant, is 610 meters deep and 20 kilometers wide, making it the world’s biggest inactive caldera.
Climate, landform, and altitude variations provide a diversity of habitats that may sustain a variety of fauna, resulting in a network of intersecting ecosystems. Fresh water and marshes, and swamps fill the crater basin. During the rainy season, hundreds of flamingos flock to these alkaline lakes. The crater is home to over 30,000 animals, some of whom move here during the Great Migration and others who live there all year. During the dry season, the crater’s rich, volcanic, fertile soil attracts a variety of species, including warthog, impala, and buffalo. Predators like as lions, hyenas, cheetahs, leopards, wild hunting dogs, and golden cats are drawn to these prey.
Year-round residents include honey badgers, foxes, jackals and ostriches. The Lake Ndutu area west of the crater has a large number of cheetahs and lions. Almost 500 bird species live in the crater, including the Rüppell’s Griffon vulture. The black mane lion and the black rhino are the most unique creatures found here. Surprisingly, there are no giraffes in the crater since it is believed that they are unable to climb the steep edges.
Tarangire National Park
Tarangire National Park has some of Tanzania’s greatest wildlife concentrations and most beautiful sceneries. It is easily accessible due to its closeness to Arusha, and it is frequently coupled with the Serengeti and Ngorongoro, making Tanzania’s northern safari circle. Tarangire is Tanzania’s sixth-largest park, covering 2,850 square kilometers. It gets its name, as well as its bounty of wildlife, from the Tarangire River, which runs through the park and attracts elephants and other species. Tarangire boasts one of the country’s highest elephant populations. During peak migration, from July to October, around 5,000 elephants will come to Tarangire. Groups of up to 300 elephants can be seen at once.
Not just elephants roam these grasslands. Other animals like lions, zebras, and antelopes can also be found. The huge savanna grasslands and Baobab trees give this national park a harsh, ‘Out of Africa’ vibe that is unique among Tanzania’s national parks. Due to its close proximity to Arusha, the park offers straightforward travel and is ideal for a one or two-day safari. There are is a large number of wildebeest, zebras, giraffes, buffalo, and hippos. Lions are frequently seen, while leopards and cheetahs can be seen roaming the grasslands or sitting in a tree. Wild dogs have been observed previously, but finding them has become increasingly getting difficult. Tarangire National Park is also a fantastic birding site, with over 500 species residing there.
Nyerere National Park
The Nyerere national park is off the beaten path, with barely 1% of Tanzanian visitors visiting this park. It is often regarded as one of Africa’s remaining pure wilderness, with savannah stretching as far as the eye can see and days passing without seeing a safari vehicle or another tourist. The Rufiji River, a massive river has a large population of crocodiles and hippos, is one of the outstanding sites inside this national park. It forms a river delta with the Great Ruaha River, providing excellent wildlife viewing as well as the most spectacular boat safaris in East Africa.
The national park is home to 100,000 wildebeests, 40,000 hippos, 150,000 buffalo, and 35,000 zebras. The abundance of food attracts a wide range of predators, including 4,000 lions, leopards, hyenas, and crocodiles. Some of the most endangered species include the African wild dog, (half of the world’s population), the sable and puku antelopes. It is also one of the few spots in Africa where you may see the endangered black rhino. This safari destination will also appeal to bird watchers, since it is home to 440 different kinds of birds. A boat safari is the greatest way to observe these birds. The park may be explored in a variety of ways, including boat cruises, game drives, river rafting safaris, fishing, and walking safaris. Fly camping and hot air balloon excursions are also options.
Ruaha National Park
Ruaha National Park is located in central and southern Tanzania. Ruaha National Park is Tanzania’s largest and one of Africa’s largest national parks, covering 20,226 square kilometers. The park is part of the broader Rungwa-Kizigo Mugesi eco-system, which spans 45,000 square kilometers (17,000 sq. mi). Mbomipa Wildlife Management Area, Kizigo, Rungwa Game Reserve and Muhesi game reserves are among the other protected places included in the ecosystem. Ruaha National Park is famous for large predator sightings. According to study, the park is home to 10% of Africa’s lions. Large prides of up to 20 are an occasional sighting. The park is home to over 200 cheetahs and the world’s third-largest population of endangered African wild dogs. Ruaha is also a fantastic site to watch leopards and spotted hyenas, as well as jackals and bat-eared foxes. Waterbucks, roan antelopes, bushbucks, larger and smaller kudus, and sable antelopes are among the antelope species found in the park.
Additionally, around 10,000 elephants roam freely across the park’s vast expanse, making it one of Tanzania’s largest elephant herds. Aquatic creatures like as hippos and Nile crocodiles thrive in the Great Ruaha River. Ruaha is also one of Kenya’s Important Birding Sites, with over 500 reported bird species. The park has a diverse bird population, including an interesting mix of birds from both Eastern and Southern Africa. Ruaha is home to endemics such as the ashy starling, Tanzanian red-billed hornbill, and yellow-collared lovebird. Vultures are a specialty here, with the park home to six distinct vulture species, including the critically endangered hooded vulture, white-backed vulture, Ruppell’s vulture, and white-headed vulture. Other prominent bird species in Ruaha include falcons, spur fowls, bustards, storks, ducks, quails, cuckoos, nightjars, and lapwings.
Zanzibar
Zanzibar is an array of approximately 50 islands and islets located 22 miles off the coast of Tanzania. The two largest islands, Unguja and Pemba, are thought to have been part of main land Africa until breaking away around 5 and 23 million years ago. Zanzibar, which joined Tanzania in 1964, is today one of East Africa’s top beach tourist destinations, with magnificent white sands and pure blue waters spanning as far as the eye can see. For almost a century, Zanzibar has been a distinct cultural crossroads, integrating African, Indian, Arabian, and European cultures as a main trading port on the spice, silk, and slave trade routes. This is most visible at the Old Stone Town.
Stone Town is a maze of tangled passageways spread with tall limestone homes, each with intricately carved wooden doors with brass finishes and terracotta roofs. Zanzibar is distinct in its food, religion, politics, and manner of life, in addition to its architecture. It’s significantly different from mainland Tanzania and is an excellent starting or ending point for an East African safari. Paje is a popular destination, with packed beaches for windsurfing and diving and a vibrant environment. Nevertheless, Jambiani is a more peaceful choice with a variety of eateries.
Chumbe island, 12 kilometers from the main island, is ideal for snorkeling and diving enthusiasts. This protected marine park is simple to reach (just 45 mins by boat from Stone Town), and your money helps to conserve a vulnerable ecology. Mnemba Island is widely recognized as one of Zanzibar’s greatest diving and snorkeling destinations. The island is a 30-minute boat journey from the east coast town of Matemwe. Stone Town, the ancient heart of Zanzibar, is divided into two sections: Ng’ambo (meaning “the other side”). Stone Town is Zanzibar’s historical center and is claimed to be the only remaining ancient town in East Africa that is still in use today. It has ample activities such as walking through the labyrinthine lanes, viewing the ancient slave market, visiting Prison Island, exploring the old Sultanate remains, or getting lost in the old market. The Zanzibar islands are also known as the “Spice Islands” due to its historical importance as a spice trading center. A visit of the spice plantations is highly recommended on your beach vacation.
Mountain Kilimanjaro
Kilimanjaro was formerly an active volcano, but the last tectonic activity reported was more than 200 years ago, and there haven’t been any big eruptions in more than 100,000 years. Although the majority of summit walks begin in Tanzania, the most renowned images of Kilimanjaro are taken from the Amboseli National Park in Kenya. The summit climb is not difficult; Kilimanjaro has a gradual rise that makes it accessible even to inexperienced hikers. The summit trek usually takes 6-8 days. If you are short on time, there are shorter hikes that do not lead to the peak.
There are several ways to the summit, each with its own set of accommodations, success rates, popularity, and length. Routes normally take between 5 and 9 days, while at least 6 days is advised for complete acclimatization. These routes are; Marangu, Machame, Rongai, and Lemosho.
Top safari activities to do on your Tanzania safari.
Wildlife viewing
Tanzania is well-known for its stunning savanna plains as well as the various wildlife species that call these plains home. These wildlife safaris are conducted in Tanzania’s northern region, in locations such as the Serengeti, Lake Manyara, Arusha, Tarangire, and the Ngorongoro national parks. Many additional destinations in Tanzania’s western and southern regions include; Nyerere national park, Katavi National Park, and Gombe Stream National Park. These national parks offer excellent game viewing safaris.
Elephants, leopards, lions, rhinos, buffalos (big 5), wildebeest giraffes, zebras, kudu, gazelles, elands, hippos, waterbucks, dik-dik, cheetahs, hyenas, and warthogs are among the various animal species that may are viewed during wildlife watching safaris in Tanzania. Tree climbing lions are among the rare animal species that are observed during a safari in Tanzania’s Lake Manyara national park in the north. Night game drives are frequently conducted during safaris in this national park.
The Ngorongoro crater is also one of the top destinations visited while on safaris in northern Tanzania. Game drives in the crater allow visitors to witness a variety of animals. The Ngorongoro crater is also home to flamingos and a variety of other bird species. This crater was produced around 3 million years ago as a consequence of the collapse of a volcano. The greatest time of year to go on a wildlife viewing safari in Tanzania is during the dry season, from June to October, when animal species may be seen around water sources in various destinations. Game drives are done at various times of the day. Morning and evening offer the best game viewing because the temperatures are low and the wildlife is more active. Night game drives allow you to have encounters the nocturnal game in the parks.
Around 1.5 million wildebeests are observed moving throughout the wide plains in northern Tanzania’s Serengeti national park. Other animal species including as lions, gazelles, and zebras can be spotted in the national park during the mass movement. The migration occurs regularly throughout the months of June and July and from January to March. At the Mara and Grumeti rivers, these millions of wildlife cross onto greener pastures. The rivers turn into a feeding frenzy as crocodiles eat their fill.
Mount Kilimanjaro, at 5895 meters, is the tallest peak in Africa and one of the greatest hiking destinations in Tanzania. Many people visit Mount Kilimanjaro to hike along the various routes to the summit. They include; the Lemosho route, the Marangu route, the Machame route, the Shira route, the Rongai route, the Umbwe route, and the northern route. Hiking to the peak and back takes 6 or more days. Other hiking destinations in Tanzania include; Empakaai and Olmoti crater, Oldonyo lengai, Mount Meru, Mount Hanang, Ngare sero, and many others.
A safari to Tanzania becomes more unforgettable when you meet the local people and learn about the beautiful culture. A safari in Tanzania allows you to engage with the Maasai, Hadzabe, Datoga, Chagga, and, Masaai among other people. Encounters with these indigenous communities provide insight into how they go about their day. See how they prepare food, enjoy traditional dance performances, visit traditional homesteads, learn how to hunt, visit the kraals, enjoy traditional drinks, and learn about the locals’ history, among other activities. Tanzanians are amicable, and because the many local communities are scattered out around the nation, they are readily encountered. There are also certain special places designated for these cultural excursions, like as Olpopongi, which aids in giving guests with a genuine Maasai cultural experience
Bird enthusiasts may also enjoy a safari in Tanzania. In addition to being a famous wildlife viewing destination, Tanzania offers an abundance of bird species, including endemic and near-endemic species. The best time of year to go bird watching is between November and April, when migrating bird species are observed all around Tanzania.
The different bird species in Tanzania include flamingos, ostriches, sandgrouse, shoebill, turacos, fluff tails, starlings, hornbills, cranes, bee-eaters, plovers, lapwings, African barbets, cormorants, pelicans, hamerkop, herons, bustards, egrets, storks, woodpeckers, kingfishers, rollers, shrikes, flycatchers, wagtails and many more
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