Tanzania stands out as one of East Africa’s most revered and top-visited safari destinations, with an abundance of outstanding safari parks and game reserves that offer incredible safaris and wildlife sightings. From the famous Serengeti National Park to the waters of Lake Manyara National Park and the captivating Ngorongoro Crater, Tanzania offers outstanding safari itineraries that truly deliver.
Visitors have the opportunity to explore the grassy plains and open savannahs, the woodlands and riverine regions of the national parks and soak up the captivating adventure of an authentic African safari. With luxury Tanzania safari lodges and dramatic luxury tented camps, spending time in this vibrant wilderness is a treat. Safaris can be conducted in an open 4×4 safari vehicle or enclosed safari vehicle with large windows for optimal game viewing.
Traversing the vast regions of Tanzania’s safari parks can be done on either a morning or afternoon game drive or enjoyed as a full-day excursion, with a picnic lunch to be enjoyed along the way. Whether you are spending time as a first-time safari-goer in Tanzania’s northern circuit, visiting parks such as Tarangire National Park or exploring the southern region with a safari in the Selous Game Reserve or Ruaha National Park, your safaris will be exceptional with Tanzania safari guides noted to be among some of the best in Africa. A highlight of any safari in Tanzania is having the chance to witness the Great wildebeest migration.
Tanzania Geography
Tanzania lies in East Africa along the East coast. It shares a border with Kenya in the northeast and Uganda in the northwest. Mozambique and Malawi border Tanzania in the south and Rwanda and the DRC to the west. Mount Kilimanjaro in the Northeast towers over the towns of Moshi and Arusha while the main city of Dar es Salaam lies on a natural harbor on East Africa’s coastline.
The great lakes featured in Tanzania include Lake Victoria to the North and West, Africa’s largest lake and Africa’s deepest lake, Lake Tanganyika. Lake Nyasa lies in the Southwest and the Zanzibar archipelago is a popular tourist beach escape on Tanzania’s Eastern shore, offering hot and humid weather.
Tanzania stands out as the site of Africa’s highest point, Mount Kilimanjaro which stands at 19,000 ft above sea level and the lowest point, Lake Tanganyika whose floor lies 4800 ft below sea level. One of Africa’s highest and uninterrupted waterfalls, Kalambo Falls can be visited in the region of Rukwa in the country’s Southwest region, near the Southeastern shore of Lake Tanganyika sharing a border with Zambia. With a keen eye on marine conservation, the Menai Bay Conservation Area is in Zanzibar and worth a visit when spending time in Zanzibar.
What is the best time for safari in Tanzania?
Tanzania safaris offer some of the best wildlife viewing in Africa, and timing your safari can result in some truly outstanding and unique experiences. Having the chance to witness the great migration for example would require you to travel during July and August, or late September and October. Calving season takes place in Tanzania around January and February, an incredible time to witness a plethora of birdlife too.
It is best to avoid the long rainy season during the months of March and April, and consider taking advantage of off-peak season pricing at incredible luxury Tanzania safari lodges, mobile tented camps and crowded plains and forests. The rich wildlife roams the game reserves and national parks of Tanzania’s Northern safari circuit and the less-crowded southern Tanzania parks such as the Selous and Ruaha National Park, throughout the year, so there is plenty of time and choice when it comes to planning your Tanzanian safari.
If experiencing a beach and bush escape is on the cards, consider visiting Zanzibar between June and December, to avoid heavy rains and high humidity. Timing your visit so that you can enjoy the wonders of a Tanzanian safari and incredible experiences such as a hot air balloon ride, perhaps a chance to witness the dramatic river crossing and have some time to spend on the white sandy beaches of Zanzibar
Tanzania Climate
The climate in Tanzania remains pretty average throughout the year, with mild temperatures reaching around averages in the 70’s and 80’s. The climate can be described as humid and subtropical, especially in the Zanzibar area with hot desert weather in the peak of summer in the Serengeti and fresh, cool air in the mountain regions such as Kilimanjaro and Mount Meru.
The rainy season is divided into two parts, with the long or heavy rains falling between March and May, and the shorter rains falling from November to mid-January. The winter months make up the dry season where days are cooler and shorter, falling between June and October.
When embarking on a Tanzanian safari during the key safari season which is between May and October, it is good to note that the early mornings can be quite cool with warmer temperatures during the day and dropping again as soon as the sun sets. During the two rainy seasons between November and May, the grass is green and vibrant, bird life prolific and the weather humid in coastal regions.
Health & Safety
While it is advised to always adhere to general safety tips when traveling abroad, it is good to know that embarking on a Tanzanian safari is safe. Under the guidance of your local safari guide and hosts, you will be able to walk around key towns and cities during the day and have expert guides and guidance when out in the wilderness and around wildlife.
Cities such as Dar es Salaam and vibrant tourist towns such as Arusha are safe to explore however a level of general common sense and alertness is suggested. Guided safari tours or representatives are recommended to keep an eye on guests and to advise and suggest the best and safest place to visit during your Tanzanian safari. When out in the bush, you are surrounded by incredible wildlife, dramatic scenery and warm-hearted local communities. Visiting with peace of mind is important and your hosts will ensure you are in great and capable hands every step of the way.
In regards to health, discussing with your health professional before you travel is recommended. Taking general precautions such as a malaria prophylactic is recommended to visitors embarking on a Tanzanian safari. If you are visiting a region that has been identified as a region with yellow fever occurrences, a vaccine and certificate are required to cross into Tanzania. A good example of this is if guests are traveling from Kenya to Tanzania.
What is the average cost of a safari in Tanzania?
The cost of a Tanzanian safari depends on a few key factors such as where you would be experiencing your safari in Tanzania, how long you would like to travel for and what style of accommodation you wish to sleep in. Options range from mobile tented camping, to moderate lodges, to luxury tented camps. The higher the class or standard of accommodation, the more expensive the safari adventure will cost.
Pricing can cost around USD 300 per person per night right up to the glamorous and glistening price tag of around USD 2000 a person a night. The cost of a Tanzanian safari will be reflective of the services offered. The higher the price tag, the more luxurious the accommodations and settings, with more included services on offer, and levels of service delivery certainly exceptional.
The length of Tanzania safaris can dictate the cost of a safari in Tanzania as well as the number of destinations visited during your adventure. A combination of Tanzania’s northern safari circuit with a few national parks in Southern Tanzania will require more days, with costs comprising half board, full board and all-inclusive stays, all depending on where you choose to go on safari in Tanzania.
Which Tanzania Safari parks are best to visit?
With incredible wildlife experiences to offer throughout Tanzania, visitors will be impressed at every turn. From the famous Ngorongoro Crater, located in the Ngorongoro conservation area which offers a caldera filled with amazing animals that roam through a picturesque setting, to the world-famous UNESCO world heritage site of the Serengeti National Park, animal viewing is outstanding.
Visitors will be captivated by the splash of pink on Lake Manyara, the popular safari destination also home to tree-climbing lions, the Lake Manyara National Park is a wonderful sight for visitors to see lions, buffalos, elephants, and wading hippos. Tarangire National Park is named after the river that runs through it, winding its way through riverine and woodlands, and home to a plethora of incredible birdlife
The ultimate Tanzania safari experience will include the iconic destinations of the Serengeti National Park and the Ngorongoro Crater. Both brimming with wildlife and outstanding wilderness. Home to the “Big Five”, breathtaking savannahs and home to the dramatic Mara River crossing, the Serengeti is a destination not to be missed when planning your safari in Tanzania. Ngorongoro Crater offers a diverse terrain and a plethora of exciting wildlife to witness. Visitors wishing to expand their safari adventure should consider the remote parks of Southern Tanzania, such as the Selous Game Reserve and the Ruaha National Park.
What to expect on our safari in Tanzania?
East Africa is a safari haven, and safaris in Tanzania are filled with adventure, cultural encounters and the opportunity to take in pictures of scenic beauty. Whether soaring above the plains of the Serengeti National Park in a hot air balloon or taking a boat ride across the waters of Lake Manyara, a safari in Tanzania will invite you to take in as much as you can with early morning excursions and late afternoon drives.
Some conservancies in Tanzania will offer night game drives, a chance to witness nocturnal favorites such as porcupine, aardvark, civet and the curious night ape. Walking safaris in Tanzania will introduce you to the unique flora and fauna of the national parks and game reserves, with a variety of grass species, blossoming floral gems and small creatures worth noting, such as the dung beetle and tiny birds.
