Classic Tanzania Safari

Please take a look at our run through of the most important questions to ask yourself initially and links through to more information to cover each.

How much time do you want on your Tanzanian safari?

More often than not, this question is usually dictated to you by a number of factors. For example, a Tanzania safari to the Northern parks of the Serengeti, the Ngorongoro Crater, Lake Manyara National Park and Tarangire National Park is, due to the driving times and distances, usually not possible in less than 5 nights. For this reason, the northern safari itineraries tend to start at a higher price than those to the southern parks. Another affect on your desired amount of time is budget. Safari is, undoubtedly, one of the most expensive holidays these days and, as such, the longer you spend the more expensive the overall itinerary. We generally recommend that you look to go on a safari to Tanzania for anything up to a week which will merrily allow you to visit all of the northern parks or, if you prefer something a little simpler and with less driving, then the Southern parks of Nyerere National Park and Ruaha National Park will give you a few really quality nights in the bush without breaking the bank. For those looking to have only a few days of safari then the perfect option is to head straight to Nyerere for a few nights and then, within an hour, on to the beach in Zanzibar.

When should you go?

Another really important question to ask yourself is when to travel out to Tanzania. In the below graph we have covered the main periods of the year and where is best to travel to but, with most game movements dictated by the access to water, there are definitely certain times of the year that are superb and certain that might not be rated as highly but that can have their hidden gems.

As destination experts we can help you to pick the right spots and camps as we have stayed in all of them in all times of the year!!

Are you keen to see any species of animal in particular?

Where most of the safari parks in Tanzania have a good range of species such as wildebeest, zebra, Cape buffalo, giraffe, lion, leopard etc. there are certain of them that have some species and not others… and others that have certain species in abundance… please see the below overview:

Serengeti National Park

Of course, this park is famous for the vast numbers of wildebeest that annually migrate around the park and, at times, form a super-herd of up to 2 million wildebeest, zebra and gazelles! 

Tarangire National Park

In the months of June to October Tarangire National park is the gathering place for thousands of elephant that all come here from such far flung locations as Amboseli in Kenya. It is almost as impressive a site as the migration herds in the Serengeti! 

The Ngorongoro Crater

This stunning volcanic crater is home to some of the best viewing of black rhino anywhere in Africa and, for those that really want to see them, it is a must-visit destination. 

Nyerere National Park

This beautiful safari park, in the south of Tanzania, is one of the last true strongholds of “African Hunting Dog”, aka wild-dog. The park also features plenty of water-based animals such as hippos and crocodiles and is also very good for leopard and elephant. 

Ruaha National Park

Arguably the best park in Tanzania to head to if you are keen on seeing large prides of lion roaming around. It is also very good for cheetah and the occasional wild dog sighting. As it also shares a border with Zambia it also gets plenty of southern African wildlife. 

Mahale National Park

The home of chimpanzees and, as such, a destination in itself for them. 

What safari activities do you want?

With a whole range of biodiverisities, Tanzania can offer a spread of different safari activities.

Walking safaris

One of the ultimate ways to experience the bush, a walking safari allows you to “feel” the environment with all your senses. While it may not provide the big game experience of vehicle safaris, this is definitely a must try experience.

Take a look at: Nyerere National Park, Ruaha National Park, Serengeti National Park.

Boating safaris

For some reason, many game species are less skittish if you approach them by boat (elephant in particular) and, as such, this can be a very peaceful and interesting way to experience safari.

Take a look at: Nyerere National Park

Vehicle safaris

Far and away the most employed manner of going on a safari in Tanzania, the vehicles that we recommend are either closed sided 4×4 vehicles or open sided 4×4. These are a very good way of being able to cover plenty of ground and, with animals becoming more and more used to seeing vehicles, you can often get very close indeed!

What type of accommodation are you after?

Again, this question often comes down to budget as many of the more expensive properties are the more permanent ones and, as such, the lower budget may exclude these anyway. This being said though, even for those on the more expensive budget, we still tend to recommend some of the luxury tented camps to real feel a part of the wilderness around you.

Our favourite camps in Tanzania

Sayari Mara Camp, Singita Sasakwa, Tarangire Treetops, Oliver’s Tented Camp, Lake Manze Tented Camp, Beho Beho, Greystoke’s Mahale

Don’t really know what you are after?

Have a look at our useful safari finder or, alternatively, send us a quick email with your rough dates and any ideas and we will be happy to give you a call to discuss or send through an email with some tailor made options for you to have a look at. CONTACT US>>