One of the major attractions to Eastern Africa and Tanzania is the stunning African wildlife. And, tourists have the opportunity to see these stunning creatures in their natural element.
This country with an area of 934,000 sq km boasts of snow-capped Mt. Kilimanjaro at a height of 5,896m that towers majestically over the horizon, flamingos standing sentinel in the salt pans of Ngorongoro Crater, and the hoof beats of thousands of wildebeests that echo over the Serengeti plains. Few areas of the continent captivate the imagination as does Tanzania. Often referred to as ‘the Africa of legend’, where hot dusty afternoons end abruptly in glorious blazes of sunset, and velvet-black star studded skies enfold the hills.
Tanzania Safari tours offer a great opportunity to see the ‘big five’ (lion, elephant, rhino, buffalo and leopard) as well as some of the vast species of African birds in flight. The traveler has excellent choices of parks to explore while on Tanzania Safari tours. The most explored parks are located in the North, close to the border with Kenya. It is possible to combine both countries for your safari tours as you get to this border.
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“Untouched, unknown but a hidden gem”….an apt description for all that is Tanzania, from the National Parks of the Northern Circuit such as the Serengeti, Ngorongoro and Tarangire, abundant with all the animals you could wish to see on Safari including the mighty Big 5, to the remote Southern Circuit parks of Selous, Ruaha and Mikumi teeming with wildlife such as wild dogs, lions and rhinos in their natural habitat.
Interspersed amongst this is the giant peak of Mount Kilimanjaro, with the various routes available for all levels of ability, the Olduvai Gorge, universally acclaimed as the “The Cradle of Mankind” and the tropical paradise which is Zanzibar, with its deep blue waters and pristine beaches. Why not mix and match all or any of the above or any of the numerous other unique Tanzanian treasures, from the exertions of a safari or a mountain climb rounded-off by a well deserved sun drenched recuperation in Zanzibar?
The Serengeti- Iconic Wildlife Hotspot
Having the oldest ecosystem on this planet, Serengeti National Park is very delightful for its flora and fauna with the natural diversity and biodiversity.
The Great Wildebeest Migration in this park and around the larger serener area shows the game of the ecosystem of Tanzania. After the calving season of January and February, herds of wildebeests start the migration from March. During May, the migration heads towards the western corridors. The great migration gathers in one place and is joined by herds of zebras, cape buffalos, gazelles, etc. to start the migration.
After crossing the Grumeti River in July, the migration moves to the north. From August to October, they cross the Mara River and enter the Masai Mara national park of Kenya. In November and December, the migration crosses the northeastern Serengeti and move towards the southern Serengeti. You can see the largest and most diverse prey and predator encounter in migration which shows the lifecycle of the Tanzania ecosystem. This is the most beautiful and impressive event that attracts many tourists from every corner of the world.
Mostly famous for the African big five, the Serengeti national park has the highest concentration of lions all over the world. You can see the wildlife diversity because not only for the land mammals but also for 500 bird species.
Ngorongoro Crater- The most dramatic of Landscapes
As famous for the earliest human fossils of 3 million years ago, the Ngorongoro Crater was once a volcano and now is the largest intact caldera in the world.
Now, the crater is a wide highland area with 600 m deep of focal point. The beauty of wildlife diversity in the crater will take your breath away. The crater is the place, where every year the great wildebeest migration starts after calving.
Most importantly, OI Doinyo Lengai, only volcano that erupts carbonate lava, is located in this park. The dramatic highlands males it most unique and the area Oldupai Gorge, is famous for the proof of earliest human fossils.
Arusha- The tourism capital of Northern Tanzania
The Arusha city, near Arusha national park, makes the place accessible and famous Tanzania Tourist Attraction in Tanzania. The Mt. Meru of Arusha National Park is for the hikers to warm up before hiking for Mt. Kilimanjaro.
However, the Arusha city is one of the Tanzania Destinations that describe many things about Tanzania’s history, culture, and economy. Arusha’s highland is made for tourists to relax before starting or ending your Tanzania Safari.
As a major international diplomatic hub, it is the capital of East African community (EAC). Every year, the city hosts the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda Genocide.
Arusha city is the only city where you can communicate in English with the local people if you don’t know the Kiswahili language.
It is a multicultural city having mixed backgrounds like Indigenous Bantu, Arab-Tanzanian, Indian-Tanzanian, and white European and Americans.
Mount Kilimanjaro- The towering peak of Africa
As the “roof of Arica”, Mt. Kilimanjaro is the highest mountain peak with an altitude of 20,000 ft. It was made up of three volcanoes namely, Mawenzi, Shira, and Kibo. During the trekking, you can face five ecological zones such as tropical rain forest, cultivation, Heather-moorland, Alpine desert, and summit climate zones. There are 7 routes to reach at the summit. The Umbwe route is the most difficult and the Marangu Route is the easiest route for the summit.
Tarangire National Park
One of the most unique and best safaris in Tanzania, Tarangire National Park is a must visit. This park is best known for the largest elephant population in the entire world. If you plan to visit Tarangire National Park, you will see the magnificent animals in all their glory.
The best time to visit Tarangire is during the summers. The dry season pulls all the animals to the Tarangire River. You can spot elephants, lions, giraffes, and zebras among other animals on the river banks.
Lake Manyara National Park
The real fun of visiting Lake Manyara National Park is during the monsoon season. The park is in its full glory with plenty of flamingos and wallowing hippos. The park as its own charm owing to the trees with thick, hanging roots. It is also the only place where you will spot lions perched on trees.
Another reason to visit the park is the abundance of birds in the area. The park also offers canoe safaris for those who want to see the wildlife up close and personal. They also have night safaris which add a lot of thrill to the adventure. Head here to feel an adrenaline rush that you will never forget.
Ruaha National Park
In 2008 Ruaha National Park became Tanzania’s largest park. It is home to large herds of buffalo and gazelle, and has one of the largest concentrations of elephants in Tanzania. The Great Ruaha River is the main feature of Ruaha National Park, providing magnificent wildlife viewing on the banks. The river also provides much of the electricity to Tanzania through a hydroelectric dam at Kidatu.
Ruaha National Park is the least accessible park in Tanzania and as a result the landscape remains relatively untouched. Birdwatcher’s can enjoy over 400 species of bird that are not found in northern Tanzania, and the river, spectacular gorges, and majestic trees are especially appealing to photographers.
Gombe Stream National Park
Gombe National Park, also sometimes called Gombe Stream National Park, is primarily for those who want to get a little off the beaten track and see chimpanzees. This is one of the smallest national parks in Tanzania and is famous for the work of Jane Goodall. This British researcher arrived in 1960 to study the wild chimpanzees and her work turned into what would become the longest running behavioral research program of its kind in the world.
Guided walks take visitors into the forest to observe chimps in the wild. Many species of primates and mammals live in the park. Over 200 bird species have been recorded in the tropical forest, including barbets, starlings, sunbirds, crowned eagle, kingfishers and the palm-nut vulture.
Hiking and swimming are other popular activities; a trail leads into the forest to a waterfall in the valley.
When is the Best Time to Go
January and February are the driest months, and it goes again from July to September. However, the season becomes cool from September. The popular period is between July and September. The school holidays in North America and Europe falls within this period. Rainy season comes in two phases; the extensive rainy period that falls between match and mid-June, while the shorter rainy seasons are ushered in from October through December.
The migration of the wildebeests across the Serengeti National Park starts from December and lingers through July and continues. If you plan your Tanzania Safari tours trip accordingly, you may likely witness the migration.
Private or Group Safari?
As you plan your Tanzania safari tours trip, one of the decisions you would probably have to make is whether to join a group safari or opt for a lone safari tour. Group safari saves a lot of cost. If you are a budget traveler, the group safari tour will be the best option.
Would you like to go on a budget safari? You can easily get around with a Tanzania car rental from Arusha and get to explore the northern parks of Tanzania.
Accommodation: Camping or Lodging?
This is another major decision you need to make while planning your Tanzania safari trip. If you choose the camping option, you will stay in tents right inside the camp grounds. This will definitely cost less. However, you will enjoy more comfort but will pay more by opting for a lodge/hotel.
Zanzibar Island
Zanzibar, cloves plantation, chimpanzees among others are attractions to reckon with. The weather is hot and dry for the most part of the year. The game parks of the Northern Circuit contain some of the most spectacular concentrations of wildlife found in Tanzania.
It is no wonder that these game parks are world renowned, unparalleled in concentrations of wildlife, and some of the most pristine yet easily accessible biospheres left on earth.