Tanzania Safaris : Tanzania, a country located in East Africa, is renowned for its incredible natural beauty and rich biodiversity. With its diverse landscapes, ranging from the snow-capped peaks of Mount Kilimanjaro to the sun-kissed savannas of the Serengeti, Tanzania is a paradise for nature lovers and wildlife enthusiasts. The country is home to 16 national parks and game reserves, which provide a safe haven for an incredible array of flora and fauna. From the majestic lions and elephants of the Serengeti to the rare and endangered mountain gorillas of the Mahale Mountains, Tanzania’s national parks are a treasure trove of wildlife diversity. The country’s unique geography, which includes the Great Rift Valley, the Ngorongoro Highlands, and the coastlines of the Indian Ocean, has created a unique ecological niche that support an astonishing variety of ecosystems and species. Whether you’re interested in witnessing the great migration of wildebeests, tracking the elusive big five (lion, leopard, rhinoceros, elephant, and Cape buffalo), or simply experiencing the thrill of being in the midst of nature’s splendor, Tanzania’s national parks offer an unforgettable adventure waiting to be had.
Types of safaris in Tanzania
Tanzania offers a wide range of safari experiences to suite different budgets and interest. Herer are some of the most popular types of safaris in Tanzania
Wildlife
Tanzania is renowned for its incredible wildlife, with over 40 % of the country’s land dedicated to national parks and game reserves. one of the famous wildlife destinations in Tanzania is the Serengeti National Park, which is home to the Great Migration, one of the largest and most spectacular wildlife migrations on earth. Every year, over a million wildebeest, zebras and gazelles make their way cross the park in search of greenery pastures, accompanied by predators such as lions, leopards and cheetahs among others. The Serengeti National Park is also a home to over 500 species of birds including as the Malachite Kingfisher, Nubian Woodpecker, Red-and-Yellow Barbet and the Grey Crowned Crane among others, another iconic wildlife destination in Tanzania, is the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, a home to over 25,000 animals including lions, buffalos, elephants, and rhinoceroses. In addition to the Serengeti National Park and the Ngorongoro Consternation Area, Tanzania is home to other incredible wildlife destinations. The Tarangire National Park is known for stunning scenery and diverse wildlife population, including elephant, giraffes and several antelopes. The Lake Manyara National Park is another popular destination with a wide range of the wildlife species including hippos and crocodiles. among others
Primate safari
Tanzania is home to several primate’s species including chimpanzee, gorillas, baboons, colobus monkeys and mangabeys. The country’s national parks and game reserves offers a safe haven for these fascinating primates, allowing visitors to observe then in their natural habitat. One of the most popular primate safaris in Tanzania is chimpanzee trekking in Gombe National Park. Visitors can trek chimpanzee in their natural habitat. The park is home to over 100 chimpanzees, making it one of the best places to see these fascinating primates up close. During the trek, you will have the chance to be guided through the lush forests of the Gombe where you will be amazed with how the chimpanzees conducts themselves in the wild including forage for food, play, breastfeeding their young ones and socialize among others. For those interested in gorilla spotting, Tanzania offers an unforgettable experience in Mahale Mountain National Park. This park is home to a large population of eastern lowland gorillas. Visitors can spend hours tracking these gentle giants through the forest canopy, observing their behaver and learning about their social structures.
Cultural tours
Tanzania is home to over 120 ethnic group, each with their unique culture, language and traditions, the Maasai and the Chagga tribes are two of the most well- known ethic groups in Tanzania. The Maasai people are known for their colorful clothing, intricate beadwork and rich storytelling traditions. Visitors can experience Maasai culture by visiting their villages and learning about their daily life, traditions and customs.
Beach tours
Tanzania is one of the best destinations in east Africa, which offers the excellent beach tour. One of the most popular destinations foe beach tours in the country is Zanzibar located off the coast of Tanzania. Zanzibar is an archipelago of two main islands that’s Ungaja (mainland) and Pemba. Its stunning beaches, vibrant culture and historic stone town makes its a popular destination for beach lovers. Another famous destination is the Mafia Island, a hidden gem off the coast of Tanzania. Mafia islands is known for its pristine beaches, coral reefs and abundant marine life. Its an ideal spot for snorkelling, diving and fishing. Other destinations include Dar es salaam and Pemba Island among others.
Birdwatching
Tanzania is known as a bird watcher’s paradise, rich with diverse habitats and abundant bird species making it a must-visit destination for anyone interested in bird watching. Tanzania offers exceptional and remarkable bird watching experience that will leave you in wonder of the country’s natural beauty. Tanzania has got a lot of birding spots scattered all over the country such as the national park, swamps, forests, rivers, lakes, mountains among others, making it an excellent birding destination sites with a variety of habitants. While on a gird watching safari in Tanzania , you will be amazed with different bird species White-browed Coucal, Common Ostrich, Little Bittern, Dwarf Bittern, White-backed Night Heron, Black-crowned Night Heron, Striated Heron, Squacco Heron, Madagascar Pond Heron, Rufous-bellied Heron, Speckled Mousebird, White-headed Mousebird, Blue-naped Mousebird, Narina’s Trogon, Bar-tailed Trogon, African Black Coucal, Jacobin Cuckoo, Levaillant’s Cuckoo, Great Spotted Cuckoo, Klaas’s Cuckoo, African Emerald Cuckoo, Diederick Cuckoo, Red-chested Cuckoo, Black Cuckoo, Common Cuckoo, African Rail, African Crake, Black Crake, Purple Swamphen, Allen’s Gallinule, Common Moorhen, Lesser Moorhen, Red-knobbed Coot, Greater Flamingo among others.
Hiking
Hiking up Africa’s tallest freestanding mountain is the most popular activity in Kilimanjaro National Park. Numerous travellers come to the nation specifically for this purpose. The top of Kibo Peak, Kilimanjo’s highest point at 5,895 meters, offers spectacular views of the nearby town, other summits of the mountain, including Shira Peak, and the surrounding lush vegetation. Kibo Peak is always covered with snow throughout the year. During the hiking safari on Mount Kilimanjaro, you will have a great opportunity to encounter fascinating creatures such as animals such as porcupines, aardvarks, honey badgers, antelopes, bird species such as cuckoos, white-necked ravens, turacos, klaas cuckoos, hartlaub’s turacos, grey-crowned cranes, and sunbirds, as well as the astonishing views of the rolling hills and the stunning environment. Most of the days spent ascending Kilimanjaro are not challenging since the trails are not steep; rather, the difficulty comes from adjusting to the altitude.
Where to go for a Tanzania safari
A safari in Ngorongoro Conservation Area
The Ngorongoro Conservation Area is one of the best places for a safari in Africa and is located 180 kilometers away from Arusha. The Ngorongoro Conservation Area also includes the Olduvai Gorge which is where the first remains of the earliest human were discovered. the site is encompassing of a combination of rheological and wildlife importance convinced UNESCO to accord it the status of World heritage site. The entire Ngorongoro Conservation Area covers about 8,292 square kilometers but the main feature is the world’s largest inactive volcanic caldera. This caldera is 300 square kilometers wide, 20 kilometers long and 600 meters deep. The caldera has been named as one of the great wonders of the world. While on your safari at the Ngorongoro crater, expect to spot black rhinoceros, Zebras, Waterbucks, wildebeest, lions, leopards, hippos, cheetahs, jackals and Eland among many other mammals. Apart from one of the world’s largest concentrations of wildlife, expect to have encounters with local tribesmen who call the area home.
A safari in Serengeti National Park
The Serengeti National Park in Tanzania is possibly the most popular tourist safari close to the city of Arusha. Serengeti National Park is located in the northwestern part of the country continues to Kenya in what is referred to as the Maasai Mara National Reserve. The park is one of the oldest national parks in Tanzania and is what draws most tourists to the country. The park is composed of vast savanna grassland which are dotted with acacia trees. Serengeti National Park is also home diverse wildlife such wildebeest, over 300,000 gazelles, 200,000 zebras , Topi, hippos, warthogs, hartebeest, waterbucks, giraffes, impala, eland, bushbucks, klipspringer, lesser kudus, roan antelopes, dik dik, cheetahs, hyenas, serval cats, jackals, wild dogs, otters, honey badgers, mongoose and the African golden wolf primates such as baboons, vervet monkeys, black and white colobus monkeys as well as bird species such as the Malachite Kingfisher, Nubian Woodpecker, Red-and-Yellow Barbet and the Grey Crowned Crane among others . visitor on a Tanzania wildlife safari in Serengeti national park have the opportunity to participate in a number of activities such as game drives, nature walks, bird watching, hot air ballon experience and cultural encounters among others.
A safari in Lake Manyara National Park
Lake Manyara National Park is one of the smallest national parks in Tanzania, located in the northern part of the country which lies 10km west south west of arusha, located between Lake Manyara and the Great Rift Valley. It is managed by the Tanzania National Parks Authority, and covers an area of 325 square kilometre, a game reserve was established. In 1960. It is part of the much larger Lake Manyara Biosphere reserve and was established in 1981 by UNESCO. While on your safari at Lake Manyara National Park, expect to spot flamingos, king fishers, herons, animals such as buffaloes, Elephants, warthogs, waterbucks, giraffes, hippos, hyenas, Leopards, wildebeest and zebras among others. Lake Manyara National Park is also famous for hosting the rare tree climbing lions.
Best time to for a Tanzania safari
The best time to go foe a Tanzania safari is during the dry season, which typically runs from ale June to October. This period offers prime wildlife viewing opportunities as animals gather around water sources, making it easier to spot them in the open savannah. July to September is particularly ideals for witnessing the Great Migration in the Serengeti National Park, as a million of wildebeest and zebras cross the mara river in search of greener pastures. This spectacle of nature is a must-see for safari enthusiasts and lovers. Additionally, the dry season is considered the best time for a game drive viewing as the vegetation is less dense and animals tend to gather around the water sources, offering excellent of wildlife viewing.
Contact our trusted tour operator for more information, inquiries about Tanzania safaris and Book with our tours and travel companies such as; Focus East African Tour who offer the best tour packages while on a safari in the country.
