Tanzania Best Safari

by | Mar 8, 2022 | Tanzania Hints and Tips

Tanzania Best Safari

Tanzania is one of Africa’s classic safari destinations, most famous for the great wildebeest migration where a herd of about two million wildebeest and zebra make their epic annual journey with numerous predators on their heels. The best safari to Tanzania takes you to vibrant parks for unparalleled game viewing and dazzling tropical beaches of Zanzibar, Pemba and Mafia. On top of this, for hikers, Tanzania is home to Africa’s tallest mountain, Mt. Kilimanjaro, with highest peak at 5,895 meters (19,340 feet).

The best safari in Tanzania is seen when the destinations, accommodations, transportation and so on are carefully chosen and well arranged by professional agent and safari expert. If you want to enjoy your safari to Tanzania, we recommend you choose Mid-range accommodations or Luxury ones. Mode of transport on your safari in Tanzania is also the key factor to consider because in some places you experience rough and bump roads and during rainy season it’s difficult to pass and hence you need comfortable Safari Car. We recommend you choose a 4×4 Land Rover or Toyota Land Cruisers. Let also your safari expert to choose an experienced safari guide for you who knows the country in and out so that you can enjoy full history of wildlife and the country in general.

Accommodation

When planning a safari to Tanzania, where to stay often comes near the top of the list. Tanzania itself is among the destinations with the best accommodation facilities. These accommodation facilities categorized into hotels, lodges, camps, resorts, Inn, etc. In Tanzania, there are varieties of options, from luxury, medium-range to low-range accommodation, located either inside or outside the parks and reserves.

The number of days for safari and budget are the most prerequisite foci to consider when planning which accommodation property to use. However, for a better start, we normally recommend an overnight on mid-range facilities in order to decide whether to go higher or lower than the medium range price. We also recommend an overnight inside the park in order to have enough time for a game drive and other activities, if not accommodation facilities outside the parks are the best for travelers with limited budgets. In some of the destinations such as the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, we recommend an overnight on the lodges at the crater rim so that to have the best view of the crater. Some of the preferred lodges are Ngorongoro Serena Safari Lodge, Ngorongoro Sopa Lodge, and luxurious lodges such as &Beyond Ngorongoro Crater Lodge.

In Tarangire National Park, we recommend an overnight either inside the park with the lodge such as Tarangire Safari Lodge or outside the park in a Wildlife Management Area with accommodation facilities like Maramboi and Burunge Tented Lodges.

In Serengeti, most of the accommodation facilities are located inside the park. Selection on where to stay depends on the month of travel in relation to the movement of the Great Migration; however, the central part of the Serengeti has many accommodation facilities, as it is an ideal destination for game drive throughout the year.

Nevertheless, we have a small town of Karatu where many accommodation facilities found here ranging from five to three stars. We recommend two to three nights here to some of the lodges like Ngorongoro Marera Mountain View Lodge, Farm of Dreams, Kudu Lodge, Country Lodge,ìì and other luxurious lodges like Gibb’s Farm, Plantation Lodge and Oldeani Mountain View Lodge when clients are doing activities in either Tarangire, Manyara, Mto wa Mbu, Lake Eyasi and Ngorongoro Conservation Area.

Great Migration Safari

This is the largest herd movement of animals in the world with the great columns of wildebeest seen from space. It is the collection of around 1.2 million wildebeest, 300,000 zebras accompanied by topi and other gazelle which move in a constant cycle through the Serengeti-Mara ecosystem. Their main aim of migrating is to search for nutritious grass and water. Other than the migrating animals, predators like lions, leopards, cheetah, hyena, wild dogs, and crocodiles can also be seen searching for food which is the migrating animals. In summary, calving takes place in the southern part of Serengeti near Ngorongoro Conservation Area then the journey through Serengeti starts in a clockwise direction towards the Masai Mara in Kenya, then they return to Tanzania near the end of the year to start their annual movement again.

The Great wildebeest Migration are not the most predictable because this Migration is entirely dependent upon rain, fresh grasses and other factors. Therefore, we recommend you to check with our safari expert.

Great Migration in January, February and March

During this period, animals are found in the Southern part of the Serengeti and Ngorongoro Conservation Area. During this period, this place is rich in nutritious grass which is a good condition for the wildebeest to breed and raise their newborn calves. During this period nearly 400,000 calves are born within a period of two to three weeks.

The safari we recommend in this period is

Great Migration in April and May

During this period, the wildebeest herds start their migration to the North-West for the fresher grass around Central Serengeti where they are joined by the zebra and small groups of antelopes. Also in this period towards the end of May, mating seasons begins as male wildebeest battle for it. Animals then start to move toward the West side of Serengeti called Western Corridor crossing the Grumeti River.

Great Migration in June and July

This is the dry season and animals must be searching for water therefore they concentrate in the Western Serengeti and on the Southern banks of the Grumeti River. In this area, they face the great challenge of crossing the river from the crocodile who is also searching for food. Toward the end of June the migration head North along the Western edge of the park where they face even more risk of crossing Mara River in the North of Serengeti. The river crossing is one of the most exciting wildlife events in the world.

Great Migration in August, September and October

This is the period when the migrating animals face the big challenge of crossing the Mara River with the river in full flow and predators waiting for them. Animals are seen spread throughout the Masai Mara Northern region while many remain in the Northern Serengeti. By September to October, the migration moves towards Eastward though they will face another challenge of crossing Mara River once more when they prepare to cross for their return journey toward Southward.

We recommend the following safari program in this period:

Great Migration in November and December

In this period, wildebeests moved down from Kenya to Eastern Serengeti in Tanzania. By December, they are found spread throughout the Eastern and Southern area of Serengeti. As the grasses are lush in the South of Serengeti during the end of December and New Year, this draws the herds of wildebeest and other animals towards that area where the cycle continues as the calving season starts again.

The Great Wildebeest Migration divided into summer and winter migration. For more information concerning the safari program with winter or summer migration kindly contact our safari expert – contact us.

The Great Migration in Tanzania

Tanzania Luxury Safari

A luxury Tanzania safari is really something wonderful, unique and amazing. From the roof of Africa, Mount Kilimanjaro to the national parks and conservation areas such as Ngorongoro Crater with the highest density of wild animals, the Serengeti with endless plains and Great Migration and Tarangire a home of elephants and baobabs trees, and Zanzibar Island for beach relaxation.

During your Tanzania luxury safari, you will meet wildlife herds, forests, and charming local people. Join our amazing and knowledgeable safari and trekking guides team on your safari. Savannah Explorers offers professional and vaccinated guides making you safe with the current situation of Covid-19.

Your Tanzania luxury safari is combined with luxury safari accommodations such as AndBeyond, Elewana, Wellworth, Serena properties, and others in order to have a real taste of luxury safari. You can choose to spend some nights at Fours Season Serengeti Lodge and Melia Serengeti Lodge while in Serengeti and you get to see some animals drinking water very close just from your sleeping room, because both these lodges have designated water holes for animals to drink water.

This experience will truly define your Tanzania luxury safari. You can enjoy Tanzania’s luxury safari everywhere while in Tanzania, even if you choose to visit Southern circuit parks such as Nyerere park as you still sleep in luxury accommodation like Serena Mivumo Luxury Hotel.

You can finish your Tanzania luxury safari by combining with Zanzibar for beach relaxation and stay in luxury resorts such as Gold Zanzibar, Melia Zanzibar, Zuri Zanzibar, Riu Palace, and others.

Discover a vibrant luxury safari experiences on Tanzania’s parks such as Serengeti, Ngorongoro, Lake Manyara, Tarangire and other parks, here is one of our offers

Zanzibar Safari

Zanzibar archipelago located in the eastern part of Tanzania in the Indian Ocean at 15 miles coasts of the mainland, it is a wonderful spot to relax when visiting Tanzania for safari. It consists of many smaller islands and two larger ones called Unguja and Pemba Island. The capital city is located on the island of Unguja that consists of Stone Town, the historical midpoint recognized by UNESCO as a world heritage site. The two unique islands offer different safari experiences that are exceptional from all other destinations worldwide. The best experiences to discover in Zanzibar are such as:

  1. Wildlife – Here we refer to Jozani National Park, the rainforest of Ngezi and the mangrove habitat all of them offers a wide variety for sightseeing both flora and fauna.
  2. Zanzibar Culture & Tradition – If you are looking to learn about Swahili culture then Zanzibar will be your best choice. The famous heritage site is Stone town with a collection of both Swahili cultures and ancient buildings such as Kizimkaz Mosques and Maruhubi Palace will make your trip unforgettable.
  3. Sea Safari – The safari on the sea offers you a wide experience to learn about marine species. The famous sea safari is like Mnemba Marine Nature Reserve.
  4. Local Cuisine – The local food in Zanzibar are somehow delicious and they have a meaning in relation to the Swahili Culture. They are a variety of fresh foods in Zanzibar such as fruits, spices and seafood.

The best way to end your unforgettable adventure in the savannah of Tanzania is to have few days for beach relaxation in Zanzibar. For more information concerning the program with safari and beach relaxation in Zanzibar, kindly check with our safari expert – contact us.

A black mane lion in Serengeti – Tanzania

Ngorongoro Crater Safari: meet The Big Five

Ngorongoro crater is the famous and largest intact volcanic caldera that was formed about 3 million years ago. It is designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the only protected area where human beings interact with wildlife.

Ngorongoro Crater is the best site in East Africa where you can see all the Big Five. The big five are the animals that are hard to be hunted in the wild. This includes Elephants, Rhino, Buffalo, Lion and Leopard. Due to the presence of the big five, Ngorongoro crater is an ideal destination to visit when planning a safari in Tanzania or East Africa.

Visitors can plan a tour in this beautiful crater all time of the year because the wildlife mainly remains in the crater all year round.

Embark on safari to Ngorongoro with Savannah Explorers and keep your eyes peeled to spot African Lion, African Leopard, African Elephant, Cape Buffalo, Rhinoceros and other interesting animals. Check the safari program for Ngorongoro crater:

Serengeti, Tarangire and Ngorongoro: the Tanzania Park Tour

Safari in the northern circuit refers to the best and frequently visited parks in Tanzania, which are Tarangire, Ngorongoro and Serengeti. The eight days safari is best during the months of June to September as it allows clients to enjoy the most exciting sighting such as the Great Migration crossing Mara and Grumeti Rivers when heading to Masai Mara Game Reserve. The safari can be tailored in relation to the client’s request, budget and month of traveling. Contented accommodation and the use of customized 4 x 4 safari vehicle with professional guides finalizes the elements of this safari.

Tarangire, Serengeti and Ngorongoro are among the reserves with large number of visitors. With five nights safari program, it is possible to enjoy these three parks. For more information concerning the program for five nights safari check our program and contact our safari expert:

The Northern Circuit Safari

The Northern Circuit is busy on peak season months mostly from July to early October, so if you visit by that time then be ready to meet many tourists. Otherwise, if you want to avoid crowds, we recommend you visit in November, March, April, and May. Still December, January and February you find many tourists too. The good advantage of visiting Northern Circuit is that, many tour operators are based in Northern Circuit cities such as Arusha and Moshi, hence you can be assisted any time in case of any emergency.

Are you looking to have an unforgettable safari experience in Tanzania? Then choose to visit the Northern Circuit National Parks in Tanzania. In the Northern Circuit is where you see the best and famous parks in Tanzania such as Serengeti, Ngorongoro, Lake Manyara, Tarangire and Arusha Park. In these parks, you have a high chance to spot the Big Five animals: Lion, Leopard, Buffalo, Elephant and Black Rhino. On top of this, if you visit the Serengeti national park, then you have a high chance to witness the Great Migration and this event will remain in your memory for your lifetime. This migration is not happening in the same location of the park rather animals migrate from one place to another, so we advise you to check with your safari expert to recommend a good place to see it depending the season.

Enjoy the Great Migration in the Serengeti plains, majestic lions, towering giraffes, lethargic hippos and a variety of other interesting prairie wildlife in the Northern Circuit of Tanzania, this is the best safari for your trip:

Baby Impala

Lake Manyara National Park

Lake Manyara National Park is one the most famous parks found in the Northern Circuit. The park is well known for its groundwater forest, the Great Rift Escarpment, variety of birdlife with more than 400 species including migratory birds and tree-climbing lions. The game drive is the most common activity conducted within the park. In addition, other activities are canopy walks, walking safari, bird watching and boat riding around Lake Manyara. Outside the park, the village of Mto wa Mbu offers culture tours to the visitors, biking tours, curio shops and accommodation facilities.

No matter how many number of days you have for safari, we offer different programs that fits with your days and budget. An example of short safari with limited number of days is the following program:

Ruaha National Park

Ruaha National Park is the second largest park in Tanzania from the first largest park called Nyerere National Park formerly known as Selous Game Reserve. Ruaha National Park covers around 13,000 sq km in area. The name of the park is derived from the Great Ruaha River, which is the heart of the park. The river flows from the South-East area of the park and it is an ideal area for game viewing. The park is known for its largest elephant population and also common animals seen are elephants, leopards, lions, buffalo, cheetah, giraffes, zebras, hippopotamus, spotted hyena, wild dogs, kudu, sable antelope and others. There are also multiple reptiles and amphibians in this park such as monitor lizards, agama lizards, snakes and crocodiles.

Moreover, Ruaha National park is the best park to spot bird species. 570 bird species are believed to be here, some of which are migrating birds arriving from within and outside Africa. Not only animals and bird’s species available there but also there are more than 1,650 species of plants that are inhabiting this park. Inside Ruaha National Park there is only one lodge called Ruaha River Lodge, it’s a nice lodge as you can see game throughout the day from the veranda. Still inside the park there are different tented camps and tented lodges, like Mdonya River Camp.

The park can be reached by car or plane and it’s easy to reach this park from Dar Es Salaam although still is far by driving and hence we recommend you combine with Mikumi National Park to reduce the long distance driving.

Selous Game Reserve

This is the largest protected game reserve in Africa covering an area of 54,600 square kilometers. It was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1982 due to the diversity of its wildlife and undisturbed nature. It is located in the Southern part of Tanzania which is about 219 kilometers from Dar es Salaam which may take about 4 hours’ drive. Also, visitors can use aircraft or train to visit Selous from Dar es Salaam.

This game reserve is comprised of a vast wilderness with forests, grassy plains, mountains, and open woodlands. It also has a large number of wild animals like elephants, lions, leopards, wild dogs, hyenas and jackals, black rhinoceros, hippopotamus, buffalo, antelopes, crocodiles, giraffe, zebra and a lot of birds. No permission for the permanent human habitation inside the reserve. Most of the reserve is set aside for game hunting but it is through some privately leased hunting and it is a popular tourist destination.

Inside this game reserve, crosses the Rufiji River which is the largest river in the country.

The African Elephant in Tanzania

Fly-In Safari to Selous Game Reserve and Ruaha National Park

Selous Game Reserve and Ruaha National Park are the parks found in the Southern Circuit of Tanzania. The Selous Game Reserve to the South of Mikumi is great for game drives, river experiences on the Rufiji River and also for walking safaris. Ruaha National Park just West of Iringa is the gem of the Southern circuit for game drives and other activities.

These parks can be easily visited from Dar Es Salaam City. You can fly from Dar Es Salaam to Selous Game Reserve for at least 2-3 nights. Then fly again to Ruaha National Park, also here we recommend 2-3 nights. After enjoying Ruaha National park you finally fly back to Dar Es Salaam where you connect flight back home or to next destinations like Zanzibar, Pemba and Mafia for beach relaxation. If you prefer to enjoy more game drive safaris, it’s possible also to fly from Selous or Ruaha to other Tanzania tourist circuits especially Northern Circuit comprising of Serengeti, Ngorongoro, Tarangore, Lake Manyara and others. Our safari expert for southern Circuit parks will advise you season, days and reliable flights to make your safari experience to Selous and Ruaha unforgettable. For more details we welcome you to contact us.

Contact our office to book your safari in Tanzania: info@savannahexplorers.com – WhatsApp +255 765 972 458