Explore Tanzania – Diverse Safari Tours & Adventure Experiences
Looking to book Tanzania safaris to explore the Serengeti, Ngorongoro, and Kilimanjaro? Tanzania is the largest country in East Africa, spanning over 365,000 square miles with a population of over 36.5 million. It's safe to visit and relies heavily on agriculture and tourism, with the latter contributing more than 1/6 of its annual income.
Tanzania's geography diversity ranges from tropical forests to savanna plains, making it home to the largest amount of biodiversity in Africa. Tanzania safaris can be tailored for various travel groups, with activities such as chimpanzee trekking, game viewing, nature walks, and cultural encounters. Contact us now to plan your Tanzania safari tours at the best prices.
Most safaris head to the northern part of the country, which houses the main attractions in the region, such as Ngorongoro Crater National Park, Mount Kilimanjaro, Serengeti National Park, and the remarkable Maasai people and culture.
The south offers a special experience to all guests in Selous or Ruaha National Parks for an unforgettable game viewing experience.
Meanwhile, in the rainforests of Mahale and Gombe in western Tanzania, several primates such as chimpanzees and colobus monkeys reside in their last wild habitats, enjoying their peace.
It is not surprising that Serengeti National Park tops most of Tanzania’s safari itineraries.
The park derives its name from the Maasai word meaning “endless plains” and sprawls across roughly 10,000 square miles. Several rivers ensure year-round water and an extremely rich wildlife presence.
This park is a popular destination for the great wildebeest migration, the largest mass movement of land animals on the planet.
The mammals traverse the entire Serengeti ecosystem as we watch hyenas, lions, and birds of prey feasting on the young and weak travelers, while crocodiles lie in wait at each river crossing.
From June to October, Tarangire National Park becomes the center of focus as thousands of elephants from locations as far-flung as Amboseli in Kenya converge here.
2. Tanzania Safari to Ngorongoro Crater
This striking volcanic crater harbors black rhinos, which cannot be found anywhere else in Africa, and is commonly referred to as a wildlife Eden.
Zebras graze on its rim, while lions, flamingos, and the endangered black rhinoceros are all present.
3. Tanzania Safari to Selous Game Reserve
This is one of the most rewarding parks for a safari in the southern part of Tanzania.
It is one of the last true strongholds for the African wild dog, home to 3,000 lions, leopards, elephants, and cheetahs.
The park is also home to several aquatic animals such as schools of hippos and crocodiles.
Safaris to Tanzania range from luxury to tailor-made, so book a trip now and discover the unforgettable scenery and attractions on the planet.
Tanzania Safari Types
Mount Kilimanjaro Climbing Tours in Tanzania
There are various Tanzania safari types that you can book to make your holiday unique.
Tanzania is a country located in East Africa, south of the equator, bordered by Uganda, Kenya, Burundi, Rwanda, the Comoro Islands, Malawi, Mozambique, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Zambia, and the Indian Ocean.
About Tanzania
Tanzania is one of the top tourist destinations in the world, boasting numerous national parks and reserves.
It’s also home to Mount Kilimanjaro, which is the highest mountain in Africa.
Nearly 30% of the country is a protected area.
The most spectacular wildlife spectacle on the planet happens in Serengeti National Park and the Masai Mara in Kenya.
The People of Tanzania
Tanzania is ethnically diverse, with over 120 ethnic groups residing in the country.
The Sandawe hunters are believed to have been the first descendants of the country, about 1000 BCE.
Cushitic people arrived from Ethiopia around 1000 CE, and the Bantu people came around 500 CE.
Some of the notable Tanzanian tribes are the Masai people, also found in Kenya.
They usually live in areas around national parks and have very distinctive culture and way of life, different from other tribes.
You can visit their homesteads while on safari to learn more about them and enjoy African traditional music and dance.
The Culture of Tanzania
Tanzania has diverse tribes found in Tanzania, and each of these has its own distinctive cultures.
Some of the few cultures that are commonly shared within communities can be seen below:
While greeting a Tanzanian, use the right hand as it’s considered clean. It’s common to shake hands while greeting.
You might enjoy sniffing the food aroma while preparing to enjoy a meal, but in Tanzania, it’s considered as being suspicious and not trusting that the meal is safe.
Avoid public affection while in Tanzania, as affection is believed to be a bedroom affair and should not be displayed in public.
Dress decently and wear modest clothes, especially in public places, because wearing clothes that reveal too much is considered disrespectful.
Why visit Tanzania
The Maasai People of Tanzania
See wildlife
Tanzania is one of the best wildlife-watching destinations in the world and also where the most dramatic natural wildlife migration occurs.
About 30% of the country is made up of conservation areas, and each of these offers a very unique experience to travelers from all over the world.
See culture
There are over 120 ethnic tribes in Tanzania, each having distinctive and unique cultures and traditions that differ from the others.
Visit the people and learn about their ways of life and different African traditions.
What to do – Top Things to do in Tanzania
Wildebeest Migration in Serengeti National Park, Tanzania
Birding in Tanzania
Tanzania is a birder’s paradise with over 1000 species of birds recorded, including 31 endemics and 35 near-endemic species of birds.
800 species of birds are resident, while about 200 species are immigrants.
Most national parks in the country provide good birding opportunities for bird enthusiasts.
Some examples of birds found in Tanzania include Ashy starling, Pemba white eye, Pemba green pigeon, rufous-winged sunbird, Tanzania seed eater, Usambara eagle owl, rufous-tailed weaver, Loveridge’s sunbird, grey-breasted spur fowl, banded green sunbird, Fischer’s lovebird, Iringa akalat, Kilombero weaver, bar-tailed trogon, brown-necked parrot, green tinker bird, white-headed mousebird, and secretary bird, to mention a few.
Wildlife viewing safaris
Tanzania’s pristine wilderness provides a habitat for wildlife, with most national parks being home to the African Big Five, which includes elephants, buffalo, rhino, lion, and leopard.
Mountain climbing adventures
Tanzania is home to the highest single free-standing mountain above sea level in the world and the highest mountain in Africa, standing at 5895 meters elevation.
Over 50,000 tourists from different parts of the world come to climb Mount Kilimanjaro every year.
When to visit Tanzania
Game Drives in Serengeti National Park
Tanzania is an all-year-round destination; however, some months are better than others, providing a better experience compared to other months.
The best time for visiting the country if you’re mainly interested in game viewing and mountain climbing is during the two dry seasons from June to August and December to February when the weather conditions are good.
If you’re interested in Wildebeests migration, the best time for visiting is October to February, and the best time for birding is November to April.
Tanzania National Parks
Cheetah in the Serengeti Plains
There are 23 national parks found in Tanzania, and these can be seen below:
1. Tarangire National Park
Tarangire National Park is one of the most famous national parks in Tanzania, renowned for abundant birdlife and wildlife.
It derives its name from the Tarangire River that is found within the park, crowded with wildlife, especially during the dry season.
2. Serengeti National Park
Serengeti National Park is where the magic happens and probably the most visited national park in Kenya.
Over 2 million wildebeests, alongside thousands of zebras, gazelles, impalas, are followed by predators like hyenas, lions, and leopards, starting the journey in search of fresh pasture and water, crossing to Masai Mara National Reserve in Kenya.
3. Arusha National Park
Arusha National Park is located in the northeastern region of Tanzania, and it’s home to the magnificent Mount Meru found within the park.
Despite its small area compared to other Tanzanian national parks, Arusha is teeming with wildlife and lots of beautiful scenery.
4. Lake Manyara National Park
Lake Manyara National Park in Tanzania is well known for its unique tree-climbing lions that can’t be found elsewhere except in the Ishasha sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park in Uganda.
It’s situated at the Rift valley flow in the Arusha region.
5. Mount Kilimanjaro National Park
Mount Kilimanjaro National Park is one of the most visited national parks in Tanzania, home to Africa’s highest mountain, and the most commonly done activity here is mountain climbing.
The park is also home to some wildlife and several species of birds.
6. Ruaha National Park
Ruaha National Park was established in 1964 and expanded in 2008, adding areas of some wetlands and Usangu Game Reserve.
The park covers an area of 20,226 square kilometers, providing a home to various animals and over 500 species of birds. Ruaha is also a Lion conservation unit.
7. Mikumi National Park
Mikumi National Park is found in the south part of Tanzania, close to the beautiful Indian Ocean.
It’s an ideal place for visitors who want to explore the country but don’t have enough time to spend, especially business travelers.
8. Gombe Stream National Park
Gombe Stream National Park is situated in the Kigoma region of Tanzania, at the eastern shores of Lake Tanganyika, covering 35 square kilometers, making it one of the country’s smallest national parks.
The park was established to protect chimpanzees and other primates living on the mountain slopes.
9. Katavi National Park
Katavi National Park is one of the wildest and less-visited national parks in the country.
The park is named after Lake Katavi, which is found within the park, and Lake Chada is also in Katavi National Park, providing enough water for its wildlife.
10. Mahale Mountains National Park
The spectacular Mahale Mountains National Park is one of the national parks in the country where you can see chimpanzees inhabiting its forested slopes.
50 species of mammals have been recorded in the park, and it’s also famous for its beautiful sunsets over Lake Tanganyika.
11. Mkomazi National Park
Mkomazi National Park is located in the northern part of Tanzania, covering an area of 3,245 square kilometers.
The park derives its name from a local word translated to “little water” as the area is semi-arid with a scarcity of water.
This is one of the best places for watching rhinos in Tanzania.
12. Saadani National Park
Saadani is one of those unique national parks you can visit while on a trip to Tanzania because the wilderness meets the beach.
It’s located in Pangani district in the Tanga region of Tanzania, covering an area of 1,062 square kilometers.
Saadani was a hunting block before, but its wildlife populations have greatly increased since it was made a national park, with animals like leopards, elephants, lions, dik-dik, common duikers, red duikers, warthogs, sable antelopes, buffalos, hartebeest, and Masai giraffe found within the park.
13. Udzungwa Mountains National Park
Udzungwa Mountains National Park is one of the most scenic national parks in Tanzania and also a hiking destination and a good start for visitors who want to climb Mount Kilimanjaro.
Udzungwa National Park covers an area of 1,990 square kilometers, providing a habitat for several diversities.
14. Burigi Chato National Park
Burigi Chato National Park is situated close to the border of Tanzania and Rwanda.
It derives its name from Lake Burigi found within the park.
The park provides a haven for birds, making it a birding destination.
It was formerly made up of 3 national reserves that were combined to form 1 national park.
15. Rumanyika Karagwe National Park
Rumanyika Karagwe National Park is one of the newest national parks in Tanzania, established in 2019, covering an area of 247 square kilometers.
The most common activity done here is forest walks, butterfly watching, birding, and primate watching.
16. Mafia Island Marine National Park
Mafia Island Marine National Park is located at Mafia Island southeast of Zanzibar in Tanzania.
The park is a haven for numerous species of fish. It was established in 1955, covering an area of 822 square kilometers.
17. Ibanda-Kyerwa National Park
Ibanda-Kyerwa National Park was first gazetted as a game reserve in 1974 and upgraded to a national park recently in 2019.
The park covers an area of 200 square kilometers in Kagera region of Tanzania.
The park is home to several animals, but hunting safaris with permission are common in this area.
18. Kigosi National Park
Kigosi National Park covers an area of 8,256 square kilometers, part of the Malagarasi wetland system, which is the largest in East Africa.
It was first gazetted as a game reserve in 1983 and established as a park recently in 2019, and it’s part of Tanzania’s Ramsar sites.
19. Kitulo National Park
Kitulo National Park is situated in the southern highlands of Tanzania at Kitulo Plateau, between Poroto and Kipengere Mountains.
The park was mainly established to protect its flora.
20. Nyerere National Park
Nyerere National Park is one of the largest national parks in Tanzania, covering 30,893 square kilometers.
Nyerere National Park is home to Tanzania’s largest river that attracts its wildlife, especially during the dry season.
One of the world’s largest mangrove forests is also found here.
This park offers some excellent wildlife watching opportunities and birding in the country.
21. Rubondo Island National Park
Rubondo National Park is located on an island in Lake Victoria.
It was established in 1965, covering an area of 456 square kilometers.
This is one of the least-visited national parks in Tanzania, but it’s an ideal place for bird enthusiasts and people who love sport fishing.
22. Saanane Island National Park
Saanane Island National Park is one of the two island national parks found in Tanzania.
It is situated on an island on Lake Victoria, reachable from Mwanza town.
It is also one of the youngest parks, established in 2013, and one of the smallest, covering an area of about 3 square kilometers.
The park is the only place in Tanzania where you can find De Brazza monkeys.
Other animals in the park include zebras, hyraxes, wild cats, and many more.
The park was once affected by the Uganda-Tanzanian war when it was accidentally bombed, resulting in the loss of a number of antelopes.
23. Ugalla River National Park
Ugalla River National Park derives its name from the Ugalla River that borders the park from the south.
It was formed in 2019 after it was separated from Ugalla River Reserve.
It’s home to various wildlife, including zebras, leopards, giraffes, buffalos, elephants, and many others. Ugalla River National Park covers 3,865 square kilometers.
4 Most Popular National Parks
Serengeti, the Most Popular National Park in Tanzania
1. Serengeti National Park
Serengeti National Park is one of the most popular national parks, not only in Tanzania but also across the world, renowned for the spectacular Wildebeests migration.
The park is home to over 2 million ungulates, 4,000 lions, 550 cheetahs, 1,000 leopards, over 500 species of birds, and much more.
Serengeti National Park covers an area of 14,763 square kilometers.
The largest annual animal migration in the world occurs here, where millions of wildebeests, zebras, and other antelopes, followed by predators like lions, leopards, and hyenas, cross to the neighboring Masai Mara National Reserve in Kenya in search of fresh pasture and water.
2. Lake Manyara National Park
Lake Manyara National Park is mostly known for its tree-climbing lions, not found elsewhere in the world apart from Queen Elizabeth National Park in Uganda.
The park is named after the soda ash Lake Manyara found within the park that attracts thousands of flamingos.
The park also hosts some very numerous elephant populations in Tanzania.
3. Mount Kilimanjaro National Park
Mount Kilimanjaro National Park attracts over 50,000 tourists annually.
It covers an area of 1,688 square kilometers, mainly dominated by Africa’s highest mountain, from which the park derives its name when it was established in 1973 to protect Mount Kilimanjaro and the surrounding areas.
4. Ngorongoro Conservation Area
Ngorongoro Conservation Area is not a national park but one of the most visited conservation areas in Tanzania.
It was established in 1959, covering an area of 8,292 square kilometers.
Ngorongoro receives about 500,000 tourists from all over the world annually.
It was also considered a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1979.
Ngorongoro is home to over 25,000 large animals living in its crater from which the name is derived.
It’s neighboring the great Serengeti National Park.
Safety – Staying Safe in Tanzania
Tanzania is one of the safest countries you can visit in the world.
Most tourism destinations are very safe to visit, but nevertheless, all travelers must take a few safety precautions, especially in the cities, just like when they are in their countries, and this can be seen below:
Don’t move or show off your valuables in public nor leave them in an open car.
Avoid moving alone at night.
Avoid isolated or deserted places.
While in the national parks, follow all rules and regulations, and most importantly, don’t get too close to or touch wild animals.
Watch out for mountain altitude sickness and make sure you’re wearing the right gear if you’re doing mountain climbing.
Avoid the Tanzania-Mozambique border and always check for security updates.
Only use registered taxis and ask your hotel manager if the destination you’re going to is safe.
Take good care of your bags and watch out for pickpockets while in the duty-busy areas.
Getting a Visa
Tourists can now apply for an electronic visa online in Tanzania.
All you need to do is go to their website, fill out an online form, make payments, then submit your application online and wait for confirmation.
You can also track your application status online.
You will be notified through email whether your application has been accepted or rejected.
While applying for a Tanzanian visa, you need to check if your country is visa-exempt and if your country also needs approval from the Tanzania Commissioned General of Immigration.
The other requirements you will need are:
A valid passport will also be required that is valid for at least six months from the day you arrive in the country. The passport must also have blank visa pages.
A yellow fever vaccination certificate will also be required.
You also need to confirm if a transit visa will be required for countries you will pass while traveling to Tanzania.
Where to Stay – A Guide to Accommodation in Tanzania
Rubondo Island Camp, Tanzania
Tanzania has so many premium accommodation options distributed across its parks, cities and its reserves.
Some of them include: Singita Grumeti – Serengeti, &Beyond Ngorongoro Crater Lodge – Ngorongoro Conservation Area, Singita Sasakwa Lodge – Serengeti, Four Seasons Safari Lodge – Serengeti, Singita Faru Faru Lodge – Serengeti, The Manta Resort – Pemba Island, Singita Explore Mobile Tented Camp – Serengeti, Legendary Lodge – Arusha, Serengeti Migration Camp – Serengeti, Gibb’s Farm – Ngorongoro Conservation Area, Fundu Lagoon – Pemba Island, Ngorongoro Crater Lodge – Ngorongoro Conservation Area, Lake Manyara Tree Lodge – Lake Manyara National Park, Chem Chem Safari Lodge – Tarangire National Park, Singita Sabora Tented Camp – Serengeti, The Retreat Selous – Nyerere National Park, Lamai Serengeti – Serengeti, Sayari Camp – Serengeti, Kigelia Ruaha – Ruaha National Park and Kwihala Camp – Ruaha National Park among others.
These luxury lodges offer a combination of comfort, wildlife viewing, and unique experiences in Tanzania’s most beautiful natural settings.
