From the majestic natural landscapes to the vibrant wildlife freely roaming the land, the Tanzania safari is a bucket-list journey. Found in the heart of East Africa, Tanzania is one of those places you want to visit at least once in a lifetime because the adventure is like no other.
Here, the sunrise brings along the golden opportunity to explore the golden savannas of the Serengeti, the towering height of Mount Kilimanjaro, the breathtaking Ngorongoro Crater and not forgetting the stunning beaches of Zanzibar. The adventure continues even at dusk as you have plenty of luxurious lodges to spend the night gazing at the clear sky before falling asleep to the sounds of the savannah as your lullaby.
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Which Tanzania Safari Is Best?
With plenty of options to choose from, it might be difficult to figure out where to go on a Tanzania safari. So in this guide, we bring you the top destinations worth exploring to discover the magic of Tanzania.
1. The Serengeti
The Serengeti is home to big cats such as lions. Photo/ Enclose Africa Safaris.
Home to the famed wildebeest migration, the Serengeti is one of the most famous game viewing parks in the whole of Africa. It is a genuine contender for the best spot to experience wildlife globally.
The Serengeti is located in northern Tanzania and offers the stomping ground needed by over two million of wildebeests during the Great Migration. On top of that, lions, cheetahs, leopards and hyenas also reside here preying on herbivores. The territory is surrounded by fences and there is close to zero interruption from humans except for tourists.
2. The Ngorongoro Crater
Ngorongoro Crater in northern Tanzania is a truly stunning site that boasts a high concentration of wildlife. This is one of the places to visit if you want to see the Big Five (lions, cheetahs, leopards, rhinos and elephants).
The animals here don’t migrate as they choose to rely on the Crater’s fertile grazing ground and water supply to survive. For this reason, the Ngorongoro Crater is sometimes referred to as ‘the garden of Eden’.
Wildlife at Ngorongoro Crater. Photo/ The Times.
3. Ruaha National Park
Ruaha National Park is another superb destination for big cat viewing as it offers one of the highest concentrations of predators you’ll find in Africa. The park is less crowded which means you’ll enjoy a ridiculously good and truly exceptional Tanzania safari.
This off-the-beaten-track is booked alongside Nyerere National Park, which is the largest national park in East Africa and the continent at large. Some of the activities to enjoy at Ruaha include exploring lagoons, swamps, and channels, and taking a riverboat safari which involves spotting wildlife while in the comfort of the boat.
4. Lake Manyara Park
Lake Manyara is a major attraction in Tanzania because about two-thirds of the park is covered by water. Although it is small, it offers fantastic wildlife viewing experiences. The park is famous for having large herds of elephants but what steals the attention of many tourists here are the tree-climbing lions. Apart from wildlife viewing, other activities tourists enjoy at Lake Manyara Park include canoeing, nature walks and community visits.
5. Arusha National Park
If your dream on a safari to Tanzania is to see giraffes then Arusha National Park is the place to visit during the holidays. The park, which covers 552 kilometres, is famous for being home to the largest population of giraffes in the world. It is also the place to see wildlife species that you’ll rarely come across in other parks such as red duikers, black and white colobus monkeys, blue monkeys, warthogs and bushbucks.
Arusha National Park. Photo/ Keys Tours.
Due to its small size, tourists to Arusha National Park can enjoy all activities in one day before returning to Arusha town at night. The park is home to the second-highest mountain in Tanzania – Mount Meru.
How Much Does a Safari Cost in Tanzania?
On average, a safari to this East African country costs around $250 per person per day for travellers on a budget. If you’re booking a mid-range safari then the cost is around $350 per person. A luxury safari to Tanzania costs around $525 per person per day.
Is Kenya or Tanzania Better for Safari?
The debate over which safari is better between Kenya and Tanzania has been on for years. While Kenya is popular worldwide and preferred by many tourists, Tanzania has a slight edge thanks to the size of the Serengeti National Park and Ngorongoro Crater.
