available in Tanzania
offering Safaris
Reserves and Wildlife
Areas
Overview
Situated in Eastern Africa, Tanzania lies in the Great Lakes Region and includes several offshore islands, such as Zanzibar, Pemba and Mafia. Tanzania boasts both the lowest and highest points in Africa, with Mount Kilimanjaro at 5,895m above sea level and the floor of Lake Tanganyika at 352m below sea level. This large country is brimming with unique sights, from the sprawling beaches, towering Mount Kilimanjaro and majestic wildlife to the impressive ruins and fascinating cultures. Most importantly, when it comes to the best safaris in Tanzania, this country can be termed as the land of safaris, as it offers its guests an impressive 16 national parks to explore.
The first of the Tanzania safari includes the Serengeti National Park. The Serengeti, which means ‘endless plains’ in the Masai language, is one of the most celebrated parks in Africa, renowned for its annual Great Migration when an estimated three million antelope – mostly wildebeest — migrate to Kenya’s Masai Mara Game Reserve. In the Serengeti, guests can expect to see an incredible variety of wildlife, from lions, leopards and cheetahs to elephants, hippos and, if you’re lucky, a black rhino. On this safari trip to Tanzania, you can also expect to see a variety of buck and buffalo, as well as giraffes, hyenas and wild dogs. Here the terrain is thornbush savanna, which is home to a large number of plant species such as Acacia Senegal, Bermuda grass, baobabs, and elephant grass. As part of the Tanzania safari packages, a guided trip to Serengeti offers a wide variety of safari tours including the opportunity to witness the great migration, visits to Masai villages, and trips in a hot air balloon.
Another captivating facet of Tanzania safari holiday is Mount Kilimanjaro. Mount Kilimanjaro, the highest peak in Africa, is not strictly a mountain, but a stratovolcano that began forming around a million years ago. About 30,000 people climb Kilimanjaro each year and about three-quarters of these climbers reach the summit. This climb is relatively safe and most climbers who don’t summit fail to do so because of altitude-related issues or harsh weather near the peak. Kilimanjaro home to a host of different ecosystems, from the tropical jungle, savannah and desert to montane forests, subalpine plants and the alpine zone. Animals in this area include blue monkeys, olive baboons, civets, leopards, mongoose and bush pigs. There are also honey badgers and aardvarks, although they are hard to spot as they’re nocturnal. Besides climbing Kilimanjaro, there are several other ways to explore this area, including hikes, wildlife watching and game drives.
All Tanzania safari trips should include a visit to the Ngorongoro Crater, the world’s largest intact volcanic caldera, and the best place to see the Big Five. Approximately 25,000 large animals live in the crater, including the rare black rhino. Here activities include game viewings, walking, trekking, excursions to Olduvai Gorge and visiting the Masai and other tribes.
Thus, browse through some of the best Tanzania safari packages below offered by top Tanzania safari tour operators and plan a trip to Tanzania now to enjoy an unforgettable safari! You can also check out how to get to Tanzania guide which provides information on flights, passports and visa requirements.
Tanzania Safari Travel Seasons
- Jun-Oct – High Season. Weather is cooler and dry. Game viewing is at its best when foliage is sparse and animals converge on water sources. This is the best time to visit Tanzania for a safari, but availability is tight in the popular areas so book early.
- Nov – Feb – Shoulder Season (although prices are high mid-Dec to mid-Jan). The Tanzania weather, especially during December to February is hot. The short rains arrive from around the middle of October, this is also when the seasonal trade wind blows – the Kusi.
- Mar-May – Low Season. It’s the rainy season which can make it tough going on the secondary roads. It doesn’t rain all day, expect downpours then blue skys, transforming the landscape into a lush, green paradise. It is not unusual for hotels to be closed during this time, you can get some heavily discounted rates in the ones that are open.
General Information
- Currency – USD, Tanzania Shilling
- Languages – Swahili, English
- Size – 947,300 km²
- Population – 55.57 million (2016)
Tanzania Travel Safety and Health
- Travel insurance is essential for all international travel. Click below to find out more:
- CDC recommend the following vaccinations for Tanzania: hepatits A, typhoid. Check with your doctor for other possible vaccinations and make sure your routine vaccinations are all up-to-date.
- Malaria is present in some areas – get medical advice on which prophylaxis you might need to take.
- It’s best to stick to drinking bottled water.
Pros
- Abundant Tanzania animals and birds offer superb wildlife viewing
- Annual wildebeest migration in the Serengeti
- Off-the-beaten-track safaris in Selous and Ruaha parks
- There are several wildlife viewing circuits for repeat visits
- Gombe and Mahale Mountains chimpanzee tracking
- Zanzibar beach holiday extensions
- Traditional indigenous cultures
- Large tracts of land designated as national parks
Cons
- Limited availability in prime areas
- Can be expensive, particularly in high season
- Travel restriction due to regional instability
Arriving in Tanzania
- Most travellers arrive by air into one of the international aiports – Dar es Salaam, Zanzibar or Kilimanjaro.
- Others arrive via road from Kenya.
Getting Around
- Tanzania is a large country with very specific tourism areas, distances between them can be large so travelling around may well be a mix of road transfers and internal flights.
Visas Requirements in Tanzania
- Visas are required by most visitors. These can be obtained on arrival at the three international airports mentioned above or at the Namanga Entry Point between Kenya and Tanzania. Alternatively, you can get visas prior to departure via the Tanzania Consulate. Please check all details before you travel – Tanzania Visas >>
Tanzania Safaris
10-Day Kenya & Tanzania Budget Safari
- 10 Days
This great budget safari takes in some of the best wildlife spots in Kenya and Tanzania; Maasai Mara...
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Country:Kenya, Tanzania,
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Departures:Year Round
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Length:10 Days
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Start/end:Start in Nairobi, end in Arusha (or Nairobi)
4-Day Gombe Chimpanzee Trekking
- 4 Days
Gombe Stream National Park is the smallest of Tanzania’s national parks: a fragile strip of chimpanzee...
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Country:Tanzania,
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Departures:Year Round
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Length:4 Days
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Start/end:Start/end in Dar es Salaam
6-Day Northern Circuit Safari
- 6 Days
On this Tanzania safari visit Serengeti National Park, Lake Manyara National Park and Ngorongoro Crater,...
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Country:Tanzania,
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Departures:Year Round
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Length:6 Days
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Start/end:Start/end in Arusha
Photographic River Crossing Safari
- 12 Days
A photographic safari offering the opportunity to capture some of the most spectacular wildlife scenes...
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Country:Tanzania,
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Departures:Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct
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Length:12 Days
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Start/end:Start/end in Arusha
Combined Kenya & Tanzania Safari
- 7 Days
On this cross-border safari travel to the immersive national parks of Kenya and Tanzania, each with its...
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Country:Kenya, Tanzania,
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Departures:Year Round
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Length:7 Days
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Start/end:Start in Nairobi, end in Nairobi
Amazing 4-Day Northern Safari Circuit
- 4 Days
An exceptionally well priced, 4-day safari that offers guests the chance to experience three of Tanzania's...
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Country:Tanzania,
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Departures:Year Round
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Length:4 Days
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Start/end:Start/end in Arusha
6-Day Great Migration River Crossing Safari
- 6 Days
Visit Tanzania's wildlife hot spots on this safari; Lake Manyara National Park, home to its famous tree-climbing...
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Country:Tanzania,
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Departures:Year Round
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Length:6 Days
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Start/end:Start/end in Kilimanjaro or Arusha
7-Day Tanzania Private Wildlife Safari
- 7 Days
This privately guided safari combines Tanzania's wildlife and culture. Travel in comfortable safari vehicles,...
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Country:Tanzania,
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Departures:Year Round
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Length:7 Days
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Start/end:Start in Arusha, end in Arusha
Best of Kenya and Tanzania Budget Safari
- 12 Days
This unforgettable safari shows you African wildlife in all its nuances and wonder as you're immersed...
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Country:Kenya, Tanzania,
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Departures:Year Round
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Length:12 Days
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Start/end:Start/end in Nairobi, Kenya
Kilimanjaro Foothills Homestay & Safari
- 9 Days
An adventurous itinerary combining a fascinating stay in a local village with wonderful game viewing....
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Country:Tanzania,
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Departures:Year Round
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Length:9 Days
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Start/end:Start/end in Kilimanjaro International Airport
