The ultimate guide to planning a Tanzania safari

Home to some of East Africa’s premier wildlife-viewing destinations, Tanzania is one of the continent’s most popular safari destinations. It’s here that you’ll find the Serengeti and the Ngorongoro Crater, as well as exceptional lodges and camps that take luxury to a whole new level. Safari visitors can expect regular encounters with the “Big Five” and exceptional birdlife, as well as having the opportunity to see the Great Wildebeest Migration in action.

To help you plan an unforgettable adventure, we’ve put together this ultimate Tanzania safari guide to answer some of the most commonly asked questions. From budget expectations to family safari tips and where to go (and when), read on and start planning your East Africa escape.

 

How much does a Tanzania safari cost

A Tanzania safari can vary widely in price, from budget-friendly group trips to luxurious safaris staying at exclusive lodges. The price is not only impacted by the style of accommodation but also what’s included, such as all activities, meals and/or alcoholic drinks. It may also reflect the quality of safari vehicles you will be travelling in and the level of privacy you can expect during your stay. When budgeting for your Tanzania safari, also be aware that prices will vary significantly between the low and high seasons, with wet season safaris often considerably less.

While you might think that East Africa is a generally inexpensive place to live, the remote setting of wildlife reserves, coupled with their entrance fees and the services of highly-experienced guides all adds up. At Vencha Travel, our Tanzania safari itineraries start from around US $3,500 per person for a seven-day classic experience, up to around US $7,000 and above per person for a luxury safari.

 

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Tanzania Safari Destinations - Where to Visit

Tanzania’s safari destinations can roughly be divided into two regions - the Northern Circuit and the Southern Circuit. The Northern Circuit is a go-to option for first-time visitors to the country and includes many of the country’s most iconic parks and reserves. The Southern Circuit is more off-the-beaten-track, with remote landscapes and far fewer crowds, making it ideal for return visitors wanting to explore further afield.

 

Top Tanzania safari destinations on the Northern Circuit

Serengeti National Park

Renowned for its high concentrations of big predators, Serengeti National Park encompasses more than 14,000 square kilometres of savannah, woodlands and riverine forests. It’s home to the “Big Five” (and is one of the best places to visit if you want to tick all of them off your list), as well as providing a setting for the Great Wildebeest Migration. Aside from large numbers of hippos, impala and Masai giraffe, the Serengeti is also home to vervet monkeys, black-and-white colobus and more than 500 recorded bird species.

 

Ngorongoro Conservation Area

Centred around the stunningly beautiful Ngorongoro Crater, the Ngorongoro Conservation Area is a UNESCO World Heritage-listed region to the southeast of the Serengeti. It’s a magnificent setting for getting up close to blue wildebeest, Grant's zebra and gazelles, as well as thousands of flamingos that gather in the shallows of Lake Magadi. The Ngorongoro Highlands are renowned for their exceptional birdwatching while the wildlife-rich Ndutu Lake area is home to large numbers of cheetahs and lions.

 

Tarangire National Park

Named after the Tarangire River that carves through its heart, Tarangire National Park is a little-visited gem that’s famed for its large numbers of elephants. Giraffes, buffalos and oryx are regularly spotted in its lush river valleys and acacia woodlands, with far fewer crowds and a fine choice of safari camps adding to its appeal.

 

Lake Manyara National Park

Hailed by Ernest Hemingway as “the loveliest I had seen in Africa”, tiny Lake Manyara boasts one of the highest biomass densities of large mammals in the world. It’s home to Maasai giraffe, buffalo, zebra and hippos, as well as unique tree-climbing lions. Visit during the wet season to see thousands of flamingos clustered along its lake shores, together with more than 400 other bird species, blue monkeys and baboons.

 

Arusha National Park

Centred the peak of Mount Meru (which is a hiking destination in its own right), Arusha National Park is just a stone’s throw from the safari capital, Arusha, and is a good first port of call for visitors heading out along the Northern Circuit. Aside from being rich in wildlife, the park’s diverse landscapes are also part of its appeal, ranging from lush highland forests to sprawling grasslands and the shallow Momella Lakes.

 

Top Tanzania safari destinations on the Southern Circuit

Selous Game Reserve

Sprawling across 50,000 square kilometres, the Selous Game Reserve is a UNESCO World Heritage-listed safari destination that boasts an incredible wildlife diversity. In addition to spotting wildebeest, hippos and zebras along the banks of the Rufiji River, the reserve’s wetlands and miombo woodlands also provide habitat for more than 440 bird species.

 

Ruaha National Park

The largest national park in Tanzania, Ruaha encompasses more than 20,000 square kilometres around the Great Ruaha River. It’s home to large numbers of lions, cheetahs and leopards, as well as one of the densest concentrations of elephants in East Africa. In addition to dramatic escarpments and baobab-dotted plains, the park also includes the bird-filled wetlands of the Usanga Game Reserve.

 

Kitulo National Park

Encompassing montane grassland and forest on the Kitulo Plateau, Kitulo National Park lies in the southern highlands of Tanzania. It’s one of the first national parks in Africa to be established to primarily protect its flora and has been referred to by some as the “Serengeti of Flowers”.

 

Mikumi National Park

Mikumi National Park is one of the most accessible parks from Dar es Salaam, with its acacia and baobab-dotted landscape often compared to the Serengeti. It’s home to a unique subspecies of giraffe and tree-climbing lions, as well as elephants, hippos and more than 400 recorded bird species.

 

Udzungwa Mountains National Park

Sprawling across 1,900 square kilometres on the edge of Mikumi National Park, the Udzungwa Mountains is a remote region of tropical rainforest, miombo woodlands and steppe. It provides habitat for more than 400 bird species and six different primates, including the Iringa red colobus and the Sanje crested mangabey. Elephants, buffalos and lions also inhabit the plateau while hiking trails lead to the 170-metre-high Sanje Waterfalls.

 

Tanzania safaris for families

For adventure-loving families, a Tanzania safari is a once-in-a-lifetime experience and an incredible opportunity to see big-game wildlife in their natural environment. But it can also take some careful planning to ensure that all ages are catered for and will enjoy the experience. If you’re thinking about taking your young adventurers on safari, here are a few things to keep in mind:

 

• Find a family-friendly lodge/camp - Some Tanzania lodges and camps are adults-only while others have facilities and activities specifically geared towards kids. A family-friendly lodge may include babysitters/childminders and guides who are trained to work with children, as well as kids’ menus that cater to even the fussiest eaters.
• Plan ahead - Most Tanzania safari lodges and camps only have a handful of tents/villas designed for families, so be sure to book well ahead of time if you want to stay at your first choice.
• Book private game drives - When you’re travelling with young kids, we highly recommend that you book private game drives so you can return to the lodge/camp when they’ve had enough. If they get grisly, it’s much easier to ask the driver to turn around if you’re game driving independently, without upsetting your fellow guests.
• Find age-appropriate activities - Aside from game driving, family-friendly lodges/camps will offer a variety of activities that will appeal to kids. From learning the secrets of tracking wildlife to helping the chef out in the kitchen, check whether the lodge/camp has a dedicated kids program and what it offers.
• Consider the travel logistics - When deciding on a Tanzania safari destination, take into account the logistics of getting there (ie. ground transportation duration, flight availability). Not all kids (or adults!) will enjoy spending hours in a car travelling to a lodge/camp, particularly after an international flight. So opt for accommodation that’s easily accessible or chat with your safari expert about their recommendations.

 

Are you currently planning to book a Family Safari? We have put together few sample itineraries for Tanzania Family Safari to inspire you.

 

Getting to your Tanzania safari from across the world

Tanzania safari from Zanzibar

Zanzibar lies just off Tanzania’s east coast and is a deservedly popular setting for a post-safari beach break. It’s home to picture-perfect beaches, spice plantations and the UNESCO World Heritage-listed streets of Stone Town, as well as direct flight connections to many of the country’s most popular wildlife reserves.

Zanzibar International Airport is served by a number of airlines, including, FlyDubai, Kenya Airways, Qatar Airways, Ethiopia Airlines and Turkish Airlines. It has a large number of domestic connections to airports across Tanzania, as well as offering charter flights to airstrips in many of the national parks and reserves.

 

Tanzania safaris from Arusha

Arusha is considered the gateway to the Northern Circuit, including the Serengeti National Park, Ngorongoro Conservation Area, Lake Manyara National Park and Tarangire National Park. It’s also just a stone’s throw from Arusha National Park, which provides a good introduction to Tanzania’s wildlife for those short on time.

Arusha Airport is around one hour’s drive from Kilimanjaro National Airport and has a large number of domestic connections to airports across Tanzania. It also offers charter flights to airstrips in many of the national parks and reserves that can be booked at your convenience.

 

Tanzania safari from Nairobi

Serving as the capital of Kenya, Nairobi is a pulsing city and one of Africa’s most cosmopolitan, with an excellent choice of restaurants and museums. It’s an essential stop for many travellers visiting the Maasai Mara, as well as offering regular flight connections to Tanzania for those wanting to plan a Kenya-Tanzania safari.

Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in Nairobi is served by a number of airlines, including Air Mauritius, British Airways, China Southern, Egypt Air, Emirates, Ethiopian Airlines, Etihad, FlyDubai, Kenya Airways and KLM. It has a large number of flights connections to airports across Tanzania, as well as offering charter flights to airstrips in many of the national parks and reserves.

 

Tanzania safari from the UK

If you’re travelling from the United Kingdom, Tanzania is served by a number of international airports, including the Julius Nyerere International Airport in Dar es Salaam and the Abeid Amani Karume International Airport in Zanzibar. The Kilimanjaro International Airport in the north of the country is the closest for connections to the Northern Serengeti.

Julius Nyerere International Airport in Dar es Salaam is served by Egypt Air, Emirates, Ethiopian Airlines, Etihad, Fastjet, FlyDubai, Kenya Airways, Malawian Airlines, Precision Air, Qatar Airways, South African Airlines, Turkish Airlines. Kilimanjaro International Airport is served by Condor, Ethiopian Airlines, Fastjet, Kenya Airways, KLM, Lufthansa, Qatar Airways, Precision Air, Safarilink, Turkish Airlines, RwandaAir and Fly Dubai. Zanzibar International Airport is served by Fastjet, FlyDubai, Kenya Airways, MANGO, Meridiana, Qatar Airways, Precision Air, Oman Air, Ethiopia Airline and Turkish Airlines. 

 

Tanzania safari from the US

Those travelling from the United States can opt to fly into the Julius Nyerere International Airport in Dar es Salaam, the Abeid Amani Karume International Airport in Zanzibar or the Kilimanjaro International Airport in the north of the country.

Julius Nyerere International Airport in Dar es Salaam is served by Egypt Air, Emirates, Ethiopian Airlines, Etihad, Fastjet, FlyDubai, Kenya Airways, Malawian Airlines, Precision Air, Qatar Airways, South African Airlines, Turkish Airlines.Kilimanjaro International Airport is served by Condor, Ethiopian Airlines, Fastjet, Kenya Airways, KLM, Lufthansa, Qatar Airways, Precision Air, Safarilink, Turkish Airlines, RwandaAir and Fly Dubai.Zanzibar International Airport is served by Fastjet, FlyDubai, Kenya Airways, MANGO, Meridiana, Qatar Airways, Precision Air, Oman Air, Ethiopia Airline and Turkish Airlines. 

 

Tanzania safari from India  

If you’re travelling from India, you can book a flight into Julius Nyerere International Airport in Dar es Salaam, the Abeid Amani Karume International Airport in Zanzibar or the Kilimanjaro International Airport, which is the closest for connections to the Northern Serengeti.

Julius Nyerere International Airport in Dar es Salaam is served by Egypt Air, Emirates, Ethiopian Airlines, Etihad, Fastjet, FlyDubai, Kenya Airways, Malawian Airlines, Precision Air, Qatar Airways, South African Airlines, Turkish Airlines.Kilimanjaro International Airport is served by Condor, Ethiopian Airlines, Fastjet, Kenya Airways, KLM, Lufthansa, Qatar Airways, Precision Air, Safarilink, Turkish Airlines, RwandaAir and Fly Dubai.Zanzibar International Airport is served by Fastjet, FlyDubai, Kenya Airways, MANGO, Meridiana, Qatar Airways, Precision Air, Oman Air, Ethiopia Airline and Turkish Airlines. 
 

Tanzania safari from Dar es Salaam

Dar es Salaam is the largest city in Tanzania and lies along the country’s Indian Ocean coastline. It’s home to several fine museums where you can delve into the local culture and history, as well as the port from where ferries depart for Zanzibar.

Julius Nyerere International Airport in Dar es Salaam is served by a number of airlines, including Egypt Air, Emirates, Ethiopian Airlines, Etihad, Fastjet, FlyDubai, Kenya Airways, Malawian Airlines, Precision Air, Qatar Airways, South African Airlines, Turkish Airlines. It has a large number of domestic connections to airports across Tanzania, as well as offering charter flights to airstrips in many of the national parks and reserves.

 

Tanzania safari from Kilimanjaro

Kilimanjaro International Airport is the gateway to the wildlife parks and reserves of the Northern Circuit, as well as for trekkers attempting to summit the legendary peak of Mount Kilimanjaro. It’s served by a number of international airlines, including Condor, Ethiopian Airlines, Fastjet, Kenya Airways, KLM, Lufthansa, Qatar Airways, Precision Air, Safarilink, Turkish Airlines, RwandaAir and Fly Dubai. It has a large number of domestic connections to airports across Tanzania, as well as offering charter flights to airstrips in many of the national parks and reserves.

 

Combining your Tanzania safari with other destinations

Tanzania safaris and Zanzibar

A bush and beach safari is the perfect combination for exhilarating wildlife encounters and long days lazing on the sand. Situated just off the coast of Tanzania, Zanzibar is one of the most popular post-safari beach break settings and is conveniently connected via direct flights to several safari destinations. Spend your days touring the fragrant spice plantations and the UNESCO-listed streets of Stone Town before diving into the crystal-clear waters to swim and snorkel on the surrounding coral reefs.

 

Get Inspired: View Our Tanzania safaris and Zanzibar Packages Here

 

 

Safaris to Tanzania and Kenya

Together, Tanzania and Kenya offer some of East Africa’s most thrilling wildlife experiences, with legendary parks like the Serengeti, Amboseli and Maasai Mara to name just a few. Combining the two destinations is easier than you might think, with regular flight connections between their international airports and smaller airstrips. Whether you’re coming to experience the Great Wildebeest Migration or want to combine a safari in the Massai Mara with a beach break in Zanzibar, chat with your safari expert to craft your ideal Kenya-Tanzania safari adventure.

Planning a Tanzania and Kenya Safari? Check Out Our Tanzania and Kenya Safaris Here

 

Tanzania safari and Seychelles

The Seychelles comprises 115 islands that scatter off the East African coast and has garnered a reputation as one of the world’s most idyllic archipelagos. It boasts sparkling turquoise waters and blindingly white sands, as well as huge granite boulders that set it apart. It’s possible to combine your Tanzania safari with a Seychelles vacation in a bush and beach package, including a few days relaxing in this honeymooner’s paradise.

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Tanzania safari and gorilla trekking

While Tanzania is blessed with incredible wildlife diversity, you’ll have to head to neighbouring Rwanda or Uganda if you want to come face-to-face with mountain gorillas. A trek to see these impressive creatures is unforgettable and one that can easily be combined with your Tanzania safari. Chat with one of our safari experts about customizing a tour that includes a Tanzania safari on the Northern or Southern Circuit plus a visit to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in Uganda or Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda.

Planning a Tanzania safari and gorilla trekking? Check Out Our Tanzania Safaris and gorilla trekking packages Here

Tanzania safari and Kilimanjaro climb

Rising to 5,895 metres in height, Mount Kilimanjaro is the highest mountain on the African continent. Trekking to its summit is a bucket-list adventure for many and can easily be combined with a safari along the Northern Circuit. There are various different routes you can select from, with some better for acclimatisation and others ideal if you want to escape the crowds. Chat with your safari expert about their recommendations for climbing Kili, taking into account your fitness level and trekking experience. They can then craft a combined itinerary, including visits to your wildlife destinations of choice.

 

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When to go on a Tanzania safari

The dry season from June to October is generally considered the best time to go on safari in Tanzania. The thinner vegetation makes wildlife viewing easier while the limited water sources result in animals congregating on river banks or around permanent watering holes. Tanzania safaris in June and July coincide with the annual wildebeest migration when hundreds of thousands of wildebeest, zebras and opportunistic predators can be seen making their annual journey north to graze on the plains of the Maasai Mara. August to September is the best time to visit if you want to see the wildebeest and zebras making the precarious river crossings in northern Serengeti while trying to elude the lurking crocodiles. Keep in mind that the parks can get quite crowded during this period and accommodation prices tend to be higher.

 

November through to May is the wet season when Tanzania’s landscapes turn a lush green. While the days are generally marked by short, afternoon downpours, March, April and May see heavier and lengthier rains that can disrupt travel plans. During the wet season, the birdlife is exceptional as migratory species arrive from as far away as Europe and Asia. The wildebeest can be seen calving in northern Tanzania from late-January to February, making this a fantastic time to visit if you want to see newborns taking their first wobbly steps. If you decide to travel during the wet season, you’ll benefit from reduced accommodation rates and far fewer crowds. Having said this, Tanzania safaris in December are the exception when large numbers of tourists visit during their annual holidays. It’s important to be aware that some roads can become impassable following heavy downfalls, so always check with your safari expert first before booking your chosen lodge or camp.

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