If you were asked to describe the iconic elements of an African safari, what images would you envision? Perhaps you’re picturing huge savannahs now, with scattered acacia trees. Or are you at your computer listening to the nighttime roar of lions (talk to a human)? Maybe it’s the surreal awe of the mass migration of wildebeest and zebra? Tanzania, of all the contrasts and nature, hath all of it, and will bring to an end the ideal safari.
Tanzania: The Essential Safari Place
Since travel has leaned towards something truly immersive and transformative, Tanzania has become the king of African safaris. A land whose wildlife is as numerous as the landscape in which they thrive, and its culture as rich as its history. A far cry from flat game drives, a Tanzanian safari promises an array of diversity and drama, a level arguably unmatched among the other heavyweights of the continent.
So with that in mind, we’re releasing Tanzania as the perfect safari destination.
Serengeti National Park
The Serengeti is not a just a National Park but a symbol, a phenomenon and the backdrop to one of the most fabled wildlife spectacles on the planet: the Great Migration. The tradition involves millions of wildebeest and zebras moving across the plains for fresh feed, in the pursuit of predators. It’s a primal and heart-breaking spectacle.
And it’s not just with the migration that the Serengeti gets alluring. It’s a seasonally ongoing wild theatre, where every day holds the promise of something new. It is because of the park’s scale and its diversity that every game drive can produce something new, whether it’s a group of lions hanging out in the tan grass or the leopard on the stem of a sausage tree.
Visit the Serengeti insider’s tip: To experience the Serengeti national park for yourself, take a hot air balloon safari. The opportunity to look from above the vast savannah at sunrise provides a once-in-a-lifetime view of the Great Migration and the park’s many wildlife.
To maximize your experience, head over in the dry season between June and October when the animals are much easier to find.
Ngorongoro Crater
The Ngorongoro Crater, which has been called ‘Africa’s Eden’, is the microcosm of Africa’s wildlife. The UNESCO World Heritage Site is the world’s largest unbroken volcanic caldera, and is home to an astounding array of animals. It’s one of the few locations on the planet where you can see the Big Five in the same morning.
Entering the crater is like stepping into a lost world, herds of buffalo whirring like black clouds on the crater floor, flamingos turning the soda lakes pink. The highlands around the crater are also home to the Maasai – an ethnic group whose pastoral lifestyle has remained nearly unchanged for centuries, bringing a unique cultural flavour to the animal experience.
Advice about the Ngorongoro Crater: The Ngorongoro Crater gets crowded, and cars come in a large number at once. If you want to get away from the crowds, get into the crater early. Getting out in the early morning not only makes for wonderful photography, but it will also give you a better chance to see the nightly predators before they flee the heat of the day.
Selous Game Reserve
The Selous Game Reserve is the frontier of wild life. It is Africa’s biggest game reserve, and you can go safari on the boat along the Rufiji River. Imagine elephants swimming in the shallows, crocodiles sunbathing along the banks, and hippos fighting for space in the water. It’s like something out of an explorer’s diary.
Because the reserve is somewhat remote, there are less visitors and it is more of a private, intimate way to interact with nature. The Selous is also home to the threatened African wild dog, and encounters with these mysterious animals are a highlight of any animal-lover’s trip.
Tips on what to see in Selous Game Reserve: Make use of the Selous watercourses and enjoy a boat safari. It’s a less conventional approach to wildlife watching and a quiet alternative to the game drives. Anglers can even enjoy catch-and-release fishing where they might hook a tigerfish or catfish.
Zanzibar Archipelago
There is no Tanzanian safari without a trip to the nutmeg-laced island kingdoms of the Zanzibar Archipelago. Despite the dust and excitement of the mainland’s game parks, Zanzibar’s pristine sands and turquoise waters provide a much-needed break.
Zanzibar is not just a seaside resort; it’s a cultural junction, a place where Swahili, Arab, Indian and European cultures collide. The Stone Town, its narrow alleys and doorways, is an archaeological jewel. Beyond the city, the islands boast world-class diving, spice tours and the opportunity to taste some of the finest seafood in the world.
Convenience tip to visit the Zanzibar Archipelago: Beaches are beautiful, but you have to spend time in the Jozani Chwaka Bay National Park which is the only home to the endangered red colobus monkey. Head there early in the morning, when the forest is bursting with life. Consider taking a tour of a spice farm to learn more about the island’s Spice Trade history, and to taste fresh spices and fruits, along with a large selection of Tanzanian cuisine.
Tarangire National Park
Far from the attention of its neighbours, Tarangire National Park is a quiet gem that shines during the dry season. It’s when elephants swarm up the Tarangire River and the park is full of animals.
Tarangire is also famous for the ancient baobab trees that hover above the landscape. Such trees, some more than a millennium old, bear testimony to the agelessness of the Tanzanian wilderness.
Tips to know about the Tarangire National Park: Tarangire is home to many elephants.
You will experience the wilderness in an unforgettable way if you stay in one of the park’s tented camps. When you remain within the park, your game drives can start early and end late, and hence see wildlife in the early hours of the morning and evening when wildlife is at its best.
Visiting Tanzania
Flights from London are available directly to Dar es Salaam, the bustling international airport that is the entry point to Tanzania, and you can arrive in the centre of the safari world in less than 10 hours. Kilimanjaro International Airport is the most accessible point to begin your journey through the northern circuit of the Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater and Kilimanjaro; it offers one-stop connections that usually take you to European or Middle Eastern ports.
When you land, internal flights can whisk you to national parks and game reserves, or choose the scenic route through chartered flights or guided drives through the Tanzanian landscape. The latter is not only a great opportunity to explore the country’s diverse landscape, but it’s also a great way to meet cultures along the way.
For the Zanzibar Archipelago, flights are quick and frequent from Dar es Salaam so that it is easily transferable from safari to beach. A ferry from the mainland could provide a shorter ride to the islands.
The Bottom Line
The magic of Tanzania as a safari destination is that it is diverse. Each park and reserve is part of a broader story of wild grandeur and obscurity. Our nation’s landforms become the canvas, on which the diverse wildlife and human populations are woven.
Tanzania represents the new paradigm of the safari: not only are the animals seen but the stories shared and the hearts rekindled. It’s a land whose spirit of exploration is as unbeatable as its people, and where the possibilities of exploration are as endless as the African sky.
