A Tanzania safari holiday is always an amazing experience. Home to a number of stunning wildlife areas, Tanzania safari is most famous for the Serengeti National Park, the Ngorongoro Crater, the tropical island of Zanzibar and the snow-capped summit of Kilimanjaro. There is a lot to be said for the fact that the country is actually home to four of Africa's top five attractions!
Just focusing on the main parks however would be doing the country an injustice. Many people believe that the countries most appealing attractions are its quieter areas - the Selous Game Reserve, Ruaha National Park, Katavi National Park, the Mahale Mountains and the islands surrounding Zanzibar. The question therefore is whether you go North or whether you go South. It is possible to combine both areas but budgets can disappear fast, and you need an absolute minimum of 8-10 days.
The Serengeti is Africa's most famous park. Home to the Great Migration and the highest concentrations of predators in Africa, the Serengeti offers a game viewing experience to rival anywhere.
| | The Ngorongoro Crater is one of the worlds most beautiful wildlife settings. This stunning volcanic caldera is 19 km across and with walls up to 600 metres high safari on the crater floor reveals Africa's big game in abundance.
| | The Selous Game Reserve is Africa's largest and oldest Game Reserve. The vast Rufiji River gives life to a network of channels and lagoon which form the lifeblood of the park. Animals congregate en masse at the water edge.
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Ruaha National Park is one of Tanzania's best kept secrets. Huge densities of Africa's biggest game, including massive lion prides, elephant and buffalo herds are found throughout the park which receives few travelers due to its remote location
| | Mahale Mountains National Park is one of Africa's wildest and most appealing destinations. Located in the remote corner of Western Tanzania, Mahale offers Africa's finest chimpanzee viewing and is an outstanding destination in itself.
| | Zanzibar is Africa's most popular beach destination. Miles upon miles of palm fringed shores line tropical waters and coral reefs that will compete with anywhere in the world. The capital Stone Town is the islands cultural hotspot and offers a glimpse into real African life.
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Tanzania Safari - how to get to and around Tanzania
The main airports for a Tanzania safari are at Dar es Salaam on the mainland coast, and also at Kilimanjaro in the North of the country, near the safari capital of Arusha. British Airways flies direct in from London to 'Dar', and KLM from Amsterdam fly direct into 'Kili'. Both routes are possible from flights starting in the US. The far East is easily linked by either Singapore Airlines or the Middle Eastern airlines of Emirates or Qatar. From these entrance points there are then a network of internal Tanzania safari flight operators that link up the majority of the country and its National parks. The parks in Northern Tanzania including the Serengeti, Ngorongoro, Manyara and Tarangire are all possible to travel by road.
Tanzania Safaris - Safaris in North vs Safaris in the South
The nature of a safari in the North and the South of the country is completely different, and to this end we have tried to summarise the differences. In essence, the North of Tanzania is the famous area and thus is far more touristy. In such areas as the Ngorongoro Crater and the Serengeti's central Seronera river valley, it is difficult to avoid the crowds. We tend to keep clients away from these areas, using nearby hotels to raid into the busy areas, and disappear again. Due to the distances in the North drives between parks can be long, and although flying between them is certainly faster and an experience in themselves, flights are expensive. The sheer volume of game up here, especially with the Great wildebeest migration and the areas phenomenal cat concentrations, is comparable to nowhere else. The other slight negative of this area is that for the most part there are very few areas where you free to do as you please. There are no boating safaris permitted up here and the areas where you can walk are very limited. So in summary, the North does have very good game, and with its acacia studded open plains it is quintessential Africa. However it is worth considering the fact that it is very busy in parts and for the most part, you cannot get out of your car! The south of Tanzania is far more remote and relaxed in its feel, less touristy, and generally just much slower paced. There are far fewer travellers down here which is hugely apparent; days can be spent on a southern Tanzania safari without seeing a sole. The parks down here also offer boating, walking and fly camping trips, so you are never restricted to your vehicle.
Tanzania safari accommodation - the options
The arrange of safari accommodation across the country is also impressive. There are the larger hotels of the famous Northern circuit which accommodate superbly for families with younger children as well as clients wanting the security of a larger permanent structure. There are then the no frills, safari focused tented camps, specifically the Serengeti's famous mobile camps which cater for the adventurous traveler who is looking for an all out wilderness experience. There are then the luxury tented camps which offer a sense of adventure whilst not letting clients lose out on anything they could ever wish for, and finally there are the super luxury lodges where accommodations is simply taken to another level. This huge range of accommodation means that in the vast majority of wildlife areas there are a range of accommodations to choose from, which can accommodate for travelers of all desires but also importantly, all budgets. However, the terminology for where to stay on safari can be confusing ! - and includes Mobile Fly Camps, Tented Lodge / Camp , Lodge , Mobile Camps , Hotels
Planning the perfect Tanzania Safari
We strongly recommend that you look through our site, but strongly recommend that you email or phone us and we will help you plan the perfect safari.
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