Tanzania Travel Guide
The Ultimate Guide on Traveling Tanzania
Tanzania is a large African country with over 30% of its land surface area set aside as some form of protected area – national park, game reserve, wildlife management area, etc. – for the benefit of wildlife and conservation. Safari goers benefit from this extensive and diverse wildlife estate, which is accessible in its entirety to anyone with a reliable 4×4 vehicle. There are few – if any – other African safari destinations where self-sufficient 4×4 aficionados and nature lovers can experience enormous herds of buffalo and elephant, giant tuskers, the world renowned wildebeest migration, the Eden-like Ngorongoro Crater, habituated chimpanzees, swimming with whale sharks and dolphins, and climbing Africa’s highest mountain all within the confines of a single spectacular country.
Tanzania General Overview:
Tanzania is a truly remarkable country, which contains far more than its fair share of Africa’s crowned jewels.
The country is best known for safari in Serengeti and Ngorongoro, treks on Mount Kilimanjaro and the beaches of Zanzibar.
Other fabulous locations include the savanna reserves of Ruaha, Selous, Katavi and Tarangire, the amazing chimpanzee area of Mahale Mountains and the remote tropical beaches and diving spots of Pemba, Mafia and Fanjove islands.
Tanzania is a very cool country to visit and is one of the most popular choices amongst our guests, not least because it’s a prime location for classic ‘bush and beach’ combinations.
Trips typically run to 10-18 nights, but can easily be extended to three or four weeks and continue to deliver varied and interesting experiences.
The most common combination is with the gorilla areas of Uganda and Rwanda, which are easily reached from Serengeti.
Best Time To Visit Tanzania:
The various areas of Tanzania are not only very seasonal, but there are significant differences in climate across the country. Careful planning is extremely important.
The classic time to visit is the during the main Jul-Oct dry season, when weather conditions should be good everywhere and wildlife viewing should be spectacular.
Another major highlight is the migration calving season in Serengeti during the Dec-Feb green season, which combines well with fine trekking conditions on Kilimanjaro and good weather down on the coast.
The main Mar-Apr rainy season is generally considered to be a period to stay away, although those who are prepared to endure a little conditions will be rewarded by awesome wildlife and very low visitor numbers, especially in Serengeti. However the conditions down on the coast Mar-Jun are not the greatest.
January : 8/10
The weather during January and February in most parts of Tanzania is usually very good. At this time there is usually a significant lull between the short rains of November and the long rains of Mar-May. Whilst down on the coast rain is likely to remain a more or less daily occurrence, it should largely take the form of light showers. Further inland showers should be more occasional. Everywhere there remains a relatively low chance of heavier and more prolonged rain. But the overriding conditions should be hot and sunny, with clean and clear air and great light for photography. Daytime temperatures should reach 30-35C/86-95F in most areas.
Safari in Tanzania in January ranges from good to excellent. Generally speaking the short rains should have passed, freshening the landscapes and causing many mammal species to start to have their young. If rains have been heavy then many of the animals will have dispersed into the hinterlands, making wildlife viewing generally less intense. So a pleasant and pretty time to be out in the bush, but without the hardcore intensity of the late Aug-Oct dry season. The one major exception to this is the calving of the wildebeest on the southern plains of Serengeti, an all action spectacle which draws well informed travellers from around the world. Almost all trips at this time are shaped around this event.
Conditions on Kilimanjaro are very good to excellent. Although there is a risk of rain and snow, this is generally considered to be one of the better times to be on the mountain.
Visitor traffic in January ranges from very high to medium. The early part of January, up to around 4th or 5th continues to experience the very high traffic of the late December period. Core areas such as the Ngorongoro Crater, Serengeti Central and Zanzibar will be busy and strategic planning will be needed to avoid the crowds. Getting availability in the best lodges can be a real issue and booking at least eight months ahead is advised, especially for groups of four or more guests. The remainder of the month experiences a dramatic drop off in visitor numbers, although getting rooms in the critical Serengeti Southwest area can still be tough.
February : 8/10
The weather during January and February in most parts of Tanzania is usually very good. At this time there is usually a significant lull between the short rains of November and the long rains of Mar-May. Whilst down on the coast rain is likely to remain a more or less daily occurrence, it should largely take the form of light showers. Further inland showers should be more occasional. Everywhere there remains a relatively low chance of heavier and more prolonged rain. But the overriding conditions should be hot and sunny, with clean and clear air and great light for photography. Daytime temperatures should reach 30-35C/86-95F in most areas.
Safari in Tanzania in February ranges from good to excellent. Generally speaking the short rains should have passed, freshening the landscapes and causing many mammal species to start to have their young. If rains have been heavy then many of the animals will have dispersed into the hinterlands, making wildlife viewing generally less intense. So a pleasant and pretty time to be out in the bush, but without the hardcore intensity of the late Aug-Oct dry season. The one major exception to this is the calving of the wildebeest on the southern plains of Serengeti, an all action spectacle which draws well informed travellers from around the world. Almost all trips at this time are shaped around this event.
Conditions on Kilimanjaro should be superb, this probably the best month of the year to be on the mountain.
Visitor traffic in February is medium. This is a reasonably popular period and traffic in the core areas of Serengeti Southwest and Zanzibar does need to be considered. Getting availability in the best lodges can be a real issue and booking at least six to eight months ahead is advised, especially for groups of four or more guests and especially in that Serengeti Southwest area.
March : 7/10
The Tanzania weather in March is usually mixed and deteriorating. Some time during the month there should be a major change in the prevailing wind conditions, switching from northeast to southeast. With this change comes the onset of the main rains. Because there;s usually some rain around in the preceding period and the landscape is therefore not so parched, the breaking of these rains is not usually such a dramatic event as the breaking of the short rains in November. But when they do come, the volume can be considerably greater. We are talking about potentially persistent heavy rains for days and even weeks at a time. The early part of March is generally considered to be a risk worth taking, but the safari season does tail off significantly into the latter two weeks. Down on the coast the situation is usually more pronounced, with rain tending to arrive slightly earlier and be rather heavier. Nevertheless there should be a good deal of hot sunny weather in between and daytime temperatures should still continue to reach 25-30C/77-86F in most areas.
Safari in Tanzania in March ranges from good to poor. For the early part of the month the conditions described in the previous month should still be prevailing, but as the long rains start to move in, so the animals become increasingly scattered, the tracks become more slippery and wildlife viewing becomes more difficult. The Serengeti migration should still be largely out on the southern plains, just starting to move north and coming into rut, but fewer and fewer people seem willing to brave the potentially adverse conditions.
Conditions on Kilimanjaro are variable. With the weather starting to threaten, we tend to wind down our trekking operations, only really outfitting expeditions for hardcore mountaineers and military personel.
Visitor traffic in March is low and traffic avoidance is not a major issue in trip planning. The one major exception is Southwest Serengeti during the early part of the month, where room availability can continue to be an issue.
April : 6/10
The weather in Tanzania during April is usually poor. This month represents the peak of the main rainy season. Heavy and persistent preciptation can be expected in most parts. Nevertheless daytime temperatures should still continue to reach 25-30C/77-86F in most areas.
Safari in Tanzania in April is generally poor. The heavy rain should now have completely dispersed the animals in almost all areas. Many camps close during this period, with the parks to the south and west becoming virtually cut off by the suspension of air services. The only areas which remain accessible for safari are in the north, namely Lake Manyara, the Ngorongoro Crater and core parts of Serengeti. These are the areas which at other times of year suffer from the highest traffic, but which at this time of year should be reasonably quiet. The wildebeest rut in Southwest Serengeti is a particular highlight, with vast columns of animals moving slowly northwards through the Moru Kopjes area.
Conditions on Mount Kilimanjaro are difficult and dangerous and we only tend to outfit expeditions for hardcore mountaineers and military personel.
Visitor traffic in April is extremely low and traffic avoidance is not a major issue. Some more experienced safari visitors, who understand that out in the bush rain is a blessing rather than a curse, take the opportunity to visit Serengeti in particular and enjoy the luxury of having the place virtually to themselves. So although conventional wisdom dictates that this is not the best time to travel and we rate it relatively low accordingly, we could just as easily find ourselves recommending it very strongly to the right kind of traveller.
May : 7/10
The weather in Tanzania during May is usually mixed. The start of the month can very much be considered a continuation of the heavy rains of the preceding month, but in many inland areas these rains can fall away very fast. For example, statistics show that the rainfall in Serengeti during May has been very low in most of the last twenty years. Down on the coast however conditions are much more likely to continue to be adverse, with high winds and persistent rain a real possibility. Nevertheless there should be a good deal of hot sunny weather in between and daytime temperatures should still continue to reach 25-30C/77-86F in most areas.
Safari in Tanzania in May ranges from poor to very good. As the long rains come to an end in early May, so the animals remain widely dispersed. Furthermore, with the grass and other foliage has really put on some growth, that the animals remain difficult to find. Parks to the south and west of the country remain effectively closed. Only in the north are there any safari options worthy of consideration. Again the low visitor numbers make the core areas of Lake Manyara, Ngorongoro Crater and Serengeti unusually attractive. As the month progresses, so the main wildebeest migration pushes north towards the Grumeti Stream and should be accessible. Most of the camps in the south and west of the country remain closed.
Conditions on Mount Kilimanjaro remain difficult and dangerous and we only tend to outfit expeditions for hardcore mountaineers and military personel.
Visitor traffic in May increases gently from very low to low. Whilst the first week or so is understandably avoided due to the continued risk of heavy rain, the latter part of the month can be particularly good in the north, especially in Serengeti, so visitor numbers may start to increase.
June : 8/10
The weather in Tanzania during June is usually very good. It’s during this month that the dry season really gets under way. There remains a slight risk of light rain, quite pronounced in some localised areas, but overall we should be looking at decent sunshine hours, with skies possibly becoming a little hazy at times. Although slightly cooler than usual at night, temperatures should still reach 25-30C/77-86F during the day, with low humidities inland, high humidities along the coast. The weather in Ngorongoro can be very cold, even dropping below freezing at night and often with heavy fog in the mornings. The summit of Kilimanjaro can drop to -35C/-31F and snow showers may be heavy. Down on the coast the chance of rain showers remains high and there are likely to be strong winds that can rattle the palm trees mornings and evenings during the first part of the month.
Safari in Tanzania in June ranges from good to very good. As the dry season gets under way, the areas which have been closed for the past two months at last start to open back up. The animals are likely to remain widely scattered and grass cover continues to be an impediment to wildlife viewing, but the bush should still be quite fresh and pretty. The main highlight is the migration movement in the Serengeti, which in early June should still be crossing the Grumeti Stream.
Conditions on Kilimanjaro are variable, but we do reopen our mountain operations to a wider range of trekkers. Temperatures are at their lowest and heavy snow is often experienced on the summit approaches.
Visitor traffic in June ranges from low to high. This month tends to be populated by well informed visitors who are getting in early to avoid the peak season traffic. During the first half of the month traffic is therefore less of an issue, but in the latter two weeks core areas such as the Ngorongoro Crater, Serengeti Central and Zanzibar will be starting to get busy and strategic planning will be needed to avoid the crowds.
July : 9/10
The weather in Tanzania during July should have improved to excellent in virtually all areas. The dry season should be well underway, which means there should be lots of sunshine and very little rainfall, although skies can become hazy and nighttime temperatures can be slightly lower than usual. In general temperatures should reach 25-30C/77-86F during the day, with low humidities inland, high humidities along the coast. Nights in Ngorongoro can still drop well below 10C/50F. The summit of Kilimanjaro can drop to -30C/-22F and snow may be heavy. On the coast the tropical showers and onshore winds should have diminished considerably.
Safari in Tanzania in July ranges from very good to excellent. As the dry season starts to take full effect, so the animals start to move back in towards the permanent sources of water, improving sightings in virtually all the main safari areas. Towards the middle of the month the wildebeest migration should be reaching the prime Serengeti Mara area, with the increasing prospect of major river crossings.
Conditions on Kilimanjaro are good. We are now well into the main trekking season and conditions are continuing to improve, although temperatures remain relatively low and heavy snow can be experienced on the summit approaches.
Visitor traffic in June ranges from high to very high, climbing through the month, heading towards an August peak. Core areas such as the Ngorongoro Crater, Serengeti Central and Zanzibar will be busy and strategic planning will be needed to avoid the crowds. Getting availability in the best lodges can be a real issue and booking at least six months ahead is advised, especially for groups of four or more guests.
August : 9/10
The Tanzania weather in August should be excellent in virtually all areas. The dry season should be well underway, which means there should be lots of sunshine and very little rainfall, although skies can become hazy and temperatures can be slightly lower than usual. In general temperatures should reach 25-30C/77-86F during the day, with low humidities inland, high humidities along the coast. Nights in Ngorongoro can still be cold, but not so low as preceding months. The summit of Kilimanjaro should also not be quite so cold and snow showers should be less frequent. On the coast any tropical showers and onshore winds should be relatively light.
Safari in Tanzania in August should be excellent. Wildlife viewing in virtually all areas should be reaching its best as the long grasses die back and animals settle in around the permanent water sources. It’s difficult to list all the safari highlights at this time of year, but in the north alone one should look out for huge herds of elephant in Tarangire, the highest density of lions and cheetahs in Africa in Central Serengeti and migration river crossings in the Serengeti Mara area.
Conditions on Kilimanjaro should be very good. We are now well into the main trekking season and conditions are continuing to improve, with low temperatures starting to become less of an issue.
Visitor traffic in August is very high, as Europeans in particular visit in large numbers during their school holidays and summer shut-downs. Core areas such as the Ngorongoro Crater, Serengeti Central and Zanzibar will be busy and strategic planning will be needed to avoid the crowds. Getting availability in the best lodges can be a real issue and booking at least eight months ahead is advised, especially for groups of four or more guests. Our recommendation is to avoid August if you can. If that’s not possible, then please try to keep your dates as flexible as possible whilst we go through the process of stiching together the best remaining accommodation options.
September : 9/10
The weather in Tanzania during September should be excellent in virtually all areas. The dry season should be in full flow, meaning there should be lots of sunshine, clear skies and very little rainfall. In general temperatures should reach 25-30C/77-86F during the day, with low humidities inland, high humidities along the coast. Nights at higher elevations like Ngorongoro should no longer be too cold. The summit of Kilimanjaro should also not be so cold and snow is unlikely. On the coast the tropical showers and onshore winds should be relatively light.
Safari in Tanzania in September should be excellent. Wildlife viewing in virtually all areas should be reaching its best as the long grasses should have died back and animals become settled around the permanent water sources. It’s difficult to list all the safari highlights at this time of year, but in the north alone one should look out for huge herds of elephant in Tarangire, the highest density of lions and cheetahs in Africa in Central Serengeti and migration river crossings in the Serengeti Mara area.
Conditions on Kilimanjaro should be very good.
Visitor traffic in September ranges from very high to high. The peak traffic of August spills over significantly into the early part of September, although rarely reaches the madness of the first two weeks of the previous month. For those first two weeks in September core areas such as the Ngorongoro Crater, Serengeti Central and Zanzibar will be busy and strategic planning will be needed to avoid the crowds. Getting availability in the best lodges can be a real issue and booking at least eight months ahead is advised, especially for groups of four or more guests. Towards the end of the month numbers should start to fall away significantly and traffic becomes far less of an issue.
October : 10/10
The weather in Tanzania during October should be excellent in virtually all areas. The dry season should be reaching its peak, which means there should be lots of sunshine, clear skies and very little rainfall. In general temperatures should reach 30-35C/86-95F during the day, with low humidities inland, high humidities along the coast. The summit of Kilimanjaro should not be so cold and snow should be unlikely. On the coast the tropical showers and onshore winds should be relatively light.
Safari in Tanzania in October should be excellent. We are now reaching the peak of the dry season. The animals have been concentrated around the permanent water sources for some months and life has really started to get tough for herbivores as the grazing depletes and predators exact a heavy toll. It’s difficult to list all the safari highlights at this time of year, but in the north alone one should look out for huge herds of elephant in Tarangire, the highest density of lions and cheetahs in Africa in Central Serengeti and migration river crossings in the Serengeti Mara area. If the rains break early then October could see some wildlife dispersal, as described in November, but generally speaking this isn’t the case.
Conditions on Kilimanjaro are excellent to moderate. As the month progresses, so the chances of getting caught by the short rains or snows at higher altitudes increases. The first couple of weeks should be a pretty safe bet, the third week more risky. We tend to start winding down our main trek operations just before the end of the month.
Visitor traffic in October is reasonably low. Despite being such a good month to be in Tanzania, relatively few people seem able to take advantage. If you are not tied to school holidays or work shut-downs, then we recommend that you do your best to catch the middle part of the month, it’s a prime time.
November : 8/10
The weather in Tanzania during November can be quite unpredictable. At some time during the month the prevailing winds should swing dramatically from the southeast to the northeast, a change that should induce the short rains. Down on the coast this change tends to be more pronounced, with a significant increase in precipitation and a good deal of cloud cover. Further inland the change is less predictable, with locations such as Serengeti, Selous and Katavi probably also experiencing an end to the dry season. This could take the form of a couple of light showers during the month, or weeks of more regular rain and cloud cover. Daytime temperatures should still reach 30-35C/86-95F in most areas. Uniquely Ruaha tends to remain dry.
Safari in Tanzania in November should be excellent to good. The reason for the wide range in rating is the unpredictability of the short rains. Assuming that they do arrive, then there should be some significant dispersal of animals away from permanent water sources. It all depends whether or not there is sufficient rain to fill seasonal waterholes out in the hinterlands. The animals are busting to get moving and will head out as soon as they can, there’s so little grazing left in the core areas. These movements would serve to make wildlife viewing generally more difficult than during the preceding months. If, on the other hand, the rains fail to properly materialise (as they do some years) then dry season conditions will continue and even exaggerate. On balance we feel it’s safer to assume that the rains will come. In the Serengeti the migration will start to move as soon as the first lighting strikes in the Ngorongoro Highlands to the south, which means that huge columns can be seen moving south through the reserve, although this is not generally considered to be a spectacular or reliable time of year for migration viewing.
Conditions on Kilimanjaro are likely to be difficult and dangerous. The weather is quite unpredictable through this month and unpredictability is not something we want on the mountain. We only tend to outfit expeditions for hardcore mountaineers and military personel at this time.
Visitor traffic in November is very low, both because of the potentially adverse weather and simply because so few people seem to travel at this time of year. The dearth of visitors makes it a great month in which to spend time at the better known locations, such as the Ngorongoro Crater and Serengeti Central, which usually have to be visited with care!
December : 8/10
The weather in Tanzania during December can also be be quite unpredictable, although is usually slightly better than November. Usually by the middle of the month the short rains have largely blown through and conditions should be returning, although we have noted that in El Nino years particular heavy rains have been know to fall right through the month. But generally speaking late December usually clears to provide decent conditions for the holiday season. Daytime temperatures should reach 30-35C/86-95F in most areas.
Safari in Tanzania in December should be very good to good. The usual course of events seems to be that the short rains in November and early December most often fail to deliver sufficient volumes to fill the seasonal pans out in the hinterland for any prolonged period. So although the period can see animals moving away from permanent water sources, more often than not they are forced to return, or at least not stray too far. This means that wildlife viewing in December is generally pretty good in most areas, if not to the same remarkable levels of the dry season. The main highlight is the arrival of the migration onto the southern plains of Serengeti. The timing of this event varies considerably year on year, but late December is probably the median, it all depends upon localised patterns of showers. If they are early then the calving season may start get underway, which is generally considered to be a major highlight.
Conditions on Kilimanjaro range from poor to very good. December is a split month. The first half usually offers up adverse conditions similar to those in November, whilst the second half tends to be much more like January. When this break point will actually fall each year is quite tricky to predict. We tend to fully reopen our operations during the second week, warning trekkers that the first outing of the season can be a little tougher than usual. By the time the main bulk of visitors arrive for the Dec-Jan holiday period, conditions should hopefully be more favourable.
Visitor traffic in December ranges from very low to very high. This is a black and white month. Up to the first weekend before Christmas, the place is virtually empty. Then, over the space of a few days, the holiday season traffic arrives and numbers jump to a year round peak. If you can possibly shift your vacation forward by a few days then you will be rewarded by a much quieter and more peaceful visit. If you need to visit over the Christmas and New Year period then core areas such as the Ngorongoro Crater, Serengeti Central, Serengeti Southwest and Zanzibar will be busy and strategic planning will be needed to avoid the crowds. Getting availability in the best lodges can be a real issue and booking at least eight months ahead is advised, especially for groups of four or more guests.
Tanzania Safari Circuits:
We divide Tanzania into Four regions. Most people choose to either focus on one region or combine two different regions into their trip. If you want to combine three or more regions, then you will most likely be looking at a trip of at least 14 nights.
Tanzania Northern Safari Circuit:
Arguably the greatest safari area in Africa, Tanzania North is a region of enormous diversity and quality, centred on the Serengeti, Ngorongoro, Manyara and Tarangire areas, with guest accommodation in around 180 decent camps and lodges and offering an extremely wide range of safari, cultural and active experiences.
- Link : Tanzania Northern Circuit.
- Link : Best lodges in Tanzania North
Tanzania Southern Safari Circuit:
The Tanzania South region contains two superb wildlife reserves, Selous and Ruaha, with guest accommodation in around 25 quality camps and lodges, which are usually accessed by air from Dar es Salaam and combined with the tropical beaches of the coast. Other more peripheral areas include Mikumi, Udzungwa Mountains, Iringa and Mufindi Highlands.
- Link : Tanzania Southern Circuit
- Link : Best lodges in Tanzania South
Tanzania Western Safari Circuit:
The Tanzania West region contains two of the most remote and fabulous safari areas in Africa, namely the savanna reserve of Katavi and the remarkable chimpanzee experience at Mahale Mountains. Guest accommodation is in just a handful of high quality camps, accessed by expensive shared charter flights. Other more peripheral areas include Kigoma and Gombe Stream.
- Link : Tanzania Western Circuit.
- Link : Best lodges in Tanzania Western Circuit
Tanzania Coastal Safari Circuit:
Tanzania contains over 700km of fabulous tropical coastline, plus the beautiful islands of Zanzibar, Pemba and Mafia, with guest accommodation in around 120 quality lodges, offering a very strong range of marine and cultural experiences. White sand beaches, great diving and incredible Swahili history.
- Link : Tanzania Coastal Circuit.
- Link : Best lodges in Tanzania Coastal Circuit
Getting around
Tanzania is usually accessed via Kilimanjaro International Airport (for the Serengeti region and Mount Kilimanjaro), Dar es Salaam International Airport (for Selous and Ruaha and the coast) and Zanzibar International Airport (for the coast).
Whilst it is possible to arrive into any of these airports and connect to anywhere in the country, there are definitely some connections which are easier and cheaper than others, so it’s usually best not to book your international flights before contacting us.
If you are combining with neighbouring countries like Kenya, Uganda and Rwanda, then it may be possible to fly direct into the national parks rather than detour back through these big airports. For example there are excellent flights from Entebbe and Kigali which head into the airstrips of Serengeti.
Once in the country, the majority of locations are best connected by light aircraft services, which are generally arranged to seamlessly route between the key areas.
The major exception to this is when travelling between the various reserves in the north (Serengeti, Ngorongoro, Tarangire) which are usually best connected by means of guided overland safaris.
Within each location it is usual to travel around with a guide and a vehicle. Self-drive is definitely not recommended, not even in somewhere as popular as Zanzibar Island.
We always include all connecting transport in your trip unless you specifically ask us not to.
Trip planning
The usual problem with planning a trip to Tanzania is that there are so many wonderful locations competing for your time. It is literally possible to spend 4-6 weeks here and still keep coming up with new places and novel experiences.
The vast majority of travellers end up spending 10-21 nights in country.
By far the most popular location to visit is Serengeti, usually in combination with one or more of the neighbouring reserves (Serengeti, Ngorongoro, Tarangire). A safari in this region is usually best done over 6-12 nights.
The most popular extension to that kind of safari is to head down to the tropical coast for a few days, or to add more safari in the remote reserves to the south or west of the country.
A few people, especially returning visitors, choose to skip the north and instead focus on the remote reserves of the south (Ruaha and Selous) and the west (Katavi and Mahale), usually spending 3-6 nights in each spot.
The other major option is to trek Mount Kilimanjaro, which takes 6-11 nights including the hotel stops either side. All manner of safari and beach options can then be added to these treks, with the classic triple of trek, safari and beach typically lasting 14-24 nights.
Of course you can always discuss all this in detail when we come to help with your trip, but in the meantime here’s some links to more detailed discussions about trip shapes …
Tanzania Special Interest Safari
Whether you’re planning a safari for your group, looking for a bird-watching, photography, Active, Culture with like-minded travelers or planning your romantic honeymoon, we can leverage our years of experience to design a perfectly tailored safari for you.
Tanzania Honeymoon Safari
Tanzania Family Safari
Tanzania Walking Safari
Tanzania Bird Watching Safari
Tanzania Photographic Safari
Tanzania Wildebeest Migration Safari
Tanzania Wheelchair Accessible Safari
Tanzania Cultural Safari
Tanzania Bicycle Safari
Tanzania On Safari Add-on Activities
We always add some active adventure to your safari in Tanzania to make it beyond ordinary and awaken your senses. It offers you a different perspective of the African bush and wildlife and gives you a real feel for the country you are travelling in.
The incredible Safari from The Sky over the Serengeti National Park and Tarangire National Park, boosting enchanting scenery and uninterrupted views as you embark on an extraordinary adventure. Special arrangements are made for you to depart before the break of dawn. This gives you a rare chance to experience the awakening of the surrounding wildlife and a wonderful sunrise. With amazing opportunities for stunning photographic moments, this miraculous glide over the Tanzania National Parks allows you to absorb the magnitude of the size of the park.
No safari holiday is complete without a traditional bush dinner, especially when it is enlivened by the presence by a group of scarlet-clad Maasai morans(warriors).
Our bush dinner typically takes place at a scenic location on the plains. Starting at around 6 pm, the dinner commences with a short game drive. Arrive at your chosen location, which offers fabulous views across the plains, as well as a table and chairs, a campfire, lanterns and a bush kitchen.
Sip sundowners around the campfire before tucking in to a five-course dinner, prepared on the blazing charcoal BBQ and accompanied by Maasai dance and song. Meat, fish and poultry are supplemented by vegetarian choices, salads, fruit and desserts from the main camp, and a full safari bar is provided.
Biking does not get better than what is available in Tanzania. There are thousands of miles of single-track routes to explore. Most of these paths are nice and smooth and easy riding. Obviously there are more challenging routes for the adventurer. The Village bike rides are designed to give you both a wildlife and cultural experience.
A melting pot of cultures, Mto Wa Mbu is thought to be one of the only places in Tanzania where there are representatives from all 120 tribes living happily side by side. Although the name translates as ‘Mosquito River’, due to the permanent water source in the village, we fortunately didn’t see many mosquitoes.
A local agricultural hub, the town is famous for its crops of rice and the distinctive red bananas that Tanzania is known for. A half-day tour of the town in the company of a local guide gives travellers the opportunity to interact with local farmers, as well as artisans, craftsmen and painters. A sampling of the local banana beer adds a unique taste of local flavour.
See nature from a different perspective. Canoeing is a wonderful way to be active for a few hours during your safari and to see a large part of the area.
Take a closer look at the animals during a canoe safari. Silently glide through the water past small herds of animals and the many birds, while peacefully enjoying the wonderful nature in the national parks of Tanzania.
Both the Momella Lakes in Arusha National Park, and Lake Manyara (when water levels permit) offer the calming opportunity to explore these beautiful lakes by canoe. Spend up to three hours gliding across the waters as you enjoy the sights and sounds of the area. A peaceful journey in the midst of your Tanzanian adventure.
Tanzania has over 120 tribes each with its own culture. Most visitors to Africa, especially first timers, find the continent and its people enchantingly different and a special experience. We appreciate this fact and endeavor to include visits to the local communities to give our guests the opportunity to see first-hand the way of life in a typical African village.
Cultural Tourism Program Sites include: Babati and Hanang, Engaruka, Ilkiding’a, Gezaulole, Kisangara, Longido, Machame, Mamba and Marangu, Mbeya, Mkuru, Mto wa Mbu, Mulala, Ng’Iresi, Northern Pare Mts,. Pangani, Southern Pare Mts., Western Usambara .
Not only do night game drives allow you to observe nocturnal animals such as porcupines, civet cats, and aardvarks, they are also a fantastic way to see nocturnal predators and herbivores in their element.
Big cats such as leopards and lions do much of their hunting after dark, while hippopotamus trade their watery homes for grazing out on the plains.
In Tanzania, night-game drives can be arranged at Lake Manyara National Park and Tarangire National Park. Night game drives are not available in the Serengeti or Ngorongoro Conservation Area.
Manyara Treetop Walkway takes you on a sky-high adventure through the beautiful forest of Lake Manyara. Walk among the treetops and experience untouched nature and wildlife from a unique perspective.
This 370m airwalk starts with a short board-walk that gradually rises from ground level up through the canopy of the forest. You walk over a series of suspension bridges with thick netting on the sides, and reach a height of 18m off the ground. Each of the bridges end on a viewing deck situated around tree trunks. These treetop platforms are perfect places to stop and enjoy life in the canopy amongst butterflies, monkeys and birds.