Tanzania Wildlife Safaris to Serengeti & Ngorongoro

Overview of Tanzania Safaris & Travel Experiences

Tanzania safaris are among the most popular wildlife trips in Africa. Tanzania is located in the Great Lakes region of East Africa and shares borders with Uganda, Kenya, Zambia, Malawi, Burundi, Rwanda, the Democratic Republic of Congo, the Indian Ocean, and Mozambique. The country covers about 947,303 square kilometers, and nearly 30 percent of the land area is protected as national parks, conservation areas, and game reserves.

Because of this large protected area, Tanzania safaris offer many opportunities to see wildlife and explore natural attractions. Visitors from many parts of the world travel to Tanzania each year to enjoy wildlife viewing, mountain climbing, cultural visits, and beach holidays.

About Tanzania

Tanzania is home to Mount Kilimanjaro, the tallest free standing mountain in the world and the highest mountain in Africa. The country also supports about 20 percent of Africa’s warm blooded animal population. Because of this large number of animals, Tanzania safaris are known for excellent wildlife viewing experiences in many national parks.

The country has large open plains, lakes, forests, mountains, and coastal areas. These different environments support many animals and birds that visitors can see during Tanzania safaris.

Why Visit Tanzania?

Tanzania safaris offer many activities for visitors. Some of the common activities include wildlife watching, bird viewing, cultural visits, mountain climbing, island tours, and visiting historical sites.

Game drives are the most popular activity in national parks where visitors travel with guides to see animals in their natural habitat. Bird watching is also popular because Tanzania has many bird species.

Amazing Wildlife

Tanzania safaris are known for wildlife viewing in famous national parks. The country is home to the Big Five which include lions, elephants, buffaloes, leopards, and rhinos. Tanzania is also well known for the annual wildebeest migration which takes place mainly in Serengeti National Park.

During this migration, large groups of wildebeests, zebras, and gazelles move across the plains in search of fresh grass. This wildlife movement attracts many visitors who want to witness one of the most well known wildlife events on earth.

Cultural Encounters

Tanzania is home to more than 120 tribes. Each tribe has its own traditions, language, and way of life. Visitors on Tanzania safaris can also take time to learn about local cultures.

Some of the communities that visitors often meet include the Hadzabe and the Masai. Cultural visits allow travelers to learn about traditional lifestyles, food, homes, and daily activities.

Beautiful Islands

Another reason people choose Tanzania safaris is the opportunity to visit the islands along the Indian Ocean. Zanzibar is the most well known island destination in Tanzania.

Visitors enjoy activities such as snorkeling, scuba diving, swimming, boat cruises, canoeing, and visiting historical sites. Zanzibar also has beaches where travelers relax after a wildlife safari on the mainland.

Hike Kilimanjaro

Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro is another reason many travelers visit Tanzania. The mountain is the highest peak in Africa and one of the most famous mountains in the world.

Unlike many other high mountains, Kilimanjaro does not require technical climbing skills. Many hikers reach the summit through guided treks that take between five and nine days depending on the route chosen.

When To Visit

Tanzania safaris can be done throughout the year. However, the best time for wildlife viewing and mountain climbing is usually during the dry seasons.

These dry seasons run from June to August and from December to February. During these months the weather is more suitable for outdoor travel and animals are easier to see around water sources.

Tanzania National Parks

There are about 21 national parks in Tanzania. Each park offers visitors a different safari experience. Some of the national parks include Kilimanjaro National Park, Serengeti National Park, Lake Manyara National Park, Arusha National Park, Nyerere National Park, Tarangire National Park, Mikumi National Park, Mkomazi National Park, Katavi National Park, Saadani National Park, Rubondo Island National Park, Udzungwa Mountains National Park, Jozani Chwaka Bay National Park, Mahale Mountains National Park, Kitulo National Park, Gombe Stream National Park, Ruaha National Park, Ibanda Kyerwa National Park, Kigosi National Park, Rumanyika Karagwe National Park, Ugalla River National Park, and Saanane Island National Park.

These parks are home to many animals, birds, and landscapes that attract travelers planning Tanzania safaris.

Most Popular National Parks in Tanzania

Serengeti National Park is one of the most famous parks included in Tanzania safaris. It was established in 1940 and covers about 14,763 square kilometers in northern Tanzania. The park is well known for the annual wildebeest migration where large groups of animals move between Serengeti and Masai Mara in Kenya.

Serengeti offers excellent wildlife viewing and visitors may see lions, cheetahs, leopards, elephants, buffaloes, zebras, giraffes, warthogs, and many other animals during game drives.

Kilimanjaro National Park is famous for Mount Kilimanjaro. Each year thousands of visitors travel to the park to climb the mountain. Several routes are used by hikers including Marangu, Machame, Lemosho, Rongai, Shira, Umbwe, and Northern Circuit routes.

Ngorongoro Conservation Area is another important destination often included in Tanzania safaris. The area is home to the Ngorongoro Crater which is the largest intact volcanic caldera in the world. The crater supports more than 25,000 animals including the Big Five.

Lake Manyara National Park is known for tree climbing lions and the large number of flamingos that gather at Lake Manyara. Tarangire National Park is well known for large elephant groups and giant baobab trees.

Getting a Tanzania Visa

Travelers visiting Tanzania safaris need a visa to enter the country. A Tanzania visa allows visitors from eligible countries to travel and stay in Tanzania including Zanzibar.

Many travelers apply for the visa online before traveling. The common requirements include a valid passport with at least six months validity, a recent passport photograph, a yellow fever vaccination card, and a return ticket.

Travelers must choose the type of visa they want to apply for such as a tourist visa, transit visa, or business visa. A tourist visa normally allows visitors to stay in the country for up to 90 days.

Safety in Tanzania

Tanzania is considered a safe destination for travelers. However, visitors should take normal safety precautions during their Tanzania safaris. Travelers should follow advice from local guides, avoid isolated areas, and keep valuable items safe.

It is also important to use trusted tour operators and follow park rules when visiting national parks.

People & Culture

Tanzania has more than 120 tribes with different traditions and lifestyles. Visitors can learn about local communities while traveling through the country.

The people of Tanzania are known for their hospitality and friendly nature, which makes Tanzania safaris enjoyable for many travelers visiting East Africa.

Tanzania Safari FAQs

Find popular Tanzania questions and answers below.

• What are Tanzania safaris? Tanzania safaris are wildlife trips where visitors travel through national parks to see animals in their natural environment.
• Where is Tanzania located? Tanzania is in East Africa in the Great Lakes region.
• Which countries border Tanzania? Tanzania borders Uganda, Kenya, Zambia, Malawi, Burundi, Rwanda, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Mozambique, and the Indian Ocean.
• Why are Tanzania safaris popular? They are popular because Tanzania has many national parks and a large number of wild animals.
• How much land in Tanzania is protected? About 30 percent of the country is protected as national parks, conservation areas, and game reserves.
• What animals can be seen on Tanzania safaris? Visitors can see lions, elephants, buffaloes, leopards, rhinos, zebras, giraffes, and many other animals.
• What are the Big Five animals in Tanzania? The Big Five are lions, elephants, buffaloes, leopards, and rhinos.
• What is the Great Wildebeest Migration? It is a yearly movement of many wildebeests, zebras, and gazelles across the plains in search of grass.
• Where does the wildebeest migration happen? It mainly happens in Serengeti National Park.
• What activities can visitors do on Tanzania safaris? Visitors can do wildlife watching, bird viewing, cultural visits, mountain climbing, and island tours.
• What is a game drive? A game drive is a guided drive through a national park to see animals.
• What is the highest mountain in Africa? Mount Kilimanjaro is the highest mountain in Africa.
• Where is Mount Kilimanjaro located? Mount Kilimanjaro is in Tanzania.
• Can visitors climb Mount Kilimanjaro? Yes, visitors can climb the mountain with a guide.
• How many days does it take to climb Kilimanjaro? Climbing Kilimanjaro usually takes between five and nine days.
• What islands can visitors see in Tanzania? Zanzibar is the most famous island in Tanzania.
• What activities can be done in Zanzibar? Visitors can swim, snorkel, dive, take boat trips, and visit historical sites.
• How many tribes live in Tanzania? More than 120 tribes live in Tanzania.
• Which tribes can visitors meet during a safari? Visitors can meet communities such as the Hadzabe and the Masai.
• When is the best time for Tanzania safaris? The best time is usually during the dry seasons.
• When are the dry seasons in Tanzania? The dry seasons are from June to August and December to February.
• How many national parks are in Tanzania? Tanzania has about 21 national parks.
• What is the most famous national park in Tanzania? Serengeti National Park is one of the most famous parks.
• What is special about Ngorongoro Conservation Area? It has the Ngorongoro Crater which holds many animals.
• What is Lake Manyara National Park known for? It is known for tree climbing lions and flamingos.
• What is Tarangire National Park known for? Tarangire is known for large groups of elephants and baobab trees.
• Do travelers need a visa to visit Tanzania? Yes, most travelers need a visa to enter Tanzania.
• How long can visitors stay with a tourist visa? A tourist visa usually allows visitors to stay for up to 90 days.
• Is Tanzania safe for tourists? Yes, Tanzania is considered safe for tourists if they follow basic safety rules.
• What are the people of Tanzania like? The people of Tanzania are friendly and welcoming to visitors.