The Complete Safari Handbook: Advice, Tips, and More!

Unquestionably, going on a safari in Tanzania is one of the most amazing travel experiences ever. With its amazing variety of game reserves, concentration of famous African animals, multitude of lodges, and bevy of unique ecosystems, the nation is perfect for living out your fantasy safari, ‘National Geographic style’.

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Selecting Tanzania for your safari vacation is a simple choice. It’s not as simple to decide which park to visit, when to go, and what else to pack into your Tanzania vacation schedule.

We provide all the necessary information and advice in this Ultimate Tanzania Safari Guide to help you organize a memorable safari vacation in the heart of eastern Africa. In addition to covering what to pack and dress, we’ll also discuss the ideal time to travel, the top safari spots, financial concerns, and a comparison of Tanzania and Kenya in case you want to combine the two places.

Furthermore, because Tanzania offers much more than just safaris, we’ll explore some of the other incredible things that visitors really must see and do, including climbing Mount Kilimanjaro and lounging on the beautiful islands of Zanzibar and Mafia for a few delightfully restful days.

WHERE to go: Tanzania’s most popular safari locations

Tanzania is home to amazing conservation areas and national parks. The northern and southern circuits comprise the country’s safari locations, which are separated for practical reasons.

The more popular and well-traveled northern circuit is home to the world’s biggest herd movement, the yearly wildebeest migration, as well as the UNESCO-listed Ngorongoro Crater and its extraordinarily rare ecology.

Tarangire National Park, well-known for its remarkable population of pink flamingos, and Lake Manyara National Park, admired for its enormous baobabs, are also close by.

All northern circuit safari itineraries usually include a visit to one of these four game reserves, which provide an amazing picture of Tanzania’s varied ecosystems and plentiful wildlife watching opportunities. There is no doubt that this is Tanzania’s greatest circuit to select if you want a great possibility of seeing the Big Five (elephant, lion, leopard, rhino, elephant, and buffalo).

Hundreds of thousands of wildebeest risk their lives to cross croc-infested rivers in pursuit of greener pastures during the Great Wildebeest Migration.

Tanzania’s wildest, least-known, least-visited, and least-developed region is its southern circuit. The national parks of Ruaha, Mikumi, and Selous in Tanzania are ideal for anyone seeking a really undiscovered safari trip. Returning visitors who have already seen and visited Tanzania’s northern circuit tend to like these locations.

The southern circuit offers breathtaking scenery and an abundance of animals, particularly lions. However, the absence of the Big Five in these parks contributes to the fact that Tanzania is still a less popular destination for safari travel.

WHEN TO GO: The ideal season in Tanzania for a safari

All year long, Tanzania provides amazing safari experiences; however, the type of wildlife you may see depends on when you visit. Since animals congregate around water sources throughout the dry season, which runs from June to October, this is often thought to be the greatest period to see wildlife. Around this season, the wildebeest migrate as well, and from July to September, you may probably see river crossings in the Serengeti. You would have to be really fortunate to observe predators in the wild, so here is an unparalleled opportunity to witness them in action.

The rainy season, which runs from March to May, offers beautiful scenery, fewer visitors, and cheaper prices, but it can be a little harder to see animals. Many smart tourists choose to visit Tanzania’s most well-known parks—like the Serengeti—off-peak to enjoy the pure joy of exploring and seeing animals without the often oppressive crowds that congregate there from June to September.

Furthermore, it’s important to keep in mind that Tanzania has a variety of ecosystems, thus certain regions consistently get “ideal” weather. Please contact us if your intended Tanzanian safari takes place outside of the main dry season. Based on your preferred destination and trip dates, our destination specialists may provide you advice on where to visit.

HOW MUCH IS A Tanzanian safari going to cost?

Accommodations, food, park admission, transportation, and expert guide and driver services are usually included in safari packages. Typically, these are all-inclusive packages that include everything you could possibly need for a safari; however, additional activities (such as a hot air balloon trip over the Serengeti) and flights to Tanzania are paid for individually. The time of year you travel, the parks you want to see, and the degree of comfort you want to have all have a significant impact on the total cost.

In general, though, less expensive safaris in Tanzania often run between NZ$ 200 and NZ$ 400 per person per day, while more expensive trips—which sometimes include more luxurious lodging choices in stunning tented camps—cost between NZ$ 500 and NZ$ 1,000 per person per day. If you increase your daily spending limit, Tanzania offers a wide range of opulent safari experiences.