Planning a trip anywhere in the world can seem a daunting task, but even more so when planning a Tanzanian Safari. You have to figure out where to go, what parks to visit, and how long to spend at each location. This is why we have put together this guide to help you plan your dream trip. You’ll find lots of ideas and can always contact our Tanzania Safari guide for more help.
When to Go
Deciding on the time of the year to go will influence what parks you visit and what animals you will see, and it will also affect the price you pay for lodging.
December to March
This is the calving season and refers to the Wildebeest Migration in the Ndutu region of the Serengeti. This is when thousands of baby Wildebeest take their first steps and the Wildebeest stay in Ndutu to feed here until they go north.
Hotels can be expensive at Christmas and New Year, but this is still a great time to see Tanzania. There are not as many tourists, the weather is good and you are virtually guaranteed to see the Wildebeest Migration.
April to May
This is the rainy season and you can easily find luxury lodges at reduced rates. The tented camps are not ideal because of the rain, but luxury lodges are more affordable at this time of the year.
June to September
This is the peak season and one of the most popular times of the year to visit. It is known for the Wildebeest migrations from the Southern Serengeti to the Maasai Mara in Kenya. This is the time when visitors can see the herd in motion.
The one drawback is that this means more tourists and higher prices but for many prices, the higher costs seem to be worth it.
Where to Visit on A Tanzania Safari
Once you know when you want to go its time to think of the parks you want to visit. A must-do is the Serengeti National Park and the Ngorongoro Conservation. The Serengeti is one of the world’s most famous Wilderness areas in Africa. The Ndutu region is the place to go for the annual calving season, and the Central Serengeti area is the most visited area of the park.
Ngorongoro is at the bottom of the Ngorongoro Crater and is as sweet as the plains of the Serengeti. It is home to the largest rhinoceros population in Tanzania and a place where you can see elephants, buffalo, lions and more. It is the most expensive park in Tanzania but has amazing views and a location that is fabulous for wildlife viewing.
Lake Manyara
Another idyllic place to visit is Lake Manyara National Park which is famous for its tree-climbing lions and magnificent birdlife. This lake is especially beautiful during the rainy season when the hippos call it home and the flamingos abound.
Tarangire National Park
With the baobab trees, this park holds one of the largest elephant populations. It is especially great during the dry season when the elephants gather around the Tarangire River.
Visit Lake Eyasi
This is not a national park but it is a great destination. It is home to the Hadzabe people and offers a great opportunity to interact with an ancient culture. This tribe continues with its hunter-gatherer lifestyle despite the development in the country.
If You Have Time
If you have more than a week in Tanzania, you may want to visit Arusha National Park. This is the place to go on a walking safari or a canoe trip. There are very few predators here so it makes for a nice area to enjoy bird watching and primate watching.