If you are thinking of going on holiday to Tanzania and you are overwhelmed with choice, here are the key ingredients for an amazing Tanzanian safari vacation:
- Visit the Maasai: with so many diverse cultures in Tanzania, a visit to one of the tribes to experience the local way of life makes great addition to your Tanzanian holiday.
- Safari on the Northern Circuit: make sure you include the Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater, Tarangire and Lake Manyara National Parks. These parks differ greatly in size, environment and geography, so we can tailor the time you spend according to your needs. We can tailor the time spent according to your needs.
- Relax on Zanzibar: wind down on this idyllic island steeped in culture, history and spices.
Visit the Maasai
A great beginning to any Tanzanian holiday is a visit to Amini Lodge, where you will meet members of one of the most impressive tribes in Africa: the Maasai. Traditionally built, the Lodge is a cultural village that aims to showcase the Maasai way of life to tourists without interfering in private villages. Upon arrival you will receive a warm welcome by members of the Maasai community, who will explain everything around you, from the environment to hunting techniques and natural medicine. We recommend you spend 1-2 nights here at the beginning of your holiday, in this fairy tale setting in the heart of Tanzania.
Safari on the Northern Circuit
The Northern Safari Circuit in Tanzania includes the Serengeti, Ngorongoro, Tarangire and Lake Manyara national parks. Over the years these parks have become the more iconic safari destinations for a Tanzania safari holiday.
- Serengeti National Park
The Serengeti is the most iconic safari destination on Earth, and a must see on your holiday to Tanzania. The Serengeti sustains some 3 million animals: 70 different species of mammals and over 5000 large predators, the largest collection of its kind on earth. It is home to the famous Great Migration: a continuous movement of over 2 million herbivores in their continual search for pasture and water, shadowed and trailed by their predators. The migration consists of 1.5 million wildebeest, 300,000 zebras and 500,000 gazelles and antelopes. The park offers spectacularly diverse bird watching, with over 500 species to observe due the park’s varied environment. Visitors also have the chance to see four globally threatened and endangered animal species: black rhino, elephant, wild dog and cheetah. Within the park there are lodges and camps that cater to all budgets. Most of your day will be spent driving along the various game drive circuits along rivers, streams and other wildlife hotspots. The Serengeti is vast and diverse, so it is wise to spend several days exploring this park during your safari holiday in Tanzania.
- Ngorongoro Conservation Area
Ngorongoro Conservation Area abounds with geological formations and breath-taking vistas. From soda lakes and savannah grass plains in the lower habitats to montane forest and active volcanoes higher up, if offers the most dramatic landscapes for your Tanzanian safari. The most famous site within the Area is the Ngorongoro Crater, a caldera which is the after-effect of a volcanic collapse. The Crater measures 18km in diameter, and its walls house an average vertical drop of 700m. It is home to 25000 animals, and offers the rare opportunity to see the black rhino, a critically endangered species. The Crater has the highest density of lions in Africa and visitors often come here to view the “Big Five” – lion, leopard, rhinoceros, elephant and buffalo. On your safari here, the guide will descend onto the crater floor in your safari car, where you will spend the entire day spotting animals around the lake, small forest and several springs which feed into swampland. In the evening, after a satisfying day game-spotting, you will ascend out of the crater.
- Lake Manyara National Park
Lake Manyara is one of the smaller parks in Tanzania, but definitely one of the most beautiful. In most Tanzanian safari itineraries, this is one of the first National parks to visit. The entrance to the park is very lush with towering hardwood trees, thick under canopy and shrub. The forest is fed by perennial springs that meander through the forest before finally reaching the lake. From the thick ground water forest at the park entrance to the arid acacia woodland in the southern end of the park, this diversity of environment is reflected in the rich and abundant wildlife. Lake Manyara is one of the best areas for elephant viewing on safari in Tanzania, and close encounters are very common.
- Tarangire National Park
Some of the best sightings and up close, personal encounters with elephants happen at Tarangire National Park, one of Tanzania’s finest safari destinations. The park is dominated by the Tarangire River; a perennial river that guarantees water supply throughout the year. The game park has one the largest concentrations of African elephants. Visitors often encounter herds of elephant coming and going from the river, which offers great viewing of the herds as they socialize and interact with each other. Apart from elephants, the park sustains a large number of herbivores such as; buffalo, wildebeest, zebras, and several gazelle species. The park also carries a substantial population of predators including lions, leopard, cheetah and hyenas. With abundant wildlife and iconic landscape dominated by baobab trees, Tarangire is always a highlight in any Tanzanian safari holiday.
Relax on Zanzibar
After a safari in the north of Tanzania, you can wind down your holiday with a stay on the island of Zanzibar. This idyllic island off the east coast of Tanzania has pearl-white beaches, clear blue sea and pleasant temperatures that fluctuate between 25 and 35 degrees Celsius. Zanzibar has all the makings of a tropical beach paradise – and more.
Visitors seeking culture and history can walk through the meandering alleys of Stone Town, the historical capital. Explore the noisy bazaars, the Old Fort and the site of a former slave market. Take a spice tour to learn about the famous spice plantations on Zanzibar, or a Dhow Cruise and sail through the beautiful waters of the Indian Ocean on a traditional wooden dhow. A boat trip to Prison Island will take you to an island that was formerly used for the detention of slaves. Now, the island is home to giant tortoises that are over 100 years old and weigh up to 250 kilograms. For nature lovers, a dolphin tour will take you to Kizimkazi fishing village, home to several schools of dolphins. Zanzibar is also known for its marvellous coral reefs, amazing sea life and unparalleled opportunities for scuba diving and snorkelling.
Tanzania safari holiday
The best part is – these are just a few examples of what Tanzania has to offer. If you have any questions, or need help planning a safari holiday in Tanzania that is completely tailored to your needs, don’t hesitate to contact us.
