Although DIY is possible, use of tour operator is recommended when doing a safari because the parks are so huge, you need a skilled wildlife spotter to see animals and find your way around
Tanzania is one of Africa’s most popular tourist destinations and it is not a surprise as to why. Here are the basic things you need to know about Tanzania as a safari destination.
Tanzania is in the eastern part of Africa. It shares its land borders with 8 countries: Kenya, and Uganda to the north; Malawi, Zambia and Mozambique to the south; and Rwanda, Burundi and the Republic of Congo to the west. To the east is the Indian Ocean coastline where it also shares maritime borders with Seychelles and Comoros. Tanzania covers a wide African expanse with an area of 947,303 km², a tad larger than two Californias. Because of its size, its mainland holds 29 airports sans the airstrips and military airbases.
The most common gateways are JRO and DAR. For northern circuit parks like Serengeti National Park, the most convenient airport to land in is JRO. For the more remote, southern circuit parks like Selous Game Reserve, it is more advisable to fly into Tanzania’s main airport, DAR.
The base for almost all safari tours is Arusha, which has a small domestic airport and is about 20 minutes away via plane or 80 minutes on the road from Kilimanjaro. The popular route is Kilimanjaro → Arusha → Safari Circuit. From Arusha, you can either take a light aircraft to an airstrip in the wilderness areas or you can drive down to the safari park of your choice. Most safari providers offer travel arrangements from Arusha so you better inquire about it from them as well. Flights to the south are also available from Arusha. In fact, some travelers often fly down from their vacation in northern circuit safaris and then either fly out to their home country through Dar es Salaam or head on to Zanzibar for a beach trip.
Another option that some travelers deem cheaper is taking a connecting flight from their country of departure into Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO) in Nairobi, Kenya and then to Arusha.
January to February:
In January, the wildebeest calving season in Serengeti begins. Thousands of wildebeests are born every day so predator action is expected in almost every turn. Wildlife viewing is also excellent in Ngorongoro Conservation Area as well as Lake Manyara National Park during these months.
March:
Migration herds in Serengeti remain in the southern region of the park while European migratory birds arrive in the southern regions of the country, i.e. Selous Game Reserve. “Long rains” also start this month.
April to May:
This is the peak of the wet season (long rains). Vegetations become lush thereby affecting wildlife viewing and as a result, most properties and parks in the southern circuit (Katavi, Mahale, Selous, Ruaha) shuts down. The good news during these months is, prices usually dive deep down.
June:
The dry and hot season commences. There is less vegetation and so it is easier to spot animals sauntering around and gathering in waterholes and rivers. Also, since there is little to no rain, there will be fewer mosquitoes around.
July to October:
These months are deemed the best time to witness the Great Migration, Weather-wise, it’s perfect: hot and sunny during the day and cold during the evenings. It is also not just the perfect time to see the wildebeest migration in the Serengeti or to visit other northern circuit safari parks. It is also the perfect time to visit the southern circuit safari parks like Ruaha, Selous, Gombe, and Katavi.
November to December
Migratory birds arrive and so it’s perfect for birdwatching. Migration herds are also on their way back to the southern part of Serengeti. Humidity starts to climb up during these months and “Short rains” happen (mostly short afternoon showers). In a nutshell, it is relatively good and to some extent excellent to visit any park or reserve in the country during this time.
Here are Safari parks you can choose from
Serengeti National Park is probably the most famous as well as the most photographed park in Tanzania. Aside from being the main venue for The Great Migration, the Serengeti area is also known as the prime cheetah country. Its sprawling plains are home to the highest concentration of large mammals in the world including the big 5. Its prolific birdlife will also amaze any twitcher or even a regular traveler.
Often referred to as “The Wildlife Eden”, Ngorongoro Conservation Area is a World Heritage Site that lies in the northern circuit, continuous to the famous Serengeti. It is best known for its endangered black rhinos, big 5 and the world’s largest inactive volcanic caldera, Ngorongoro Crater.
A popular stop on the way to Serengeti and Ngorongoro Conservation Area, Lake Manyara is an absolute scenic gem. It was the setting for the old Tarzan films. It has an unspoiled, varied ecosystem teeming with wildlife and an incredible array of birdlife. You can find buffalos, giraffes, hippos, antelopes and one of the thickest baboons and elephant populations in Africa but what Lake Manyara is very famous for are the thousands of flamingoes by its soda lake, huge elephant herds, and the tree-climbing lions.
A neighboring park to Lake Manyara, Tarangire National Park is the sixth largest park in Tanzania. It is also home to the country’s largest elephant population with herds of about 300 elephants around its marshlands and watering holes. The big 5, sans the rhino, can also be easily spotted around the park as well as impalas, wildebeest, and zebras. Tarangire National Park also holds the highest number of birds in Tanzania, making it a twitcher’s ultimate paradise.
Selous Game Reserve is Africa’s largest natural reserve. It is located in the southern part of Tanzania and is a vast wilderness area covering over 50,000 km² with a river (Rufiji River) dividing it into two regions. The wildlife in Selous is grand, but what sets it apart is the unique wildebeests and a large number of endangered wild dogs. It is also home to the largest population of buffalos in the whole of Africa, hosting about 150,000 of them which is more than twice the entire buffalo population in all of Southern Africa.
Located in the southern circuit, Ruaha is known as the second-largest national park in Tanzania. It is one of the most remote parks and is one hundred percent untouched. The park is famous for its immense concentration of lions, elephants and wild dogs.
Gombe Stream National Park is situated near the borders of Burundi and is about a 4-hour flight from Arusha. Albeit the smallest national park in Tanzania, Gombe offers an equally beautiful landscape and an impressive population of chimpanzees. It also hosts bushbucks, bush pigs, elephants, different species of snakes and other primates including olive baboons and vervet monkeys.
Known as the third largest park in Tanzania, Katavi is a remote area particularly popular for its antelopes, elands and astounding populations of hippos and buffalos. It is also known for its dense concentration of crocodiles along Chada and Katavi lakes.
Arusha National Park is often overlooked by many tourists as most of them only think of Arusha as a gateway to the safari circuits. However, Arusha National Park is the most accessible park in Tanzania and boasts an equally incredible landscape and wildlife. It is best for tourists who want to visit a “small park with lots to see” for a day. Arusha National Park is home to Africa’s largest giraffe population and is also the location of the dormant volcano, Mt. Meru, which is a good introductory climbing destination that offers fantastic views of Mt. Kilimanjaro.
Most accessible through Dar es Salaam, Mikumi National Park is Tanzania’s fourth-largest park. The highlight of this park is the unique species of giraffes found. Other animals in the park include zebras, buffalos, elephants, wildebeest, impalas, black antelopes, kudus, and baboons.
