Best for those looking for iconic landscapes and well-known safari locations where the search is part of the experience.
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For most travellers Tanzania conjures up one of a few classic African images. It might be the endless open savannahs of the Serengeti grasslands. Perhaps it is the towering icon of Mt Kilimanjaro peeking through the clouds. It also might be the seaside bliss that is the historical island of Zanzibar, where the ancient world meets the ocean. Whichever of these you may think of, Tanzania has a well-earned place in history as an iconic African safari destination.
Whilst the majority of travellers only journey through the northern parts of the country, there is more on offer than most realise. The western borders near Lake Tanganyika offer unique and remote adventures for those willing. The southern combination of the Ruaha and the Nyerere (Selous) regions provides a rare opportunity to step back in time for an old-fashioned safari. Tanzania is often combined with Kenya as part of a larger itinerary that explores the major attractions of East Africa.
Conditions vary in Tanzania depending on the style of trip take. However, if travel is by road (usually the northern circuit), expect long drives between stops and some rough driving conditions. Visits to remote areas will involve some light air travel.
One of the most famous national parks in Africa, and arguably the world, the Serengeti is a top destination for many travellers to East Africa. Whilst sharing migration patterns with the Masai Mara in Kenya the size of the national park allows for huge numbers of both predators and prey to live within and around its borders. You could spend weeks exploring the Serengeti and not see all it has to offer.
Sitting adjacent to the Serengeti, the Ngorongoro Crater offers a complementary but contrasting safari experience. Although very large, the naturally formed caldera forms a natural boundary that keeps most animals comfortably living within its boundaries and enables a reliable and amazing safari experience. Whilst you won’t see the same sized herds as you would in the Serengeti, you also won’t have to do as much driving to see the different species.
An island known around the world, Zanzibar is a melting pot of cultural influences and African experiences. From its rich Islamic and Arabian culture to the touches of British, Swahili and Portuguese that weave through its history, Zanzibar offers a unique experience to contrast with the mainland of Africa. From the winding back alleys and markets of the capital Stone Town to the remote beaches around the island, there is something for everyone to enjoy.
One of the most famous national parks in Africa, and arguably the world, the Serengeti is a top destination for many travellers to East Africa. Whilst sharing migration patterns with the Masai Mara in Kenya the size of the national park allows for huge numbers of both predators and prey to live within and around its borders. You could spend weeks exploring the Serengeti and not see all it has to offer.
Sitting adjacent to the Serengeti, the Ngorongoro Crater offers a complementary but contrasting safari experience. Although very large, the naturally formed caldera forms a natural boundary that keeps most animals comfortably living within its boundaries and enables a reliable and amazing safari experience. Whilst you won’t see the same sized herds as you would in the Serengeti, you also won’t have to do as much driving to see the different species.
An island known around the world, Zanzibar is a melting pot of cultural influences and African experiences. From its rich Islamic and Arabian culture to the touches of British, Swahili and Portuguese that weave through its history, Zanzibar offers a unique experience to contrast with the mainland of Africa. From the winding back alleys and markets of the capital Stone Town to the remote beaches around the island, there is something for everyone to enjoy.
The tallest mountain in Africa, Mt Kilimanjaro is an African icon and a remarkable sight for all visitors to Africa. A ‘Kili’ trek is one of the great climbs of the world, offering an amazing high-altitude experience without the requirement of any specialist knowledge or experience.
Located on the western border of the country the Mahale Mountains are the only national park that sees both chimpanzees and lions live in the same area. Adding to the fun, it must be explored on foot, an amazingly unique and remarkable experience. Add in Lake Tanganyika and you have a wonderful trip.
Home to 10% of the world’s lion population, the southern secret of Ruaha National Park has all the animals known for the more famous parks, but without the crowds that usually follow them around. At the crossroads of East and Southern Africa, the park contains animals belonging to each area.
The brand-new national park of Nyerere takes up approximately two-thirds of the former Selous Game Reserve, a huge natural wilderness in the largely overlooked southern area of Tanzania. This large size and low visitor numbers mean a wild and unique safari experience, with vast portions of the park (and its inhabitants) just for your eyes only.
At The Explorer Society we firmly believe that there is no right or wrong time to go anywhere.
Instead, we think that each time of the year offers different experiences that better suit different travellers.
After all, high and low season often refers to the amount of travellers present, not whether something is ‘good’ or ‘bad’.
If you are experiencing only Tanzania then you need, at a bare minimum, a week. This is assuming you are travelling by air between locations. Road transfers between areas can take many hours of driving and will result in less time spent on safari. This means a longer trip is needed to make that time up or fewer locations visited. 10 to 14 days is a common trip duration if focused solely on Tanzania. If it is combined with another safari destination (such as Kenya) as part of a larger itinerary, then usually around seven days is spent per country with each country providing contrasting safari opportunities.
Everyone is different, so please note that these guidelines are general in nature.
Ultimately it will depend on your own expedition’s requirements.
Planning travel should be exciting, but it can be exhausting. There is so much information and so little clarity, you often end up more confused than when you began.
Sometimes it’s simple and easy to figure out. Sometimes it means asking you more questions and diving deep into your motivations.
We’ll walk you through the whole planning and booking process. We want to make sure you are travelling on the trip that best suits you, not anyone else.
We will be there from the first moment you get in touch until after you come back home with countless memories to share.
