Wildlife and Wilderness
Tanzania Safari
A Tanzania safari offers a captivating glimpse into Africa’s natural wonders. Renowned national parks and reserves host the Big Five—lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo, and rhino—alongside diverse wildlife encounters.
A Tanzania safari is a once-in-a-lifetime adventure, offering an experience unlike any other. The breathtaking natural landscapes and majestic wildlife create a destination perfect for thrill-seekers and nature lovers alike. Tanzania Specialist is dedicated to organizing the most memorable private safaris, ensuring your journey is tailored to your unique preferences. With your own private guide and jeep, you can fully immerse yourself in the beauty and wonder of Tanzania, enjoying every moment at your own pace.
A genuine Tanzania safari is truly a bucket-list adventure, providing an opportunity to witness some of the world’s most magnificent animals in their natural habitat. Whether you’re exploring the vast plains of the Serengeti or the lush environments of Ngorongoro Crater, each safari is designed to offer an unparalleled experience. Discover our extensive selection of extraordinary safaris in Tanzania and Zanzibar, and embark on a journey that will create memories to last a lifetime.
What happens on a Safari in Tanzania?
Picture yourself in a vehicle with a pop-up roof, offering stunning 360-degree views of the scenery. Animals often approach close enough for fantastic photo opportunities.
As night approaches, you’ll settle into a safari lodge or mobile tented camp for dinner and rest. Your journey continues the next day, immersing you further into Tanzania’s natural wonders. The country’s breathtaking landscapes and rich wildlife have appeared on Hollywood screens in classics like “Hatari!” and inspired Walt Disney’s “Lion King”.
But an African safari in Tanzania is more than just wildlife; it’s a cultural journey too. You can visit Maasai villages to experience local traditions, and explore amazing historical sites like the Olduvai Gorge – the “Cradle of Mankind”.
For a unique perspective, try a walking safari through the savannah for close encounters with nature. Feeling even more adventurous? Soar above in a hot air balloon and enjoy scenic beauty from a bird’s-eye view. Kilimanjaro Mega Expeditions offers these and other off-the-beaten-path experiences to enrich your safari adventure.
Tanzania Popular Tours
Explore the best of Tanzania with our popular tours, each designed to showcase the country’s stunning landscapes and rich wildlife. Whether you’re an avid adventurer or a first-time safari-goer, our tours promise an unforgettable experience.
Which animals can you spot on a Tanzania safari
In Tanzania, the appeal of encountering the ‘Big Five’—lions, leopards, buffaloes, rhinos, and elephants—on safaris attracts numerous visitors. Although rhinos are scarce in East Africa, they can still be seen, notably in the Ngorongoro Crater. The other members of the Big Five are abundant, ensuring thrilling wildlife sightings.
But there’s more to Tanzania than the Big Five. The country teems with wildlife such as cheetahs, wildebeests, zebras, and monkeys. Bird enthusiasts will be thrilled by the 1,156 bird species, including over 800 resident and hundreds of migratory species, best seen from December to April. At Kilimanjaro Mega Expeditions, we have many passionate birders who are captivated by the diverse avian life in Tanzania.
Tanzania Safari vehicles
During your safari, anticipate spending considerable time in vehicles for game drives, typically ranging from 5 to 8 hours daily. There are also opportunities for walking safaris, and some lodges offer rest days where you can enjoy leisurely activities and lodge amenities.
Choosing a tour company with comfortable, well-equipped vehicles is crucial for an excellent Tanzania safari experience. Our fleet features custom Land Cruisers manufactured between 2016 and 2023. Each vehicle is equipped with amenities such as Wi-Fi, a fridge, comfortable seating, and charging stations, ensuring a pleasant journey even on longer drives.
We prioritize vehicle maintenance to ensure each car is meticulously inspected and in peak condition before every safari. This meticulous approach guarantees smooth travel to various national parks, minimizing any potential issues during your adventure.
Tanzania Safari guides
A skilled safari guide from Kilimanjaro Mega Expeditions greatly enhances your experience. They share fascinating insights about wildlife behaviors, such as why zebras rest their heads together, which animals intimidate lions, and why elephants flare their ears when alarmed.
In addition to their wildlife expertise, guides also serve as cultural intermediaries. They help bridge language barriers when interacting with locals, such as the Maasai.
Tanzania Safari camps and lodges
Tanzania safari guides will take you to the most iconic places in the national parks. Tanzania safaris are not just about wilderness adventures. The lodges where you stay play a big part in the experience too. Picture enjoying a drink on a terrace, overlooking the sprawling savannah – it’s quintessential safari.
At Kilimanjaro Mega Expeditions, choosing the right lodges for our Tanzania safari tours is key. We scrutinize everything from room quality to staff professionalism and menu variety. Our team personally visits each lodge to ensure they match our high standards.
The location of lodges is vital. We pick lodges and camps for their stunning views, both from guest rooms and communal areas. Whether in the Serengeti, near the Ngorongoro Crater, or by Lake Manyara, you’ll always feel immersed in the savannah’s spirit.
Luxury Tanzania Tours
A luxury Tanzania safari offers a lavish twist on the classic adventure. These safaris stand out with their exceptional lodges, akin to Europe’s finest hotels, featuring impeccable service and gourmet dining. Guests can indulge in an exquisite culinary journey, blending luxury gourmet foods from Europe and beyond with top-notch local organic dishes. This includes high-end wines, champagnes, gourmet cheeses, cured meats, and more.
The rooms in these lodges exude luxury, offering spacious interiors elegantly furnished with handcrafted pieces, making them a favored choice among celebrities and discerning travelers.
Booking early is crucial, especially during peak seasons from late December to early March and late June to mid-October, when these lodges fill up quickly. To secure your spot, we recommend reserving 3-4 months in advance.
We collaborate with prestigious hotel chains like Four Seasons, Singita, One Nature, and others to ensure a premium stay for our guests. Additionally, Kilimanjaro Mega Expeditions provides tailored charter logistics between parks and lodges, offering private jet transfers for an exclusive and seamless travel experience, particularly advantageous during peak seasons.
Hot air balloon flights
Experiencing a hot air balloon ride is a highlight of any luxury safari. Floating above Tanzania’s savannah, it provides a breathtaking vantage point for spotting wildlife. Available in the northern regions – Tarangire and Serengeti National Parks, this is undoubtedly one of Africa’s most unforgettable experiences. Many of Kilimanjaro Mega Expeditions’ clients were delighted to add air safari to their itineraries.
Hiking and Trekking
Explore Africa’s best hiking and trekking destinations with Kilimanjaro Mega Expeditions. We offer personalized tours to Mount Meru, Volcanoes National Park, and Mount Kilimanjaro, with experienced guides ensuring safety. Discover gorilla and chimpanzee trekking and plan your adventure based on your budget and goals.
Which Tanzania Safari parks are best to visit?
Tanzania offers some of the most spectacular safari parks in the world, each with unique attractions and wildlife experiences. Here are some of the best safari parks to consider for your visit:
Serengeti National Park
- Highlights: Famous for the Great Migration, where millions of wildebeest, zebras, and gazelles move in a circular pattern through the Serengeti and Maasai Mara.
- Wildlife: Lions, cheetahs, elephants, giraffes, and more.
- Best Time to Visit: June to October for the Great Migration and predator sightings.
Ngorongoro Crater
- Highlights: A UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most beautiful natural wildlife safari destinations in the world.
- Wildlife: Black rhinos, lions, elephants, flamingos, and various bird species.
- Best Time to Visit: Year-round, but dry season (June to October) offers better wildlife viewing.
Tarangire National Park
- Highlights: Known for its large elephant population and baobab trees.
- Wildlife: Elephants, lions, leopards, zebras, giraffes, and over 500 bird species.
- Best Time to Visit: June to October during the dry season.
Lake Manyara National Park
- Highlights: Renowned for its tree-climbing lions and the large flocks of flamingos that inhabit the lake.
- Wildlife: Hippos, elephants, wildebeest, buffalo, and a variety of birds.
- Best Time to Visit: July to October for large mammals; November to June for bird watching.
Ruaha National Park
- Highlights: The largest national park in Tanzania with a high diversity of wildlife and fewer tourists.
- Wildlife: Elephants, lions, leopards, cheetahs, giraffes, and numerous bird species.
- Best Time to Visit: June to October during the dry season.
Selous Game Reserve (now Nyerere National Park)
- Highlights: One of the largest faunal reserves in the world, offering boat safaris on the Rufiji River.
- Wildlife: Elephants, hippos, crocodiles, lions, and African wild dogs.
- Best Time to Visit: June to October during the dry season.
Mikumi National Park
- Highlights: Often compared to the Serengeti in terms of landscape.
- Wildlife: Elephants, lions, zebras, giraffes, and various bird species.
- Best Time to Visit: June to October during the dry season.
For an unforgettable safari experience, consider planning your trip with Kilimanjaro Mega Expeditions. Their expertise and tailored safari packages ensure you make the most of your visit to these incredible parks.
Popular questions about Tanzania Safari
To truly experience Tanzania’s safari wonders like Ngorongoro Crater, Serengeti, and Tarangire National Park, aim for a 5-7 day trip. This will give you enough time to explore the northern circuit and see the Big Five and other key animals. For those who can stay longer, there are incredible safari journeys lasting 20+ days!
If you’re short on time, a quick safari covering Arusha and either Tarangire or Lake Manyara National Park can be done in 1-2 days. It’s a great snapshot of Tanzania’s wildlife. And, if you’re keen on the Serengeti but pressed for time, flying directly there is a good option.
For Kilimanjaro treks and expeditions, consider booking with Kilimanjaro Mega Expeditions for a reliable and memorable experience.
Choosing the right time for a safari in Tanzania really depends on your preferences. The dry season, spanning June to October and January to March, is ideal for wildlife spotting as animals gather around water sources. You’ll enjoy sunny days, but expect crowds, especially during the Great Migration and the birthing seasons of zebras and wildebeests.
On the other hand, the rainy season, in April-May and November-December, offers a lush landscape with fewer visitors and potential discounts at lodges. Transition periods like late March, early June, late October, and November are perfect for a more peaceful experience, balancing good weather with fewer tourists.
You can learn more about the best time for a Tanzania safari and the recommendations of the Kilimanjaro Mega Expeditions team in this article.
The Great Wildebeest Migration is a mesmerizing natural spectacle for wildlife lovers, featuring over a million animals traversing the Serengeti-Mara ecosystem. Starting with calving in the southern Serengeti, near the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, they wind through the Serengeti towards Kenya’s Masai Mara, returning by year’s end. One of the most dramatic parts of this migration is the Mara River crossing. Here, the migration herds face the challenging currents and hungry predators lurking in the waters. Watching thousands of these animals navigate the Mara river is a highlight for many travelers. This breathtaking journey is brought to you by Kilimanjaro Mega Expeditions.
The Great Wildebeest Migration in the Serengeti offers year-round drama, peaking with the wildebeest calving season in February-March and dramatic river crossings in May-August, before moving to Kenya’s Masai Mara National Reserve from August to October.
Two countries in East Africa provide remarkable safari experiences: Kenya and Tanzania. However, Tanzania frequently stands out. Many prefer it for its less crowded parks and abundant wildlife, including unique animal sightings. The extended Great Migration period in the Serengeti National Park is also a major attraction. Additionally, the country offers the opportunity to climb Mount Kilimanjaro, Africa’s highest mountain, with Kilimanjaro Mega Expeditions.
Leaving the car on a Tanzania safari is permitted only in designated areas. For safety reasons, leaving a car in the middle of the national park is not allowed. Kilimanjaro Mega Expeditions ensures that these guidelines are strictly followed to protect both visitors and wildlife.
Tanzania Destinations
Discover the most captivating destinations in Tanzania, where breathtaking landscapes and abundant wildlife create an unparalleled adventure. Whether you’re a nature lover, a wildlife enthusiast, or a culture seeker, Tanzania has something extraordinary to offer.