Tips for Tanzanian Safari Tours

When to go

From Mt. Kilimanjaro to pristine white beaches to unparalleled wildlife viewing opportunities, this stunning East African country has so much to offer travelers. However, if the goal of your holiday is to safari in Tanzania, the best time to book your Tanzania Safari Tour is during the dry season. It is during this arid period, which lasts from June to October, that animals tend to gather around waterholes, making them much easier to track and spot on game drives. While the lack of rain may lead you to believe the temperatures are soaring, this time of year is actually more mild when it comes to weather. The air is cooler and less humid, making the climate ideal for spending long hours in the sun while on safari.

If you can’t make it out during the dry season, however, you’ll still have ample opportunities to see a wide variety of wildlife throughout the year. In fact, if you’re hoping to catch a glimpse of the Great Migration, you’ll purposely not go during this time. This captivating annual show of almost two million wildebeest and zebra migration occurs when the animals move between Tanzania and Kenya to new grazing grounds. If you visit during June and July, you’ll likely get the once-in-a-lifetime chance to witness herds on the move. Alternatively, wildebeest calving season falls between December and March. Travel then and you’ll likely see the new additions to the herds before the heavy rains of the wet season really set in.

How to Get There

If the goal of your Tanzania trip is to Safari, we recommend either flying into Kilimanjaro National Airport or Abeid Amani Karume International Airport in Zanzibar. From there, you’ll either take private vehicles or domestic flights to get to your tour destinations.

What to Do

Serengeti National Park:Spanning over 5,700 square miles, you’ll find populations of zebra, lions, chettach, elephants, giraffes, and many birds within the park. Like Massai Mara, Serengeti also provides an excellent opportunity to watch the immense summer migration of wildebeest and zebras.The wildlife reserve is comprised of three sections which include a diversive number of habitats from the dry savannah in Seronera Valley to dense bush and forests neighboring the Grumeti River. Check out our Serengeti National Park Guide.

Tarangire National Park: Situated in the northwestern corner of Tanzania’s Maasai steep, Tarangire National Park is one of the country’s most diverse wildlife reserves. This region boasts large herds of elephant and buffalo, in addition to an impressive concentration of big cats like lions and cheetahs. Beyond the captivating mammals that call this region home, Tarangire is also home to over 500 species of birds, creating some of the best bird diversity in East Africa. The park features a variety of different habitats including savannah grasslands, messy swamps and baobab tree forests.

Ngorongoro Crater: One of Tanzania’s most mesmerizing sites, this massive crater measures over 16 miles in diameter. Formerly a huge active volcano, that probably soared higher than Kilimanjaro, Ngorongoro collapsed after erupting over 8 million years ago creating the natural amphitheater which lies there today. The crater serves as a home for a vast array of wildlife, including many of Tanzania’s last remaining black rhino. You can find them grazing on the open grassland on the crater floor. Additionally, more than 20,000 other large animals occupy the habitat including lion, cheetah, zebra and gazelle. For the bird enthusiasts, you’ll find flamingos and a variety of other species at Makat soda lake, which lies within the crater.

Lake Manyara: This striking natural wonder creates a unique environment that hosts a remarkable variety of wildlife from tree climbing lions to vibrant flamingos. The lake is dramatically bordered by the wall of the Rift Valley, creating a narrow strip of land for game drives. While smaller than many of Tanzania’s other Safari location options, Manyara provides an ideal setting for a one-day game drive or excursion.

How to Prepare

Entry & Exit Requirements: Visas are required for U.S. citizens traveling to Tanzania. We recommend obtaining your visa before you depart for your trip, however visas are also available at ports of entry. Additionally, travelers are required to have passports valid for 6 months beyond the date of entry with one blank page. You should be prepared to show your passport and visa while traveling throughout the country during your stay.

Health Immunizations: You Should contact your doctor or a medical professional to get a full list of the precautions and vaccinations they recommend for where you plan to travel within Africa. Generally speaking, however, if you plan to visit Kenya before Tanzania, the Tanzanian government requires visitors to show proof of yellow fever vaccination. Additionally, while you’ll likely be in drier climates at higher altitudes, taking precautions for malaria is still recommended.

Planning Your Trip

Whether you’re planning an adventure of your own or with a loved one, with your family or another group of adventurers, reach out to Tanzania Safari Travel Specialists at Global Basecamps to find the right safari Tanzania has to offer. We’ve got years of experience on everything from how to book domestic flights to choosing the right safari touring company. We’re here to help set you up on the safari that checks all your bucket list desires. There is no end to the variety of experiences Africa has to offer and we are here to tailor them into a tour that works best for you whether that includes a luxury lodge stay or an off-the-beaten path excursion...or perhaps both! We’ll provide the support and guidance through every-step of your trip process from planning and booking to in-country support for any questions or needs that may arise. Start planning with one of our travel specialists today and soon you’ll be well on your way to adventuring in Tanzania!