Safaris in Tanzania - Main Attractions

Safaris to Tanzania: Serengeti Safaris, Wildlife Safaris and chimpanzee safaris to Tanzania

Serengeti Safaris and Wildlife Safaris - When on safari in Tanzania you cannot ignore a safari in the Serengeti; whether you are a hardened African traveller or it is your first safari you will not be disappointed. Renowned for its wildebeest migration the Serengeti offers a variety of wildlife including millions of stampeding wildebeest and zebra, lion, leopard, buffalo, giraffe, hyena and much, much more. Even though millions of tourists visit every year it is still possible to find your own secluded corner of true African wilderness with plenty of game. One of the understandable main attractions of this national park is the volume of big cats; with huge herds of grazers (antelopes, zebra, wildebeest, etc) the big cats are never far off with around 250-300 in the Sereonera area alone! Cheetahs are also a likely sighting especially in the Simba Hills area which is also home to the leopards lounging in trees along the river banks. To explore the Serengeti in detail you must look at it in the various different sections... Seronera and the Southern Plains Safaris: often referred to as the "classic Serengeti" this area stretches from Seronera down to the Ngorongoro Conservation Area with grassy plains and vast open expanses home to lion, flocks of ostrich and eland antelope. Full of a variety of wildlife throughout the year this area of Tanzania is especially exciting during the months of December - May when, as a result of the rains, it is visited by the migration (herds of wildebeest and zebra). Probably one of the most visited areas of the park with few trees - which results in leopard being easier to spot in the sausage trees along the river banks - and dotted throughout by koppies (rock outcrops) which often have resident lions (especially the Simba koppies which straddle the main road to Seronera). Dependent on the location of the migration one of the best tented camps to stay at is Nomads Serengeti Safari Camp. Lobo and the Northern Serengeti Safaris: this area comes into its own during the months of September and October and is the best place for a safari in Tanzania when the wildebeest migration moves southwards from the Kenyan plains, through Lobo and down to the Serengeti plains. Lobo is less visited than other areas of the park and encompasses the Mara and Grumeti Rivers which are bordered by acacia woodlands making it slightly more difficult to spot game however also being much less busy with one being able to go an entire day without coming accross another safari vehicle! There are also a wide variety of luxury properties in this area including the permanent Migration Camp consisting of luxury tents, and Klein's Camp with its panoramic views and the possibility of night drives. The Western Corridor Safaris: stretching west from Seronera almost as far as Lake Victoria and being dominated by the Grumeti and Mbalageti Rivers. Not many people make it this far south even though wildlife safaris are good throughout the year supporting large populations of resident lions, wildebeest, giraffe and most other savanna game. May through to July are the times to visit if wishing to see the migration with the climax being the crossing of the Grumeti River in June or July which is also the time for huge crocodiles to gorge themselves on unlucky wildebeest! Choice of places to stay in this area is not quite so wide but with good quality luxury tented camps such as Grumeti River Camp.

Tarangire National Park Safaris - not as famous as Serengeti National Park, Tarangire still offers a huge amount to the African enthusiast forming an integral part of your safari in Tanzania. Tarangire comes into its own during the months of July to November when it is the dry season and the various grazing herds are attracted to the waters of the Tarangire River. Covered in more vegetation than the Serengeti, wildlife is slightly harder to see here although it is still just as diverse. Primarily famous for its large herds of elephants one can expect to see up to 500 along the river banks in the dry season!

Ngorongoro Crater/Conservation Area Safaris - home to the worlds largest volcanic caldera and a natural wildlife amphitheatre! Often described as one of the wonders of the world catching your first glimpse of the crater 600m below you is a breathtaking moment. Home to large tusker elephants, leopard, rhino and lion, wildlife viewing has never been so easy...Game viewing is excellent all year round and spending time on the crater floor watching the hippos wallow in muddy waters or thousands of flamingos tip toeing through their glassy reflections is to say the least, humbling. A variety of properties are available including Serena or Sopa Lodges which are mid-range, to the fantastically over the top Ngorongoro Crater Lodge. The Ngorongoro Crater is a must on your Tanzania Safari...

Mahale Mountains National Park Chimpanzee Safaris - Like Gombe, Mahale is home to some of the last remaining wild chimps in Africa. Approximately 1,000 of these elusive primates have made their home at Mahale which is an area of such outstanding beauty even without the attraction of the chimpanzees that it should not be missed off the traveller's safari list. Set in isolated forest within a chain of steep mountain peaks which tumble down to the pristine beaches of Lake Tanganyika below, Mahale hosts a variety of activities alongside the chimpanzee tracking including some of the best fishing in the area, some beautiful forest walks and one of the most tranquil settings to sit back, relax and enjoy. On having tracked the chimpanzees through the hot forest why not finish the day by plunging into the gin clear waters of the lake! Choice of accommodation in and around Mahale is limited but of a very comfortable standard. Nomads Greystoke Camp offers some of the most exclusive (and expensive) accommodation in Tanzania. Located on the lakeshore with 6 twin bedded tents just back from the shore in the tree line it is impossible not to be taken by the sheer comfort of this lodge. Nkungwe Tented Camp overlooking the crystal clear waters of Lake Tanganyika is the perfect blend of luxury and comfort set on a stretch of golden sandy beach with traditionally furnished safari tents looking out onto the beach!

Gombe Stream National Park Chimpanzee Safaris - The smallest of Tanzania's National Parks, Gombe and its chimps have been made famous by the pioneering work of the British primatologist Jane Goodall. The chimpanzees are definitely the main attraction and watching them go about their daily lives in their natural environment is an experience not to be missed. Along with the chimps, the forest is also home to olive baboons, and vervet and blue and red tail monkeys, leopard (difficult to see), bushbuck and a variety of birdlife including fish eagles and palm nut vultures. Gombe itself is a thin strip of ancient lakeshore forest set among steep valleys and mountains. Other activities aside from tracking the chimpanzees include, swimming at the beach, fishing, snorkelling or just relaxing with a good book!
Choice of accommodation in and around Gombe is limited to Gombe Tented Camp which has been designed with every comfort in mind with the camp's spacious tents being shaded by huge mango trees right next to the lakeshore.

Katavi National Park Safaris - Uniquely isolated in western Tanzania with over a million hectares of wilderness surrounding you this park is one of the last remaining wildernesses of Africa. The majority of your wildlife safaris are centred around Lakes "Katavi" and "Chada" - which are more open grasslands in the dry season and swamps in the wet season. Large numbers of hippo (approx 3,000 in one pool!!), crocs, elephant and all other savannah game congregate around these watering holes. With access to the park limited the number of visitors to the park is minimal whilst game viewing is optimal! A perfect Tanzania safari itinerary combines the wilderness of Katavi with the lushness of Mahale or Gombe National Parks to track the chimpanzees.
Choice of accommodation is in Chada Katavi Camp, a luxurious tented camp set amongst the acacia trees overlooking the plains.

Zanzibar Island - combined with a Serengeti safari or the Ngorongoro Crater, Zanzibar is ideal for the perfect beach honeymoon. Pristine white sandy beaches with luxury lodges are a welcome break after the dusty plains of the Serengeti and if you get bored of these, why not spend a few nights in Stonetown exploring the winding streets with their Arabic charm and unique herbs and spices...