What to expect on a safari in Tanzania?

What to expect on a safari in Tanzania?

What to expect on a safari in Tanzania? : Africa is a special safari destination with many incredible sites to explore, the best and most interesting way to experience Africa’s nature is on a wildlife safari which allows visitors to get close to wild animals in the natural habitat. A safari in Tanzania also supports the national environmental conservation efforts in the form of protected areas including national parks, reserves and sanctuaries.

 Like any other traveler planning a safari to Africa’s incredible safari destination – Africa, what to expect is one of the first questions you ask yourself.

When planning an African safari, Tanzania should be on top of your safari destination list, a safari in Tanzania is much more than a vacation as the travel experience will make you fall in love with nature and embrace the beauty of the wild.

Tanzania as a country has received a number of dignitaries who have fallen in love with this beautiful country.

Tanzania is where Jane Goodall fell in love with chimpanzees, her experience at Gombe National Park change her life and also motivated her to change the world.

The Olduvai Gorge in Ngorongoro Conservation Area – Tanzania is where Louis and Mary Leakey discovered one of the most important archeological finds on earth, they continue to be carefully excavated to this day.

Tanzania has inspired artists and writers for centuries including Ernest Hemmingway with his famous book “The Snows of Kilimanjaro”.

What is a Safari?

The difference from a safari and a typical vacation

The world safari comes from the Swahili language meaning “a journey” and is the root of the verb “to travel” in this East African language.

By far, Tanzania is the best country in AFRICA to go on a safari. The country boasts the largest national parks, UNESCO World Heritage Sites and the highest mountain in Africa – Mount Kilimanjaro.

 Additionally, Tanzania has been claimed as the top country in Africa for a safari. Serengeti National Park has been awarded the “Best Safari Destination’ out of several national parks across Africa by the pundits for multiple years in a row.

A safari in Tanzania is not just a vacation but a travel experience in Africa, though other continents offer safaris. Game drives to view animals are not compared to an African safari.

 More reasons to choose Tanzania as your safari destination?

The Great Wildebeest Migration – this is the largest movement of land animals in the world as well as all animals in the world after the migration of bat (though not so spectacular). The great wildebeest migration occurs in The Mara – Serengeti Ecosystem made up of Masai Mara and Serengeti, in Serengeti National Park it happens for nine months a year.

Tanzania is the only where you can combine your safari adventure with climbing the highest mountain in Africa that is Mount Kilimanjaro.

Tanzania is the only location where one of the rarest gemstones in the world – Tanzanite has ever been found.

Tanzania hosts the largest population density of animals and diversity of animals compared to any other Africa country. In Tanzania, you are sure to witness healthy herds of elephants and can visit a rhino sanctuary where rangers are working to save the endangered black rhinos. Also, has the largest population of lions on the planet.

It is true that park fees to access Tanzanian national parks are higher than neighboring countries, but the Tanzanian parks offer a higher – quality experience for an African safari.

A safari in Tanzania National Parks means

• A typical Africa Safari – this means a game drive under the guidance of a professional guide to designated areas, your driver – guide will explain about the environment, animals and other wildlife you encounter and give you the opportunity to take incredible photos of everything.
• In some location, there is an opportunity for a walking safari such as in Arusha National Park or a Tree Top Walk in Manyara National Park. This means you can hike or climb near the animals in a sustainable and environmentally safe as well as physically safe manner.
• After exploring the beautiful national parks, you will head to your accommodations either a lodge or a camp where you will enjoy a beautiful African sunset and feast on a delicious meal while reminiscing about your exciting day.

What is a game drive?

By nature, safaris usually mean length game drives. So, guests can expect to spend anywhere from 6-8 hours in a safari vehicle for animal viewing, especially in parks where they may not be permitted to exit the vehicle expect in designated areas.

Guests can opt for a sunrise game drive departing early in the morning with hopes of viewing elusive animals such as cheetahs and return to the lodge or hotel earlier in the day to enjoy a swim in the pool or a leisurely hike before evening.

Tanzania national parks are open from 6 am – 6 pm, however there is no rule that says you have to stay in the park the closing time.  While on a Tanzania safar, it is not necessary to spend all day game viewing in the car.

Most hotels are located right amidst the national parks and taking a longer safari itinerary will allow you to enjoy the comforts of award-winning properties the whole day. Water hotels drilled around the lodge will attract the animals directly to the terrace bring safari vibes right to you.

Because of the long time spent within a safari car, give consideration to traveling with your children. Keep in mind of your young one is able to sit for long periods of time and how attentive they may be to this experience.

Safaris in Tanzania are exciting and there are animals, birds and unique wildlife to see all around, but it can be tiresome for young travelers. Also, remember that time moves differently on safari. A morning spent in Tarangire National Park following a herd of elephants is thrilling, your heart will surely race when you see a lion just a few meters away. You can climb through a safari car to get a perfect photograph of a leopard hiding in a tree overhead.

Before you know it, it is time for lunch and your driver will take you to a specially designated picnic. Usually overlooking a lake or with a fantastic view of the park where you will enjoy your meal outside of the safari vehicle.

Things that make a safari in Tanzania special

Animals

Tanzania hosts the largest biodiversity of animals in Africa making it the best location for a wildlife safari in Africa, the best Tanzania wildlife destinations are found in the Northern Safari circuit such as Serengeti National Park, Ngorongoro Conservation Area among others.

Ngorongoro Crater – the beautiful destination is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the largest intact unfilled caldera in the world known for its incredible population density of animals – which is the highest in the world per square meter. While on a Tanzania safari in Ngorongoro, lookout for the endangered black rhinos and other animals which will make your experience truly special in nature.

Serengeti National Park – named a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its unique ecosystem and because it hosts the most ungulates on earth, and hosts the highest number of predators in a specific area than anywhere else in the world. Serengeti National Park is where visitors can see the wildebeest Migration with their own eyes, there is also an opportunity to see the migration from air, either in a chartered plane or a hot air balloon.

Lake Manyara National Park – is a unique Tanzania wildlife destination offering visitors a chance to see tree-climbing lions, enormous numbers of pink flamingoes and huge population of other bird species as well as the largest troops of baboons in Africa. In Lake Manyara, there have been recent construction of series of connecting bridges in the strong trees along Lake Manyara allowing for unique “Tree Top Walk” to get even closer to the incredible birdlife of this park.

Tarangire National Park – hosts one of the largest populations of elephants in the region and the iconic Baobab Trees, visitors on a Tanzania safari have a chance to herds of zebras and wildebeests with their predators such as lions, cheetahs and leopards as they make their way to Tarangire River – a permanent water source.

Arusha National Park – this beautiful park is home to the iconic Mount Meru – the second highest peak in Tanzania, guests can experience a walking safari through the grasslands and get close to giraffes, zebras and herds of cape buffaloes under a guidance of a professional park ranger.

Kilimanjaro National Airport – home to the highest mountain in Africa and the tallest free-standing mountain in the world, conquering this incredible peak is a once-in-a lifetime adventure for many visitors.

Scenery and Environment

Tanzania is one of the leading countries in Africa to set aside large land areas for conservation or wildlife protection, over a quarter (25%) of the nation has been designated as either national parks or official conservation areas.

This means that there are vast areas of land which have stayed true to the integrity of nature, remote areas where nature reigns such as the famous Great Migration with millions of wildebeests charging over the Grumeti River facing off with crocodiles and other predator, savannah grasslands with lions and elephants.

 In Tanzania, you can see nature at its finest, untouched state away from human habitat. For photographers interested in capturing amazing nature photographs, in Tanzania you will capture photos of African plains that seem to stretch on forever, get an up-close shot of the colorful birds such as the weaver birds while constructing their nest in a thorny acacia tree or some of the Africa’s famous big cats like cheetahs, serval cats in the endless savannah plains.

Tanzania is frequently visited by National Geographic, Animal Planet and other popular wildlife documentary teams because they are nearly guaranteed to see animals in nature and capture excellent footage.

Comfortable safari Vehicles

The Tourism Industry in Tanzania maintains a high level of standard which extends to safari vehicles, when you book with us, you will certain be driven in a modern, comfortable safari vehicle.

Our safari vehicles come with Wi-Fi internet, a fridge for cool drinks, electric outlets to charge your devices while on a safari, air conditioning and extendable tops. The option to lift up the roof of the safari vehicle means better viewing all around for an exciting safari adventure.

Luxury lodges and camps

Accommodations in Tanzania have earned a reputation for excellent hospitality, there are many award-winning camps and lodges throughout national parks that cater to high-end visitors.

Visitors in Tanzania are sure to have a luxury experience throughout the safari, you may be in a remote location on the edge of the Tarangire River, Serengeti Plains or with an exquisite view of the Great Rift Valley. During your stay, you will enjoy fine wine, eating chef-prepared meals and be offered all the luxuries of any four- or five-star hotel.

Nearly all the lodges in Tanzania’s national parks offer beautiful swimming pools, outdoor fire pits for nights under the stars and top-rated restaurants within the hotels. Rooms are spacious, often with private balconies or verandas for further relaxation and breathtaking views.

Many of them also provide spa services and sometimes baby-sitting options for families, the child-minding setting is education and fun for all ages, children learn about Tanzanian culture and have the chance to participate in crafts or learn traditional dances.

Typically, guests spend early mornings and evenings at hotels or lodges, but as a visitor you can create your own schedule to suit your own needs.

Professional safari guides

Our safari guides have experience in the field and in-depth knowledge of Tanzania’s plants, animals and history. Your Tanzania safari experience will be both memorable and informative, all around you will learn about the incredible features of nature and the behavior of Africa’s animals, in a fun and engaging way.

Despite the length time in the cars, many families who do bring their children on safaris find the experience opened their children’s minds to nature in a completely new way. Electronic devices seem dull compared to the excitement of the real wild.

Our guides consistently are given positive reviews from our guests, our guides are professional.