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Tanzania

Tanzania is an iconic safari destination, home to all of Africa’s "BIG 5" (lion, leopard, rhinoceros, elephant, and African buffalo), many rare and endangered species, and the Great Migration, renowned as the greatest show on earth. Protected areas in Tanzania are extremely varied, ranging from sea habitats, grasslands and savannahs to the top of Mt Kilimanjaro. About a third of the country's total area is protected to a certain degree as a national park, game reserve, marine park, forest reserve or the like.


There are two main safari circuits - the popular Northern Circuit that includes Arusha National Park, Tarangire National Park, Lake Manyara National Park, Ngorongoro Crater Conservation Area and the famous Serengeti National Park. The quieter Southern Safari Circuit offers a remote wilderness experience away from the crowds and includes Ruaha National Park and Nyerere National Park.


Synonymous with safari, the Serengeti National Park is where you will witness dramatic game viewing. It is one of the Seven Natural Wonders of Africa, and a bucket list destination for many travelers and safari enthusiasts. It hosts the Great Migration and provides year-round wildlife abundance. During the months January to February, the herds are in South Serengeti, near Lake Ndutu, where half a million calves are born. From March to June they will journey north through west and central Serengeti, reaching north Serengeti around July. Subject to rainfall and food, about a third of the herd will cross the river into the Masai Mara in Kenya in August, returning to the Serengeti in October; the remainder of the herd will stay in north Serengeti during these months. From October to December the herds will make their way down through the central Serengeti to the south for the calving season near Lake Ndutu. The Serengeti is 3.7 million acres, and therefore impossible to drive from north to south in one day. Therefore, where you stay and in which season is critically important to maximizing your chances of seeing the great migration.


The Ngorogoro Crater is the largest intact caldera in the world. It is surrounded by a heavily forested rim that rises about 7,500 ft above the grasslands below. The center of the crater features the seasonal Lake Magadi, fed by the Ngoitokitok Spring and the Munge River. Try to imagine 25,000 animals inside the crater of an extinct volcano … The Ngorongoro Crater is an unique setting that offers the potential of "BIG 5" sightings and delivers what is arguably one of the best safari experiences in Tanzania.


Within the Ngorongoro Conservation Area lies Olduvai Gorge, one of the most important paleoanthropological sites in the world. Fossil evidence found here indicates that various hominid species have occupied the area for 3 million years and those interested can visit the Olduvai Gorge Museum.


Tarangire National Park is renowned for its high density of elephants easily spotted along the Tarangire River. Predators such as lions, leopards, cheetahs, and African wild dogs also inhabit the park, together with other common animals including zebras, wildebeest, cape buffalo, waterbuck, giraffe, impala, and more. Bird enthusiasts will appreciate the 550+ bird species found here. The baobab tree, also known as the upside-down tree, or tree of life because it produces nutritional fruit in the dry season, is another distinctive feature of the park.


Lake Manyara National Park is situated between Lake Manyara and the Great Rift Valley. It has a shallow alkaline lake formed in a depression in the Rift Valley System. When full, the lake is a maximum of 10 ft deep and covers two-thirds of the park. The lake has no outflow but is fed by underground springs and by several permanent streams that drain surrounding Ngorongoro Highlands. Lake Manyara National Park is known for its natural beauty as well as its legendary tree-climbing lions.


Arusha National Park is one of the most interesting parks in Northern Tanzania and famous for being a home to the second highest mountain in Tanzania, Mt. Meru. It harbors incredible wildlife species that cannot be viewed in other national parks in the northern circuit. It has diverse vegetation types like the lush rainforest, savannah, alpine vegetation, and amazing wildlife like buffaloes, bushbucks, warthogs, zebra, red duikers, elephants, giraffe, leopards, hippos, primates like black and white colobus monkeys, vervet monkeys, blue monkeys and more.


Ruaha National Park in southern Tanzania is named after the Hehe word for ‘river’ because the Great Ruaha River runs through the park. Ruaha is the second-largest national park in Tanzania, and due to its low visitor numbers, a safari here feels secluded and exclusive. Ruaha is a wildlife haven, hosting one of Tanzania’s largest elephant populations. Its vast landscapes are home to cheetah, lion, leopard, and endangered African wild dog and serves as one of “Tanzania’s Lion Conservation Units”. Giraffe, buffalo, hippopotamus, zebra, warthog, roan, greater kudu and sable antelope are some of the popular species found within the park. In the dry season the river draws wildlife in for drinking and becomes an excellent game viewing area. The park also supports a rich variety of birds, with over 570 species, making it a paradise for bird enthusiasts.


Nyerere National Park, previously known as Selous Game Reserve, is the largest national park in Africa. The park is situated in the southeastern region of Tanzania in East Africa. It is a lesser-known destination and, therefore, is less crowded than the popular northern parks in Tanzania, which gives it a wilder and more private atmosphere. Nyerere is a sanctuary for diverse wildlife. The park is home to many species, including a large population of wild dogs and the BIG 5.

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For the adventurous traveler, hiking Mt Kilimanjaro combined with a safari is not to be missed.​

Tanzania's Weather and Climate

Tanzania is generally comfortable year round due to the equator but has a wide range of climates because of varying regional elevations.

The rainy season, or the "long rains" lasts from March to early May. Afternoon tropical downpours are the norm, which are heavier and more predictable along the coast and on the islands. The dry season is usually June to October, with little rainfall and low humidity. The "short rains" during November and December offer lighter, less predictable rain.

Most northern parks are quite cold at night due to higher altitude. Temperatures on the Ngorongoro Crater are comfortable during the day on the crater floor but at night it can be very chilly. We recommend a warm coat or a toasty fireplace to stay warm.

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Average Annual Temperatures (°F)

Average Annual Rainfall (In.)

Sample Itineraries

LANDS OF THE GREAT MIGRATION
12 Days | Kenya | Tanzania
From $13,995 pps
THE BIG 5 PARKS OF TANZANIA
10 Days | Tanzania
Coming Soon
EXTRAORDINARY WILDLIFE EXPERIENCE
14 Days | Kenya | Tanzania
From $14,997 pps
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