Planning Your Tanzania Get Away

Tanzania is a bucket list destination for many adventure seekers. The country is vast, allowing visitors the opportunity to immerse themselves in both wilderness and wildlife. In fact, wildlife is one of the main reasons to travel to Tanzania. There are more wild land mammals in Tanzania than anywhere else on the planet. If you’ve always dreamed of seeing animals running across The Serengeti, stay tuned! We have the information you need to plan your Tanzania travel.

Where In The World Is Tanzania?

Tanzania is a large country in East Africa, immediately south of Kenya. It is located in East Africa’s Great Lakes Region, below the equator in the Southern Hemisphere. Three of Africa’s largest lakes lie partly within Tanzania’s borders, including Lake Victoria, Lake Tanganyika, and Lake Nyasa. The northeast section of the country is mountainous and densely forested, but the central part of the country is a large plateau with plains and arable land. Tanzania’s eastern shore, located along the Indian Ocean’s coastline, is hot and humid. The Zanzibar Archipelago sits offshore, along with several other islands.

Most adventure seekers fly into Kilimanjaro International Airport in the northern part of the country. It’s a convenient place to meet up with Tanzania travel guides. In fact, most of Tanzania’s tours depart from towns near this airport. Whether you want to summit Mount Kilimanjaro or see wildebeest swoop across the African plateau on Tanzania safari tours, Kilimanjaro International Airport will be the starting point for your adventures.

The Best Time Of Year To Travel To Tanzania

Before you book your flight to Tanzania, you probably want to know when to visit! Many visitors think that the best time for Tanzania travel is between late June to October when there is little to no rain. This dry season is a great time to book Tanzania safari tours because the lack of rain causes animals to congregate at watering holes. This makes it easy to spot wildlife. Also, the weather is colder and less humid during this time, making it easier to stay out in the bush for longer periods of time on safari!

Here is a convenient list of each season in Tanzania, and what type of wildlife you will see if you plan your visit during them:

• June – August: this is one of the most popular times to visit Tanzania! During these three months, the weather is dry and the wildlife viewing is great. However, the popularity of these months means that some of the most popular Tanzania travel destinations can get crowded, especially in the northern part of the country.
• September – late October: the dry season in Tanzania is coming to an end, but wildlife still gathers at waterholes to drink. This makes animal spotting very easy for the casual observer, as well as the serious safari enthusiast. As an added bonus, not many people choose to travel to Tanzania during these months, so lodges as well as Tanzania safari tours are less expensive!
• December – March: during this time of year, great herds of wildlife congregate in the Serengeti and Ngorongoro areas of northern Tanzania. The areas are green from the annual rains, and a perfect place to bring calves into the world. If you book a safari during this time of year, you will be able to view newborns. Big cat sightings are also common during this time of year.
• April – May: herds begin to migrate west and north to grassier plains and the wooded areas of the Serengeti’s Western Corridor. Seasonal rains can be torrential during these two months, making it difficult for locals as well as visitors to travel. In fact, many safari camps shut down during this wet season, due to impassable roads. The early spring months are not the best time for Tanzania tours!

Should You Visit Tanzania During The Great Migration?

Every year, millions of zebra, wildebeest, and antelope migrate across the plains of East Africa in search of better grazing grounds. This annual event is known as the Great Migration. The long trek stretches from Tanzania’s Serengeti National Park to Kenya’s Maasai Mara National Reserve. The Great Migration begins in Tanzania in April and continues into May, during the height of the rainy season. However, the animals continue their journey during the months of June and July, when they can be found in the northern part of the Serengeti National Park. By the end of July, they will have reached the Mara River to cross into Kenya. Many Tanzania safari tours specialize in following the herds of wildlife as they cross the plains, even during the rainy season. So if you want to see this amazing phenomenon, you can definitely find a safari to fit your needs.

The Best Safari Destinations In Tanzania

Visiting Tanzania is not a one-day experience! In order to see the different parks and explore the country’s wilderness, you need at least four days. However, a week is recommended if you want to experience the country and see its amazing sights. Tanzania boasts a wide range of fantastic safari destinations for you to explore. Here are the top four destinations you should visit during your Tanzania travel:

• Serengeti National Park: Located in the north of Tanzania, the Serengeti is the oldest game reserve in Tanzania. Many tourists visit the park each year to enjoy the annual Great Migration.
• Tarangire National Park: Although not as popular as other parks, Tarangire National Park is worth the visit! The park boasts a massive concentration of wildlife per square kilometer compared to other parks in Tanzania, making wildlife sightings a sure bet during your time in the bush.
• Ngorongoro Conservation Area: This UNESCO World Heritage site is one of the most famous destinations in Tanzania. Massive herds of wildlife, including wildebeest, roam the park, along with 500 different species of birds.
• Lake Manyara National Park: This park features a variety of natural habitats within its boundaries. The varied topography includes the Rift Valley Lake, as well as high mountain peaks and more temperate woodlands. The park is home to herds of buffalo, giraffes, cheetahs, and more.

Traveling to Tanzania is a once-in-a-lifetime experience for most people, so consider booking a reputable Tanzania safari tour! This bucket list adventure is one that you won’t easily forget, so grab your binoculars and get ready to be amazed by the plethora of mammals roaming across this great country.