Where Should I Go On Safari?

A safari is one of Africa’s greatest wildlife adventures, with Tanzania being one of the most popular countries to go on safari. If you are interested in taking a walk on the wild side, a Tanzania safari vacation might be just the adventure for you! What makes Tanzania so popular as a safari destination? In addition to the annual Great Migration, Tanzania is home to all five species of Africa’s Big Five – lion, leopard, rhinoceros, elephant, and buffalo. Not to mention the fact that 38 percent of the country’s land is preserved as protected wildlife areas! Tanzania is a virtual paradise for those who are interested in seeing its wildlife.

Finding A Tour Guide In Tanzania

Most travel agents strongly recommend that you book a tour when you go on safari in Tanzania. Because of the geography, rough terrain, and primitive roads, the country is not easy to navigate for tourists. But how do you find the best Tanzania tour operators to guide you on your adventure? Here are a few quick tips to get you started:

• Look for tour guides that offer customized tour options. The best safari tours in Tanzania are those that are tailored to your specific interests and offer you a chance to see the things you want to see!
• Research a tour company’s history and reputation before you book. Fortunately, the internet makes it extremely easy to find out if the tour operator you are interested in is on the up and up.
• Consider the following when comparing tour operators: price, safety records, and accessibility.
• Ask for recommendations from family or friends who have previously gone on safari in Tanzania. A word-of-mouth recommendation can go a long way toward reassuring you that you’ve picked the right tour operator for your Tanzania safari vacation!

A Tanzania Safari Adventure

Once you’ve booked with a reputable tour operator, you’ll have to pick your destination! Tanzania is home to many famous safari parks, both in the north and the south of the country. Different guides operate in different locations, so it is important to know which part of the country your guide operates in before you book your trip. Curious to learn more about Tanzania’s safari parks? Read on for the top seven in the country:

Safari Park #1: The Serengeti National Park

The most famous park in Tanzania is the Serengeti National Park, known more simply as the Serengeti. As Tanzania’s largest and most iconic National Park, the Serengeti is one of the best places for wildlife viewing. The Serengeti’s plants, animals, and climate have barely changed over the past one million years, making it one of the oldest and least disturbed ecosystems on Earth!

The Great Migration takes place each year in the Serengeti. This annual migration draws more than 400,000 visitors annually! The most common animals you will see on safari in the Serengeti are elephants, giraffes, lions, leopards, cheetahs, zebra, wildebeest, gazelle, buffalo, eland, and spotted hyenas.

Safari Park #2: Ngorongoro Conservation Area

Named as one of Africa’s Seven Natural Wonders, Ngorongoro Conservation Area is located in Northern Tanzania. It is home to a remarkably diverse set of wildlife and is one of the country’s most famous safari hotspots. Each year, more than 700,000 visitors flock to Ngorongoro to see black rhino, lions, leopards, cheetahs, wildebeest, zebra, flamingos, hippos, elephants, buffalo, spotted hyenas, and gazelles on a Tanzania safari vacation.

Safari Park #3: Tarangire National Park

The best Tanzania safari tour operators know that sometimes you just have to get off the beaten path and away from the crowds. In that case, a trip to Tarangire National Park is in order. Tarangire is located in the Manyara region of Northern Tanzania and is famous for its incredible concentration of wildlife and stunning natural scenery. This often overlooked gem of a park only attracts 160,000 visitors a year, which does not reflect the diversity of wildlife you can see on a visit! If you want to get away from the crowds, consider visiting this part to see elephants, giraffes, lions, leopards, cheetahs, wildebeest, gazelles, buffalos, eland as well as waterbuck, impala, and hartebeest.

Safari Park #4: Lake Manyara National Park

Lake Manyara National Park is located between Tarangire National Park and Ngorongoro Crater, so it is easy to add to the best safari tours in Tanzania. The park is famous for its unique ecosystem, and is often referred to as a pocket-sized version of the Serengeti. The park’s landscape features groundwater forests, floodplains, hot springs, and open savannahs. However, most of the park is covered in Lake Manyara, which attracts hippos, pink flamingos, and more than 300 migratory birds to its shores. Visitors can also see elephants, lions, wildebeest, buffalo, giraffes, impala, waterbucks, zebras, warthogs, baboons, and other monkeys in the park.

Safari Park #5: Arusha National Park

This little gem is a small park that features a diversity of wildlife and can be accessed on an easy day trip from the city of Arusha. This park is one of the country’s most exciting parks, with activities such as canoe safaris and bush camping. And, due to the lack of predators in the park, it is one of the few places in Tanzania where you can venture out on a walking safari! The park’s 67,000 annual visitors can see the usual diversity of wildlife (minus predators), in addition to dik-diks, blue monkeys, and black and white colobus monkeys.

Safari Park #6: Selous Game Reserve

This hidden gem in Southern Tanzania is Africa’s largest game reserve, yet it remains largely unheard of by tourists. Located in Southern Tanzania, it is home to an extraordinary amount of wildlife. The park is home to lions, giraffes, hippos, crocodiles, wildebeest, buffalo, zebras, elephants, elands, puku, hartebeest, and kudu.

Safari Park #7: Ruaha National Park

Host to a massive wildlife population, Ruaha National Park is the largest national park in Tanzania. Located in southern Tanzania and accessible only by airplane, the park is one of the country’s best kept secrets. More than 21,000 visitors get off the beaten path to visit this park each year. Common animal sightings include elephants, lions, leopards, cheetahs, buffalo, kudu, gazelles, hippos, crocodiles, antelopes, zebras, sable, and spotted hyenas.

Pack Your Bags For Adventure!

Once you decide on a Tanzania safari vacation, you have to figure out which are the best safari tours in Tanzania and which tour operator can take you on one! But with the information above, you are well on your way to crafting a memorable experience for the whole family!