Planning Your Safari In Tanzania

Tanzania is one of Africa’s most famous safari destinations. Every year, thousands of visitors flock to this East African country to take advantage of local Tanzania travel packages and take in the sights of this amazing country. But why do so many people want to go to Tanzania on safari?

The answer is simple – each year, millions of wildebeest, zebra, and antelope migrate across the plains of the Serengeti in search of better grazing. This “Great Migration” is an awe-inspiring, once-in-a-lifetime experience that must be seen. Because so many people are intent on this bucket list experience, the best Serengeti safaris will make sure that you get to see at least a portion of this amazing, annual event!

How To Build An Amazing Itinerary

One of the most important things you need to do if you want to see the Great Migration is to find a reputable tour operator in Tanzania! Planning a safari can be daunting, but the logistics of getting around in a country where the GPS signal is spotty and the roads into game preserves are not well-mapped is downright frightening! Your best bet is to book a spot with a company that offers a specialized Tanzania Safari itinerary that covers everything you want to see during your trip!

A Sample Safari Itinerary For The Adventurous

As you work with your tour operator to create a one-of-a-kind safari itinerary, consider what you want to see and what time of year you will be visiting.  Researching the peak seasons for wildlife sightings and taking into account any special events can help tailor your safari experience to your preferences. For example, the Great Migration is a yearly event, but the animals are constantly moving through different areas of the country. Your guide will know the best spots to visit based on what you want to see and when you visit!

Here are some of the options you may want to discuss with your guide when you are considering Tanzania travel packages. Some key points to consider are the duration of the trip, the specific activities included, accommodation preferences, and any additional services you may require during your journey.

Plan A Walking Safari In Selela Forest

From Kilimanjaro National Airport, the Selela Forest is just a short three-hour drive! This area of Tanzania is inhabited by the Maasai people, who welcome visitors and share the day-to-day traditional lifestyle of their village with those who want to learn about their culture. The Selela Forest is one of the few places in Tanzania that allows walking safaris. One of the most popular walking safaris in this area of Tanzania involves hiking up an escarpment on an Elephant trail, and then admiring the view once you’ve reached the top!

A walking safari is completely different from the more traditional game-driving safari. On foot, you are a participant in the natural world, rather than a spectator! However, walking is only available in certain areas (based on the number of predators in the area). Some of the benefits of adding a walking safari to your Tanzania safari itinerary include:

• Experience Tanzania with your senses! Walking on the same path as elephants and other wildlife allows you to feel the wind in your hair, hear a lion roar in the distance, and smell the bush. Experiencing the landscape with your senses allows you to become a part of your environment.
• See the wildlife up close and personal. When you are on a game drive, animals tend to ignore your vehicle. But if you are on foot, they view you as another animal! They may even allow you to get closer to them, which cannot be done easily in a vehicle.
• Go places a car cannot go! Traveling by foot allows you to reach remote areas that a car cannot. And once on foot, you are not limited by the lack of roads! Choose an experienced guided that works with the best Serengeti safaris if you want to experience the freedom of a walking safari.

Travel Around The Ngorongoro Crater By Car

Each January, the Great Migration moves along the eastern edge of the Serengeti and into the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. This extinct volcanic caldera is home to a diverse collection of wildlife that lives within the crater itself! The wildebeest and other animals pause their journey southward to feed on the nutritious grasses in the crater, and to calve. Each year, 400,000 calves are born in the Ngorongoro Conservation Area within a period of two to three weeks. That’s nearly 8,000 new wildebeest calves that are born every day!

If you want to see the newborn calves, you’ll have to make sure that your Tanzania Safari itinerary includes a trip to the Ngorongoro Crater between January and March. The Ngorongoro Crater is a prime location for witnessing the annual calving season of wildebeest and zebras, offering a unique opportunity to observe the circle of life in its natural setting. Some of the activities you can experience in this part of Tanzania include:

• A drive over the Ngorongoro highlands to marvel at views of the Ngorongoro Crater and the Serengeti Plains.
• A descent into the crater itself, to witness the unique biodiversity of this miniature ecosystem firsthand.
• Spend the day watching the newborn calves with their parents as they feast on the nutritious grasses that grow in the crater’s volcanic soil.

Watch Big Cats In The Seronera River Valley

The Seronera River Valley is located in the south-central region of the Serengeti National Park. It is one of the most popular areas in the entire reserve and is known as the Big Cat Capital of Africa. The Seronera is rich in lion, leopard, and cheetah – and people often spot all three in one day of game drives. The lush acacia trees along the riverbanks provide shade and camouflage for these majestic predators, adding to the thrill of witnessing them in their natural habitat.

If you want to plan a game drive in the Seronera River Valley, make sure you reserve a spot in one of the Tanzania Travel packages that visit the region from April until June! Although the Seronera has a year-round water supply from a nearby river, those three months are the peak season for game viewing in the area. The central location of the Seronera means that it’s one of the best places to see the Great Migration in action, too – the great herd of animals moves through the area for months each year.

Witness A Water Crossing On The Mara River

By July, the great herds of wildlife will be moving through the Northern Serengeti toward the Mara River. The best Serengeti safaris will set up camp near the river so travelers can witness this dramatic and dangerous trek across the river. Massive herds of wildebeest cross the Mara River en route to Kenya as they continue searching for good grazing land. The sight of wildebeest bravely facing crocodile-infested waters during their migration adds an exhilarating element to the Serengeti safari experience. This amazing, once-in-a-lifetime site is one of the more popular attractions to include in a Tanzania Safari Itinerary.

Creating A Customized Adventure To Remember in Tanzania!

There are many customized Tanzania Travel packages for those who want to experience the Great Migration in Tanzania. These packages often include guided safaris, luxurious accommodations, and unique cultural experiences to make your journey unforgettable. By collaborating with a reputable tour operation, you will be able to create a memorable experience in the African bush and an adventure-packed bucket list vacation for yourself!