Tanzania Safaris: What You Should Know

Have you been in a country jam-packed with wonderful attractions, the way you can’t figure out where to start? That’s how Tanzania makes planning a safari for many visitors challenging. We can confirm that! The Kilimanjaro, the Serengeti, the Ngorongoro Crater, and the Selous are appealing. Yet, visiting local communities is an adventure in itself. How about relaxing on the sun-kissed beaches? If you’re in the middle of something like this, you’ve come into the right room. In this article, we cover Tanzania safaris and all you may want to know during booking.

Tanzania offers various safari experiences depending on how you want your safari to be. If you’re a fan of high peaks, hiking Kilimanjaro can be your best experience. If you’re an expert diver, Zanzibar might be great for you. And there’s more than that. Let’s have a look at some Tanzania safaris.

Wildlife safaris.

With 22 parks, Tanzania promises memorable wildlife tours in its breathtaking destinations. These safaris always involve activities focused on either viewing wildlife or experiencing the wilderness. These activities include game drives, birding, big five safari, migration safaris, camping safaris, etc. Other activities are second to game drives, so let’s start with them.

We can say a game drive is the most common activity for viewing wildlife and stunning landscapes. It’s usually included in many wildlife safaris in Tanzania. We can group game drives into private or shared drives, and day or night drives.

A private game drive offers a personalized wildlife experience. You dictate where the driver should take you, and you spend as much time at wildlife sightings as you want until you’re satisfied. However, these drives are expensive and usually offered to visitors on luxury or avid photographers.

A shared game drive is when you share a vehicle with other visitors. It’s a better option for saving money, but only if you’re comfortable with other visitors’ interests.

Day game drives take the form of morning, afternoon, or evening drives. And they can be private or shared. Here, you explore the wilderness during the day. It’s the greater way to see animals engaging in their daily life activities.

Night game drive or sunset drives usually takes place after dinner. We recommend you confirm their availability because some parks do not permit them, for example, Serengeti and the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. Parks like Tarangire, Ruaha, Nyerere, and Katavi sell night safari permits. They usually start at 8:00 p.m. and end at 11:00 p.m.

Hot air balloon safaris

Balloon safaris offer a bird’s-eye view of the landscape and wildlife. Most balloon safaris require an extra fee (usually between $500-600 per person).

This heart-stopping experience starts at dawn, when a guide picks you up from the lodge to the launch site. You listen to a brief from the pilot and his crew. Next up is taking off, which can be bumpy, but not so much.

For an hour, you’ll be gliding swiftly in the air, watching the plains turn amber and rose at sunrise. This safari always ends with a champagne breakfast at a remote, prepared setting. Balloon safaris are available in many parks, including Serengeti, Tarangire, Ruaha, Nyerere, Mikumi, and Katavi.

Hiking safaris

If hiking is your thing, you’re in the right place. Hikers can attempt many peaks in this country. The Kilimanjaro, Africa’s tallest peak, is the most rewarding hike in Tanzania. Hiking the world’s tallest freestanding mountain is a life-changing experience.

Here, you choose the best route to the summit. At the time of writing, seven routes are active: Marangu (oldest), Machame, Lemosho, Rongai, Shira, Umbwe, and Northern Circuit (newest). Each offers unique views and success rates.

We recommend Marangu for beginners because it’s well established and offers huts accommodation, not camping. We also recommend the Umbwe, Shira, and Northern Circuit routes for expert hikers. The cost of a Kilimanjaro hike varies depending on the route. However, it may fall between $2,000 and $6,000 per person.

Tanzania still has much to offer to hikers. You can hike Mount Meru, Ol Doinyo Lengai, Mount Hanang, Usambara Mountains, Udzungwa Mountains, and others.

Cultural tours

Tanzania is a country of diverse ethnic groups, each unique culture and charm. But most frequently visited communities are the Maasai, Hadzabe (or Hadza), Datoga, and Barbaig. These societies still practice traditional bush life. The Maasai still graze their cattle alongside wild animals.

The Hadzabe still rely on hunting and gathering for a living. They live on the shores of Lake Eyasi, and alongside them are the Datoga, who also grow crops and keep animals. And the Barbaig live on the foot of Mount Hanang, keeping large herds of livestock.

There’s much to explore in Tanzania when it comes to culture. We normally include a cultural visit in safari packages as an optional activity, but we can arrange it as a standalone safari package upon request.

Beach safaris

Off the east coast of Africa is the Zanzibar Archipelago, a semi-autonomous government of the United Republic of Tanzania. So, you don’t need a separate visa to go there if you’ve obtained one from the mainland.

This archipelago has two major islands: Unguja, the main island, and Pemba. If you want busy, vibrant beaches, go to the main island, but if quietness and remoteness are what you want, Pemba is great. In both islands, you’ll enjoy cool breezes, exquisite beachfront resorts, and excellent marine life.

While Unguja is famous for vibrant nightlife in Kendwa and Nungwi Beaches, Pemba offers a unique experience no other destination can match in East Africa. It’s the Underwater Room experience by the Manta Resort. It’s an exclusive experience to sleep beneath the sea, special for couples, honeymooners, and solo travelers.

Final word

So, which safari are you picking? Is it a wildlife safari, hiking, a cultural tour, or a beach trip? If you still can’t figure, we can help. We pick up on time when you call us. Our expert safari planner can assist you in a minute. So, please reach out!