tanzania
The ultimate safari destination in Africa
T anzania is blessed with incredible diversity when it comes to national parks, wildlife and so many areas with unique features. With home to 22 national parks (not including game reserves and other nature reserves, it might be an overwhelming task to find the best areas for your upcoming safaris. Through this next section we will break it down to different circuits, to give you an idea of which national parks that are sensible to combine, and of course which areas that is the ideal place for you to visit. We break it down into 5 different safari areas also called circuits. Naturally the different circuits and be combined, but staying within one circuit will definitely keep the cost lower, as well as avoiding too much travel.
Northern
eastern
coastal
southern
western
north west
- Ibanda-Kyerwa N.P
- Rumanyika-Karagwe N.P
- Burigi-Chato N.P
- Kigosi N.P
- Rubondo Island N.P
- Sanaane Island N.P
NORTHERN TANZANIA
experiences:
The legendary endless savannahs of Serengeti, with the famous wildebeest migration. The incredible Ngorongoro Crater is the 8th wonder of the natural world, a unique safari experience found nowhere else. Tarangire has some of the largest concentration of elephants anywhere in the world, and Lake Manyara complements the other parks with its lake, and is a perfect warm-up safari destination. This region is also home to Mt. Meru and Mount Kilimanjaro, the largest freestanding mountain in the world at 5895 masl.
when to go:
This is one of the few safari destinations that can be visited throughout the whole year. This region is the least exposed to rain in Tanzania, although March & April can get heavy rainfalls. (Not ideal if you want to combine with a beach experience). The dry season is between June and October. November through February can experience some rain, but lush and amazing scenery. This is our favorite time to go, in addition to late May, where you will not experience a lot of tourists and guaranteed an “all green” scenic view.
suitable for:
Anyone who would like to visit the most famous safari destinations in Africa. A true bucket-list destination for most, and if you only plan to go on safari once in your life, this might be your preferred choice. The wildebeest migration is a sought after attraction, and we advise January to mid-February when the migration rests in the Ndutu-area during calving season, for this activity. For those who would like a physical challenge, hiking the Kilimanjaro is your best pick. The safari attractions can be visited by all ages.
a piece of advice:
To get the full experience, do a roadtrip with multiple parks. When visiting the Ngorongoro Crater, it is critical to sleep on the crater rim the night before, and not outside of the conservation area. This is to beat the morning traffic and be one of the first cars down the following morning. In Serengeti, we recommend 4 nights to get a proper safari. The location of your camp inside Serengeti is vital to get an authentic private safari, and to avoid a lot of vehicles and hordes of other tourists.
tarangire
Lake manyara
ngorongoro
serengeti
This is without a doubt, the most famous safari circuit in the world. The diversity in this region is second to none, and if this region does not satisfy your expectations set for your first safari, then there is not much we can do. The national parks and nature sights in this area are on most safari travelers bucket-list. The northern parts of Tanzania invites you to amazing road trips due to the close proximity of multiple parks, that provides you with a large variety of incredible safari experiences and stunning scenery. Scroll down to read more about the parks.
serengeti
The legendary savannah
S erengeti is probably the most famous National Park in all of Africa. Tanzania’s oldest and most popular national park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site that covers over 14,700 km2. The name Serengeti is derived from the Maasai name “Siringet”, meaning “endless plains”. Home to “The Great Migration” – where the six million hooves from more than 200,000 zebras and 300,000 Thomson Gazelles, join the wildebeests journey in search for fresh grazing and rainfall. We especially love Serengeti when the fresh rain has arrived, to experience an “all green” scenery that is truly breathtaking. The animal experience you can get here should be second to none, and a tented camp in a remote area of Serengeti will provide the ultimate safari experience.
A piece of advise
To get your Serengeti-experience right, there are a few important elements you need to be aware of. It is crucial to know where to stay at the different times of year. This to both get the best animal experience, as well as avoiding too many other tourists. This is also a destination where you need a minimum of 3 nights, while 4 nights is recommended. The migrations goes on throughout the year, and many are "chasing" the river-crossings in Northern Serengeti during August to October. In our opinion the best time to experience the migrations is in late December through February which is the calving season in the Ndutu-area, located in the Southern part of Serengeti.
One of the few destinations in Africa that can be visited all year around. Going in December through February will give you a lush and green experience away from the dust, and ideal for seeing the migration during calving season. Late May & early June is fantastic with great deals, lush scenery and very few other visitors
Easy to combine in a road trip with Tarangire, Lake Manyara & Ngorongoro. For the full circuit we advise 6-7 nights. We can also do a fly-in safari just to Serengeti, where 4 nights is advisable. Either fly-out when you exit or cross Serengeti to Lake Victoria and exit with a flight from Mwanza
A part from game-drives, you can experience cultural visits to a maasai village, balloon safari, and crossing Serengeti to Lake Victoria
ngorongoro
The crater of miracles
The Ngorongoro Crater Conservations area is an icon in the safari industry and is by many perceived as the holy grail of safari experiences. This breath taking, stunning conservation area is the result of a volcanic eruption where the cone collapsed inward, estimated to happened over 2.5 million years ago. The unique feature of the crater provides a jaw-dropping scenery, in addition to an abundance of wildlife. Also a UNESCO World Heritage Site, this conservation area is considered one of the natural wonders of the world. The crater is over 600 meters deep and the crater floor is at 1800 masl. If you plan to visit the crater, it is a MUST to sleep at the crater rim before entering the following morning.
A piece of advise
To get your Ngorongoro-experience right, there are a few important elements you need to be aware of. Many people overnight in Karatu. This should only be an alternative if you have a really tight budget. When entering the gate the following morning going into the crater, it can take hours. (Yes hours). From the gate you will spend another hour getting down into the crater, and it will be crowded for sure. We always STRONGLY advise all our travellers and always recommend to sleep inside the crater (on top of the rim), the night before. It will give you a completely different experience, driving down into the crater the following morning with very few other safari vehicles.
One of the few destinations in Africa that can be visited all year around. Going in December through February will give you a lush and green experience away from the dust. Late May & early June is fantastic with great deals, lush scenery and very few other visitors
Sitting between Tarangire, Lake Manyara & Serengeti, it is ideal to combine with these areas. And if you are going to Serengeti, you have to drive through the Ngorongoro Conservation Area (unless you fly into Serengeti.) Combine them!
Conservation Areas have the the strictest rules of all statuses. So other activities than driving is not allowed in the crater. But you can experience cultural visits to a maasai village in the area, and enjoy majestic scenery the night before from the crater rim
tarangire
Home of the elephants
I f you want to extend your safari with a day or two, Tarangire is the perfect park to add to your safari. The park is famous for its high density of baobab trees, and has the highest density of elephants anywhere in Tanzania. Being home to more than 550 species of birds, it is also a true haven for bird enthusiats, in combination with Lake Manyara. During the dry season, you can also expect to see herds of thousands of cape buffalo, wildebeest and zebra. All the big predators are found here as well, including the elusive caracal. It is a very pleasant park to drive around in, and if you are looking for a full week safari in the northern circuit, this should be your first stop on your adventure!
A piece of advise
Many people skip Tarangire, simply going directly for the famous big sisters Serengeti & Ngorongoro. Even if you are going on a roadtrip to these destinations, starting off with Tarangire could be a very smart move. Less crowded, an elephant hotspot and a beatiful and diverse park to drive around in. There are good alternatives to stay inside the park, but if you only have one night to spare and are going onwards to Lake Manyara the next morning, there are plenty of good alternatives of staying right on the border of the park, giving you amazing view as well as an easy exit the next morning to your new safari destination.
The park can be visited all year around, although the ideal time for Tarangire would be the dry season from June through October. Especially if this is your main safari destination. The closest park from the safari capital Arusha, only a 2 hour drive.
Very easy to combine with Lake Manyara which is just an hour away, and then another hour to Ngorongoro. If you are planning on a safari roadtrip to Serengeti, this could be your first destination on your trip, and ideally you should spend two nights to get the most out of Tarangire.
A part from game-drives, you can experience walking safari as well as balloon safari in the dry season.
lake manyara
The perfect warm-up destination
L ocated on the way towards the Ngorongoro Crater, this is the perfect “warm-up” safari-destination in the Northern circuit. It is known for flocks of thousands of flamingos that feed along the edge of the lake in the wet season. At times, it has been estimated 2 million individuals from more than 350 different species of birds. We believe the name Manyara may come from the Maasai word “emanyara”, which is the spiky, protective enclosure around a boma. (Village/family homestead). There are numerous mammals here, and most will get their first experience with elephants in this park, and maybe the tree-climbing lions in the area.
A piece of advise
Lake Manyara is a nice warm-up safari, perfectly situated between Tarangire and the Ngorongoro Crater. For those who are not including Tarangire in their Northern Circuit roundtrip, this would be the first destination on the journey. The park is relatively small, and in all fairness it can not compare to any of the other destinations in the Northern circuit. That being said, due to the ideal location literally on the road towards Ngorongoro & Serengeti, it is the ideal location to have the first 1/2 safari on the way to the Ngorongoro Crater. It also offers a very nice contrast to the other park with the lake, and is a nice "appetiser" before you head into you main safari destinations.
Lake Manyara can be visited all year around. Going in December through February will give you a lush and green experience away from the dust as well as late May and early June. Great deals, lush scenery and very few other visitors
Easy to combine in a road trip after Tarangire and before you visit the Ngorongoro Crater (only 1 hour away). Due to the size of the park, you do not need more than 1/2 a day here, and with the lake and a nice drop from the escarpment it offers a beautiful scenery and nice start to your safari.
A part from game-drives, you can experience cultural visits to a maasai village (Mto wa Mbo) as well as canopy-walk through the park. Canoe-rental on the lake can be done at certain time of year if you want a bit more action.
southern TANZANIA
experiences:
Rufiji River in Nyerere National Park & Selous Game Reserve, is a great location for a nice boat safari. The sunsets over the Mkata Plains and savannahs of Mikumi are stunning, and the tropical rainforest of Udzungwa Mountains offers a spectacular hike to the tallest freestanding waterfall in Tanzania; the Sanje Falls. The true hidden safari gem is Ruaha National Park, particularly if you want to see predators. Close to 10 % of all lions in Africa can be found here.
when to go:
June-October is great for game watching, but November-February can also be very nice, especially if you like the green scenery. From March to May, the south can be heavily affected by rain, and this is not the ideal time to go. Nyerere National Park can be completely unaccessable. Mikumi National Park accessible park in the south, due to the possibility of heavy rain. Ruaha is the least weather dependent park in the south, and offers different experiences throughout the year. But March through May should be avoided in this park as well.
suitable for:
This area suits everyone and is probably the best option for family and generation trips with small/ younger children, who only want a short safari or are on a limited budget. For those who are after an authentic roadtrip (5-7 days) without sharing the nature with thousands of other tourists - we always recommend the south. If you’re not really into road trips or have children who are not to found of driving, a fly-in safari to Ruaha is an ideal option.
a piece of advice:
If you want a short and cheap safari, 3 nights in Nyerere National Park (Selous Game Reserve) is a good option. Some companies sell Mikumi as the main safari destination, but it should only be a warm-up destination, and it is becoming more commercial. Udzungwa is ideal if you like hiking and waterfalls. Ruaha National Park in the middle of Tanzania is a true hidden safari-gem. For the south, we advise this as your main destination. We highly recommend having 4 nights here, to get a proper safari experience. Either as part of a week’s road-trip, or as a single fly-in destination.
Nyerere
mikumi
udzungwa
ruaha
The southern part of Tanzania is considered to be one of the best hidden safari destinations in Africa. At least by us! Wild, free and very little tourists. All areas are accessible both by car and small airplanes - and they are really good to combine to get a diverse safari-experience. In this area you will find Africa’s largest game reserve, which provides a remote wildlife experience! Not market¬ed in the same way as the famous north, it experiences far less tourists which will give you a more authentic and non-touristy safari. Scroll down to read more about the parks.
Nyerere
Diversity on land and by boat
This is the largest wildlife area in Africa, covering more than 53 000 km2 in total. In 2019, the UNESCO World Heritage Site, Selous Game Reserve (pronounced “Seloo”) was split in two, creating a new national park with the name of Nyerere National Park. This new national park is the area were game-drives have taken place in the “old” Selous Game Reserve. As one of the few destinations in Eastern Africa, you can experience both river safaris, walking safari and game drive in one day. This area is ideal if you only want one park for your safari and have a limited budget, and if you would like to spend some time on the stunning Rufiji River.
A piece of advise
Nyerere is probably the most diverse park in all of Tanzania. With the mighty Rufiji River running through the park, it is the only real destination in Tanzania where you can have a proper river safari included in your itinerary. It is also a park where we can do a lot of different activities, ideal for families with children on a limited budget. The drive down from Dar es Salaam is between 5-6 hours, which offers a nice rural road-trip through many local villages. The park has changed a lot during the split in 2019, so if you are looking for the "extreme" ultimate safari, you are probably better off in Ruaha. That being said, for a first-time family safari this could probably be your most ideal safari location.
The destination is ideal in the dry season between June and October, while November through February offers a stunning lush and green scenery with a few raindrops. March through May however should be avoided as you can experience a lot of rain and the park can be very difficult to reach by road. Drive from Dar is 4,5-6 h.
Easy to combine in a road trip with Tarangire, Lake Manyara & Ngorongoro. For the full circuit we advise 6-7 nights. We can also do a fly-in safari just to Serengeti, where 4 nights is advisable. Either fly-out when you exit or cross Serengeti to Lake Victoria and exit with a flight from Mwanza
A part from game-drives, you can experience cultural visits to a maasai village, river safari, walking safari & fishing.
ruaha
The hidden gem of Tanzania safari
Ruaha National Park (over 20 000 km2) is the second largest national park in Tanzania and the third largest in East Africa. Experiencing less than 10% of the visitors of Serengeti, it is still little known but second to none in wildlife diversity due to its unique location between hemispheres’. If you are after predators, this is definitely your area. Ruaha is home to more than 10% of all remaining lions in the world, and few places offer a better chance to see the elusive leopard. This area is also home to more than 570 species of birds, and with one of the largest populations of any national park in Tanzania, it is a true stronghold for the gentle giants. For us, this is the no. 1 recommended park in Tanzania for the ultimate safari!
A piece of advise
If we have to pick, Ruaha is probably our favourite destination in Tanzania, especially if you are looking for a one-destination safari. Located secluded in central Tanzania, this park offers a true wilderness experience without the tourists and potential queue. A predators haven and a stunning park to drive around in, you should set aside 4 nights for your visit to Ruaha, to ensure you get the ultimate experience. This is the crown jewel of Southern Tanzania which is the perfect ending to a roadtrip in the South, and the recommended destination if you are looking for a fly-in safari. Ruaha will not let you down, we guarantee it!
Ruaha is ideal between June and February. June through October offers ideal game-drive condition during the dry season, while December through February offers stunning green scenery is a nature wonderland second to none! March through May is not ideal due to the tall grass and limited view.
For the ultimate roadtrip in the south, we often combine Ruaha with Mikumi (5-6 nights) and including Udzungwa (7-8 nights). It is also an ideal fly-in destination if you have limited time, and then 4 nights in Ruaha is recommended.
A part from game-drives, you can experience cultural visits to a maasai village as well as balloon safari and walking safari during the dry-season.
Udzungwa
Hike the tropical forest
This park is one of Tanzania’s most outstanding, pristine and unique wilderness mountains, with a greatest altitudinal range of forest. This is a perfect place to visit in between game drives to be a little more active, as you don´t come here for the big mammals. Walk the Sanje Waterfalls trail for a day and get a stunning view over the 170m high waterfalls! It has more than 400 species of birds, 6 species of primates and over 2500 plant species, 25% of which are endemic! The Udzungwa Mountains form one of Africa’s most remarkable biodiversity hotspots and walking them is a memorable experience as part of your safari adventure.
A piece of advise
Udzungwa Mountains is a very different national park and is not a game-drive destination. This is a where you come to get a wonderful hike on a tropical mountain (can be done by everyone). It is an ideal park to visit between game-drive destinations like Mikumi and Ruaha, and gives you the opportunity to stretch your legs and provide you with a very different safari activity on your Southern Tanzania road-trip. Although you are not likely to encounter any big animals here, you can definitely bump into elephants at the foot of the mountain. There are leopards in the mountain range, but they are really elusive and you will not meet them on your hike. The endemic Red and Black Colobus monkeys however, is a nice treat!
One of the few destinations in Africa that can be visited all year around. Going in December through February will give you a lush and green experience away from the dust, and ideal for seeing the migration during calving season. Late May & early June is fantastic with great deals, lush scenery and very few other visitors
This is a park that you visit in combination with Mikumi and/or Ruaha National Park and not a single destination unless you only want hiking and want 4-5 days trekking the entire mountain.
Udzungwa is all about hiking! The trek to the waterfalls of Sanje Falls takes in total 4-6 hours (up and down), and when you reach the top, you will have the opportunity to swim in some magical waterfalls!
mikumi
Southern Tanzania warm-up safari
M ikumi is an ideal warm-up destination at the beginning of your safari. Although the straight opposite scenery of Selous, they are actually a part of the same eco-system. The open horizons and abundant wildlife of the Mkata Floodplain, draw frequent comparisons to the more famous Serengeti Plains.This park gives you the opportunity to see a lot of animals in a short amount of time. However great this park might be in terms of locating animals, experienced safari travelers should not spend more than one day here; everything can be “served on a plate” and you’ll find day 2 and 3 much like the first day experience.
A piece of advise
Mikumi is the perfect warm-up destination, because of its easy access and open savannah. So you are likely to see a lot of animals in a short amount of time. This beings said, this should NOT be your main safari destination, because the park itself is not very exciting for more than a day safari. If a provider sells you Mikumi as a main safari destination, you should reconsider. Another challenge with Mikumi is that it has become a popular one-day fly-in safari destination from Zanzibar. So the park has become increasingly commercial and busy, year around. Warm-up safari YES, main safari destination NO!
A safari destination that can be visited all year around, located about 7 hours drive West of Dar es Salaam. In July of 2024, the speed train from Dar to Morogoro will cut this traveling time by 3-4 hours.
An ideal park to start your Southern roadtrip in, but not more than 1,5 day safari here. You can combine with Udzungwa if you want a hike (about 1,5 hour away) before you go to Ruaha for the main safari. You can also combine Mikumi with Nyerere (Selous) in the South. Amazing drive over the Uluguru Mountains, but note that this drive can take anywhere from 7-8 hours.
A part from game-drives, there are not that many other safari activities, but those you can save for Ruaha or Nyerere which is likely to be your main safari destination.
westERN TANZANIA
experiences:
The remote Katavi National Park with enormous concentration of hippos, has the least number of visitors of any real game-drive destination in Tanzania. Gombe Stream (home to Jane Goodall´s research) and especially Mahale National Park offers spectacular chimpanzee trekking, combined with beach-time and snorkeling in Lake Tanganyika. The lake is the second oldest and second deepest in the world. In the ancient village of Ujiji is where Stanley found “the lost” Dr. Livingstone and spoke the legendary words: “Dr. Livingstone I presume?”
when to go:
Katavi should only be visited during the dry season from June to October, as the floodplains take over a vast majority of the park during the rains. August - October being the best months. The same goes for Mahale National Park, since the chimpanzees are closer to Lake Tanganyika this time of year and easier to locate. So for the ideal experience in this region, you should go during the dry season. If you are only looking for a short chimpanzee-experience in Gombe, you can extend the ideal season a month or two.
suitable for:True explorers who seek the most wild and remote experiences, and anyone who has ever dreamt of trekking with chimpanzees, in the wild. This is not the ideal location for a first time family holiday/safari in Tanzania. If you want fewer or no other tourists around, this is where you come. Although Katavi can be done as a single safari-destination, it comes at a cost. So we do recommend combining it with Mahale to provide a full safari-week here. You can also fly to Kigoma and do a quick 2 day trip to visit the chimpanzees in Gombe.
a piece of advice:
If you want to visit this region, stick to the advice on when to go. Due to the remoteness of the destination, expect a higher cost for your adventures here, and trekking for chimpanzees also has a higher park fee than other normal game-drive destinations. If you choose Katavi as your main game-drive destination, we advise 4 nights. If you want the best possible chimpanzee-experience, Mahale is the destination to choose. You will feel that you have reached the end of the world in this magnificent place.
Katavi
Lake tanganyika
mahale
gombe
Hands down, the most secluded and wild safari destinations in Tanzania and probably all of Africa. Few travel to these areas and arriving here can feel like traveling back in time. The west offers a unique combination of true wilderness experience, chimpan-zee trekking, historical sites and some amazing freshwater beach experiences by the shores of Lake Tanganyika, the second deepest and oldest freshwater lake in the world. If you want something truly different and a very remote experience, this is your region! Scroll down to read more about the parks.
katavi
The last safari frontier
K atavi is one of the very few parks that really let you feel that you’re exploring and discovering a new place, before anyone else. It is so packed with wildlife that it is questioned if it surpasses the Ngorongoro Crater in animal density. This is one of the best parks to see predators hunting, and with only a few visitors per day, you are guaranteed to spend a lot of time alone in this true wilderness. The amount of lions and buffalo makes for quite the spectacle when they set off into furious duels, with theirs lives as stake. Expect to see more action as the drought increases (Aug-Oct), the shrinking waterholes forces animals down to the rivers and tension starts to rise.
A piece of advise
To the experienced safari traveler, Katavi is the dream destination. Extremely few visitors throughout the year, allows for a private experience spending time pretty much alone with the animals. There are only a few camps with limited accommodation here, guaranteeing a very exclusive and remote game-drive experience. During the green season between November and May, the Chada floodplains fills up, making the park less attractive. And the March through May is a complete no-go. Katavi is the ultimate remote safari destination in Tanzania!
One of the few destinations in Africa that can be visited all year around. Going in December through February will give you a lush and green experience away from the dust, and ideal for seeing the migration during calving season. Late May & early June is fantastic with great deals, lush scenery and very few other visitors
If you want to come to this remove part of Tanzania, you should definitely combine it with a chimpanzee experience in either Gombe or Mahale and/or include a few beach days at the stunning Lake Tanganyika.
A part from game-drives, you can truly experience some amazing walking safaris here in the last frontier of the safari world.
mahale
Home to the legend of Tarzan
We often refer to Mahale as the last outpost of the wild world. Only accessible by boat and with no roads or infrastructure, this true and authentic wildlife area is a stunning pearl that will not disappoint you. Chimpanzee-trekking here is done in the great Mahale Mountains, starting from the shoreline of Lake Tanganyika and up into the mountains. Mahale Mountains National Park harbors the largest known population of eastern chimpanzees and due to its size and remoteness, the chimpanzees flourish. This is also one of the few places in Africa where you can see hippos in crystal clear fresh water in Lake Tanganyika.
A piece of advise
To get your Mahale-experience right, and get the most out of your journey, plan it between August and October. When you travel this far, you want to make sure you get it right! Ideally we advise 3 nights in Mahale, so that you potentially have 2 days of trekking, increasing the chance of great chimpanzee experiences. The camps we use here are at the shoreline of Lake Tanganyika, providing you with the opportunity to have a proper beach-experience in the afternoon after your trek, if you like. Sunset cruise on Lake Tanganyika can be provided in the late afternoon, and snorkelling (and diving) in the crystal clear water is also an option if you like the waterworks. Mahale is such a unique experience, and it is well worth the time (and money) invested to get here!
It is possible to trek for the chimpanzees all year, but you have better odds (not trekking far) during the dry season, August through October being the ideal time. (Chimps stay closer to the shoreline of Lake Tanganyika). Getting there requires a flight to the nearby village of Lagossa, and from there about 4 hours on a boat into Mahale Mountains.
If you have come this far, to the ultimate remote corner of Tanzania, you should definitely combine your stay in Mahale with game-drives in Katavi as they complement each other perfectly for a varied remote safari-experience.
A part from trekking for chimpanzees, you can enjoy a beach experience in the afternoon in Lake Tanganyika, sunset cruise on the lake as well as teaching for hippos which you can see in crystal clear water
gombe
Home of Jane Goodall & the chimps
G ombe is the second smallest national park in Tanzania with its 35km2 surrounded by hills of the eastern shore of Lake Tanganyika, only accessible by boat. The park is famous for as the location where Jane Goodall did her invaluable research on chimpanzees. This is the easiest park to do chimp-trekking in, and you are able to take the boat for a daytrip from Kigoma. Spending a night or two inside Gombe is however recommended to get the full experience. Although the chimps are why you come here, the park has more than 200 species of bird, and the occasional hippo & leopard.
A piece of advise
Gombe is considered the little sister of Mahale, a bit more affordable and a bit more accessible. You will fly from Dar es Salaam to Kigomam where you will spend a night before or after your experience in Gombe. Ideally you should go between June and October. Ideally we advise 3 nights in Gombe, but you can do 2 nights and then combine with one night in Kigoma before or after your trekking experience. The camp we use here are at the shoreline of Lake Tanganyika, providing you with the opportunity to have a proper beach-experience in the afternoon after your trek, if you like. For your stay in Kigoma before or after the chimpanzee experience in Gombe, we advise a visit to the Dr. Livingstone museum in the village of Ujiji. This is where Stanley met Livingstone!
One of the few destinations in Africa that can be visited all year around. Going in December through February will give you a lush and green experience away from the dust, and ideal for seeing the migration during calving season. Late May & early June is fantastic with great deals, lush scenery and very few other visitors
Visiting Gombe can be a 3 night fly-in experience to Kigoma from Dar, which we can add to any safari in Tanzania. Or you can combine it with 3-4 nights in Katavi for the ultimate remote game-drive safari experience.
A part from trekking for chimpanzees, you can enjoy a beach experience in the afternoon in Lake Tanganyika, sunset cruise on the lake as well as visiting the Dr. Livingstone museum in Kigoma, before or after your chimp-visit.
NORTHwest TANZANIA
Experiences:
Rubondo Island in Lake Victoria, invites you to a very different chimpanzee-trekking than other destinations. Burigi-Chato is a stunning location that offer amazing scenery as well as boat-rides (particularly good for birding) on Lake Burigi. Romanyika-Karagwe is a tiny park of 247km2 situated in a hilly area, but not really worth a visit. Neighboring Ibanda-Kyerwa however is as far north-west as you can come. Here you can look down into Uganda and Rwanda and tick-off being in the remotest corner of Tanzania.
when to go:
This is a bit tricky because due to the nature experience, you really need to go after a bit of rain to truly experience the beauty of the nature here. On the other hand, the infrastructure is quite poor, and the road network in this region is not really well taken care of. Late May throughout June is the ideal time, but depending on the rain in the “little rain season”, November through January could also be a good option.
suitable for:
Honestly, very few. This is not a game-drive area yet, and it is only recommended to the few who has a special interest going to some of the least visited parks anywhere in Africa. This being said, those who enjoy a proper wild road trip, the drive between these parks and the nature experience that is offered in especially Burigi-Chato and Ibanda-Kyerwa is absolutely stunning! So if you are a sucker for amazing untouched African scenery, and don´t care too much about animals; this could very well be your hidden African paradise.
a piece of advice:
Like earlier mentioned, this is a region that is quite basic when it comes to accommodation. So you have to prepare yourself for a true adventure with little luxury other than the amazing scenery. It can be a really cool experience if you are bringing a group of friends, and the memories from a roadtrip like this will last for a lifetime. Should you prefer a longer safari with a bit of diversity, this region can be combined with both the northern circuit as well as the western circuit if you are looking for a 2 week adventure in the wild.
Rubondo
rumanyika-karagwe
ibanda-kyerwa
Burigi-chato
Very few people have heard of these national parks, and even fewer have been here. This is the most remote corner of Tanzania, and proper accommodation places are not found here at all. A trip to this region requires a proper road-trip, which is not for all. With the exception of Rubondo Island, 4 National Parks were established in 2019. Tanzanian National parks has been working on translocating animals from other parks, to ensure the growth of wildlife in this area. As of right now, this is not an ideal game-drive area. Scroll down to read more about the parks.
Rubondo
Located on an island in the south western corner of Lake Victoria, this island has quite a story. The island is uninhabited and 80% of the island remain forested today. Over a 4 year period in the late 60´s, chimpanzees was brought from zoo´s in Europe as an experiment. This is a very unique environment to do chimpanzee-trekking, and they are quite shy so you must be up for a solid hike in dense bush most of the time. In addition to the chimps, there are both elephants, Suni antelope, giraffes as well as colobus monkeys on the island. You can either sleep on the island when visiting, or take a daytrip from the nearby city of Chato.
rumanyika-karagwe
Although this park does have bigger game like giraffes, buffalo, zebra, numerous deer species and even leopard, it is very difficult to spot any animals here. The mountain ridge and bush is very thick, and the park only has a few kilometer of road suitable for game-drive. At the present, this park is more of a curiousity than a preferred destination to visit, and you are most likely selecting this park in order to “tick off” all the National Parks in Tanzania or purposely selecting the destination if you want to be guaranteed that there are absolutely no other visitors there with you.
ibanda-kyerwa
The smallest game-drive destination in Tanzania, with its 200 km2. This park borders both Uganda and Rwanda, and is as far as you come in Tanzania. Although this park has very limited wildlife and no big predators, it makes up for it with stunning scenery, amazing nature and being close to the Kagera River. The drive from Omurushaka (where you drive in from), is a treat in itself, with amazing highland scenery and proper rural villages along the road. You are almost guaranteed not to meet another safari vehicle, and this is proper road trip territory for the true explorer. There is only one (quite poor) alternative for accommodation here, so we would normally bring camping gear and set up a proper camp ourselves.
Burigi-chato
The largest game-drive park in the region, and the park where you are most likely spending the most time. The scenery in Burigi-Chato is breathtaking with its high rolling hills leading down to Lake Burigi, the 3rd largest lake in Tanzania. Lions have been relocated from Serengeti, and there is plenty of wildlife here, including the uncommon sitatunga antelope, as well as the extremely elusive shoebill stork. The only park on the mainland with proper accommodation, provided by TANAPA by the lake. Wonderful area to explore by boat, especially for birders, and in this park you will never feel that you have to wait in line for anything, as there are virtually no tourists here.
eastern TANZANIA
experienceS:
True diversity and topographical opposites defines this region. Saadani NP you can enjoy game-drive and beach from the same place, by the Indian Ocean. Chameleon hikes in Amani Forest Nature Reserve is something really special, and the Usambara Mountains invites to both fantastic hikes as well as mountain bike trails. Mkomazi National Park is by far the best game-drive destination in this region, and is home to a successful rhino-breeding program. So here, you are more or less guaranteed to see them.
when to go:
Stay away from the wildest rain-season (March-April and early May), and you are pretty much good to go. Especially if you are looking to enjoy a bit of the Indian Ocean as well. Parts of this region, like Amani Forest and Usambara Mountains can experience slight rain throughout the year, but nothing that will put limits to your trip. On the countrary, this just enhances the experience of being in a tropical area. Mkomazi is not affected heavily by rain either, and the game-drive experience here can be enjoyed throughout the year.
suitable for:
Those who are looking for a different safari-experience, with focus on nature hikes, unique topography and maybe even combine easy game drives and a dash of beach. The tropical forest of Amani Forest is a paradise for nature lovers, and if rhino´s are on top of you “must see” list, then Mkomazi will definitely be a preferred starting or ending stop. There are no “crazy extremes”, This is a leisure safari-roadtrip circuit with a bit different feel. Also a low cost safari experience, suitable for most budgets.
a piece of advice:
Although you can have great game-drive experiences in Mkomazi, you do not choose this region if animals and wildlife are on top of your list. It provides a very different experience, and if you are not in love with nature, hikes and a bit off-the-beaten-path, there might be more suitable circuits for you. If you want a different safari-experience with focus on nature and less visited wildlife areas, this could very well be your preferred circuit in Tanzania.
mkomazi
saadani
Amani forest
usambara
A region that is far less spoken about, compared to others areas. Although you most definitely can have amazing game-drive experiences here, the destinations invite to a more active vacation, especially with the mountain ranges of Pare and Usambara. Unique biosphere and nature experience. Saadani & Mkomazi are the game-drive destination here, the latter being the best, especially with a rhino sanctuary. The combinations of beach, game-drives and nature experiences is what sets this region apart from the others.
mkomazi
Far away from the busy national parks in Tanzania, you find Mkomazi in the north-eastern corner of Tanzania, bordering Tsavo National Park in Kenya. With mountains surrounding the park, you will find the scenery stunning, although the wildlife is not exactly in abundance. This being said, you can experience huge congregations of giraffes, and the park has all of the Big 5! The park is home to a very special black-rhino sanctuary, which highly contributes to the value of visiting this park. There are also a couple of very nice lodges, and this park can offer you a laid-back safari experience in a very beautiful location.
saadani
“Where bush meets the beach” is the slogan of this small national park which is the closest to Dar es Salaam. This is not a destination for the extreme wildlife experiences, but the park has a lot of game, as well as being the only national park where you can enjoy both beach experiences by the Indian Ocean combined with game-drive in the same location. You can also have a great experience from a boat on the Wami River, and it is an ideal location for a day’s excursion while driving through to your other destination north of Saadani.
amani forest
The fauna of the Usambara Mountains has been compared to that of the Galápagos Islands in terms of its richness and biological importance and is renowned for its diverse bird and butterfly species. Actually the park is listed as one of the top 12 bird-watching locations in the world by Bird Life International and a recognized Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO. Although there are few large mammals in the reserve with the exception of duiker and bushpig, there are so many smaller animals that will catch your breath here from endemic tree frogs and unique chameleons! A true nature lover and hikers paradise.
usambara mt.
The East and West Usambara Mountains are considered tremendoiusly significantly ecologically and a biodiversity hotspot. The mountains are fairly unusual in East Africa with their natural regions still covered in tropical forests, which otherwise continentally remain primarily in Western Africa. There are many protected zones throughout the range, which are being expanded and contributed to by the Tanzanian government, associated NGO’s and research teams, and donor countries such as Norway. A hikers paradise and you also have the opportunity to do mountainbiking here.
coastal & islands
Beach beach beach. Tanzania is blessed with a long and beautiful coastline with an incredible diversity of beach locations to choose from. From the famous spice island of Zanzibar, to the lesser known Pemba and the best place in Africa to snorkel with whale sharks; Mafia Island. On the mainland there are a numerous of amazing places to visit, far away from any mass-tourism and hustle. Pangani, Kilwa, South Beach and Mtwara are all places you will more or less have the beach to yourself. If you want a completely "off the map" beach destinations, we also provide trips to the island nation of Comoros. A remote island experience far out in the Indian Ocean....
zanzibar
mafia
coastal
comoros
zanzibar
Zanzibar is a semi-autonomous island state of Tanzania. It is composed of the Zanzibar Archipelago where the largest islands are Pemba and Unguja (what is normally referred to as Zanzibar). The name is a mix of different Persian and Arabic words, ultimately meaning “land of the blacks”. Most likely the island has been inhabited by man for over 20 000 years. The island has a unique, but also dark history, being the center of slave trade.
Modern day Zanzibar is a true tropical paradise with turquoise water and amazing beaches. But there are also a numerous of exciting activities to attend to, should the sunbathing bore you.....Diving, big game deep-sea fishing and sunset cruises to mention a few. The island is surrounded with rich cultural and historical heritage as well as abundant life under and above the surface.
Beautiful sunsets are everyday thrill and moonlighted nights on the white coral and seashell beach, make for an unforgettable experience. You can also visit the World Heritage listed Stone Town and enjoy unique blend of Middle Eastern, Indian, and African market’s, food and culture. A true African melting pot.
A piece of advice: The island is becoming more and more a tourism hot-spot and commercialized. So you need to know the areas before your book, this is vital. And the island is under constant change, so an advise from somebody who visited the island just a few years ago, are already outdated. Nungwi for instance, that used to be a perfect beach pearl, is not a tourism nightmare in our opinion.
why visit
The famous spice island of Zanzibar has something for everytone. Apart from the amazing beaches you have a variety of activities to attend, as well a rich history and culture to dive into
remote factor
The remote factor is not very high on the island. The island has increased dramatically in popularity and some areas should be avoided you want remote beaches and privacy. Knowing the area you book in is crucial for a good stay
when to visit
Although Zanzibar can be visited year around, if you want to get the most out the the beach, March, April and May can bring som rain. July and Christmas can be very busy, so you need to book early to be guaranteed your best hotel
cost
There are several hundred hotels on Zanzibar in all price categories. So the island is really suitable for all budgets; from dirt cheap hostels to some of the best and most luxurious hotels and beach resorts in the world!
how to get there
There is an international airport, so you could start or end your stay here by flying directly. You can fly to Zanzibar from any national park after your safari, and there is a very nice ferry between Dar & Zanzibar 4 times per day
suitable for
"The island for everyone". Regardless of what you are looking for, Zanzibar really has something for everyone no matter what you are looking for, except for those who seek the most remote and non-touristy beach destination
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