faq
Tanzania Safari scene has for many years been eclipsed by other giants in African Safari, like Kenya Safari. For a country that has 20% of Africa's biomass, that comes as a surprise.
In reality, Tanzania is the best place for safari in Africa. Almost all wildlife that one associates with Africa can be found in the national parks of Tanzania, in great numbers. For instance, in the Ngorongoro crater, that is world famous for having the highest density of big wildlife in the world, not a minute can pass by when you do not see wildlife. Usually one gets to observe the big 5 in a day trip to the crater, including the endangered one horned Rhino.
But the most associated park in the world, the Serengeti, is the pride of Tanzania. Every year, the vast herds of wildebeest, zebras and antelopes embark on a migration that coincides with the rain fall patterns and grass growth. This occurs largely in the vast rolling plains of the Serengeti. It is said that this wildebeest migration has been a constant event for thousands of years. Imagine witnessing kilometers long herds thundering past the plains and across rivers - it is a sight that you will never forget. This great migration occurs throughout the year in Tanzania, with its location depending on the time of the year. We highly recommend including Serengeti Safari on your Tanzania visit.
Tarangire National Park is a quieter gem in northern Tanzania, most famous for its hugh herds of elephants unlike anywhere else in the world. Usually one finds about 15 or less elehpants in a herd. In Tarangire it can become as big as 50. Yet the number of visitors coming to this park are lesser than Lake Manyara, which is much smaller than Tarangire. If you like keeping off the beaten path, do not exclude this one from your Tanzania safari trip!
The last and the smallest of the parks that make up Tanzania's northern safari circuit, Lake Manyara is very pretty and very busy. Famous for its tree climbing lions and the thousands of flamingoes that cover the lake pink around February, Manyara is best suited for a day trip on the way to Ngorongoro or while returning.
In this guide we focus on northern circuit of safari in Tanzania and we answer pertinent questions about it. For comprehensive detail check out our blog on Tanzania Safari.
You should also inform yourself about lodges in Serengeti, types of Tanzania safaris, best time to visit Tanzania and a comparison of safari in Tanzania, Kenya and South Africa before planning your safari. Lastly, combining this trip with climbing Kilimanjaro is one of the best holidays you can get.
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Moshi Urban, Tanzania
Moshi Urban, Tanzania
Moshi Urban, Tanzania
Arusha, Tanzania
Moshi Urban, Tanzania
Moshi Urban, Tanzania
Moshi Urban, Tanzania
Moshi Urban, Tanzania
Moshi Urban, Tanzania
Moshi Urban, Tanzania
Moshi Urban, Tanzania
Moshi, Tanzania
Moshi Urban, Tanzania
Moshi Urban, Tanzania
Arusha, Tanzania
Moshi Urban, Tanzania
Moshi Urban, Tanzania
Arusha, Tanzania
Safari in Tanzania can be done as a day trip or across multiple days. The national parks are situated atleast 2 hours driving distance from Moshi and Arusha, the gateways to safari. Therefore, while day trips can be done to Tarangire, Lake Manyara and Ngorongoro, the Serengeti is too far away to be done in a day.
Below are a few Tanzania Safari Tours in brief and the parks they will cover.
2 day Tanzania Safari - you will be taken to one of Lake Manyara or Tarangire national parks. The second day will have early morning game drives in the Ngorongoro crater. You will return to Moshi/Arusha by late afternoon or early evening.
3 day Tanzania Safari - you will be taken to one of Lake Manyara and Tarangire in the first two days. The last day will have early morning game drives in the Ngorongoro crater. You will return to Moshi/Arusha by late afternoon or early evening. Alternatively you can chose to fly straight to the Serengeti from Moshi or Arusha. This takes about 1.5 hrs. You can enjoy game drive in Serengeti for the next few days and take the flight back in the afternoon on the 3rd day.
4 day Tanzania Safari - this is the shortest duration that will allow you to cover the northern circuit by road, incorporating Serengeti safari. Usually you will be asked to chose any 2 from Tarangire, Lake Manyara and Ngorongoro. The remaining 2 days are spent in Serengeti.
5 day Tanzania Safari - similar to the 4 day trip. You can either chose any 2 from Tarangire, Lake Manyara and Ngorongoro, or include all. The remaining 2 or 3 days are spent in Serengeti. We recommend spending more time in the Serengeti.
6 days or more Tanzania Safari - each extra day above 5 days will allow you to explore more in the national parks of your choice. Serengeti is usually the top pick to spend most time in following the migration herds, but do not underestimate Tarangire! Longer safari trips are highly recommended for an immersive Tanzania safari experience.
There is always the possibility to fly in and out of various national parks, thereby cutting the time spent on roads. Refer to Skyscanner for more flight information. You can additionally do balloon safari for 2 hrs in the Serengeti and also bike or walking safaris in Lake Manyara. Night jeep safaris are possible only in Tarangire national park.
Olduvai Gorge, or Oldupai gorge, is a place located in the Great Rift Valley between Ngorongoro Crater and Serengeti. It is famous because hundreds of fossilized bones and stone tools from millions of years ago were found on this site, making paleontologists believe that Africa was the cradle of mankind. While it is not possible to go down into the gorge where the discoveries were made, there is a very small museum housing some good artifacts and very knowledgeable people that will tell you about the gorge and the Leakey family who made the discoveries. This is usually visited on the same day as the Ngorongoro crater, museum entrance costs about US$ 25 per person.
Consult your doctor for the best advice. But in general getting vaccinated against common diseases such as typhoid, hepatitis B, meningitis, polio and tetanus is recommended. If you are going to interact closely with animals, Rabies shots should be taken. Yellow fever vaccination is necessary when entering Tanzania if you have been in a country that is endemic to yellow fever virus. Malaria pills should be bought as a safety measure, after consultation with your doctor.
Most travelers of non-East African origin require a visa to enter Tanzania. It is most easily obtained on arrival at entry ports such as airports or border posts. The most common ones are Dar-es-salaam International Airport, Kilimanjaro International Airport, Zanzibar International Airport, Namanga (Tanzania - Kenya Border Post to the North), Tunduma (Tanzania - Malawi Border post to the South), Taveta and Holili (Tanzania - Kenya Border post to the North East).
You will require a passport that is valid for at least six months, 2 to 3 passport size photographs, US$ 50 - US$ 100 in cash and visa form that you can get in the airport or border posts. Other travel related documents such as the return flight ticket, vaccination documents, particularly the yellow fever document if needed, passport, credit card or bank statements, etc are required.
A single entry tourist visa will be valid for 90 days. You must get a visa for Tanzania even if you are entering from neighboring Kenya. Find more about Tanzania VISA on the official Tanzania government website.
Suitcase - bring a durable one that can survive Tanzania's bumpy and dusty offroads. Day Pack - handy for all things you will require during your game drives - camera, medicines, sunglasses, etc. Clothes - avoid dark , black / blue colours as they attract the tsetse flies. Your clothing should be light weight, breathable and quick drying. - Shorts, mid-thigh or longer - Long pants (zip-off pants are very useful) - Short-sleeved shirts - Long-sleeved shirts - Undergarments, socks - Sport bras for women (roads can be bumpy) - Rain jacket and pants or rain poncho - Sun hat with brim and chin strap - Bandana (for dust, washing, etc.) - Belt - Pajamas - Swimsuit (and cover up for women) - Sweater, jacket, windbreaker - Clothes line, detergent Footwear - Sturdy, comfortable walking shoes, closed toe, preferably waterproof - Tennis shoes, sandals, and/or flip flops - Comfortable, breathable socks Toiletries - most you will get in your safari lodge, if you are chosing a mid-range to luxury one. - Soap - Shampoo, conditioner - Shaving supplies - Nail clippers, file, brush - Toothbrush, toothpaste, floss - Deodorant - Moist towelettes (handi-wipes) - Hand sanitizer - Lotion (Badger foot balm is also helpful) - Hairbrush, comb, mirror - Small towel and washcloth - Toilet paper - Facial tissue - Sunscreen - Lip balm with sunscreen - Insect repellent - Q-tips - Sewing kit - Feminine products - Cosmetics First Aid - you only need one first aid kit in your travel group - Ibuprofin, Aceteminophen - Bandaids/plasters - Disinfectant, antiseptic cream, antibiotic ointment - Gauze bandages and tape - Throat losenges - Vitamins - Diahrea medicine - Antihistemines - Ace bandage - Melatonin, Acetazolamide, or other sleep aid - Malaria pills (talk to doctor) - Antibiotics (talk to doctor) - Prescription drugs (talk to doctor)
The best part about Tanzania Safari is that you will find good game viewings year round. You must just know where to go when. Rainfall directly affects vegetation and therefore the areas where animals are found. Out of all the parks, Ngorongoro game viewing is the least affected by rains due to the presense of resident wildlife inside the cadera, owning to its own ecology and climate.
January to early March - this is a short dry season amidst the rainy season lasting from November to May in Tanzania. The northern circuit parks are however dry during January, February and March after the rain spells. There is plenty of vegetation and water for the Wildebeest, Antelopes and Zebras to give birth to their offspring. And the predators are never behind! Ndutu area in southern Serengeti usually has a lot of game present January through March. Lake Manyara is visited by migratory birds such as flamingos, making it the best time to watch them, although this is still low season for this national park. The Ngorongoro grasslands outside the crater area too are a mass calving grounds that promise a lot of action.
Mid March to May - this is the time of heavy rainfall in Tanzania. However, in most days rains come during the afternoon in short intense spells, leaving the rest of the day a good time for safari game drives. Since the land is lush green, animals tend to be scattered around making it difficult to spot them. In May, Tarangire though most big animals have left. The Wildebeest herds pass through the Moru Kopjes in the Serengeti as they move north, which makes this a better location to visit. The game is in abundance, the number of tourists is less, the prices of the safari lodges are reduced significantly and the backdrops are glorious which makes it NOT a bad time to visit Tanzania as most people think!
June to August - June is the starting of the dry season in Tanzania. The Wildebeest are around the Grumeti river in the western coridor of Serengeti, building up their numbers before attempting the river crossing. The crocodiles in the river also await their opportunity. All the northern circuit parks have fantastic game viewings as animals tend to congregate near water sources. In July the climate becomes drier resulting in dust clouds behind safari vehicles. The game is easy to spot near water holes, and the predators are always scheming ways to catch their next meal. Dry season also results in shrinking foliage making is more easy to sight wildlife. Animals, especially huge herds of Elephants gather around the Tarangire river as water holes start dwindling down in July and August. After crossing the Grumeti river the Wildebeest head north towards Masai Mara in Kenya. But there is always game present in the northern parts of Serengeti in Tanzania.
September to October - The Wildebeest start to come down from Kenya across the Mara river. This presents another river crossing that is even bigger than the Grumeti crossing, and more famous. Tarangire and Lake Manyara also provide excellent wildlife viewings due to their perennial water sources. October may present a few unexpected rain showers, but they will not spoil your safari.
November to December - November marks the onset of the rainy season in Tanzania, the bulk of which falls from late March to end of May. Through November and December the Wildebeest return to the south of Serengeti where it all began. This is another great time to spot them in massive numbers with the foliage not so tall.
Tanzania safari prices can surprise many people. Here is a cost breakdown to show you how easily the costs add up.
Entrance fees for people - US$ 30 to 60 per person per day
Entrance fees for vehicle - US$ 16 per vehicle per day. In Ngorongoro it costs US$ 200 per vehicle per day.
Entrance fees for guides - US$ 20 per group per day
Accommodation - depends on the type chosen, and ranges from US$ 60 per person per day in budget camping at public campsites to US$ 1000 and above for the super luxury lodges.
Guide salary - depends from one company to another
Meals and drinks during safari
Safari vehicle cost
- usually an extended 4x4 Toyota Land Cruiser with a pop-up roof for game viewing18% VAT tax
To provide a very competitive estimate for an all inclusive safari, budget camping safari costs upwards of US$ 190 per person per day, 2-star lodge safari costs above US$ 260 per person per day and 3 to 4-star lodge safari costs above US$ 370 per person per day. Low luxury lodges and tented camps costs about US$ 460 per person per day, somewhat higher service lodges will cost US$ 620 per person per day and the ultra luxury lodges can cost from US$ 850 per person per day and above.
Usually local safari companies ask for a 20-30% reservation deposit to reserve your places. The remainder amount can be paid anytime before the trip or upon arrival in cash. Credit card usage will cost 5-7% extra depending from one operator to another.
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