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WILDLIFE TOUR TRIP - IN TANZANIA
Tanzania, Africa's safari treasure, is a dream come true for wildlife lovers. Picture yourself wandering through the majestic Ngorongoro Crater and the sprawling Serengeti National Park. This nation boasts the iconic Big Five and a plethora of other species. Encounter everything from elegant giraffes and lively hippos to elusive caracals, African wild dogs, and a host of lesser-known creatures.
On a Tanzanian safari, you're immersed in the experience. The animals roam freely, allowing you an authentic peek into their everyday lives. As night falls, the adventure continues. You'll unwind in cozy lodges, with the distinct sounds of the savannah serenading you to sleep.
Tanzania's landscapes are as varied as its wildlife, ranging from the Serengeti's arid plains to Ngorongoro's verdant forests. Each part of Tanzania offers a unique natural spectacle, ensuring a rich and unforgettable wildlife adventure.
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Serengeti Migration tour packages
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Wildebeest Migration Safari
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When is the best time to witness the great migration?
The Serengeti migration follows a predictable yearly cycle, although it varies slightly depending on rainfall. For an awe-inspiring sight of endless wildebeest columns, visit the Western Corridor in June and July, when the migration heads toward the Grumeti River's south bank.
The northern part of the park is more reliable for river crossings around September, as massive herds make the perilous Mara River crossing. From December to April, wildebeest spread out in the southeast Serengeti, which is easily accessible from Arusha. This area is the main calving ground, with peak calving in January and February, attracting numerous predators.
Can I meet local Maasai people on a Serengeti safari?
If your Serengeti safari is confined to the park, you won't encounter Maasai people, as the Serengeti is a national park where habitation is not allowed.
However, most drive-in safaris from Arusha pass through Maasai country, and fly-in packages often include a stop at the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. In both scenarios, you can visit a Maasai manyatta (a group of huts within an enclosure) as part of your Serengeti experience.
How can I avoid crowds on a Serengeti safari?
The Serengeti is vast and generally less crowded than Kenya’s Masai Mara National Reserve. However, the area around Seronera can get busy, especially with safari vehicles responding to radio calls about wildlife sightings. Crowds also gather where the migration is happening.
To avoid this, limit your time near Seronera and split your safari between two areas: one in the migration zone and one in a quieter area (e.g., the far north between November and June or the Western Corridor between August and October). Visiting during the low season (April to May) can also help, as this time is less crowded and very scenic, with many wildebeests in the south. Roads near Seronera are busiest from 7:30 AM to 10 AM and 2 PM to 4:30 PM, so start your game drives early with a packed breakfast to enjoy the peaceful morning light.
What wildlife can I expect to see in the Serengeti?
The Serengeti offers a diverse and abundant array of wildlife. You can expect daily lion sightings, and with luck, other carnivores like leopards (common near Seronera), cheetahs, spotted hyenas, jackals, and bat-eared foxes.
You might also spot nocturnal creatures like civets, servals, genets, and African wildcats. Large animals such as elephants, buffaloes, giraffes, hippos, zebras, wildebeests, gazelles, impalas, hartebeests, and warthogs are certain to be seen. The Western Corridor hosts patas monkeys and black-and-white colobus monkeys. Black rhinos are rare but more likely found in Ngorongoro Crater. The Serengeti is also home to over 500 bird species, including endemic species and large terrestrial birds like ostriches and kori bustards.
How long is the drive to the Serengeti?
The drive from Arusha to the park headquarters at Seronera is about 300 km (186 miles). The first part of the journey follows a paved road past Lake Manyara to the main eastern entrance of the Ngorongoro Conservation Area (NCA). The second part is a rough, dusty track around the Ngorongoro Crater rim and the western plains of the NCA.
Allow at least six hours for the drive, preferably a full day. Most Serengeti tours include overnight stops at Lake Manyara and/or Ngorongoro Crater to break up the trip.
What are the road conditions within the Serengeti?
By international standards, the roads in the Serengeti are poor. This isn’t an issue on relaxed game drives, but it can be challenging on longer drives between lodges and camps. If you find this daunting or have a vulnerable back, consider booking a Serengeti safari package that includes flights within the park and between lodges and camps.
What are the pros and cons of different accommodation types?
The Serengeti offers several types of accommodations. For budget travelers, basic camping safaris with tents, sleeping bags, and no-frills meals are the cheapest option.
Mid-range options include ‘hotel in the bush’ lodges operated by chains like Serena and Sopa, offering comfort and safety, making them suitable for first-time safari-goers. There are also many small lodges and tented camps (both permanent and seasonal) that offer a bush atmosphere with a good chance of wildlife encounters, especially at night. These smaller camps vary in price depending on their level of luxury and exclusivity.
Most Serengeti safari prices are all-inclusive, covering transport, game drives, park fees, accommodation, and food.
Safari tour from Zanzibar
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Which parks are ideal for a safari from Zanzibar?
When planning a safari from Zanzibar to the Tanzanian mainland, a short flight is typically needed, often with a layover in Arusha or Dar es Salaam.
If I had to choose just one region in Tanzania for a safari from Zanzibar, it would be the northern area. Here, you'll find Serengeti National Park and the Ngorongoro Crater, which are my top picks. These parks are also close to Lake Manyara and Tarangire National Parks, making them excellent wildlife spots if time permits. Visiting all four requires at least 10 days.
You might also consider heading south to Nyerere National Park, renowned for its diverse landscapes and abundant wildlife, including elephants and lions. Adding Nyerere to your trip would extend it by at least 3 days. If you have extra time, explore Mikumi National Park and possibly Ruaha National Park for a true wilderness experience.
How many days should you spend on a trip from Zanzibar?
The length of your safari from Zanzibar depends on your destination preferences. For 3 to 4 days, focus on one park like Nyerere or the Serengeti. With a few extra days, you can visit more parks such as Ngorongoro or Lake Manyara. A 10-day trip allows for a comprehensive Northern safari circuit or multiple parks in the south.
Check with us for combined Tanzania safari and Zanzibar packages. Many Zanzibar visitors also explore the mainland, providing plenty of options. Reducing the number of flights can help lower safari costs.
Is a Serengeti safari feasible from Zanzibar?
Yes, you can combine a Serengeti visit with your stay in Zanzibar. Many tour options are available that include this combination, typically involving a flight from Zanzibar to Arusha in northern Tanzania, followed by another flight to a Serengeti airstrip.
Alternatively, you can drive from Arusha to the Serengeti, stopping at attractions like Lake Manyara and the Ngorongoro Crater along the way, though this requires more time. The Serengeti is truly worth the visit and is one of my favorite parks in Africa due to its incredible wildlife.
This is especially true during the great wildebeest migration, visible at various stages from January to August or September. However, any time of year is good for wildlife viewing in the Serengeti, where you'll see big cats, elephants, and many other species.
Should you consider a fly-in trip from Zanzibar?
It's highly likely your safari from Zanzibar will involve flying. Although there are ferry connections between Zanzibar Island and the mainland, flying is much faster and more convenient for safari travelers.
After flying from Zanzibar, usually into Arusha or Dar es Salaam, you can catch another flight to your preferred national park.
Traveling by air is more expensive than driving, but it saves time for safari activities instead of road travel. Plus, you get stunning aerial views. Air transfers feel like scenic flights, and arriving deep within a national park surrounded by wildlife is an amazing experience.
How much does a Tanzania trip from Zanzibar cost?
Calculating the cost of a safari from Zanzibar to the Tanzanian mainland involves many factors. Generally, you should expect to pay at least $300 per person per day, with luxury packages potentially costing three times as much. Accommodation is a significant factor in these variations.
Staying in luxury tented camps is much more expensive than budget camping safaris. The frequency of flights also impacts costs. Other considerations include the length of the safari, the season (high-season prices can be twice those of the low season), and the type of safari (private safaris are more expensive than group safaris).
Is a classic safari possible on Zanzibar Island?
A classic safari is not possible on Zanzibar Island. While there are some wildlife parks on the island, they are more like zoos and don’t offer the same experience as a real safari in Tanzania’s national parks.
If you want a genuine safari during your visit to Zanzibar, talk to your tour operator about the options. They can recommend destinations and wildlife viewing opportunities accessible by flying to the mainland. Before discussing this, it's important to research and know which animals you want to see. If you're interested in big cats and elephants, places like the Serengeti, Ngorongoro, Tarangire, and Nyerere are excellent choices.
Alternatively, if you want to follow in Jane Goodall's footsteps and track chimpanzees through the forest, then Gombe and Mahale Mountains National Parks in the far west of the country should be high on your list.
Fly-in and Out Tanzania Tour
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Explore Our 7 Questions About Serengeti Safaris
When is the best time to witness the great migration?
The Serengeti migration follows a predictable yearly cycle, although it varies slightly depending on rainfall. For an awe-inspiring sight of endless wildebeest columns, visit the Western Corridor in June and July, when the migration heads toward the Grumeti River's south bank.
The northern part of the park is more reliable for river crossings around September, as massive herds make the perilous Mara River crossing. From December to April, wildebeest spread out in the southeast Serengeti, which is easily accessible from Arusha. This area is the main calving ground, with peak calving in January and February, attracting numerous predators.