Tanzania Safaris

The Serengeti’s landscape is 15,000 sq km in size and borders with other reserves including the Masai Mara (in Kenya) to the north and Ngorongoro Conservation Area to the south. All of which combined, encompasses a massive ecosystem in which wildlife can live freely whilst being protected.

Several notable rivers run across the Serengeti such as the Seronera River in the middle, the Mara River to the north and the Grumeti River towards the west. The Serengeti’s ecosystem is a mix of nutrient-rich grasslands and fragmented woodlands, with lush green areas scattered with Acacia trees – all dominated by the central ranges of mountains.

The Serengeti is one of the world’s biggest wildlife sanctuaries with it being best known for its annual migration of wildebeests and high concentration of plains animals, which can’t be found anywhere else in the world. Moreover, a variety of gazelles can be found at the Serengeti park including the Grant’s gazelle, the tiny dik dik, and Thomson’s gazelle – to name a few.

Whilst the Serengeti doesn’t feature many monkeys, visitors will be able to see baboons and black-faced Vervet monkeys, particularly near the lodges. Other wildlife animals the Serengeti is host to include impalas, waterbucks, hyenas, zebras and wildebeests, to name a few. Not only are visitors likely to see wildebeests and zebras, the Serengeti has large herds of buffalo and a large giraffe population.

Predators that can be discovered in the Serengeti include lions, cheetahs, hyenas and leopards. The popular mammals have been highlighted through a multitude of films and documentaries. Making a welcomed return to the Serengeti National Park is the rhino, which was once on the verge of extinction. Aside from the larger game, there are some charming little animals to be found on the Serengeti landscape, including mongoose, bat-eared foxes, and rock hyraxes. Hippos can be found in their pools throughout the year, no matter what season it is, with elephants frequently spotted too. However, it’s important to note that the Serengeti population is migratory, and the number of elephants can differ, depending on the season.

Almost 500 species of bird have been identified in the Serengeti, including those that have migrated from Europe and Asia during the winter season. The Serengeti’s birds are just as impressive and diverse as its mammals. Bird species found in the Serengeti include eagles and vultures of various species, as well as ostriches, secretary birds, Kori bustards, hornbills and guinea fowl.

Discovering wildlife when out on a safari will depend on multiple factors. The ecosystem of the Serengeti is vast due to the changes in weather throughout the seasons, the types of wildlife to be found can vary as herd migrations alter. Therefore, it is an unrealistic expectation for visitors to anticipate seeing all the wildlife the Serengeti may have to offer.

Located in the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, the Ngorongoro Crater is the largest inactive, unfilled and intact caldera on the planet. Considered to be a “natural wonder” and home to over 30,000 animals, the Ngorongoro Crater is not to be missed on your trip to Tanzania. 

Wildlife animals can usually be found in the vicinity of the Ngorongoro Crater, including elephants, hippos and buffalos. While there is some migratory movement in and out, most of the animal population remains year-round due to the protected nature of the area and the abundance of grazing and water. Moreover, there are several of Tanzania’s few remaining rhinos as well as multiple lion prides. As a result, Ngorongoro is an excellent place to see wildlife.

The Ngorongoro Crater covers over 102 square miles with a huge soda lake and in turn, provides a contained space for a large number and variety of animal species. The entire Ngorongoro Crater radiates a distinct and almost mystical atmosphere. Massive flocks of flamingos can be found in the alkaline soda lake, making for a spectacular and everlasting sight, which is not to be missed. 

The crater edge is lined with lodges and camps providing the opportunity to stay overnight at the Ngorongoro Crater. If on a day trip, the descent into the crater and tour are conducted in four-wheel-drive vehicles due to the steepness of the entry and exit routes, which are unsuitable for minibuses. On some tours the opportunity to have a scenic picnic lunch in the centre of the crater, is available. 

The conservation area is estimated to be home to around 40,000 residents who share the landscape with wildlife. Traditional grazing rights for Maasai tribesmen exist here and they can be seen tending to their cattle in their distinctive tribal attire.

The park is nestled close under the Great Rift Valley. Permanent water sources have harvested a rich forest with a range of established and fascinating trees, despite the lake being considerably shallow. 

The park is 330 square kilometres in size and the lake accounts for 230 square kilometers of this. While this endearing park is miniscule in comparison to most others across Tanzania, it is definitely worth a visit due to its distinctive features and vast array of wildlife.

Although the park is not classified as a rainforest, the dense and shady environment  is home to many monkeys, birds, and other forest life.

Lake Manyara National Park is populated by large troops of baboons who enjoy strutting their stuff in front of tourists. On the banks of the lake eagles, pelicans, flamingos, storks, hornbills, egrets, cranes and more can be discovered. Not forgetting the high volume of resident hippos who are more often than not lounging by the ‘hippo pool’. 

A common misconception of Lake Manyara National Park is that tree-climbing lions are often seen. However, this isn’t as frequent as is thought. Other animals that can be found include elephants, buffalos, gazelles, lions and giraffes. 

Many safaris will neglect Tarangire on their way north to more well-known attractions. However, during the drier season especially, there is an extraordinary quality of game viewing to take advantage of, matched with jaw-dropping scenery.

Furthermore, the dry season also allows for many migratory wildlife species to return to the Tarangire River’s permanent waters. Giant herds of Wildebeest, Zebras, Elephants, Eland, and Oryx congregate in Tarangire before the rain arrives, at which point they migrate to drier climates and grazing areas. Due to the fact there is year-round availability of water, the Tarangire National Park attracts a large number of bird species to its midst. 

The vast number of mammoth baobab trees in Tarangire is one of the park’s most striking attributes. Otherwise known as upside down trees, these colossal structures are an unusual but phenomenal sight to many. The rolling hills and a captivating river gorge creates some of the most exquisite scenery in the heart of east Africa.

Various luxury camps and lodges in the area provide bush walks and night game drives for visitors to make the most of, ensuring that there is something for everyone at the Tarangire National Park. 

The park contains a variety of ecosystems, ranging from a flamingo-fringed soda lake to thick forest, a crater floor that looks almost identical to that of Ngorongoro and the uplands of Mount Meru, Africa’s fifth highest peak at 4566 metres. Arusha National Park is considered to be a relatively small park, with a total area of just 137 square kilometres. Not as well known as some of its counterparts, it is often overlooked by tourists with time constraints who are more keen to visit well-known parks. Nevertheless, Arusha National Park is ideal for visitors who want a short day trip, particularly if they’re still recovering from their long journey to Tanzania. 

Located a short distance from the city of Arusha, it is highly unlikely that when visiting this park you will see huge predators or massive plain animals roaming. However, there are plenty of monkeys, birds, giraffes, gazelles, warthogs and zebras around for you to spot. 

Mount Kilimanjaro is the world’s largest free standing mountain and is Africa’s tallest mountain at 5,895 meters above sea level. A popular attraction when visiting this park is to reach the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro – Uhuru Peak. On your climb up the mountain you may see animals such as monkeys and birds. Larger mammals tend to stay hidden in the deep forests away from human traffic, although on rare occasions they have been spotted.

The mountain’s snow-capped peaks are renowned for their iconic image and have inspired artists such as Hemingway and more over the decades. Mount Kilimanjaro serves as a truly magnificent backdrop as it dominates the view, particularly from the Amboseli National Park. 

It is no surprise that it’s such a popular destination for tourists when they visit Tanzania.