Tanzania Travel Guide
Tanzania Travel Guide
Tanzania is one of the places where unforgettable African safaris are not only comprehended, but also felt. It features some of the unmissable safari destinations that are most prominent on a Tanzanian safari itinerary. However, this East African country, bordered by Kenya and Uganda to the North, Rwanda, Burundi, and the Democratic Republic of Congo to the West, Zambia to the southwest, Mozambique and Malawi to the South, and the Indian Ocean to the East, has much more up its sleeve.
Huge (extending 947,300 square kilometers), densely populated Tanzania is a country of gigantic skies and magnificent scenery. Safari destinations such as the Serengeti, Ngorongoro, Lake Manyara, Tarangire, and Olduvai Gorge literally echo with fullness and ambiance, offering exquisite accommodations tucked away in these phenomenal regions, thereby providing intrepid travelers with Havens of comfort and tranquility.
If experiencing the Great Wildebeest Migration is on your wish list, then Tanzanian safaris won‘t disappoint. Thrilling cultures, diverse wildlife, pristine coastlines, and raw Protected Areas, this beautiful country has all these and more wrapped up in unforgettable, welcoming packages.
Visa requirements for Tanzanian safaris
Citizens from certain countries, including Canada, the United Kingdom, New Zealand, Australia, the US, and several Asian and Latin American countries, are required to apply for Tanzanian Visas before traveling.
You can apply for an “ordinary Visa” if you are traveling for tourism purposes, and this provides a single entry (at $50) for a period of 90 days. For your passport, ensure it is valid for at least 6 months from the intended entry date.
Multiple-entry Visas (at $100) are available for U.S. citizens and are valid for 12 months, allowing visits of up to 90 days per entry.
Vaccination requirements
At the time of writing, it isn’t mandatory to provide a yellow fever inoculation certificate when visiting Tanzania, unless you have been in a yellow-fever-prone country for the last 21 days.
Unmissable attractions in Tanzania
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Serengeti National Park
Few safari destinations can be matched with Tanzania’s Serengeti National Park, set in the Northern part of the country. One of the reasons is the breathtaking view from the peak of Naabi Hill at the entrance gate. This is where the Park’s sprawling plains extend like a vision of eternity. Another drawing card for Serengeti is the Great Annual Migration, involving millions of wildebeests accompanied by hundreds of thousands of gazelles and zebras, as well as hundreds of lions that stalk antelope herds across the savannah grasslands. This 1476300-hectare Park is also home to the Big Five Game, Topis, Impalas, Hartebeests, Masai giraffes, spotted hyenas, and jackals, among others.
Mount Kilimanjaro
At 5895 meters above sea level, Mount Kilimanjaro isn’t just Africa’s highest mountain but the World’s highest free-standing mountain set in the Northern side of the country. Marked by varying ecosystems, ranging from verdant rainforests to Alpine meadows and stunning volcanic cones (Mawenzi, Kibo, and Shira), enthusiastic mountaineers can take on this Mountain through one of its seven routes.
Tarangire National Park
Also set in the Northern circuit of Tanzania, the Protected Area is one of the most underrated yet endowed National Parks in the country. It boasts the second-highest population of wildlife in the country after Serengeti National Park. There are over 700 lions here, as well as giant elands, zebras, leopards, Oryx, Defassa waterbucks, wildebeests, Cape buffaloes, Masai giraffes, and lesser kudus, among other species. Additionally, there are over 450 bird species.
Ngorongoro Conservation Area
This UNESCO World Heritage Site covers an area of 830000 hectares in the northwestern side of the country. Popular for having the world’s largest intact and unfilled Volcanic Caldera, it is home to over 25,000 large mammals. These include African bush elephants, giant elands, Masai giraffes, Cape buffaloes, Rhinos, wildebeests, and others. Also expect to see spotted hyenas, Topis, warthogs, jackals, and several primate species. There are also over 500 bird species here, making it one of the unmissable birding destinations in the country.
Zanzibar island
This Archipelago is off the Coast of East Africa, in the Indian Ocean, and is a perfect place for unwinding during a Tanzania safari. Here, you will enjoy the turquoise water, indigenous forests (such as Jozani-Chwaka Forest, known for its indigenous Zanzibar red Colobus monkeys, bushbabies, and over 40 bird species. If you are looking for a honeymoon spot during your Tanzanian safari, then Zanzibar should be the first place you think about.
Lake Manyara National Park
Known for sheltering the tree-climbing lions, Lake Manyara National Park is one of the country’s smaller and most underrated safari destinations. It has over 11 ecosystems (that include lush forests, savannahs, and marshlands, among others), sheltering different wildlife species. You will see Cape buffaloes, Masai giraffes, elephants, Bohor reedbucks, zebras, lesser kudus, jackals, leopards, vervet monkeys, and Defassa waterbucks, among others. For birders, you will be amazed by the 400 bird species that call this Park home.
Other incredible and unmissable places to explore in Tanzania include the lake-filled Empakaai Crater, Ruaha National Park, Nyerere National Park, Ol Doinyo Lengai, Gombe Stream National Park, Mikumi National Park, Arusha National Park, Mahale Mountains, and many others
Interesting things to do during Tanzanian safaris
While experiencing the Great annual migration is every traveler’s first introduction to this spectacular East African country, there is so much to do here, and these include;
Safari Game Drives
Think of wildlife safaris, and you will likely conjure up images of wildlife-filled fantasies, featuring safari game drives through sprawling savannah grasslands. This provides opportunities to encounter the Big Five Game (lions, leopards, elephants, buffaloes, and Rhinos), Masai giraffes, wildebeests, impalas, spotted hyenas, jackals, bushbucks, African wild dogs, Hippos, cheetahs, and others. Morning, afternoon, evening, or full-day safari game drives are available in Serengeti, Ngorongoro, Lake Manyara, Tarangire, and many other locations.
Hot air balloon tours in Serengeti National Park
Few wildlife safaris speak magic like enjoying an aerial tour over one of Earth’s most endowed safari destinations. As you soar over the varying ecosystems, you will enjoy sights of warthogs, wildebeests, African bush elephants, lions, Cape buffaloes, Topis, impalas, Masai giraffes, and many others.
Water sports (snorkelling and scuba diving) in Zanzibar
If you are looking for Paradise on Earth, then don’t look further than Zanzibar, where you will explore the sky-blue waters that lap pristine shores of white sand. You can visit either Kizimkaszi Beach or Mnemba Island to explore schools of dolphins, fish, and the majestic sharks through snorkelling or scuba diving.
Summiting Africa’s highest mountain
Exploring one of the seven climbing routes on Mount Kilimanjaro, you can summit to Africa’s highest point while taking in the spectacular scenery and coming across different wildlife and bird species along the trails.
Spend a day with the Masai pastoralists
While the country has over 100 ethnic groups with unique cultures and traditions, you can’t afford to miss visiting the Masai pastoralists when you visit most of the National Parks, especially those in the Northern circuit, such as Serengeti National Park, Tarangire, and Lake Manyara National Parks. You will take guided tours through their Bomas/Manyattas to have an insight into their day-to-day routines, beliefs, rituals, and ceremonies.
When is the perfect time to visit Tanzania?
Tanzania is a vast and diverse country with a climate that varies from region to region. The perfect time to visit the National Parks and Wildlife Reserves, such as Serengeti National Park and Ngorongoro Conservation Area, is during the dry season (June to September). The vegetation in most of these destinations is sparser, and wildlife tends to gather by waterholes and rivers. This increases visitors’ chances of experiencing a Big Five Game sighting and other unmissable wildlife species during African safaris.
It is undeniable that these months have sunny days and clear skies, but it will interest you to know that most mornings and evenings can be chilly. For this reason, it is recommended to always layer up. The dry season also favors Mount Kilimanjaro hikes and other walking safaris as trails are drier and not muddy/or slippery.
Tanzanian safaris during the wet season (October to February) are less popular because it is more difficult to spot animals through the tall grasses and verdant vegetation. Also, the daily afternoon downpours disrupt safari plans and reduce visibility. It will interest you to know that there are advantages to this reason that include the birthing season for some animals, hence greater opportunities for spotting calves and cubs. This season is also wonderful for birding (with the arrival of migratory bird species) and fewer crowds.
How to get around during Tanzanian safaris
There are several ways to get around Tanzania during your Adventure, and these include;
- Air transport is the fastest and easiest way to get around this stunning safari destination, with regional and International flights to any of the three International Airports- Julius Nyerere Airport, Dar es Salaam International Airport, and Kilimanjaro International Airport. However, regional and domestic flights can also land at Abeid Amani Karume International Airport for visitors looking to explore Zanzibar Island.
- Another way to get around this country is renting a 4X4 Safari Vehicle, especially if you are looking to go for a self-drive safari.
- For Airport transfers and City excursions/hops, you can use taxis and ride-shares for comfort and safety.
- Public buses such as Ratco Express and Kilimanjaro Express, among others, are a cheaper way to get around Tanzania.
- The Coastal Islands and Lakeside Towns can be reached via ferries and water taxis.
