Top 5 Safari Experiences in Tanzania

Heading to Africa for a safari? Tanzania is your ultimate safari destination. Home to the Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater, Tarangire, and Nyerere (Selous), this East African nation has much to offer. People visit it to see wildlife in pristine parks and reserves, explore exquisite beaches, and local cultures. There are countless safari experiences that you can do while you’re in this fabulous country. Here are top 5 safari experiences that will transform your experience about Tanzania.

1.   Witnessing the Great Migration.

In the vast wilderness of the giant Serengeti-Mara ecosystem is the world’s greatest wonder – the Great Migration. Animals particularly wildebeest, zebra, and gazelles move from the short-grass plains of southern Serengeti to the north. Behind their backs are many predators, from the skillful big cats – lions, leopards, and cheetahs to opportunistic killers like hyenas looking for easy pickings… which can be the young, sick, or injured. And before them are two crocodile-infested rivers: Grumeti and Mara.

The wildebeest migration is a year-round adventure, with countless happenings as animals navigate the old-age routes following rain hoping to find fresh grass. The wildebeest migration is one event you don’t want to miss – every stage offers something unforgettable. You can start with the calving season in the southern plains, where roughly 500,000 calves are born in just two months: January and February. Dramatic river crossings always happen from May to October, with Grumeti River crossings happening in May and June in the Western Corridor and Mara River crossings from July through October.

2.   Exploring the Ngorongoro Crater.

The Ngorongoro Crater is the world’s greatest spectacle and nature’s reminder how ancient volcanic eruptions have shaped planet Earth. Formed millions of years ago, this magnificent bowl is undoubtedly the world’s largest unbroken caldera and a World Heritage Site. This crater is home to the Big Five (lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo, and rhino). There are good chances of encountering the black rhino, which is a rare sighting in other parks.

The crater walls are steep and strikingly green, yet some animals can get in and out of it except giraffes. These tall, beautiful animals can’t ascend and descend the crater rim. Also, the kind of habitats found in the crater doesn’t support their presence. Therefore, you may spot animals like buffalo, elephants, lions, wildebeest, zebras, gazelles, impalas, and more. And the best thing is that game viewing is year-round in this wonderful caldera. Add to your game drive, a visit to a nearby Maasai village to make your tour truly spectacular.

3.   Hot air balloon safari over the Serengeti.

Game driving is the obvious safari activity every safari-goer do while in the Serengeti. Go beyond the obvious. A balloon flight over the endless plains is a once-in-a-lifetime adventure sought after by every nature lover. We love it because it’s led by experienced pilots and vibrant crew members. And it’s done early in the morning to catch sunrise as the sun paints the plains into amber and rose. Takeoffs are often turbulent, but you will know what to do after a safety brief from your pilot.

With this aerial safari, you can watch animals moving below, sunrise views, and finally enjoy a champagne breakfast soon after landing. Balloon safaris are remarkable during the dry season, from June to October, when the Great Migration is its full moon. Something to note is, balloon safaris are usually, but not always not included in normal safari packages. You’ll have to pay an extra fee of around $500. In addition, individuals with serious sickness (like heart disease, asthma) and children under the age of 6 years are not advised to fly on a balloon.

4.   Walking safari in Ruaha or Nyerere.

Walking cure mental stress science says, but a walk in these remote parks goes beyond therapy. It feels like pressing reset in your soul. Ruaha is Tanzania’s park with the largest elephant population and the country’s second largest wildlife expanse after Nyerere (previously Selous Game Reserve). On a walk, you’ll explore Ruaha’s minute creatures, including insects, reptiles, reptiles, and a plethora of plant species. You may walk next to a large elephant herd or near a large lion pride.

Nyerere is another Tanzania’s pristine wilderness worth exploring on foot. Here, you can find raw, untamed beauty waiting for you to explore. Large buffalo herds, elephant clans, lion prides… all are there for you to explore. Guided walks along the Rufiji River offer views of crocodiles basking in the sun and large pods of hippos.

5.   Night game drive in Lake Manyara or Ruaha.

Fewer parks allow night drives – Lake Manyara, Ruaha, Tarangire, and Nyerere to keep the list short. These peaceful drives enable you to explore nocturnal animals, such as leopards, jackals, civets, hippos, and bush babies. You should try this incredible safari experience to add a unique flavor to your safari. The night is so calm and it’s when the blanket of stars is unveiled for you to watch and detect different constellation patterns.

Tanzania is your ultimate safari destination. Each adventure adds a unique flavor to your safari experience. Whether you’re craving for the Great Migration or hidden gems like Ruaha or Nyerere, we can help you plan your dream adventure.