What is the Best Safari Route in Tanzania?

Choosing the best safari route in Tanzania depends on various factors such as your interests, budget, time available, and the wildlife you want to see. However, one popular and highly recommended route is the Northern Circuit, which includes iconic national parks like Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater, Tarangire, and Lake Manyara.

Serengeti National Park: Famous for its vast plains and the Great Migration, where millions of wildebeests and zebras migrate in search of greener pastures.
Ngorongoro Crater: A UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most densely populated wildlife areas in the world, offering incredible game viewing opportunities.
Tarangire National Park: Known for its large elephant herds and baobab trees, particularly stunning during the dry season.
Lake Manyara National Park: Renowned for its tree-climbing lions, diverse birdlife, and beautiful scenery.

This circuit typically offers a diverse range of landscapes and wildlife experiences, making it a favorite among safari enthusiasts. However, there are other routes and parks to explore in Tanzania, such as the Southern Circuit or off-the-beaten-path reserves like Selous and Ruaha. It’s a good idea to consult with Netgen Safaris to tailor the itinerary to your preferences and provide expert guidance about the best Safari Route in Tanzania.

Let’s delve deeper into each of these destinations and why they collectively form one of the best safari routes in Tanzania:

Best Safari Route in Tanzania

Serengeti National Park:
- Iconic Wildlife: Serengeti is renowned for its vast savannahs and abundant wildlife, including the famous Big Five (lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo, and rhinoceros). It’s particularly famous for the Great Migration, where millions of wildebeests, zebras, and other ungulates migrate across the plains in search of fresh grazing.
- Scenic Landscapes: The park offers diverse landscapes ranging from open grasslands to wooded hills. The sunsets and sunrises over the Serengeti are breathtaking, especially when witnessed against the backdrop of acacia trees and kopjes (rock outcrops).
- Year-round Safari: Serengeti offers excellent game viewing throughout the year, with different highlights depending on the season. The Great Migration typically occurs from December to July, offering a spectacular wildlife spectacle.
Ngorongoro Crater:
- Natural Wonder: The Ngorongoro Crater is a geological marvel and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It’s the world’s largest intact caldera and harbors an incredibly diverse ecosystem within its walls.
- High Wildlife Density: Due to its enclosed nature, the crater boasts a high concentration of wildlife, including lions, cheetahs, hyenas, elephants, and a large population of resident wildebeests and zebras.
- Stunning Views: The panoramic views from the crater rim are stunning, offering a bird’s-eye perspective of the crater floor below. The scenery is particularly striking during the early morning and late afternoon when the light casts dramatic shadows across the landscape.
Tarangire National Park:
- Elephant Paradise: Tarangire is famous for its large population of elephants, which roam the park in herds. During the dry season (July to October), the Tarangire River serves as a vital water source, attracting large concentrations of wildlife, including elephants, giraffes, zebras, and various antelope species.
- Scenic Beauty: The park is characterized by rolling hills, vast grasslands, and ancient baobab trees, creating a picturesque backdrop for game viewing and photography.
- Birdwatching Haven: Tarangire is a paradise for birdwatchers, with over 500 bird species recorded within its boundaries, including endemic and migratory species.
Lake Manyara National Park:
- Tree-Climbing Lions: One of Lake Manyara’s unique attractions is its population of tree-climbing lions. These lions have adapted to resting in the branches of acacia trees, offering visitors a rare sight.
- Diverse Habitats: Despite its relatively small size, Lake Manyara National Park boasts a wide range of habitats, including woodland, grassland, swamp, and the scenic alkaline lake itself. This diversity supports a rich variety of wildlife, including elephants, hippos, giraffes, and an array of bird species.
- Scenic Setting: The park’s setting against the backdrop of the Great Rift Valley Escarpment adds to its allure, providing stunning vistas and opportunities for scenic drives and picnics.

Collectively, these four destinations offer a comprehensive and unforgettable safari experience, combining incredible wildlife encounters, stunning landscapes, and diverse ecosystems. The variety of experiences within relatively close proximity makes the Northern Circuit one of the best safari routes in Tanzania, appealing to first-time visitors and seasoned safari-goers alike.

GENERAL INFORMATION

Best Safari Route in Tanzania

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS:

All visitors to Tanzania must have a valid passport with at least 4 consecutive blanks pages. Any applicable visa and/or relevant documentation are the responsibility of the traveller. For further information on Visa requirements visitors are advised to contact their nearest Tanzania Embassy or Consulate.

LANGUAGE:

English/ Swahili

TIME:

GMT +3

VOLTAGE:

220 Volts/AC50Hz. Sockets are UK style, 3 pin square plugs. Power is from the UMEME in the city/major towns and generator with inverter back up in the Safari Lodges and Camps.

CURRENCY:

Foreign currency must be changed at the Bank, Bureau de Change, and Hotel/Safari lodge/Camp/Resort. Major Credit Cards, Master card, Visa, American Express, are usually accepted throughout the country. Where credit cards are accepted, the payment will normally be recorded in US$ regardless of the card’s default currency.

CLOTHING:

Dress is mainly informal and should be comfortable as well as practical. Something warm should be brought along for early morning and evenings. Safari clothes are available from hotels/lodges/camps.

BAGGAGE:

Where possible, travel light. Baggage space on safari is limited to medium suitcase or soft bag per person plus reasonable amount of hand luggage. There is 15 Kilogram per person limit on all flights to the wildlife sanctuaries. Excess luggage must be stored in your arrival hotel.

WATER:

You will find many different of opinion of what is safe and what is not. We recommend for peace of mind, to drink local Bottled Mineral water. It is important to drink plenty of water especially during the hotter months. We would recommend that guests drink at least 2 to 3 liters of water per day to limit the effects of dehydration.

HEALTH;

East Africa is a safe and secure destination; however, it is a good idea to take a few precautions. Kindly consult your GP or local doctor at least 6 weeks before you travel, with regards:

Malaria prophylactics. East Africa is a known malaria area and preventive measures are essential. You are advised to take one of the recommended anti-malarial drugs. Be sure to wear long sleeved shorts and trousers after sunset and spray the exposed parts of your body with a mosquito repellent spray

Remember to protect yourself from direct sun rays with sunscreen cream or safari hat.

DIETARY REQUIREMENTS:

For those guests with specific dietary requirement, please ensure we are notified prior to travel

GRATUITIES:

As a guideline and dependent on how happy you are, we would suggest the following:

The General Hotel/Lodge/Camp Staff – Approximately U$ 10.00 per person per day

Driver Guides – Approximately US$ 15.00 to US$ 20.00 per person per day

PHOTOGRAPHY:

Please be careful when photographing public buildings, airports, bridges, the national flag and people in uniform. Ensure that you have sought permission before photographing local people and their villages. If in doubt, please check with your guide.

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