An African safari is a definite “bucket list” experience, but which African country provides the ideal safari destination? When it comes to unforgettable safari moments, Tanzania is at the top of the list. Visitors flock here annually to witness the epic Great Migration pass through the legendary Serengeti – this natural spectacle involves wildebeest herds so large they can be seen from space. Truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience, and a must-do when visiting Tanzania.
The neighbouring Ngorongoro Conservation Area offers the most remarkable game drive location within the walls of an unbroken caldera. Further south, the national parks of Ruaha and Nyerere (formerly Selous) offer wild, off-the-beaten-track game viewing in spectacular settings. Add to this the exotic island of Zanzibar and its palm-fringed beaches, Africa’s highest mountain Kilimanjaro, and the shores of Lake Victoria, and you have one of the most beautiful, vibrant and diverse countries in Africa.
Top Tanzania Attractions for Safari-Goers
If you’re looking for a guide on what to do in Tanzania, you’ve come to the right place. Here are a few of our favourite reasons to choose Tanzania as your next safari destination.
1. Follow the Great Migration
Few lifetime experiences can beat that of watching over a million wildebeest plus hundreds of thousands of gazelle and zebra – closely followed by hungry predators – embark on a never-ending 800-kilometre circular trek through the unfenced Masai Mara and Serengeti in search of seasonal grazing and water. This natural spectacle is both thrilling and profoundly moving to witness.
Technically, there is no “migration season” as the Great Migration is an ongoing annual cycle from place to place, year in and year out. However, there are times when the herds are more condensed and impressive in their numbers. For details on where to stay and when, check out our month-by-month Great Migration timeline breakdown.
Where to Stay for the Great Migration
Ubuntu Migration Camp is a traditional tented camp designed to be quickly disassembled and moved to follow the herds of the Great Migration as they journey through Tanzania.
2. Avoid the Crowds
The quieter regions of Ruaha and Nyerere in southern Tanzania allow you to view amazing wildlife while avoiding the larger crowds of the Serengeti and Tarangire regions. This presents the perfect opportunity for a game drive with no other vehicles in sight – or an exclusive walking safari experience with your knowledgeable guide.
Ruaha is the second-largest national park in Tanzania, with a high wildlife count but low tourist numbers. Ruaha’s landscape is truly breathtaking – the rugged savannah is dotted with huge, ancient baobab trees, which bloom during the rainy season. The Great Ruaha River runs through the park and misty hills span the horizon. Ruaha has large lion and elephant populations, and is also home to over 570 species of bird.
Nyerere National Park boasts stunning natural scenery with a mix of open plains, woodlands, lakes and riverine forests. Tanzania’s largest river, the Rufiji River, runs through the park. You can expect to spot a great variety of predators and large herbivores in Nyerere, as well as plenty of birds.
Conservation projects in Nyerere focus on preserving the vast natural biodiversity and preventing poaching. By visiting the park, you’ll be making a contribution towards these efforts.
Where to Stay off the Beaten Track
Kokoko Camp in Ruaha National Park can be booked on an exclusive use basis for up to 6 guests, creating an intimate safari experience in a prime wildlife area.
3. Take a Game Drive in a Volcanic Crater
The Ngorongoro Conservation Area (NCA) is a UNESCO World Heritage Site that takes its name from the Ngorongoro Crater, the world’s largest inactive, intact, and unfilled volcanic caldera, formed two to three million years ago. Approximately 25,000 large animals live in the natural enclosure formed by the 300-square kilometre crater, while the greater conservancy surroundings are home to buffalo, elephant, cheetah and leopard. The unique experience of game driving across the floor of an inactive volcano makes a Ngorongoro safari one for the books.
Where to Stay in Ngorongoro
The Highlands is a high-altitude domed tent camp in the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, located on the edge of a forest skirting Olmoti volcano.
Experience the rolling highlands of the Ngorongoro Conservation Area surrounding the camp. An Ngorongoro Crater safari is a remarkable experience, but the exclusivity of The Highlands is what makes it truly unique. Follow ancient Maasai trails to the summit of the Olmoti Crater, or down to the flamingo-lined soda lake on the floor of the Empakaai Crater. Visit local communities to gain insight into the traditional Maasai way of life that has defined this corner of East Africa for centuries. The famous Ngorongoro Crater is easily accessible from camp, while the setting ensures maximum privacy, a rich adventure and a range of activities not possible elsewhere in Ngorongoro.
4. See the Lions of Ruaha
Roughly 40% larger than the Serengeti, Ruaha National Park is home to approximately 10% of the world’s lion population – making it the perfect destination for those with a keen interest in seeing big cats while on safari. The banks of the Ruaha River are a permanent hunting ground for lion, leopard, cheetah, jackal, hyena and the rare African wild dog, who prey on the waterbuck, impala and gazelle that come to the river to drink. This is a remote wilderness area that offers an authentic safari experience for those who appreciate exclusivity.
Where to stay in Ruaha
Experience all the magic of Ruaha when you stay in one of these Asilia camps or lodges.
5. Get Close to Nature with a Walking Safari
A walking safari is a truly intimate encounter with nature, led by our experienced guides in groups of six people or less. The slower pace allows you to see and experience so many details you would miss on a traditional game drive. The sights, sounds and scents of the bush will surround you as you walk, and you’ll get the chance to view the animals in their natural habitat without the noise of a car engine disrupting the tranquility. You’ll also gain an appreciation for the smaller plants and insects that inhabit the park.
Where to stay to Experience a Walking Safari
Set on a peninsula jutting into Lake Nzerakera, Roho ya Selous occupies the heart of the prime game viewing area within Nyerere National Park. This wild and unspoiled national park in southern Tanzania boasts an enticing mix of abundant wildlife and varied terrain. Game spotting here is rewarding, often featuring wild dog, lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo and more than 400 bird species. This makes it the perfect place to experience a walking safari.
Explore this vast wilderness, home to one of Africa’s largest populations of wild dog, with our expert safari guides. Your guide will take you out on foot to track the wildlife that’s ventured close to camp during the night, and you’ll soon find that this park is full of surprises.
With just eight canvas-tented rooms, each with air-cooling systems over your bed to ensure a peaceful night’s sleep in the hotter months, Roho ya Selous strikes the perfect balance between comfort and adventure.
Speak to your Asilia safari advisor to find out which Tanzanian camps offer walking safaris.
6. Tropical Relaxation in Zanzibar
The Tanzanian coastline is home to some exquisite white-sand beaches, the most famous of these being the Zanzibar archipelago. The main Zanzibar island (Unguja) is the perfect place to experience Tanzanian coastal culture. The neighbouring island of Pemba offers idyllic conditions for snorkelling and SCUBA diving.
Zanzibar beaches are characterised by powdery white sands, warm turquoise waters and swaying palm trees. Whether you’re looking to spend your days relaxing in the sun, turn up the action with water sports like skiing and kitesurfing, or experience something truly special like snorkelling with dolphins, there is an island in the Zanzibar archipelago that’s perfect for you.
7. Spot the Chimpanzees of Rubondo Island
In the southwest corner of Lake Victoria lies Rubondo Island, Africa’s largest island national park. Over three-quarters of its 25’000 hectares are blanketed in pristine equatorial forest – home to a thriving population of chimpanzee, the rare sitatunga, bushbuck, forest elephant and giraffe. The waters of Lake Victoria teem with Nile perch, making for exciting catch-and-release fishing opportunities. The bird life is also prolific, offering a diverse mix of predators, forest dwellers and aquatic species.
The variety of activities and experiences available on Rubondo Island, coupled with the unique exclusivity of the location, adds plenty of weight towards Tanzania’s claim to the title of the best African country to visit.
Where to stay in Rubondo
Rubondo Island Camp is the only lodge on the island. From its lakefront location to the eco-friendly design of the eight fabulous chalets, the camp offers unrivalled access to this one-of-a-kind destination. Elephant roam wild in the forest, chimpanzee chase each other through the trees, colourful birds and butterflies flit about the pristine canopy, and hippo emerge from the lake waters at sunset to casually stroll across the beach and graze on the lush grass around camp.
8. See the Serengeti from a Hot-Air Balloon
Drifting over the plains of the Serengeti in a hot-air balloon allows you to experience the beauty and wildlife of Tanzania from a whole new perspective. Enjoy a bird’s-eye view of the local game going about their early morning business, as the sun rises over the horizon.
The world-famous Great Wildebeest Migration features herds so large, they can be seen from space. Riding in a hot-air balloon, you can view this phenomenon in a whole new way, watching thousands of wildebeest, zebra and gazelle galloping over the plains and across the rivers. Not many people can say they’ve witnessed the Great Migration from such an incredible vantage point!
Your hot-air balloon ride will start before dawn and will last one to two hours.
Where to Stay for a Hot-Air Balloon Safari
Oliver’s Camp in Tarangire National Park offers hot-air balloon experiences.
9. Conquer Mount Kilimanjaro
If you’re looking for a hiking adventure, climbing Mount Kilimanjaro – known as “the roof of Africa” – will push your endurance to the limit. Around 20,000 people a year climb the famous mountain, which is one of the world’s “Seven Summits”. The snow-capped peak reaches an altitude of 2,700 metres (8,850 feet) and the view from the top is unbeatable.
You’ll encounter a variety of wildlife on the slopes of Kilimanjaro, including the playful Colobus monkey. The landscape will change dramatically as you climb, from a tropical rainforest environment at the foot to arctic conditions at the top.
Note that you must be fit and well-prepared when you tackle a goal like summiting Kilimanjaro. The climb could take five days or more. Read about safety and altitude acclimatisation tips while climbing Kilimanjaro.
Start your Tanzanian safari itinerary with a Kilimanjaro climb, then spend the rest of your time relaxing in the bush or on the beach. Book your Kilimanjaro safari experience and enjoy the climbing achievement of a lifetime.
10. Contribute to Asilia’s Wildlife Conservation Efforts
Asilia empowers crucial wilderness areas in East Africa, benefitting people and nature alike. By making investments into areas that are ecologically and economically vulnerable, we aim to turn these areas into viable conservation economies, benefitting both the local communities as well as the environment. Every safari booked with Asilia contributes to these projects, so by enjoying your journey with us you’ll be supporting important East African conservation efforts.
Journey with us on a safari that takes you into the heart of East Africa. Witness nature’s greatest wildlife spectacles from our intimate camps, situated to deliver the very best experiences. Our expert guides reveal to you the secrets of the wild, and our sensitive approach helps crucial wilderness areas to thrive.
Experience all this wonder and more when you choose Tanzania as your safari destination. View special offers from Asilia and enjoy Tanzanian hospitality for less.
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