World-class wildlife, beautiful landscapes and some of the continent’s best safari lodges are just some of what you can expect on a Tanzania safari. The rugged natural beauty of the country’s vast national parks and plains, along with exotic creatures such as giraffe, gazelle, hyena, crocodile, and around 1,000 species of bird life, make this one of the world’s greatest places to explore the jaw-dropping diversity of the animal kingdom.
As one might expect, there are a huge number of Tanzania safaris to choose from, ranging in length from a couple of days to a couple of weeks. To help you pick the best once for your needs and tastes, we’ve dug deep into the options and picked out 7 of the best.
12 Days Maasai Land Cycling Safari
From £3,234 per person
A great choice for cycling enthusiasts keen to experience a Tanzania safari, this 12-day tour by Safari Bike Africa takes in several parks and other areas famous for both their natural beauty and their diverse wildlife inhabitants. There’ll be fun game drives, a guided walking safari, a visit to a local Maasai village, and a bike safari. Your final four days will be spent in the idyllic Tanzanian archipelago of Zanzibar, where you’ll stay in a hotel overlooking a pristine white-sand beach – perfect for recuperating after your adventure. There’ll also be another chance to embark on a bike safari. Eleven night’s accommodation, airport transfers and three daily meals are all included.
7 Days Camping and Big Five Safari
From £830 per person
There’s game drives and animal viewing galore on this week-long safari tour of beautiful Tanzania. Starting and ending with hotel or airport transfers from and to the city of Arusha, you’ll have the chance to spot the Big Five and other animals along the way. Among the highlights will be visits to Tarangire, Serengeti, and Lake Manyara national parks, all of which have their own unique and distinctive landscapes and habitats. All transportation and park fees, plus 3 daily meals and 6 nights’ accommodation, are all included in the price.
4 Days Lake Manyara, Serengeti, and Ngorongoro Private Safari
From £679 per person
This 4-day tour takes you on a memorable adventure through some of Tanzania’s most iconic safari destinations. There, you’ll be able to see the Big 5, enjoy a half-day game drive in Ngorongoro Crate, spot buffalos, giraffes, and zebras, and marvel at the majestic landscapes of the Serengeti. To make the experience as personalised as possible, group sizes are kept to a maximum of 6. Park fees, daily meals, 3 nights’ accommodation and airport transfers are all included in the tour price.
2 Days Camping Safari in Lake Manyara National Park and Ngorongoro Crater
From £301 per person
Starting and ending in Arusha, this 2-day whistle-stop tour takes in Lake Manyara National Park and Ngorongoro Crater, two of Tanzania’s most legendary natural wonders. On day one you’ll enjoy game drives with picnic lunch boxes, before dinner and an overnight stay at a well-equipped campsite. The following morning you’ll descend into the Ngorongoro Crater, said to have the densest concentration of wildlife in Africa. Late afternoon, you’ll be driven back to Arusha to bring your tour to a close. All food, transport and accommodation are included in the price.
4 Days Jambo Safari
From £710 per person
Aboard a 4×4 vehicle, you’ll be transported through jaw-dropping landscapes as your expert guide points out any animals of interest that you may pass. Among the highlights will be a visit to Lake Manyara National Park, Serengeti National Park and Ngorongoro Crater, along with a cultural tour of Mto wa Mbu village, which is steeped in a rich heritage dating back centuries. Three nights’ accommodation, daily meals, and entrance fees to the various sites you visit are all covered in the cost.
3 Days Boat Cruise in Selous Game Reserve
From £540 per person
This 4-day trip takes you to Selous Game Reserve Park where you can learn about its complex ecosystems and diverse animal inhabitants, including hippos, crocodiles, elephants, lions, buffaloes, giraffes, waterbucks, and birdlife. Starting and ending in the port city of Dar es Salaam, you’ll embark on a game drive, a boat cruise, and a walking safari during your adventure. Two nights’ accommodation, transport in a safari vehicle, and three meals a day are all included in the price.
3 Days Wildlife Safari in Mikumi National Park
From £965 per person
If you’re pressed for time, on a budget, or both, this safari tour could be for you. Tailored to maximise your time, the tour starts early morning in Dar es Salaam with a 6-hour road trip to Mikumi National Park. Here you’ll likely encounter any number of elephants, giraffes, antelopes and wilderbeast,, not to mention lions, leopards, and an array of birdlife. Day two features a full day of game driving in the park, before returning to Dar es Salaam the next morning. Depending on time, you may also get the chance to visit a local Maasai village before your return. All accommodation, meals and transport is included in the tour price.