Tanzania

Introduction

Introduction

Tanzania is a strikingly beautiful and incredibly varied country with open plains, massive mountains, long white beaches, dark forests, impressive rivers and multi-cultured peoples – there is something here for everyone. A country of contrasts, from the highest peak in Africa, Mt. Kilimanjaro, to the endless plains of the Serengeti and the lush greenery of Ngorongoro, a microcosm of Africa. The wildlife of Tanzania, both in terms of sheer quantity and species, is probably the most abundant on the continent. The beaches are beautiful, with warm waters lapping on the golden sands, and offers a range of hotels and lodges spanning from the intimate boutique style to larger resorts, once again there definitely is something for everyone.

Each region in Tanzania offers a different experience.

The north has the famous Serengeti National Park and Ngorongoro Conservation Area boasting the ever incredible Wildebeest Migration. The north is also home to the famous ice-capped equatorial mountain, Kilimanjaro, which is the highest free-standing mountain in the world.
The south offers Selous, Ruaha and Mikumi, which all have fascinating eco-systems: forests, large rivers, and a mix of terrain with open plains and beautiful views.
The south west has one of the wildest parks in Africa, Katavi. It is home to the largest herds of buffalo on the planet. In the south west you will also find the verdant forests surrounding Gombe and Mahale, located on Lake Tanganyika (the second deepest lake in the world), offer visitors the opportunity to trek chimpanzees in the wild.

Not to be ignored are the ancient ruins along the coast, and on the islands, which tell tales of a rich trading history with Arabia and India, as well as excellent scuba diving and deep sea fishing. Add to this the unique tribal cultures of the Masaai, Datoga, Iracq and Chagga to name but a few of the peaceful, friendly people you will meet. It’s no wonder Tanzania is becoming known as the “Safari Capital of Africa”.

Serengeti

The Serengeti National Park

The Serengeti National Park is arguably the best known wildlife sanctuary in the world. Serengeti means “endless plains” in the Masai language and, within its boundaries, are more than three million large mammals.

About 35 species of plains animals may be seen here, including the so-called “big seven” – buffalo, elephant, lion, leopard, rhino, cheetah and African Wild Dog. The black rhino population of the Serengeti has developed well in recent years thanks to constant surveillance. Other animals frequently seen in the Serengeti include baboon, caracal, civet, bat-eared fox, genet, giraffe, hippo, honey badger, hyrax, mongoose, ostrich, serval, both Grant’s and Thomson’s gazelle, vervet monkey and some 20 types of antelope including hartebeest, impala, kudu, reedbuck, roan, topi, waterbuck and the much smaller dik dik, duiker, klipspringer and oribi.

Learn more about the Serengeti in our dedicated section on the Great Migration here.

Ngorongoro Crater

The Ngorongoro Crater

Thanks to anti-poaching patrols, the crater is now one of the few places in East Africa where visitors can be certain of seeing black rhino. Leopard may occasionally be seen in the trees of the forest surrounding the crater, while cheetah are also present. Countless flamingo form a pink blanket over the soda lakes, while more than 100 species of birds not found in the Serengeti have been spotted. The crater, having been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site, lies within the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, which covers more than 8,300²km.

Tarangire & Lake Manyara

Tarangire National Park

Tarangire National Park gets its name from the river that threads its way through the length of the reserve. It is famous for its dense wildlife population which is most spectacular between June and September, the dry period. During this time, thousands of animals – elephant, buffalo, giraffe, eland, wildebeest, kudu, hartebeest and the rarely seen oryx – migrate from the dry Masai steppe to the Tarangire River looking for water. Lion, leopard and other predators follow the herds. Tarangire has the largest population of elephant of any park in the northern circuit and is also home to 550 varieties of bird.

Lake Manyara National Park

Nestled at the base of the Great Rift Valley escarpment, the park is noted for its incredible beauty. As visitors enter the gate, they pass into the lush forest, home to troops of baboons and both Blue and Vervet monkeys. Further along, the forest opens up into woodlands, grassland, swamps and beyond the soda lake itself, covering 200 square kilometres and sanctuary to over 400 species of bird including flamingo, pelican, stork, sacred ibis, cormorant and Egyptian geese. The park is particularly noted for herds of buffalo and elephant, as well as giraffe, hippo, reedbuck, warthog, wildebeest, zebra and a great variety of smaller animals.

Our Serengeti Camps

Serengeti Central Wilderness Camp

Located in the heart of the Serengeti, in a pristine area that offers unparalleled game viewing, Serengeti Wilderness Camp is open all year round, and is located to the east of the famous central Seronera region.

Comprising just twelve spacious tents, our focus is on your comfort and enjoyment. There is nothing better than being lulled to sleep at night by the sounds of the bush, safely inside your well-appointed ‘safari bedroom’. The tents are en suite with flushing toilets and a bush-shower. A private verandah offers a shady place to relax.

A large central dining tent complements our comfortable lounge tent which has a small reference library, maps, some games for children and a charging station for cameras. Our safari chef will prepare sumptuous meals for your enjoyment and evenings offer a campfire around which our guests enjoy sundowners and snacks, and share the day’s experiences.

If you prefer an intimate safari experience, without compromising on comfort, our Wilderness Camps offer just that. This camp is small, offering traditional ‘under canvas’ accommodation with superb food, a relaxing atmosphere and great Tanzanian hospitality in one of the most beautiful places on earth!

Serengeti North Wilderness Camp

Serengeti North Wilderness Camp is a ‘seasonal’ camp located in the north of the Serengeti National Park, a short distance from the banks of the Mara River. Seasonal camps have the benefit of being able to move to some of the best game viewing areas of the park, and we work under strict guidelines with the camp being truly eco-friendly.

Comprising just twelve spacious tents, we provide comfortable beds and quality linen, with en suite flushing toilet and ‘bush shower’. Lighting is by 12-volt (solar powered) with bedside lamps provided. The tents each have a shady verandah.

An airy, central dining tent complements our comfortable lounge tent which has a small reference library, maps, some games for children and a recharging facility for cameras and videos. Our safari chef will prepare sumptuous meals for your enjoyment. Evenings offer a typical safari campfire around which our guests enjoy sundowners and snacks, and relive the day’s experiences.

We provide a friendly, intimate quality tented bush camp, with good facilities in an amazing area, with due respect for this fragile ecosystem.

Ndutu Wilderness Camp

Ndutu Wilderness Camp is an intimate tented camp set in the Ndutu area of the Serengeti eco-system from December to March, coinciding with calving season. Nestled under shady trees on a private site, the camp comprises twelve spacious tents, featuring solar lighting and en-suite facilities.

Renowned for its warm service and homely food, meals are often served al fresco under starry African skies.

The central lounge/ bar area is a great place to catch up with fellow guests, with a camp fire completing that close to nature safari ambience.

You’ll spot plenty of predators here: lion, cheetah, leopard, serval, African wildcat, caracal as well as striped and spotted hyena. The diverse eco-systems in this area, from woodlands, to plains and soda lakes, make it a unique place for bird watching. This is the perfect place to be to witness the annual wildebeest calving spectacle.

Explorer Style Mobile Safari

With sun-soaked plains that seem to stretch to the ends of the earth, an abundance of wildlife and one of the most famous mass wildlife migrations in the world, few people ever forget their first trip to Tanzania. With so much to see, exploring Tanzania is no easy task, especially when your camp is static.

Experience Tanzania’s renowned game parks in our comfortable safari vehicles, or on foot, and overnight in private sites in the heart of the bush, with our ‘Explorer-style’ mobile tented camp.

Focus on your safari with this traditional experience, as a full safari crew moves ahead of you to set up camp. We provide extremely spacious tents with en-suite shower/toilet, comfortable beds and quality linen. Our safari chef prepares delicious meals and the camp staff attend to your every need.

These safaris allow complete flexibility of routing and areas visited, meaning you can experience the best areas for the best safari experience. Guests will also enjoy the fact that there are no noisy lodges or camps around, or other people in camp…allowing you to truly enjoy the tranquility of the bush.

To ensure that you get the most out of your Explorer-Style experience, we design itineraries that follow your personal desires, whether it be tracking the wildebeest migration through the Serengeti or walking with the Maasai in Ngorongoro. Our safaris travel into the best areas of this game-packed region – and if you would like to mix and match a few days in permanent camps or lodges, this can easily be designed for you.

Tanzania Packages

7 Day Essence of Tanzania Safari

Unwind under vast African skies, in some of the few last expanses of true wilderness and arguably the best game viewing areas on the continent. From untouched Tarangire, to the world famous Serengeti and Ngorongoro National Parks, this safari is run at a leisurely pace, allowing one ample time to discover the wild spirit of Tanzania.

4 Day Serengeti North Fly-in Safari

This fly-in safari is designed to take you straight to the heart of the action – combining quality tented accommodation, outstanding food and exceptional guides – all at an excellent price.

7 Day Serengeti Walking Safari

Tanzania National Parks have opened up some great wilderness areas for walking safaris, and we are one of the few operators walking here. The below trip has been designed to allow for 3 days on foot, as well as some vehicle based game viewing, and of course we visit Ngorongoro.
We walk in a wilderness area of the Serengeti eco-system, with armed National Parks guide and our guides, without a vehicle in sight! The safari is fully backed-up, with the support vehicle going ahead of the guests and setting up camp in private areas.

Our safari travels into the best areas of this game-packed region, camping among the game with the sounds of the African bush all around as well as getting out on foot for three days, actually IN the Park, with a lightweight camping rig and support crew.
Longer & shorter walks are available on request, including walking in the Ngorongoro Conservation area.

On safari
You are accompanied by an experienced guide, a safari chef and a camp assistant – all fully trained professionals who will prioritise your comfort and safety as well as striving to ensure optimal game-viewing opportunities throughout your journey.

7 Day Tanzania Explorer Mobile Safari

Imagine finding yourself under the vast African sky in the middle of one of the last expanses of true wilderness left on our planet, listening to the haunting and mysterious sounds of night predators and their prey as the drama of their interactions unfold. Is this your kind of safari?
On our Explorer Mobile Safaris we offer a style of travel which is extremely comfortable, whilst still mobile camping, allowing our guests to get off the beaten track and away from the main safari thoroughfares. On this style of safari we book private wilderness campsites to keep you away from the crowds and as close as possible to the wildlife action. A relaxed alternative to a lodge safari – for those who prefer to sleep under canvas and get away from the crowds.

In this modern version of mobile safaris – like the gentleman explorers Baker and Stanley -we’ve replaced ox-wagons with custom-made 4×4 safari vehicles and professional guides, but you still have your private mobile camp, and personal staff of a chef, waiter and support crew.

Your guide and their assistants are experienced professionals who prioritise your comfort and safety as well as ensure optimal game-viewing opportunities throughout your safari. Our support vehicle and camp crew travel ahead of the group and set up camp.

We provide spacious 3.5 x 6.5m dome tents (including the en-suite toilet/shower), with comfortable camp beds, foam mattresses, warm bedding (duvet & linens) and pillow. Sumptuous meals are prepared by our friendly safari chef, and are either served in the mess tent, or if you prefer, “under the stars”. Meals usually consist of a cooked breakfast, light lunch and a three-course dinner.

In our specially customised, extended land cruisers the windows are enlarged and the roof height raised to allow ease of photography and game-viewing through the 360 degree view hatches, with plenty of room to stretch your legs.

You’ll also find a selection of reference books on Tanzania’s parks, flora and fauna, a cooler box for drinks and invertors for charging your cameras/phone.

7 Day 2023 Essence of Tanzania – Small Group Safari

Unwind under vast African skies and discover the wild spirit of Tanzania on this leisurely safari. From Tarangire – famed for its elephant population and impressive baobab trees – to the world famous Ngorongoro Crater and Serengeti National Park, we invite you to explore with us.

10 Day Sacred Places of the Masai Private Safari

A ten-day safari into Tanzania’s Northern parks of Serengeti, Ngorongoro and Tarangire as well as the Rift Valley and Lake Natron, plus a chance to climb the Sacred Mountain of the Masai (Ol Doinyo Lengai), and experience real Maasai culture. Our safari travels into the best areas of this game-packed region, camping amongst the game with the sounds of the African bush all around as well as visiting some off the beaten track areas of Masailand, where few venture. Lake Natron is often covered with thousands of flamingo.