Tips for Planning the Perfect Safari in Tanzania

A safari is a great opportunity to see wild animals in their natural habitat. But where to begin? First, consider your budget. A safari isn’t cheap, with a significant portion of the cost going towards national park fees and accommodation costs. Here are a few tips to help you plan your perfect Tanzania safari tour:

Budget

The style of safari tour you choose will largely determine the cost of your trip. Group tours tend to be more affordable than private trips as the cost of accommodations and transportation is spread out amongst the entire group.

For a budget-friendly Tanzania safari, consider opting for lodge accommodation rather than camping in the wild. Lodges are small hotels, guest houses, or luxury tented camps and offer a more luxury Safari experience for less.

Also, be sure to book your tour well in advance. This will help ensure you get your first-choice accommodation options and secure your preferred dates. It will also give you plenty of time to save and plan your trip properly. Less is more on a Safari too, trying to visit every park will take away from your game drives.

Time of Year

Regardless of when you choose to go, it’s important to start planning your safari as early as possible. This will give you the best chance of getting your first-choice accommodation and guide options, as well as secure flights for the dates you wish to travel.

The peak season is from June to October, when you can witness the Great Wildebeest Migration in Serengeti National Park. However, this is also the busiest time of year for tourists and prices are higher.

The shoulder season from November to March is less crowded but still offers good wildlife viewing opportunities. During this time, you may experience some rainfall, but it is usually short and does not disrupt activities. It is also a great time for birdwatching as migratory species arrive in large numbers.

Accommodations

Tanzania safari accommodations range from high-end luxury lodges and tented camps to budget-friendly basic camping. However, due to the government-imposed entry fees to the parks (pictured), even a relatively simple lodge or camp can cost as much as a four or five star hotel in New York or Sydney!

As the top-rated safari destination in Africa, Tanzania has a wide variety of luxury safari lodges and tented camps that cater to every taste. From family-friendly luxury at the Serengeti’s Faru Faru to the rustic elegance of Mara River Tented Camp, there is truly something for everyone. For a more rugged experience, try Ruaha or Selous to see the Great Wildebeest Migration at its best, or head to Katavi or Mafia to see rare wild dogs and cheetahs.

Group or Private?

A group safari can be a great way to meet people and make new friends. It can also be less expensive than a private safari.

However, everyone’s safari goals are different. Some may want to wait hours to see a lioness pounce on her prey, while others would be happy just to observe a tribe of baboons at Lake Manyara.

With a private safari, you can focus on your goals without worrying about the needs of the other people in your party. In addition, private safaris offer more flexibility. This includes the option to choose when to start and end your day. Plus, your guide will be able to communicate with other guides through radios to share information on where animals are located. This helps ensure that you don’t miss any wildlife sightings.

Flights

You’ll want to book flights that leave enough time for you to reach your hotel in Dar es Salaam after landing. It’s best to pre-arrange your transportation with your hotel, a service that is usually included in the trip cost or offered for an additional fee.

Tanzania’s massive central parks, like Ruaha and Selous, are untamed, multi-dimensional expanses where wildlife roams in utterly pristine solitude. They’re ideal for long-term safari junkies seeking a different fix.

Most safaris in Tanzania include visits to the southern and northern Serengeti for the iconic wildebeest migration, as well as Tarangire and Ngorongoro Crater. For added variety, consider visiting lesser-known parks like Lake Manyara and Mount Kilimanjaro.