The best safari and beach locations in Tanzania

Question 1

Serengeti

Answer

Serengeti is the mother of all safari reserves, a most extraordinary place, best known for its enormous wildebeest and zebra migration, but with prolific wildlife year round. Guest accommodation is in a fabulous range of around 100 camps and lodges, offering a range of safari and cultural activities.

the mother of all safari reserves

At 13200 square kilometres, Serengeti is a vast and diverse reserve.

The key ingredient in Serengeti is the very rich soil formed from the ash of the volcanoes of Ngorongoro immediately to the south.

Combined with reliable rains, these soils are able to sustain truly remarkable densities of large animals.

The area is best known for its remarkable wildebeest and zebra migration.

Well over a million large herbivores munch their way around the region on an annual gyration like a great grunting lawnmower.

There is no beginning or end to this migration, but there are two major highlights during the year.

During the Jul-Oct dry season, when the herds are accessible on the plains to the north, with dramatic crossings on the Mara River.

During the Dec-Mar green season, when the herds are out on the southern plains and having their young, A time of plenty, especially for the predators.

Most parts of Serengeti also have rich resident wildlife which can be viewed year round.

Plenty of very interesting animals do not migrate in such dramatic fashion.

However there is a marked movement of smaller grazers in from the plains to the rivers of central areas during the Jun-Oct dry season.

These antelopes are followed in by large numbers of lions and cheetahs, providing the highest densities of these predators anywhere in Africa.

It is not unusual to see over 100 lions and over 20 cheetahs in a single day at this time.

The Serengeti area offers a wide range of safari activities.

The main activity in Serengeti is daytime vehicle safari.

A few key areas permit off-road driving, which greatly helps to make the most of major sightings.

Walking safari has historically not been a big feature of this area …

… but there are options to walk with genuine Maasai warriors in the south …

… and there are now a few specialist walking operations in the main wildlife areas.

Serengeti is famous for its balloon safari, there are now several take off locations.

The balloons mostly take 12 or 24 guests and flights are pricey, but it remains a very cool thing to do.

Serengeti contains a broad range of accommodation, from intimate tented camps to large commercial lodges.

It is usually best to combine 2 or 3 different locations in the reserve.

Serengeti is best known for its fabulous collection of mobile tented camps, which move around with the wildlife.

Most of these camps offer a comfortable, elegant, intimate and authentic safari experience.

There is also a good range of small permanent lodges, which tend to be slightly less outdoorsy.

Take a look at our comprehensive lodge listing …

Finally there are several much larger motel style lodges which tend to cater to corporate and budget groups.

We divide Serengeti into eight sub-areas, each with different landscapes, wildlife and seasonalities.

Serengeti Mara is the main area for migration action Jul-Oct and a wonderful backwater at other times.

Serengeti Southwest is the best area for migration action Dec-Mar, an unusual and peaceful backwater at other times.

Serengeti Southcentral is also good for migration Dec-Mar, but fabulous for Maasai interaction and palaeontology year round.

Serengeti Central is really solid for wildlife year round, but does experience high traffic volumes in core areas.

Serengeti Grumeti is a private area which offers an exclusive safari experience year round.

Serengeti West is the best area for migration action Apr-Jun, but less interesting at other times.

Serengeti North is a relatively marginal area with a couple of interesting lodges.

Serengeti Southeast is a very little-visited area with migration Nov-Mar and accommodation only in mobile bivouacs.

Serengeti is usually visited by means of a 7 to 12 night overland expedition through the greater region.

It is also possible to fly in directly from Kigali, Entebbe, Nairobi, Kilimanjaro and Dar es Salaam.

Serengeti experiences high visitor traffic, so careful planning is definitely needed for a quality safari.

The good news is that Serengeti is vast and 95% of the visitors cluster in 5% of the area.

It is still very much possible to spend a week in Serengeti barely meeting another vehicle.

Go to Serengeti

Question 2

Ngorongoro

Answer

Situated immediately to the south of Serengeti, the Ngorongoro Highlands is a range of dramatic volcanic peaks which is traversed during a safari, notably passing through the famous Ngorongoro Crater.

fabulously scenic volcanic highlands

The Ngorongoro Highlands comprises a number of volcanoes clustered around a fork in the escarpment of the Great Rift Valley.

The remarkable mountain scenery is a major feature of a safari through this region.

We divide Ngorongoro into four sub-areas, each with very different reasons to visit …

The fabulous Ngorongoro Crater is one of the great icons of safari in Africa.

Ngorongoro Karatu is a rural area to the south where some lovely lodges can provide a welcome change of pace in a safari.

Ngorongoro South is a little-visited area with a fabulous trek down into Serengeti.

Ngorongoro North is another little-visited area with a fabulous trek down to remote Lake Natron.

Go to Ngorongoro

Question 3

Tarangire

Answer

Located 200 km southeast of Serengeti, Tarangire is a solid safari area renowned for great baobab trees and prodigious herds of elephants. Guest accommodation is in around 20 camps and lodges, offering a good range of safari activities, notably including walking safari and night vehicle safari.

enormous herds of elephants

At 2850 square kilometres, Tarangire is the heart of a vast wildlife migration area ten times that size.

The area is famous for very impressive baobab trees, which dwarf the wildlife.

Tarangire is best known for the enormous herds of elephants which gather during the Jun-Nov dry season.

The park also contains good populations of other animals, including rare greater kudus and fringe-eared oryx.

Predators include lions, spotted hyenas and leopards, but sightings are much less frequent than in Serengeti.

During the Dec-May green season the wildlife disperses, but the birding can become particularly good.

Unusually for this region, walking safari is widely permitted inside the park.

The area has a good range of small lodges, the best of which are largely in the south of the main reserve.

Tarangire is usually accessed as part of a 7 to 14 night overland expedition through the Serengeti region.

Go to Tarangire

Question 4

Lake Eyasi

Answer

Located 100km south of Serengeti, Lake Eyasi is a relatively little-visited area renowned for fascinating cultural interactions with the local Hadzabe hunter-gatherer people, with guest accommodation in a couple of decent lodges.

interaction with hunter-gatherers

Eyasi is a major Rift Valley lake whose size varies enormously with the seasons.

The area is home to the Hadzabe people, one of the last hunter-gatherer tribes in East Africa.

It is possible to meet and interact with these unique people and even to join them on their daily hunts.

It is also possible to visit the Datoga, who are renowned metalworkers and silversmiths.

Eyasi is a major Rift Valley lake whose size varies enormously with the seasons.

The area is home to the Hadzabe people, one of the last hunter-gatherer tribes in East Africa.

The Eyasi area is usually accessed as part of a 5 to 12 night overland expedition through the Serengeti region.

Go to Lake Eyasi

Question 5

Lake Natron

Answer

Located 100 km east of Serengeti, Lake Natron is a surprisingly remote and magical area of stupendous Rift Valley scenery, with a good range of cultural, palaeontological and active experiences, notably the epic hike up the active volcano Oldonyo Lengai. Guest accommodation is in just a handful of simple camps. Accessed via a fabulous trek or a very long and bumpy drive.

remote area of fabulous volcanic scenery

At 550 square kilometres, Lake Natron is an enormous body of sodorous water, the main breeding location for the famous flamingos of the Great Rift Valley.

The area is dominated by the picturebook volcano, Oldonyo Lengai, which continues to erupt from time to time.

The night time ascent of the volcano is arguably the greatest day hike in Africa.

The area also contains some fascinating palaeontological remains, notably including fosslised footprints down by the lake.

The local Maasai people act as superb guides for walks and treks.

Another highlight is the scenic waterfall which cascades down the Rift Escarpment.

There’s just a handful of small and outdoorsy camps in the area.

The Natron area is usually accessed as part of a 5 to 12 night overland expedition through the Serengeti region.

Go to Lake Natron

Question 6

Lake Manyara

Answer

Located 150 km southeast of Serengeti, Lake Manyara is a pretty little national park, but rather busy with vehicles and encroached upon by human settlement, with guest accommodation in a wide range of properties, offering a good range of safari, cultural and active experiences.

pretty but busy little safari reserve

At 330 square kilometres, Lake Manyara is a small reserve, but one which contains a very wide range of ecosystems and wildlife.

The perenial groundwater forest acts as a refuge for wildife during the harsh Jun-Nov dry season.

Manyara is renowned for its tree-climbing lions, although in truth the habit is relatively commonplace.

Some of the animals here are very habituated to vehicles and are easy to approach, notably elephants and baboons.

The area is particularly well known for birding, notably including up to a million lesser flamingos.

The best lodges are those deep inside the park or in the private reserves to the southeast.

The Manyara area is usually accessed as part of a 5 to 12 night overland expedition through the Serengeti region.

Go to Lake Manyara

Question 7

Kondoa

Answer

Located 100 km southwest of Tarangire in Tanzania North, Kondoa is a largely peripheral area which is occasionally included in trips for its impressive rock-art. However there is no local guest accommodation, so the area is most commonly visited from a base in Tarangire.

little-visited rock-art sites

Heading south from Tarangire, the sealed road soon turns into dirt and heads out into rural Africa.

The rock-art sites are well hidden away at the end of a long dirt track into the hills.

From here it is a short hike up to a cluster of rocky overhangs.

The first cave contains a painting of three prone figures in impressive head-dresses.

In the second cave there is a painting of what appears to be a hyena.

There is also a small museum with a rang of historic objects and some detailed rock-art interpretation.

But there is no decent accommodation in the area, so we usually visit as a day trip from Tarangire.

The Kondoa area is usually visited as part of a 5 to 12 night overland expedition through the Serengeti region.

Go to Kondoa

Question 8

Arusha

Answer

Located in Tanzania North, Arusha is a significant and relatively pleasant town, the start point for safaris into the Serengeti region, with guest accommodation in a good range of largely rural lodges. Overnight stops are frequently needed here in order to make flight connections.

the main hub for safari in the north

Set at the foot of Mount Meru, Arusha is a pleasant if rather hectic place.

Most people try to avoid staying here, but flight connections often necessitatate an overnight stop.

For those looking to stay longer, Arusha is actually rather pleasant and offers a wide range of activities.

There is a good selection of accommodation, notably the smaller lodges out in the coffee plantations.

Go to Arusha

Question 9

Mount Kilimanjaro

Answer

Located in Tanzania Northeast, Kilimanjaro is the highest mountain in Africa, the highest walkable mountain in the world and one of the ultimate outdoor challenges. We are one of the leading providers of high quality treks, with five to eight night options, exceptional summit success rates and an exemplary safety record.

the highest walkable mountain in the world

Kilimanjaro is an enormous mountain which demands to be taken seriously.

In the Why Trek With Us section below we explain why we are the leading provider of medium to high specification treks on Kilimanjaro.

In the Trek Basics section below we provide answers to the most common opening questions.

In the Trek Seasons section below we explain the extreme importance of choosing the right month.

In the Degree of Difficulty section below you can read all about summit success rates, fitness and health issues.

In the Coping With Altitude section below we explain how best to cope with the extremes of low oxygen.

In the Trek Specifications section below we explain the essential details of our mountain operations.

In the Route Selection section below you can read more about which route to take on the mountain.

Rongai 5p is the best five night trek on the mountain, best suited to people who are less confident on their fitness or are short on time or budget.

Rongai 6p is a very similar but little-used option which inserts a sixth night to aid altitude acclimatisation.

Shira 7Bp takes seven nights and is our most popular trek, with superb routing, altitude acclimatisation and traffic avoidance.

Lemosho 7Ap is also over seven nights, very popular with other operators, but with relatively high traffic.

Lemosho 8Bp is a serious eight night trek, the best non-technical route on the mountain and with the highest summit success rate.

North 8Bp is also eight nights, a very unusual route most commonly used by returning trekkers.

Browse our collections of sample trips …

Go to Mount Kilimanjaro

Question 10

Arusha National Park

Answer

Located immediately north of the town of Arusha, this small national park contains a limited range of wildlife, but some really diverse and attractive scenery, plus activities including hiking, canoeing, mountain biking and the very serious three night trek to the summit of Mount Meru.

mountain reserve with good hiking trails

At 360 square kilometres, Arusha National Park is a relatively small but extremely diverse conservation area.

It is centred on the impressive 4562 metre Mount Meru.

But the reserve is best known for its fabulous views of Mount Kilimanjaro.

To the east of the mountain lies a lower altitude area, a mix of montane forest and small open grasslands.

A good range of wildlife inhabits these areas, but the rich vegetation ensures that viewing is not always easy.

The forests also contain some extraordinary trees and waterfalls.

There is also a network of small lakes, which are home to hippos and crocodiles.

Perhaps the single most exciting feature is the mysterious Ngurdoto Crater, which can only be accessed on foot.

Most visitors simply drive up into the reserve on a quick day trip.

Unusually a good range of walking safaris are offered in this lower altitude area.

Scaling Mount Meru itself is a very different and serious two or thee night trek.

For a deeper dive it is well worth spending 2-3 nights in one of the lodges up here.

Arusha National Park can easily be accessed as a day trip from lodges around Arusha and Moshi.

Go to Arusha National Park

Question 11

West Kilimanjaro

Answer

Lying between the eponymous mountain and the well known Amboseli reserve, West Kilimanjaro is a quiet safari area with fabulous views, a small selection of camps, offering an unusually wide range of rather cool activities.

safari area with unusual activities

At 1500 square kilometres, West Kilimanjaro is a large and attractive yet little-visited conservation area.

It is comprised mainly of broad open savanna and light acacia woodland, dotted with volcanic hills.

This is Maasailand, with local pastoralists and their herds living alongside the wildlife.

Interaction with the locals is very much a part of the safari experience in this area.

The place has a full range of wildlife, including wildebeests, zebras, giraffes and elephants.

The subtle and varied nature of the safari in this area means that it tends to appeal most to experienced safari travellers.

The majority of wildlife viewing is done by means of vehicle safari.

Walking safari in the company of local Maasai also features highly, but is unlikely to feature deliberate approaches onto dangerous animals.

It is also possible to spend time with the Lion Guardians project, which teaches the Maasai the value of their wildlife.

Visitors can even spend a day hiking the Shira Plateau, high on Kilimanjaro.

There’s a handful of rather attractive accommodation options in this area.

Access is usually by road, directly from your arrival at Kilimanjaro Airport.

Go to West Kilimanjaro

Question 12

Usambara Mountains

Answer

Located immediately 200 km southeast of Mount Kilimanjaro, Usambara Mountains is a substantial range of great conservation value, with very high levels of endemism, but is of only marginal interest to the majority of safari travellers and has very little in the way of quality accommodation.

ancient mountain forests with high biodiversity

The Usambara Mountains are part of the great Eastern Arc, and ancient range which runs from Shimba in Kenya to Udzungwa in southern Tanzania.

These mountains massively pre-date the surrounding volcanic landscapes and are therefore of great ecological interest.

The fragments of high forests which remain are host a prodigious range of endemic species.

Arriving from the north the road winds through scenic mountain villages with patches of protected forest.

The mountain town of Lushoto was actually the capital of colonial Tanganyika, chosen for its healthy climate.

To the south, the Amani Nature Reserve represents the most significant portion of protected forest.

There’s very little in the way of attractive accommodation options in these areas.

Access is usually by road from Arusha and Moshi, sometimes on the way down to the coast at Pangani.

Go to Usambara Mountains

Question 13

Mkomazi

Answer

Located immediately 135 km southeast of Mount Kilimanjaro, Mkomazi is a very substantial national park which contains some important conservation projects, but which does not usually offer much in the way of wildlife viewing, so attracts very few visitors.

large safari reserve of little interest

At 3234 square kilometres, Mkomazi is a substantial conservation area adjoining the much larger Tsavo West reserve in Kenya.

It is a scenic area of dry grasslands and acacia woodlands, backed by granite hills.

Mkomazi has long suffered from serious poaching, mainly by local people.

But the area was upgraded to national park status in 2008 and conservation has been slowly improving.

The area should contain almost all of the main safari animals.

Additionally it is the only place in Tanzania which is home to more northerly species like genenuks and vulturine guineafowls.

There is also an unusually good range of birds of prey.

Mkomazi is home to Tony Fitzjohn of the George Adamson Trust.

Since his ‘Born Free’ days, Tony has been working to rehabilitate the park and operates a notable wild-dog project.

Unfortunately these projects remain very secretive and difficult to work with, which is preventing us from recommending the place for inclusion in trips.

The only viable place to stay is the modest Babu’s Camp.

Access is by road from Arusha and Moshi, sometimes on the way down to the coast at Pangani.

Go to Mkomazi

Question 14

Ruaha

Answer

Set 500 km inland from Dar es Salaam in the south of Tanzania, Ruaha is the second largest wildlife reserve in the country, an intense and hypnotic place to go on safari. It’s wonderfully remote, receives only around 5% of the visitor traffic into Serengeti and contains just a handful of small and very high quality camps, offering top quality safari guiding. Walking safari is particularly strong.

one of the very best savanna safari reserves

Although relatively little known, at over 20,000 square kilometres, Ruaha is actually Tanzania’s second largest wildlife reserve.

The scenery is wonderful, with the main river set against a backdrop of dramatic granite domes.

Although the river itself reduces to a trickle during the Jun-Oct dry season, it attracts high densities of wildlife from the vast dry hinterland.

The reserve is renowned for its impressive baobab trees, many of which have taken a severe battering from you know who.

There are large numbers of herbivores, characteristically with several species clustered together in one spot.

Predators include good populations of lions, with prides renowned for epic battles during the driest Sep-Nov period.

Sightings of leopards, cheetahs and spotted hyenas are relatively common, but wild-dogs are more elusive.

Vehicle safari is the main activity, often punctuated by picnics and sundowners.

Walking safari is also unusually prominent here.

Safari guiding in Ruaha is amongst the very best in East Africa.

In fact Kichaka Ruaha offers arguably the best private guided safari experience in the whole of Africa.

Some camps are also able to offer bivouac camping in remote locations.

Ruaha contains several extremely good small camps, offering really authentic safari experiences.

Although the focus is very much on authenticity, the camps are not without a few luxuries.

Access is usually by light aircraft from Arusha, Serengeti, Selous, Dar es Salaam or Zanzibar.

Go to Ruaha

Question 15

Selous

Answer

Set 200 km inland from Dar es Salaam in the south of Tanzania, Selous is the only major wildlife reserve on the humid coastal plateau and has a uniquely languid and tropical feel, with a good range of wildlife, notably including wild-dogs. A particular highlight is the superb motorboat safari out on the Great Rufiji River. Guest accommodation is in a handful of high quality camps deep inside the reserve.

unusually languid savanna safari reserve

At over 45,000 square kilometres, Selous is the largest wildlife reserve in Tanzania and is actually larger than Switzerland.

Nyerere National Park is the northerly part of the reserve where all of the photographic safari camps are located.

The reserve is centred on the broad Rufiji River which lazily winds through a network of open lagoons.

The palm tree forests around these lakes are particularly atmospheric and attractive.

These fertile areas attract large concentrations of wildlife, especially during the long Jun-Oct dry season.

The riverine areas are surrounded by vast arid hinterlands and woodlands with much lower wildlife densities.

There is a wide range of herbivores including elephants, buffaloes, giraffes and many species of antelope.

Predators include decent populations of lions, leopards and spotted hyenas.

Elusive African wild dogs are regularly sighted around the central lake network.

Vehicle safari is the main activity, often punctuated by picnics and sundowners.

Some camps also offer modest walking safaris, but these rarely include deliberate approaches to lions and elephants.

Motorboat safari is a real highlight in Selous and tends to produce some really strong sightings.

Largely due to time spent out on the river, the birding here can be very strong and varied.

Some camps are also able to offer bivouac camping in remote locations.

Selous contains several good small lodges which focus on offering quality safari experiences.

Although the focus is very much on authenticity, the camps are not without their comforts.

Access is usually by light aircraft from Arusha, Serengeti, Ruaha, Dar es Salaam or Zanzibar.

Go to Selous

Question 16

Mikumi

Answer

Set 275 km inland from Dar es Salaam in the south of Tanzania, Mikumi is the fourth largest reserve in the country and an important conservation area, but which is unfortunately of marginal interest to most people and is rarely included in quality safari trips.

large but less attractive savanna reserve

At 3230 square kilometres, Mikumi is a substantial area, part of an important corridor between the better known Selous and Ruaha reserves.

The reserve is particularly photogenic thanks to the ranges of hills which surround on three sides.

The landscape is largely open savanna, with areas of light acacia woodland.

Several small lakes provide drinking water for the animals year round.

There is a decent range of herbivores including elephants, giraffes and zebras.

Predators tend to be rather elusive, but lions, leopards and spotted hyenas are around.

Vehicle safari is the main activity, often punctuated by picnics and sundowners.

The best accommodation option in Mikumi is Stanley’s Kopje Camp.

Access is usually by road, as part of a budget overland safari out of Dar es Salaam.

Unfortunately the main road goes right through the heart of the reserve, greatly diminishing the sense of wilderness.

Unlike Selous and Ruaha, Mikumi is not serviced by regular air services, which makes it difficult to include in higher quality trips.

Go to Mikumi

Question 17

Mufindi Highlands

Answer

Mufindi is an upland area which was once home to extensive high altitude forests, but which is now dominated by attractive tea plantations and small scale agriculture. There is one decent quality lodge which occasionally features in trips as an easy place to rest up before a safari in nearby Ruaha.

beautiful tea plantations

Mufindi is located in the south of Tanzania.

This upland area is home to some extremely scenic tea plantations.

The stand-out accommodation option is Mufindi Highland Lodge.

Go to Mufindi Highlands

Question 18

Udzungwa Mountains

Answer

Set 325 km inland from Dar es Salaam in the south of Tanzania, Udzungwa Mountains is a substantial forest reserve and a renowned island of endemism, of huge interest to naturalists, but tending to only be of niche appeal to most travellers.

high biodiversity tropical forests

At 1900 square kilometres, Udzungwa is a substantial upland reserve, a part of the ancient Eastern Arc Mountains.

The area is one of Africa’s rare islands of endemism, whose tropical forests harbour a huge range of rare and unique species.

The mountains are clad in rich tropical forests and feature some scenic waterfalls.

Unfortunately the animals, like this Sanje Mangabey, are incredibly elusive and difficult to observe.

The main activity is guided hikes and multiple day treks up into the mountains.

The best accommodation option in the area is at the modest Udzungwa Forest Camp.

Access is usually by road, as part of a budget overland safari out of Dar es Salaam.

Unfortunately the main road and a string of villages encircle the reserve, greatly diminishing the sense of wilderness.

Unlike Selous and Ruaha, Udzungwa is not serviced by regular air services, which makes it difficult to include in higher quality trips.

Go to Udzungwa Mountains

Question 19

Iringa

Answer

Set on the TanZam highway some 500 km west of Dar es Salaam, Iringa is a pleasant rural town with some interesting local sites, but which only tends to feature in rare trips which overland between Mufindi, Ruaha and Mikumi.

pleasant market town near Ruaha