Tanzania
Tanzania: What You Need to Know
A safari should be a profound experience. Great guides can touch your heart and fill your mind with a new understanding of the natural world that surrounds you. Witness astonishing wildlife, complete with fascinating behaviors and interactions between species. Interact with people who are soulful and welcoming. Safari is like no other journey, yet most people find a fast familiarity buried deep in their DNA as this is a return to our origins.
Africa overwhelms the senses, and the safari choices can be overwhelming. That’s where The Wild Source comes in.
We live and work in Africa and the USA. The Wild Source was founded by African big cat researcher Bill Given to create a safari planning company that could apply wildlife biologist knowledge to develop safaris tailored specifically to the wildlife interests of each traveler. We provide the convenience of a Colorado based planning office but also have a full Tanzanian registered ground operation with an office in Arusha. The Wild Source employs a staff of 20 in Africa and we have our own remarkable guides and camps. We have partnerships with the other major camp owners to be able to offer the full range of possibilities for each itinerary. Ultimately it is all about relationships, and our special community spanning two continents makes The Wild Source uniquely positioned to create and deliver a safari that exceeds your dreams.
Tanzania Sample Safaris
Top Tanzania Safari Locations
Tanzania Safari Regions
Gombe Stream National Park
Overview
Gombe Stream National Park is the site of Jane Goodall’s chimp research. Along with Mahale Mountains Naitonal Park, this is also a very good place to view chimps. Trekking tends to be more difficult than Mahale due to the faster rising terrain.
The beauty of Gombe is there is only one safari camp in the area, however, the beach is pebbles instead of sand and there are not the variety of water activites that are on offer at Mahale.
Location
Gombe Stream National Park is located in western Tanzania, along Lake Tangayika just south of the border with Burundi. The park is Tanzania’s smallest, just a small strip along the lake that encompasses just 20 square miles.
Access is by flying into Kigoma and then transfer one and a half hours by speed boat to Gombe Stream. Like Mahale there are twice weekly scheduled flights that continue on to Kigoma after stopping at Katavi and Mahale.
It is also possible to fly from Dar es Salaam to Kigoma or from Arusha via Mwanza to Kigoma so there are more flexible options and potentially cheaper flights to reach Gombe which might make it a more affordable chimp trekking opiton than Mahale.
Wildlife
Gombe is all about chimp trekking. There is excellent olive baboon viewing and potential for a couple other primates as well as secretive forest mammals like bush bucks. Along the lake are excellent birds like African fish eagles and palm-nut vultures.
- Chimpanzee
- Birds
Best Times to Go
Gombe Forest Lodge is open all year except for March and April when there are heavy rains. The driest months June through October may have the easiest trekking conditions but it is best to plan timing for the best game viewing on your traditional safari and then the chimps will be excellent to add at anytime of year.
Katavi National Park
Overview
Katavi National Park is likely Africa’s best kept safari secret! In most countries this park would be the star attraction but due to its remote location and the famed migration in the Serengeti this park has been an afterthought, largely reserved only for safari aficionados.
In fact, Katavi receives around 1,200 visitors a year while Serengeti may have close to that in a single day. A few times we have sent clients in prime busy season and they have returned saying there were less then 10 tourists in the entire park.
Studies suggest that the mammal biomass in Katavi is the highest per square kilometer of any major park in East Africa. Of special interest Katavi boasts Africa’s greatest concentrations of African buffalo with herds that can number close to 3,000 and an estimated 60,000 in total throughout the park during dry season.
When there’s that many buffalo lions are sure to be well represented too. Uniquely some species that can normally be shy and difficult to observe like roan and sable antelope, in Katavi can appear curious and sometimes behave as if they have never seen a game drive vehicle.
For those who want to see wild Africa in a manner that approximates what early explorers would have seen with wildilfe not so habituated to constant game drive vehicles this is a great place.
Location
For those who want to see wild Africa in a manner that approximates what early explorers would have seen with wildilfe not so habituated to constant game drive vehicles this is a great place.
There are scheduled flights to this remote park just twice a week so guests either come for 3 night or 4 nights stays (or of course a whole week) and as the flight continues on to Mahale the two are frequently paired together in a fantastic wild west itinerary.
That makes a perfect week and then can easily be cobined with Serengeti or Ruaha for a 10 day or longer safari.
Wildlife
The concentrations of large animals in Katavi is staggering. This park rivals anywhere for sheer quantities of buffalo, hippos and crocodiles. Late in the dry season groups of hippos and crocs pile in shoulder to shoulder by the hundreds in the remaining water making quite a spectacle.
Lions are the most commonly seen predator while leopards inhabit the woodland edge habitat. Other plains game abounds.
- Hippopotamus
- Crocodile
- Elephant
- African Wild Dog
- Giraffe
- Rhinoceros
Best Times to Go
Katavi is at its best during the dry season of June into November. In most dry season parks conditions improve as the season progresses and in Katavi many do target this strategy to see the hippo and croc concentrations, but I love the early part of the season as well when the river is full and buffalo bulls line the banks – there is still so much to see.
This park is still worthwhile outside of the dry season for its spectacular nature and the adventure the park delivers but during the low season it would be wise to combine it with the Serengeti.
Lake Manyara
Overview
Lake Manyara is a nice little park that is typically visited on the northern circuit. Good for highly habituated animals and especially birds. There are over 400 species of birds in Lake Manyara National Park, making it a wonderful destination for those loooking to do some birding.
Unfortunately Lake Manyara is usually an obligated day trip on most tourists itineraries which leads to relatively poor quality. There is one major road and used to enter and exit the park and vehicles crowd in and jockey at sightings along the road thus we often skip Lake Manyara as we prefer to have an additional day for the wonders of the Serengeti or for Tarangire.
The exception is for trips with enough time to go deep into the park and overnight where you can explore the rarely visited areas of the park. It can also be nice to visit in the low season times when few others are in the park.
Location
Lake Manyara National Park is located in northern Tanzania, nestled between the Ngorongoro conservation area and Tarangire National Park. The lake is located about 80 miles west of Arusha and is around 125 square miles in size
Wildlife
The park is known for tree climbing lions but we see that behavior in Serengeti far more than we do in Manyara. Highly habituated and close up elephants, baboons and vervet monkeys are all common. At the lake flamingoes and hippo are common sights. Bird life is outstanding and diverse.
- African Cape Buffalo
- Wildebeest
- Baboons
- Lion
- Birds
- Zebra
- Giraffe
Best Times to Go
This park is best explored during quiet times of year like March through May and November/December when you can appreciate the beauty wihtout jockeying with crowds of vehicles. For the rare few who can stay deep within the park then anytime of year is great.
Mahale National Park
Overview
Mahale National Park sets the standard for remoteness in Tanzania, lying within a completely roadless area. Following a flight to a bush landing strip it is another hour or so by panga boat to arrive at one of the three safari camps.
While Jane Goodall and the chips of Gombe Stream gained worldwide fame a similar study was taking place in Mahale by a Japanese researcher beginning in the mid-1960’s.
Mahale is 30 times the size of Gombe Stream and has much greater diversity of plants and animals including many species that have disappeared from Gombe Stream. Tourists on chimp treks typically spend time with M Group, which numbers about 60 individuals.
The jungle of Mahale feels more like being in the Congo, which is far in the distance across Lake Tanganyika. This joining of jungle and beautiful lake with white sand beaches is pure magic and Mahale is one of the most spectacular and unique safari destinations throughout the continent.
The waters of the lake are lovely and there is outstanding fresh water snorkeling with hundreds of colorful chiclid species to see. Add in crusing on a panga boat and kayaking and you can have a beach holiday feel combined with the active thrill of chimp trekking, it’s like nowhere else.
Location
Mahale National Park is a 623 square mile National Park located in the far western part of Tanzania – on the shores of Lake Tanganyika. There are two flights a week so you either visit for 3 or 4 nights.
The planes stop at Katavi first so many people combine the two parks for a fabulous wild west itinerary. We also have many clients that are focused on the Serengeti but add on just Mahale for a very different experience.
Wildlife
Obviously chimpanzees are the main attraction here. There can be no other wildlife viewing experience that can connect with ones soul more then spending time on foot with our closest wild relative.
The chimps can be loud, energetic, and dynamic making viewing extremely exciting and your hour each day in the company of chimps will provide amazing observational opportunities, possibly revealing behaviors that are very familiar and shared with humans. Time with chimps may resonate in your soul forever after.
Beyond the chimps there are seven other primate species including both red colobus and black and white colobus monkeys. There are many bird species but with the thick jungle they are often heard more then seen. One nice surprise is a stunning array of butterfly species.
- Chimpanzee
- Birds
Best Times to Go
Camps operate in Mahale all year except April and May which are times of heavy rain. Any other time is great to see the chimps.
Certain months like February and March are more likely to encounter rain which can make trekking more challenging but during the driest months of the year there are often less trees in fruit and the chimps may go higher up the mountains requiring longer treks, thus we recommend to pick the best time for your traditional game viewing and then combine Mahale whenever that may be.
Any time Mahale magic will deliver.
Ngorongoro Crater
Overview
Ngorongoro Crater is one of the wonders of the world – a huge intact caldera (sunken volcano) that houses large concentrations of animals within the crater.
The crater itself is believed to be form by a volcanic eruption 2-3 million years ago. The resulting caldera is 2,000 feet deep in places and covers over 100 square miles.
Due in part to its unique geographical layout, there is very little migration in or out of the crater. As a result the genetic pool within the crater isn’t as diverse as you would see in other regions of Africa.
Location
Ngorongoro Conservation Area is located to the east of Serengeti National Park, 70 miles west of the city of Arusha. The crater itself is located another 20 miles or so into the Conservation Area.
Wildlife
- Wildebeest
- Gazelles
- Zebra
- Leopards
- Elephants
- African Cape Buffalo
- Hartebeest
- Spotted Hyena
- Jackals
- Cheetah
- Rhinoceros
Best Times to Go
The best time to go to Ngorongoro Crater is year-round, though keep in mind that it can be quite busy, particularly during high season from June – October.
Ruaha National Park
Overview
Ruaha National Park is Tanzania’s largest National Park. Ruaha is considered by many to be the definitive game park because it lies at the transition point of the Northern acacia savanna and the Southern miombo woodlands biomes, and thus has a tremendously diverse mix of East African and Southern African wildlife. For example this is a rare place where striped hyena from the north, brown hyena from the south, and the wide-ranging spotted hyena all co-exist.
The park is known for evocative scenery with rugged and highly variable terrain. The Ruaha River provides the only reliable source of water for a huge area, leading to intense wildlife viewing where animals are forced to come to the limited water during the dry season.
Despite the biological richness and dramatic landscape the park only has five permanent camps/lodges and two seasonal tented camps for a total of just a little over 100 beds (Serengeti has at least 7 times this). It is not unusual to go for long game drives in this great park and not encounter another vehicle.
Location
Ruaha National Park is nearly 4,000 square miles in size and is located in the south-central portion of Tanzania, around 150 miles northwest of Selous Game Reserve. Together with Selous it forms the Southern Circuit originating from Dar es Salaam.
While that works well we also love to pair it with the wild west of Katavi and Mahale for an ultimate remote Tanzania flying safari. Daily flights allow Ruaha to combine with the Serengeti as well but the logistics are slightly more cumbersome.
Wildlife
Ruaha contains Tanzania’s best concentration of elephants, thousands of buffalo, large prides of lions, and surprisingly good populations of cheetah, leopard, sable, and roan antelope.
- Cheetah
- Leopard
- African Wild Dog
- Spotted Hyena
- Gazelle
- Lion
- Elephant
- Zebra
- Giraffe
- Over 400 species of birds
Best Times to Go
Ruaha National Park is best considered a dry season park as large quantities of animals move in from a huge area as the landscape dries up, leaving the Ruaha River as the only major source of water. Quality game viewing occurs between June into November with ease of game viewing typically improving throughout the season until the first major rains (usually in November).
Solid game viewing remains possible through January and then much of the wildife disperse far from the core park area.
Selous Game Reserve
Overview
Selous Game Reserve is a protected area in Southern Tanzania and is the largest in all of Africa, however, photo tourism only takes place in the northern area. Game here is less habituated than other parks so provides a more wild view but not as many diverse intimate sightings.
It is an outstanding area for powerboating on a magnificent river with hippos, crocs, and elephants. It is also a very good area for walking. Lodging here can be quite upscale and amongst the more luxurious offerings in Tanzania.
Location
Selous Game Reserve is a very large reserve (21,000 square miles) located in the southeastern part of Tanzania.
Wildlife
- Hippopotamus
- Crocodile
- Elephant
- African Wild Dog
- Giraffe
- Rhinoceros
Best Times to Go
The best time to go to Selous Game Reserve is July through November, during the dry season.
Serengeti National Park
Overview
Serengeti National Park is perhaps the most famous park on earth and is known for the enormous migration of wildebeest, zebra, and gazelles as well as the lions, spotted hyenas and cheetah that hunt the great herds. This is the quintessential image of safari and Africa for most people.
In most areas of the park you must stay on roads and no night drives are allowed.
During the calving season, the action is in an area where off-road driving is allowed making it a great location to visit. Vehicle crowding can be a small issue and it is definitely not as exclusive as low tourism destinations, however, the mass of animals seen cannot be matched.
Location
Serengeti National Park is located in the northern part of Tanzania and borders the southern border of Kenya. Ngorongoro lies just to the east of Serengeti National Park. The park is massive – over 5,500 square miles.
Wildlife
- Wildebeest
- Gazelles
- Lion
- Zebra
- Spotted Hyena
- Cheetah
- Leopard
- Elephant
- Giraffe
- Jackal
Best Times to Go
The best time to go to Serengeti National Park is all year round. We will advise you on the best locations to stay depending on the time of year you travel.
Tarangire National Park
Overview
Known for its elephants, Tarangire National Park offers amazing scenery, and is also known for great elephant viewing between July and September.
Location
Tarangire National Park is an 1,100 square mile park located just south of Lake Manyara National Park, and about 75 miles southwest of Arusha.
Wildlife
- Wildlife
- Elephant
- Hartebeest
- Wildebeest
- Gazelles
- Zebra
Best Times to Go
The best time to go to Tarangire is July through September.