TANZANIA SAFARI HOLIDAYS

A favourite for East African safaris along with Kenya, Tanzania is ideal as a first time safari destination yet equally suitable for the safari connoisseur. Many first time safari goers travel the classic 'Northern Circuit' and then after a short flight down to the coast enjoy a beach holiday on the spice island of Zanzibar. Those who have been on safari before or who are looking for a quieter safari experience with a sense of true wilderness should head south into the heart of Tanzania.

Northern Tanzania Safaris

There are a number of national parks and reserves that can be reached easily from Arusha in northern Tanzania. The region itself is serviced by flights from Europe into Kilimanjaro International Airport.

Arusha National Park is worth exploring for a day as you settle into Africa. The park is the starting point for climbs of Mt. Meru and is a mixture of forests, grassland and lakes and holds a variety of wildlife.

Tarangire National Park is an excellent summer location as the river here remains the main water source for wildlife coming in from the vast arid Maasai Steppe. The park is more generally known for elephants and baobab trees but in the right season is an excellent location to enjoy safari life. There are a selection of camps from more budget conscious lodges to luxury safari camps. Some bird species are more readily seen here than in other parks in the north.

Lake Manyara National Park and the Rift Valley are an ideal location in which to observe birds and wildlife before heading up into the agricultural Karatu Highlands and on to Ngorongoro Crater. This complete caldera, the largest in the world is always impressive with heavily forest slopes opening over the rim into an idyllic ecosystem. The crater floors around 20 - 24km across and has light acacia woodland, savannah grasslands, marshes and a soda lake. The walls of the crater are around 600m high and few animals migrate in or out. There are usually 4 prides of lions, rhinos, elephants, and herds of zebra, Thomson's gazelle and buffalo present among a plethora of other animals.

Driving westwards on safari from Ngorongoro you descend to Olduvai and out onto the plains of the Conservation Area and eventually into Serengeti National Park. The vast plains here are dotted with inselbergs or kopjes, rocky outcrops that are ideal hide-outs for predators. The great migration reaches the southern Serengeti and congregates to calve around February time each year and it is June or July before they are heading up into the adjoining Masai Mara in Kenya.

There is no doubt that the north can get busy during the peak holiday seasons and if you are looking for quieter safari experiences or are looking to return again to Tanzania then a safari in the southern reserves is a great choice. It should be noted that with regular flights these northern parks can now be combined with reserves such as the huge Selous for completely different safari experiences.

Southern Tanzania Safaris

The southern parks of Nyerere, Ruaha, Katavi and in the west on Lake Tanganyika, the Mahale Mountains make an alternative circuit for an extended safari holiday, with the added bonus that a visit Mahale will allow you to track habituated chimpanzees. However, most southern safari holidays in Tanzania concentrate on the 'Southern Circuit' of Ruaha National Park and Nyerere National Park. Both are huge areas, primarily around river courses and Nyerere is one of the largest protected areas in the world and the largest national park in Africa, yet has only a few safari camps.

Ruaha located in the heart of Tanzania is quite inaccessible except for flights in and out from Dar es Salaam or Arusha and has even fewer camps but they are of good value. Furthermore, there are high rewards for visiting this scenic region, large populations of game mean that there are good numbers of predators and yet very few tourists. This is our style of safari, out in a true wilderness where the natural world of Africa is played out daily.

Nyerere National Park too, is a vast wilderness area again with superb game viewing. The majority of camps in the park are dotted infrequently along the river banks, the exception being Beho Beho, one of the best camps in Africa and always, without exception, highly praised by our clients. The Nyerere safari experience is unique in Tanzania as boating safaris are one of the main activities, but walking safaris and fly-camping is possible for those wanted an extended walk in the wilderness.

The Coast

Finally, it is worth considering ending any safari holiday in Tanzania with a few days relaxation on the coast. The mainland coast both north and south of Dar es Salaam has a number of lodges located on beaches lapped by the Indian Ocean. Alternatively, a short hop brings you to the islands of Pemba, Zanzibar and Mafia. Both Pemba and Mafia are good dive destinations; whilst away from the busy tourist hotels on the east coast of Zanzibar it is possible to find some delightful small boutique properties that will make your experience so much more enjoyable.