Tanzania is perhaps best known for its wealth of world-class safari options. People come from far and wide to visit Tanzania’s vast plains and geological sites, and to catch a glimpse of the wildlife native to Tanzania.
In this article, we’re going to take you through our favorite safari tours in Tanzania. Whether you’re an adventurous spirit, or simply looking for a laid-back day trip with your family, you’ll find something on this list for you.
1. Unlimited Expeditions Tours
We’ll start with one of our favorite safari companies based out of Arusha. Unlimited Expeditions has developed a reputation for high quality safari trips that are detailed, well-organized, and run by highly knowledgeable and enthusiastic guides. They offer several different tour options out of Arusha.
Two of their most popular tour options are their Day Tour and their Living Among Lions tour.
The day tour consists of a day trip to Tarangire National Park, which is roughly a three-hour drive from Arusha. Take a 4X4 shuttle to the park and marvel at the great Tarangire River, where many animals come to drink and bathe.
Living Among Lions is a five-day tour, that provides a deep exploration of the major safari destinations surrounding Arusha. It includes two nights in the Serengeti and stops in Ngorongoro and Tarangine.
Many safari trips in Tanzania offer a similar list of destinations. What distinguishes the best tours is the level of service and quality of the guides, and Unlimited Expeditions stands for these reasons. Expect a fun organized tour, where you’ll expand your knowledge and experience some truly breathtaking sights.
2. Shadows of Africa
Shadows of Africa is another of Arusha’s most reputable tour companies. They have developed a reputation for well-organized tours which cater to your every need. They offer a wide range of safari tours, from all-natural camping expeditions to luxury experiences.
One of their most popular tours is the Arusha Day Tour. We really like this tour for its simplicity. It’s a short 45-minute drive from Arusha to the National Park, where you’ll spend an entire day experiencing what the park has to offer.
Arusha National Park is home to serene nature, with an extensive population of giraffes, primates, and large herbivores. It’s a perfect tour for families, or those not looking to a commit overnight.
Shadows of Africa offers many tours. They even specialize in custom trips, allowing you to create your ideal guided tour through Northern Tanzania’s vast array of safari destinations. Give them a call and tell them what you’re looking for. We bet they’ll be able to help you out.
3. Lion King Adventures
Lion King Adventures is another popular tour company based out of Arusha. They have developed an excellent reputation for providing great customer service and safari trips which cater to diverse needs.
Their premier tours include seven and eight-day luxury tours across Tanzania’s popular safari destinations. Each tour takes you through the highlights of the safari circuit. You’ll see so much of what the country has to offer.
The best part is the tour can be customized to fit your most desired destinations. All trips include a tour of the Serengeti, where you’ll witness plenty of wildlife, natural phenomena, and breathtaking geological formations.
The best part: Lion King Adventures specializes in providing luxury tours where all your needs are met. They take care of all transportation, food, and accommodations. Their guides speak excellent English and have extensive knowledgeable of the local surroundings.
If you’re looking for a premium safari adventure, with enough time to soak in everything that the safari circuit has to offer, then consider a longer tour. There’s so much to see in Northern Tanzania. There’s no need to rush your safari.
4. Serengeti Wakanda Tours & Safaris
Serengeti Wakanda Tours is perhaps the most wide-ranging tour company on our list. They offer tours and safaris of almost all the locations surrounding Arusha, and specialize in tours for budget, mid-range, and luxury groups.
If you’re looking for a trustworthy company with multiple safari options to choose from, this is the group for you. They even packages to climb Kilimanjaro if you’re feeling especially adventurous.
Their most popular tours are their seven and four-day tours of the various safari parks surrounding Arusha. The seven-day tours starts in Tarangire National Park for two days, then it’s off to the Serengeti for three days.
After that, you’ll spend a day at the world-famous Ngorongoro Crater, then spend your last day at Lake Manyara. This is a well-rounded look at all the major attractions around Arusha. You’ll see lots of wildlife, including the ‘big five’ game animals.
If you’re looking for a safari company with a reputation for trustworthy, fun, and adventurous tours who provide a lot of choices, check out Serengeti Wakanda.
5. Easy Travel & Tours Ltd.
Easy Travel & Tours might just be the most popular tour company in Tanzania. They’ve been around since 1987 and have expanded their tour portfolio to include many options for exploring Tanzania’s safari circuit.
Their most popular tour is the “Tanzania Classic.” It’s a private seven-day tour that guides you around the most popular safari destinations. Your guide meets you at the airport, where you are shuttled to Arusha for your first night in a hotel.
From there, you’ll see Tarangire National Park, Lake Manyara National Park, Serengeti National Park, and the Ngorongoro Crater. Get ready to hang out with tons of wildlife! The company has a reputation for having some of the most knowledgeable guides in the business.
Easy Travel & Tours continues to grow and expand their portfolio. They’re positioned as a “premium” tour company, so don’t expect tours to come cheap. In this case you get what you pay for, and you’re definitely paying for high quality.
6. Safari in Selous Game Reserve
All of our tours so far have focused on the wide range of destinations in Tanzania’s “safari circuit” up North. The safari circuit is definitely Tanzania’s most popular destination for safari-goers, but there are many other locations in Tanzania that feature untouched wilderness and a magnificent variety of wildlife.
One popular example is the Selous Game Reserve, which is Africa’s largest game reserve. The Selous Reserve is located south of the safari circuit, and is a much less popular destination for tourists. This means that tours are less crowded, more secluded, and more affordable.
And when you get there, you’ll wonder why it isn’t more popular. The Selous Game Reserve is a massive expanse of protected land, which sports a diverse and healthy wildlife population, and many fascinating geological sights.
One of our favourite Selous safari tours is a three-day tour which takes you deep into Selous, and includes a boat expedition, a walking tour, and a game drive inside the reserve.
Give this tour some consideration if you’d like to avoid the hustle & bustle of Northern Tanzania. The Selous Reserve has so much to offer, and it wouldn’t surprise us if it continues to grow in popularity.
Tanzania Travel Guide
Tanzania Safari Destinations – Where are They Located?
Most of Tanzania’s most popular safari options surround the Northern city of Arusha. Arusha is known as a “hub city” for Tanzania’s safari circuit.
After looking at its location on a map, it’s clear why this is the case. Arusha is surrounded by many national parks and conservation areas that are perfect locations for safaris.
Surrounding Arusha are the Serengeti, Arusha National Park, Ngorongoro National Park, Tarangire National Park, Mount Kilimanjaro National Park, and many others. These areas are rich with nature, wildlife, and history. Arusha is a tourist hotspot and the majority of tours on our list are run out of Arusha.
What Type of Wildlife Can You Expect?
Below are some of the wildlife you can expect to see on your trip, sorted by region:
Lake Manyara
- Buffalo
- Elephant
- Hippo
- Lion
- Wild Dog
Ngorongoro
- Black rhino
- Buffalo
- Cheetah
- Eland
- Elephant
- Gemsbok
- Hippo
- Leopard
- Lion
- Wild Dog
Serengeti
- Black rhino
- Buffalo
- Cheetah
- Eland
- Elephant
- Gemsbok
- Hippo
- Leopard
- Lion
- Wild dog
Selous
- Buffalo
- Eland
- Elephant
- Kudu
- Hippo
- Leopard
- Lion
- Wild Dog
Tarangire
- Buffalo
- Cheetah
- Eland
- Elephant
- Gemsbok
- Hippo
- Leopard
- Lion
What is The Best Time of Year to go to Tanzania For Safari?
Picking a time to safari in Tanzania is an important consideration. Like many African destinations, there are low and peak tourist seasons. Each season offers its share of benefits and drawbacks.
The rainy season in Tanzania’s safari circuit runs from April to May. While many tourists avoid Tanzania during these months, some find it an ideal time to enjoy the region while it isn’t quite as crowded. Additionally, the rain brings out the natural vibrance of the area, and many animals are livelier during this period.
Peak season in Tanzania is from June to September. This is when the area is dry, and not quite as hot as other times of year, so the animals tend to be more active. If you’re planning a trip during this time, be prepared for a lot of people, and more expensive accommodations.
How Much Does a Safari in Tanzania Cost?
Simply put, safaris in Tanzania aren’t cheap. This is especially true if you’re looking for a more premium safari option. Day trips are usually a few hundred USD, while overnight trips range into the thousands. Generally speaking, for a seven-day trip, you can expect to spend close to $5000 USD per person.
Of course, the price will vary based on the tour company and the type of trip. You’ll have a much more enjoyable experience if you book with an established tour company. Additionally, many of these companies also offer “mid-range” and “luxury” tour options.
Tanzania FAQs
Do I need travel insurance?
Travel insurance is always recommended whenever you’re traveling anywhere. Depending on what you plan on doing, you may want to look into different options.
Do I need a visa to travel to Tanzania?
Tanzania does require 6 months of validity on a passport and a tourist visa, however, the visa can be purchased at the airport upon arrival.
Will I have internet access in Tanzania?
If you plan on going on tours and safari’s then no, you will most likely not have any internet or wifi access. However, there are certain resorts and hotels that offer internet access, but you should always check their site or call ahead to be sure.
Will I be able to use my cellphone in Tanzania?
If you’re on a safari or tour, it’s likely that you’ll be far away enough from any cell tower to get a good signal. In the highly populated areas, cellphone use should be fine, however be sure to check with your service provider to ensure you can access your data before travelling.
Is tipping customary in Tanzania?
Appreciated but not expected, you should feel free to tip your tour and safari guides based on the quality and experience of the tour. When visiting hotels and resorts, tip as you usually would anywhere else.
Do I need to bring a power adapter?
The power grid in Tanzania is 220-240v, meaning that you will need a converter for any 110v devices that can’t handle the higher voltage. You may also come across Type G (BS-1363) plugs and Type D (BS-546) outlets, both of which require converters. Again, be sure to call ahead at the resort or hotel you’re staying to see what type of adapter you need to bring.
Conclusion
Thanks for checking out our guide to Tanzanian safaris. Our goal with this list is to provide as much choice as possible. There are many fantastic safari tours in Tanzania and picking the option that best suits you can be the most difficult part.
Take your time and think about what you want from a safari experience, and then match your preferences to the options in our list above.
We’re confident that you’ll find the safari experience you’re looking for!
