What to expect on a safari in Tanzania?

A journey to Tanzania

Africa has a special magic – sunsets so beautiful that time stands still, remote locations where the brilliance of the night stars truly takes your breath away and encounters with nature that will change how you see the world.

The best and most interesting way to experience nature in Africa is on a wildlife safari, which allows visitors to get close to wild animals in their natural habitat, all while supporting national environmental conservation efforts in the form of protected areas or national parks.

And of all the African nations to choose from, make Tanzania your top safari destination. A safari in Tanzania is so much more than a vacation, it is a travel experience that will make you fall in love with nature and embrace the beauty of the wild in a completely new way.

Tanzania is where Jane Goodall fell in love with chimpanzees. Her experience at Gombe National Park not only changed her life, but motivated her to change the world!

Tanzania is where Louis and Mary Leakey discovered one of the most important archeological finds on earth – at Olduvai Gorge, which continues to be carefully excavated to this day.

Tanzania has inspired artists and writers for centuries, including Ernest Hemmingway, with his famous book “The Snows of Kilimanjaro”.

What is a Safari?

What is a safari and what makes it different from a typical vacation?

The word safari comes from Swahili and means “a journey.” It is also the root of the verb “to travel” in this East African language.

Tanzania is the best country in Africa for a safari. It boasts the largest national parks, several UNESCO World Heritage Sites, and Africa’s highest mountain.

Further proving Tanzania’s status as Africa’s top safari destination, Serengeti National Park has won “Best Safari Destination” multiple years in a row. Experts have ranked it above all other national parks in Africa.

A safari is more than just a vacation it’s a true African travel experience. Other places, like Thailand or India, may advertise safaris. However, their game drives cannot compare to an authentic African safari and have no historical connection to the Swahili word.

Need even more reasons to choose Tanzania as your safari destination?

• The Great Wildebeest Migration is the largest movement of animals in the world—aside from bats, but that’s far less spectacular! This incredible event takes place in Tanzania’s Serengeti National Park for nine months each year.
• Only in Tanzania can you combine a safari adventure with a climb up Mount Kilimanjaro, Africa’s highest mountain.
• Tanzania is also the only place where Tanzanite, one of the world’s rarest gemstones, has ever been found.
• No other African country has a higher animal population density or greater wildlife diversity. Visitors can see healthy herds of elephants and visit a rhino sanctuary where rangers work to protect the endangered black rhino. Tanzania is also home to the world’s largest lion population.
• While Tanzania’s national park fees are higher than those in neighboring countries, the safari experience here is unquestionably superior.

What is a game drive?

By nature, safaris involve long game drives. Guests typically spend 6–8 hours in a safari car, especially in parks where exiting the vehicle is only allowed in designated areas.

Because of this, some guests prefer sunrise game drives. They leave early in the morning, hoping to spot elusive animals like cheetahs. Then, they return to the lodge or hotel earlier to swim in the pool or take a leisurely hike before evening.

You don’t have to stay in the park until closing time. National parks operate from 6 AM to 6 PM, and you can enter or leave at any time during these hours.

Spending the entire day in a safari car isn’t necessary. Most hotels sit within the national parks, offering easy access to nature. A longer safari itinerary allows you to enjoy award-winning accommodations at a relaxed pace. Waterholes near lodges attract wildlife, bringing the safari experience right to your doorstep.

Because safari trips involve long hours in a vehicle, consider this when traveling with young children. Think about whether they can sit for extended periods and how engaged they may be with the experience. Safaris offer exciting sights animals, birds, and unique wildlife but they can also be tiring for young travelers.

Time feels different on safari. A morning in Tarangire National Park, following a herd of elephants, is thrilling. Your heart will race as you spot a lion just meters away. You’ll stand to fully appreciate a giraffe’s towering height. You’ll climb through the safari car to capture the perfect shot of a leopard hiding in a tree.

Before you know it, lunchtime arrives. Your driver will take you to a designated picnic spot, often overlooking a lake or offering a fantastic park view. There, you’ll enjoy your meal outside the safari car.

Things that make a safari in Tanzania special

Animals

Tanzania has the largest biodiversity of animals in Africa, making it hands-down the best location for a wildlife safari.

Even just considering Tanzania’s northern parks and attractions, it’s clear why the country is a top destination for wildlife safaris.

Ngorongoro Crater, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, has the highest animal population density in the world. Visitors may also spot the endangered black rhino here. This incredible conservation area offers a unique chance to see diverse wildlife up close.

Serengeti National Park is another UNESCO World Heritage Site, recognized for its unique ecosystem. It hosts the world’s largest population of ungulates and the highest number of predators in one area. Guests can witness the famous wildebeest migration, either from the ground or from the air in a chartered plane or hot air balloon.

At Manyara National Park, guests can see tree-climbing lions, thousands of pink flamingos, and one of Africa’s largest troops of baboons. The park recently built a series of bridges in the sturdy trees along Lake Manyara. This Tree Top Walk offers a closer view of the park’s incredible birdlife.

Tarangire National Park has one of the largest elephant populations in the region. Visitors will see elephant families with young calves. During the dry season, herds of zebras and wildebeests migrate here for the river’s water. Their predators lions, cheetahs, and leopards follow close behind.

Arusha National Park is home to the iconic Mount Meru, the second-highest peak in Tanzania. Guests can experience a walking safari through the grasslands and get close to giraffes, zebras and herds of Cape Buffalo, all under the guidance of a professional park ranger, of course.

Kilimanjaro National Park is home to Africa’s highest mountain, Mount Kilimanjaro. Climbing this incredible peak is a once-in-a-lifetime adventure for many. Elem Adventures offers unmatched Kili treks as either private climbs or group tours which anyone can join. Learn more about climbing Kilimanjaro.

Scenery and Environment

Within Africa, Tanzania leads in setting aside large land areas for conservation and wildlife protection. The country dedicates over a quarter (25%) of its land to national parks and official conservation areas.

As a result, vast landscapes remain true to their natural integrity, with remote areas where nature reigns. Millions of wildebeests charge over the Grumeti River during the Great Migration, risking crocodiles and other predators. In the savannahs, lions rule as kings, and all wildlife respects the mighty elephant.

Visitors in Tanzania experience nature at its finest—untouched and far from human habitation.

Photographers of all levels, from professionals to amateurs, consistently choose Tanzania for its breathtaking nature shots. Capture endless African plains, zoom in on brilliant weaver birds constructing nests in thorny acacia trees, or frame Africa’s iconic big cats, such as cheetahs and serval cats, prowling through the tall, dry grasses. Safari photography in Tanzania delivers stunning results, even without high-end equipment, thanks to the vibrant scenery and active wildlife.

National Geographic, Animal Planet, and other popular wildlife documentary teams frequent Tanzania because they are nearly guaranteed to see the animals in nature and capture excellent footage. 

Comfortable safari cars

The Tanzanian tourism industry maintains a high level of standard, which extends to safari vehicles. When you book with Elem Adventures, there is no compromise of driving in a van for your safari – you will certainly be in a modern, comfortable safari vehicle.

Our safari cars come with Wi-Fi internet, a fridge for cool drinks, electric outlets to charge devices on-the-go, air conditioning and extendable tops. The option to lift up the roof of the safari car means better viewing all around for a fun safari adventure.

Luxury lodges and camps

Accommodations in Tanzania have earned a reputation for excellent hospitality. There are many award-winning camps and lodges throughout national parks that cater to high-end clientele.

Visitors to Tanzania are sure to have a luxury experience throughout their stay. You may be in a remote location on the edge of the Tarangire River, the Serengeti plains or with an exquisite view of the Great Rift Valley; but you’re sure to be drinking fine wine, eating chef-prepared meals and be offered all the luxuries of any four or five-star hotel.

Elem Adventures has carefully chosen top-rated hotels, and our staff members frequent these establishments to ensure the quality and service that our guests receive is consistent with our own high standards.

Nearly all the lodges Elem partners with for safari accommodations feature beautiful swimming pools, outdoor fire pits for nights under the stars, and top-rated restaurants within the hotels. The rooms provide plenty of space, often including private balconies or verandas for added relaxation and breathtaking views.

Many lodges also offer spa services and babysitting options for families. In these settings, child-minding becomes both educational and fun, allowing children to learn about Tanzanian culture, participate in crafts, or practice traditional dances.

Guests typically spend early mornings and evenings at hotels or lodges, but you have the freedom to create a schedule that best suits your needs.

Professional safari guides

Elem Adventures carefully selects safari guides with extensive field experience and in-depth knowledge of Tanzania’s plants, animals, and history. Your safari experience offers both memorable and informative moments. Everywhere you go, you’ll discover nature’s incredible features and observe Africa’s animals in a fun and engaging way.

Despite spending long hours in safari vehicles, many families who bring their children on safaris find that the experience expands their children’s minds, giving them a completely new appreciation for nature. The excitement of the real wild easily outshines electronic devices!

Our guests consistently give our guides positive reviews. Many consider the professional and friendly approach of Elem guides a key factor in transforming a traditional safari into an extraordinary adventure.

If you’re interested in an experience that is much more than a typical vacation, come to Tanzania for a wildlife safari.

Seeking an adventure that is not only memorable but has the power to influence how you see the world around you, come to Tanzania for a wildlife safari.

Want your travels to make a deeper impact and teach you about the importance of our environment, come to Tanzania for a wildlife safari.

Experience the world but to avoid feeling like a regular tourist, come to Tanzania for a wildlife safari.

If you want to visit authentic Africa and see wildlife in their natural habitat, come to Tanzania for a wildlife safari.

If you want to have the best safari experience available, come to Tanzania!