Tanzania delivers an exceptional safari experience within its game parks and private reserves. The variety of scenery, activities and accommodation choice make it a destination with broad appeal.

Elephants In Tarangire National Park

Here, wildebeests and other ungulates stampede across the Serengeti plains during their annual migrations. The vast grasslands are home to ostriches, elephants and large predators, such as lions, hyenas and cheetahs. Permanent tented camps, mobile tented camps and comfortable lodges make the perfect resting place for travelers as they explore the region.

Other must-visit destinations in Tanzania’s northern circuit include Tarangire National Park, where baobabs dwarf the herds of elephants that feed beneath them and the park’s permanent river serves as a lifeline for the Massai people and local wildlife. Lake Manyara National Park boasts a diversity of habitats, from its alkaline lake to its dense forest. Another Tanzania highlight is to descend into the Ngorongoro Crater, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the the world’s largest unbroken calderas.

For those looking for the road less traveled, a visit to the wild Katavi National Park, which is home to Tanzania’s largest population of crocodiles and hippos, gives definite bragging rights to any traveler. If primates are on your list, trek through the Mahale Mountains National Park in search of the endangered chimpanzees. This unique jungle location along the shore of Lake Tanganyika also offers kayak or dhow excursions and fishing. For those desiring a wild and rugged safari in an untouched land, Tanzania’s Selous Game Reserve is the answer. One of Africa’s largest game reserves, it is known for boat trips on the Rufiji River, walking safaris and very few tourists.

Masai Tribe And Tourists Preparing To Perform A Traditional Dance

The people of Tanzania are warm and welcoming. Meet colorful Massai warriors, hunt and gather with the Wahadzabe Bushmen and visit the Datoga, who are semi-nomadic pastoralists. Immerse yourself in local life, barter at local markets or spend a morning with exuberant schoolchildren.

Zanzibar, Tanzania

Then, wrap up your journey with a beach getaway to the spice island of Zanzibar. A combination of extraordinary architecture, palm-fringed beaches and marine life makes this the perfect way to end your East African safari.