Tanzania is an East African country known for its vast wilderness areas. The country boasts of the overwhelming plains of the Serengeti National Park that supports well over 3 million wild animals, a safari mecca populated by the “big 5” game (i.e. elephants, lions, leopards, buffalos and rhinos), Kilimanjaro – home to Africa’s highest mountain and then offshore lie the tropical island of Zanzibar – a repository of a thousand years of African, Indian and Arab influence. While on a safari in this country, it is not uncommon to hear the phrase “Tanzania – The Land of Kilimanjaro, Zanzibar & The Serengeti”.
With its stunning beauty, its kaleidoscope of landscape, and its veritable array of animals and plant life, Tanzania is a country where for most of its wildlife inhabitants, the pace of existence follows the natural rhythm of life and death, of evolution, migration and the changing season. Every day in the Tanzanians water lands, on its plains and its savannah, the beauty and drama of life and the wild plays itself out from dawn to dusk. Tanzania is calling and let us (Winston Churchill Tours) take you there…
Aron P –
Tanzania is home to Serengeti National Park and Ngorongoro Crater; and this fact alone makes a solid case for declaring it Africa’s best safari country. But, of course, there’s much more that just these two places. Most visitors stick to the famed Northern Circuit – and why not? Besides the aforementioned destinations, with their unbelievable density of Big Five species and sublime beauty, this amazing region around the gateway city of Arusha also includes Tarangire (huge dry season herds) and Lake Manyara (flamingos, tree-climbing lions and Rift Valley scenery) national parks which are awesome in their own right.
But what surprises people, and attracts many safari veterans, is the quality of the parks in the rest of Tanzania, which has set aside a full one-third of its land as wildlife preserves. Some of the other safari destinations, like Katavi National Park, Ruaha National Park, and Nyerere National Park (formerly Selous Game Reserve), offer wildlife watching on par with the more famous parks, but without the crowds. In these places, the deep wilderness experience is a major draw, but there’s no need to sacrifice on comfort since the tented camps and lodges are as good as anywhere else. You can also visit habituated chimpanzees in Gombe National Park, where Jane Goodall did her revolutionary research, and Mahale Mountains National Park, the most remote national park in East Africa
Kevin H –
With its abundant wildlife, excellent species diversity and evocative acacia- and baobab-studded landscapes, Tanzania is one of Africa’s most rewarding safari destinations. Most of the country’s main parks are easily accessible via paved roads or regular flights, and have a good range of facilities. The political situation is generally stable and Tanzanians have a well-deserved reputation for the warm welcome they extend to visitors.
The main option for exploring most parks is with a vehicle, although opportunities for walking and cycling (mostly in wildlife areas bordering the parks) are steadily increasing. Vehicle safaris are generally not self-drive, but rather arranged through a safari or tour operator and with a driver. Night drives are possible in only a few parks.
The main negative associated with a Tanzania safari is the cost. High daily park entry fees, high accommodation prices and fuel costs quickly add up.
Despite this caveat, I wholeheartedly recommend Tanzania as a safari destination, for both first-time and seasoned safari-goers. There are few areas of the continent that offer the amount, variety and accessibility of wildlife that Tanzania does, against such a scenic backdrop. And, the country’s three distinct safari ‘circuits’ – northern, southern and western – are each unique in terms of animal populations and topography. As an added benefit, Tanzania’s coastline is wonderful, with idyllic islands and beaches that serve as a satisfying post-safari respite.
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