Choosing your safari... 101!

---

Today we want to dedicate this post to people that would like to leave to a safari for the first time… why not to choose Tanzania?!

Tanzania is one of the African countries which are mostly famous for safari. The high concentration of parks and natural reserves makes this territory perfect to organize excursions and game drives.

Safari paths are usually categorized in different “circuits”, where days required for visits, costs, and the chance of seeing games are different as well. We’ll now help you to understand which one can be more interesting and suitable to you and to your expectations.

Northern Circuit
The most famous and required by tourists. It includes popular destinations such as Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater. In a few hours driving it is possible to move around the various locations and it’s easy to find animal species, such as lions, elephants, zebras, antelopes, giraffes, wildebeests and many more. This is the area where you can see the Great Migration.

Southern Circuit
This is the route of hidden treasures. In the Southern Circuit you can find endless parks and reserves (Mikumi, Ruaha, Selous) and the highest concentration of animals – Roan Antelope, Sable Antelope, African Wild Dogs, and a rich and colorful birdlife. You’ll find fewer tourists, smaller and more quiet accommodations. It will take longer to move from a park to another, but the adventure is worthing. If you like trekking, you can stop and climb at Udzungwa Mountains National Park.

Great Lakes Circuit
The track passing by the Lake Victoria, Lake Tanganyika and, further south, Lake Malawi and Lake Nyasa. The national parks in this circuit are actually the only safe opportunity to see chimpanzees in the wild (Gombe Stream) and unique flora (Kitulo). The habitat, in this area, is different and unique. It’s a good idea to visit it after the Northern or the Southern Circuit.

Coastal Circuit
Over 800 km coastline, palm fringed beaches of white sand and the historic towns of Dar es Salaam, Bagamoyo, Kilwa, Lindi, Mikindani and Mtwara. But also the islands of Zanzibar, Pemba and Mafia. Not just a naturalistic route, but also a great chance to meet the traditional Swahili culture, history, art, music and architecture… the perfect end - and great relax - for your holidays!

Your safari in the Northern Circuit

---

The most popular safari destinations of Tanzania, such as the Serengeti National Park and Ngorongoro Crater, are part of the Northern Circuit. This is the mainstream touristic area of the country, where you will find as well a wide choice of lodges and camps belonging to the most important international chains. 

If you want to see the Great Migration, this is the area to be.

Arusha National Park

This national park lies about 45km east of Arusha town, the “safari capital” of Tanzania. In this area stands the Mount Meru, Tanzania’s “other mountain” aside Kilimanjaro. Despite its relatively small size, this park has a lot to offer such as Colobus monkeys, flamingos, elephants, giraffes, buffalos, plus a variety of bird and plant species. A visit to this park can be a one-day excursion, part of a Mt Meru hike or a broader safari itinerary that will continue to other national parks.

Lake Manyara National

Park 60% of this park’s total area is covered by the Lake Manyara, and the remaining 40% is a forest where you can find over 350 species of birds and an array of mammals such as elephants, giraffes, hippos, blue monkeys, impala, lions and leopards. The forest at Lake Manyara is always green due to ground water that finds its way from the Ngorongoro highlands. Due to its close proximity to Arusha, a day visits to this park can be arranged.

Ngorongoro Conservation Area

Ngorongoro is a unique place, UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1979. It is part of the broader Serengeti ecosystem, often regarded as the 8th wonder of the world. From stunning landscapes, wildlife concentrations to the “cradle of mankind”, Ngorongoro has everything you might want to see. Its intact caldera is home to the very rare black rhino and the largest concentration of wildlife per square kilometre anywhere in the world. We recommend 2 days at Ngorongoro.

Serengeti National Park

This is the ultimate park for safari experience, it is every visitors' desire to see the “land of endless plains” as it is known by the nomadic Masaai who are found here. Serengeti is famous for the annual wildebeest migration but also because of the huge number of species living in this area. Due to the distance from Arusha, this park is seldom planned as a visit on very first day of a safari unless flights to Serengeti are planned. Depending on the time of visit, we recommend a minimum of two or more nights.

Tarangire National Park

The Northern Circuit’s best kept secret, it offers a unique landscape compared to any park in the Northern Circuit. The presence of a permanent source of water makes Tarangire especially good during the dry season (June-Oct, Dec-Feb) as plenty of wild animals migrate here. Tarangire is best known for its baobab trees, large concentrations of big mammals, including leopards and other carnivores. We recommend 2 days in this park.

Your safari in the Southern Circuit

---

Deep into the wilderness and quite off the beaten track… this is the Southern Circuit of Tanzania, that we consider anyway one of the best safari location for those who want to see animals on the short distance.

You can include in your itinerary important parks and reserves – such as Mikumi, Ruaha and Selous. Great game drive, but easy hiking as well.

Selous Game Reserve

Selous is one of the largest game reserves in the world, with a unique environment crossed by Rufiji River - so your trip will be richer, with a nice boat safari. This is also one of the few locations where walking safaris are allowed. You will see a variety of herbivores, predators and bird species.

Ruaha National Park

The second largest national park in Tanzania, bordering with the Ruaha River and its spectacular view points. From July to December wildlife is concentrated along the river banks, so you will easily see herds of elephant, giraffe, lions and kudu… Walking safaris and game drive are possible in this area.

Mikumi National Park

The park is small but rich in wildlife – buffalo, hippo, baboons, sable antelope, lions, wild dogs, wildebeest, zebra, impala, giraffe, warthogs, and elephants which can easily be viewed all the year round. Reptiles including crocodiles, monitor lizards and pythons are also resident in the park as are over 400 recorded species of birdlife. Perfect for a short & easy safari.

Udzungwa Mountains National Park

The Udzungwa forest is part of the Eastern Arc, which extends from the Southern Highlands through the Uluguru and Usambara mountains northwards to Pare. Vegetation on these mountains is exceptionally variable, ranging from lowland forests, through montane and to upper montane forests. Five distinct trails cover the forests and mountain peaks and offer different levels of difficulty from beginners to experienced trekkers.

Kitulo Plateau

Kitulo Plateau hosts one of the greatest floral spectacles of the world. This Park is known for its flora is home to 350 species of vascular plants, including 45 varieties of terrestrial orchid many of which are endemic, which erupt into a riotous wildflower display of breathtaking scale and diversity during the long rains from January through to May. Located in the beautiful Southern Highlands of Tanzania, Kitulo is a botanists’ and hikers’ paradise.

Kitulo… the surprising “Serengeti of flowers”!

---

Just a few people know about Kitulo National Park… and we really want to talk about it today, as it is a really unique place in Tanzania.

Its remote location is probably the reason why a small number of tourists go there every year, but still Kitulo is important, because it’s the first national park established in Africa with the aim of conserving flora.

It is located in the Southern Highlands of Njombe Region, an area where you can see amazing landscapes of alpine grassland and montane forest… and most of all, that is home of more than 350 species of vascular plants, and among them 45 varieties of terrestrial orchid. A unique environment!

No surprise that locals call this area “Bustani Ya Mungu” (The Garden of God in Swahili language) or even “Serengeti of Flowers”...

Aside the amazing flora, in Kitulo it is also possible to see uncommon animals like chameleon, lizards, butterfly and different species of birds.

You can combine this destination in an itinerary passing by Ruaha and Katavi National Parks. If you are now curious and want to discover this place, contact our safari experts to arrange a trip there!

Lodge vs. Camp, the choice is yours!

---

Stop getting crazy in front of the safari catalogue you're reading right now! At least, take a breath before choosing the accomodation - lodges, camps of several types... ok, you might have more or less nomadic attitude.

A trip to Tanzania will give you the chance to choose different places for your overnight, even to change every day. Then, have a quick read to this "guide to safari accommodations" - it will be nice, after that, to mix & match and make your itineray unique!

The Lodge: no compromises about comfort

The most similar to the classic city hotels, they are built with bricks and offer all the comfort you may expect. Usually belonging to big or medium-big chains, they take reliability as main value. On the other hand, in some of them you won't feel the "safari atmosphere", as the priority is to offer the same standard regardless for the location.

Lodges are the best option if you are looking for a totally comfortable accommodation, even in the middle of the bush! 

Permanent Tented Camp: a tent like homeplace 

The great "safari atmosphere", in the most comfortable setting. You will spend your overnight in well equipped and fully furnished tents, built on wooden or stone permanent structures, sometimes roofed with the typical makuti.

Usually these tented rooms are self-contained and don't look too different from a regular hotel room. 

Semi-Permanent Tented Camp: moving with the seasons

The most classic safari accommodation, made of small tented structures that move around the park to follow the migration of the animals. Tents are usually quite comfortable, furnished with beds and self-contained - but the main value of these camps are the locations, since they move to the most amazing areas of the national park, where you can enjoy unforgettable panoramas.

Semi-permanent Tented Camps are good if you want want to feel the safari atmosphere, where a barefoot luxury is balanced by the possibility of sleeping in beautiful locations. 

Mobile Camping: into the wild

Mobile camping is not very common in Tanzania, but it is still a good option for travelers who want to stay in the middle of the wildlife, with no filters. In this case, you are going to travel not just with the safari guide but also with a cooker that will take care about your dishes. You are going to carry all the camping equipment on the safari vehicle, so you need to reduce the size of your luggage.

Camping safari are often semi-participant, as the guests are welcome to take part in the setting of the camp in the evening. For real adventure lovers.

Following the Great Migration...

---

A wildlife safari following the Great Migration is without any doubts one of the best experiences that Tanzania can offer. Every year, the endless Serengeti National Park becomes the scenic frame where more than 2 millions wildebeest, zebra and gazelle migrate looking for greener pasture.

This amazing natural show is a good reason to plan your trip paying attention to the calendar! If seeing the Great Migration is the main goal of your safari, it's better to contact directly our specialists... but in the meantime, have a look at some quick guidelines.

December - March 

Don't miss Ndutu region and Ndutu Lake, part of the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. This is the place where big herds of herbivorous concentrate in these months. This area is the continuation of Serengeti South.

For accommodation, the most famous place is Ndutu Safari Lodge, but there are also several mobile camps that stop here in this period.

April - May

Despite the wet weather typical of the rainy season, these months are still a good option for people looking for a real adventure in the low tourist season. The migration moves from Ndutu to Serengeti South, Western Corridor and Serengeti central.

This is also the area where most of hotels are located, so you can easily choose between a small and intimate tented camp and a big lodge like Sopa or Wildlife.

July - October

The Great Migration congragates in Northern Serengeti, most of all along Mara River. This is one of the less visited areas of park. You can reach it from Arusha, the starting point of many safaris in the Northern Circuit.

Going to unspoiled area of Serengeti, it is possible to combine the safari with a visit to the majestic Lake Victoria and the nice Mwanza town.

October - December

Once reaching Northern Serengeti, the herds of herbivorous enter in Masai Mara Park (Kenya) and then, from the end of October, they start their travel back to Southern Serengeti and Ndutu area, where they can be seen from December.

You can find our special 'Great Migration Map' on our website. Have a look!

Short Safari Experience

---

Today we have some special advise for all the people who have just few days but don't want to miss the experience of a wildlife safari in Tanzania... so let's have a look at the best itineraries to spend just 2 days and 1 night living this amazing experience.

If your starting point is Arusha, you can't miss some of the most famous park of the Northern Circuit of the country. 2 days are not enough to reach by road the popular Serengeti, but we can suggest a couple of nice alternatives.

2 Days Safari in Tarangire National Park

Tarangire National Park is easily accessible from Arusha town: the road is in good condition and the journey takes less than 4 hours. This park is crossed by the Tarangire River, that gives name to the park. This source of water is particularly important during the dry season, when it is possible to see a huge number of animals around its shores.

During the game drive it is possible to see a good variety of mammals (elephant, zebra, wildebeest, etc.) as well as birds and an amazing landscape. If you decide to visit this park, we recommend to leave Arusha early in the morning, so you will have all the day to visit the park, enjoying a picnic lunch in the wild and then relax at your lodge or tented camp before dinner.

The second day you can have an early morning game drive before heading back to Arusha and get back to town by lunchtime.

2 Days Safari in Lake Manyara National Park and Ngorongoro Conservation Area 

If you don't want to miss one of the most famous attraction of Tanzania - the Ngorongoro Crater - but you have just two days, we suggest an amazing itinerary that combines it with a safari to Lake Manyara National Park.

The best time to descend the Crater is the early morning, so it is better to sleep somewhere around there rather than departing from Arusha and visit Ngorongoro the same day. We suggest to spend the first day at Lake Manyara National Park: being located just 126 km South-West from the town, it can be reached in just one hour and half travelling by car.

So, if you start your travel early, you can spend all the morning game driving, enjoy a picnic lunch in the park and then another short afternoon safari before moving to Ngorongoro area. Here you can decide for the unforgettable experience of a night on the rim of the Crater or, if you want to save some money, you can stay in the town of Karatu, where there is a wide range of accommodation available, from budget to luxury.

On the second day, the alarm-clock will ring very early, so you will have time to descend the Ngorongoro Crater just after sunrise and to enjoy a rich game drive in this unique place. Around mid-day it will be time for a fast picnic lunch; then you will ascend the Crater and travel back to Arusha, where you can expect to arrive at late afternoon.

***

If your starting point is Dar es Salaam, you can't miss the chance to visit the unspoiled and wild Southern Circuit of Tanzania. Here you can choose some of the best itineraries for a 2 days/1 night safari.

2 Days Safari in Mikumi National Park 

A safari in Mikumi National Park is probably the most popular option for all the people who are in Dar es Salaam and want to try this experience in just a few days: the park is easily accessible from the city in four to five hours driving on a tarmac road.

So, if you leave Dar Es Salaam early in the morning, you can arrive by lunchtime in the park and enjoy a long afternoon game drive before going to relax at your lodge or tented camp. The morning of the second day, you can have an early morning game drive before starting your travel back to Dar es Salaam.

If you want to try local cuisine, we also suggest to stop along the way in the town of Chalinze, where you can taste some delicious typical Tanzanian food.

2 Days Fly-in/Fly-Out Safari in Selous Game Reserve 

Selous Game Reserve is one of the world's largest protected wildlife areas, as it is larger than Belgium! If you have just two days to spend there, we recommend to book a flying safari. In the early morning you will reach Dar es Salaam Airport, and in a short time you will land directly inside the Selous Game Reserve.

Once there, after the check in at your camp, you can choose between a game drive or a boat safari or a walking safari. After a long day, you will enjoy a delicious dinner and socialize with other travellers around the bonfire organized by your camp.

The second day, after a good breakfast and some relax, you will be ready for your last game view en-route to the airstrip, where you will board your flight back to Dar es Salaam.

***

For more information or to book your safari, contact us at booking@pakaadventures.com.