Safari Planning Guide

Tanzania Safari Guide

Safari Planning Guide

Tanzania is one of the premier safari destinations in the world. Both the Serengeti National Park and Ngorongoro Crater are well known UNESCO World Heritage Sites. There are many other National Parks & attractions in Wildlife Management Areas.

In general, a Tanzania safari is divided into a northern circuit safari or a southern circuit safari – mostly due to the vast distances which takes time to travel between the destinations. In order to compare offers, it’s good to know what things mean in safari terminology, what type of accommodation andtours are available as well as how to get around the vast country of Tanzania. “Where is the migration” and how to get to the Serengeti is included in this guide.

Safari Terminology

Safari: Trip or tour to a National Park or Wildlife Management Area to see wild animals
Game Drive:
Travel in 4×4 vehicle to experience wild animals (game) in their natural habitat.
Full-board:
Accommodation and three meals per day
Game Package:
Accommodation, three meals per day and game drives

Safari Accommodation Types

Lodges:
Permanent buildings, bigger capacity and all the bells and whistles. Mid-range to high-end luxury lodges.
Semi-permanent Camps:
In theory they can be packed up and leave nothing behind. Many have been in the same place for 10 years or more and don’t move at all. Boreholes have been sunk, decks for the tents… so these are very established, very settled and have lots of conveniences.
Mobile camps:
These camps move from the southern Serengeti during calving season to the northern Serengeti for the crossing season. A team and crew will take a few weeks to set up the mobile camp which stays in the location for 3-4 months (sometimes a bit longer) before packing and moving seasonally. Mobile camps can move, though not fast or often!
Budget Camps:
Basic food and tents in public campsites making use of public facilities – most notably ablutions. Public campsites are in central convenient locations of the park, with variable servicing of public toilets and facilities. Clients travel with the luggage and tents, seldom leave camp before 08h30 as everyone has to eat and pack up before departing camp. Return earlier in the evening for food preparation and camp chores.
Fly Camping:
Luxury Fly-camping is a “Sleep-out” adventure in the wild for high end
lodge clients, billed as a unique, private experience.
Great Migration Camps:
Similar to fly-camping – just better, as we do it all the time. A comfortable, all needs camp sleeping 6, that can move in a day. Raw, real, immersive experience, close to nature and close to the wildlife our visitors are coming to see, hear, feel and experience.
Uniquely intimate, can be booked exclusively.

Safari Tour Types

Group Tour Safaris:
These are often scheduled trips, departing when full and covering the main attractions. Good for solo travelers needing travel companions, those who are budget-conscious over flexibility.
Private Tours & Safaris:
Tailor made to your personal needs and travel companions. Personal choice of itinerary and accommodation to meet your desires and budget. Build your own safari and itinerary.
Self-Drive Safari:
Hire or drive your own safari vehicle. You are the driving force behind your route, itinerary & the pace of your journey.
Scheduled Safaris:
Book a safari with a scheduled departures or look for a private safari with a space to join.
Group Safaris:
Contact us for corporate incentive groups, groups, clubs or student youth-camps.
Lodge Safaris:
These itineraries are planned with accommodation at camps or lodges. You travel together with an experienced guide in our 4×4 Toyota Land Cruisers and stay at personal and comfortable camps and lodges in the middle of nature.
Luxury Safaris:
The wildlife is world-class, experience the world-class warmth and hospitality of elegant properties in the wild. Experience your safari in style, from high end properties to private flight charters and knowledgeable guides.
Off-The-Beaten Track Safaris:
Explore, get away from the crowds, travel out of season, travel slower, travel for longer, travel to make a difference, travel to places that need your presence

Travelling in Tanzania

Getting Around Tanzania

GUIDED SAFARI VEHICLE
Most visitors will travel in a 4×4 vehicle with a safari driver guide, which is usually 6 window seats & a pop-up roof for wildlife viewing. These are used for longer distances.
Game Package vehicles, are often used in national parks and may be open – no sides & a removable roof.

DOMESTIC AIRLINES
Domestic Tanzanian airlines operate daily flights between major cities e.g Air Tanzania, Precision Air. Cost effective, regular, scheduled flights to major hubs.

DOMESTIC CARRIERS
These “bush planes” operate from major & minor hubs to national parks, tourist attractions and remote locations e.g Auric, Regional Air, Air Excel, Northern Air, Grumeti Air, Flightlink Popular for flights in and out of the Serengeti. Less common routes, may not be daily & may be subject to minimum seat inducement.

Travel to the Serengeti

Getting To and From The Serengeti

FLY OR DRIVE? IF IN DOUBT – DO BOTH!
If time is short or you are travelling alone, flying is a good choice. It’s quick, its fun and maximises your time in the bush.

If time is on your side, travelling by road is a great option. It gives you the opportunity to see some of the landscape on the route in, and can be cost effective for group travel.

A circuit route is possible to drive in on one route and out the park on another.

Find The Wildebeest Migration

Where is the Migration

Serengeti National Park and Masai Mara (a shared eco-system with no fences) is the only place in the world that has the great migration. The Serengeti NP in Tanzania has a far broader wildlife component, scenery and habitats –it’s a beautiful, massive national park of abundant flora and fauna. The Serengeti is one of the most famous parks in the world, with UNESCO World Heritage status. It’s bucket list stuff for a reason.

The Great Migration is in the Serengeti-Masai Mara eco-system.
The wildebeest migrate all year round, moving in a roughly circular pattern.
The wildebeest herds are in Tanzania 90% of the time.
The wildebeest do cross into Kenya, depending on seasonal grazing and rainfall.

We recommend deciding how important it is for you & your group to witness the great migration and plan your itinerary around the wildebeest.

Find The Wildebeest Migration

Serengeti Is Best Combined With

How To Get Around

Travelling in Tanzania

GETTING TO & FROM TANZANIA

International Airports

Julius Nyerere International Airport (DAR) -mostly serving southern safari circuit
Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) – mostly serving northern safari circuit
Mwanza Airport (MWZ) – mostly access for East Africa Regional flights
Abeid Amani Karume International Airport, Zanzibar (ZNZ)- popular departure after safari

Popular Airlines and Routes

KLM Royal Dutch Airlines via Amsterdam
Emirates via Dubai
Etihad Airways via Abu Dhabi
Qatar Airways via Doha
Turkish Airlines via Istanbul

East and southern Africa regional hubs

Nairobi (Kenya Airways)
Addis Ababa (Ethiopian Air)
Kigali (Rwandair)
OR Tambo, Johannesburg (Airlink)