Tanzania Safari Packages

Choosing the Right Tanzania Safari Package

Tanzania has two main safari circuits and a number of standalone parks. Choosing which to visit depends on your interests, travel dates and budget.

The Northern Circuit — Serengeti, Ngorongoro, Tarangire, Lake Manyara — is where most first-time Tanzania safari travellers go. It has the highest wildlife density, the most varied landscapes and the easiest logistics: all parks are accessible by 4x4 from Arusha without flying. The Great Migration passes through annually, with calving in January to March in the south and river crossings in July to October in the north.

The Southern Circuit — Nyerere, Ruaha, Mikumi — is larger, wilder and significantly less visited. The parks are bigger, the game drive roads are quieter and the wildlife is equally impressive. Southern parks require flying in and are best for travellers who have done the Northern Circuit before or who specifically want solitude.

Northern Tanzania Safari Package Parks

Serengeti National Park

Africa's most famous national park. The Serengeti spans 14,763 sq km of savanna and woodland — home to the world's largest lion population, resident cheetah and leopard, and the annual Great Wildebeest Migration of 1.5 million animals. Every Tanzania safari package that includes the Serengeti is built around maximising time in the park.

Ngorongoro Conservation Area

The Ngorongoro Crater is the most wildlife-dense enclosed ecosystem on Earth — a 260 sq km volcanic caldera with 30,000 large mammals. Resident lion prides, Tanzania's most reliable black rhino sightings, elephant bulls with extraordinary tusks and flamingo on Lake Magadi. The Olduvai Gorge (cradle of humanity) is 45 minutes away and easily combined.

Tarangire National Park

Tarangire is the Northern Circuit's underrated gem — vast ancient baobabs and the largest elephant herds in northern Tanzania. In July to October, the concentration of animals around the Tarangire River rivals anything in Africa. Quieter and less expensive than Serengeti lodge nights, making it the ideal opener or closer to any northern circuit safari.

Southern Tanzania Safari Package Parks

Nyerere National Park (Selous)

Nyerere is Africa's largest protected wilderness — 50,000 sq km through which the Rufiji River system runs. The Rufiji boat safari is the defining experience: watching hippo, crocodile, elephant and rare birds from a motorboat, unavailable at any northern Tanzania park. Fly in from Zanzibar (45 min) or Dar es Salaam (30 min).

Ruaha National Park

Ruaha is Tanzania's largest national park and one of its most undervisited. Greater kudu, sable antelope, roan antelope, wild dog and lion in a remote miombo-woodland ecosystem. The Great Ruaha River is the wildlife magnet in the dry season.

Tanzania Safari and Zanzibar Combinations

The most popular Tanzania holiday structure combines 4 to 7 days of safari with 4 to 5 nights on Zanzibar's beaches. We build these Tanzania safari and Zanzibar packages with the safari first and the beach second — a short charter flight connects the Serengeti or Nyerere directly to Zanzibar, no return to Dar es Salaam required.

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the best time for a Tanzania safari?

Tanzania offers excellent safari year-round. The dry season (June to October) is the classic choice: short grass, animals at waterholes, the Mara River crossings in the northern Serengeti. January to March is calving season in the southern Serengeti — intense predator activity and far fewer tourists. November to December (green season) has the most beautiful landscapes and lowest prices.

What is included in Safaribando safari packages?

All packages include a private TANAPA-certified guide, a private 4x4 safari vehicle with pop-up roof, all national park entry fees, accommodation (lodge, tented camp or camping depending on the package), full board throughout the safari, game drives as listed, drinking water in the vehicle, and airport or hotel transfers in Arusha. Flights, travel insurance, visas and personal tips are not included.

Do I need a visa for Tanzania?

Most nationalities require a tourist visa obtainable in advance online (e-visa) or on arrival at major airports. The East Africa Tourist Visa covers Tanzania, Kenya and Uganda on a single permit — useful if combining with a Masai Mara or Uganda gorilla extension.

What should I pack for a Tanzania safari?

Neutral-coloured clothing (khaki, olive, tan), a fleece or light down jacket for early morning drives, sunscreen and sunglasses, a wide-brimmed hat, quality binoculars (8x42 or 10x42 recommended) and a camera with a telephoto lens if photography is a priority. We send a comprehensive packing list on booking.