Big Five Experience Safari – Go BUDGET

Tarangire National Park is one of the fourth largest national parks in Northern Tanzania, located in Manyara Region. It’s well-known for its elephant migration and the name of the park come from Tarangire River that crosses the park. Tarangire River is the source of water for animals in Tarangire National Park during the dry season. Except rhinos, you can spot all the other animals from the big five during peak season. It is a marvellous spot for a day trip from Arusha or as an addition to a Serengeti/Ngorongoro centred itinerary. Tarangire Ecosystem is defined by the long-distance migration of wildebeest and zebras. During the dry season thousands of animals concentrate in Tarangire National Park from the surrounding wet-season dispersal and calving areas. It covers an area of approximately 2,850 square kilometers (1,100 square miles.) The landscape is composed of granitic ridges, river valley, and swamps. Vegetation is a mix of Acacia woodland, Commiphora-Combretum woodland, seasonally flooded grassland, and Baobab trees.

Ngorongoro Crater and Conservation Area are also in northern Tanzania. A big number of wildebeests and zebras cross these plains when they migrate to another place (annual migration). Livestock of the the semi-nomadic Maasai tribe graze alongside wild animals. The remains of the first man that live in the world are found in the Olduvai Gorge inside Ngorongoro Conservation Area and date back millions of years. Ngorongoro Crater is one of the world greatest natural spectacles and its magical scenery and ample wildlife never fail to enthral visitors. However, the crater is just a small part of the Ngorongoro Conservation Area which offer a whole range of attractions for the adventurous travellers. Ngorongoro also has two other volcanic craters: Olmoti and Empakai, the former famous for its stunning waterfalls, and the latter holding a deep lake and lush, green walls. On the leeward of the Ngorongoro highlands protrudes the iconic Oldonyo Lengai, an active volcano and Tanzania’s third highest peak after Kilimanjaro and Mount Meru, known to local people as the Mountain of God.

The concentration of animals in Ngorongoro Conservation Area cannot be over emphasised. The crater offers a heaven for animal enthusiasts. Approximately 25.000 large animals, mostly ungulates, live in the crater. Large animals in the crater include the black rhinoceros and hippos. There are also  many wildebeest, Burchell’s zebras, the common elands and Grant’s and Thomson’s gazelles. Waterbucks occur mainly near Lerai Forest. Impalas are absent because the open woodland they prefer does not exist. In the crater, giraffes also are absent, but you can spot them outside the crater in the vast Ngorongoro Conservation Area. Cheetahs, African wild dogs or leopards can also be seen if you are very lucky. About 20% or more of the wildebeest and half of zebra populations vacate the crater in the wet season. Buffaloes and elands do the opposite and are in a high number during the rains. Servals also occur widely in the crater. Lake Magadi, a large lake in the southwest of the crater is often inhabited by thousands of mainly Lesser Flamingoes. So, Ngorongoro Conservation Area is a must see region for safari lovers.

Serengeti National Park is one of the most famous parks in Africa and is the ultimate safari destination in the world. Here is the place where safari tourists come to truly experience Africa. The park is part of the Tanzanian National Parks, located in Serengeti ecosystem in the Mara and Simiyu regions stretching 14.763 (5.700 sq. miles). It is situated at a distance of 335 km (208 miles) from Arusha. The park was founded because the area was used for hunting lions by British colonial administration and this led to a vast depopulation of animals. Serengeti National Park is rich in wildlife, endless plains and the sunrises and sunsets make hearts go wild. The park is home to a large array of animals. Included in this are four out of the Big Five, but other animals found in the park are klipspringers, giraffes, warthogs, roan antelopes, bush bucks, lesser kudu, oryx and more. The park is featured on many National Geographic shows. It is Tanzania’s oldest park and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is home to the huge wildebeest migration and offers excellent wildlife viewing throughout the year.

In central Serengeti you can find the population of Maasai people who occupy some part of the land and live a semi nomadic lifestyle depending almost entirely on their cattle. Maasai tribe has a rich history and culture.  Many guests to the park take day trips to their villages to learn more about these enigmatic people who have called the area home for centuries.

Lake Manyara National Park is a Tanzanian National Park located both in Arusha Region and Manyara Region, Tanzania. The two regions have no control over the park. The park is governed by the Tanzania National Parks Authority. Lake Manyara National Park is known for the flamingos that inhabit the lake and for the famous tree climbing lions which can be seen if you are very lucky. During the wet season flamingos inhabit the edges of the lake in flocks of thousands, but they are not so present during the dry season.

The majority of the land area from Lake Manyara National Park is a narrow strip running between the Gregory Rift wall to the west and Lake Manyara, an alkaline or soda-lake, to the east. Lake Manyara has a big number of elephants, hippos, giraffes, zebras, buffaloes, wildebeest, impalas, water-bucks and warthogs, but also small antelopes known as Kik’s dik dik as well as Klipspringer along the ramps of the escarpment. If you are very lucky you can spot jackals, cheetahs, leopards which are held within the broken forests and slope and also the healthy lions that are widely known for their tree climbing pranks. Lake Manyara is also home for a large number of monkeys such as baboons, blue monkeys, black and white monkeys and other species, but it also has more than 400 species of birds which can give you a total show in front of your eyes.

Lake Manyara National Park consists of 330 km2 (130 sq. mi) of arid land, forest and a soda-lake which covers as much as 200 km2 (77 sq. mi) of land during the wet season, but is nearly nonexistent during the dry season. The park is located 126 km (78 mi) south west of Arusha. The park can also be reached easily from Babati the capital of Manyara Region. The park is also very close to Tarangire National Park. There is also an airport, Lake Manyara Airport (LKY), located at the top of the rift wall.

Animals are present all year round. So there is not really a bad or good time to go, but almost anytime it suits you. However there are two main seasons in Tanzania. High season is usually between June and October when you can expect the highest number of tourists. Mid season is usually between November and March. Dry season is usually during April and May when the heavy, but short rains can often occur, but it’s also the season when it’s the least crowded.

Moshi City and surroundings offer you many activities to choose from. Shopping tour, mountain biking, waterfalls, half day or one day trekking, clear water springs, Maasai cultural village tours and more.

Tarangire National Park and the area around it offers to all travellers the chance to go for a night game drive, a walking safari, a cultural safari or simply to enjoy some bush meals in the wild.

Ngorongoro Conservation Area and its surroundings have lots of activities to offer. You can choose between walking safari, night game drives, cultural safari to visit and understand how the local tribes live, trekking activities including the Mountain of God, Oldonyo Lengai, going on Endoro River nature trail, but maybe most important is a visit at Oldupai Gorge and Laetoli Footprints. Bush meals are widely possible as well.

Famous Serengeti National Park offers as well many chances for lifetime activities such as balloon safari to watch the wildlife from above, walking safari, night game drives, cultural safari as Maasai rock paintings and musical rock, aerial safari, bush meals in the wild, but we can also arrange on request horseback riding safari.

Lake Manyara National Park gives you the chance at an extra cost to have a Night Game Drive, to do some Hiking activities, to have a special Bush meal, to do accompanied walking and visit the nearby villages or to do some guided forest walks on the escarpment outside the park.

For all the activities in the National Parks we recommend you to have a look on our Activities page.