Classic Safari and Zanzibar – 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.

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.

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.

Arusha National Park is a small national park, but beautiful and rich in spectacular landscapes and wildlife. Located just a short drive from Arusha and Moshi cities, as well as the Kilimanjaro International Airport, Arusha National Park is a nearby national park and an excellent day trip Safari in the northern circuit. As tourists you have plenty marvellous things to see. With a rich wildlife such as elephants, hippos, buffaloes, zebras and much more, Arusha National Park is also an excellent National Park to get out and do a ranger guided walking safari and a canoe trip within the park. Arusha National Park’s important features include Mount Meru, the 2nd highest peak in Tanzania, the notably different coloured Momella Lakes and Ngurdoto Crater.

Arusha National Park is also home to the world’s largest population of giraffes, making it a great place to visit for fans of these long-necked, beautiful animals. You can also get magnificent views with the animals and Mount Meru in the background. Arusha National Park boasts a broad variety of landscapes, ranging from open savanna through acacia scrub land to rain forest and eventually, to alpine conditions on the higher parts of Mt. Meru.

Zanzibar consists of a series of small tropical islands off the coast of Tanzania in the southern waters of the Indian Ocean. The capital of Zanzibar is ‘the’ Stone Town. Zanzibar archipelago consists of two main islands – Unguja (commonly known simply as ‘Zanzibar’) and Pemba. The origin of the name is thought to have Persian or Arabic origin. In Persian the name is believed to have derived from the words ‘Zangh Bar’, meaning ‘the Negro Coast’. In Arabic the name is thought to come from the words ‘Zayn Z’al Barr’, meaning ‘Fair Is This Land’. There are beautiful beaches in Zanzibar – the beach locations include Nungwi and Kendwa [northern tip of Unguja], Matemwe [mid-south east], Kiwengwa [eastern coast], Paje and Uroa. There a lot of activities in Zanzibar as mentioned here Stone Town, Spice Tours, Jozani forest, Dolphin Tour Safari Blue etc.

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.

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.

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.

Arusha National Park offers you the possibility to go for a canoeing session allowing you to explore the nearby Momella Lakes, to do some guided walking safari or to hike the 2nd highest mountain in Tanzania, Mount Meru which is inside the park.

In Zanzibar there are many other activities you can do.

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