Comprehensive Guide to Tanzania Safari Highlights

Tanzania, with its unparalleled diversity, offers an array of breathtaking experiences across its five distinct regions: Arusha, Northern Tanzania, Southern Tanzania, Western Tanzania, and the islands of Zanzibar & Mafia. This division is designed to make the exploration of Tanzania’s rich landscapes and cultural heritage more accessible to travelers, each area offering its unique allure.

The conventional tourist itinerary typically covers three key areas: the historic and picturesque islands of Zanzibar, the bustling city of Arusha as the gateway to safari adventures, and the iconic landscapes and wildlife of Northern Tanzania. This route provides a taste of Tanzania’s diverse offerings, from the pristine beaches of Zanzibar to the legendary wildlife spectacles of the Serengeti and the Ngorongoro Crater.

However, this leaves the Southern and Western regions of Tanzania less traveled, offering untouched wilderness and unique safari experiences for those adventurous enough to explore these areas. Southern Tanzania features vast, open reserves like the Selous and Ruaha, known for their wild beauty and intimate wildlife encounters. Western Tanzania, on the other hand, offers rugged terrains and the opportunity to trek chimpanzees in the Mahale Mountains, presenting a truly off-the-grid adventure.

For those interested in a comprehensive Tanzanian experience, we recommend exploring beyond the usual paths. Each region, from the vibrant city of Arusha, the natural wonders of Northern Tanzania, the untouched wilderness of Southern and Western Tanzania, to the cultural and beach retreats of Zanzibar & Mafia Islands, has its unique character and treasures. Detailed information on these five sections is available on their dedicated pages, providing a deeper insight into what makes Tanzania a destination of such rich diversity and appeal.

By venturing beyond the popular routes, travellers can discover the full spectrum of Tanzania’s beauty, from its world-renowned safaris to secluded beaches and hidden cultural gems.

Arusha: The Gateway to Northern Tanzania

Lying in the shadow of the brooding Mt Meru and surrounded by coffee plantations, the Tanzanian city of Arusha, the capital of the region with the same name, is the gateway to Tanzania’s northern region.

Arusha itself has developed into a thriving city with plenty on offer, but it is what lies just outside that really brings in the visitors. The area is home to the excellent Arusha National Park and is also the perfect base for Mt Kilimanjaro expeditions or the ideal starting point for many safari adventures heading north. Arusha is a phenomenal setting and a great place to let your safari dreams take flight.

Northern Tanzania: A Safari Adventure Awaits

With names like the Serengeti, Mt Kilimanjaro, and the Ngorongoro Conservation Area all in attendance, it can be easy to ask yourself why you would choose anywhere else but Northern Tanzania.

In an area where some of the biggest names in all of Africa crowd, it’s perhaps no surprise that this is unquestionably Tanzania’s busiest region. A true-show stopper and an area of the planet you really must visit once before you die.

The allure of Northern Tanzania extends beyond its headline-grabbing attractions. The region’s vast landscapes offer an unparalleled diversity of flora and fauna, making it a haven for wildlife enthusiasts and nature lovers alike. From the sweeping plains of the Serengeti, alive with the thundering hooves of the Great Migration, to the breathtaking vistas from the summit of Kilimanjaro, every moment spent in this part of the world is imbued with the essence of adventure.

Southern Tanzania: Off-the-Beaten-Track Safaris

After seeing the names above that comprise Northern Tanzania’s blockbuster locations, Southern Tanzania can sound like a sad second place, but it holds two enormous aces up its sleeve – the price and the reduced numbers.

A safari in Southern Tanzania might not include many of the biggest names in the industry, but it is much more affordable and significantly quieter.

What’s more, big names aren’t everything. Yes, the Serengeti might look great on an Instagram post, but a visit to the lesser-known Selous Game Reserve, one of the largest game reserves in the country, and the Ruaha National Park, offer more than enough safari excitement and glimpses of exactly the kind of wildlife you can to Africa to see.

Western Tanzania: Wilderness and Adventure Combined

If you thought the south was quiet, Tanzania’s western region is wild, rugged, and wonderfully free of mass tourism. This is home to some of the country’s least visited national parks and game reserves, including the Katavi National Park, perfect for Big Game viewing, and the Mahale National Park, home to an impressive number of chimpanzees.

This is not the kind of place that has big names but offers spectacular scenery and real adventure nonetheless.

Zanzibar & Mafia Islands: Tropical Paradise Explored

Few names stir the imagination quite like Zanzibar. The once independent island nation -for less than a year – with a colourful and also deeply chequered history, lies just 74 kilometres from the Tanzanian capital, Dar es Salaam.

The wonderfully atmospheric Stone Town retains much of its yesteryear charm and the beaches that ring the island are frequently spectacular, but often also home to grand sprawling 5* resorts that may not be to everybody’s tastes.

160 km south of Zanzibar, lies Mafia Island, which is far less gangster-esque than the name might suggest. If Zanzibar is bending under the increased pressure of tourism, Mafia Island provides a much more authentic Indian Ocean experience with a fraction of the crowds.

Why Tanzania Should Be Your Next Safari Destination:

East Africa has become a Mecca for safari travel in recent decades, but in Tanzania, not only is it home to some of the most iconic names in the business, the Serengeti National Park, the Ngorongoro Crater, and Mt Kilimanjaro, it has the infrastructure, the know-how, and the animals to back it up.

Whatever it is you’re looking for in your Tanzanian Safari and accompanying trips or side excursions, this is a country that delivers spectacular results. From witnessing the extraordinary wildebeest migration in the Serengeti National Park to enjoying the open splendour of the Ngorongoro Crater, there are simply few places that can even begin to rival Tanzania when it comes to an African safari.

And yet, that’s just the start. When you’ve had your fill of animals, visit the longest freshwater lake in the world, and the second deepest, Lake Tanganyika on the DRC border, relax on the historic and beautiful beach-strewn Zanzibar and spend time in the bustling, and yet oddly low-key for a city of 4 million, Dar es Salaam. Tanzania is a country that arrives with a megastar reputation and delivers, in breathtaking fashion.

Tanzania Safari Insider Tip:

Only 25% of the Serengeti is used for most of the tourism that takes place there. That leaves 75% of the Serengeti’s wilderness waiting to be explored onmulti-day walking safaris. We feel this is the perfect way to escape the crowds and experience this incredible destination.