Tanzania itineraries
Wondering when to go?

From its golden plains to the eternal snows on Mount Kilimanjaro, nowhere is there such an abundance of wild animals as in Tanzania. Although Tanzania shares the Rift Valley and the great Serengeti Plain with its northern neighbor, Kenya, it has a magic of its own. As your eyes move from the curved horizon upward to the clear blue sky, they meet the majestic snow-covered peak of Mount Kilimanjaro nestled in the clouds.

Be tempted by Tanzania

Spend your days winding your way through kopjes, observing the animals that shelter there. Follow the pug marks of the leopard along a river bank, and keep your eyes peeled for lions hiding in the tall grass. At dawn, watch the mist roll over the 102 square mile Ngorongoro Crater veiling the natural treasure that awaits you below.

Discover Tanzania’s treasures
Serengeti National Park

The Serengeti or “endless plain” as the Masai call it, has the largest population of migratory animals in the world. Most of the 9,000 square mile Serengeti is open plain broken by small hills, patches of acacia woodlands, swamps and lakes. The famous migration generally begins in May, with wildebeest, zebra, eland and gazelles moving from the south and reaching the Seronera area by July. From July through September the highest concentration of game is in the northern sector, which includes Kenya. The migration reverses direction in October.

Ngorongoro Crater

The world’s largest intact caldera is located in an exceptional geographical position, forming a spectacular bowl of about 265 square kilometers with sides up to 600 meters deep, creating the perfect stalking ground for up to 30,000 wild animals at a time. The crater floor consists of a number of ecological environments that include grassland, swamps, forests and Lake Makat, a central lake filled by the Munge River. These various habitats attract a variety of wildlife to drink, wallow, graze, hide or climb. Although animals are free to move in and out of this contained environment, the rich volcanic soil, lush forests and spring-source lakes on the crater floor tend to entice both grazers and predators to remain. Ngorongoro Crater is presently one of the most likely areas in Tanzania to see the endangered Black Rhino.

Tarangire National Park

This beautifully unspoiled national park covers 2,600 square kilometers of grassland and floodplains, and a large proportion of tall acacia woodland just south of the large open grass plains of southern Maasailand. Drives through the park enjoy wide views to distant variously purpled formations of volcanic mountain ranges. Tarangire also has regions of quite dense bush, but with high grasses and huge old baobab trees instead of the green forests of Manyara. The land is hilly and dominated by the impressive valley of the Tarangire River, which attracts good numbers of migrant animals during the dry months, especially between July and September.

Lake Manyara National Park

Though Lake Manyara is relatively small (325 square kilometers) and has only one road, on the western shore of the lake, there are a striking variety of trees and a large lake where over 380 species of aquatic birds have been recorded. Manyara is also famous for its lions, which have the unusual habit of napping in trees. The vegetation in this area is also ideal for buffalo, giraffe, rhino, zebra and impala.

Selous Game Reserve

Located in eastern Tanzania, this scenic area boasts an impressive variety of game, birds and wildflowers. Much of the Selous is low lying, with altitudes ranging from 110 to 1,200 meters. Running through its center flows the vast Rufigi River. Together with its tributaries, the Great Ruaha, Kilombero and Luaga, the Rufigi makes up East Africa’s longest river basin. An unusual combination of steep wooded hills, open Miombo woodland and grassy plains and marshes interlace with lakes and dry sand rivers.

Mount Kilimanjaro

At 19,340 feet, Kilimanjaro is Africa’s highest mountain. Five different routes can be followed to the summit. Three of the routes require technical climbing skills, and the other two routes require very little or no technical climbing skills. On the ascent to the summit you pass through forest, alpine, semi-desert and snow-covered landscapes that offer the opportunity to see abbot’s duiker, elephant, buffalo, eland, black-and-white colobus monkey and leopard. These climbs are for those who are up to the physical challenge and want the reward of seeing the view from the apex of Africa.

Seasons
Summer: Oct – Mar

Hot, you can experience thunderstorms in Oct & Nov.
Average Temperatures: 59/81

 

Fall: Apr – May
Daily thundershowers, with cool nights.
Average Temperatures: 60/77

 

Winter: Jun – Jul
Dry, with cold nights.
Average Temperatures: 57/74

 

Spring: Aug – Sep
Hot, dry.
Average Temperatures: 56/79

 

Migration Season:
Nov – Jun in the Serengeti National Park; Jun – Oct in Tarangire National Park

 

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