Know Before You Go: Tanzania Safaris

Tanzania is home to some of the most impressive safari landscapes on Earth. Nearly 40% of the country is protected through national parks and reserves, encompassing everything from vast savannas to volcanic highlands, baobab woodlands and coastal coral islands. On a single journey, you might witness lions stalking the Serengeti, descend into the wildlife-rich Ngorongoro Crater and watch elephants thread through the baobabs of Tarangire.

The northern safari circuit is Tanzania’s most celebrated wildlife region, but other areas—like the southern parks, Zanzibar archipelago and Kilimanjaro foothills—offer unique ecosystems and experiences. Nat Hab itineraries focus on maximizing time in key regions, using fly-in transfers and expert-guided exploration to bring travelers closer to the wildlife and landscapes that define Tanzania.

“Ernest Hemingway is just one of many travelers who have fallen for the epic landscapes and vast wildlife gatherings of East Africa. You may too, on an Ultimate Kenya & Tanzania Safari with Natural Habitat Adventures and the World Wildlife Fund.” —National Geographic

Serengeti National Park & the Great Migration Corridor

The Serengeti is Tanzania’s most famous wildlife area, part of a vast, uninterrupted ecosystem it shares with Kenya’s Maasai Mara. This open savanna landscape is home to the largest terrestrial mammal migration on Earth—millions of wildebeest, zebras and gazelles follow seasonal rains and fresh grazing in a circular pattern throughout the year.

Why Go to the Serengeti?

• One of the highest concentrations of large mammals in Africa

• Year-round predator sightings, especially lions, cheetahs and hyenas

• Seasonal Great Migration activity, including river crossings in the north and calving in the south

• Expansive views ideal for photography and tracking animal movements

The Great Migration is a transboundary natural phenomenon. Though national borders exist on the map, animals move freely between the Serengeti in Tanzania and the Maasai Mara in Kenya. These grassland ecosystems are not fenced, and wildlife flows across them in response to rainfall and fresh grasses. The only limitations come from human development or terrain—otherwise, for wildebeest and zebra, the landscape functions as one interconnected whole.

Depending on the season, you may witness:

• Southern Serengeti calving and dense predator activity (December–March)

• Central Serengeti big cat encounters and resident herds (April–June, November)

• Northern Serengeti river crossings as part of the Great Migration into Kenya (July–October)

Nat Hab situates Serengeti East Camp and Migration Camp—Serengeti North in carefully chosen wildlife corridors known for strong migration activity, placing travelers in prime positions to observe the herds as they pass through the region. Our small-group safaris provide front-row access to migration movements, predator-prey interactions and the ever-changing rhythms of life on the Serengeti plains.

Why is the Serengeti a Must-Visit Destination for Nature Photographers?

Photographing the Great Migration in Tanzania is a bucket‑list experience for nature photographers, offering dynamic scenes of wildebeest and zebra herds, dramatic river crossings and intimate predator–prey interactions across wide open savanna. To capture these once‑in‑a‑lifetime moments, consider joining Nat Hab’s Tanzania Migration Photo Expedition, a specialized safari designed with extended field time, expert photographic guidance and flexible scheduling to put you in the best light and location for high‑impact images. 

Ngorongoro Crater

The Ngorongoro Crater is one of northern Tanzania’s most distinctive safari destinations, offering dense wildlife viewing within a dramatic volcanic landscape. Formed by a collapsed volcano, the crater spans 102 square miles—roughly the size of Paris—and functions as a naturally enclosed ecosystem that supports thousands of animals year-round.

Descending into the Ngorongoro Crater reveals a compact yet remarkably varied environment of grasslands, wetlands and acacia woodlands. Wildlife encounters are frequent and diverse, from flamingos gathered on soda lakes to sightings of rhinos, hyenas and resting lion prides on the open plains.

Why Go to Ngorongoro Crater?

Ngorongoro Crater stands out for its combination of geology, biodiversity and accessibility. Key reasons travelers visit Ngorongoro Crater include:

• World-class volcanic formation: Ngorongoro Crater is the world’s largest intact volcanic caldera, creating a natural enclosure that concentrates wildlife throughout the year.

• Exceptional wildlife density: High populations of herbivores and predators—including lions, elephants, rhinos and hyenas—inhabit the crater floor.

• Diverse landscapes in a compact area: The crater contains wetlands, grasslands, forested rims and steep volcanic walls within a single safari zone.

• Proximity to Serengeti National Park: Located southeast of the Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater is typically connected by a three- to four-hour drive, making it easy to combine both regions in one safari itinerary.

Pairing the Ngorongoro Crater and the Serengeti highlights a striking contrast in safari experience: Ngorongoro offers concentrated, intimate wildlife viewing, while the Serengeti delivers expansive plains and wide-ranging animal movements—all within close geographic reach in northern Tanzania.

Tarangire National Park

Tarangire National Park is a dry-season safari destination in northern Tanzania, known for its large elephant populations, baobab-dotted landscapes and river-based wildlife viewing. Located south of Lake Manyara and west of Arusha, the park spans roughly 1,100 square miles of rolling savanna, riverine forest and ancient baobab stands.

Less visited than the Serengeti or Ngorongoro, Tarangire offers a quieter safari experience while supporting one of Tanzania’s highest concentrations of elephants. During the dry season (June through October), several thousand elephants move through the park, along with large herds of buffalo, zebra, wildebeest and giraffe.

The Tarangire River serves as the park’s primary water source and a focal point for wildlife viewing. As surrounding areas dry out, animals gather along its banks, creating reliable game concentrations and making Tarangire National Park especially rewarding during the dry months.

Why Go to Tarangire National Park?

• Outstanding dry-season elephant viewing: Tarangire hosts some of Tanzania’s largest elephant herds between June and October.

• Distinctive landscapes: Baobab-studded hills, open savanna and riverine forest define the park’s scenery.

• Diverse plains game: Large populations of buffalo, zebra, wildebeest and giraffe attract predators throughout the year.

• Fewer crowds: Tarangire National Park is less visited than the Serengeti or Ngorongoro, offering a more tranquil safari experience.

Tarangire National Park is a valuable addition to a northern Tanzania safari itinerary, providing a relaxed contrast to busier parks and an excellent introduction or conclusion to a wildlife-focused journey.

Mount Kilimanjaro & Arusha Region

Mount Kilimanjaro and the city of Arusha form the primary gateway to northern Tanzania’s safari circuit, combining iconic scenery, cultural experiences and logistical access to nearby parks. While Mount Kilimanjaro is not a core wildlife destination, its snowcapped peak provides a dramatic backdrop at the beginning or end of many safaris.

Arusha serves as the main arrival and departure hub for northern Tanzania, with access to regional airports, safari lodges and surrounding reserves. The region also offers opportunities for cultural visits, coffee plantation tours and scenic flights, with views of Africa’s tallest mountain.

Why Go to Kilimanjaro or Arusha?

• Key gateway to northern Tanzania safaris: Arusha is the primary logistics hub for travel to the Serengeti, Ngorongoro and Tarangire.

• Iconic mountain scenery: Mount Kilimanjaro provides dramatic views and photographic backdrops, particularly on scenic flights and clear mornings.

• Cultural and agricultural experiences: Coffee farm visits and local cultural encounters add depth beyond wildlife viewing.

• Active travel options: Day hikes, multi-day treks and nature walks are available for travelers seeking physical adventure.

Arusha National Park

Arusha National Park is a compact but diverse protected area near the city of Arusha, known for forest wildlife, crater lakes and mountain scenery. Covering just 53 square miles on the lower slopes of Mount Meru, the park offers a concentrated mix of habitats within easy reach of town.

Wildlife highlights include black-and-white colobus monkeys in the forest canopy, flamingos feeding along the Momella Lakes and giraffes moving across open grasslands. On clear days, Mount Kilimanjaro is visible in the distance, adding a scenic dimension to this small but varied park.

Tanzania’s Rift Valley Lakes & Escarpments

The Great Rift Valley shapes northern Tanzania with dramatic escarpments, volcanic terrain and alkaline lakes that support specialized wildlife and birdlife. This geologically active region adds scenic and ecological contrast to Tanzania’s classic savanna safaris.

Lake Manyara National Park, set at the base of the Rift Valley escarpment, is known for its lush groundwater forest, seasonal flamingo flocks and tree-climbing lions. Despite its compact size, the park offers a high concentration of habitats, from forest and wetlands to open floodplains.

Farther north, Lake Natron lies in a remote volcanic basin characterized by black lava flows, red-stained flats and extreme heat. Its caustic, saline waters provide one of the world’s most important breeding sites for lesser flamingos, while surrounding landscapes are home to Maasai communities who maintain a strong connection to the land.

Together, Lake Manyara and Lake Natron highlight the ecological and geological diversity of the Great Rift Valley, offering a striking contrast to the open plains of the Serengeti and expanding the birdlife and landscape variety of a northern Tanzania safari itinerary.

Zanzibar & the Indian Ocean Coast

Zanzibar is a tropical island destination off Tanzania’s coast, often paired with a safari as a place to relax and unwind after wildlife-focused travel. The archipelago is known for its white-sand beaches, coral reefs, warm Indian Ocean waters and rich Swahili cultural heritage. Zanzibar combines natural beauty with history, from snorkeling and diving along coral reefs to exploring Stone Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site shaped by centuries of Indian Ocean trade.

Why Go to Zanzibar?

• Post-safari relaxation: Zanzibar offers a calm, restorative contrast to the pace of a wildlife safari.

• Cultural history: Stone Town reflects the island’s role in the spice trade and Swahili coastal culture.

• Marine activities: Warm waters support snorkeling, diving and reef exploration year-round.

• Convenient access: Regular flights connect Zanzibar with Arusha and northern Tanzania safari camps.

Zanzibar pairs seamlessly with Tanzania’s northern safari circuit, adding coastal scenery and a slower pace to a well-rounded travel itinerary.