How many days to spend on a Tanzania safari
How many days to spend on a Tanzania safari: Tanzania is a country which is located in East Africa and is a popular tourist destination for wildlife viewing adventures and also for cultural experiences and white sand beaches.
A typical safari in Tanzania is filled with African hospitality, beautiful sunsets, and mouthwatering meals as well as adventuring in the wilderness of savannah plains in search of various wildlife species.
There are various attractions which can be seen during a Tanzania safari and these include wildlife viewing destinations like national parks and reserves, sanctuaries, beaches and islands, mountains and hills, rivers and lakes, forests, woodlands and many others.
Tanzania has national parks in different parts of the country such as the northern part of Tanzania where most of the wildlife viewing safaris takes place in Serengeti national park, Ngorongoro conservation area, Tarangire national park, Lake Manyara national park, Arusha national park.
The big five are among the wildlife species which can be seen during a Tanzania safari. They are referred to as so because they are the most difficult wildlife species to hunt on foot and they include lions, leopards, elephants, buffalos and rhinos.
Other national parks which are visited in Tanzania during safaris include Selous national park, Ruaha national park, Gombe stream national park, Katavi national park, Mahale mountains national park, Mikumi national park among others.
Mount Kilimanjaro is another major attraction which is found in Tanzania. Hiking experiences on this mountain which is Africa’s highest mountain takes about 5 days and more depending on the hiking route chosen which means that the length of the safari to this destination may be longer.
Zanzibar is another popular spot for Tanzania safaris and is famous for its white sand beaches and turquoise waters. Activities which take place in Zanzibar include snorkeling, stone town visit, spice tours, diving, swimming, boat trips among others. Zanzibar is also known for its diversity in culture.
Some of the major water bodies in Tanzania include Lake Tanganyika and Lake Victoria. These different attractions around Tanzania favor a variety of interests of visitors, taste and preferences, comfort.
During the planning phase of the safari to Tanzania, the duration of the safari or number of days to spend at the destination is a major aspect of the safari which has an impact on the price of the safari as well as the number of activities to be carried out while on the safari.
The choice of which wildlife viewing destination to visit and which one to leave out can also affect the number of days for the Tanzania safari. Tourists interested in seeing the big five for example can choose to visit Serengeti national park and Ngorongoro conservation area for this experience.
The number of days to spend while on a Tanzania safari can also depend on the preference of a tourist. Some tourists prefer shorter safaris while others prefer to spend more days on their safaris as they explore different destinations.
The type of activity which one is interested in engaging in during their Tanzania safari also determines the duration of the safari in a way that some activities take more time to complete such as hiking adventures of Mount Kilimanjaro.
The location of the national park or destination which a tourist is interested in visiting is also another factor which will impact on the number of days for the Tanzania. Some national parks are located in far locations which require a longer drive time which makes it only reasonable to spend more days at the destination in order to explore different parts of the destination.
Some of the highlights in the northern part of Tanzania which is a popular part of Tanzania to visit include;
- The big five include elephants, lions, leopards, elephants, buffalos and rhinos and can be seen in destinations such as the Ngorongoro conservation area and Serengeti national park.
- Wildebeest migration is a natural wonder which involves movement of over 2 million wildebeests from one location to another throughout the year in search of greener pastures. This migration takes place between Serengeti national park and Masai Mara national reserve.
- The Ngorongoro crater is the world’s largest inactive caldera which is also known for its large numbers of wildlife species and beautiful scenery. All year round wildlife viewing is possible at this destination.
- Flamingos along the shores of Lake Manyara are also among the highlights of a safari to the national park which is known for its diverse scenery. The flamingos as well as other bird species can be seen along the shores of Lake Manyara during a safari where you can also enjoy views of the Great Rift Valley.
The more time is spent at the destination such as Serengeti national park in Tanzania, the higher the chances of spotting different wildlife species and also exploring different parts of the national park.
Getting to the national park depending on the form of transport used to get to the destination like road transport and air transport can also influence the number of days for a safari in Tanzania. Road transport for example takes longer compared to air transport which is fast making its easy to get to a destination and spend some time engaging in activities.
Tourists who have an interest in engaging in a variety of activities also tend to spend more time at a destination. This is because some activities may take up a whole day which extends the length of a safari in order to engage in all the activities one wishes to carry out.
To maximize the time one has in Tanzania, planning ahead of the safari is a good way to ensure that all activities are covered and the attractions are seen during the safari. Planning also helps to come up with a suitable budget for the days to be spent on safari.
The best time of the year which is recommended for wildlife viewing experiences in Tanzania is the dry season from June to October when the wildlife species gather around water points to drink.
