Email Teresa Hill | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Fantastic trip - amazing scenery & wildlife. Loved it!
Visited Tanzania in earlier this year as part of a longer trip to East Africa and loved it. We wanted to do a drive safari from Dar es Salaam so the main parks were not an option, but the 3 parks we visited completely exceeded our expectations and loved them all - Mikumi National Park, Nyerere National Park and Udzungwa Mountains National Park. Our safari was in late March 2023 so there were quite a few rain showers and the weather was overcast at times, but that was actually a blessing as we got to see the greenery of the national parks and they were much quieter than during dry season.
As a slightly smaller national park, we were able to see most of Mikumi National Park and all that it has to offer. The scenery is stunning with open plains and mountains in the distance. Absolutely gorgeous for sunrise & sunset and Salum from Shanga Tours made sure that we saw all the wildlife the park had to offer. The accommodation in the park was basic, but very clean and the food was fantastic! Second night we stayed in Camp Bastian close to Mikumi which was a little piece of paradise.
Our hike in Udzungwa Mountains was amazing - we walked to the Sanje waterfall and were able to swim in the pool below them - a welcome break from sitting in our jeep for the previous 2 days. It was just over an hour each way from Mikumi and the hike took around 2-3 hours round trip so around a half day in total, but definitely worth it & actually wish we could have spent more time there, doing some of the longer hikes. Would really recommend visiting if you have the time as it was so different to the other national parks we visited and our guide gave us a great overview of the park & its wildlife (we even saw some of the endemic red colobus monkeys). Its also much quieter than the other parks - we were the only tourists on our hike that afternoon.
The final 2 days of our safari were spent in Nyerere National Park and again, credit to Salum at Shanga as we saw pretty much all the wildlife we could in the park. Scenery in Nyerere is really different than Mikumi, but no less stunning - including open plains, forests and wetlands. We did a sunset boat ride on the Rufiji river and got to see hippos at their most active! We stayed in Nyerere Tented camp, near the Mtemere Gate and it was amazing - the tents are much more luxurious than we expected and the food / communal spaces really made it a fantastic visit to Nyerere.
We spent a couple of days in Zanzibar at the end of our trip. It was rainy season so we stayed in Stonetown rather than head to the beached and really enjoyed our stay. Stonetown has a lot to see and do and it was easy to fill our two days there with good food, culture and historical sites.
Overall, we had a great time in Tanzania & would really recommend it. Would love to go back to visit some of the other parks and to spend some time Zanzibar in the dry season!
HR
Email Ana Penavić | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Awesome nature, hearthfull people
We visited Mikumi and Selous, and I am so glad that we saw two different parks. Although we came in low season: we had terrific weather, warm, sunny with few short showers. Our guide Julius was such an elegant soul, and we completly surrender to his well planned guidance. We drive with animals just by our car: elefants, imaplas, monkeys, giraffes...and we even wittnesed rare scene: loness feeding her cubes with wild pig! Awesome!
PT
Email Susana Rojao | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
unique and enchanting experience
Our experience with Smile with us was fantastic and wonderful. Our guide was magnificent and led us to a unique and enchanting experience. We saw lots of animals: leopard, lion, giraffes, elephants, wildebeest etc... we had the opportunity to attend a lion hunt. We went as a family with our children and they loved this trip. I recommend.
IE
Email Niall | 65+ years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Welcoming with knowledgeable guides where we felt safe at all times when on Safari
We traveled to the Ngorogoro Crater where there is an abundance of wildlife in a great setting, all within the confines of the crater. The guides were knowledgeable and used a two way radio system to relay details on sightings so we got maximum benefit in directing us to where animals were located.
FI
Email Josefiina | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Unforgettable and unique experiences and people
I stayed in Zanzibar with my friend for two weeks. We had the most amazing time. People were super friendly and welcoming and we did not feel unsafe even when walking at night time. The island looked really beautiful on the beaches and it was warm and sunny the whole time. The mainland Tanzania was more dry and not as nice looking, at least in where we were. However, the safaris in Ngorongoro Crater and Tarangire park were amazing and definitely worth it. We used Hello Tanzania / KAMar Safaris for our safari trip and everything was done amazing. Food at restaurants in Zanzibar was maybe not the best as it was a bit pricy and bland but the fresh fruits were amazing. But overall we had amazing trip and would definitely visit Tanzania or at least Zanzibar again!
DE
Email Sina Wiedemann | under20 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Poor People with rich hearts
Tanzania was the best experience we ever had!
The Safari Tour with our guide Lewis was so insane:)
We had a lot of fun with our group and seeing all the animals!!
Our cook and guide gave theirs best to give us the best experience!!
Email Chris | 65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
Outstanding safari
While not having been on a safari before, I reckon our experience with African Big Cats Safaris & driver/guide Lovoi was outstanding. The safari was organized to meet our budget and experiences requests, for 9 days/8 nights in the Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater districts. Accommodation & food in fixed & tented camps exceeded expectations, as did the all day game drives, with an amazing profusion of animals, including lions mating, cheetah jumping up on our truck to use as a viewpoint, close examination by elephants, and exciting view of hippos, mongooses, birds of prey, snakes, giraffes, zebras, wildebeest, impala, leopards, buffalo, rhino, and many more. Lovoi did an outstanding job of animal spotting, while also driving the Toyota Land Cruiser through often challenging conditions. We included a balloon ride over the migrating herds, which was well worth it, plus a visit to the Hadzabeh tribe of hunter/gatherers. Very welcoming people, still trying to live their hunter/gather culture, while being pushed by circumstances into becoming more integrated into modern lifestyle. The difficulties this creates for them & their neighbours is showing, and as there are now less than 1200 in the tribe, they likely will not be able to continue their traditional way of life for much longer. We took a Nikon P1000 point and shoot camera with integrated 125x zoom lens, which enabled us to capture many beautiful closeups that would have been well beyond the capabilities of a mobile phone or standard SLR rig, and again Lovoi proved his worth by positioning the Land Cruiser to allow us to take clear shots. Many great memories, very enjoyable.
DE
Email Horst Distler | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Untamed wildlife and beautiful african scenery and landscape
I visited Serengeti NP, Ngorongoro conservation area and the Ngorongoro crater. In Serengeti NP I was on a one day walking safari and had a further day for a game drive. I saw a lot of game including 4 of the Big Five - no leopard. Most amazing and impressing where the big herds of Wildebeast and Zebras. This was really untamed wildness. Animals to the horizon and no end.
I entered the Ngorongoro crater in the early morning hours. The situation and the scenerey was somehow magic. Sun rose over the mist in the crater - absolutely stunning. There is also a lot of game in the crater, besides giraffes who cannot enter it.
I also visited the cities of Arusha and Moshi. These are pure african cities whith low public transport capabilities (Minibusses, Motorbiketaxis and Tuk Tuks are available). You should take a guided tour there, especially in Arusha.
Overall I am really more than pleased with the Parks in Tanzania and enjoyed the african live in the cities.
BR
Email Fernanda Monteiro | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
You should go!
Beautiful places, kind and hospitable people. In addition to the diverse animals around us all the time, making the perfect trip.
US
Email Monte Thakkar | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Tanzania - A Diverse and Unforgettable Adventure Awaits!
Tanzania offers a truly exceptional travel experience, with its varied landscapes, rich culture, and abundant wildlife. During my recent trip, I visited the Ngorongoro Crater, Tarangire, and the Serengeti, each providing unique and memorable moments. The Serengeti was awe-inspiring, with thousands of wildebeest and zebras roaming the endless plains, while the Ngorongoro Crater allowed us to witness a diverse array of animals in a compact area, making for a fantastic one-day experience.
One of the highlights was seeing three lions walking together in the Ngorongoro Crater - a rare sight that our guide, Edward, managed to track down. Throughout the journey, the weather was pleasant, further enhancing our wildlife encounters.
Our cultural experience was enriched by a visit to a Maasai village, where we learned about their customs, traditions, and even had the opportunity to explore their homes. This provided a unique insight into the local culture and added depth to our Tanzanian adventure.
Safety was never a concern during our trip. Even when we ventured to Dar es Salaam and the stunning island of Zanzibar, we felt secure and at ease. The low season offered the advantage of uncrowded attractions and beautiful blue waters, making for an idyllic getaway.
In summary, Tanzania is an incredible destination that I would highly recommend for its diverse offerings. The safaris are a must-visit, and the rest of the country offers a delightful one-time travel adventure. Don't miss the opportunity to explore this breathtaking land!
