Safaris From Dar es Salaam - Compare 249 Tours

4.8/5 – 1,265 Tanzania Safari Reviews

Dar es Salaam is a fabulous gateway for going on a Tanzania safari. Because of its geographical location, it’s a popular starting point for parks and reserves in the country’s south. But if you’re willing to fly, you could go almost anywhere in the country. Choosing where to go will probably be the hardest decision you make on your whole safari, simply because there are so many incredible possibilities. Take your time to plan carefully, think about which animals you’d like to see, and then approach a tour operator (or a number of different operators) to ask them what your options are. As long as you’re on safari in Tanzania, it’s sure to be an amazing trip.

1-20 of 249 Tanzania safaris starting from Dar es Salaam

5 Questions About Safaris From Dar es Salaam

Expert

Answered by

Anthony Ham

Anthony has written numerous Lonely Planet guidebooks, including ‘Tanzania’ and ‘East Africa’. He writes about Tanzania and the wider region for magazines and newspapers worldwide. He is also the author of ‘The Last Lions of Africa’, part of which is set in southern Tanzania.

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Where can I go on a safari from Dar es Salaam?

“In general, the most popular safaris out of Dar es Salaam focus on the country’s south. Most often, this means Nyerere National Park (formerly Selous Game Reserve), with its unique mix of incredible wildlife and boat excursions on the stunning Rufiji River. Almost as popular is a visit to Mikumi National Park, which is often compared to the Serengeti for both its wildlife and landscapes. A little farther away but still within reach, Ruaha National Park is a massive park filled with lions and other fantastic wildlife. One final option for a short excursion from Dar is Saadani National Park, which has less wildlife than other parks but the special attraction of being able to see the animals alongside the coast. If you are willing to fly farther afield, you could visit the parks of northern Tanzania (Serengeti, Lake Manyara and Tarangire National Parks and the Ngorongoro Crater), but most safaris to these places begin in Arusha. Longer flights could also take you out west to Gombe and Mahale Mountains National Parks, which are Tanzania’s best parks for chimpanzee tracking.”

How much time do I need for a Tanzania safari from Dar es Salaam?

“There are so many different ways to answer this question, because of the many possible safaris you can do from Dar. The simplest answer is that the more time you can spend on safari, the more parks you’ll be able to visit and the more wildlife you’ll get to see. If you only have a day or two, then Saadani National Park is the best and easiest option. With 3 days you could easily visit Nyerere, and if you fly there and back you can have the best part of 3 days in the park. Add a couple of extra days and you could also spend time in Mikumi. If you prefer to travel at a more leisurely pace, then a week spread across Nyerere and Mikumi is ideal. With 10 days you could also visit Ruaha. Of course, if you’re driving to and between these parks, you may need to factor in more time.”

Can I see the Big Five animals on a safari from Dar es Salaam?

“Seeing the Big Five (lion, leopard, elephant, rhino and buffalo) on a safari from Dar es Salaam is possible but difficult. The problem is likely to be rhino: most parks have the other four members of the Big Five, but there are very few rhinos in southern Tanzania. Nyerere National Park may be the exception, with a few black rhinos, but they’re very rarely seen. It’s usually easier to see the Big Five in the north, if you visit the Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater on the same trip. Remember that the Big Five is not the only way to think about the best animals to see. The Big Five were actually invented by colonial hunters to list the five most dangerous animals to hunt. Seeing the Big Five is always a highlight, but these days many safari travelers get just as excited by seeing a cheetah, African wild dog, giraffe or zebra, all of which are easily seen in the parks of the south.”

Should I go for a road or fly-in safari from Dar es Salaam?

“There are advantages to both kinds of safari, so how you answer this question all comes down to deciding what kind of safari you’d like to enjoy. A fly-in safari is the quickest way to get to and between the parks you’ll visit on safari. This means that you’ll spend less time getting from A to B, which frees up more time for actually looking for animals on the ground. Flying into a park is also like taking a scenic flight, with so many incredible views on the way in and out. You’ll never forget the first time you see a herd of elephants from the air! The problem with flying is that it can be expensive, meaning that it can push some safaris out of reach for those seeking a cheap and affordable trip. Driving also has the advantage of letting you see more of the country and local life up close as you travel around.”

What is the cost of a Tanzania safari from Dar es Salaam?

“There are many different answers to this question. A 3-day budget camping safari in which you travel by road could start at around US$150 per person per day; it could cost less per day the longer you travel. If, on the other hand, you go on a fly-in luxury safari, the price could start at US$350 to US$400 per person per day, and could go much higher. Apart from accommodation, the main variables when it comes to cost include whether you travel in high or low season, whether you’re on a private, group or self-drive safari, and how long you’re traveling for. There will be lots of different tour operators to choose from, and all of them will offer different packages. Whichever one you go for, always make sure that you understand what is (and what isn’t) included. Quoted prices should include all accommodation, meals, some drinks, park entry fees, transfers, guide, driver, game drives and vehicle.”

Tanzania Safari Reviews

4.8/5 1265 Reviews

Expert

Mary Fitzpatrick –

Mary is an acclaimed travel writer and author of many Lonely Planet guidebooks, including South Africa, Tanzania, East Africa and Africa.

Tanzania – Classic African Safari Destination

5/5

Few areas of the continent offer the amount, variety and accessibility of wildlife that Tanzania does, against such a scenic backdrop. Wildlife is abundant, species diversity excellent, and evocative acacia- and baobab-studded landscapes...

Full Review

Expert

Christopher Clark –

Christopher is a British travel writer and has contributed to various Fodor's guidebooks and a range of travel magazines.

The capital of safari in word and deed

5/5

If I think about everything that I imagined safari to be before I moved to South Africa and began travelling Africa, it turns out that what I imagined was Tanzania. For me, the striking variety of landscapes and the staggering density of...

Full Review

Lara Bekmann –

Reviewed: Mar 15, 2023

It's an majestic place on Earth!

5/5

I loved every second of our trip and could not be happier with all the experiences and lovely people we met. The people with their diversity in culture, positive energy and calmness as well as the rich nature and animal kingdom are...

Full Review

Milena Vanouskova –

Reviewed: Mar 12, 2023

Safe country with amazing wildlufe, beutiful people

4/5

Went to Tanzania for 3 weeks (1 week in Zanzibar).3 days Safari …never miss Ngorongoro its the best. Climbed Kilimanjaro -6 days via Machame amazing experience!!! Especially the porters to be admired -the hardest job ever - incredible!!! ...

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Herbert Assigal –

Reviewed: Mar 10, 2023

Beautiful country with wonderful people

5/5

Its a big country, get ready to drive a lot on often bumpy roads. The animal encounters are not as close up as in other African countries. The people are very kind. Food is good and all the lodges we Visited were excellent. Clean rooms,...

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Supreeth Herle –

Reviewed: Mar 10, 2023

Breathtaking wildlife experience

5/5

Safari Operator - Seregenti Smile Guide - Zakaria I decided to book Safari in Tanzania order to celebrate my wife's 30th birthday and I couldn't have been more happy about my decision. Some of the key highlights during our Safari was...

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Safaris From Dar es Salaam - Compare 249 Tours

12-Day Remote Tanzania: Safari & Beach

3-Day 2 Nights Mikumi Safari with Maasai Village Tour

3-Day Selous Reserve, Nyerere Park Boat, Drive & Walking

8-Day Private Mikumi National Park and Zanzibar Beach

3-Day Nyerere NP (Selous GR) Game, Boat & Walking Safari

3-Day Nyerere National Park Mid-Range Tour

3-Day Serengeti from the Sky

4-Day Safari to Nyerere National Park

4-Day Nyerere National Park

3-Day Nyerere NP (Selous GR) Boat and Walking Tour

3-Day Wildlife Safari in Selous Game Reserve

3-Day Mid Range Lodge/Camp Safari

4-Day Game Drive and Boat Safari Adventure Trip

5-Day Selous, Mikumi & Boat Safari Adventure

5-Day The Beauty of Ruaha and Mikumi National Park

3-Day Mikumi Maasai Village Safari

3-Day Mikumi Mid-Range Safari

3-Day Fly from Dar Es Salam to Northern Wildlife Parks

3-Day Gombe Chimpanzee Trekking

3-Day Mikumi Park Safari, Sunset and Sunrise Game Drive

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5 Questions About Safaris From Dar es Salaam

Answered by

Anthony Ham

5 Questions About Safaris From Dar es Salaam

Where can I go on a safari from Dar es Salaam?

How much time do I need for a Tanzania safari from Dar es Salaam?

Can I see the Big Five animals on a safari from Dar es Salaam?

Should I go for a road or fly-in safari from Dar es Salaam?

What is the cost of a Tanzania safari from Dar es Salaam?

Tanzania Safari Reviews

Tanzania – Classic African Safari Destination

The capital of safari in word and deed

It's an majestic place on Earth!

Safe country with amazing wildlufe, beutiful people

Beautiful country with wonderful people

Breathtaking wildlife experience