10-Day Tanzania Safari Tours

4.8/5 – 1,265 Tanzania Reviews

There are many parks and reserves, all offering a slightly different experience, so you have lots of choice when deciding on a Tanzanian 10-day safari itinerary. Tanzania is one of Africa’s finest safari destinations. Wherever you go, though, you’ll see a lot of wildlife. The Serengeti National Park in northern Tanzania is the country’s most famous park, and it’s where millions of hoofed animals migrate in the annual wildebeest migration. The southern parks are less iconic, but they offer an altogether wilder experience and a chance to see endangered wild dog. Primate-lovers should go chimp trekking in Mahale Mountains National Park or Gombe National Park on the shore of one of the most beautiful Rift Valley lakes, Lake Tanganyika.

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5 Questions About 10-Day Tanzania Safaris

Expert

Answered by

Ariadne van Zandbergen

Ariadne is a renowned Africa expert. She and her husband write and update many Bradt guides together, including the ‘Tanzania’ guide. She first visited Tanzania 25 years ago, and returns to visit the parks and reserves at least every three to four years. She has led several group safaris in Tanzania.

› More about Ariadne

Is 10 days a good length of time for a safari in Tanzania?

“Ten days is a great length of time for a safari in Tanzania. When it comes to safaris generally, longer is always better. It takes a few days to get into a safari rhythm, and to fully tune into nature and the animal world. Early mornings are for going into the bush, then it’s back to camp for brunch or lunch, and then out again in the late afternoon. The longer you spend out in the bush and the more you learn, the more you realize how much you still have to see and experience. If you lead a fast-paced life at home, you’ll need time to slow down to fully appreciate the wonders of the bush. Therefore, it is important not to cram too much into a safari. Rather, spend more time at fewer destinations, which saves on traveling time and allows more valuable time for wildlife viewing, or just absorbing the bush vibe. On a 10-day safari, you’ll be able to spend some time in the lodges. These are often in wonderful locations, and either have a stunning view, or overlook a waterhole where thirsty animals come to drink. Lastly, on a 10-day safari, you’ll be able to get away from the busier places that tend to dominate shorter holidays for logistical reasons.”

What can I fit in during a 10-day safari in Tanzania?

“What you can fit in during a 10-day tour in Tanzania depends on whether you opt for a road or fly-in safari. For logistical reasons, you need to choose one of two safari circuits when on a road safari. The Northern safari circuit, centered on the Serengeti, is most popular. You’ll most likely visit the Ngorongoro Crater en route, and could add in a visit to Lake Manyara and/or Tarangire National Parks. A side trip to remote Lake Natron with its flocks of flamingo is highly recommended too. An altogether different experience is offered in the Southern safari circuit. Game drives are still the main activity, but there are other options too. The vast Nyerere National Park is great for boating safaris on the Rufiji River. Ruaha NP offers exciting walking safaris in baobab-studded landscapes. The very remote Western circuit is best visited on a fly-in safari. Katavi National Park is without a doubt Tanzania’s best-kept secret: hippo, elephant, buffalo and lion are abundant, but you might not even see another vehicle while on a game drive. Katavi is often paired with Mahale Mountains. Mahale offers chimp trekking in pristine forest, and relaxation on the shore of Lake Tanganyika as it laps the shoreline of the Rift Valley. The advantage of a fly-in safari is that you can mix and match from the three safari circuits. You can, for instance, combine a visit to the Serengeti and its wildebeest migration with something different, such as chimp trekking in Mahale Mountains.”

What kind of accommodation can I expect on a Tanzanian safari?

“You’ll be spoiled for accommodation options on your safari in Tanzania. The safari lodges and camps on a Tanzanian safari fall into three broad categories: from budget to mid-range to luxury. Not all luxury is the same though. Some lodges just surpass any normal classification: the sky is the limit. The cheapest lodges are usually outside the parks and reserves. They tend to be more than adequate in terms of comfort and facilities, but you’ll miss out on some of the safari experience when sleeping outside the parks. One level up is the mid-range accommodation found both inside and outside the parks and reserves. These are often larger no-frills hotels, not necessarily offering much bush ambience, but comfortable and often in good locations. Some mid-range options are simple tented camps that offer a close-to-nature experience. Top of the range are the luxury lodges. More often than not, these are exclusive ecocamps with limited bed capacity. The service and food are always superb, and if you’re flying in, they’ll provide guided activities of the highest standard as well. For a true bush experience, you can also book a camping trip. This option is very budget-friendly, and you might stay at some of the best locations in the parks. The campsites are usually in areas with a lot of animal traffic, and more often than not with great views too. Imagine falling asleep with the sounds of the bush all around you.”

Which animals can I expect to see on a Tanzanian safari?

“You’ll be able to see a wealth of wildlife on a 10-day safari in Tanzania. For sheer numbers you can’t go wrong in the Serengeti–Ngorongoro area. Whether you time your trip for the annual wildebeest migration or not, you’ve got a very good chance of seeing the Big Five here. Buffalo, elephant and lion are all over, and so is leopard, though due to its secretive nature, sightings are hit-and-miss. Rhino is quite rare in Tanzania, but you’ve got a more than fair chance to see one in the Ngorongoro Crater and Mkomazi National Park. Animal densities are slightly smaller in the southern parks and reserves, such as Ruaha and Nyerere, but you’ll see more variety here. Some unusual species to look out for include roan and the most magnificent of all antelope, the greater kudu. Even more exciting is the presence of wild dog. This area is one of the last strongholds of these endangered creatures in East Africa. Katavi National Park, in the remote west, has a good lion population, and the masses of hippo in the dried-up streams are a sight to behold. And did you know that the best chimp trekking in Africa is offered in the remote Gombe and Mahale Mountains? This can easily be incorporated into a 10-day safari itinerary in Tanzania.”

How much does a 10-day safari cost in Tanzania?

“It is difficult to put a price on a 10-day safari in Tanzania. Many factors determine the cost. A budget 10-day safari costs between US$2,000 and US$2,500 per person. Mid-range tours range between US$2,500 and US$4,500 per person, while luxury tours start at about US$4,000 per person. If you are traveling alone or as a couple, you could save some money by booking a shared tour as opposed to a private safari. A big variable on tours is the accommodation level. Camping packages are usually the most budget-friendly. If you don’t like camping, you can opt for budget accommodation outside the parks. However, mid-range lodges are often in better locations inside the parks. They can be no-frills and lacking in ambience, but they are usually very comfortable. Top of the range are the luxury tented camps and designer ecolodges. These high-end accommodation options are usually booked on fly-in tours, which are pricier than road safaris. Lastly, there are advantages to traveling in the low season, often called the Emerald season. You might be able to get good deals while avoiding the crowds of the high season. Some parks, such as Katavi, are out-of-bounds during the rains, but the Serengeti is lovely at this time. Rain rarely interferes with the safari, the scenery is lush, and the birding is fantastic.”

Tanzania Reviews

4.8/5 1265 Reviews

Expert

Mike Unwin –

Mike is an award-winning wildlife writer, former editor of Travel Zambia magazine and author of the Bradt Guide to Southern African Wildlife.

Endless space

5/5

While Kenya may be the African destination most synonymous with safaris, Tanzania – its larger neighbour – boasts Africa’s single most famous park, and arguably offers even more than Kenya in terms of variety and quantity of wildlife....

Full Review

Expert

Lucy Corne –

Lucy is travel writer for a range of publications, including Lonely Planet's guides to Africa, Southern Africa and South Africa.

Big name parks for big game viewing

4/5

With the Serengeti and the Ngorongoro positioned within Tanzania's borders, this is a safari destination par excellence. Big Five encounters are common and vistas are far-reaching, with mountains and gorges adding interest to the flat...

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...

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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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5 Questions About 10-Day Tanzania Safaris

Answered by

Ariadne van Zandbergen

5 Questions About 10-Day Tanzania Safaris

Is 10 days a good length of time for a safari in Tanzania?

What can I fit in during a 10-day safari in Tanzania?

What kind of accommodation can I expect on a Tanzanian safari?

Which animals can I expect to see on a Tanzanian safari?

How much does a 10-day safari cost in Tanzania?

Tanzania Reviews

Endless space

Big name parks for big game viewing

It's an majestic place on Earth!

Safe country with amazing wildlufe, beutiful people

Beautiful country with wonderful people

Breathtaking wildlife experience