Why Tanzania Is the Top Safari Destination in Africa
8 Reasons Why Tanzania is Africa’s Top Safari Destination
Sababu Safaris creates some of the most comprehensive and personalized Tanzania safaris possible because our operations are based in Tanzania, and we spend so much of our time exploring this incredible country, making connections with the people, expanding our knowledge and the opportunities for the people we guide through our country. We feel it’s important to acknowledge right at the start: of course we are biased towards Tanzania as the top safari destination in Africa! But just because we’re biased, it doesn’t mean that we’re wrong… Keep reading to find out eight reasons why Tanzania is so special — and if anything in this blog inspires you start planning your next great adventure, please feel free to get in touch to ask for our advice or have us create an entirely customized Tanzania safari itinerary for you!
1) Tanzania is home to Unrivaled and Spectacular Wildlife!
Most people want to visit Africa to see its diverse range of wildlife. There was a time when the earth was lush with unspoilt wilderness teeming with game; today, places like this are the exception rather than the rule. We celebrate Tanzania’s abundance and diversity of wildlife, and the fragile ecosystems of which they are a part. In a world where we are increasingly separated from nature, many visitors see an African safari holiday as a chance to reconnect with nature and to appreciate the animal kingdom in ways they never could in their home countries. Well, while you absolutely can see incredible animals in South Africa, Kenya, Namibia, Rwanda, and Botswana (to name but a few), Tanzania offers a richer quality and quantity of wildlife than any other African country. In fact, Tanzania has more animals per square mile than anywhere else in Africa and the country contains 20% of the species of Africa's large mammal population. For example, there is a huge population of elephants in Tarangire National Park, there is an amazing chimpanzee trekking experience to be had in Mahale Mountains National Park, and in the Serengeti National Park you will find the largest population of lions in Africa.
2) You Can Witness the Great Migration
The huge number of predators in the Serengeti National Park are supported by the large herds of herbivores that live and thrive throughout this immense park. And, for many, the main reason to visit Tanzania is to see ‘The Great Migration’ that occurs there. This huge migration of over 2 million wildebeest, zebra and gazelle over the acacia plains is the largest terrestrial mammal movement of animals on earth and the most dramatic safari spectacle you will ever see. Did you know that the Great Migration is a year-round spectacle and not just a one-time annual event? It can be seen at any time of the year - you just need to know where to go!
3) Cultural Immersion with Tanzania’s Tribes
While many people visit Tanzania for its incredible wildlife, it’s our friendly people who often leave the most lasting impression. Spending time with one or more of Tanzania’s 120+ tribes of people is incredibly rewarding — especially if approached with the spirit of adventure, understanding, and mankind’s universal sense of humor. You can meet the Hadzabe and Datoga people around Lake Eysai, and the Maasai people in the Ngorongoro Conservation Area (and many other places), to name only a few. On many of our tours, you can spend time with the local people, learning about their way of life first-hand, talking to the people that have lived in Tanzania since the 15th century, and leave a positive impact. Read more about the people of Tanzania.
4) The Largest Intact Caldera in the World
The Ngorongoro Crater is the largest intact caldera in the world. While this fact alone warrants visiting, it is the richness and abundance of the wildlife found here that impresses visitors most - at any point in time there are over 25,000 large animals inside the crater. The wildlife in this area is so unique because the large, cauldron-like caldera has created a fascinating ecosystem, thriving with life. Expect to see particularly high numbers of elephants, lions, zebras, buffaloes and rhinoceros. While there are many great conservation sites and national parks in Tanzania, the Ngorongoro Crater is arguably the best place in the country to see The Big Five.
5) Mount Kilimanjaro is the Most Unique Mountain in the World
Sometimes referred to as The Roof of Africa, at 5,895m Mount Kilimanjaro is the tallest mountain in Africa and the tallest free-standing mountain in the world. What makes it even more impressive is its contrast with the comparably flat surrounding area in Kilimanjaro National Park and beyond. Whether gazing up from below or looking down from above, the views of and from Mt Kilimanjaro are some of the greatest in the world. This is why many people choose to take photography tours in Tanzania, and it’s why people spend, on average, 6-7 days climbing Africa’s greatest mountain.
6) There are 7 UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Tanzania!
Not everywhere worth visiting in the world is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, but all UNESCO world heritage sites are worth visiting! It’s testament to Tanzania’s rich array of natural and manmade locations that it currently has seven officially recognised UNESCO sites:
Ngorongoro Conservation Area
Serengeti National Park
Kilimanjaro National Park
Selous Game Reserve
Stone Town in Zanzibar
Kondoa Rock-art sites
The Ruins of Kilwa Kisiwani and Ruins of Songo Mnara
7) The Islands of the Zanzibar Archipelago
While Zanzibar is a semi-autonomous region of Tanzania, as it is still part of the country, so any visit to this incredible archipelago is easy to organize and does not require an additional visa. Zanzibar offers some of the finest beaches and luxury holiday resorts in Africa, making it extremely popular for people looking for the perfect African honeymoon. Zanzibar has so much to offer visitors, from ancient culture and history in Stone Town, to relaxing beach and spa days and some of the best scuba diving in Africa. The best part is that you can easily combine a safari holiday experience in Tanzania with a luxury beach holiday experience in Zanzibar, as it’s only a short flight from mainland Tanzania to Zanzibar.
8) The Incredible Range of Environments in Tanzania
While most people fantasize about visiting the African savanna (grasslands) while on a safari, they perhaps pay less attention to the rich array of biomes that can be found throughout this vast continent. And while South Africa is comprised mostly of 46% of savanna, Tanzania offers a rich mixture of savanna, mountains, forests, river lands, and plains…and not to forget the white sandy beaches of Zanzibar. This array of different biomes offers a richer experience, allowing guests to get a true feel for the look and feel of Africa. And the different biomes also support a much broader range of wildlife!
There are so many more reasons to visit Tanzania, and so many more reasons why Tanzania is the top safari destination in Africa, but we can only say so much in one blog! We hope we’ve convinced one or two readers to get off the fence and finally book that Tanzania safari vacation they’ve been fantasizing about. And if you’d like to take your trip to the next level, why not have your trip created and managed by an expert company with a vast array of incredible experiences with close connections to the local people who make the country so special? There’s no commitment upfront; just get in touch and tell us what you’d like from your perfect trip and we will create a personalized itinerary for you. After this, you can decide if it’s right for you!