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Wildlife safaris in Tanzania
Wildlife safaris in Tanzania
Wildlife safaris in Tanzania
Wildlife safaris in Tanzania
Wildlife safaris in Tanzania
Wildlife safaris in Tanzania
Wildlife safaris in Tanzania
Wildlife safaris in Tanzania
Wildlife safaris in Tanzania
Wildlife safaris in Tanzania
Wildlife safaris in Tanzania
Wildlife safaris in Tanzania

Tanzania wildlife safaris

Our recommended places for wildlife safaris in Tanzania

Tanzania offers a winning combination: some of Africa's best wildlife safaris plus stunning tropical beaches. Besides the Serengeti's famous wildebeest migration, there are other world-class safari locations here. For wildlife safaris in Tanzania, consider three areas: the famous 'northern circuit', the wild parks in the south, and the remote parks of western Tanzania:
  • Tanzania's 'northern circuit' is the country's wildlife showpiece. The great Serengeti hosts what many would call the best wildlife safari in Africa: the migration of around 1.5million of wildebeest. Nearby Ngorongoro Conservation Area, Lake Manyara National Park and Tarangire National Park all provide outstanding wildlife safaris. However, all can also be very busy with people.
  • In southern Tanzania, Selous Game Reserve is arguably the largest in Africa, and combines well with the hotter, drier Ruaha National Park. Both offer very authentic wilderness experiences, based out of small lodges using open-topped 4WDs - and so vie for the accolade of the best wildlife safari in Tanzania.
  • Western Tanzania appeals for superb and contrasting wildlife safari experiences, with only a few other travellers around. 'Old Africa hands' will gravitate to the buffalo and lion in Katavi National Park or the chimpanzees in the thickly-forested Mahale Mountains National Park. However, it usually takes more time and expense to reach these parks than the north or south of the country.

Lake Manze Camp

A stay at Lake Manze allows you to feel close to the wildlife - a wide variety of game including elephant, impala, hippos and buffalos can be seen from your own tent, or you can go on a game drive or boat safari from here.


Mdonya Old River Camp

You'll find all of the usual big game species in Ruaha, including elephant, large herds of buffalo, wildebeest, lion, leopard, cheetah and even wild dog. Ruaha also has a few species associated with the parks further north, including Grant's gazelle and lesser kudu.

Lake Manze Camp

A stay at Lake Manze allows you to feel close to the wildlife - a wide variety of game including elephant, impala, hippos and buffalos can be seen from your own tent, or you can go on a game drive or boat safari from here.


Beho Beho

The wildlife in this area of Nyerere National Park is usually good, but can be a little elusive at times. There is a permanent population of lions and frequent sightings of more transient wild dogs. Among much other game, there’s usually an abundance of giraffe, wildebeest and the odd buffalo.

Ikuka Safari Camp

Ikuka is located in one of the best game-viewing areas in Ruaha, making it a great choice for wildlife safaris in Tanzania. The park is known for its particularly good numbers of lion and elephant and guests staying for several nights can expect some excellent wildlife sightings.


Siwandu

Nyerere National Park has a good population of wildlife throughout the year. There is always an abundance of giraffe and impala as well as a number of lion. The fortunate might see leopard, as well as wild dogs that occasionally move through the area around Siwandu.

Jongomero Camp

You'll find all of the usual big game species in Ruaha, including elephant, large herds of buffalo, wildebeest, lion, leopard, occasional cheetah and wild dog. Ruaha also has a few species associated with the parks further north, including Grant's gazelle and lesser kudu.


Greystoke Mahale

Simply the best place for watching chimps and other primates in the forests of central Africa.

Chada Camp

Chada camp is a very serious safari camp in one of Africa's most remote national parks. It's particularly noted for its sense of wilderness, and for large herds of buffalo hunted by big prides of lion!


Lake Manyara Tree Lodge

Lake Manyara Tree Lodge is well placed to experience the diversity of animals within Lake Manyara National Park, and the possibility of night drives here makes it one of our top tips for an extensive and relatively exclusive wildlife safari in Tanzania.

Klein's Camp

It is possible to go on night game-drives and day bush walks from Klein's. The lodge is also on the route for the Serengeti's great migration and the best time to see this in the Klein's area is generally between mid-October and end-November.


Olakira Camp

Olakira Camp is a semi-permanent tented camp that moves twice a year, in order to optimise its location for the Serengeti’s wildebeest migration. With careful planning (talk to us about this), it can be the perfect base from which to witness one of nature's greatest spectacles.

Rekero

Rekero was the camp where Jackson Looseyia (of Big Cat Diary fame) first earned his spurs as a spotter and outstanding guide. More recently its first-class lion, leopard and cheetah viewing made it ideal as a base for much of the filming of Disney's African Cats documentary.

Namiri Plains Camp

Namiri Plains is in a remote part of the central-eastern Serengeti, and is an excellent camp from which to see great numbers of big cats, specifically cheetah and lion.


Sand Rivers Camp

Nyerere National Park and the area around Sand Rivers has an abundance of game, especially during the dryer months when game is drawn to the river for water. However throughout the year you can expect to see good numbers of giraffe, elephant and maybe even lions and wild dog.


Kwihala Camp

Ruaha is an excellent reserve with a rather wild feel to it, which makes Kwihala a great option for wildlife safaris in Tanzania. You can find all the usual big game, including large herds of elephant and buffalo. Ruaha also has unusually high numbers of lion and several endemic species, including the Ruaha hornbill.


Lamai Serengeti

Lamai Serengeti is in a great location for the wildebeest migration, which is typically from around July to October in this area. Outside of these months, it still offers great game viewing, with the bonus of very few people!

Best camps & lodges for Wildlife safaris in Tanzania


Kwihala Camp

Kwihala Camp

Ruaha is an excellent reserve with a rather wild feel to it, which makes Kwihala a great option for wildlife safaris in Tanzania. You can find all the usual big game, including large herds of elephant and buffalo. Ruaha also has unusually high numbers of lion and several endemic species, including the Ruaha hornbill.


99% (111 reviews)
Beho Beho

Beho Beho

The wildlife in this area of Nyerere National Park is usually good, but can be a little elusive at times. There is a permanent population of lions and frequent sightings of more transient wild dogs. Among much other game, there’s usually an abundance of giraffe, wildebeest and the odd buffalo.


100% (170 reviews)
Mwagusi Safari Camp

Mwagusi Safari Camp

Ruaha has all the usual big game – and the team at Mwagusi take a very enthusiastic approach to finding it for you. There's a tremendous depth of experience at this small, owner-run camp, making it a great choice for wildlife safaris in Tanzania if you're passionate about game-viewing!


96% (116 reviews)
Ikuka Safari Camp

Ikuka Safari Camp

Ikuka is located in one of the best game-viewing areas in Ruaha, making it a great choice for wildlife safaris in Tanzania. The park is known for its particularly good numbers of lion and elephant and guests staying for several nights can expect some excellent wildlife sightings.


98% (59 reviews)
Faru Faru Lodge

Faru Faru Lodge

Wildlife around Faru Faru is good throughout the year, with plenty of resident game. The lodge is also on the migratory route for the thousands of animals that make their way north across the Serenegti during June – August. The water hole also attracts game in view of the lodge.


100% (3 reviews)
Olakira

Olakira Camp

Olakira Camp is a semi-permanent tented camp that moves twice a year, in order to optimise its location for the Serengeti’s wildebeest migration. With careful planning (talk to us about this), it can be the perfect base from which to witness one of nature's greatest spectacles.


96% (73 reviews)
Sabora Tented Camp

Sabora Tented Camp

Sabora Tented Camp sits within Singita Grumeti Reserve, a private concession to the west of the Serengeti. This safari area is quiet and remote so you won't see many other vehicles here, even from July to August – when it throngs with wildebeest as the migration passes through.


100% (2 reviews)
Sand Rivers Camp

Sand Rivers Camp

Nyerere National Park and the area around Sand Rivers has an abundance of game, especially during the dryer months when game is drawn to the river for water. However throughout the year you can expect to see good numbers of giraffe, elephant and maybe even lions and wild dog.


96% (81 reviews)
Jongomero Camp

Jongomero Camp

You'll find all of the usual big game species in Ruaha, including elephant, large herds of buffalo, wildebeest, lion, leopard, occasional cheetah and wild dog. Ruaha also has a few species associated with the parks further north, including Grant's gazelle and lesser kudu.


96% (47 reviews)
Kirawira Camp

Kirawira Camp

Between May and July, the Western Corridor teems with the great wildebeest migration that is heading north across the Serengeti plains and the Grumeti River; Kirawira Camp is then a good base for exploring. At other times of year, there is some resident game in the area.


No reviews yet
Ruaha River Lodge

Ruaha River Lodge

You'll find most of the East African megafauna in Ruaha, including elephant, large herds of buffalo, wildebeest, lion, leopard, cheetah and even wild dog. Ruaha also has a few species associated with the parks further north, including Grant's gazelle and lesser kudu.


92% (12 reviews)
Mdonya Old River Camp

Mdonya Old River Camp

You'll find all of the usual big game species in Ruaha, including elephant, large herds of buffalo, wildebeest, lion, leopard, cheetah and even wild dog. Ruaha also has a few species associated with the parks further north, including Grant's gazelle and lesser kudu.


92% (133 reviews)
Siwandu

Siwandu

Nyerere National Park has a good population of wildlife throughout the year. There is always an abundance of giraffe and impala as well as a number of lion. The fortunate might see leopard, as well as wild dogs that occasionally move through the area around Siwandu.


97% (85 reviews)
Grumeti River Camp

Grumeti River Camp

A short drive from Grumeti River Camp, is a patch of riverine woodland where a few troops of the shy and beautiful black-and-white colobus monkeys reside. Not only are they striking but they are interesting in that, unlike other monkeys, they do not have thumbs.


93% (9 reviews)
Ndutu Safari Lodge

Ndutu Safari Lodge

Ndutu Safari Lodge is a great base for wildlife safaris in Tanzania. It is ideally located for the short-grass plains of the southern Serengeti, especially during the wildebeest migration and the northern side of the Ngorongoro Crater Conservation Area.


91% (15 reviews)
Lake Manyara Tree Lodge

Lake Manyara Tree Lodge

Lake Manyara Tree Lodge is well placed to experience the diversity of animals within Lake Manyara National Park, and the possibility of night drives here makes it one of our top tips for an extensive and relatively exclusive wildlife safari in Tanzania.


99% (17 reviews)
Lemala Ngorongoro

Lemala Ngorongoro

As Lemala Ngorongoro is inside the park gate to the Ngorongoro Crater, you can be among the first visitors of the day on the crater floor – one of Africa's greatest wildlife sanctuaries and a superb location for a wildlife safari in Tanzania.


86% (37 reviews)
Klein's Camp

Klein's Camp

It is possible to go on night game-drives and day bush walks from Klein's. The lodge is also on the route for the Serengeti's great migration and the best time to see this in the Klein's area is generally between mid-October and end-November.


98% (12 reviews)
Nomad Serengeti Safari Camp

Nomad Serengeti Camp

Nomad Serengeti Safari Camp is a mobile camp that moves several times a year to follow Tanzania’s wildebeest migration. Though the movements of the migration can be unpredictable, the camp tries hard to predict where the main herds will be.


97% (57 reviews)
Mara Mara

Mara Mara

Located in the northern Serengeti, Mara Mara is in one of Tanzania’s best wildlife areas. You’ll see plenty of big cats and antelope throughout the year, and between July and October the camp is ideally located for the wildebeest migration.


100% (1 review)
Mbalageti Lodge

Mbalageti Lodge

Mbalageti is great place to stay between May and July, when the great wildebeest and zebra migration is passing through this area of the Serengeti. It's then a short drive to see the game crossing the often-dry Mbalagati and Grumeti rivers.


93% (3 reviews)
Lamai Serengeti

Lamai Serengeti

Lamai Serengeti is in a great location for the wildebeest migration, which is typically from around July to October in this area. Outside of these months, it still offers great game viewing, with the bonus of very few people!


99% (38 reviews)
Lake Manze Adventure Camp

Lake Manze Camp

A stay at Lake Manze allows you to feel close to the wildlife - a wide variety of game including elephant, impala, hippos and buffalos can be seen from your own tent, or you can go on a game drive or boat safari from here.


94% (223 reviews)
Sand Rivers fly-camping

Sand Rivers fly-camp

Nyerere National Park is an excellent game reserve, and these walks offer a great chance to explore - and covering the ground on foot, and fly-camping out, is a superb way to really experience Nyerere National Park.


99% (14 reviews)
Chada Camp

Chada Camp

Chada camp is a very serious safari camp in one of Africa's most remote national parks. It's particularly noted for its sense of wilderness, and for large herds of buffalo hunted by big prides of lion!


98% (34 reviews)
Singita Mara River Tented Camp

Singita Mara River

Singita Mara River Tented Camp is perfectly located to view wildebeest crossing the Mara River in July, August and September. Often guests won’t even need to leave camp to see some of the action!


87% (3 reviews)
Serengeti Migration Camp

Migration Camp

Serengeti Migration Camp is tucked into a rocky outcrop in the northern Serengeti near to the Lobo area. The immediate landscape is really interesting surrounded by kopjes and the Grumeti River.


93% (3 reviews)
Ubuntu Camp

Ubuntu Camp

Ubuntu moves throughout the year roughly following the movements of the wildebeest migration, therefore at most time of year this should be an excellent base to catch site of this phenomenon.


98% (25 reviews)
Namiri Plains Camp

Namiri Plains Camp

Namiri Plains is in a remote part of the central-eastern Serengeti, and is an excellent camp from which to see great numbers of big cats, specifically cheetah and lion.


98% (44 reviews)
Impala Camp

Impala Camp

Nyerere National Park is an excellent game reserve with great populations of big game from elephants and buffalo to lion, leopard and a good population of wild dogs.


96% (280 reviews)
Beho Beho Tree-house

Beho Beho Tree-house

Fly-camping always gets you closer to the wildlife, and you won't find better guides with whom to explore it than at Beho Beho.


98% (33 reviews)
Greystoke Mahale

Greystoke Mahale

Simply the best place for watching chimps and other primates in the forests of central Africa.


98% (47 reviews)

Best camps & lodges for Wildlife safaris in Africa

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Where to see wildlife species in Tanzania

Maximise the chances of seeing your favourite animals based on traveller sightings reports from the field.


Lion

Lion

Panthera leo

Lions are at the top of the food chain and also most safari wish-lists, but with their numbers falling fast, any encounter with these majestic apex predators always feels like a privilege.

81% SUCCESS

3,292 sightings from 4,069 observations

Where to see lion in Tanzania

Leopard

Leopard

Panthera pardus

The most numerous of Africa’s big cats, leopard occur across many habitats, from wild tracts to populated areas. Their grace and their elusive nature make them a unique safari drawcard.

47% SUCCESS

2,119 sightings from 4,511 observations

Where to see leopard in Tanzania

Cheetah

Cheetah

Acinonyx jubatus

The cheetah is the fastest land animal and the only cat that hunts by pure speed. Found largely in open grasslands, its slim, elegant form is today an increasingly rare sight.

33% SUCCESS

1,119 sightings from 3,425 observations

Where to see cheetah in Tanzania

Wild dog

Wild dog

Lycaon pictus

African wild dogs are among the continent’s most compelling animals. Much misunderstood, these rare, tie-dyed canids are amazingly efficient hunters with a fascinating social life.

32% SUCCESS

958 sightings from 3,012 observations

Where to see wild dog in Tanzania

Spotted Hyena

Spotted Hyena

Crocuta crocuta

The spotted hyena may be thought of as ‘ugly’ and ‘cowardly’. In fact, this versatile and intelligent carnivore is one of Africa’s most fascinating and warrants attention on any safari.

55% SUCCESS

2,355 sightings from 4,294 observations

Where to see spotted hyena in Tanzania

Wildebeest

Wildebeest

Connochaetes sp.

Superficially bovine in appearance, wildebeests are known for their spectacular migrations sometimes in huge numbers. These resilient animals are some of Africa’s most successful herbivores.

67% SUCCESS

2,672 sightings from 3,982 observations

Where to see wildebeest in Tanzania

Buffalo

Buffalo

Syncerus caffer

One of the ‘Big Five’, buffalo earned a fearsome reputation in hunters’ tales. By contrast, big herds of these sociable bovids are placid, but mount formidable defences against predators.

83% SUCCESS

2,794 sightings from 3,372 observations

Where to see buffalo in Tanzania

Chimpanzee

Chimpanzee

Pan troglodytes

The chimpanzee is our closest living relative. This highly intelligent great ape is a forest animal with a sophisticated social life. Any encounter in the wild is a memorable experience.

100% SUCCESS

28 sightings from 28 observations

Where to see chimpanzee in Tanzania

Eland

Eland

Taurotragus oryx

Africa’s largest antelope, eland are culturally important from prehistoric rock art to modern game farms. Though widespread, they are also shy so sightings are uncommon and often fleeting.

48% SUCCESS

1,553 sightings from 3,212 observations

Where to see eland in Tanzania

Elephant

Elephant

Loxodonta africana

By far the biggest of the so-called Big Five – indeed, the largest land animal on the planet – the elephant shapes the very landscape it inhabits and is a defining presence on any safari.

91% SUCCESS

3,974 sightings from 4,372 observations

Where to see elephant in Tanzania

Oryx

Oryx

Oryx sp.

Oryx are impressive antelopes, with a powerful physique and elegant markings set off by rapier-like horns. They cut a distinctive dash in some of Africa’s harshest landscapes.

69% SUCCESS

1,422 sightings from 2,056 observations

Where to see oryx in Tanzania

Gerenuk

Gerenuk

Litocranius walleri

With its slender frame and extraordinarily long neck, this unmistakable East African antelope resembles an attenuated impala and often stands on its back legs browse high shrubs.

76% SUCCESS

93 sightings from 123 observations

Where to see gerenuk in Tanzania

Giraffe

Giraffe

Giraffa camelopardalis

The world’s tallest land mammal, giraffes are herbivores which have evolved many unique adaptations. Their iconic outlines tower above the bush in many of Africa’s wildlife areas.

86% SUCCESS

3,809 sightings from 4,436 observations

Where to see giraffe in Tanzania

Hippo

Hippo

Hippopotamus amphibius

The territorial calls of the hippo create a signature soundtrack to Africa’s rivers & wetlands. Despite an endearing smile, this aquatic herbivore has a notoriously aggressive disposition.

89% SUCCESS

2,917 sightings from 3,262 observations

Where to see hippo in Tanzania

Roan antelope

Roan antelope

Hippotragus equinus

Africa’s second largest antelope and one of its most handsome, with a powerful build and distinctive markings, roan are wary of people, but renowned for their bravery against predators.

24% SUCCESS

539 sightings from 2,229 observations

Where to see roan antelope in Tanzania

Sable antelope

Sable antelope

Hippotragus niger

Perhaps Africa’s most beautiful antelope, sable are renowned for their combative nature, even holding off lions. Shy and restricted in range, sightings of sable are always special.

23% SUCCESS

519 sightings from 2,239 observations

Where to see sable antelope in Tanzania

Sitatunga

Sitatunga

Tragelaphus spekii

The sitatunga is the most aquatic of Africa’s antelopes and specially adapted to its swampy habitats. Though widespread across Africa, only a handful of places offer reliable sightings.

19% SUCCESS

68 sightings from 367 observations

Where to see sitatunga in Tanzania

Striped Hyena

Striped Hyena

Hyaena hyaena

The striped hyena is the most widespread of the world’s hyenas, but absent from southern Africa. A rarely-seen nocturnal scavenger, it is shyer and more solitary than its spotted cousin.

14% SUCCESS

130 sightings from 950 observations

Where to see striped hyena in Tanzania

Zebra

Zebra

Equus sp.

The zebra is a quintessential African animal: the horse in stripy pyjamas at the end of every child’s A–Z. There are three species, of which the plains zebra is much the most common.

84% SUCCESS

4,173 sightings from 4,961 observations

Where to see zebra in Tanzania

Aardvark

Aardvark

Orycteropus afer

The aardvark is one of Africa’s most bizarre and enigmatic animals. A shy, nocturnal termite-eater, signs of its presence may be scattered about the bush whilst sightings remain elusive.

2% SUCCESS

78 sightings from 3,586 observations

Where to see aardvark in Tanzania

Pangolin

Pangolin

Smutsia sp.

Pangolins appear to be more pine cone than animal in their unique armoury of scales. These nocturnal, ant-eating oddities are not only highly elusive but also increasingly rare.

2% SUCCESS

60 sightings from 3,613 observations

Where to see pangolin in Tanzania

Black Rhino

Black Rhino

Diceros bicornis

The black rhino is the smaller and rarer of Africa’s two rhino species but has the more fearsome reputation. Shy and heavily persecuted, it tends to stick to cover.

30% SUCCESS

661 sightings from 2,201 observations

Where to see black rhino in Tanzania

Inspire me

Need inspiration?

Let our trip chooser narrow down the options for you

Inspire me

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Solo Travel

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Walking

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