Top 5 Things to Do on a Ngorongoro Safari

Endless rolling fields. Majestic beasts. The Great Wildebeest Migration. The world’s most beautiful sunsets. All this and more await you at the Serengeti National Park while you are on your Tanzania trip. Visiting the Serengeti is an intensely personal experience. You should definitely indulge in the kind of adventures that excite you, but here are some of the top things to do in Serengeti National Park. Take a jeep safari and drive out to the wilderness to witness animals in their natural habitat.

Nestled in the Indian Ocean, Zanzibar is a mesmerizing archipelago off the Tanzanian coast that beckons travelers with its pristine white sandy beaches and a treasure trove of experiences. On a trip to Tanzania, a visit to Zanzibar is a must. The idyllic beach paradise is where you want to be after an epic safari adventure in Tanzania. Soak up the culture, sun, and tropical vibes. Whether it is exploring the historically significant wonders of Stone Town through captivating tours or diving in the crystalline waters of Nungwi Beach, listed below are the top 10 things to do in Zanzibar.

The image of the towering funnel of Mount Kilimanjaro is burnt into most people’s memories. After all, once viewed, it is a sight one is unlikely to forget. However, a lot of people are not aware of the fact that Mount Kilimanjaro is not just the mountain itself- it is also the national park surrounding it. This 291-square-mile park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and houses a number of attractions you should not miss while on a trip to Tanzania. Here are some of the top things to do in Kilimanjaro National Park.

Go off the beaten path at Lake Manyara, Tanzania. Experience nature like nowhere else: the park’s diverse vegetation is said to support up to 11 ecosystems at once, making it unsurprising that a Lake Manyara safari lures in a large number of visitors year after year. However, despite its relatively small size, navigating through the national park can be a daunting task.So plan ahead! Find specific activities to partake in while visiting Lake Manyara, so you can make the most out of your Tanzania tour. Here are some of the top things to do in Lake Manyara National Park.

Tanzania boasts a rich tapestry of natural wonders and cultural treasures. From the towering peak that looms over untamed savannah brimming with wildlife, Tanzania invites visitors to its globally acclaimed natural splendor all year round. There is so much more to the ‘Jewel of East Africa’ than meets the eye. Spend a day with the local tribes and pay homage to their rich cultural heritage. Or, step off the beaten path and venture into the enchanting landscapes, ranging from pristine beaches to extensive wilderness. In this guide, we will map out the 8 best things to do in Tanzania, while exploring many of its well-known attractions as well as hidden gems, so you can make the most out of your Tanzania trip.

Tanzania’s short rainy season draws to a close in early December and gives way to the short dry. There are fewer tourists, and prices are also lower compared to the peak season, making this month a good time to tour Tanzania. As the country emerges from its short rainy season, so does the wildlife. Emerald grasses blanket the Serengeti and other national parks. December also brings ideal weather for lounging on Zanzibar's picturesque beaches. From going on safari adventures to beach lounging, traveling to Tanzania in December is a great option if you want to avoid tourist crowds and the high season rates.

August falls in the heart of Tanzania's dry season. It is also the prime safari season in the country, thanks to the thin vegetation and cooler weather conditions. The month is also great for outdoor adventures, such as trekking in Mount Kilimanjaro, relaxing on Zanzibar beaches, and hiking in the Ngorongoro Crater. But since this is the high season, expect a spike in tourist crowds on your trip to Tanzania in August.

Stalk the stalker, watch it pounce upon its prey, see millions of animals crossing a river, track gorillas, live in the wild and discover unusual species while you’re at it. A wildlife safari is one of the biggest charms of any African adventure and Tanzania is perhaps the best country for a journey into the wild. Tanzania’s national parks are designed to suit all kinds of interests, preferences and comfort levels, and you can be rest assured that there is a safari which is perfect for you. But before you embark on your safari adventure, you need to make one of the biggest decisions – which park to visit and which park to leave out. Serengeti or Ngorongoro feel like the most obvious places to be, but it is equally possible that you have a much better time in one of the lesser-known parks. Bookmundi recommends you to ask yourself the following questions as they should help you zero in on the best national park in Tanzania. When do you plan to take a Tanzania trip? Which animals attract you the most? Do you prefer crowds or wish to explore the park without having to come across other tour groups? Game drives, hot air balloons, fly camping, walking expeditions into the wild – which of these attract you the most? Would you like to watch a few predators or thousands of game animals? What kind of accommodation are you looking for? Are you a budget traveler or are you searching for luxury? Below we are listing highlights, lowlights, and facts about some of the top national parks in Tanzania:

Visit Tanzania in summer to witness the beauty of this East African country in all its glory. This is the perfect time to explore Tanzania’s much-famed game safaris, conquer Mount Kilimanjaro, and enjoy the pristine beaches of Zanzibar. Summer in Tanzania is characterized by clear skies and relatively dry weather, offering visitors plenty of opportunities to enjoy the country’s natural beauty, wildlife, and attractions in a comfortable setting. From Big Five game safari in Serengeti National Park to hiking the scenic Machame Route to the cultural tour of the Unesco-listed Stone Town of Zanzibar, a Tanzania tour during summer has a lot to offer.

East Africa's abundant wildlife, hot climate, and rich culture make it one of the best safari regions in the world. When deciding exactly where to go, many tourists ponder the distinction between a Kenya tour and a Tanzania tour, both renowned globally for their safari experiences with commonalities such as well-developed safari tourism, big-five game opportunities, and the Great Migration. This Kenya vs Tanzania safari guide highlights the two geographical areas. It compares key features such as location, budget considerations, activities, and popular safari regions to help you decide which country is best for your trip.

Think of Lake Manyara as a baby safari, as an acclimatizing period before you go deal with the big boys. The natural beauty found here is second to none, but the game viewing opportunities in the area feel somewhat pale, especially when compared to the ones found in the Serengeti. All that glitters might just be gold! Lake Manyara covers 330 sq. kms., making it one of the smallest national parks in Africa, but its small size does nothing to prevent it from supporting as many as 11 ecosystems and offering countless experiences. This can also be attributed to its varying altitude, which ranges from 953 meters to 1,445 meters. Animals are so easy to spot due to its size Since roughly two-thirds of the park is covered by the lake, a majority of the animals can be found in concentrated areas, making animal sightings easy and pleasurable. Lake Manyara National Park gets the following relevant safari ratings. One of the best places on the planet to see pink flamingos Lake Manyara is most famous for its tree-climbing lions and thousands of flamingos, but it also hosts animals such as elephants, wildebeests, giraffes, buffalo, water bucks, impala, warthog, zebra, klipspringer, Kirk’s dik-dik and leopards. The park has a huge population of baboons as well, many of which rank among the largest in Africa. Tree climbing lions at Lake Manyara National Park Ever seen images of tree-climbing lions on acacia trees – that’s Manyara for you! Lions can be found climbing trees in other parks as well, but it is somewhat of a specialty here. Checking out an entire pride of lions resting in an acacia tree is sure to be the best experience of your African safari. And if you happen to capture that on film, expect your Instagram account to go crazy within moments! Who knows, you might even end up winning one of those Instagram contests! Easy access to night safaris and special camps inside the park Game drives during the daytime have always been popular, but Lake Manyara is one of those few national parks in Africa to introduce night safaris as well as camps inside the park. This opens up a wealth of opportunities for adventure and nature lovers and presents activities such as mountain biking, village trips, hiking and trekking.

Breathtaking ruins, the seductive Mount Kilimanjaro, a fascinating culture and some of the best beaches in Africa, this is what travelers expect while heading for a trip to Tanzania. The country is famous for its captivating culture and excellent hospitality. In fact, the warm attitude of the locals is often one of the best experiences for most travelers visiting the country. And those enchanting beaches along the Indian Ocean coastline aren’t any pushover either. Dotted with ancient Swahili culture and historic villages, each beach has its own story to tell. But that’s not why you go to Tanzania, or Africa for that matter. That’s not African adventures are all about! No sir. No way. You want beaches, go to the Caribbean, or better yet, explore Bora Bora. But when you visit Africa, you do what millions others before you have done and millions after you will do – you fall in love with its safaris. Tanzania is home to the best safaris in Africa, and spending time with those hippos in its muddy waterways or the wildebeests in its plains, leaves you mesmerized with the true beauty of nature. Lazy crocodiles lay hungry eyes on you and the majestic lion tries to get a whiff of its newest prey. Chimpanzees accompany you along your journey to keep you company and the odd elephant wanders around its seasonal migration route without a care in the world. Yes sir, that’s what life is all about. That’s the reason why African tourism flourished. After all, the experience that these safaris have to offer, simply cannot be put down in words. Tourism has continuously been on the rise since the early 2000s. The year 2011 saw as many as 843,000 tourists visiting to Tanzania, and this increased to 1,063,000 by the year 2013. Early 2015 saw a major slump in Tanzanian tourism because of the Ebola scare, but things are again starting to pick up for the country. Much of the tourism in Tanzania is claimed by its rich national parks and incredible safaris with more than 50% of the travelers entering the country choosing the Serengeti or the Ngorongoro Conservation Area over everything else. To help you on your way, Bookmundi prepped this Wildlife Safari Guide, a guide that focuses on Tanzania and helps you understand what to expect and how to move forward.