You really can’t beat January for your trip to Tanzania. First of all, it’s time for the Great Migration: two million wildebeest, zebra, and antelope are moving en masse across the Serengeti accompanied by large prides of by now well-fed lion, licking their lips. There are also large numbers of animals to see at Selous, in particular giraffe, zebra, and buffalo.
Birth is a remarkable thing, whatever the species, and visiting Tanzania in February you’ll be first on the scene as wildebeest calves take their first faltering steps in this world. In a matter of weeks some 600,000 calves will be delivered. See the wildebeest birthing in the Ngorongoro Crater before moving on to track chimpanzee through the Mahale Mountains. This incredible combination of experiences is easy to enjoy in February.
In March the Great Migration begins and the wildebeest, zebra and antelope start to move northeast across the plains. You could sit and wait for them in one place, but it’s far more exciting to journey with the animals on a mobile camping safari, getting a new viewpoint each day. We also recommend game drives and canoeing in the Selous, combined with the beaches and history of Zanzibar post safari.
Thunderstorms add drama to April and May days, but rains are far from constant and when it does come it makes the temperature pleasantly cool. At the same time, the wildebeest are forced through the rising Grumeti River, dicing with death as the crocodile snap from below. Tree-climbing lion and large herds of elephant move across to the shores of Lake Manyara.
In June the migrating herds continue through the beautiful forested western corridor towards the Mara River. Travelling with them is a remarkably tranquil experience. A chance to be quiet, take stock, and appreciate the wonders of the natural world. Incorporate this into your safari along with a visit to the Ngorongoro Crater, which is a wildlife hotspot year-round with 20,000 animals living on the cater floor.
July onwards is high season in Tanzania as the temperature’s comfortable with excellent wildlife viewing. The migration’s moved to the remote northern Serengeti, but we can arrange for you to stay there — far beyond other tourists — on a game-rich private reserve. You can also take advantage of the cooler climes to enjoy an adventurous walking safari with Andrew Molinaro at Ruaha or sleep out beneath the stars in the Selous.
Bring the kids and spend your summer holiday at Mkombe’s House, a stunning private home perched on the edge of a kopje in the northern Serengeti. You’ll be far from human crowds but the migrating herds — which is after all what you’ve come to see — will be all around you. You might also want to spend a few days based at Oliver’s Camp in the Tarangire watching the elephant migration.
Tanzania’s dry season begins to show in September and October, vegetation is dying down, water levels low, and the wildlife moving to the deeper watering holes. Game viewing conditions are excellent at this time and as it’s dry you’ll have easy access to the remote southern reserves by plane. Katavi, Mahali, and Ruaha are all reachable by light aircraft. It’s also the perfect time to climb Kilimanjaro.
Photographers love November in Tanzania as thunder and lightning storms rip across the Serengeti. Lightning bolts flash and illuminate the landscape by night. In daylight hours there’s still plenty of sunlight and the migrating herds turn south in search of fresh pastures on which to graze. The new grass is irresistible for antelope, who in turn attract families of cheetah, stalking and catching their prey with aplomb.
Wake up on Christmas morning to guaranteed big herd game viewing from Ngorongoro Crater Lodge. The crater stretches 10 miles wide and 20,000 animals have made it their home. It’s a place to indulge yourself and be pampered: make good use of your private butler, extensive wine cellar, and the offer of in-room massages. Finish with a week watching the waves of the Indian Ocean crash onto a pristine beach.
The epic migration of two million wildebeest, zebra and gazelle makes its way across almost the entire Serengeti in the course of a year. Sometimes you find yourself surrounded by herds of thousands or you see endless lines covering the horizon as the animals move continually in search of fresh grasses. Zebra often go first as their mouths are adapted to the longer grasses, followed by wildebeest and Thomson’s gazelle.
You have probably dreamed of Zanzibar - the wonder filled spice island in the Indian Ocean. But did you know that it is part of Tanzania? And that it’s just one of a number of stunning islands in an idyllic archipelago, each of which has a unique cultural, botanical, and geological identity?
On the shores of Lake Tanganyika, wild chimpanzee thrive. Chimp populations here were first habituated by primate researchers in the 1960s, so you can track and watch them in the forest. Combine this unique experience with a Big 5 safari in the Serengeti, home to the Great Migration. Observe lion prides and follow the wildebeest herds through iconic landscapes, then retreat to your superb tented camp to watch antelope running across grasslands.
Four of Africa’s iconic sights are lined up in a row in northern Tanzania. See towering Mount Kilimanjaro, diverse Great Rift Valley, 10-mile-wide Ngorongoro Crater and the Serengeti — all in one safari. You will have your own private vehicle and expert guide keeping you away from the crowds. We can arrange your stay in awesome accommodation — imaginatively designed camps and lodges deep in the wilds with every comfort.
Take a fly in safari to Tanzania’s remotest wildlife reserves, including one of Africa’s largest protected wildlife area; Nyerere National Park. Further inland discover the mountains, rivers and plains of Ruaha where the variety of habitats supports over 80 mammal species. Even further west, Katavi is so remote that only a few people go on safari each year. Finally, fly to the Mahale Mountains for a unique opportunity to track chimpanzees through rainforests.
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