Luxury Tanzania Safaris

Tanzania is one of Africa’s most renowned safari destinations and is best-known for being home to the Great Migration, a natural phenomenon which sees over 1 million wildebeest and zebra follow the rains and lush grasses through the vast Serengeti ecosystem throughout the year. Seen on television nature programmes and in travel magazines, this is indeed one of the most striking features of Tanzania and why the vast majority of people travel there, dig a little deeper and you will find an incredible array of luxury safari experiences that rival any in Africa. Home to some of the wildest and remotest safari areas on earth, unique camps and an amazing array of activities on offer, Tanzania is a superb choice if you are looking to enjoy a once-in-a-lifetime safari experience amongst some of the most beautiful landscapes on earth.

More than the migration

Whilst Tanzania is most renowned for the Great Migration that moves through the Serengeti throughout the year, there is so much more to its safari offerings than the migration. The Ngorongoro Crater is UNESCO World Heritage site where visitors can spot rhino, elephant, lion and leopard (to name but a few) roaming around on the floor of a long extinct volcano. The stunning Lake Manyara National Park is home to large flocks of flamingos and tree-climbing lions and the nearby Tarangire National Park is regarded as one of the best places in the world to see elephant. Further south the Selous Game Reserve offers incredible wild dog and lion sightings in between the array of lakes and rivers, whilst the Ruaha National Park is home to large herds of elephant, abundant lion and leopard as well as incredible birding. It is hard to imagine a more diverse destination than Tanzania and the variety of wildlife on offer means a 2 or even 3 week safari can be enjoyed without having the same experience two days in a row.

The chance to escape the crowds

For many safari-goers, luxury isn’t defined by plunge pools and champagne (although for some it certainly is) but rather by the chance to get away from the crowds and enjoy truly unique and wild experiences. Undoubtedly the most intriguing part of Tanzania for such an experience is the western part of the country where visitors can explore wild and unspoilt game reserves, lakeside beaches, moody forests full of chimpanzees and remote islands where elephants still live amongst the trees. The Katavi National Park is home to just three permanent camps, huge herds of elephant and lion renowned for hunting buffalo. Add to this one of Africa’s largest hippo and crocodile populations and you have a big game experience which is a treat to the senses. Despite being remote, the Mahale Mountains are home to one of Tanzania’s most iconic properties and offer the chance to trek to see chimps in mist-shrouded forests. Further up the western part of the country, the mysterious Rubondo Island sits in Lake Victoria and is home to a surprisingly large population of elephant, as well as a well-run chimpanzee sanctuary.

Luxury mobile safaris

As befits one of Africa’s leading safari destinations, Tanzania is incredibly popular, especially in the peak season between July and October, when visitors flock there from all over the world, with many camps booking up months and months in advance. To counter this, a number of safari operators have set up a series of truly luxurious mobile camps which are booked on a private basis, giving guests the ultimate combination of luxury, privacy and flexibility. Imagine flying in to a remote corner of the Serengeti with your guide waiting at the airstrip to whisk you to your explorer-era camp at the base of a rocky kopje. Succulent cuisine, wonderfully comfortable tents, gregarious hosts and outstanding guides will be a constant throughout your stay, offering the ultimate wildlife experience in the utmost of comfort.

Tailormade Tanzania

Tailoring Tanzania safaris is what we do best, with our team able to recommend the best combination of areas, parks and camps to suit your needs down to the ground. Northern Tanzania works well as a circuit, with visitors able to combine time in the Lake Manyara and Tarangire National Parks with a visit to the Ngorongoro Crater and of course the iconic Serengeti. We can recommend the best times to go to avoid the crowds, highlight the differences between a driving and flying safari and point out where to stay in the Serengeti for the best possible Great Migration experience. Further to the south, combining the Ruaha National Park and Selous Game Reserve offers a wonderfully diverse experience of wildlife, landscapes and activities – perfect for experienced safari goers who want a taste of something a little different. Of course, trips to the aforementioned west of the country are great for those who really want to explore, and we can explain the slightly more complex logistics of a visit hear and ensure your trip is seamless.

Combining with the beach

As with neighbouring Kenya, the coastline of Tanzania, as well as the surrounding islands is perfect for a beach holiday and we can recommend where to visit depending on what you are looking for. Zanzibar is enduringly popular for its soft white sand beaches, warm azure waters and wonderful places to stay, from idyllic private villas to incredible luxury resorts. Those looking to escape the crowds can head to nearby Pemba, the Mafia Islands or Songo Songo archipelago for a Robinson Crusoe experience of the Indian Ocean.