safari Archives

Lions in Selous Game Reserve Tanzania. Tanzania Wildlife destinations

African Safari, Safari Updates, Tanzania Tours, Wildlife

Exclusive Tanzania Wildlife Destinations You Must Visit

Tanzania is one of the most visited wildlife destinations in East Africa. The country’s size gives it an advantage of a large area size for wildlife no wonder it has some of the highest wildlife concentrations in the region. East Africa in general is a great place to visit but destination Tanzania stands out. It is highly recommended for those seeking exclusive wildlife destinations and adventures. Let us briefly look at the major exclusive wildlife destinations you must not miss out while on a visit to this beautiful country.

The Selous

Selous game reserve also known as Nyerere national park is Tanzania’s leading exclusive wildlife destination. The park is located in the remote southern part and is also Tanzania’s and Africa largest protected area with a land area of 19,000 square kilometers. Selous has a number of wildlife species including giraffes, elephants, hippos, wild dogs, buffaloes, greater Kudus, elands and over 440 bird species. There is also unique vegetation species of the Miombo woodlands including baobab trees. It is from this basis that the park was listed among the world heritage sites by UNESCO.

Much as the biggest part of the park is used as a hunting area, about 8% of it is strictly for tourism and hunting in the tourism area is prohibited. Here adventure tourist especially wildlife photographers get to capture best moments in the park. The location of the park makes it not easily accessed by Many tourists and it therefore among the less crowded places in Tanzania. Unlike mass tourism experienced in parks like Serengeti, a safari in Nyerere national park is totally exclusive. The park can be best explored while on game drives and guided walking safaris.

The dry season from June to October is the best time to visit Selous game reserve. Here major game drive trails are dry easy to maneuver and the short grass makes it easy to spot wildlife. During the dry season some of the animals can be seen along River Rufigi as they take water. If you are seeking for exclusive wildlife safaris in Tanzania ensure to have sells as your number one destination.

The Ngorongoro Crater

This is world’s largest unfilled volcanic caldera with 610 meters deep and a floor of 260 square kilometers. It is also listed among the World heritage sites and it is one of Africa’s natural wonders. The crater is an attraction it self but has many other attractions including the various relief features within the crater. These include Rivers, lakes, vegetation varieties like forests, woodlands, grasslands all of whom are habitats to a number of wildlife species.

Notable wildlife seen on game drives on the crater floor include waterbucks, lions, elephants, rhinos, buffaloes, wildebeest and many bird species. The Ngorongoro crater being a natural enclosure makes it one of the exclusive wildlife destinations in Tanzania. It also offers a wide range of activities that once can engage in including birding, game drives, nature walks among others.

Just like many other wildlife destinations in Tanzania, the best time to visit the crater is during the dry season. Here there are minimal rainfall disturbances and game drives can easily be executed with easy wildlife viewing. The wet season from November to May is also a good time to visit and with the rains the number of guests reduce. The wet season is also a time the migratory birds from Europe set in and is the best time for birding.

Gombe national park

Much as Uganda’s Kibale national park and Nyungwe forest Rwanda are most famous for chimpanzees, Tanzania’s Gombe national park is another beautiful chimpanzee trekking destination. The park is located near lake Tanganyika in the rugged mountainous forested landscapes that are not only home to chimpanzees but also other primates and birds.

Gombe national park has a number of steep valleys with streams. There is also a waterfall that can be seen while on a guided nature walk in this forested national park. Chimpanzee trekking is the most commonly done wildlife activity here. The chimpanzees here were made famous by Jane Goodall who started her research In the early 1960’s and has done a tremendous job in primate conservation not only in Tanzania.

The park can be mainly explored on foot on the guided primate treks, natures walks in the forest or along the shores of Lake Tanganyika Africa’s deepest lake. For exclusive primate trekking in Tanzania and East Africa in general visiting Gombe national park would be great.

Ruaha National park

Ruaha is Tanzania’s second largest national park also located in the southern part. The park covers a land area of 7,809 square kilometers and also home to a variety of wildlife species. The four of the big five mammals occur here namely elephants, buffaloes, lions and leopards. Ruaha is also a great place to see Africa’s predators and big cats. It is the best places to see lions as prides of over 20 individuals are seen in the park.

Giraffes, hippos, zebras and over 450 bird species also occur in the park and all these can be seen on game drives and guided walks. Hot air ballon safaris are incredible offering great panoramic views of the parks wildlife. The park Is totally exclusive with limited accommodation facilities. Wildlife safaris here are very classic and undisturbed best for honeymooners and those who prefer their peace and quiet.

The park can be accessed by both road and air transport though air transport is the most convenient one. The road transfer from Dar-es-salaam takes about 10 hours drive with en route stop overs for photography and a lunch break. Incase you do not want this long drive you can have a stopover at Mukumi national park for an adventure and then proceed to Ruaha the next day. Since air transport is costly the road transfer would be an option and very rewarding in terms of adventure.

Ruaha is undoubtedly one of Tanzania’s most exclusive wildlife destinations and can be visited throughout the year. For better wildlife experiences though you can visit in the dry season from May to October.

Great Blue Turaco Nyungwe National Park. Rwanda Birding safaris

Safari Updates

Rwanda Birding Safaris To Be Part of this August

Rwanda popularly is an incredible destination for birding safaris thanks to its wildlife diversity. Over the years the country has slowly emerged as a leading birding and wildlife destination in East Africa as adventure lovers Visit Rwanda to fulfil their bucket list desires.

Birding safaris are a niche in overall wildlife adventures giving one an opportunity to explore the various avian species. Rwanda is a diverse ecosystem ranging from open savanna’s, swamps and tropical rain forests that are all homes to various bird species.

Lets us look at the leading Rwanda birding safaris one must not miss while in Rwanda this August.

Nyungwe Forest Birding Safaris

Nyungwe forest is the regions oldest and best preserved rain forests comprising of a tropical rain forest, swamps, bogs and bamboo. At a land area of 1019 square kilometres, the forest is home to over 300 bird species and 13 primate species.

Forested national park has a number of bird species endemic to the Albertine Rift Valley and is recognised by Birdlife International as an Important Birding Area. It is Rwanda’s leading destination for birding safaris that can be complemented by primate treks in the park.

Notable birds in Nyungwe forest include the Rwenzori Turaco, Kivu ground thrush, Regal sunbird, great blue turaco, crowned hornbills, long crested eagles among others. Being a forested park birding safaris can be enjoyed on guided nature walks along the different trails in the forest.

August is among the best months to visit Rwanda as being in the middle of the dry season, hiking through the forest is easy. With this you have more chances of exploring the forests bird life and other wildlife species. The wet season from October to May is also a great time for birding safari species as the migratory birds set in.

While visiting Nyungwe for chimpanzee or other primate treks entree to add a birding safari as it is worth the adventure.

Akagera Birding Safaris

Akagera national park is the only savanna national park in Rwanda. The park is the regions largest protected wetland with over 480 bird species making it an ultimate destination for birding safaris. About 100 of the bird species are endemic to the park and can not be seen in any other place in Rwanda.

The park is located in the eastern part of the country just about a 3 hours drive from Kigali Rwanda’s capital city. Akagera national park ranks second after Nyungwe in Rwanda’s leading birding destinations. Birding safaris in Akagera are doable year out with the dry season a good time to see wetland bad as there is minimal rainfall disturbances and the wetlands can be easily accessed.

Notable birds in Akagera include grey crowned cranes, papyrus gonolek, Amur falcon, shoebill storks, African fish eagle, African Jacana, crested barbets among others. Those interested in migratory birds can visit the park from November to May.

As we enter the month of August, visit Rwanda and add birding safaris to Akagera on your bucket list.

Gishwati Mukura Birding Safaris

Giswhati Mukura is among the newest protected national parks in Rwanda. The forested park covers a land area of 34 square kilometres and comprises of two main forests Giswati and Mukura.

The forested park has over 200 bird species including the Albertine Rift Valley endemics. The park is past of an extension of the Virunga massif and had been greatly affected by deforestation. Over the years however there has been a lot of conservation efforts and the park has been fully restored open to nature enthusiast including birders.

Volcanoes National Park

Volcanoes national park Rwanda is also a good place for birding in Rwanda. The park has over 180 bird species however many of these occur in Nyungwe forest as well. Some bird species can be seen while gorilla trekking or hiking in the park. Just like in Nyungwe forest, some Albertine endemic bird species can be seen in Volcanoes national park. Notable birds here include the Rwenzori Turaco, Rwenzori apalis, Rwenzori night jar, African long-earled owl among others. Volcanoes national park is most famous for the mountain gorillas and golden monkeys. It among the few places on the planet where you can have a great primate experience.

Overall Destination Rwanda is an incredible place for an African safari. In Akagera national park you will be able to enjoy the big five mammals and classic African safaris. The park can be explored on game drives and boat cruises that are still great opportunities to see some of the birds in the park. On foot rhino tracking has been recently introduced in the park enabling one to track one of the big five mammals. Akagera has both Black and White rhinos that were reintroduced in the park as a move to restore the park’s wildlife species.

Nyungwe forest national park is most famous for chimpanzee trekking and other primates. There are also a number of guided nature walks to the waterfalls and other leading trails for birding and other primate treks.

Visa Policy

For Visas, Rwanda has some of the friendliest visa policy where many can get the visa on arrival at the airport. The Rwanda single entry visa costs $30 per person the most affordable one in the region. In case you want to visit Uganda and Kenya then you can opt for the East African tourist visa that is multiple entry and can give you access to the three countries. There is a provision for online visa application but in case you fail to get the link you can still get the Visa upon arrival at the airport.

Accommodation

There are a number of accommodation facilities in the different wildlife and birding destinations in Rwanda. These range from budget to high end luxury options. The best time to visit Rwanda for either birding or general wildlife safari is in the dry season from June to October and from December to March. The dry season doubles as the peak tourist season and it is very important to book your accommodation and tour in advance as parks get fully booked sometimes.

Safari Updates, Tours & Travel, Visit East Africa, Wildlife

Kenya Wildlife Adventures To Do This July

Kenya is a renown destination for epic wildlife adventures thanks to its wildlife diversity. The country offers by far some of the most enjoyable classic African safaris experienced in over 20 national parks. Aside from the usual savanna parks and game reserves, Kenya has marine national parks along the coast. These gives one opportunity to enjoy marine wildlife adventures featuring dolphins, sea turtles among others.

Let us briefly look at the leading Kenya wildlife adventures you must not miss this July.

Wildebeest Migration Wildlife Adventures

The wildebeest migration is an annual animal mass migration over the Serengeti and Masai Mara ecosystems. It involves over 1 millions wildebeests, Thompson gazelles, zebras and other major grazers. These move in search for fresh pastures and are often times guided by rains.

The great wildebeest migration is a true life cycle that involves every stage of life with births, survival and deaths. It attracts the lands most feared predators that readily take down their prey. They include larges prides of lions, leopards, cheetahs, hyenas and many scavengers.

Every month features a unique wildebeest migration wildlife adventures transitioning to the other. In this month, the River crossings have started from Serengeti to Masai Mara and the wildebeest have to over come the deadly Nile crocodiles in the Mara River. Those that make it alive sweep across the Mara ecosystem until late September when they start going back to Serengeti.

While on a visit to Kenya ensure to visit Masai Mara to be part of the great wildebeest migration. Look out for other wildlife in the park and reserves including elephants plus a number of bird species.

Amboseli African elephants

Amboseli national park is among Kenya’s most famous national parks. It is the best place to see African elephants as they freely roam the open savanna of the park. Mount Kilimanjaro Africa’s highest mountain can be best seen in Amboseli national park. Wildlife safari adventures in Amboseli are a great deal with the magnificent background view of the Kilimanjaro.

Apart from elephants, you can see other wildlife species in the park like giraffes, buffaloes, zebras among others. The park is also home to over 400 bird species including flamingos that are present in the wet season. Given that the park has diverse ecosystems of grasslands, woodlands and swamp vegetation, it attracts different bird species.

The park can be visited any time of the year but the best time is in the dry season. This ranges from December to February and June to September. A visit to this park can be done in additional to a wildebeest migration safari in 6 to 7 days for better chances and maximisation of wildlife.

Nairobi City Safari escapes

Nairobi is Kenya’s capital city and it is the only city in the world in the proximity of a national park. Nairobi national park is situated just a 40 minutes drive from the city centre. This gives nature lovers an opportunity to go for short wildlife adventures with ease and convenience.

The park is home to various wildlife species including Rhinos, giraffes, lions, zebras, wildebeest and a number of antelope species. Even in a day trip to the park you will be able to enjoy game drives and later return to the city for an overnight.

Birders are also well catered for here as the park is home to over 500 bird species. Notable birds here include black-headed heron, Ostriches, blacksmith lapwing, kori bustard among others. The migratory birds also set from November to April coming from as far as Europe.

For those with little time in Kenya but would love to enjoy African Wildlife adventures this is the place to be.

Mombasa Marine Wildlife Adventures

Mombasa is Kenya’s biggest sea port and city. It is strategically borders the Indian Ocean and is a one stop centre for Marine wildlife experiences. Mombasa has beautiful white sand beaches where one can relax and enjoy the African sun with uninterrupted ocean view. Leading beaches in Mombasa include Diani beach, watamu beach, Tiwi beach, Nyali beach, Kalifi beach among others.

All the beaches have accommodation facilities where one can stay incase they are visiting for more than a day.

The key wildlife attraction in Mombasa are the aquatic wildlife that are not found in any place in Kenya. They include sea turtles, dolphins, fish species among others. Diving is a major activity done giving one an opportunity to see the aquatic wildlife and enjoy the adventures in the Indian Ocean.

A visit to Mambasa is a great supplement to the classic wildlife adventures on the mainland. It also enables one explore the ocean side and get to relax at the beach. Other activities one can engage in include beach football, volleyball, wind surfing, boat rides on the ocean.

The great rift Valley adventures.

The eastern arm of the great Rift Valley in Kenya is a wonder it self and the Rift Valley floor is home to a number of wildlife species. They are a number of Rift Valley lakes in Kenya including lake Nakuru that was gazetted into a national park. Lake Nakuru national park’s location not only offers a great Rift Valley experience but also incredible wildlife adventures.

Lake Nakuru is famous for flamingos and was one of the best places to see flamingos. Due to climate change and weather conditions, flamingos migrated but still occur in smaller numbers. Great white pelicans though occur in large numbers making the lake a birders haven. Other notable birds here include grey crowned cranes, shining sun bird, crab-plovers, Kenya rufous sparrow among others.

For those interested in the big five there are four of the big five mammals present here. These include White and black rhinos, buffaloes, leopards and lions. Other wildlife species present include giraffes, hippos, zebras, that are often sighted while on game drives in the park.

Kenya is no doubt a safari giant and a must visit for those seeking incredible wildlife adventures in East Africa. Safaris here are possible all year round though for best experiences it is often recommended to visit in the dry season when there are minimal rainfall disturbances. The dry season stretches from June to September and from December to January.

Serengeti National Park. Tanzania Safari Tips

Tours & Travel, Wildlife

Tanzania Safari Tips With What To Know Before You Visit Tanzania

Tanzania Safari tips are very vital as the country features on top bucket lists of adventure travellers visiting East Africa. It is home to diverse wildlife species with over 20% of Africa’ largest mammal population. A Tanzania safari featuring savanna’s finest wildlife is everyones’ dream but there some information you need to know before you travel to Tanzania. Below are key Tanzania safari tips you Must take note of while preparing your visit to the country.

Visa Requirements

Tanzania has a provision for Visa on arrival as well as an eVisa system where one is required to apply in advance. There are however a number of countries with Tanzania visa exemption. To enter the country one must have valid identification like a passport or a National Identity card.

American citizens entering Tanzania must apply for a Multiple entry visa that has a 1 year Validity. This costs USD 100 per person however holders of this Visa are required to at least leave the country every 3 months.

The ordinary or single entry visa cost USD 50 per person and its validity does not exceed 90 days. Adventure lovers seeking to visit the country for a safari must ensure to apply for the correct visa. You can now apply for an online Visa before visiting Tanzania.

Wildlife

A Tanzania safari is possible because of the country’s wildlife with over 4 million wild animals. There are over 430 mammal and 1100 bird species, amphibians and reptiles often seen on game drives in the country. Tanzania has 17 national parks covering a land area of about 16,000 square miles representing about 40% of Tanzania.

With this, Tanzania stands out as a leading wildlife destination with natural wildlife wonders like the great wildebeest migration. While on a Tanzania safari you can engage in a number of activities to fully what the country has to offer. These include game drives, guided nature walks, ballon safaris, boat cruise, birding expeditions among others.

The great wildebeest migration in Serengeti National park is a must watch along with the big cats and five 5 mammals. The Ngorongoro crater is extraordinary offering great scenic views and is also home to a variety of wildlife. Giraffes, rhinos, buffaloes, wildebeests, gazelles, elands, waterbucks, crocodiles are some of the wildlife seen on a Tanzania safari.

Accommodation

There are a number of safari lodges in Tanzania where one can stay while on a Tanzania safari. These range from Budget, deluxe and luxury facilities giving on a wide range of options to choose from.

Each national park has a number of facilities within or nearby the premises from where one can easily access the park. A number of these feature in worlds leading travel magazines as number safari lodges and Hotels. Notable safari Lodges in Tanzania include
andBeyond Ngorongoro Crater Lodge, The Highlands Ngorongoro, Sanctuary Kichakani Serengeti Camp among others.

Important to note that in the peak tourist season the lodges get fully booked and its advisable to book in advance. Lodges in the low season from March to May offer discounted rates but it’s a rainy season.

Best time to Visit

Tanzania safari adventures can be enjoyed any time of the year. For best savanna wildlife experiences though it’s always better to visit in the dry season. This ranges from June to Late October and from Mid December to Early March.

In the dry season you get to see a variety of wildlife with minimal rainfall disturbances. The game drives trails are also dry making it easy to do game drives as opposed to the wet season when some trails are impassable.

Kindly however note that the dry season is the peak tourist season and some camps or lodges charge highly during this time of the year.

The wet season from November, April, May and great times to visit for those interested in birding. It’s around this time of the year that migratory birds are in the region. With the rains, the vegetation is often lush great and one doesn’t have to drive far to spot wildlife especially the grazers that naturally attract the predators.

With the limited numbers during the wet season, safari experiences are very exclusive and intimate. Visit Tanzania today and explore the country’s rich and diverse wildlife, culture and heritage. The discussed Tanzania Safari tips are enough to guide in the tour planning process. You can contact us for more information about the different destinations in Tanzania.

Kenya Safari Experiences to Part of This March

Kenya safari experiences form a great part of an African safari and its the reason why Kenya is a leading safari destination. The country has diverse wildlife and physical attractions that leave many adventurous tourists wanting more. The coming month is a transition one from the dry to the wet season that will last till May. The wet season comes in handy with the rains making safari activities not as enjoyable like in the dry season. However there are a number of adventurous Kenya safari experiences one can still be apart of. They include the following;

Birding Safari

Much as March is part of the low season its a great time for a birding safari in Kenya. From March to May, there are a number of migratory birds in Kenya. A number of them come all away from Europe and a combination of these and then natives make birding very enjoyable. Notable birds to see on a Kenya birding safari include the southern ground hornbill, crowned hornbill, Amani sunbird, Jackson’s hornbill among others. There are also a number of birds endemic to Kenya including Clarke’s Weaver, Taita thrush, Williams’ lark most of which while on game drives.

Big Cats Safari Experiences

Big cats will forever form a great part of a Kenya Safari experiences. The country is home savannah’s major big cats and leading predators. These include lions, leopards, cheetahs and hyenas. Prides of lions are often seen in Masai Mara National reserve and other national parks and conservancies.

Some of these caught in action hunting their prey. Leopards the strongest of all the cats even like to climb with their prey up the tree. Here they can feast in comfort without any disturbances especially the hyenas that like to eat already hunted prey.

Game drives featuring any of the big cats are very enjoyable. At least major national parks and conservancies in Kenya have 2 or all the big cats. Because there are a number of newly borns, predators are very active hunting taking advantage of the young ones.

Big Five Mammal safari experiences

The fact that March is not so crowded it makes it a perfect month for big five mammal safari experiences. Savannas’ big five include elephants, lions, buffaloes, leopards and Rhinos. These are seen while on game drives in beautiful places like Amboseli National Park. This park has the best views of Mount Kilimanjaro and the best place in Kenya to see Elephants.

These are complemented by the major herbivores including antelopes, zebras, giraffes that are easy to spot because with the rains there is plenty of grass. Most times the predators hide in the lush and relatively tall grasses to slowly take down their prey.

The other major benefit of having Kenya safari experiences march included is that some lodges reduce on rates.

Safari Trips Travelers to Tanzania Must Take In 2022

Tanzania is East Africa’s ultimate wildlife destination one of the best for African Safari trips. The country is blessed with diverse landscapes and wildlife species making it among the most desired destination for safari trips. For adventure lovers and anyone seeking first hand african safari experiences Tanzania would be a great place to start.

Safari trips to Tanzania are facilitated by great hospitality of the local people a combination of which forms memorable safari experiences. For first time travelers or for repeat travelers, you can never get enough of Tanzania. Lets however look at some of the top safari trips one Must not miss on a visit to Tanzania.

Wildebeest Migration Safari Trips

The wildebeest migration is a natural wildlife phenomena that happens in the Serengeti ecosystem annually. It involves movement of millions of wildebeest, Thompson gazelles, zebras and other antelope species looking for fresh pasture and grazing land.

This natural wonder takes place between Serengeti and Masai Mara ecosystems and goes through predator territories that hunt down the animals on the migration for food. Some of Serengeti’s deadliest predators include lions, leopards, cheetahs and the crocodiles along River Grumeti. Witnessing the wildebeest migration is one of the world’s wildlife wonders and amazing experiences.

You can catch up with the migration throughout the year but the best months to witness it in Serengeti is from June to October. January to February is a season of calving and a wildebeest migration safari then offers an opportunity for watching newly borns. While in Tanzania ensure to add this on top of your bucket list.

Serengeti Big Five Safari Trips

Serengeti national park outshines majority of the wildlife destinations all thanks to the diverse wildlife the park has. Africa’s big five have always been many travelers desires to see while on African safari trips and Serengeti never disappoints. The top big five include Lions, Leopards, Elephants, Rhinos and Buffaloes.

These big five graze the open savanna grasslands of Serengeti National park and can be seen while on game drives in the park. Big Five safari trips are complemented by other savanna wildlife species making game drives the most enjoyable activities in Serengeti.

The best time for big five safaris is also from June to October and from December to February. You can also enjoy these safaris from March to May but its a rainy season with high chances of rainfall. Its however a great time for birding as migratory birds from as far as Europe visit East Africa.

Ruaha Less Traveled Paths

Ruaha national park is Tanzania’s largest protected area and one of the less crowded savanna wildlife destinations in East Africa. With its huge size, the park is home to a variety of wildlife species including large prides of lions.

Safari trips to Ruaha national parks offers classic African safari experiences especially in Game drives. While here expect to see lions, leopards, Savanna elephants, giraffes, hippos, zebras, among others. Some of the most rare antelope species like the roan antelope, lesser Kudu and sable antelope are also present here.

Rauha also one of the best places to see the rare and endangered wild dogs and are usually the highlights of safaris here. The park can be visited anytime of the year but best experiences are enjoyed in the dry season from June to October. Ensure to book your accommodation in advance as there are limited exclusive accommodation options available.

Ngorongoro Safari Trips

The Ngorongoro crater is world’s largest intact and unfilled Volcanic caldera located in northern Tanzania. Its among East Africa’s world heritage sites and side from it being an attraction, its home to a variety of wildlife species.

Major african savanna wildlife species like elephants, hippos, hyenas, lions, zebras, wildebeest and a number of birds can be seen while on safari trips in Ngorongoro. The crater is a very outstanding attraction as well as the rare black rhinos.

You can explore the crater while on game drives on the floor and by taking guided nature walks. Safaris here are enjoyed throughout the year especially in the dry season for better wildlife viewing options. Its also very magnificent in the wet season when fresh and green pastures cover the crater floor. While planning safari trips exploring the northern tourism circuit in Tanzania ensure to add a visit to the crater.

Tag: safari