Tanzania Safari in 15 Days

A trip to Tanzania is to see Africa closely. The same Africa that we have seen in so many nature documentaries. Beyond knowing everything to see and do in Tanzania, this is a trip to your childhood imagination. When you find the immense crater of the Ngorongoro under your feet; or seeing lions and other wild animals in the Serengeti National Park. If you want to know more about Tanzania Safari travel tips and tricks for a safe journey, then take a look at this reference blog.

We already warn you, doing a safari in Tanzania is not cheap; however, choosing local agencies and guides will be able to reduce the budget a lot. Two weeks is a reasonable duration to visit the parks that host the largest variety of wild animals in Africa. On this trip, there will also be a getaway to the wonderful beaches of Zanzibar. In this article, we propose an itinerary of what to do and see in Tanzania in 15 days. We have also included alternative attractions that you can visit. Also, a complete guide with useful tips and information.

Things to do in Tanzania – A 15-day itinerary

Day 1. Arrival in Nairobi / Arusha

The cheapest flights usually reach Nairobi, Kenya. Although we find an offer to the Kilimanjaro Airport near Arusha. Arusha is usually the base to start a Tanzania safari route. Though Nairobi is very close to the border, so you can start your trip there too.

Day 2-3 Tarangire National Park

One of the essential natural parks to see in Tanzania is the Tarangire National Park. Next to the Manyara Lake National Park, this is the most easily accessible national park from Arusha. It is the perfect place to start your Tanzania safari route. The Tarangire National Park owes its name to the Tarangire River which is the source of life in this region. The main attractions of Tarangire are large groups of elephants; there are about 6,000 copies in the park. Other attraction is the beautiful baobabs, symbols of African vegetation.

In the dry season (between June and October) animals usually concentrate around the river to drink water; therefore, this is the best time to see animals, including the Big Five of Africa. In the rainy seasons, the animals are more distributed in the park and the vegetation is denser that could make sighting difficult. The best time to visit is May, at the end of the rainy season. And you may spot elephants, lions, and much other African wildlife. However, the safari is active 365 days.

Day 4-5 Lake Eyasi and its Tribes

Among the safaris through the different natural parks waiting to see all the wild animals of Africa, the interesting experience is a trip to Lake Eyasi. On one hand, it’s a beautiful alkaline lake, surrounded by beautiful landscapes and large groups of flamingos on its shore.

On the other hand, it is an area inhabited by several tribes. Lake Eyasi offers you the magnificent opportunity to meet different tribes of Bushmen like the Hadza or Watindinga. These groups usually inhabit caves and live by hunting animals with bows and arrows. It has been an unforgettable experience to participate in a morning hunt with them, also to know their customs and dances.

Another tribe that you can meet is the Datoga that lives in the forests of this area. They usually live from working with metal: making arrows and other weapons that they then sell to other tribes (the Bushmen for example). We had a good time here with several families knowing their daily life. It is curious to know that “data” is a Masai word that means “enemy” since formerly the togas were the enemies of Masai, the best-known ethnic group in Tanzania.

Day 6-8. Serengeti National Park

There is no doubt that if one thing you have to do in Tanzania Safari, it is to tour the Serengeti National Park. It is the most emblematic park in Africa that you will have seen in so many documentaries by David Attenborough. Its territory occupies about 15,000 square kilometres of African savanna dotted at some points by lonely acacias, rivers, small forests and small mountains; places where lions usually hide. More than 3 million wildebeest cross the entire park and travel over 3,000 kilometres every year during the Great Migration, one of nature’s most spectacular wonders.

A minimum of 3 days is necessary to know something about this gigantic park, although to get a good tour, you will need a minimum of one week. Montes as you mount your itinerary; we already warn you that at the time of having to move on, you will say that you would have liked to stay one more day. Beyond the immense greens of the African savanna, Serengeti is a wonderful place to spot almost all the emblematic wild animals of Africa. In addition to the Big Five (although today it is quite difficult for you to see rhino here), you can see other large animals such as cheetahs, giraffes, hyenas, zebras and much more. You can’t miss the sunset, the most magical moment when the sun disappears below the horizon of this huge savanna.

Day 9. Ngorongoro Crater

If you want to visit the greatest concentration of wild animals, you can probably see throughout Africa, then Ngorongoro Conservation Zone in Tanzania is the ideal place. It is one of the most spectacular volcanic calderas in the world, and admiring it from above you will be speechless. A crater of 20 kilometres in diameter with 600 meters of vertical walls.

However, the best will come when you enter the crater where several ecosystems cohabit. There are forests with monkeys with large sheets of swamps. You can see a wide variety of wild animals from African lions to large groups of giraffes and buffaloes. Although, the biggest attraction of the crater is black rhinos if you’re lucky. Only a few dozen of this animal exists. Hence, there is a danger of extinction. You will have to dedicate a whole day to explore the crater well.

Day 10. Lake Manyara National Park

Another interesting natural park with very varied landscapes that you can visit in Tanzania is Lake Manyara National Park. On its surface with underground water forests, African savannas and of course, Manyara Lake as the protagonist of the park. Eye beyond climbing lions (typical of this area), giraffes, zebras, elephants, monkeys and other large mammals to more than 400 species of birds from marabou to pelicans.

After visiting the Serengeti, Tarangire and Ngorongoro, a half-day visit to the Manyara Lake National Park will suffice. This will allow you to also visit the Masai community.

Almost 1 million people belonging to this town that lives in the savannas of Tanzania safari and Kenya, most of them are nomads. Although for periods they settle and build cabins. They are dedicated to pomegranate and traditions. The family man lives with his various women and the children he has with them. Many of the women are dedicated to making handmade objects and selling them to tourists.

Day 11. Arusha National Park

This day could be a “joker” after visiting the most essential parks in the country. One choice is to follow your trip to Zanzibar beaches immediately or you can relax in Arusha for one day and visit the Arusha National Park. It is located near the city. It’s a relatively small natural park with just over 300 square kilometres of surface, popular with walkers who make the ascent to Mount Meru. The fauna is not so abundant in this park, but the landscape is very green, and you can also see many zebras, giraffes and buffaloes. Although none of the famous big five due to the unfortunate poaching. The main attraction of the park is black and white colobus, monkeys that are the symbol of the park. It is also a paradise for bird watching lovers since the park has almost 600 species with large groups of pink flamingos.

Day 12-14 Zanzibar

After many days of Tanzania safari in a jeep looking for the Big Zones and other wild animals of Africa, you will want to feel a bit of relaxation. What’s better than some paradisiacal beaches of Zanzibar? You will have to travel by plane to the port of Dar Es Salaam and then take a boat to these wonderful islands. What can be said about the Zanzibar Islands? Postcard beaches, small dream islets, but also a lot of interesting culture with cities like Stone Town that is a World Heritage Site. The beaches of Nungwi are the most spectacular, while places like Jambiani or Paje are the most famous for their party atmosphere.

Day 15. Return to Arusha / Nairobi and flight home

After this trip through the best national parks to visit in Tanzania and the beaches of Zanzibar you will return to Nairobi or Arusha where you will depart. Depending on your flight schedule you can spend a few hours visiting either of these cities.

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