The 10 Best Things to Do on a Safari in Tanzania

From the Serengeti’s endless plains alive with migrating herds to the marvel that is the Ngorongoro Crater, Tanzania is an iconic safari destination where wildlife dramas unfurl across a storied landscape. Game drives along a rumbling savannah road might be the vision that draws you to Tanzania, but the safari experience here eclipses simply spotting the Big Five.   

In Tanzania, witness the thunderous Great Migration, trek the snow-capped peak of Mount Kilimanjaro, drift along the hippo-populated Rufiji River, admire dazzling coral gardens in the Zanzibar Archipelago, and in Tanzania’s far west, trek to spend time with chimpanzees. 

In this guide, we’ll explore the 10 best things to do on a safari in Tanzania, beyond game drives, that will make your journey truly extraordinary.  

Tanzania Safari Activities  

Witness the Great Migration
Visit the Ngorongoro Crater
Embark on a Walking Safari
Climb Mount Kilimanjaro
Go Chimp Trekking in the Mahale Mountains
Explore the Great Rift Valley
Visit Tanzania’s Remote Southern Parks
Take to the Sky on Hot Air Balloon Safari
Make Heartening Cultural Connections
Unwind in Zanzibar

Witness the Great Migration

The Great Migration is one of Tanzania’s most emblematic wildlife events, often called “the greatest show on Earth.” Each year, more than a million wildebeest, accompanied by zebras and gazelles, embark on a journey across the Serengeti in search of fresh grazing grounds. For travelers, it’s a breathless opportunity to witness wildlife on an immense scale.   

The sight of wildebeest gathering at the Mara River—hesitating at the edge of the bank before crossing crocodile-inhabited waters—is one of the most famous moments of the Migration. But this is just one portrait of an annual cycle where each phase of the journey offers unique highlights.  

From January to March, the Great Migration pauses in the southern Serengeti during the calving season as thousands of wildebeest birth their young. (Adorable.) This period, marked by new life, also attracts predators like lions and cheetahs, creating dramatic predator-prey interactions.   

By June, the herds have started their journey northward, passing through the Western Corridor and crossing the crocodile-filled Grumeti River. Come July and August, the Migration reaches its most dramatic point at the Mara River crossings in the north, where herds must navigate swift currents and predators to continue their journey. (Keep in mind, these are generalizations of an organic phenomenon; wildlife will disperse in all directions at different times, but this is the trend.)  

To experience the Migration in all its magnificence, staying in the right location is key. Mobile camps change locations a few times each year to best situate travelers close to the action. Serengeti Safari  Camp, Roving Bushtops, and Songa Migrational Camp are a few of our favorites. 

While the Great Migration is a crown jewel of a Tanzanian safari, it’s important to remember that even if your safari doesn’t align with the Migration, the Serengeti is spectacular. Resident predators and grazers, scenic plains, glorious sunrises and sunsets, and the splendor of the wilderness all contribute to the magic, no matter what time of the year you visit.   

Keep reading: Best Camps to see the Great Migration  

Visit the Ngorongoro Crater

Described as “Africa’s Eden,” the Ngorongoro Crater is a unique destination where landscapes and wildlife come together in extraordinary harmony. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is the world’s largest intact volcanic caldera, spanning 100 square miles and plunging nearly 2,000 feet from rim to floor. The result is a sanctuary for some of Africa’s most iconic species contained in an earthen bowl.   

Home to more than 25,000 large animals, viewing the Big Five in the Ngorongoro Crater is possible. In the Lerai Forest, you might spot bull elephants with their striking tusks while flocks of pink flamingos transform Lake Magadi’s shoreline into a vivid spectacle. Wildebeest and zebras graze the plains alongside gazelles, and hippos can often be found basking in the Crater’s waterholes.  

Game drives into the Crater are a day-long affair that begin early in the morning because overnight stays are prohibited. Staying at a lodge on the rim, such as Entamanu Ngorongoro, not only affords impressive views but also gets you onto the crater floor before the mid-morning crowds arrive from their Karatu-based lodges.   

The best time to visit the Ngorongoro Crater is generally agreed to be the dry season (June to October), when wildlife congregates around water sources and vegetation is sparse, making animals easier to spot. However, peak season crowds can temper the experience, as vehicles jostle at wildlife sightings. (Driving off-road is not permitted in the Crater, so you’re limited to what you can see from the road.) We advise you to consider traveling during the “secret season” from November to May when the visitor numbers are thinner.  

Whether it’s a one-day highlight or part of a longer Tanzania safari, the Ngorongoro Crater offers an experience that is truly as remarkable as it is unforgettable.  

Embark on a Walking Safari

For active travelers looking to make an unfettered connection with nature, there’s no better way than on foot. Unlike traditional days on safari, where twice-daily game drives are the norm, a walking safari invites you to leave the vehicle behind and experience the wilderness up close and at a slower pace.   

Led by a guide, a tracker, and possibly a local or Maasai guide, the trails range from established paths and open plains to wildlife-trodden game routes. As you walk, decipher the signs of the bush; scan for tracks and scat and listen for birdsong. Without the steel armor of a Land Cruiser, you’ll feel profoundly aware of you—the human—moving humbly through an environment to which you are not nearly as physically well adapted. By lunch, return to camp, whether it’s a mobile fly camp or a more permanent setup, to rest and reflect on the day’s memorable moments.  

Opportunities for a walking safari, or even an abbreviated bush walk, are possible at many camps and lodges around Tanzania. Organize one with your guides upon arrival. Keep reading about Tanzania walking safaris.   

Climb Mount Kilimanjaro

Travelers up for a physical challenge might look to the crown of mighty Mount Kilimanjaro. Standing at 19, 341 feet, Africa’s highest peak offers a chance to summit one of the world’s most iconic mountainscapes while passing through a range of unique ecosystems. From lush rainforest foothills to alpine deserts, the ascent offers adventure at every turn. And while a certain level of fitness is required, technical climbing skills aren’t necessary, making Killi accessible to many.   

There are a handful of popular routes to the top which vary in duration. The longer Lemosho Route is often recommended for panoramic views and a quieter path, especially across the first few days. Lemosho also allows for better acclimatization, increasing the odds of successfully reaching the summit. The trek typically takes eight days, allowing you time to adjust to the altitude and take in the surroundings. Along the way, you’ll experience Africa’s wild beauty from a different perspective, crossing diverse terrains that most can only imagine.   

Reaching the summit of Kilimanjaro is a profound accomplishment—a well-earned souvenir and unforgettable moment in the heart of East Africa.  

Go Chimp Trekking in the Mahale Mountains

Situated deep in western Tanzania, the jungle-carpeted sloping shores of Lake Tanganyika give rise to a wall of emerald mountains. Sheltered within the forest’s shadow-dappled depths is the world’s largest remaining population of chimpanzees. Welcome to Mahale Mountains National Park: a remote sanctuary that offers travelers a remarkable, wild-living chimp-tracking adventure. Depart with a guide and tracker on foot, winding into the forest to spend an hour with a habituated chimpanzee family. Watch in awe, observing the human likeness of these expressive creatures with which we share ~96% DNA.   

The Mahale Mountains are not easy to reach, which only lends to the adventure. After touching down on the Mahale airstrip, visitors arrive at Greystoke Mahale lodge via dhow boat. Here, six thatch-roof bandas face the lake, from which guests can admire waning sunsets in barefoot luxury. Other activities in the park include hiking through the forest, swimming in waterfalls and natural mountain pools, kayaking, and visiting a local community or school.   

Explore the Great Rift Valley

From crimson lakes to caldera peaks, the Great Rift Valley is a landscape sculpted by tectonics. Stretching 5,600 kilometers from Ethiopia to Mozambique and passing through Tanzania, base yourself at Lake Natron to explore this beguiling landscape overlooked by an imposing, sentinel volcano. Pass outdoorsy days on day hikes to secretive waterfalls, mountain biking, taking sunrise walk to view the lake’s population of long-legged flamingos (and countless other bird species), and inspecting ancient hominid footprints permanently cast in mud.   

For a heart-pumping, calf-burning, adventure, hiking Ol Doinyo Lengai, an active stratovolcano, is a vertigo-inducing thrill. From base to crater, Ol Doinyo can be ascended in four to six hours—but this is where the comparison to a “day hike” ends. To avoid the heat of the afternoon, you’ll depart after midnight, meaning your unrelenting uphill scramble (an elevation gain of 5,288 feet) will start in the dark. The trail is undefined, uneven, and sometimes blanketed in loose or compressed ash. You’ll arrive at the Crater’s edge for a memorable sunrise where a precipitous three- to six-foot lip separates you from the caldera.  

A less intense but longer adventure sees thru-hikers spend a few nights fly camping before reaching Lake Natron.   

Visit Tanzania’s Remote Southern Parks

Craving Tanzania’s wild side without the crowds? The southern parks, including Ruaha and Nyerere National Park (formerly Selous Game Reserve), offer exactly that—an intimate, off-the-beaten-path safari experience.  

Ruaha is known for its rugged beauty and iconic baobabs, where herds of elephants roam the savannahs and predators like lions, leopards, and wild dogs are abundant. The park’s remote location means you’ll often have the landscape to yourself, making it perfect for those who want to feel like they’re exploring an untouched world.  

Meanwhile, Nyerere National Park is home to the wandering Rufiji River, which attracts a wide range of wildlife. Boat safaris along the river provide a different perspective, allowing you to see hippos, crocodiles, and a wealth of birdlife up close. The park is also renowned for its high density of elephants and endangered wild dogs.  

Take to the Sky on Hot Air Balloon Safari

For a memorable trip highlight, take to the sky on a whimsical hot air balloon safari to shift your perspective from eye-level to aerial. Zooming out, you’ll float, suspended above the plains, taking in the glory of the rising morning sun, painting the sky in a kaleidoscope of color.   

Apart from an intermittent hiss of flames overhead, it’s eerily quiet. From this bird’s eye view, drink in the vast, unspoiled landscape as far as you can see—interrupted only by the horizon. You’re likely to see animals like hippos, elephants, giraffes, and impala—hence “balloon safari“—but the experience shouldn’t be booked for game viewing, so much as the pure pleasure of drifting across the landscape.   

A Tanazia balloon safari is possible in the Serengeti, Tarangire National Park, and Ruaha National Park and typically includes an hour of flight time. Post-flight, plant your feet back on terra firma for a bush breakfast in a scenic location and a fizzy Champagne toast—a ballooning tradition. 

Make Heartening Cultural Connections

Is a Tanzania safari only about wildlife, or is it also about learning from those who call this land home? Making genuine cultural connections adds depth to a trip, offering a chance to meet the people whose lives and traditions are deeply intertwined with the environment.  

In Tanzania, you might be welcomed into a Maasai boma to experience energetic dances and learn intricate beadwork from a mama. Or, spend an extended amount of time getting to know your Maasai guide on a walking safari in the Ngorongoro Highlands. In the Serengeti, it’s possible to accompany Hadza men and boys on their daily hunt and witness their ancient techniques in action. Alternatively, accompany community members while foraging for food or listen to storytellers recount ancestral tales. Similarly, you could spend time with the Datoga, semi-nomadic pastoralists in north-central Tanzania, who have a deep connection to their craft. Expertise in blacksmithing allows them to create tools and jewelry with remarkable skill, reflecting traditions that have been honed across centuries.  

Whether through sharing stories, learning a new skill, or simply observing a way of life so different from your own, cultural connection brings a sense of depth and perspective to your journey that lingers long after you’ve left Tanzania.  

Unwind in Zanzibar

For some travelers, a getaway isn’t complete without a little saltwater and sand. A common Tanzania safari extension includes a few days of rest, relaxation, and recreation on the island of Zanzibar.   

Commonly dubbed the “Spice Islands,” the Zanzibar Archipelago is a tropical paradise where turquoise waters meet powder-white sand. At low tide, the ocean retreats to reveal vast flats, inviting you to stroll toward coral reefs. A host of luxe coastal resorts offer dreamy sea views, breezy dining rooms, and full-service spas. For travelers not content to simply lay out, Zanzibar offers a wide range of water-based activities such as fishing, kayaking, and sailing. The island’s vibrant coral reefs teem with marine life, making it a prime destination for scuba diving and snorkeling.   

The archipelago also boasts a rich history thanks to its tenure as a world trading post, adding yet another layer to its allure.  In the heart of Stone Town, a UNESCO World Heritage site, you’ll navigate a labyrinth of narrow alleys, bustling markets, and landmarks like the Sultan’s Palace. The Kizimkazi Mosque, dating back to 1107, is one of the island’s oldest structures and merits a visit. 

Though smaller and more far-flung, the neighboring islands of Pemba and Mafia beckon to intrepid travelers. With superb diving and its famous underwater room, Manta Resort is an Extraordinary Journey’s top-pick that practices sustainable tourism.   

Peruse Tanzania Safari Itineraries