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8-Day Tanzania Safari Tours

4.8/5  –  1,757 Tanzania Reviews

There are many great itineraries for a Tanzanian 8-day safari. The country has several safari circuits, and many parks and reserves, each with its own vibe. The experiences to be had in different parts of the country are unique. So, do some homework before you hone in on exactly where you would like to go. Is your priority the wildebeest migration in the Serengeti National Park? Is it the Big Five that you really want to see? Or would the opportunity to encounter a pack of endangered African wild dog be more exciting? And did you know you can go chimp trekking on a Tanzanian safari? There are some real off-the-beaten-track options in Tanzania, as well as some must-see highlights.

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5 Questions About 8-Day Tanzania Safaris

1. Is 8 days a good length for a safari in Tanzania?
2. What can I fit in during an 8-day safari in Tanzania?
3. What kind of accommodation can I expect?
4. Which animals can I expect to see?
5. How much will this safari cost?
 
 

5 Questions About 8-Day Tanzania Safaris

Answered by Ariadne van Zandbergen

Is 8 days a good length for a safari in Tanzania?

“Eight days is a good length for a safari in Tanzania, however, you’ll have to choose which area to focus on. It is impossible to visit all the main parks of Tanzania in one holiday. You’ll be able to visit one of Tanzania’s three safari circuits, though on a fly-in holiday, you can mix and match to some extent. It is a common mistake to try and cram too much into a safari. Rather, leave enough time to enjoy every moment. I prefer to spend at least 2 or 3 days in each destination instead of rushing from park to park. Days on safari usually start before dawn. Early morning is the best time for wildlife viewing. When spending more than 1 night in a place, you sometimes get a break in the middle of the day before heading out again in the afternoon. That way you’re charged up for the afternoon drive or activity. It’s a lovely rhythm, typical of spending time in the bush. And don’t worry about covering the same ground twice, as every game drive is different. You never know what you’ll see next. In 8 days you’ll have a chance to get away from the busiest traveler hot spots, which are difficult to escape on shorter safaris.”

1

What can I fit in during an 8-day safari in Tanzania?

“On an 8-day Tanzanian safari, you’ll be able to satisfy many of your priorities. When going on a road safari, I suggest focusing on one of the country’s three main safari circuits. The Northern circuit includes the most-famous Tanzanian parks, Serengeti National Park and the Ngorongoro Crater. These two parks are on most people’s bucket list when coming to Tanzania for the first time. The Serengeti is the setting for the annual wildebeest migration. It is easy to spend 8 days here, stopping at the Ngorongoro Crater for a night en route. Alternatively, you can add a few days in Lake Manyara or Tarangire National Parks (best in the Dry season). For a second Tanzanian safari, or if you prefer to go more remote, the Southern circuit is perfect. Some of the country’s top guides work in Ruaha NP, and walking safaris are particularly recommended here. Nyerere NP is another gem of the south. Boat safaris on the Rufiji River, which teems with croc and hippo, offer a nice change from vehicle-based safaris. Fly-in safaris offer a chance to pick and choose from the main parks of the north and south. They also give an opportunity to visit the remote western parks. Mahale Mountains and Gombe National Parks are located on the shore of Lake Tanganyika, and arguably offer the best chimp trekking in Africa. Mahale is often paired with Katavi National Park on 8-day packages. With a limited number of small lodges serving a large wilderness area, Katavi is one of Tanzania’s best-kept safari secrets.”

2

What kind of accommodation can I expect?

“A wide range of accommodation is available on a Tanzanian safari. The main parks and reserves have lodges and hotels at different comfort and price levels, ranging from budget to mid-range to luxury. Even within the luxury category, there are big differences, as some lodges literally exceed any expectations. The sky is the limit. Budget lodges are often outside the parks and reserves, sometimes even in a nearby town. The mid-range lodges inside the parks can be no-frills tented camps or large hotels. The latter sometimes lack atmosphere, but they are often in prime positions with great views. If you favor a proper hotel room and prefer not to be in the bush at night, you might choose these hotel-like lodges over the more expensive but rustic ecocamps. Luxury lodges are usually small and intimate. They tend to blend into the bush and give a very outdoor experience. Most people fly to these places, and the service, food and guiding are superb. As an alternative to a lodge safari, you can also opt for a budget camping safari. This is not only the cheapest option, it also gives you an authentic bush experience. The campsites in the parks and reserves are unfenced. Imagine falling asleep listening to the sounds of the bush with nothing between you and the outside world but a piece of canvas.”

3

Which animals can I expect to see?

“Tanzania has an incredible wealth of wildlife, and you’ll be able to see a wide variety of animals on an 8-day safari. For sheer numbers, you have to go to northern Tanzania. The Serengeti ecosystem supports vast herds of ungulates and high densities of predators, such as lion, leopard and cheetah. Most spectacular is the annual wildebeest migration where millions of wildebeest, accompanied by plains zebra and gazelle, move in search of greener pastures. Seeing them walking determinedly across the savannah is special, but more exciting is seeing a river crossing and the spectacle of huge crocs feeding on them. Seeing the Big Five isn’t difficult on an 8-day safari. Elephant and buffalo are common enough in all the main parks, but your best chance to see black rhino is in the Ngorongoro Crater. Lions are plentiful in the Northern and Southern circuits. Katavi National Park in the west also has a very healthy lion population. Wherever you go, leopards are notoriously elusive and secretive, but you’ll have a very good chance of spotting one in Serengeti and Ruaha. Wild dog are very rare in the Serengeti. For a better chance to see these endangered social animals, you need to visit Nyerere or Ruaha.”

4

How much will this safari cost?

“There is a wide range of prices for a Tanzanian 8-day safari. At the budget end, you can find 8-day safaris advertised from about US$1,800 per person. Mid-range tours range between US$2,000 and US$3,000, while luxury tours generally range between US$3,500 and US$7,500. There are many factors determining the cost. The type of accommodation used on the tours will greatly influence the overall price. Cheaper tours will use budget hotels or camping, while mid-range tours mostly use simple safari lodges, tented camps or larger hotels inside the parks. Top of the range are the luxury designer lodges and tented camps. Shared tours are often cheaper than private tours, especially for single travelers. Families might find there is little difference between a shared and private tour. Luxury tours often fly guests between parks and reserves. These fly-in tours come at a premium compared to road safaris. This way of travel is obviously very comfortable, and you won’t waste precious time. However, if you would like to see more of the countryside, road trips are a good option. Lastly, you can often pick up good deals when traveling out of season or even in the shoulder months. This period generally sees more rain, which means that some parks, for instance Katavi, might be completely out-of-bounds. But other parks, such as Serengeti, are lovely during the rains. There are fewer crowds, the scenery is lush, and baby animals abound.”

5

Tanzania Reviews

4.8/5 1,757 Reviews
Expert
Gemma Pitcher  –  
Australia AU

Gemma authored several Lonely Planet guidebooks, including the guides to Africa, Kenya, Tanzania and South Africa.

Africa as I pictured it
5/5

I still remember the first picture of Africa I saw when I was a kid. Vast, stretching plains of undulating yellow grass, broken only by flat-topped acacia trees and the odd strolling giraffe, all set beneath the dome of a perfect blue sky....

Full Review

Expert
Christopher Clark  –  
United Kingdom UK

Christopher is a British travel writer and has contributed to various Fodor's guidebooks and a range of travel magazines.

The capital of safari in word and deed
5/5

If I think about everything that I imagined safari to be before I moved to South Africa and began travelling Africa, it turns out that what I imagined was Tanzania. For me, the striking variety of landscapes and the staggering density of...

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John Nielsen  –  
United States US
Reviewed: Dec 16, 2024
The beautiful cradle of humanity
5/5

Tanzania was a fantastic experience - the safari on the Serengeti, in Ngorongoro Crater and by Lake Manyara. The people we met were friendly and accommodating, and with very good reason proud of their country. We have visited both Zanzibar...

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Luciano  –  
Spain ES
Reviewed: Dec 12, 2024
Awesome
5/5

My recent trip to Tanzania was a perfect blend of adventure and relaxation. I started with a thrilling safari in Serengeti National Park and Gorongoro where I was immediately awed by the vast landscapes and abundant wildlife. The highlight...

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Jackie M  –  
Canada CA
Reviewed: Dec 11, 2024
incredible
5/5

Tanzania was amazing start to finish. The people were friendly, it was easy to travel into and out of the country. I felt really safe, although I was with my tour operator the entire time. The food was great and most fruits/vegetables are...

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Laura & Marc  –  
Germany DE
Reviewed: Dec 10, 2024
Incredible safari experience from Zanzibar to Tanzania
5/5

We had an incredible honeymoon safari experience in Tanzania! Despite the short rainy season at the end of November, we had almost only sunshine and just a few rain showers. A special highlight was our driver Simon, whose expertise and...

Full Review

All 1757 Tanzania Reviews