Travel Inspiration Kilimanjaro Safari - Recommended Parks To Visit 25th October, 2024

When visiting Tanzania to climb Kilimanjaro, it would be a shame to miss out on the amazing opportunity to join a Tanzania safari. ATanzania safari tour is an experience like no other and you'll be able to see some of the world's most famous creatures in their natural habitats in one of the many national parks in Tanzania, not to mention some incredible scenery.

We always recommend to our clients to take this opportunity either before or after their Kilimanjaro trek as Tanzania is considered to be the best safari destination on earth. Kandoo Adventures have purpose built Tanzania safari vehicles and bespoke Tanzania safari packages to give you the best possible wildlife experience on your Tanzanian safari tour. We might be biased but when thinking about where to safari in Africa, we think Tanzania is pretty hard to beat!

Whether you have travelled from the UK, US or elsewhere, if you’re visiting Kilimanjaro National Park to climb Kilimanjaro, it makes sense to allow a little time afterwards to explore more of Africa and some of the best safari parks are right here, in Tanzania.

To give you an idea as to what the safari parks in northern Tanzania have to offer, we have listed the best wildlife parks below and discuss each park in a little detail to help you decide which one is rightfor you. Whether you want to add a wildlife safari onto your Kilimanjaro trip or skip the trekking altogether and go in search of wildlife in Tanzania, your trip with Kandoo Adventures is sure to be an unforgettable one.

As you venture further north the scenery changes dramatically and you are faced with rolling hills and the tranquil Momela lakes. The Momela lakes of the Arusha National Park support a wide host of wildlife, including thousands of bright pink flamingos, herds of zebra and families of giraffe. Although elephants are uncommon in the park and lions altogether absent, leopards are often spotted hunting in the dawn and dusk periods. This Tanzania safari park is a photographer’s dream. The imposing peak of Kilimanjaro adds a special something to many of the wildlife shots and the wide array of scenery means that every shot is varied.

Arrive a few days before your Kilimanjaro trip and take a day trip here or pause for a few days after your Kilimanjaro climb in Arusha to rest and take a jaunt to this beautiful wildlife park.

An absolute favourite among all who come to Tanzania. Serengeti National Park is famous for one mind blowing event in particular - The Great Migration! The migration is one of the largest mass movement of animals on our planet and attracts thousands of visitors each year.

From January to March, 1.7 million wildebeest, 260,000 zebra and 500,000 gazelle make their way from the Ngorongoro Conservation Area through the Serengeti on their way to the Masai Mara in Kenya in search of grazing lands. Columns of wildebeest over 20 km long make their way across the savannah, at times plunging through the crocodile infested rivers, in the hope of reaching secure breeding grounds. The breeding season is short and sharp and over 1,000 calves are born every day before the 1,000 km return journey begins. This movement is truly one of earth's greatest spectacles and not to be missed.

Even during the non-migration period, the Serengeti National Park is one of the most spectacular safaris on earth. Lions roam the plains in a constant search of prey. If you want to see lions in their natural habitat, then a Serengeti safari is one of the best places by far. A safari in the Serengeti is also a great opportunity to see huge groups of giraffe and elephant along with thousands of Topi, eland, kongoni and impala. Visitors will travel through open grassland, swamps, rocky terrain and beautiful woodland. This variety of ecosystem is home to a great variety of wildlife. Get your binoculars ready to see the Big 5, plus numerous monkeys, hyena, cheetah and possibly smaller cats such as the serval or civet.

As the oldest and most popular national park, visiting Tanzania’s Serengeti National Park is one of those experiences that will stay with you forever. Make sure you add a Tanzania wildlife safari onto your Kilimanjaro trip as you’d be daft to miss out on one of the best safari parks in the world.

One of the smaller parks in Tanzania, Tarangire National Park packs a pretty big punch! Outside of the Serengeti, Tarangire National Park hosts the greatest concentration of wildlife in northern Tanzania. Its lagoons and rivers are a haven for wildlife and up to 300 elephants have been seen in the area at one time. On top of this are thousands of migratory wildebeest, buffalo, zebra, impala and gazelle. Like the Serengeti, lions roam throughout the plains of the Tarangire in a constant search for food. Another rare sight is the population of resident lions that seem to have developed a love for climbing trees! These large cats are often spotted lazing on a branch, very similar to that of a leopard. There are only a handful of places to catch a glimpse of tree-climbing lions and here you’ll have a better chance than other places.

Although incredibly dry and hot in the warmer months, the lagoons in the Tarangire still hold water. Animals come from hundreds of miles around because of this fact. Tarangire safaris are certainly an awesome option if you plan on visiting during the drier months. For bird lovers a Tarangire safari is also a great option as the swamp lands draw over 550 different species of bird! The land is home to the world's heaviest flying bird, the kori bustard, which weigh up to 19kg, and also to the world's largest bird, the common ostrich. Leopards and pythons are not an uncommon site in trees and dwarf mongoose are often seen ferreting among the termite mounds.

The park's popularity lies in the location of the Tarangire River which is a hotspot for wildlife. During the dry season, the river is the primary source of fresh water for the animals and makes it a superb spot for safari goers to witness the wildlife up close. The park is also famed for its huge baobab trees that dwarf the surrounding landscape and make for some fabulous photos.

By far the smallest park in Northern Tanzania, Lake Manyara National Park is mainly made up of water with only around 120 sq km being land based. However, size is not everything and the park is a little gem, boasting an incredible Tanzania safari experience. Ernest Hemingway famously described the area as "the loveliest I had seen in Africa". We certainly wouldn't disagree.

The small game viewing circuit is a literal microcosm of wildlife. The entrance to the Manyara National Park leads into thick jungle where you can see lounging baboons, blue monkeys jumping through the trees and hornbills honking high in the jungle canopy. In stark contrast to the jungle are the grassy plains that surround the area. These plains are home to herds of zebra, large buffalo, wildebeest and, occasionally, giraffes. Further inland of the plains is a narrow belt of acacia woodland where you might see the famous tree-climbing lions and large-tusked elephants. Even within such a small area over 400 species of bird have been recorded, making it an ideal location for bird lovers. A Manyara safari is undeniably one of the most unique experiences in the country and well worth the trip.

Without doubt one of the most awesome destinations in Africa is the Ngorongoro Crater located in the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. The Ngorongoro Crater was deemed a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1978 and it's easy to see why. Named by Masai Mara farmers after the sound of the cow bells when herding cattle across the plains, ngoro ngoro, the Ngorongoro Crater was formed by a volcanic explosion. The resulting crater, which stretches almost 19 km in width is actually the largest intact volcanic caldera in the world. With natural walls rising between 400-600 meters high, the crater was more or less cut off from the world around it, allowing the wildlife inside to thrive. What can be seen today is a breathtakingly beautiful landscape thriving in biodiversity. It is an incredible natural wonder to behold.

Other than being a superb natural wonder, the Ngorongoro Conservation Area is also home to some of the densest mammal populations on earth. Parts of the crater are covered in dense forest whilst most of the northern end is grassy plains. It is in the grassy plains where the animals converge in great numbers. Whilst the crater is home to herds of zebra, wildebeest and many varieties of gazelle, one of the main attractions are the fearless lions. The lions that inhabit the crater are famous for having a complete lack of regard for vehicles on Ngorongoro safaris - they will literally come right up beside the vehicles and often doze up against them! The resident population of hyenas often compete with the lions for their kills and it's an unforgettable sight, seeing these two creatures engage with each other. You’ll also be able to spot herds of elephants here and occasionally leopards lounging in the trees, although they can be hard to spot. The Ngorongoro Crater is also one of the last places in the world that you can see the critically endangered black rhino in the wild, as there are approximately 60 living here.

Combining a trip to the Ngorongoro area with a Serengeti safari is one of the most popular safari adventures for Kilimanjaro trekkers visiting Tanzania for the first time.

The park is also famed for its lion population which makes up over 10% of the world's population. The park has the third largest population of wild dogs and cheetahs, and elephants and leopards are all common sights. If you're looking to see the big cats, then May to December is your best bet, but for bird lovers, the best time to visit would be during the wet season from January through to April. If you fancy getting super close to the bird life, then taking a boat safari down one of the park's rivers may be just the ticket! 

You can go on an African safari in Tanzania any time of year, but the season will likely dictate your chances of big game success. The long dry season between June and October is when much of the vegetation turns brown and dry due to the lack of rain. On the one hand this makes wildlife easier to see from a distance, but the muted colours of the savannah also hide the local animals well. Watering holes will become more popular as the wildlife will congregate close to the water, especially around dusk and dawn giving much better chances to spot more wildlife in a shorter amount of time. Whilst this might be a good time to go on safari for hotter, drier weather, the landscapes can be dull, the risk of bush fires is higher and migratory animals may be scarcer.

If you opt for a Tanzania safari package during the wetter months of April and May, you may find your climb up Kilimanjaro more challenging, a restricted number of available routes and the climate unpredictable and soggy. However, the scenery across the country will be stunning. The trees will be full and tall, the savannah lush and green, the lakes and rivers rife with birds and other wildlife and the flora and fauna at their absolute best. There is a bit of a trade off to be had for a safari during the wet season.

For this reason, we would suggest that the best time to go on safari in Tanzania is either January to March during the short dry season or November to December during the short wet season. To narrow this down further, if you are combining a Kilimanjaro trek with your safari then climbing Kili in November or December is not as ideal as the weather can be wet and the conditions tricky. The rain in Tanzania is not just a light smattering either, oh no. Often the monsoons come from nowhere at all and before you have chance to pop your hood up, you’re drenched. It’s exhilarating and exciting but also slightly annoying.

Therefore, in conclusion, we reckon the best time to combine a hike up Kilimanjaro with a safari trip in Tanzania would be January to March. In theory, the rains will have passed leaving a sprouting savannah bursting with new life. The climate is warm and dry, the mountain is usually quieter and the wildlife will be here in abundance.

A hat with a brim is an excellent idea too to keep the sun off your face and help you to spot the illusive local critters.

Typically, your Tanzania safari trip will start off in a game drive vehicle which will either be open-sided or have an open or pop-top roof. You will be contained and protected from any animals you encounter but able to see clearly in all directions. It might be warm in the car so wearing layers, a hat and sunglasses as well as sunscreen is a good idea.

What to take on safari in Africa

• Binoculars – worth their weight in gold for picking out the spots on a leopard hiding in a tree!
  
• Sunhat – a hat with a brim will help shade your eyes from glare making it easier to see the wildlife
  
• Sunscreen – never go anywhere without sunscreen at the equator
  
• Bug spray -insects are symbiotic to animals so where there is one there is usually the other
  
• Fly net – a hat with a fly net might be useful if there are lots of flies about
  
• Water bottle – keeping hydrated in the heat is as important as staying hydrated on the mountain
  
• Snacks – pack these in a bag or cool box and keep them away from the baboons or you might get raided!
  
• Camera – don’t to go home without evidence of your amazing African safari with Kandoo!
  

Whilst the Serengeti might be the most famous national park in Tanzania, which wildlife park you decide to visit will depend entirely on what you want to see. If you’re short on time but want to spot the big 5, then the Ngorongoro Crater is your best chance to spot rhino, buffalo, leopard, lion and elephant. If you want to spot tree-climbing lions, then think about heading to Tarangire National Park. For bird watchers Lake Manyara is probably a place you could spend your days watching and listening or for a good all-round experience Tanzania safari, check out Ruaha National Park.

If you’re still not sure, read our blog on the top 10 things to see and do on safari in Tanzania to help you figure out what ticks your safari bucket list.

Check out our full list of Kilimanjaro trips below and don’t forget to add a 7 day Tanzania safari to follow, where you’ll get to visit 4 of the 5 incredible parks mentioned above and spend a whole week taking in this beautiful East African country. You’ll have plenty of time to rest those legs whilst spotting some of the largest mammals in the world in their incredible natural habitats. We can’t wait to see you there.