For many people around the world, the names Kenya and Tanzania have become
synonymous with the word safari. Interestingly the word “safari” is a Swahili
word, meaning “to journey”.
Many conjure up an image of a luxury colonial safari
in true Hemingway’s style. This fantasy is easily met at the luxury lodges on
the picturesque plains of the Masai Mara and Serengeti.
Tanzania is an exciting
destination with amazing scenery and landscapes. The landscapes are little more
than stages for a whole cast of wildlife spectaculars including the annual
migration of over 2 million from Serengeti and Ngorongoro areas. Less well known
but no less worthy of acclaim are sanctuaries such as Lake Manyara, Ruaha
and Selous, elephant kingdoms extraordinary.
Tanzania has some extraordinary
lodges and tented camps. In the Northern Section of the Country you find
Ngorongoro Crater, Serengeti and Lake Manyara.
Perched on the rim and
overlooking the Ngorongoro Crater the
Ngorongoro Crater Lodge has often been described as Masai
Versailles and is a funky and unusual lodge.
Located in a remote western
section of the Serengeti
Grumeti
River Camp is built on a river bank and has an ideal position
for viewing the migration as it heads north to the Masai Mara in Kenya.
Kleins
Camps sits in the very north of the Serengeti. In the South of
the Serengeti
Kusini
Camp is a small camp with excellent service and great year
round game viewing.
Ruaha and Selous makes up a
section often referred to as the Southern Circuit. The remote tented camp of
Jongomero
and
Selous
Safari Camp are in this section and offers an extraordinary
game viewing experience.
A great start to the year and
Tanzania's prime game viewing time. Also a perfect time to take a Zanzibar
holiday, especially if you enjoy diving. Lake Manyara hosts a variety of bird
and animal species. The Serengeti and Selous are teeming with wildlife. It's a
good time to visit Uganda before the onset of the Long Rains
Mid March to May
This
is the Long Rain season in Tanzania and Uganda and this is not the time to go
Gorilla Tracking. Kenya usually experiences Long Rains from April to June, but
don't be put off: safaris are still good in Serengeti, Lake Manyara and the
Masai Mara.
Zanzibar is not at its best at
this time of year.
June
to September
Zanzibar is good at this time of the year.
The Wildebeest Migration
heads away from the Serengeti. By the end of August the Masai Mara is teeming
with wildlife.
Consider climbing Kilimanjaro
or lazing on one of the Kenya beaches. Tarangire and the Selous are very
enjoyable now.
October to December
The Rift Valley Lakes entertain
a host of birds and wildlife. Short Rains in Kenya and Uganda mean you can
expect afternoon thundershowers.
It’s a popular season to visit
Zanzibar. The migratory animals are now returning to the Serengeti making it the
perfect time for safari travel.
