5 Top Safari Places for Self Drive in Tanzania

5 Top Safari Places for Self Drive in Tanzania are Serengeti, Tarangire, Mount Kilimanjaro. The 5 Top Safari Places for Self Drive in Tanzania for wildlife tours offer you amazing wildlife Safaris to all travelers on self drive safari as they encounter the unique terrain landscapes, wildlife animals on vacation.

Are you traveling to the land of blacks – Africa but looking for the best destination for the self-drive encounter? Tanzania is one of the best countries to opt for. Officially known as the United Republic of Tanzania, Tanzania is located in the Eastern sub-region of Africa within the African Great Lake region.

It borders several countries including Uganda to the north, Kenya to the northeast, Comoro Islands and Indian Ocean to the east, Mozambique and Malawi to the south, Zambia to the southwest, and then Burundi, Rwanda and Democratic Republic of Congo to the west.

Stretching over an area of approximately 947,303 square kilometers, Tanzania is known among the best countries to visit for your road trip due to its adventurous attractions in different regions – North, South, West and the coastal regions. The great safari in the beautiful country will start from the amazing cities like Dodoma and Dar es Salaam for city drives and shopping before proceeding to the wild.

The United Republic of Tanzania is with no doubt among the best safari destinations on the African continent encompassing the highest summit of the continent on Mount Kilimanjaro and the three Africa’s Great Lakes namely; Lake Victoria which is the largest lake on the continent lying in to the north and west of the country, Lake Tanganyika the continent’s deepest lake and then Lake Malawi which lies to the southern region.

Though encompassing various attractions like sanctuaries, historical and cultural sites, reserves, cities and many others, the majority of tourists visit national parks especially those located in the northern circuit – Serengeti national park, Ngorongoro Conservation Area, Tarangire national park, Lake Manyara national park, and Mountain Kilimanjaro national park.

The Republic of Tanzania can be explored during the self-guided safaris and also during tour guiding safari. During the trip, hire the best safari vehicle that can hit all the terrains of the country regardless the weather conditions.

Among the suitable vehicles for a Tanzania safari include Land Cruisers, safari vans, Toyota RAV4s, and 4×4 wheeled cars. These vehicles can be used to discover the hidden secrets of the beautiful countries in various attractions. Among the attractions that should not miss on your travel plan for a road trip in Tanzania include;

Serengeti National Park

Situated in the northern region of Tanzania, Serengeti national park is a large park in the country stretching over an area of approximately 14,763 square kilometers. It is located entirely in the eastern Mara region and north east portion of Simiyu region encompassing about 1,500,000 hectares of virgin savanna.

The park is known for hosting the largest number of animals in the annually during the Great migration. The migration involves the flock of over 1.5 million blue wildebeest, over 250,000 zebras, plus several herds of Thomas’ Gazelle and elands as they move towards the Mara River so as to cross to the mighty Kenya.

Serengeti national park is also known for housing the largest population of lions in Africa though it is under the threat of deforestation, population growth and poaching. Other animals to spot during your self-drive safari in the destination include cheetahs, impalas, buffalos, hyenas, wild dogs, ostriches, elephants and many others.

Mount Kilimanjaro

With a summit of 19,331 feet above the sea level, Mount Kilimanjaro stands as the highest mountain on the African continent. It is believed that the mountain was formed by earth movement million years ago in the north eastern Tanzania. The highest peak of the mountain is called Uhuru peak which can be reached by using different routes including Rongai, Machame, Lemosho, Marangu, and Shira.

Every route to the summit provides a different experience and challenge. Mount Kilimanjaro is protected by Mount Kilimanjaro national park which is also a home to different wildlife and birdlife species that will definitely make your safari unforgettable.

Tarangire National Park

Named after River Tarangire that crosses through it, Tarangire national park is national park in Tanzania situated in Manyara region. Tarangire River is the primary source of fresh water for the wild animals in the ecosystem especially in the dry season. With an area of approximately 2,850 square kilometers, the landscape of the park is composed of granitic ridges, river valley and swamps.

Its vegetation is a mix of Acacia woodland, Combretum woodland, seasonally flooded grassland and baobab trees. Tarangire national park provides an excellent game viewing exercise since it is famous for its high density of animals including the elephants, zebras, wildebeest, Cape buffalo, waterbuck, giraffe, dik dik, vervet monkeys, impala, and many others. The national park is also a home to different predators including the lions, leopards, caracal, honey badger, African wild dog, cheetahs and many others.

Besides the above mentioned attractions, the Republic of Tanzania encompasses other attractions in different destinations including the religious places and other national park. Reach all these destinations following the tour packages designed by professional travel advisors during your self-drive or guided safari.

Lake Manyara National Park

Lake Manyara National Park is amazing to explore in Tanzania as you get to watch wildlife animals especially the tree climbing lions that make the destination stand out. The Park includes various wildlife animals which wander around their natural habitat and these include; herds of elephant, giraffe, zebra, wildebeest, lion, leopard, hyena, buffaloes, hippos, antelopes, impalas, gazelles etc. Other than the wildlife animals, you shall view various bird species too like flamingos.

Ngorongoro Conservation Area

Ngorongoro Conservation Area is exceptional to explore while on self drive Tanzania. The Conservation Ara includes a crater which comprises of various wildlife animals that are here to break their thirst. While on Game Drive around the crater, you watch various wildlife animals like the BIG FIVE wildlife animals as well as others like wildebeests, zebras, elephants, lions, leopards, buffalo, rare black rhino, hippos, hyenas, cheetahs, giraffes, gazelles, eland, impala as well as bird species i.e flamingos, ostriches and kori bustards etc. While in the park, you shall watch plains, savannah woodlands, and forests.

Zanzibar

Zanzibar known as a remarkable Tourism hub for all travelers on self drive safari vacation in Tanzania. The destination offers unique cultural influences, pristine palm-fringed romantic beaches and clear waters that are exceptional to adventure on honeymoon tour. Zanzibar offers relaxation, adventures around the historic Stone Town known for its prominent carved doors. The safari place offers a rich mosaic of architecture, white sands, delicious cuisines and alluring traditions. While in Zanzibar, you can learn about the origin and cultivation of spices, vibrant markets, local crafts.

Ruaha National Park

Ruaha National Park is a famously known safari destination to explore in Tanzania with rugged terrain landscapes i.e rolling hills and baobab, studded plains. You shall also watch predators and unusual wildlife species like elephants, lions, cheetahs, wild dogs, giraffes, zebras, buffaloes, various antelope species, hippos and Nile crocodiles.

Ruaha National Park is the largest national park in Tanzania covering an area of 20,226 square kilometers with diverse wildlife i.e large populations of elephants, lions, various antelope species like kudu and sable. Other than wildlife, you can watch bird species i.e over 70 bird species. The Park includes a vast wilderness, Ruaha River that can also be seen on self drive safari to the park.

Nyerere Game Reserve

Nyerere National Park, previously the Selous Game Reserve, is one of Africa’s largest protected wildlife regions, promising unique safaris along the Rufiji River and its lake systems. This riverine heart pulses through the park, nurturing channels, lakes, swamps. The Park is home to buffalo, hippo, crocodile, lion and endangered wild dogs. Enjoy exploring the park by vehicle, on foot, and by boat. Roho ya Selous, located in the core game-viewing area, offers an outstanding wildlife experience. The safari adventures you can do in the park include; walking, boating and game drives.

Dar es Salaam

Standing as the largest city in the beautiful Tanzania, Dar es Salaam is surely one of the must visit cities during your road trip in the country. Although it is not the capital city of the country, it is the busiest port and commercial hub of the country.

During your city trip in the amazing Dar es Salaam, visit several attractions including the national museum, beautiful beaches, Mbudya Island, the former state house, restaurants and amazing shopping malls.

It’s during your city tour that you will acquire all the necessary information about the history and background of the Republic of Tanzania in the national museum and have your relaxed evening at the beautiful beaches and Islands of Zanzibar since it’s along the shores of Indian Ocean.

The Great Rift Valley

This Great Rift Valley crosses through all the East African countries including Tanzania leaving it with adventurous and amazing features like lakes, rivers, hot springs and many others.

The lakes in the beautiful Tanzania that are among the Great Rift Valley include Lake Manyara, Lake Natron, Lake Tanganyika, Lake Victoria, Lake Eyasi and Lake Makati.

All these lakes provide spectacular views of animal and bird species since various animals visit them so as to quench their thirst.