Tanzania Safari Review: Exploring Tarangire and Lake Manyara’s Wilds

Thinking of going on a safari in Tanzania? Well, it’s almost hard to beat a trip exploring Tarangire National Park and Lake Manyara National Park. They each offer a completely unique look at East Africa’s incredible wildlife and landscapes. So, let’s get to it, this review will offer helpful information to plan an amazing trip.

The Appeal of Tarangire National Park

Tarangire is perhaps most famous for its massive elephant herds, is that not cool? Seriously, they gather around the Tarangire River, specially in the dry season, that creates a real wildlife spectacle. This park’s landscape is just punctuated with baobab trees. This actually adds a sort of old and magical touch to the whole setting.

The park just happens to cover a really vast area, and what it holds can surprise you. You’re quite likely to spot lions, leopards, giraffes, zebras, and all kinds of antelopes as they, like, wander the savannah. It’s truly a treat for anybody who enjoys game drives, I can tell you. Plus, is it just me, or does the birdlife here seem particularly abundant and active?

Consider visiting during the dry months of maybe June through October, too. That’s usually when the animals crowd near water sources, as a matter of fact. It gets them easier to spot. Just make sure to bring binoculars for all of that wildlife viewing. You wouldn’t want to miss out on seeing that cool stuff, right?

Lake Manyara National Park: A Lakeside Jewel

Lake Manyara National Park is certainly different than Tarangire, that’s for sure. It’s fairly smaller, yet that doesn’t take away the charm, or even its value. It’s still extremely varied! So it really offers a rich concentration of animals in a space that seems manageable.

One thing this park’s really well known for, if you didn’t know, are the tree-climbing lions. They’re a pretty unusual sight that most people find memorable. Why exactly do they climb trees? Well, it might be to cool off, perhaps, or possibly to avoid pesky ground-level insects, really.

The lake itself attracts thousands and thousands of flamingos and other water birds, by the way, painting the shore in vivid colors. The groundwater forest, a bit, and the hot springs give even more variety. This truly transforms your average safari into one packed with new stuff at basically every corner, it seems.

You may wanna plan your visit round the rainy season from, like, November to May. During these months the birdlife tends to be at its peak. Just pack some rain gear. That helps to stay cozy when out exploring the habitat!

Planning Your Safari: Tours, Accommodation, and Timing

When planning a safari, it’s something to know that the tours tend to vary a lot. You could pick budget camping safaris, actually, or maybe go with pretty upscale lodge experiences. Whatever you think works! Either way, so consider what fits your travel style, but too, your budget.

Lots of operators are around that do mixed tours. This will sometimes cover both Tarangire and Lake Manyara. By combining the two parks you see completely different views. The tours go anywhere from a couple of days to about a week, so, it depends. Plenty of options await, really!

Accommodations in both parks kinda range from basic campsites to fancy lodges, maybe. Tarangire mostly offers a more secluded experience. The camps and lodges are slightly away from things, in some respects. Over at Lake Manyara, though, is it just me or do the lodging choices sometimes give grand views looking right out across the lake?

Regarding timing, I’m sure you can look into what suits you best! The dry season, between June and October, offers good wildlife viewing, basically. It might come with a few more crowds at certain times though. The rainy season brings lush landscapes plus bird watching opportunities, at any rate. That still means dealing with potentially wetter conditions though!

Maximizing Your Safari Experience

To really make the most of a safari, do you think it might be better to follow certain practices? Always bring enough water. Especially for all-day game drives, maybe. Put on light clothing to protect from the sun. You also want things to protect you from the tsetse flies which tend to become active at specific times during the safari, I tell you.

Respect local guidelines too. Respects ones for the park you’re in. Keep quiet. Don’t spook any animals. Stay in your car most times! All this is not just better for you. Actually, it protects these animals in their natural habitats, is that not very important?

Engage with guides; ask them what is going on and why, anyway! The park rangers and guides, naturally, share loads of info on animal behaviors, and so on. This actually deepens your understanding of these really very unique ecosystems and the conservation issues in place. When things come up ask questions anyway!

Photographing Wildlife: Tips and Ethics

Photography enthusiasts might feel the excitement involved in capturing fantastic photos, really. However, remember this: wildlife photography ethics truly do matter here. That may not sound that interesting. What that all amounts to: Always make sure animal wellbeing is the top thing you consider. Use lenses of good length to get some incredible photos. Also: You still want to give the creatures space! Don’t stress anything out.

Avoid using flash photography as such flashes may just startle the animals a lot. Be respectful about not chasing, harassing or trying to bait anything for photos. Get photos. Take amazing pictures for all kinds of memories for everyone! Make sure that everything always protects that stuff!

Think of capturing images that really showcase how awesome the animals truly can be in the wild, alright? These kind of pics boost support, for instance, for what goes on behind protecting ecosystems. That means, you do great work yourself.