Tanzania is the epitome of a bucket list adventure. From the sprawling plains of the Serengeti to the more rugged beauty of Ruaha National Park, it’s a land of wild beauty and nature. I had the privilege of experiencing two of the country’s most famous safari destinations, so I thought I would put together a guide to help you plan your trip - from the luxurious lodges to the jaw-dropping wildlife encounters.
Best Time to Visit Serengeti National Park and Ruaha National Park
The best time to visit both Serengeti National Park and Ruaha National Park depends on what you’re hoping to see and experience. I actually visited in March, which is technically rainy season, however it didn't rain once in the Serengeti and only rained twice in Ruaha. The parks were much quieter and we still saw hundreds of animals!
- Serengeti National Park: The ideal time to visit is during the dry season from June to October. This period has the best wildlife viewing as animals gather around water sources and the vegetation is sparse. It’s also the best time to see the Great Migration, with herds of wildebeest, zebras, and gazelles moving across the plains.
- Ruaha National Park: Ruaha is less crowded and a great destination for those seeking a more off-the-beaten-path safari. The best time to visit is also during the dry season, from June to October, when animals are more concentrated around the park’s rivers and waterholes.
How to Get There?
To reach these parks, the most convenient option is flying with Auric Air. It’s a small regional airline that offers flights to smaller airstrips located near the parks. The flight in itself is an experience, giving you a bird’s-eye view of Tanzania’s stunning landscapes.
My biggest tip beforehand is to only bring medium sized suitcases. You will see on a lot of the airlines websites that they say to bring a soft bag, however hard shell luggage is fine as long as it's only medium sized. Some of the planes are quite small so space is limited! I got my luggage from Monos.
Once you land, your lodge or camp will typically arrange airport transfers by 4x4 vehicle, which is a great way to kick off the safari adventure.
What Currency Do They Use?
The official currency in Tanzania is the Tanzanian Shilling (TZS). However, US Dollars widely accepted, especially for larger purchases like game drives, accommodation, national park fees and tips. I really recommend getting cash out before going to your lodge as you won't be able to withdraw cash for tips once there.
What Language is Spoken?
The most common languages are Swahili and English. I found that everyone spoke English, however the most common phrases that you should know before you go are:
- Hello – Jambo
- Thank you– Asante
- Good night - Usiku mwema
- No worries - Hakuna matata
Locals are always happy when you make an effort to use Swahili, even if it’s just a greeting!
Is Tanzania safe?
Yes! I did not once feel unsafe during our entire trip - the locals are beyond friendly and always up for a chat! When travelling anywhere, you should always be cautious and aware of your surroundings. But for Tanzania as a whole, I would definitely say it's safe.
What to wear on game drives?
I messaged both of the hotels prior to arriving to double check this as I read multiple answers online. They both said somewhat the same things - it really depends on what kind of car the lodge uses and what time of year it is. Some cars are fully enclosed with the roof popped open and some are fully open with no windows or doors. At different times of year, there are tsetse flies which can bite and be irritating, so for that reason I do recommend wearing long pants/long sleeves wherever possible, especially if the car has no windows or doors.
Neutral colours like beige, khaki, white and browns seemed to be the go-to, with black and navy blue to be avoided (these attract both flies and heat). Wear light, breathable fabrics and bring a hat as well. Regarding footwear, I didn't really see a need to wear enclosed shoes as you aren't exactly walking around , so don't worry too much about this.
Other things to consider bringing are sunscreen, binoculars, water and sunglasses (it can get pretty dusty!).
Where to Stay?
Serengeti National Park: Four Seasons Serengeti
When it comes to luxury safari lodges, Four Seasons Serengeti is the definition of a bucket list hotel. From the moment we landed and were greeted by our driver, Hans, who offered us refreshments before we headed off. On our drive to the lodge, we were already spotting wildlife – lions, giraffes, elephants, hyenas, hippos, crocodiles, zebras, and even wildebeest – we could not believe how much we saw and it wasn't even a game drive!
Located right in the heart of the Serengeti, Four Seasons offers beautiful views over the plains, and our room had a direct view of a waterhole, making it feel like we were watching live wildlife on a bush TV. One of the highlights of the trip was enjoying a bath while watching a family of elephants take their own bath at the waterhole. It was magical and something I’ll never forget.
There was a concession and national park fee of around $150 per person per day, so keep that in mind when booking!
The lodge offers both half-day and full-day safaris, but I highly recommend doing the half-day safaris in the morning. The mornings are ideal for wildlife viewing since animals are most active during the cooler hours. During our time, we saw almost every animal except for a rhino and a leopard. I can only describe the experience of something like Jurassic Park - you feel like you are entering another world and stopping to view these majestic animals from the safety of your car.
Apart from the game drives, the lodge has every detail covered. From guided bush walks to star-gazing, a spa, bush dinners, an infinity pool, and multiple restaurants – every activity was designed to give guests an immersive and luxurious safari experience. We spent three nights here, and honestly, I could have stayed forever!
Ruaha National Park: Asanja Africa
After our incredible experience in the Serengeti, we flew to Ruaha National Park for a totally different yet equally amazing experience. Asanja Africa was the next hotel on our list, and it did not disappoint. Arriving at the Ruaha airstrip was surreal – nothing can prepare you for landing next to a family of giraffes!
We got picked up by our driver turned friend, Zac, and he took us for a mini game drive before we checked in. We saw a pride of lions (and cubs!) sleeping under a tree, jackals, a family of elephants and countless giraffes right on the road in front of us.
Once we arrived, I was seriously blown away - the lodge was beyond aesthetic. The best part? Since we visited during the off-season, we had the entire place to ourselves! Each room at Asanja Africa has its own private plunge pool, outdoor shower and also... no walls! It is essentially glamping in the jungle. You can of course zip the walls up to keep bugs out and keep safe when you sleep, but falling asleep to the sounds of nature and views of the Ruaha river was unbeatable. There’s also a shared pool by the bar where you can unwind while enjoying panoramic views of the river, spotting hippos and crocodiles. With the exclusive setting and incredible wildlife sightings, this was truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience - not to mention the food was 10/10.
One of the most memorable parts of the stay was having sundowners on top of a hill watching the sunset, listening to all the sounds of the animals around us. Another highlight was a family of monkeys surrounding our room and playing in our outdoor shower!
There was a concession and national park fee of around $100 per person per day, so keep that in mind when booking!
Final Thoughts
I had a few messages asking which I preferred - Serengeti or Ruaha. I honestly cannot compare as they are vastly different. Serengeti is much flatter with empty plains and less water sources so we did see more animals there. In saying that, we still saw so many animals in Ruaha and Ruaha is much more 'off the beaten track' with more 4 wheel driving and adventuring. It's also much quieter so I can imagine that would be perfect in peak season!
If you have the time and budget to do both, do both! You really won't regret it as the change in scenery and also the beautiful flights to get between them are so worth experiencing.
