How To Avoid The Crowds In A Tanzania Safari? Stay away from the masses without fear! Tanzania is home to numerous breathtaking and diverse national parks and game reserves that have something to offer everyone. It’s crucial to plan and consider the kind of experience you hope to have, whether it be the classic setting of acacia-studded plains; the prospect of a wide variety and abundance of wildlife; the tranquility of the wilderness; or the desire to feel a part of a place that few have ventured to. Tanzania can provide for all of these things and more, but in a place with so much diversity, making the proper decision is crucial.
Some people find that there are less popular, “off-the-beaten-track” paths that provide something a little more unique. The famous Inner Circle Parks, Ruaha National Park, and Selous Game Reserve are located in southern Tanzania. These enormous wilderness areas are among Africa’s largest game reserves and national parks, respectively. The advantages of visiting these parks include beautiful scenery scattered with magnificent baobabs; home to a significant portion of all wildlife in Africa, including 10% of all lions and the largest population of wild dogs; a veritable birdwatcher’s paradise; the chance to truly get off the beaten track with activities like off-roading in the Selous; boating down the Rufiji and Ruaha rivers, which are home to a large number of hippo and crocodiles; sleeping out under the stars; and hiking. The drawback is working a bit harder for sightings; while some drives are exciting, others may be quite quiet, requiring attention to the little sights.
Not to be overlooked is Tanzania’s untamed and isolated Western Circuit; seasoned safari travelers will appreciate this as one of the few authentic wilderness locations. A site of mystical charm, beaches flanked with rainforest, freshwater swimming, crystal blue waters dazzling hippos down the lake bed, and the showstopper?
The Mahale Mountains National Park, which borders Lake Tanganyika, the longest freshwater lake in the world, lures a select few to this isolated area. Wildlife aficionados will also find another treasure in Katavi National Park, home to over 1,000 strong buffalo herds as well as several elephants, crocodiles, and hippopods. There is no better place for an exclusive experience than Katavi, which receives fewer tourists each year than the Ngorongoro Crater does in a single day. It offers a large expanse all to itself with options for wandering with big game, fly camping among the palm groves, and seeing an abundance of animals.
There is a charm to be found away from the migration if northern Tanzania is the attraction. Across the Serengeti ecosystem, over a million wildebeest and zebra follow the rains in search of new pastures, making the migration one of the most talked-about events on the globe. Without getting too technical, the Serengeti is home to resident herds of wildebeest, predators, and an abundance of year-round game. When the southern plains’ herds are calving, it’s a great time to travel to the northern plains, where the Serengeti can be explored in comparatively quiet tranquility while still providing an exceptional concentration of species and fewer competing cars.
While we’re on the subject, explore the other islands in the Zanzibar archipelago, such as the comparatively uninhabited Pemba Island, if you want to escape the crowds after an exciting safari. Without the tourists and resorts, this is Zanzibar the way it used to be. There’s no better option, especially for divers, with over 50 immaculate dive locations compared to mainland Zanzibar, with the bonus of nearly no other visitors. Occasionally there is indeed greater benefit when taking the less-traveled route.
