Top National Parks for Tanzania Group Joining Safaris: Lake Manyara, Serengeti & Ngorongoro
Tanzania is among Africa’s premier locations for safaris. It offers ample land and wildlife for you and your travel companions to enjoy once-in-a-lifetime experiences. The good news is that you can find group-joining safaris in Tanzania that let you enjoy this incredible beauty at a fraction of the cost.
With group joining safaris, you will share your transport and your guides with other travelers on your safari, allowing you the full experience of enjoying your safari while keeping your costs down. In addition to sharing your safari experience with others, you will also have the wonderful opportunity to meet new people and share exciting experiences in nature.
While there are many different places to visit in Tanzania, the national parks are the most frequently visited by travelers and are some of the best places to visit in Tanzania. These parks include, but are not limited to: Lake Manyara National Park, Tarangire National Park, Serengeti National Park, and the world-famous Ngorongoro Crater.
This guide will examine each of these parks and their unique qualities for group joining safaris.
Why Choose Group Joining Safaris in Tanzania?
Due to their balance of price versus experience, group joining safari tours are an excellent option for travelers.
- Group travel also reduces your safari expenditures by about 50% for your safari vehicle, guide & fuel.
- Professional guides and well-planned itineraries are also available to group joining safari participants, as most of these tours travel similar routes and visit all the best parks in Tanzania.
- You will also have the benefit of meeting people from all over the world and sharing excitement when you see wildlife in the game viewing areas.
As a result of the reasons above, group joining safari tours have proven to be the ideal solution for single travelers, couples, & small families.
1. Lake Manyara National Park – A Scenic Introduction
Lake Manyara National Park is typically the starting point for numerous safari adventures and trips to Tanzania.
It’s slightly smaller than the other parks but still varies greatly in scenery and provides visitors with a variety of wildlife viewing opportunities.
What Makes Lake Manyara Unique?
Lake Manyara is known for its scenic beauty since it sits at the foothills of the Rift Valley, creating great views.
It has a combination of forests and open grass fields, and the large alkaline lake attracts birds.
What Kind of Wildlife Can You Expect at Lake Manyara?
The park has a reputation for having tree-climbing lions; however, you may not see them when you visit. There are many elephants, giraffes, zebras, and buffalo in the park.
There are thousands of flamingos and other birds that visit the lake, making it a great place for bird watching for those who are passionate about birds.
What Makes Lake Manyara Great for Group Safaris?
The park is compact enough that you can see it all in a short time, making it an excellent choice for first-time Tanzania safari travelers, especially for those who are continuing to other parks.
2. Tarangire National Park – Land of Giants
Tarangire National Park is another must-visit destination on group safari routes.
Famous for its iconic baobab trees, Tarangire is home to large elephant herds.
Unique Landscape
Tarangire has a very open and dry landscape, covered in thousands of years-old baobab trees. They provide a very impressive and overwhelming backdrop.
The Tarangire River flows through the park and supplies wildlife with water during dry seasons.
Wildlife Highlights
Elephants are the main attraction in Tarangire. Many herds can be found at the river, especially during the dry season.
The park is also home to many lions, leopards, cheetahs, giraffes, zebras, and other types of antelope.
There are hundreds of birds found here.
Why Include Tarangire?
Compared to other parks in Tanzania, Tarangire is less dense and offers a quieter safari experience. It also adds variety to group safaris through its unique landscapes, abundant elephants, and beautiful baobab trees.
3. Serengeti National Park – The Ultimate Safari Destination
Renowned for its wildlife, the Serengeti National Park is one of the premier wildlife destinations anywhere in the world.
Experiencing a Tanzanian safari wouldn’t be complete without visiting the Serengeti.
A Stunning Sight
The word Serengeti means “endless plains” in the Maasai language, and that’s exactly what the park feels like — a vast expanse of incredible scenery.
The Great Migration
The Great Migration is the Serengeti’s most well-known natural phenomenon. As many as 2 million wildebeest, zebra, and gazelles migrate across the Serengeti Plains searching for greener pastures. The Great Migration is considered one of the world’s most amazing wildlife spectacles.
Big Five and Predator Action
In addition to its Great Migration, the Serengeti is also one of the best places in the world to see the Big Five (lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo, and rhinoceros).
In addition to the large number of predators, there is excellent predator activity in the park, therefore producing exciting and unpredictable game drives.
Why the Serengeti Makes a Great Group Safari
Serengeti National Park is included on nearly everyone’s must-see list when booking a safari in Tanzania. Most group safaris will spend three or four days in the park to allow the safari participants plenty of time to see as many animals as possible.
4. Ngorongoro Crater – A Natural Wonder
As one of the best safari destinations in Africa, the Ngorongoro Crater is the world’s largest intact volcanic caldera and provides a concentrated wildlife experience.
Self-Contained Ecosystem
The crater floor has a variety of wildlife. Since the crater is enclosed, wildlife can be found there all year round.
Wildlife Highlights
Within the relatively small area of Ngorongoro, you will find lions, elephants, buffalo, zebra, and flamingos.
And Ngorongoro is one of the best places to see a black rhino in Tanzania.
Scenic Beauty
The views from the crater rim are stunning; when you descend into the crater, it is like entering a new world.
The Ideal Group Safari Location
One of the main attractions of Ngorongoro is that it provides excellent wildlife viewing opportunities within 24 hours. Therefore, it is included as a highlight of most group travel itineraries.
Typical Tanzania Group Safari Itinerary
Many safari tours with a group commonly take a specific route. A sample is outlined here:
Day 1: Depart from Arusha to Lake Manyara
Day 2: Explore Tarangire National Park
Day 3-4: Game viewing in Serengeti National Park
Day 5: Ngorongoro Crater
By following this tour route, you will have the opportunity to see an assortment of landforms and animal species in a short period of time.
Best Time for Group Joining Safaris
Tanzania is a year-round tourist destination, but some months will provide better wildlife viewing opportunities.
Dry Season (June-October)
The best month for safari is during the dry season when animals migrate toward water and are easier to find.
Green Season (November-May)
The landscape becomes very green, there are many birds, and there are fewer visitors during the green season.
You may see the Great Migration in the Serengeti at different times of the year, depending on the animal’s location.
Accommodation Options on Group Safaris
A group of people going to Africa for a holiday will have accommodation choices based on their budget. Also, there are a number of different types of safaris.
1. Camping
2. Tented Camps
3. Lodged-Based
The benefits of camping are the costs and being able to experience the great outdoors; the benefits of lodging are that you will have more comfort and amenities.
What to Expect on a Group Safari
An organized group safari gives you the unique opportunity to share in a once-in-a-lifetime journey with others while exploring the beauty of Africa’s wildlife together.
The safari vehicle is generally a four-wheel drive (4WD) vehicle, which provides excellent visibility for viewing the animals (generally) from above the bushes.
The game drives will be guided by qualified (and experienced) guides/drivers who know how and where to find the animals.
Meals and accommodation are usually included, allowing for a stress-free experience during the safari.
Travel Tips for Group Joining Safaris
- Book ahead of time, particularly during high season.
- Pack fewer items and remember to take some critical things with you, such as a pair of binoculars and sunscreen.
- Be adaptable with your timetable because group safaris operate via a set plan.
- Respect both fellow travelers and the wildlife guidelines.
Why Tanzania is Perfect for Group Safaris
Tanzania has an established safari route across multiple national parks and makes a good destination for traveling with friends.
By combining Lake Manyara, Tarangire National Park, Serengeti, and Ngorongoro Crater into one trip, travelers will experience numerous varieties of nature.
Each area provides stunning landscapes, including, but not limited to, dense forests, vast grassland plains, and ancient volcanoes.
Final Thoughts
When exploring the wild and beautiful scenery of East Africa, joining a safari in Tanzania is a great way to do this.
Going on these types of safaris allows you to experience all the features of a complete safari, such as visiting major parks like Lake Manyara, Tarangire, Serengeti, and the Ngorongoro Crater National Parks.
From the shores of Lake Manyara filled with flamingos to the herds of elephants at Tarangire and the expansive plains of the Serengeti, you will never forget what you experience on a Safari in Tanzania, and you can also experience the unique ecosystem in the Ngorongoro Crater.
If you’re looking for an accessible and vibrant way to safari, consider a group joining safari in Tanzania.
