Looking for the best safari in Africa? We’ve been perfecting ours since we started running them in 1981. No matter how you want to see the wildlife, we have a safari for you. Explore below to match your travel preferences with our itinerary recommendations.
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Best Safari in Africa for the Great Migration
The Great Migration is Africa’s most amazing spectacle: some 2 million grazing animals move in a year-long cycle through the Serengeti plains. Our seasonal camps follow the herds, so you always have unmatched proximity to the wildlife (sometimes you might hear zebras, giraffes and wildebeest outside your tent!) You’ll stay in the middle of the action without sacrificing hot water or four-course meals.
recommendation 1 of 3:
Founders’ Safari
Our founders have been perfecting their personal itinerary since they opened shop in 1981. It’s their preferred route, packed with wildlife, culture and upgraded amenities.
HIGHLIGHTS:
- Forty years of safari experience and insight are distilled in one itinerary.
- Spend ample time in Ngorongoro Crater, the Serengeti and a private nature refuge.
- Includes options for walking safaris and night game drives.
- Visit with members of the Maasai community, listen to their stories, learn about their crafts and the land they live on.
- Includes three upgraded nights at Gibb’s Farm, named one the best safari lodges in Africa by Travel + Leisure.
recommendation 2 of 3:
Grand Safari
An all-encompassing itinerary designed to maximize wildlife viewing, with more time in the parks and exclusive access to Tanzania’s richest habitats.
HIGHLIGHTS:
- This 13-day safari gives you ample time for wildlife viewing in the Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater, Tarangire National Park, and the private nature refuge.
- Includes two scenic fights to help you cover more ground quickly, maximizing your time with the wildlife.
- Includes options for walking safaris and night game drives.
- Visit with members of the Maasai community, listen to their stories, learn about their crafts and the land they live on.
- Enjoy the mix of accommodations from Thomson’s signature tented camps to the rustic luxury of Gibb’s Farm, named one the best safari lodges in Africa by Travel + Leisure.
recommendation 3 of 3:
Classic Safari
This 10-day itinerary is all about the wildlife, from start to finish. Ample time in the parks maximize your viewing time, which always has an emphasis on the animals of the Great Migration.
HIGHLIGHTS:
- Visit the key northern parks: Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater, and Tarangire National Park.
- Includes one internal flight, shortening drive times and allowing more time for wildlife viewing.
- Stay exclusively in private, comfortable and eco-friendly camps.
Best Safari in Africa on a budget
If you’re traveling on a budget or you’re tight on time, you can still see the best of Tanzania’s offerings without sacrificing comfort.
We recommend:
Highlights Safari
See Tanzania’s wildlife, people and landscapes on a shorter and more budget-friendly timeframe.
HIGHLIGHTS:
- A week of safari wildlife drives in the Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater and the eastern Serengeti ecosystem.
- Night game drives and wildlife viewing on foot in the eastern Serengeti.
- Visit with Maasai women and storytellers and learn about their cultural background.
- Stay exclusively in private, comfortable and eco-friendly campsites.
Best Safari in Africa for Newlyweds
Tanzania is a magical honeymoon destination. If you’re looking for a secluded and off-the-beaten-path way to celebrate yours, Tanzania is your place.
We recommend:
Honeymoon Safari
This romantic trip is loaded with wildlife sightings, honeymoon goodies (think lantern-lit dinners and spa time) and plenty of space for leisure and relaxation in Tanzania and the spice island of Zanzibar.
HIGHLIGHTS:
- A completely private trip: your own private vehicle, private guide and private wildlife viewing in the Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater and a private nature refuge.
- No-stops honeymoon pampering: lantern-lit dinners, spa treatments, free drinks and plenty of other surprises!
- Three days on the spice island of Zanzibar, where you can sunbathe on white sand beaches or go on adventure snorkeling, boating and walking Stone Town’s winding streets.
- A decadent retreat at Gibb’s Farm, named one the best safari lodges in Africa by Travel + Leisure.
Best Safari in Africa for comfort
Safari conjures ideas of rugged adventure and a “toughing it out” mentality. Thankfully, those days are long gone. Comfort is more accessible than ever as Tanzania’s tourism industry has grown. We at Thomson Safaris consider comfort to be the staple in every one of our safaris.
We recommend:
Founders’ Safari
Our founders have perfected their safari during their forty years of business in Tanzania. It’s their preferred route, packed with wildlife, culture and upgraded goodies.
HIGHLIGHTS:
- Forty years of safari experience and insight are distilled in one itinerary.
- Visit the best parks for wildlife drives: the Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater.
- Includes options for walking safaris and night game drives at a private nature refuge.
- Visit with artisans, shepherds and storytellers of the semi-nomadic Maasai culture for an unforgettable cultural experience.
- Includes three upgraded nights at Gibb’s Farm, named one the best safari lodges in Africa by Travel + Leisure.
Best Safari in Africa for families
Nothing leaves a lasting impact on a child’s imagination quite like the gift of travel. For your child to see the places of Tanzania and meet its people is literally a life-changing experience no matter what your family looks like! If you’re having a reunion, multigenerational trip or a solo parent experience, you can have an excellent time out in the bush.
Photo: Leonard Family
We recommend:
perfect family safari
Experience the perfect blend of family activities, wildlife sighting and exciting experience to keep travelers of any age interested, amazed and engaged.
HIGHLIGHTS:
- Enjoy a family-focused safari experience, with activities designed with children in mind: identify wildlife footprints, scat and unique plant species around camp. Receive a full-color safari journal with entertaining puzzles, games and wildlife checklists. The camp crew will always be happy to join in an impromptu game of soccer!
- Wildlife viewing in the Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater, and the private nature refuge.
- Includes options for walking safaris and night game drives.
- Visit with members of the Maasai community, listen to their stories, learn about their crafts and the land they live on.
- Enjoy the mix of accommodations from Thomson’s signature tented camps to the rustic luxury of Gibb’s Farm, named one the best safari lodges in Africa by Travel + Leisure.
Best Safari in Africa for photographers
To say Tanzania is photogenic is putting it lightly. Expert and amateur photographers from around the world clamor for a chance to capture Tanzania’s stunning wildlife, landscapes and vibrant communities. While you can take photos on any safari, you can only learn the art and skill of great photography on a trip catered to the craft.
We recommend:
photography safari
With most itineraries set to coincide with the Great Migration of wildebeest and zebra, this world-class photo adventure offers a hand-tailored experience for professional and beginners looking to cultivate their craft.
HIGHLIGHTS:
- Journey into Tanzania with a world-renowned nature photographer, who will lead your trip, offer guidance and help you capture the best shots.
- Wildlife viewing in Tanzania’s most stunning parks: the Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater.
- Trip upgrades, such as unlimited weight allowance for gear, camera tech tents at each seasonal camp, and a maximum of three guests per vehicle.
Best Safari in Africa for a Custom experience
A private safari offers a highly personalized experience that gets you away from the crowds and other travel groups. Travel with just your group, doing the things you want to do at your preferred pace.
We recommend:
private safaris
See the wildlife you want to see, on your preferred dates, with an exclusive vehicle and your own guide.
HIGHLIGHTS:
- You’re in charge. We can make any existing itinerary private for you. Choose your accommodations, give us your dates and tell us how you want to spend your time.
- Unmatched privacy. You’ll have your own vehicle, your own guide and your own secluded campsites for the duration of your trip.
- Tell us what you’re looking for. Don’t know where to start? That’s okay. We’ll help you find the day-by-day schedule that works for you, and add tweaks to accommodate your interests. No matter your interests, timeline or budget, we’re here to help!