Safaris From Dar es Salaam - Compare 504 Tours

4.8/5 – 1,949 Tanzania Safari Reviews

Dar es Salaam is a fabulous gateway for going on a Tanzania safari. Because of its geographical location, it’s a popular starting point for parks and reserves in the country’s south. But if you’re willing to fly, you could go almost anywhere in the country. Choosing where to go will probably be the hardest decision you make on your whole safari, simply because there are so many incredible possibilities. Take your time to plan carefully, think about which animals you’d like to see, and then approach a tour operator (or a number of different operators) to ask them what your options are. As long as you’re on safari in Tanzania, it’s sure to be an amazing trip.

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4 Questions About Safaris From Dar es Salaam

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Answered by

Anthony Ham

Anthony has written numerous Lonely Planet guidebooks, including ‘Tanzania’ and ‘East Africa’. He writes about Tanzania and the wider region for magazines and newspapers worldwide. He is also the author of ‘The Last Lions of Africa’, part of which is set in southern Tanzania.
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Where can I go on a safari from Dar es Salaam?

“In general, the most popular safaris out of Dar es Salaam focus on the country’s south. Most often, this means Nyerere National Park (formerly Selous Game Reserve), with its unique mix of incredible wildlife and boat excursions on the stunning Rufiji River. Almost as popular is a visit to Mikumi National Park, which is often compared to the Serengeti for both its wildlife and landscapes. A little farther away but still within reach, Ruaha National Park is a massive park filled with lions and other fantastic wildlife. One final option for a short excursion from Dar is Saadani National Park, which has less wildlife than other parks but has the special attraction of being able to see the animals alongside the coast. If you are willing to fly farther afield, you could visit the parks of northern Tanzania (Serengeti, Lake Manyara and Tarangire National Parks and the Ngorongoro Crater), but most safaris to these places begin in Arusha. Longer flights could also take you out west to Gombe and Mahale Mountains National Parks, which are Tanzania’s best parks for chimpanzee trekking.”

Can I see the Big Five animals on a safari from Dar es Salaam?

“Seeing the Big Five (lion, leopard, elephant, rhino and buffalo) on a safari from Dar es Salaam is possible but difficult. The problem is likely to be rhino: most parks have the other four members of the Big Five, but there are very few rhinos in southern Tanzania. Nyerere National Park may be the exception, with a few black rhinos, but they’re very rarely seen. It’s usually easier to see the Big Five in the north, if you visit the Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater on the same trip. Remember that the Big Five is not the only way to think about the best animals to see. The idea of the Big Five was actually invented by colonial hunters to list the five most dangerous animals to hunt. Seeing the Big Five is always a highlight, but these days many safari travelers get just as excited by seeing a cheetah, African wild dog, giraffe or zebra, all of which are easily seen in the parks of the south.”

Should I go for a road or fly-in trip from Dar es Salaam?

“There are advantages to both kinds of safari, so how you answer this question all comes down to deciding what kind of safari you’d like to enjoy. A fly-in safari is the quickest way to get to and between the parks you’ll visit on safari. This means that you’ll spend less time getting from A to B, which frees up more time for actually looking for animals on the ground. Flying into a park is also like taking a scenic flight, with so many incredible views on the way in and out. You’ll never forget the first time you see a herd of elephants from the air! The problem with flying is that it can be expensive, meaning that it can push some safaris out of reach for those seeking a cheap and affordable trip. Driving also has the advantage of letting you see more of the country and local life up close as you travel around.”

What is the cost of a Tanzania trip from Dar es Salaam?

“There are many different answers to this question. A 3-day budget camping safari in which you travel by road could start at around US$150 per person per day; it could cost less per day the longer you travel. If, on the other hand, you go on a fly-in luxury safari, the price could start at US$350 to US$400 per person per day and could go much higher. Apart from accommodation, the main variables when it comes to cost include whether you travel in high or low season, whether you’re on a private, group or self-drive safari, and how long you’re traveling for. There will be lots of different tour operators to choose from, and all of them will offer different packages. Whichever one you go for, always make sure that you understand what is (and what isn’t) included. Quoted prices should include all accommodation, meals, some drinks, park entry fees, transfers, guide, driver, game drives and vehicle.”

Tanzania Safari Reviews

4.8/5 1,949 Reviews

Expert

Mary Fitzpatrick –

Mary is an acclaimed travel writer and author of many Lonely Planet guidebooks, including South Africa, Tanzania, East Africa and Africa.

Tanzania – Classic African Safari Destination

5/5

Few areas of the continent offer the amount, variety and accessibility of wildlife that Tanzania does, against such a scenic backdrop. Wildlife is abundant, species diversity excellent, and evocative acacia- and baobab-studded landscapes...

Full Review

Expert

Christopher Clark –

Christopher is a British travel writer and has contributed to various Fodor's guidebooks and a range of travel magazines.

The capital of safari in word and deed

5/5

If I think about everything that I imagined safari to be before I moved to South Africa and began travelling Africa, it turns out that what I imagined was Tanzania. For me, the striking variety of landscapes and the staggering density of...

Full Review

Cecilia Rosales –

Reviewed: Sep 3, 2025

a truly special place on earth!

5/5

Tanzania is a surprise for me, I was blown away how ecosystem interacting right before my eyes, in the flesh! It’s very grounding to see tribes and villages during our trip. People in Tanzania are very warm and welcoming. It is beautiful...

Full Review

B Zitman –

Reviewed: Sep 3, 2025

Very nice wild life and very African country

4/5

Tanzania is a truly beautiful country with breathtaking nature and wildlife. The safaris and landscapes can exceed all expectations – sometimes things turn out even better than you imagined. At the same time, traveling here means...

Full Review

Harry –

Reviewed: Sep 1, 2025

Unbelievable, culture and wildlife everywhere

5/5

We booked a 14 day safari hoping to see the great migration, and some of the wildlife. Our guide, who was extremely knowledgeable about the animals, their habitats and migration patterns, knew exactly where to take us to get the most out of...

Full Review

Martina Valkova –

Reviewed: Aug 28, 2025

One in a life time experience

5/5

I recommend this adventure. It was amazing. We booked only one day and don’t get me wrong it was enough. But if I knew how unique it was I would have booked more days. Strongly recommend it, worth every penny. 💙

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Safaris From Dar es Salaam - Compare 504 Tours

3-Day Dar Es Salaam to Serengeti, Ngorongoro & Tarangire

2-Day Love in the Wild Mikumi NP by Train

3-Day Nyerere NP Safari Getaway from Dar Es Salaam

3-Day Mikumi National Park Safari & Maasai Village

3-Day Serengeti from the Sky

12-Day Remote Tanzania: Safari & Beach

2-Day Fly Dar Es Salaam to Northern Parks and Then Back

2-Day From Dar Es Salaam to Tarangire and Ngorongoro

5-Day Mid Range Safari to Serengeti National Park

6-Day Mikumi & Nyerere Classic Adventure Safari

2-Day Mikumi Wildlife Adventures

3-Day Selous (Nyerere NP) Boat & Game Drive

2-Day Mikumi Great Experience

2-Day Mikumi National Park Private Safari& Maasai Tour

2-Day Fly in and out Luxury Safari

5-Day Mahale Chimpanzee Trekking and Romantic Getaways

1-Day Mikumi National Park from Dar Es Salaam

2-Day Nyerere National Park - Formerly Known as Selous

5-Day Tour to Mikumi and Nyerere National Park

3-Day Mikumi Private Safari with Sgr from Dar

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4 Questions About Safaris From Dar es Salaam

Answered by

Anthony Ham

4 Questions About Safaris From Dar es Salaam

Where can I go on a safari from Dar es Salaam?

Can I see the Big Five animals on a safari from Dar es Salaam?

Should I go for a road or fly-in trip from Dar es Salaam?

What is the cost of a Tanzania trip from Dar es Salaam?

Tanzania Safari Reviews

Tanzania – Classic African Safari Destination

The capital of safari in word and deed

a truly special place on earth!

Very nice wild life and very African country

Unbelievable, culture and wildlife everywhere

One in a life time experience