If you’re searching for a country with both breathtaking landscapes and wildlife, look no further than Tanzania. From the vast plains of the Serengeti to Mount Kilimanjaro’s snowy peak, it has a lot going on. Its natural wonders are home to some of the most iconic sceneries on Earth, drawing crowds from every corner of the world. And while game drives and walking safaris dominate as tourists’ go-to options when exploring these places, there’s another way to get at least an idea of what this place can offer: flying safaris.
There’s nothing quite like soaring through the sky in one of these things. They give you a unique perspective on Tanzania’s stunning wildlife and scenery by allowing you to cover great distances in such short amounts of time. Plus, they also open up remote areas that are almost impossible to reach by road. It must be something else watching wildebeest and zebras stampede beneath you as you glide over infinite seas of grass in the Serengeti or peering into Ngorongoro Crater from above. No matter how hard I try, I won’t be able to put it into words; it’s just one of those things that need to be seen for yourself.
But worry not! I’ll do my best to bring you as close as possible with this guide by showing off all the best destinations and itineraries for flying safaris, types of aircrafts available, along with practical tips needed before planning your trip. Fasten your seatbelt, adjust your headset and prepare for liftoff – we’re about take flight over some really wild Tanzanian land!
Popular Safaris in Tanzania
Best Destinations For Fly in Safaris Tanzania
Tanzania is a varied country when it comes to national parks and wildlife reserves. Each one has something unique to offer. Here are some of the most amazing destinations that should be included in your flying safari itinerary:
Serengeti National Park
The Serengeti is the classic African Safari location, known for its wide expanses of grasslands, tall acacia trees and large number of wildlife. A flying safari over the Serengeti is an experience you will not want to miss as it offers breathtaking views of the park’s endless plains and gives you a chance to see the Great Migration from up high. Every year millions of zebras, wildebeests and gazelles walk across the lands looking for fresh grass.
From this high up in the sky, you can truly appreciate just how beautiful this place really is. You may also get a glimpse at other animals like lions hunting down prey, elephants walking through long grass or giraffes chewing on leaves from acacia trees. Once you land at one of Serengeti’s airstrips, there will be plenty more chances to explore the park on game drives, guided walks or hot air balloon rides.
Ngorongoro Crater
Ngorongoro Crater is one of nature’s best creations with good reason too; it’s a gigantic volcanic caldera that homes an incredible amount of diverse wildlife. A flying safari over this crater provides a bird-eye view which showcases its steep walls alongside its lush forests and grassy floor filled with wild animals.
With this elevated view point, you’ll be able to witness all kinds of natural wonders taking place below such as lions hanging out by the rim wall, elephants grazing on the floor or flamingos gathering around a soda lake. When you land within this crater, make sure to jump onto one of their game drives so that you can witness these predators and prey interacting up close.
Tarangire National Park
Tarangire National Park is one of Tanzania’s hidden gems. Known for its enormous elephant herds, ancient baobab trees and beautiful river valley scenery, this park is a must see when on a flying safari. It offers a unique perspective to many travellers thanks to its wild and rugged landscape, scattered with winding rivers, rocky outcrops and sprawling grasslands.
From the sky you will be able to observe just how varied the lands are within this park as well as how the wildlife move about. During dry seasons you may even be lucky enough to catch sight of massive elephant herds gathered around the Tarangire River. In addition to these large mammals, keep your eyes peeled for other animals like lions, leopards and buffalo along the way. Once you land at Tarangire’s airstrip you can explore everything it has to offer through game drives, guided walks or night safaris.
Selous Game Reserve
The Selous Game Reserve is actually Africa’s largest protected area making it quite difficult to absorb all at once. A big plus side for this reserve however is that it’s mostly untouched by man which makes for an amazing experience far away from Tanzania’s main tourist destinations.
From above, you’ll be able to witness the diverse landscapes and ecosystems of Selous. This is from the winding channels of the Rufiji River to miombo woodlands and grassy plains. If you’re lucky, you might spot a herd of elephants or a pack of wild dogs or even rare antelope species like sable and puku. When you touch down in one of its airstrips, you’ll get the opportunity to explore it via game drives, boat safaris, or walking safaris with an armed guide.
Ruaha National Park
Ruaha National Park is Tanzania’s biggest park at about 20,000 square miles. It has a landscape that looks like it came out of a storybook with rolling hills, rocky outcrops and baobab-studded savannas. An aerial tour will give you a chance to appreciate its raw beauty as well as giving you an idea to what wildlife dwells below.
With large elephant and lion populations along with elusive species such as African wild dog Greater Kudu this park is a must visit for any safari goer. When you land at Ruaha’s airstrip, expect top notch guides to take charge on either game drives, walking safaris or night drives in search for nocturnal creatures.
