No, you cannot see or trek gorillas in Tanzania because there are no gorillas in this country. Gorillas are only found in Uganda, Rwanda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Gorillas are primate species that dwell in highland tropical rainforests. The Virunga conservation area is the remaining gorilla habitat. This conservation area stretches from Virunga National Park in the Democratic Republic of Congo to Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park, and Uganda’s Mgahinga Gorilla National Park and Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.
Virunga conservation area hosts the mountain gorilla species of primates and its topography makes it an ideal habitat for these primate species. Mountain gorillas share over 98% of their DNA with humans making them one of the most intelligent creatures in the animal kingdom. This is evident in their social life, as they stay in groups called gorilla families. Just like human families, each gorilla family is headed by a male dominant gorilla known as a silverback.
Mountain gorillas can be encountered on a gorilla trekking experience where visitors traverse the dense tropical rainforest searching for these primates and upon locating them, spend an hour in their presence. Before trekking mountain gorillas, go through a habituation process that lasts for over 2-3 years to prepare them to become familiar with humans. Keep in mind these are wild animals and this habituation process helps to introduce humans to their environment and not see them as a threat. Gorilla trekking is an incredible adventure experience worth checking out.
What are the tourist activities in Tanzania?
Although Tanzania falls short of hosting gorilla primates, it makes up for it with other exciting activities that can interest and fit any visitor’s bucket list. Some of these interesting activities include the following.
The great migration in Serengeti
The great migration in Serengeti is perhaps the most interesting adventure in Tanzania and the world. This world wonder is a time for any adventure enthusiast and nature lover to get blown away. The great migration is the largest animal migration on earth seeing over 2 million wildebeests and thousands of gazelles and zebras migrating from the Serengeti in the south to the Masai Mara National Reserve in Kenya. For the wildebeests, this migration is not a fun adventure but a fight for survival. As the drought in the southern Serengeti gets to its peak, the wildebeests together with other grazers like zebras, elands, and gazelles start their 800-kilometer journey to Masai Mara National Reserve. They follow the rain patterns every year from the southern extension to the northern extension of the Serengeti-Mara ecosystem.
They then return with the same cycle the next year through the western Serengeti to the south when the rains return to the southern corridor of the ecosystem and calve. The great migration crosses the great Mara River which is infested with hungry Nile crocodiles that claim thousands of these wildebeests and other animals like zebras and gazelles. This is without mentioning the large pride of lions that are ever on standby waiting for them on their journey. The great migration is without any doubt the greatest natural adventure experience on earth.
Ngorongoro crater
The Ngorongoro crater is located in the Ngorongoro Conservation Area in the northern region of Tanzania. The Ngorongoro crater has earned itself a spot on the list of Africa’s seven wonders because of this natural vast landscape that harbors incredible wildlife. The crater spans over 300 square kilometers in land mass and about 20 kilometers in diameter with walls that shoot to over 600 meters deep.
Ngorongoro crater is believed to have come into existence over 2 million years ago when a large volcanic mountain erupted and fell inward forming a large caldera. The Ngorongoro crater has a soda lake that drains the crater and provides the natural wildlife in the carter with abundant water. However, the Ngorongoro crater does not only harbor wildlife but also hosts Olduvai Gorge where the remains of the first humans on earth were discovered. This gorge is nicknamed the cradle of mankind. Visit the Ngorongoro crater on your Tanzania safari for an exciting adventure experience.
Maasai Cultural Tours
The Maasai cultural tours are also an incredible and exciting adventure experience in Tanzania. The Maasai culture tours offer visitors an insight into the Maasai culture learning their traditions like hunting and cattle herding practices. The Maasai people of Tanzania have lived and coexisted for generations with wildlife and are concentrated in the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. They are mainly semi-nomadic pastoralists who move with their livestock searching for pasture and water for their animals.
Hot air balloon safaris
A hot air balloon safari is one of the many exciting adventures in Serengeti. The hot air balloon gives visitors a unique bird’s eye view of the Serengeti plains and a chance to get closer to the wildlife from above. The vast plains of this incredible animal sanctuary bleed a perfect site for hot air balloon safaris.
Beach safaris in Zanzibar
Off the savannah adventures of Tanzania’s great destinations, venture into the relaxing and cool beach safaris in Zanzibar. The cool ocean breezes from the Indian Ocean breathe a much calm feeling of relaxation. The Zanzibar beaches offer the best and most exciting beach experiences from games and sports to water activities like kayaking, diving, and surfing.
Game drives in all the national parks
When it comes to game drives, Tanzania is rivaled by none. This is because of the vast landscapes filled with various kinds of wildlife species in any destination giving visitors an incredible experience. Embarking on a game drive in any of the national parks in Tanzania guarantees you a front-row seat for amazing encounters such as the Big Five and other animals like wildebeests, Grant gazelles, impalas, hippos, zebras, hyenas, cheetahs, and warthogs to mention but a few.
When is the best time to visit Tanzania for safari?
As you visit Tanzania for an exciting safari experience, keep in mind that the best time is usually during the dry months of June to September and also in May. These months are a perfect period to witness the great migration and also the perfect time for a game drive experience in most of the destinations.
