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Game Parks
Arusha
Lake Manyara
Lake Victoria
Ngorongoro
Serengeti
Tarangire
Day Safaris
Other Options
What to expect on safari
Going on safari is not like visiting a zoo
No one can guarantee that you'll see everything that you want to see; the animals are wild after all. Even the start and end of the wildebeest migration cannot be accurately predicted. What you see or don't see is part knowledge and planning, and part luck; which is the true adventure of a safari. Be open with your guide about what you do and don't care to see. He has a pretty good idea what kind of animals will be in certain locations depending on the season, weather, time of day, and other factors.
An average day
On your first day your guide will meet you at the hotel after all the climbers have left. This person will be your guide the whole time. In most cases your group will be alone with this guide, unless your are traveling by yourself, in which case you might be put with another group (unless you've paid for a private safari). You might want to ask your guide to stop by the store and pick up several litters of water on your way out of town. He'll get a cheaper price than you, it's a lot cheaper than the hotels, and with the dry climate, you'll need it. Depending on where you're going, it could be a few hours of driving. Most of the roads are dirt and very rough. There will be constant dust and a lot of bumps. You may want some sunscreen, hat, and sun glasses. However, the scenery is without compare.
Feel free to tell the guides to stop if you want to take pictures or if you see something. It's rare that you see the wildlife before they do, but it can happen. They are also happy to move around something if you'd like to get a picture from a different angle. And of course, they have tons of information on the wildlife and ecology. Some guides tend to be quiet to let you enjoy the scenery. Don't take this as being "standoffish". Just feel free to ask them anything. That's what they're there for. And Tanzanians are famous for being friendly.
Food
On your first day your guide will have a lunch for you already. This is usually something like chicken, bread, cheese, juice, a hard-boiled egg, and maybe a chocolate bar. By sunset your guide will drop you off at your lodge or camp site. Dinner is included in your fees, but not drinks. If you're camping you will have a cook with you to prepare meals. Most lodges have a buffet for dinner of some "safe" foods like chicken, rice, vegetables, as well as a few more local favorites for you to try.
Each morning you will have breakfast. At the lodges it is usually a buffet. As you leave be sure to pick up your lunch box for the day, also included in your fees. If you are camping your cook will handle all this for you.
Don't get too close to the animals
This sounds like a no-brainer, but people have done some stupid things on safari. It's for your protection as well as for the animals for you to stay within your vehicle. Your guide may allow you to walk outside in certain designated areas. Many of the animals are used to the sight and noise of the safari vehicles, allowing you closer access to them than if they were not in a game park. Don't mistake this "intimacy" for tameness in the animals. They are still wild animals!
Accommodation Options
You have the choice of four types of accommodations on your safari: camping in a basic tent, camping in a luxury tent, staying in a standard lodge or staying in a luxury lodge.
Camping
Many envision this to be the only way to do a safari. They want to hear the sounds of the animals at night and possibly see an elephant walk near the campsite. At some of the locations, the campsites are outside of the park due to park restrictions. The Serengeti camps are in the park. At Ngorongoro they are on the crater rim and temperatures can dip down to freezing at night.
Camp sites: Twiga (Lake Manyara), Kudu (Ngorongoro Crater), Ikoma Gorge Campsite (Serengeti)
Luxury Tent
The only thing missing from this "hotel room" is the TV. For those looking to turn back time with a more Hemingway-esque or British colonization style, this is the way to go. These are permanent tent with hard floors and very comfortable furniture; definitely not "roughing it."
Luxury Tent sites: Migunga Camp (Lake Manyara), Safari Lodge (Tarangire), Ngaresero Lodge (Lake Natron), Ikoma Bush (Serengeti)
Standard Lodge
These lodges are similar to a standard hotel in the States. They all have running hot/cold water, comfortable rooms, great views and more amenities then you'd ever expect.
Standard lodges: Momela Wildlife Lodge (Arusha), Lake Manyara Lodge (Lake Manyara), Seronera Lodge (Serengeti), Lobo Lodge (Serengeti), Ngorongoro Wildlife Lodge (Ngorongoro Crater).
Luxury Lodge
These luxury lodges are similar to a 4 or 5 star hotel in the States. Plush lobbies, rooms, landscaping and better food make this option the most relaxing after a long, dusty day riding in a jeep.
Luxury lodges: Tarangire Sopa Lodge, Lake Manyara Serena Lodge, Ngorongoro Sopa and Serena Lodges, Serengeti Sopa and Serena Lodges.
You can also choose Lake Manyara Hotel, Seronera Lodge, Lobo Lodge, Ngorongoro Wildlife Lodge
Jeep roofs raise so you can stand and get a better view
The lodges at Ngorongoro crater are located on the rim and have fantastic views into the crater
The tented camps offer the beauty of nature and the comfort of a lodge.
Camping in Serengeti gets you closer to the wildlife
Luxury lodges have all the comforts of home, and then some.