There are tons of things that you can do in Tanzania, but one of the most sought after of these is a wildlife safari tour. Now the most common type of safari most people take in Tanzania is a vehicle one, you will be driven around by your driver/guide in the large converted 4×4 and be able to look out of the open hatch roof and even take picture through it. Although this remains the most popular way to travel on an African wildlife safari, there are of course other types of safaris that you can take to make you trip more unique, exciting and once in a lifetime worthy.

Motorcycle safaris
If you are a bit of a petrol head, or have a thirst for adrenaline pumping activities, then this is definitely for you. You will not really be able to go inside any of the Tanzania National Parks on a motorcycle, but you will be able to visit the areas around them and possibly some Game Reserves also.

Horseback safaris
Many of Tanzania’s parks allow the use of horses as a way to get around the park. This is only recommended to those who have experience in riding horse, as it is hard enough to learn for the first time, let alone in a reserve full of other wild animals! This type of safari is a great way to roam the open lands freely and to take everything in your own pace (or the horse’s pace!)

Walking safaris
The best way to get close to nature is by participating in a walking safari. There are a number of parks with low predator counts that you will be able to take this type of safari on. You will be escorted by a guide, who will serve to protect you as well as educate you on the area, your surroundings and any wildlife you may see.

Hot air balloon safaris
The ultimate luxurious way to travel on safari is in a hot air balloon. This gives you a greater perspective over the whole park and its surrounding area, and you can even partake in some champagne sipping on your ascend! There are a few parks which will offer balloon safaris, namely the Serengeti, which is a great park to view anyway, especially from the great heights of a soaring hot air balloon!

Nature will be the major beneficiary as ecotourism grows as an industry, because those who take an ecotourism holiday will be helping to preserve the environment as they enjoy themselves. In fact, proponents of this relatively new field know that ecotourism education focuses on how travelers can conserve rather than exploit during their vacation trips.

The idea of environmentally friendly travel has been around for years, but the industry itself is quite new. Over the past 20 or 30 years, ecotourism’s role in elevating social and ecological issues has increased. To put it simply, ecotourism is catching on, with printed information more widely available and organizations forming around the globe.

As more and more people come to understand the importance of conserving nature rather than exploiting it, the damages to the environment are being avoided and repaired. A large percentage of the general population is now aware of the global warming issue as well as the animal and plant extinction problems worldwide.

In addition, the public is exposed to an increasing amount of information as ecotourism is marketed as an industry. Advertisements and travel seminars spread the word about remote regions of the world that are becoming ecotourism destinations. While these locations will not offer luxury accommodations, golf courses or amusement rides for the children, they will provide relaxation and education, along with the chance to make a difference with this important social issue.

Such environmentally and socially friendly holidays will take travelers to an area of the world where the natural world is quite different from any other place. But the emphasis will be on living and moving in this world, leaving it undisturbed, rather than taking pieces of it home or changing it. As many socially conscious travelers know, it is best to take nothing but photos and leave nothing but footprints.

One of the key factors in making ecotourism work is the reduction in number of man-made structures found in these remote and beautiful locations. Fewer buildings and more undisturbed plant and animal life are two goals of ecotourism. Proponents of this philosophy firmly believe that these goals can be reached while providing the local population sufficient revenue for their needs.

As more people learn about the possibilities of ecotourism, these wonderful parts of the world will become more popular as holiday destinations. If pursued sincerely, as a new type of vacation travel, ecotourism can be beneficial to all involved. The local population can thrive while traditions and customs survive. Travelers can relax and enjoy, while learning about, rather than exploiting, the local resources.