10 Must Visit National Parks in Tanzania
Destinations
Best National Parks in Tanzania
01: Serengeti National park
Tanzania‘s Serengeti National Park is one of Africa’s most well-known and iconic wildlife preserves. For those who enjoy the outdoors and wildlife, it offers a variety of activities and experiences that make it a must-visit location.
The Great Migration is an annual movement of millions of wildebeest, zebras, and other herbivores across the Serengeti in search of new grazing pastures. It is magnificent to see this display of nature with predators on the prowl.
The “Big Five” — lions, leopards, elephants, buffalo, and rhinoceroses — can be seen in the park. In addition, a vast range of bird species can be seen, along with cheetahs, giraffes, hippos, and crocodiles.
Hot Air Balloon Safaris: If you want to see the Serengeti from a different angle, think about going on a hot air balloon safari. Beautiful aerial views and a serene experience can be had while flying over the park in the early morning.
Hot Air Balloon Safaris: If you want to see the Serengeti from a different angle, think about going on a hot air balloon safari. Beautiful aerial views and a serene experience can be had while flying over the park in the early morning.
02: Ngorongoro Conservation Area
The Ngorongoro Conservation Area (NCA) is a protected area and World Heritage Site located in northern Tanzania. It is renowned for its unique geographical features, wildlife, and cultural significance.
Ngorongoro Crater: The Ngorongoro Crater is the most famous feature in the conservation area. It is the world’s largest intact volcanic caldera and is often referred to as the “Garden of Eden” due to its lush, green landscapes and abundant wildlife. Visitors can go on game drives in the crater to see a diverse range of animals, including lions, elephants, zebras, wildebeest, and rhinos.
Wildlife viewing: The Ngorongoro Conservation Area is a great location for wildlife watchers and photographers because it is home to a broad diversity of wildlife species. In addition to the creatures in the crater, the nearby grasslands and woodlands are home to many different types of birds as well as cheetahs, leopards, and hyenas.
The Olduvai Gorge is a prehistoric location that is frequently called the “Cradle of Mankind” because it contains some of the earliest indications of human evolution. The Olduvai Gorge Museum offers information about early hominids and the history of human evolution.
Maasai Culture: You can visit Maasai settlements to learn about their customary culture and way of life. The Maasai are an indigenous group to the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. Numerous lodges and tour companies provide cultural interactions with the Maasai, including as dance performances and family visits.
Empakaai Crater is this smaller volcanic caldera is less visited than Ngorongoro Crater but offers stunning views and opportunities for hiking and birdwatching. The crater contains a beautiful soda lake at its center, attracting flamingos and other waterfowl.
03 : Tarangire National Park
Tarangire National Park is a renowned wildlife reserve located in northern Tanzania. It covers an area of approximately 2,850 square kilometers (1,100 square miles) and is part of the larger Tarangire-Manyara ecosystem.
Elephant Migration: Tarangire is renowned for having a big population of elephants. One of the greatest sites in Africa to observe these beautiful animals up close is the Tarangire River, where herds of elephants congregate during the dry season (June to November).
Wildlife Diversity: In addition to elephants, Tarangire is also home to a broad range of other animals, such as lions, leopards, cheetahs, giraffes, zebras, wildebeests, and other types of antelope. The park is a popular spot for birdwatchers because it is equally well-known for its birdlife.
Baobab Trees: Throughout the park are recognizable baobab trees, which make for an interesting and beautiful background for wildlife photography. Baobab trees are particularly prevalent in the Silale Swamp region.
Open grasslands, savannah, and acacia trees combine to create Tarangire’s breathtaking scenery. During the dry season, wildlife is drawn to the park’s lush green corridor created by the Tarangire River.
04: Nyerere National Park
Nyerere National Park was also known as the Selous Game Reserve, is one of the largest and most famous wildlife reserves in Africa. It is located in southern Tanzania and covers an enormous area of approximately 50,000 square kilometers (19,300 square miles).
Viewing animals: A broad range of African animals, such as elephants, lions, leopards, cheetahs, hippos, crocodiles, giraffes, and zebras, may be seen at Selous. Excellent possibilities to view these creatures in their natural habitat are provided by game drives and boat safaris.
Boat safaris are available in the reserve, which is crisscrossed by rivers and lakes including the Rufiji River, which is home to a huge population of hippos and crocodiles. These rivers offer a special viewpoint on the wildlife and surroundings when taken on a boat safari.
Walking Safaris: You can take a guided walking safari to explore the Selous Game Reserve on foot in some locations. This allows for a closer, more personal experience with the vegetation and creatures.
Birdwatching: Selous Game Reserve is a birdwatcher’s paradise, with over 400 species of birds. Bird enthusiasts can spot a wide range of colorful and unique avian species in the reserve.
Scenic Beauty: Selous is known for its stunning landscapes, including rolling savannahs, woodlands, swamps, and wetlands. The diverse ecosystems make it a picturesque .
05: Mikumi National Park
Mikumi National Park is a wildlife reserve located in the southern part of Tanzania. It is one of the country’s most accessible and popular national parks, known for its diverse wildlife and stunning landscapes.
Mikumi National Park is situated in the Morogoro Region of Tanzania, approximately 283 kilometers (176 miles) west of the country’s largest city, Dar es Salaam. It covers an area of approximately 3,230 square kilometers (1,250 square miles).
Wildlife: Mikumi is home to a wide variety of wildlife species, including elephants, lions, leopards, giraffes, zebras, buffalo, hippos, and numerous antelope species like impalas and wildebeests. It’s also a great place for birdwatching, with over 400 bird species recorded in the park.
Game Drives: The park offers excellent opportunities for game drives, making it a popular destination for safaris. The Mikumi floodplain, with its open grasslands and waterholes, is a prime spot for wildlife viewing.
Scenic Beauty: Mikumi National Park is characterized by its scenic beauty, including the Mkata River and its floodplains, as well as the surrounding hills and mountains. The landscape provides a picturesque backdrop for wildlife photography.
Accommodation: There are various accommodation options in and around Mikumi National Park, including lodges, tented camps, and campsites. These provide a range of choices for visitors, from budget to luxury stays.
06: Ruaha National Park
Ruaha National Park is a large wildlife reserve located in Tanzania, East Africa. It is the largest national park in Tanzania and one of the largest in Africa, covering an area of approximately 20,226 square kilometers (7,809 square miles)
Wildlife Diversity: Ruaha National Park is renowned for its rich biodiversity and is home to a wide variety of wildlife species. Some of the animals you can find here include elephants, lions, leopards, cheetahs, African wild dogs, giraffes, zebras, hippos, crocodiles, and numerous bird species.
Landscape: The park’s landscape varies from open savannah to dense miombo woodlands, riverine forests, and rocky hills. The diverse terrain provides different habitats for various wildlife species and offers scenic views for visitors.
Birdwatching: Ruaha National Park is a haven for bird enthusiasts, with over 570 bird species recorded in the park. Birdwatchers can spot a wide range of species, including kingfishers, hornbills, eagles, and vultures.
Game Drives: The park offers excellent opportunities for game drives, allowing visitors to see the abundant wildlife up close. Game drives are typically conducted in 4×4 vehicles and are guided by experienced rangers.
Walking Safaris: Some tour operators in Ruaha National Park offer walking safaris, providing a unique and more intimate wildlife experience while exploring the park on foot.
07: Lake Manyara National Park
Ruaha National Park is a large wildlife reserve located in Tanzania, East Africa. It is the largest national park in Tanzania and one of the largest in Africa, covering an area of approximately 20,226 square kilometers (7,809 square miles)
Wildlife Diversity: Ruaha National Park is renowned for its rich biodiversity and is home to a wide variety of wildlife species. Some of the animals you can find here include elephants, lions, leopards, cheetahs, African wild dogs, giraffes, zebras, hippos, crocodiles, and numerous bird species.
Landscape: The park’s landscape varies from open savannah to dense miombo woodlands, riverine forests, and rocky hills. The diverse terrain provides different habitats for various wildlife species and offers scenic views for visitors.
Birdwatching: Ruaha National Park is a haven for bird enthusiasts, with over 570 bird species recorded in the park. Birdwatchers can spot a wide range of species, including kingfishers, hornbills, eagles, and vultures.
Game Drives: The park offers excellent opportunities for game drives, allowing visitors to see the abundant wildlife up close. Game drives are typically conducted in 4×4 vehicles and are guided by experienced rangers.
Walking Safaris: Some tour operators in Ruaha National Park offer walking safaris, providing a unique and more intimate wildlife experience while exploring the park on foot.
08: Mkomazi National Park
Ruaha National Park is a large wildlife reserve located in Tanzania, East Africa. It is the largest national park in Tanzania and one of the largest in Africa, covering an area of approximately 20,226 square kilometers (7,809 square miles)
Wildlife Diversity: Ruaha National Park is renowned for its rich biodiversity and is home to a wide variety of wildlife species. Some of the animals you can find here include elephants, lions, leopards, cheetahs, African wild dogs, giraffes, zebras, hippos, crocodiles, and numerous bird species.
Landscape: The park’s landscape varies from open savannah to dense miombo woodlands, riverine forests, and rocky hills. The diverse terrain provides different habitats for various wildlife species and offers scenic views for visitors.
Birdwatching: Ruaha National Park is a haven for bird enthusiasts, with over 570 bird species recorded in the park. Birdwatchers can spot a wide range of species, including kingfishers, hornbills, eagles, and vultures.
Game Drives: The park offers excellent opportunities for game drives, allowing visitors to see the abundant wildlife up close. Game drives are typically conducted in 4×4 vehicles and are guided by experienced rangers.
Walking Safaris: Some tour operators in Ruaha National Park offer walking safaris, providing a unique and more intimate wildlife experience while exploring the park on foot.
09: Katavi National Park
Katavi National Park is one of Tanzania’s hidden gems, located in the remote southwestern part of the country. It’s known for its untouched wilderness, dramatic landscapes, and abundant wildlife.
Incredible Game Viewing: Despite its remoteness, Katavi is teeming with wildlife. The park is known for its large herds of buffalo, elephants, and hippos. Katavi’s vast plains and woodlands are also home to predators like lions, leopards, and hyenas.
Hippo and Crocodile Concentrations: Katavi boasts some of the densest populations of hippos and crocodiles in Africa, particularly during the dry season when they congregate in shrinking water sources. Watching these massive animals interact can be a highlight of your visit.
Birdwatching: Bird enthusiasts will find Katavi to be a haven for birdwatching. The park is home to over 400 species of birds, including raptors, waterfowl, and many migratory species.
Seasonal Changes: The park’s wildlife and landscapes undergo dramatic changes with the seasons. During the dry season (June to October), water sources shrink, leading to intense animal gatherings around remaining waterholes. In the wet season (November to April), the landscape transforms into lush greenery, attracting a different array of animals.
10:Mahale Mountains National Park
Mahale Mountains National Park is a remote and pristine wilderness area located in western Tanzania along the eastern shore of Lake Tanganyika. It is renowned for its stunning landscapes, diverse wildlife, and, most notably, its population of wild chimpanzees
Chimpanzee Trekking: One of the main attractions of Mahale Mountains National Park is the opportunity to track and observe wild chimpanzees in their natural habitat. The park is home to several habituated chimpanzee groups, and visitors can embark on guided trekking excursions to observe these primates up close.
Breathtaking Scenery: The park is set against the backdrop of the Mahale Mountains, which rise dramatically from the shores of Lake Tanganyika. The combination of the lush rainforest, the azure waters of the lake, and the towering peaks creates a picturesque and serene setting.
Habituated Wildlife: In addition to chimpanzees, the park is home to a variety of other wildlife, including colobus monkeys, baboons, red-tailed monkeys, and a diverse range of bird species. The forested slopes and rivers provide excellent opportunities for wildlife viewing.
Birdwatching: Mahale Mountains National Park is a paradise for birdwatchers, with over 300 bird species recorded in the area. This includes various waterbirds, forest species, and the chance to spot rare and endemic birds.