Tanzania is the ultimate Africa experience with amazing wildlife and pure nature. Climb to the top of the Kilimanjaro and overlook the continent of Africa, visit authentic tribes or take a tour to great savannas and get the chance to spot the Big Five.
Northern Tanzania
The most popular wildlife parks are to be found in Northern Tanzania. Holding a suitable ecosystem for wildlife, these parks offer you the chance to get very close to the most impressive animals you’ll ever see including the black Rhinoceros, one of the most endangered species of the world.
Arusha NP
Arusha NP is a small national park close to Arusha town. Despite its size, the park offers a wide variety in wildlife. Giraffes, zebra’s, elephants, and flamingos can be found at this all-year-green location including rare species such as the Colobus monkey and Red Duiker antelope. If you’re seeking unique birds, many species are easily spotted at Arusha National Park.
Highlights: wildlife, bird spotting, hiking, nature
Tarangire NP
Tarangire NP is one of Tanzania’s largest national parks, located in the Manyara Region. During dry season a lot of animals migrate here to drink from the Tarangire river that crosses the park. Tarangire NP has two unique features: you’ll find more elephants here than in any other park as well as a large amount of Baobab trees (Adansonia digitata). Other animals include zebras, giraffes, lions, cheetahs and leopards. If you’re lucky you’ll even spot rarely seen wild dogs in the park. At the swamps you’ll spot many different kinds of bird species.
Highlights: elephants, Baobab trees, bird spotting
Lake Manyara NP
Lake Manyara NP is one of Tanzania’s smallest national parks, located along the Rift Valley and lake Manyara. The park is famous for the many species of birds living here. Due to the high concentration of alkaline in the salty lake you’ll also find a large amount of flamingo’s in the lake. Lake Manyara NP is paradise for bird spotters; they can expect to spot about 100 different birds at this gem of a park. Other animals include: hippos, leopards, tree Climbing lions, elephants, giraffes, cheetahs and zebras.
Highlights: bird spotting, flamingo’s, tree climbing lions, hippos at the pond
Ngorongoro Crater
Ngorongoro Crater is a conservation area where wildlife and Masaai people live together. The crater is the world’s largest inactive and unfilled volcanic caldera, formed by a large volcano exploding and collapsing a few million years ago. In 2013 the crater was voted one of the Seven Natural Wonders of Africa. Animals in the crater include the very rare black Rhinoceros, buffalos, hippos, wildebeest, zebras, gazelles, waterbucks, and flamingos. On top of that, the crater is one of the few places you see hyena’s active in day time!
Highlights: Big Five, nature, historic, black rhino, hiking on the crater rim, Masaai
Serengeti NP
Serengeti means ‘endless plains’ – as the national park covers an impressive 14.750 square kilometres. A big range of habitation can be found here, but what the Serengeti is most famous for is hosting the largest mammal migration in the world, one of the Seven Natural Wonders of Africa. Serengeti is the world’s best known destination for any safari. Off the beaten track, Serengeti NP offers you the Big Five: lion, leopard, elephant, rhinos and the buffalo. As well as: impalas, hyenas, baboons, giraffes, dik dik and more than 500 bird species.
Highlights: great migration, Big Five, nature, bird spotting
Lake Natron
Lake Natron is a unique spot along the Rift valley. This lake is a big breeding site for flamingos. When visiting you can walk along the lake and hike the waterfalls on the Rift Valley.
Highlights: waterfalls, hiking, walking, flamingo’s, romantic
Southern Tanzania
A lot of tourism is centered around the Northern part of Tanzania, but let’s not forget the South of Tanzania with more national parks to visit and stunning nature to enjoy.
Selous Game Reserve
Selous Game Reserve is the largest African conservation sanctuary, covering 55.000 square kilometres. In 1982 the reserve was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site due to the diversity of wildlife and the untouched nature you’ll find here. Animals you’ll encounter at this reserve include: elephants, kudus, buffalos, hippos, crocodiles and lions as well as a large amount of wild dogs. Take a boat trip along the Rufiji river or go on a guided walking safari through this unique area.
Highlights: wild dogs, boat trip, crocodiles, wildlife
Mikumi NP
Mikumi NP, near to Morogoro and Dar es Salaam, is the fifth largest park in Tanzania. The northwest part of the park is most accessible and known for beautiful and rare plants and trees like baobab, acacia and palm. A selection of animals found at Mikumi include: lions, giraffes, impala, antelopes, baboons, wildebeests and hippos at the two pools in this park.
Highlights: flora and fauna, hippos, bird spotting
Udzungwa Mountains NP
The national park of Udzungwa Mountains contains of tropical rainforest, grassland and steppe. With over 400 bird species, 2500 plant species and 2 rare primate species it has a large biodiversity. A splendid place for hiking, viewing the impressive waterfalls or searching for the Udzungwa Red Colobus and Sanje Mangabey that can only be found in Udzwunga Mountains national park
Highlights: sportive, hiking, camping, mountain, rainforest, waterfalls, monkeys, bird spotting
Katavi NP
Katavi NP is in quite a remote area, so it’s not packed with tourists. Great for driving around with not another car in sight. Just you and the nature. You will be able to see Cape Buffaloes, zebras, cheetahs, hyenas, leopards and lions at Katavi. Along the Katuma river you’ll find huge amounts of hippos just relaxing at the mud holes in dry season.
Highlights: wildlife, quiet, romantic, remote