6 Must-See National Parks In Tanzania 2022
Tanzania is one of the most popular vacation destinations on the African continent, offering visitors the chance to experience the beauty of vast savannas and wilderness areas in game reserves and national parks with their robust wildlife populations. And while most are familiar with Africa's "Big 5" (lion, leopard, rhino, elephant, and African buffalo), there is also the world of the "Small 5," Africa's wildlife on a small scale; the fantastic insects, birds, and small game.
Tourists traveling to Tanzania will find a culturally rich country with over 120 different tribal communities leading largely unchanged semi-nomadic lifestyles, tending to their livestock, welcoming visitors into their villages and homes, and offering their own warm brand of hospitality.
Tanzania is also home to some of the world's most popular and famous national parks. Given the unique experience offered in each national park in Tanzania, it won't be easy to decide which national park to visit. So to help you make this tough decision, here is our list of the best six national parks in Tanzania - all must-sees!
Tanzania’s Must-See National Parks
Serengeti National Park
Serengeti National Park
The most famous among all of Tanzania’s National Parks is the Serengeti National Park. This iconic national park is synonymous with classical African wildlife and the spectacular migration of the wildebeest.
The Serengeti National Park was one of the first locations listed as a World Heritage Site in 1981. Even before receiving that distinction, the Serengeti was famous for showcasing its complex and dynamic ecosystems.
The Serengeti plains spread across roughly 15,000 square kilometers east of Lake Victoria, its northern boundary sharing a stretch of Kenya's southwestern border. It is home to over 1.5 million wildebeest, approximately 250,000 zebras, about 1,000 leopards and 4,000 lions, and over 500 bird species. Hundreds of thousands of tourists visit the park each year to witness the annual circular migration of these multitudes of animals as they follow the rains on a perpetual search for fresh grass.
Related Reads: A guide to Serengeti National Park
Ngorongoro Conservation Area
Often called the "Eden of Africa," the Ngorongoro Crater - the world's largest intact volcanic crater - lies within the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. It is rich in grazing grounds and abundant in wildlife. Africa's "Big 5" can be found here, including the black rhinoceros, a rare and elusive rhino native to the land.
One of the most popular destinations in Tanzania, the accommodations in the Ngorongoro Conservation Area are very good but scarce. There are only a handful of lodges and camps along the crater rim. Game drives are good year-round, and visitors also have the opportunity to explore the nearby villages of the Maasai, an ancient and vibrant people.
Related Reads: Animals of Ngorongoro
Tarangire National Park
Tarangire National Park
Tarangire National Park is one of the best-kept secrets in the Northern Circuit of Tanzania. The national park is less crowded than the others and is home to a considerable variety of wildlife. To the southeast of Tarangire is the Masai Steppe, and to the north and west is the Great Rift Valley. The National Park covers a total area of approximately 2,600 sq. km.
The Tarangire River flows through the national park and in the dry season is one of the best places to sight animals that come to drink from the river. Tarangire National Park is famous for its huge elephant population and its iconic and scenic baobab trees, which can grow up to 100 m in circumference. Tarangire is full of amazing wildlife, including a large variety of birds. Walking safaris are also possible throughout the national park. The best time to visit is between June and October.
Lake Manyara National Park
Lake Manyara National Park
Although Lake Manyara National Park is a very small park compared to the Serengeti, it hosts an abundance of wildlife drawn to its vast body of water. Visitors to the park have the chance to see lions climbing trees and herds of elephants moving through the brush. It's rare to see such a variety of animals grouped in such a small pocket of land, but water availability overrides their instincts for more space. And due to the lake, birds are abundant throughout the park, so put birdwatching on your list, too.
The park offers night game drives and walking safaris, and the opportunity to go canoeing on the lake. While the park gets crowded during peak season, it is a nice starting point for a longer safari.
Nyerere National Park
Nyerere National Park
Nyerere National Park, previously known as the Selous Game Reserve, is the largest Tanzania National Park and is located in southeastern Tanzania. The total land area of the national park is around 31,000 sq. km. The closest major city to Nyerere National Park is Dar es Salaam, around 230 kilometers away.
Around 440 species of birds are found in the national park, making this spot a bird watcher’s favorite. While on a game drive in the national park, you can spot leopards, giraffe, impala, elephants, rhino, lions, and many more animal species. The Rufiji River flows through the national park, making the riverside a prominent place for animal viewing. In addition, boat trips on the river add to your experience. The best time to visit the national park is from mid June to October.
Mahale Mountains National Park
Mahale Mountains National Park
Located along the remote western border, along the shores of Lake Tanganyika, lies the magical Mahale Mountains National Park. White sandy beaches circle the clear blue waters of Lake Tanganyika, with steep cliffs shooting up from the lake, part of the lush, rain-forested Mahale Mountain range.
Because Mahale Mountains National Park is not highly frequented, it is a place of stunning beauty and extraordinary wildlife viewing opportunities. The park is most notable for being home to over 1,000 chimpanzees. Visitors go chimp trekking through the park to get up close to the chimpanzees; truly a remarkable experience.
The park has beautiful walking trails through the thick rainforest, stunning views and beautiful sunsets over the lake. And though it is a challenging park to reach, once you get there, you'll find plenty to do. Take up fishing or kayaking on the lake, go on a trekking expedition to search for the chimpanzees, or go birdwatching. And due to the low number of visitors, whatever your preferences, the park is a peaceful, relaxing place to appreciate the wonder of nature.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Which is the largest park in Tanzania?
Nyerere National Park is the largest national park in Tanzania, covering an area of 30,893 square km. It is located in southeastern Tanzania, around 230 kilometers from Dar es Salaam.
How many national parks are found in Tanzania?
According to Tanzania National Parks Authority (TANAPA), there are 22 national parks in Tanzania. The national parks in Tanzania cover a total of 15% of the land area.
What are the best months to visit Tanzania National Parks?
The best months to visit Tanzania and the national parks are during the long dry season. The months between July and October are considered the dry season and best for witnessing the riiver crossings of the great migration. However, the months between January and March are the best time to see the Great Migration in the southern plains of the Serengeti when they give birth to thousands of calves each day - the peak of the calving season!
Wrapping Up
There is no place like Africa, and visiting Tanzania is an experience all on its own. The wildlife, in its diversity and abundance, spread across a tableau of stunning ecosystems, is a spectacle unparalleled anywhere else on earth.
The opportunity to travel to any of the parks mentioned above will be an experience that will bring you closer to nature, and you'll likely never look at the world the same way again.
Sababu Safaris can create a once-in-a-lifetime experience and streamline all the planning for you, so you get to enjoy every second of your time in Tanzania.