A COMPLETE LIST OF THE 8 BEST SAFARI PARKS IN TANZANIA
Safari Parks in Tanzania / Image: @perventuator
Have you been dreaming about venturing into the wild for an animal-spotting adventure but have no idea where to begin? This fail-safe guide to safari parks in Tanzania will be your perfect starting point.
There are quite a number of Tanzania safari locations to choose from, including the legendary Serengeti National Park and the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, both of which are known as hotspots for the majestic "Big 5" animals.
However, there are also lesser-known wildlife parks in Tanzania, like the incredible Tarangire National Park, which provide quieter and more modest experiences.
Get the lowdown on each of these wonderful parks as well as other bucket list locations in this round-up of the 8 best safari parks in Tanzania.
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Safari Parks in Tanzania / Image: @denisi_z
THE BEST SAFARI PARKS IN TANZANIA
SERENGETI NATIONAL PARK
Consistently ranked as the top safari park in Tanzania, it's only right to start this list with the iconic Serengeti National Park.
Located in the north of Tanzania, Serengeti National Park is an expansive nature reserve known worldwide for its astounding scenery and wildlife observations. It's a hugely popular stop for most safaris in Tanzania.
Serengeti National Park has become an instantly recognizable destination for a number of reasons.
Firstly, visitors typically have a strong chance of catching a glimpse of the "Big 5" here. For those of you who are unfamiliar, the "Big 5" refers to the lion, elephant, leopard, African buffalo, and rhinoceros.
Secondly, and perhaps the more famous reason why this park is so legendary, is because of the Great Migration. This mass migration sees almost two million wildebeest, zebras, and antelopes gallop across the park in search of fresh grazings. Its a natural phenomenon that's the most mesmerizing sight to behold.
2. Ngorongoro Conservation Area
Visitors embarking on a safari in the Serengeti typically include a trip to the nearby Ngorongoro Conservation Area as part of the northern Tanzania safari circuit.
The Ngorongoro Crater is among the world's largest intact calderas. This huge conservation area is a stunning part of the country and is another wonderful place to catch the Big 5 in action.
After the Serengeti National Park, the Ngorongoro Conservation Area tends to be the most popular game park in Tanzania. In fact, you may even have a better chance of spotting the elusive black rhinos here, as there's a substantial population that reside within the crater.
Not only that, but you can also expect to admire the likes of black-spotted hyenas, hippos, and gazelles here too.
As is the case with many of the national parks of Tanzania, the best time to visit the Ngorongoro Conservation Area is during July and August, as the weather is pleasant, and the timing aligns perfectly with the Great Migration too.
Alternatively, January and February are also excellent months to visit as you'll be in time for calving season.
Safari Parks in Tanzania / Ngorongoro Crater. Image: @mariolagr
3. Lake Manyara National Park
A little further south than the Serengeti and Ngorongoro is Lake Manyara National Park, which is excellently positioned between the Great Rift Valley and the gorgeous Lake Manyara.
Although it's one of the country's smaller national parks, Lake Manyara is just as impressive and is well worth including in a northern Tanzania safari.
Lake Manyara is among the most important safari parks in Tanzania, as it was created to protect some of the area's most famous residents: the magnificent African elephants and the captivating tree-climbing lions.
Gazing at these creatures in their natural habitat is a breathtaking opportunity as well as this national park being a superb place for birdwatching too. At present, over 1,000 bird species have been recorded here, including the famous pink flamingos.
Avid birdwatchers can enjoy spotting the migratory birds between the months of November and April, though the dry months of June to October tend to be the most popular for many travelers.
Lake Manyara is a must-stop for anyone considering booking an African Lion Safari, especially to visit the famous tree-climbing lions.
Safari Parks in Tanzania / Lake Manyara Birds. Image: @a_wonkam
4. Tarangire National Park
Despite its growing popularity within Tanzania, Tarangire National Park is a surprisingly underrated wildlife spot in comparison to many of its counterparts.
This park lies south of Lake Manyara National Park and is the sixth-largest park in Tanzania, gaining its name from the Tarangire River. The water this river provides is crucial for the wide range of animals that inhabit the area.
If there's one thing that Tarangire National Park is known for, it's the fascinating herds of elephants that roam along the grasslands and between the baobab trees. In addition to these vast creatures, you'll likely come across lions, buffalos, gerenuks, and, if you're extremely lucky - the elusive leopard.
You'll also find some beautifully unique birds here too, such as the yellow-billed stork and the rufous-tailed weaver.
The dry season is undoubtedly the optimum time for trips to Tarangire National Park, as many animals migrate here in the hopes of availing fresh water from the river. However, this park is typically much less crowded than the others, making for a truly adventurous experience.
Safari Parks in Tanzania / Baobab Trees. Image: @graphicnode
5. Nyerere National Park
One of the best game reserves in Tanzania happens to be located along the southern circuit, where you'll find many of the more off-the-beaten-path safari excursions.
Commonly referred to as Selous Game Reserve, its former name - Nyerere National Park, is a relatively unspoiled pocket of Tanzania that has some of the country's most alluring landscapes as well as high animal populations.
Across this colossal park's grasslands, plains and woodlands are a spectacular array of animals, including giraffes, hippos, wildebeest, crocodiles, lions, and buffalos. Leopards, elephants, and rhinos are challenging, but not impossible to spot here.
Due to the sheer size of Nyerere National Park, it’s challenging to spot all of the above wild animals. However, that being said, the vastness of the reserve and the rugged landscapes means you probably wont encounter many other safari vehicles on your travels which gives you a feel of having this gorgeous park all to yourself.
Thanks to the abundance of water from the Rufiji River, many animals flock here during the dry season, making the months of June to October the perfect time for your adventure.
6. Ruaha National Park
To the west of Nyerere National Park is the amazing Ruaha National Park, another magical destination for wildlife-spotting that's also much more under-the-radar than many of the bigger parks.
Ruaha National Park is not only somewhat of an untouched gem compared to many of the other safari parks in Tanzania, but it's also one of the largest. A journey through this beautiful, untamed park is an expedition very few travelers can claim to have made.
Amongst the grasslands, forests, and swamps within this African wilderness is a staggering 10% of the planet's lion population, along with elephants, buffalos, and leopards.
Your chances of seeing each of these creatures are quite high, and you'll likely spot kudu, giraffes, antelopes, and hyenas along the way too.
Visit during the drier months of June through to October for the most favorable game drive conditions.
Safari Parks in Tanzania / Image: @a_wonkam
7. Arusha National Park
A northern Tanzania park that's often left out of safari itineraries is Arusha National Park, lying east of Serengeti National Park.
This park is one of Tanzania's smaller safari destinations, but don't let its size put you off, as the remarkable landscapes here are home to some spectacular animals.
The world's biggest giraffe population is found at Arusha National Park, and these soaring creatures live amongst elephants, numerous monkey species, zebras, warthogs, and even lions and leopards. However, the latter two are rarely spotted.
For those of you who are keen on checking out some of Arusha National Park's winged residents, the wetter months from November to April are ideal times to visit. Not only is this a great time for birdwatching, but the landscapes are also at their most vibrant during this time.
8. Kavati National Park
For the ultimate off-the-grid safari experience, head to western Tanzania and explore the remote and undiscovered Kavati National Park.
Even though it's among the more expansive reserves in Tanzania, it's easily one of the least-visited. This is due to primarily the park's rural location and limited accessibility, but it's these factors that also afford the most out-of-this-world excursion.
As you pass through the dense forests and floodplains, you will likely encounter elephants, cheetahs, lions, zebras, wildebeest, and African wild dogs, as well as the hippos and crocodiles that frequent the Katuma River.
Despite its unique location, the drier months of June to October also bring the most favorable conditions for sightings here. On the plus side, only a fraction of Tanzania's travelers will venture as far as Kavati National Park, and the area is quiet all year-round.
Safari Parks in Tanzania / Rhino. Image: @davidclode
A FINAL NOTE ON SAFARI PARKS IN TANZANIA
There you have it: an overview of all the finest safari parks in Tanzania!
Featuring a diverse mix of must-see destinations and unconventional alternatives, this guide includes some of the most exciting parks you must include on your 7-day Tanzania safari itinerary.
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