Top Tanzania National Parks, Safari Adventures & Wildlife Experiences

The Northern Safari Circuit

Tanzania’s Northern Safari Circuit is a vibrant wildlife haven in East Africa, featuring an impressive array of game parks that showcase the region’s natural splendor. The Northern Safari Circuit, situated near the Kenyan border, is Tanzania’s premier tourist destination for a multitude of compelling reasons. This collection of nearby wildlife parks features the Serengeti National Park, the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, Kilimanjaro, Lake Manyara National Park, and Tarangire National Park. The Northern Safari Circuit boasts remarkable sites such as Oldupai Gorge, Lake Natron, Ol Doinyo Lengai volcano, and Mount Meru.

The Ngorongoro Conservation Area is a place brimming with excitement and exploration.
The Ngorongoro Conservation Area is a vibrant wildlife reserve brimming with extraordinary safari experiences. Ngorongoro spans 8,292 sq km, showcasing a vibrant tapestry of forests, savannah plains, wetlands, and lake habitats on the eastern edge of the Serengeti in northern Tanzania. The crown’s most dazzling gem is the Ngorongoro Crater.

The Ngorongoro Crater, spanning approximately 260 sq km, stands as the world’s largest volcanic caldera and is celebrated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, often referred to as “Africa’s Garden of Eden.” The Ngorongoro Crater boasts a vibrant population of around 25,000 large mammals, along with the highest concentration of mammalian predators found anywhere in Africa. As you make your way down 2,000 feet to the crater’s floor, a vibrant array of African wildlife comes into view, featuring majestic lions, towering elephants, herds of wildebeest, striking zebras, formidable rhinos, graceful elands, swift Thomson’s gazelles, and powerful buffalo.

The Ngorongoro Conservation Area lies adjacent to the Serengeti, with the Ndutu Plains being a vital segment of the remarkable migration path. In December, the wildebeest herds make their grand return, bringing new life as they calve in January and February. Every day during this time, an incredible 8,000 wildebeest come into the world. The richness of exposed prey transforms this location into a captivating stage where the fierce and awe-inspiring spectacle of the African plains unfolds, as hunters and scavengers converge to seize the opportunity presented by the plentiful and accessible food source.

Other highlights of the Ngorongoro Conservation Area encompass Olduvai Gorge, Olmati Crater, Empaki Crater, Ngoitokitok Spring, the nearby Lake Natron, and the striking gneiss inselberg of Naseru Rock.

Lake Manyara National Park

Untamed waters Lake Manyara is nestled within the vibrant and rich expanse of Lake Manyara National Park. Incredible bird watching, breathtaking landscapes, and fantastic wildlife encounters await you on the Lake Manyara safari adventure.

Renowned for its extraordinary tree-climbing lions, the 125 sq mile/ 325 sq km Lake Manyara offers an exhilarating wildlife experience. Just an hour and a half from Arusha, Lake Manyara is a captivating realm of savannah, woodland, and vibrant forest. The park is teeming with an array of wildlife, featuring hippos, buffalo, elephants, giraffes, leopards, cheetahs, impalas, and a variety of primates. Home to around 400 bird species, including pelicans and flamingos that thrive in the soda waters, Lake Manyara National Park is a fantastic stop for any safari adventure.

Tarangire National Park

Often overlooked, Tarangire National Park is a stunning and untamed landscape brimming with breathtaking beauty. Tarangire Park is located southeast of Lake Manyara, where wildlife journeys between the two as the seasons shift. Although Tanzania’s Northern Safari Circuit can be bustling with visitors, Tarangire National Park stands out as a hidden treasure, where the majority of safari tourism tends to flow through the northern part of the park before heading to the Serengeti.

Tarangire National Park comes alive in the dry season, as massive herds of elephants gather around the enduring waters of the Tarangire River. Tarangire boasts some of the highest concentrations of wildlife in Tanzania and is renowned for its intimate experiences with massive elephant herds, often reaching numbers of 300. Alongside the majestic elephants, the wildlife of Tarangire features migrating wildebeest, zebra, buffalo, eland, impala, hartebeest, and an array of predators. Tarangire boasts a vibrant array of over 500 bird species, featuring the unique ashy starlings and the charming yellow-collared lovebirds, both of which are found exclusively in Tanzania.

Tarangire National Park spans an impressive 2,800 km² / 1,000 mi², showcasing a diverse landscape that includes grassland, woodland, floodplains, riverine forest, and seasonal swamps. Adorned with magnificent baobabs and elegant acacias, and bordered by distant volcanic mountains, Tarangire is a stunningly varied park, eager to be explored.

The Southern Safari Circuit is an exhilarating journey waiting to be explored.
Remote and uncharted, Tanzania’s Southern Safari Circuit is renowned for its exhilarating African safaris. From the expansive Nyerere National Park and Ruaha National Park to the intimate Mahale Mountain and Gombe Stream National Parks, the southern safari circuit beckons to those with a spirit of exploration and a passion for adventure.

Nyerere National Park

Nyerere National Park, once known as Selous Game Reserve, spans an astonishing 30,000 km². This expansive game reserve in Tanzania is nearly four times the size of the Serengeti and remains one of the most uncharted territories. Remote and untamed, Nyerere is a Big 5 safari destination for those seeking excitement.

Untamed and brimming with the essence of Africa, Nyerere is shaped by the winding path of the Rufiji River. The palm-fringed waterways and vibrant wetlands bustling with diverse wildlife and avian life. Prepare for encounters with enormous crocodiles, alongside thriving communities of hippos, elephants, giraffes, buffalos, and sable antelope. Spoonbills and storks roam the shallows, while vibrant flocks of carmine bee eaters cling to the exposed muddy banks. Nyerere is an incredible destination for predator safaris, boasting a thriving population of wild dogs, along with lions, hyenas, cheetahs, and leopards.

Nyerere National Park is a fly-in safari destination, where excitement awaits at every corner. Numerous lodges line the banks of the Rufiji River, and embarking on river explorations is essential. Alongside the usual game drives, anticipate a leisurely boat safari that glides through the winding banks, as well as walking safaris led by knowledgeable guides.

Ruaha National Park

Ruaha National Park is regarded by many as Tanzania’s hidden gem. Drawing in safari enthusiasts, the hidden gem of Ruaha is a fly-in destination that presents untouched wilderness and outstanding opportunities to see the Big 5 in their natural habitat. Surprisingly, Ruaha boasts a reputation for luxurious tented camps, riverside lodges, and outstanding hospitality.

Spanning an impressive 20,000 km², Ruaha stands as Tanzania’s second-largest national park. The eastern border is shaped by the Great Ruaha River, a lifeline that nurtures Ruaha’s remarkable array of wildlife. Majestic elephant herds roam freely, while kudu, roan, and sable antelope grace the landscape alongside formidable big cats like cheetahs, lions, leopards, wild dogs, and hyenas.

For an exhilarating experience of wildlife, Ruaha shines brightest during the dry season from May to October, when animals gather around the enduring water sources. With more than 570 bird species, Ruaha offers an exceptional experience for birdwatchers during the lush green season from November to April.

Mahale Mountains and Gombe Stream National Parks

The Southern Safari Circuit begins in the far west with Lake Tanganyika, where two hidden safari treasures await discovery. Secluded and challenging to access, Mahale Mountain National Park and Gombe Stream National Park ascend from the shores of Lake Tanganyika into vibrant, jungle-clad hills. Both parks offer fantastic opportunities to encounter our closest relatives, the chimpanzee, in their wild habitat.

Mahale Mountain National Park can only be reached by boat and plane, ensuring the park remains untouched by conventional roads. The park offers an incredible opportunity to witness chimpanzees in their natural habitat, making it an essential addition to any Tanzania bucket list. As you wander through the jungle, keeping an eye out for chimpanzees, you might also encounter colobus monkeys, bushy-tailed and banded mongooses, blue duikers, Sharpe’s grysboks, giant forest squirrels, red-legged sun squirrels, and brush-tailed porcupines.

Gombe Stream National Park is the tiniest gem among Tanzania’s National Parks. The chimpanzee study stands out as the most enduring behavioral research program for any animal globally. Initiated by Jane Goodall in the 1960s, this remarkable location allows for an incredible opportunity to encounter chimpanzees in their natural habitat, as they have become accustomed to human presence. In Gombe, you will encounter a variety of fascinating primates, including olive baboons, which have been the subject of study since the ’60s, as well as red-tailed and red colobus monkeys, blue monkeys, and bush babies.

Weary of the untouched central African jungle, waterfalls, thrilling encounters with primates, and a plethora of butterflies? Lake Tanganyika invites you to dive into its crystal clear waters, paddle through its serene expanse, explore vibrant underwater worlds while snorkelling, embark on dhow trips, and relax on its pristine white sandy beaches. Remote and untouched, Mahale and Gombe may not be the most budget-friendly spots, but they truly reward those willing to venture further for an unforgettable journey.

Mikumi National Park is a place brimming with excitement and exploration.
Mikumi stands as Tanzania’s fourth-largest National Park, brimming with excitement and exploration opportunities. Situated near Dar es Salaam, it serves as a northern extension of Nyerere National Park and attracts those eager for a quick escape into the wild. Mikumi offers a variety of accommodation choices, making it an exciting weekend getaway from Dar es Salaam.

Mikumi National Park, much like Nyerere, features expansive grassy plains, towering black hardwood trees, and iconic baobabs. The 3,230 km² Mikumi lies nestled between the Lumango Mountains to the southeast, the Uluguru Mountains to the northeast, and the Rubeho Mountains to the northwest. On a Mikumi safari, you can encounter an array of wildlife such as lions, elephants, buffalo, wildebeest, giraffes, zebras, leopards, crocodiles, and even the endangered wild dogs.

Mikumi National Park is divided by the Tanzam Highway, connecting Dar es Salaam to Lusaka in Zambia. Nonetheless, Mikumi is often overlooked, and the opportunities for wildlife encounters are remarkable throughout the entire year.

Katavi National Park

Katavi National Park stands as Tanzania’s third largest National Park, following Nyerere and Ruaha. Both overlooked and secluded, Katavi pairs perfectly with chimpanzee trekking in Mahale Mountains National Park.

Spanning 4,470 km², Katavi is a pristine expanse waiting to be explored. Katavi is a land where miombo woodland reigns supreme, showcasing the dynamic seasonal flows of the Kapapa and Katuma Rivers, along with the expansive flood plains that embrace them. As the flood waters recede in the dry season, the landscape comes alive with roaming lions, elephants, and massive herds of buffalo, alongside a vibrant array of plains species such as zebra, giraffe, wildebeest, impala, topi, hartebeest, reedbuck, and Defassa waterbuck.

Katavi is secluded, even by the standards of Tanzania. With just about 500 visitors annually, the feeling of an eternal Africa is deeply felt. This isolation is what attracts seasoned safari enthusiasts eager to challenge the boundaries of their adventure.