Tanzania is home to infinite wildlife, endless beautiful plains, and authentic African wilderness! It has a diverse range of animals in some of the best national parks in Africa. If you’re a wildlife enthusiast, head over to the best of Tanzania’s wildlife destinations, which are listed below!
- Serengeti National Park
One of the most popular tourist destinations in Tanzania, Serengeti National Park is where the majestic Great Migration comes into action. Millions of wildebeests and thousands of zebras migrate in a clockwise manner every year. The most interesting events include the river crossings whereby thousands of wildebeests attempt to cross a river and some lose their lives as the humongous Nile crocodiles splash out of the water and prey on the animals.
The birth of over half a million calves in about a week also gives exceptional and rewarding sights.
However, Serengeti can get a little crowded during the peak tourist season (June to October).
Other wildlife: Big 5, cheetahs, gazelles, hyenas, jackals, elands, hippos, and giraffes.
Birdlife: Contains over 500 bird species
Highlights:
- Hot air balloon safari available
- The Great Migration
- Big 5
- Scenic views
- Ngorongoro Conservation Area
Ngorongoro Conservation Area is home to the Ngorongoro Crater, the largest intact volcanic caldera in the world. The sheer diversity of animals here as well as its geographical beauty make this place worth a visit.
The crater is known for its large rhino population. Black rhinos are hard to find in Tanzania and they’re very elusive and shy. Here, black rhinos can often be spotted in the open! It’s the best place in Tanzania to spot the Big 5.
Other wildlife: cheetahs, jackals, hippos, gazelles, hyenas, zebras, and wildebeests.
Birdlife: Contains over 500 bird species
Highlights:
- The crater is immensely beautiful
- It’s the best place in Tanzania to spot rhinos
- High biodiversity
- Lake Manyara National Park
Two-thirds of this park is covered by Lake Manyara, a beautiful soda lake that often appears pink because of the reflection of the thousands of flamingoes that line it. It’s an excellent place for a canoe safari and also offers an interesting treetop walkway.
Lake Manyara is also home to the unusual and rare tree-climbing lions! How often do you catch a lion chilling up in a tree? Well, you can witness it for yourself here at Lake Manyara NP.
Other wildlife: Hippos, zebras, giraffes, buffaloes, impalas, and wildebeests.
Birdlife: Contains over 400 species of birds
Highlights:
- Tree-climbing lions
- Flamingoes
- Canoe safari
- Treetop walkway
- Night game drives available so you can spot elusive leopards and other nocturnal animals
- Tarangire National Park
Tarangire National Park is known for its large population of elephants. You can spot herds containing up to 300 elephants here! The hundred-year-old baobab trees that cover the park also provide accommodate the tree-climbing lions and pythons you can find here.
Other wildlife: zebras, wildebeests, hyenas, fringe-eared oryx, hippos, buffaloes, and giraffes.
Birdlife: Over 500 species of birds can be spotted at Tarangire NP!
Highlights:
- Great place to spot elephants
- Tree-climbing lions and pythons
- Scenic views
- Selous Game Reserve
Selous Game Reserve is an untouched game reserve that offers raw nature, beauty and endless wildlife. The Reserve is never crowded even during the peak season. It offers a high level of privacy and you’ll see more wildlife than humans on your game drives!
Selous is known for its large population of African wild dogs, which are critically endangered. It also has a high concentration of elephants. Check out the Expert Guide on Selous Game Reserve for more details!
Other wildlife: lions, buffaloes, zebras, hippos, giraffes, impalas, wildebeests, leopards, and hyenas.
Birdlife: Over 400 species of birds can be spotted
Highlights:
- Canoe safari available
- Fly-camping available
- Easy to spot African wild dogs here
- Ruaha National Park
Ruaha is Tanzania’s hidden gem, tucked far away from the mainstream safari route. This makes the park all the more rewarding to visit. Many call it the “Predator’s Paradise” of Tanzania because it’s home to many predators like lions, cheetahs, leopards, jackals, hyenas and African wild dogs. It’s the best place in Tanzania to spot the critically endangered African wild dogs. Ruaha has the third-largest African wild dog population in the entire continent!
Other wildlife: Elephants, hippos, giraffes, zebras, buffalos, greater kudus, lesser kudus, impalas, and antelopes.
Birdlife: Over 450 species of birds
Highlights:
- African wild dogs
- Predator’s paradise
- Rare antelopes can be found here
- Both the greater and lesser kudus can be found here, which is rare!
- Mikumi National Park
Many call Mikumi a mini-Serengeti owing to the diverse range of animals that can be found here. Mikumi is known for its midget elephants, which are tiny versions of elephants. It’s about 4 hours away from Dar es Salaam so it’s the best park to visit from Dar if you’re short on time.
Other wildlife: elands, leopards, lions, giraffes, elephants, buffaloes, wildebeests, hippos, warthogs, and impalas.
Birdlife: Over 400 species of birds
Highlights:
- Midget elephants
- Elands can be spotted here
- Doesn’t get crowded
- Katavi National Park
Katavi National Park is largely untouched, receiving only about hundreds of visitors per year. It’s difficult to get to, but definitely worth all the trouble.
Katavi is also known for its dense concentration of hippos and crocodiles!
The landscape offers scenic views and what’s even better is that you’re very likely to have the views all by yourself!
Other wildlife: elephants, jackals, hyenas, buffaloes, lions, zebras, giraffes, impalas, leopards, and antelopes.
Birdlife: Over 400 species of birds
Highlights:
- Offers exclusivity
- You can go fly-camping here
- Large population of hippos and crocodiles
So, what are you waiting for? Head over to these thrilling wildlife destinations in Tanzania and sight interesting and unique animals.