Planning for a wild safari experience? If so, you wouldn’t want to miss the best national parks to visit in Tanzania.
Without its national parks, Tanzania, and all the other safari destinations in Africa really wouldn’t be able to attract so many visitors. The national parks are home to all the animals and are the central part of any break to Africa.
The great thing about Tanzania is that there are plenty of parks that you can choose from to visit. Not sure which one is going to be the right one for you? Here is our summary of the best national parks to visit in Tanzania.
Best national parks to visit in Tanzania: Our top 5 picks
Whilst Tanzania has an endless list of natural beauty spots, there are a handful of national parks that really stand out.
Each has its very own quirks and charms, but they all offer an incredible experience that will stay with you long after your trip is over.
Here are our top 5 national parks in Tanzania:
Ngorongoro Crater
The Ngorongoro Conservation Area is a game reserve made up of a crater that has been around for millions of years. The natural walls meant that man couldn’t get in and this, in turn, allowed nature to run free and create a diversity of wildlife.
There are so many things to love about the Ngorongoro Crater. One of the main reasons why people choose this particular conservation is because it allows the chance to see the Big Five in one space, surrounded by a massive concentration of wildlife.
It is also home to the Black Rhinos who are extremely endangered. Expect to see herds of elephants roaming around, lions stalking their prey, and wildebeest protecting one another in this great space of life.
Serengeti National Park
The Serengeti is the home to The Great Wildebeest Migration, which means that it is one of the most popular parks for a safari break in the whole of Tanzania. It is the second-largest park in Tanzania, and perhaps the most beautiful park in the world.
The wildlife experiences here are unmatched. Serengeti National Park provides the ultimate African safari experience with its abundant wildlife.
There are hot air balloon safaris (a must safari experience), game drives, fantastic accommodation options to consider, and plenty of animals to see. However, it is worth remembering that the Serengeti can get busy, particularly during peak season.
Lake Manyara National Park
Lake Manyara is one of the well-known national parks is packed with wildlife and is comprised of a massive body of water called Lake Manyara. There is mighty tall African grass in this area, which we explore while on a safari, along with groundwater forests too.
This is the home of thousands of flamingos and other beautiful birds. The landscape is beautiful in this National Park. You may find it harder to spot some of the predators and smaller creatures here, so keep your ears and eyes sharply peeled for the most breathtaking bird sightings and mating calls you’ll ever hear.
Tarangire National Park
Not located on the main safari route, meaning you can expect Tarangire to be less crowded than other national parks in the country. Compared to Lake Manyara, Tarangire is 10 times bigger. It is often seen as a mini Serengeti, as there are savannah planes that stretch far into the horizon that we explore on our safaris.
Tarangire is a popular spot for those who are looking for walking safaris and night safaris and offers up some of the most breathtaking landscapes too. Here, you are likely to catch a glimpse of some of the hundreds of elephants that call it home.
Tarangire National Park is also famous for the mighty baobab trees that are found throughout the national park. These trees are breathtaking in size, and we have an entire blog dedicated to these magnificent giants.
Kilimanjaro National Park
Mount Kilimanjaro is the tallest freestanding mountain on Earth and is the tallest mountain in Africa. It stands with an overwhelming sense of magnificence, and the magnitude of its height is something you’ll never forget.
The mountain hosts a plethora of different climate zones and creates its own water cycle, too! We encourage you to read up on the different routes up the mountain in case this is something you want to do. Summiting Kilimanjaro is truly a life-changing experience.
Other notable mentions of the best national parks in Tanzania
Ruaha National Park
Arusha National Park
Gombe Stream National Park
Nyerere National Park
Conclusion
Tanzania offers some of the largest game reserves in the world. With an unmatched density of wildlife throughout the country, beautiful game viewing, and vast plains to explore, this is certainly the place to be on an African safari. There are so many amazing parks to go to, so many different animals to see and endless African wilderness to explore. This is Tanzania, waiting to give you the safari of your dreams. With so many different places to go and animals to see, it can be hard to choose which parks to add to your itinerary. Contact our team of safari experts if you need help crafting the ultimate safari experience. See you in the wild, dear traveler!
