Exploring The Best Safari Parks In Tanzania
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How Many National Parks Can You Visit In Tanzania?
The national parks in Africa attract hundreds of thousands of tourists every year. One of the most popular safari destinations in Africa is Tanzania! In 2022, 367,632 tourists visited Tanzania, which is home to some of the best safari parks on the continent! Many of the most well-known national parks in Africa are in Tanzania, including the Serengeti National Park, Ngorongoro Crater, Arusha National Park, and Kilimanjaro National Park. If you want to experience an African safari, Tanzania is the perfect place for a vacation getaway.
Top Five Reasons To Go On Safari In Tanzania
Tanzania is home to some of the best national parks in Africa. This incredible country has 22 official national parks, 4 game reserves, 3 forest reserves, and 1 marine park. The parks offer visitors an almost limitless opportunity to explore the country’s wildlife. From the annual Great Migration of land mammals to flocks of pink flamingoes in Lake Manyara, Tanzania is home to some of the most popular safari parks in Africa!
But if you’re still not convinced that Tanzania is a true safari mecca, here are five more reasons why you should make it a point to visit this amazing country soon:
- The Northern Safari Circuit: When you picture an African safari, you most likely are imagining the endless plains of the Serengeti. In Tanzania, these plains are home to some of the best safari parks in the country – many of which are close enough to visit on the same trip. Tanzania’s northern safari circuit is by far the most well-known safari area in Africa. Home to the world-famous Serengeti National Park and Ngorongoro Crater, and the lesser-known parks of Lake Manyara and Tarangire, the sheer concentration of big game in this area makes wildlife sightings easy to come by. You’re almost guaranteed the opportunity to see lions, wildebeest, and zebras on your journey! And, when you book with a reputable company like Gondwana Ecotours, your professional guides will fill in details about the local flora and fauna that will make your trip educational as well as fun.
- The Sheer Abundance of Wildlife: Tanzania is the top safari destination in Africa because of the sheer number of animals found within its parks and preserves. You can see almost any animal imaginable, including Africa’s big five – lions, leopards, rhinoceroses, elephants, and the African buffalo. If you’re a fan of big cats, Tanzania has the largest population of lions anywhere in the world. The latest estimate shows that there are more than 16,000 lions spread out across the country’s vast park and preserve system. You can also see elephants, giraffes, wildebeests, hippopotamuses, zebras, antelopes, wild dogs, flamingoes, monkeys, apes, and chimpanzees on safari! Your guide can even schedule a chimpanzee trek at Lake Tanganyika for you to see this incredible creature in its native habitat.
- Mount Kilimanjaro: If you enjoy hiking or mountain climbing, you can combine a safari with a trek up Mount Kilimanjaro’s slopes. Kili is the highest mountain in Africa, standing at 19, 341 feet high. This multi-day excursion requires a guide as well as porters and is no simple task. But if you have the time – and the will – creating a combination safari and Mount Kilimanjaro tour is a great way to enjoy national parks in Africa. You’ll also have the bragging rights to summiting one of the most challenging peaks in the world if you make it to the top!
- The Maasai: While wildlife viewing and mountain climbing are some of the most popular reasons to visit Tanzania, exploring local cultures is another great activity. Many tour operators incorporate a visit to a Maasai village on the safari itinerary. The Maasai people are one of the oldest tribes in Eastern Africa, and – although some of their ways of living have changed over time – much of their culture has been preserved. The Maasai are known for their storytelling, dancing, elaborate beadwork, and pastoral way of life. They are also known to be extremely welcoming to guests.
- The Great Wildebeest Migration: Each year, almost two million wildebeest, antelopes, and zebras begin their migration from Northern to Southern Tanzania before crossing over into Kenya’s Maasai Mara Park and then back home again. The great herd moves in search of fresh grassland and water to sustain their annual activities. Along the way, they must evade predators and survive dramatic river crossings. The sheer drama of this incredible migration is part of the most popular safaris in Africa, with tourists vying for a chance to see the herd firsthand. If you want to see one of the greatest natural wonders of the world, the Great Wildebeest Migration should be on your bucket list.
When Is The Best Time To Visit National Parks In Africa?
If your adventure in East Africa is going to concentrate on the best safari parks in Tanzania, you’re in luck! Tanzania is an equatorial country, with good weather all year round. However, they do have two very distinct seasons: the dry season and the long, rainy season. There are pros and cons to each season; when you visit depends primarily on what you want to see.
During the spring and summer seasons, the rains transform Tanzania’s dry grasslands into lush forests. This is when zebras and antelope hide behind bushes and within thickets as foals and calves are born. It's also the time lions, leopards, and other predators use the lush savannah plains to cool off away from the intense African sun. At night they use the trees and long stalks of grass to plan their hunts. The lush vegetation makes wildlife spotting difficult and sometimes makes the roads impassable. But it’s also a time for budget-conscious tourists to take advantage of lower costs across the board, as well as fewer tourists at the best safari parks in Tanzania.
The winter months are cooler and drier, with bare trees. Wildebeest, impalas, kudu, and waterbucks can be spotted from extreme distances! The dry landscape simply makes it too difficult for animals to hide. This is peak tourist season for popular safaris in Africa. If you are planning your trip for the dry season, make sure you book well in advance to make sure you can find lodging and transportation during your visit!
What Are The Five Best Safari Parks In Tanzania To Visit?
Before you embark on a safari, it makes sense to decide what animals you want to see. Not all animals can be found throughout the entire country, so tailoring your trip to your specific bucket list of wildlife sightings will help you narrow down your itinerary and make the most of your trip!
Park Name |
Location |
What to see … |
Also visit … |
Tarangire National Park |
Near Arusha Town, in the Northern part of Tanzania. |
Elephants: Tarangire is famous for its large concentration of elephants. In fact, at last count, more than 2,500 elephants lived within the park! |
Nearby Lake Manyara National Park, which is known for its flamingos and tree-climbing lions. |
Gombe Stream National Park |
Ten miles from Kigoma, on the eastern shores of Lake Tanganyika. |
Gombe was made famous by Jane Goodall, who studied chimpanzees at the park’s research center. Today, visitors flock to the park to see the primates in their natural habitat or to swim and snorkel in Lake Tanganyika. |
Mt Kilimanjaro National Park, which is home to Africa’s tallest free-standing mountain. |
Serengeti National Park |
Northern Tanzania, on the Serengeti Plains. |
Tanzania’s most popular wilderness area is home to large populations of zebra, Cape Eland, lion, cheetah, hyena, black rhino, impala, and several types of gazelles. This is one of the best safari parks in Tanzania, and the most crowded. |
Katavi National Park, a remote spot in southern Tanzania that is perfect for the adventurous explorer. |
155 miles southwest of Dar es Salaam. |
This huge park covers 19, 252 square miles and is home to a vast diversity of wildlife. Safari goers are sure to see the Big 5 on game drives, as well as antelope, wildebeest, hartebeest, and kudu. |
Saadani National Park, where the bush meets the beach. |
|
Rubondo Island National Park |
Western Tanzania, near Lake Victoria. |
Just like at other parks, you can see Tanzania’s most famous land mammals here. But the park is most famous for its winged inhabitants. Rubondo Island has the most diverse species of birds in all of Tanzania, making it a perfect stop for avid birders. |
Saa Nane National Park, which is the only place in Tanzania to encounter the Debrazza monkey. |
Popular Safaris In Africa For Wildlife Sightings
Tanzania is home to some of the best safari parks in Africa! It’s a welcoming, safe country to visit, and many professional tour operators are available to help you plan a once-in-a-lifetime adventure. As popular safaris in Africa go, Tanzania is hands-down the best value for your dollar and will provide you with some of the most epic sights you will ever see. Get ready to race across the vast plains of the Serengeti on exciting game drives, sleep under the stars, and experience an adventure equal to your wildest dreams. Tanzania is calling – now, get ready to go!