Tanzania National Parks are a true testament to the country’s natural beauty and wildlife diversity. With 22 stunning parks spread across four safari circuits northern, southern, western, and eastern these parks offer breath-taking landscapes and unforgettable safari experiences
Home to ‘the African Big 5 animals’, a big mountain, and a whole host of big experiences, Tanzania is a must for every African safari adventurer.
Exploring the Best National Parks in Tanzania allows visitors to immerse themselves in unique ecosystems, from savannahs to coastal beaches. Each circuit showcases different charms, making Tanzania a top destination for Tanzania Wildlife Tours and Tanzania Wildlife Safaris.
Curious about the entrance fees? Visit our page for Tanzania National Parks fees Permits, and Practical information. Need to plan your trip? Consult our Safari Planner, for a clear overview of the driving times and distances between the most visited parks and towns in Tanzania.
Tanzania Safaris
A List of National Parks In Tanzania
- Serengeti National Park
- Ngorongoro Crater
- Tarangire National Park
- Lake Manyara National Park
- Mount Kilimanjaro National Park
- Arusha National Park
- Nyerere National Park
- Ruaha National Park
- Gombe Stream National Park
- Mahale Mountains National Park
- Katavi National Park
- Mikumi National Park
- Mkomazi National Park
- Rubondo Island National Park
- Kitulo National Park
- Udzungwa Mountains National Park
- Kigosi National Park
10 of most magnificent national parks in Tanzania
1. Serengeti National Park
Serengeti is the best of all national parks in Tanzania and Africa.
This classic safari destination stands out for its breathtaking scenery and unmatched wildlife encounters. The Serengeti ecosystem features endless savannah plains, rocky outcrops, wetlands, and woodlands that support a thriving diversity of wild animals.
Its global fame comes from the Great Wildebeest Migration, the largest overland mammal migration on Earth. These extraordinary natural phenomena highlight why Tanzania National Parks, including Serengeti, offer unparalleled experiences on Tanzania Wildlife Tours and Tanzania Wildlife Safaris.
In fact, most of the year, the wildebeest herds move through Serengeti before passing the border into Maasai Mara National Reserve. No words can fully capture the feeling of sitting in amongst thousands of wild animals that stretch as far as the eye can see.
However remarkable though it may be, the Serengeti offers much more than the Great Migration. All African Big 5 all present, and encounters with big cats and hyenas are all but guaranteed, viewed against the backdrop of breathtaking landscape.
The Serengeti ecosystem also includes many surrounding reserves and game control areas and is open to the Ngorongoro Conservation Area described below.
2. Ngorongoro Conservation Area
Ngorongoro Conservation Area’s most prominent feature is the Ngorongoro Crater.
The Ngorongoro Conservation Area, one of the Best National Parks in Tanzania, features a vast volcanic caldera that protects a stunning variety of wildlife. This ancient wonder is home to the Big 5, including lions, leopards, elephants, buffalos, and rhinos, making it an unmissable destination for Tanzania Wildlife Safaris.
The Ndutu area within the park plays a crucial role in the Great Wildebeest Migration, a key highlight of Tanzania Wildlife Tours. During peak season, more than a million wildebeest gather here, with over 8,000 calves born daily, showcasing nature’s dramatic cycle of life and survival.
Olduvai Gorge, another treasure of the area, offers a glimpse into human evolution through its ancient fossils and tools. This blend of history, wildlife, and breath-taking landscapes secures Ngorongoro as one of the Best National Parks in Tanzania.
3. Lake Manyara National Park
Lake Manyara National Park is situated between Lake Manyara and the dramatic wall of the Great Rift escarpment.
Lake Manyara, one of the Best National Parks in Tanzania, dazzles visitors with its vibrant pink flamingos and other incredible water birds. This underrated gem offers a serene and less crowded experience compared to the Serengeti or Ngorongoro, making it an excellent choice for Tanzania Wildlife Tours.
Perfectly positioned within the Tanzania Safari Circuit, Lake Manyara serves as an ideal starting point for exploring the country’s diverse parks. Its smaller size and unique birdlife highlight why it’s a must-visit destination for Tanzania Wildlife Safaris.
4. Tarangire National Park
Close to Manyara is Tarangire National Park is the southernmost park in the Tanzania northern circuit. Tarangire is a land of giant baobabs, shimmering swamps, and sweeping vistas.
Tarangire National Park, one of the Best National Parks in Tanzania, stands out as an underrated safari destination teeming with abundant wildlife. During the dry season, the Tarangire River becomes a critical water source, attracting countless animals and creating spectacular viewing opportunities on Tanzania Wildlife Safaris.
This park is also the setting for one of Tanzania’s lesser-known mammal migrations, adding to its unique appeal. Its captivating landscapes and rich biodiversity make it an essential stop on Tanzania Wildlife Tours.
Thousands of animals are drawn to its banks from miles in every direction.
5. Mount Kilimanjaro National Park
Mount Kilimanjaro – Africa’s tallest mountain – needs little by way of introduction. Every year, thousands of amateur and experienced hikers set out to summit its peak (5,895m). This snow-capped summit stands out strangely against the flat Rift Valley scenery below. And even those reluctant to hike it should be content to gaze upon this African legendary mountain from its base.
6. Nyerere National Park
Carved from the former Selous Game Reserve, Nyerere National Park now extends over three sides of the Rufiji River valley. River Rufiji dominates the national park’s landscape, fanning into a complex network of channels, oxbow lakes, and swamps, supplying a never-ending parade of thirsty animals drawn to the water’s edge.
While the national park was established to boost its tourism potential, there is no question that Nyerere National Park remains something of a forgotten corner of Africa, where wildlife enthusiasts can lose themselves in the vast wilderness.
7. Ruaha National Park
Ruaha National Park is a gem of the southern Tanzania safari circuit, a vast and untouched semi-arid wilderness area, divided by life-giving river systems and dotted with mystical Upside-Down Trees.
Ruaha National Park, one of the Best National Parks in Tanzania, is renowned for its rugged terrain and thriving wildlife. It boasts large herds of elephants and one of Africa’s most impressive lion populations, making it a highlight of Tanzania Wildlife Safaris.
Frequent sightings of cheetahs, leopards, spotted hyenas, and painted wolves add to its allure. Lucky visitors may even spot the elusive striped hyena, showcasing the diverse experiences available on Tanzania Wildlife Tours.
8. Gombe Stream National Park
Gombe Stream National Park, nestled on the shores of Lake Tanganyika, is one of the Best National Parks in Tanzania. Renowned for Jane Goodall’s groundbreaking 40-year chimpanzee research, it stands as a testament to wildlife conservation and scientific achievement.
Within its compact 22 square kilometers, Gombe’s diverse habitats are home to red colobus monkeys, blue monkeys, olive baboons, and chimpanzees. This biodiversity makes it an essential stop for Tanzania Wildlife Tours, showcasing the park’s incredible ecological value.
9. Katavi National Park
Katavi National Park ranks among the most electrifying African safari destinations in Tanzania, ruled by the cadence of the rainy season.
During the late dry season, this Tanzania national park swelters beneath a merciless sun and its wildlife residents are forced to compete for access to the remaining water in a dramatic battle for survival. Visitors who travel here off the beaten safari track are rewarded with a natural African paradise that they can enjoy all to themselves.
10. Arusha National Park
Arusha city acts as the gateway to the Tanzania northern safari circuit, meaning that Arusha National Park is usually the first or the last stop for travelers navigating the route.
Inside the park, Mount Meru, a dormant volcano is occasionally referred to as the “little brother” of Mount Kilimanjaro. The park offers a much quieter and more intimate experience, along with spectacular wildlife encounters en route to the summit.
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