Top 5 Famous National Parks in Tanzania

The top 5 famous National Parks in Tanzania include are spearheaded by Serengeri National Park the game spectacle of the country, Tarangire National Park, Ngorongoro National Park,Ruaha National Park and Mahale National Park and Gombe National Park. Note that Tanzania is a game rich country that is worth adding to the bucket list of every adventure seeker.

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Tanzania is the genesis of the word famous great wildebeest migration that is an annual occurrence whose starting and ending time is hard to determine. While on a game drive in Tanzania, you may get the opportunity to spot the big five that is lions, elephants, Rhinos, leopards and Buffaloes. Tanzania is a very big country and connecting from one safari destination to another may take some longtime so sometimes charter flights may save time. Get in touch with us for more information.

What Are The Famous 5 National Parks In Tanzania

Serengeti National Park

Serengeti National Park is the prime safari destination of Tanzania. Its from Serengeti National Park in Tanzania that the famous great Wildebeest migration happens a phenomena that is still regarded mysterious in the world. Many questions surround the triggers of this big exodus where multitudes of wild animals move from Serengeti National Park using the same route year to year till they cross into Masai Mara National Reserve in Kenya.

This great exodus is watched by conservation bodies world over and updated about how far it has gone are given to enable those hoping to travel to Tanzania or Kenya to witness this adventure. The Mara crossing is the most interesting as huge numbers of animals cross the Mara River dominated by crocodiles that reap some of them a part leaving a bloody scene.

Serengeti National Park is home to animals including lions, giraffes, leopards, elands, bushbucks, wildebeests, zebras, impalas, gazelles, elephants, waterbucks, cheetahs, kudus, hyenas, giraffes, rhinos, warthogs and others. A multitudes of birds are residents of Serengeti National Park.

Tarangire National Park

Tarangire National Park is home to several wild animals which you may get chance to see during a game drive in the park. The park gets its name from River Tarangire that is the lifeblood of the park.  In Tarangire National Park, a mini wildebeest migration happens but within this park.

While on Game drive in Tarangire National Park, some of the animals you may get chance to see include lions, leopards, wildebeest, leopards, elephants, waterbucks, impalas, zebras and others. Chances of embarking on a hot air balloon safari are more open in this park. Tarangire National Park is a birder’s haven too.

Ngorongoro National Park

Ngorongoro National Park is situated on the floor of the rift valley and is a large caldera which is the largest on the world. During the game drive in Ngorongoro National Park, you may get the chance to spot impalas elands, leopards, wildebeest, hartebeest, cheetahs, hyenas, herds of elephants, cape buffaloes, lions and others. The skull of early man was discovered in Olduvai gorge in Ngorongoro crater are by Louis Leakey which makes the park a great archeological site. You can also visit the museum where some of these valuables re preserved.

In Ngorongoro National Park, it is possible to meet the Masai in the park who share part of the park land where they graze there cattle. A community visit to the Masai community gives you  glimpse on how they survive even with the influence of modernity. The Masai are conservative with their culture and are nomadic pastoralists. Their cattle is their livelihood and they together protect the herds in communities called Manyatta.

The Masai feed on the products from their cattle including blood which is part of their meal. A day with the Masai is worth the time and money.

Ruaha National Park

Ruaha National Park is a game rich park in Tanzania hosting a number of wild animals. During an early morning game drive on the tracks of this park, you may spot waterbucks, bushbucks, Kudus, leopards, Impalas, lions, warthogs and others. This park is home to over 571 bird species that are resident and this diversity is owed to the rich wildlife of Ruaha National Park.

The park has a beautiful scenery too and you can spend time enjoying the amazing landscape when standing by the balcony of your lodge in case it is situated within the park. The Ruaha National Park has the giant baobab trees where a number of birds roast, the stunning red soils, River Ruaha which feeds a variety of wildlife and many others.

Mahale National Park and Gombe National Park

The Mahale National Park and Gombe National Park are primate rich destinations in Tanzania however, chimpanzee trekking is outstanding. Chimpanzees are some of the endangered primate species in the world and within Tanzania, a population of approximately 700 chimpanzees have been confirmed as residents. Chimpanzees have about 98% human DNA and that is why they are considered human relatives.

The chimpanzees are some of the wild animals in the world that have suffered habitat loss and so this may explain why they are some of the most endangered animals too. Many are kept in confines or as pets which denies them the chance of living a life of fulfilment. In order to support the conservation of the chimpanzees, the Jane Goodall conservation body that is CSWCT took up the management of these chimpanzee habitants in Tanzania on behalf of the Tanzania Wildlife Management Authority (TAWA).

To do chimpanzee trekking in Tanzania, you need a permit and one hour is allowed with these chimpanzees. This is because they are habituated to be in the presence of humans for that time. The presence of humans disrupts daily life of the chimpanzees. These primates need ample time to search for a meal that will satisfy them through the day and night.

Other than the chimpanzees, Mahale National Park and Gombe National Park host other primates including olive baboons, grey cheeked monkeys, black and white colobus and others.

A plethora of birds are residents of Mahale National Park and Gombe National Park and keen birders have the opportunity of identifying some of them. Guided nature walks in Mahale National Park and Gombe National Park are open but follow the trails constructed by regular visitors.

Other Tanzania National Parks include   

Lake Manyara National Park

Lake Manyara National Park is a game rich destination in Tanzania and while on a game drive in the park, you may find elephants, buffaloes, leopards, lions, elands, impalas, zebras, wildebeests and others. The park also has the tree climbing lions that spend sometime in the braches of the figs trees in the park. A wide range of birds are residents of Lake Manyara National Park.

Mountain Kilimanjaro

The foothills of Mountain Kilimanjaro host a number of wild animals but the most significant activity around the mountain is climbing. Climbing mountain Kilimanjaro is a great adventure that many tourist desire to take on. The height peak of this mountain is Uhuru at 5895 is glacier topped through the year and on a clear day, you can capture the view of it in case you are on a photographing safari.

Along the way, you get to find beautiful plants that are rarely seen close to the ground. enjoy the surrounding of this block mountain from a more elevated point. Climbing mountain Kilimanjaro may take some time but persistence and determination gets you to the end. In case you get altitude sickness, donot persist on carrying on upwards because you get worse.

Nyerere National Park

Nyerere National Park was named as after the famous president of Tanzania Mwalimu Julius Nyerere. During a game drive on the tracks of this park, you get to spot leopards, lions, Rhinos, elephants, and Buffaloes  these are the special big five. Other animals including wildebeests, warthogs, impalas, Elands, giraffes and others are present in the park.

When Is The Best Time To Do A Safari In Tanzania

The best time to do a safari in Tanzania is the dry season that is June to October and December to February when the grass level is lower. This allows better visibility of wildlife and features with in the safari destinations in Tanzania. The tracks with in Uganda game parks in Tanzania are quicker to navigate in the dry season even though they are dusty resulting from the so many vehicles in the parks during the dry season.

The animals move to different part of the National Parks of Tanzania in search for new feeding grounds as there is food scarcity. There is an opportunity to spot more animals that traverse different area game parks. Even the forested Tanzania National Park where chimpanzees and other primates live, are quicker to explore in search for these primates during the dry season. More sunlight penetrate through the dense canopy to the ground creating a better ambience for taking photos and spotting the forest dwellers.

Rivers in the National Parks flow within the normal course and water sparkles brighter.

The wet season which is March to May and November may also be great time to do safari in Tanzania even though the tracks and trails may be wet most of the time. Expect the grass to be taller and greener in the wet season as it provides a hiding spot for the infants. There are more chances of finding infants during the game drives in Tanzania. Even those with inadequate funds may use the opportunity of the low season to do a game drive in this country.      

Why Choose to Visit Tanzania For A safari

Tanzanian destinations are some of the rich game safari destinations in Tanzania. There are chances of finding more animals in the National Parks of Tanzania that are rare to see elsewhere in the world including the big five. The great wildebeest migration in Serengeti National Park is an outstanding phenomena that is still a mystery.

From world over, multitudes of wild animals make there way from Serengeti to Masai Mara National Reserve every year and the factual reason that triggers this is hard to determine. For those hoping to film or arrange a photographing safari of wild animals, Tanzania is one of those destinations in Africa that you can never miss.

By paying park fees and other necessary costs to do a safari in Tanzania, you contribute to the conservation fund that supports the work of conserving wildlife in Tanzania for sustainability.

From Tanzania, you can cross to other East African safari destinations including Rwanda and Uganda, for gorilla safaris, Kenya for more game safaris, and others

What to Pack for A Tanzania Safari

• Foldable water bottle where you have to keep some drinking water for you to use for quenching thirst while on safari.
• Safari shoes especially if you have to walk as the ground is sometimes very hot and also your feet need to be protected from the rough surfaces in the wilderness.
• Insect repellant to keep away biting insects that may cross your way like tsetse flies
• If you have to trek the chimpanzees, ensure you carry the right safari boots that will protect your feet from the harsh conditions in the jungle.
• Safari hat or cap to protect your head from the dust and buzzing insects
• Sun glasses to protect your eyes from buzzing insects.
• Some warmers because most safari destinations in Tanzanian experience cold conditions early morning and late afternoon.
• Safari wear in colors that are wilderness friendly in colors like khaki, tan and others. Try not to use colors that can attract stinging insects like blue, black and white.
• For chimpanzee trekking safaris in Tanzania, you need a mask as this is one adopted measure to prevent chimpanzees from catching human communicable infections. Chimpanzees have about 98% human DNA which makes them susceptible to human communicable infections which may lead to there massive death.
• Extra batteries fully charged to exchange with in case you one runs low.
• Duffel bag so that you can carry your belongings in case you have to help yourself.
• Some cash to use for on ground purchases as credit cards are no easy to use in Africa because of the lengthy process of collecting money from them.
• Snacks to munch on when you are on safari in case you get hungry.
•  A camera to keep memorable moment while on safari in Tanzania there many moments that happen
• Travel Adapter and charger in case you need to recharge your gadgets.
• First aid kit in case of any emergency during your visit in Tanzania.

For more information, get in touch with our team.