Tanzania National Parks | Where to Go for Tanzania Wildlife Safari Holidays?
From crossing millions of wildebeests, zebras, and other antelopes on the Serengeti plains to climbing the snow-capped peaks of Mount Kilimanjaro or sipping icy drinks on the white sand beaches of Zanzibar, Tanzania is the best for travelers offering some of the most diverse safaris. Experience in Africa in Tanzania National Parks, Reserves, and tropical sandy beaches of Zanzibar.
Tanzania is a vibrant and beautiful country with unique national parks and reserves that offer the perfect combination of wildlife viewing and dazzling tropical beaches. Since Tanzania is large (almost 1.5 times the size of Texas), it helps to divide the country’s main resorts into four regions:
Northern Safari Tour – The most popular safari route in Tanzania includes Serengeti, Ngorongoro, Lake Manyara, Tarangire, and Kilimanjaro national parks in Tanzania.
Tanzania Coast and Island Safaris – The country’s beaches, especially on islands like Zanzibar, are breathtaking and easily accessible. Southern Tanzania – including the wonderfully wild and underrated Nyerere and Ruaha, some of Tanzania’s best-kept safari secrets.
Western Tanzania – Head to the far corners of Katavi and Mahale for the ultimate Tanzanian safari. Where you go depends on what you want to see and experience when traveling in the national parks of Tanzania.
While northern safaris are popular with first-timers and seasoned Tanzanian safari enthusiasts, both southern and western Tanzania are the hidden gems of these versatile national parks. Read our Tanzania safaris tour guide to find out everything you need to know about planning the perfect Tanzania safaris tour.
Best Tanzania National Parks
Serengeti National Park: Safari Party
The Serengeti is synonymous with safari and is one of the most dramatic national parks in Tanzania. Home to most of the wildebeest migration (approximately January to September). Serengeti’s sheer size, easy transportation, first-class lodges and camps, and year-round abundance of wildlife make it one of the best in Africa. This is also a regular stop on the best Tanzania safari tours.
Ngorongoro Crater: Sanctuary for the Big Five
About 30,000 animals were placed in the crater of an extinct volcano. Add wetlands, forests, grasslands, and some surface rock peaks and the result is the Ngorongoro Crater. This premier Tanzanian safaris tour destination offers the ultimate wildlife experience in an incredibly unique setting.
It is known for providing the easiest and most reliable sightings of the Big 5 in East Africa and possibly the best safari in Tanzania.
Tarangire National Park: Elephant Empire
Close to Lake Manyara and the Ngorongoro Crater, Tarangire is worth more than a typical day trip. During the dry season from June to October, the concentration of animals, especially elephants, along the Tarangire River is the highest in the country.
The park’s bird population of over 500 birds means a visit here is one of the most worthwhile safaris in Tanzania. Although the whole range of large predators adds to the appeal. Tarangire is a beautiful and diverse desert with coastal forests, extensive swamps, and open forests, including Africa’s iconic baobab tree.
Lake Manyara National Park Tanzania
Part of Tanzania’s famous Northern Safari Track; Lake Manyara offers relaxing game viewing in beautiful surroundings. The park is home to several tough species, including buffalo, hippos, giraffes, elephants, leopards, and the famous tree-climbing lion.
Lake Manyara is an extraordinary birding destination. In the middle of the lake, you will often see flocks of pelicans and flamingos, as well as floodplains, forests, and evergreen forests.
Zanzibar and Tanzania Islands: Bliss in the Indian Ocean
Top off your East African safari with a stay at Tanzania’s Spice Island: Zanzibar. Perfect for families and honeymooners, it’s the base for Tanzania’s beautiful beaches and reefs, sunset dhow (traditional boat) rides, and exploring fragrant backstreet markets.
The other Tanzanian islands in the Indian Ocean do not disappoint either. Pemba, Mafia, and Chole are excellent beach resorts with excellent diving, exclusive boutique accommodation, and all the pampering you could hope for.
Selous Game Reserve – Tanzania National Parks
The Selous (pronounced “Suh-loo”) is Africa’s largest wildlife reserve – bigger than Switzerland. Its lifeblood, the mighty Rufiji River, forms an intricate network of canals, marshes, and lakes, giving birth to one of East Africa’s most magnificent ecosystems.
Buffaloes, hippos, crocodiles, and lions thrive here, and the sanctuary is one of the most important reserves for endangered wild dogs in Africa. Don’t miss a boat trip, guided walk, or camping excursion to this breathtaking wilderness.