Tanzania National Parks

Introduction:

Tanzania has arguably the most diverse wildlife in the world. And what’s more, it is the home of the world-famous Serengeti National Park. That documentary on African wildlife you watched might have been shot in the Serengeti. There are other parks here too such as the Ngorongoro Conservation Crater, Gombe Stream National Park, Ruaha National Park, Lake Manyara, Selous Game Reserve, Katavi National Park, and many more. People worldwide flock to these locations throughout the year thanks to the climate that remains more or less the same. 

Apart from the big five, many bird species have made these parks their home. You can engage in activities like hikes, nature walks, and others to escape the noise of the cities. You can also hike Mt. Kilimanjaro if you’re feeling lucky. Let’s look at the parks galore that Tanzania has in store.

Serengeti National Park:

When talking about the wildlife reserves in Tanzania, Serengeti undoubtedly deserves the first position. In addition to being popular for the Big Five, this park is famous for the Great Migrations where millions of animals migrate to Kenya. If you wish to witness this epic journey, you have to plan well in advance as it is a major crowd-puller. Having said that, even if you miss the Great Migration or if your budget forbids it, Serengeti is a year-round destination and you can see game no matter when you visit. There is indeed a spike in the bookings of accommodations during the season of the Great Migration but in the low season, the costs go down. Perhaps then you can consider visiting. There are activities such as hot-air balloon rides to experience the park in a new way.

Lake Manyara:

You can spot birds and flamingoes galore in Lake Manyara. There are over 400 bird species in this park. It is a great place for unwinding and is famous for its tree-climbing lions. We don’t like rankings and the parks are more than just a number on a list. It is not famous for just its birds and the lions, there are other animals here too such as wildebeest, impalas, leopards, and warthogs. The entrance of the park is a lush forest where you will spot many monkeys and mahogany trees. Of the activities that you can lose yourself in here, there are day and night game drives, canoeing, mountain bike tours, and bush/lunch dinners.

Tarangire National Park:

This haven for baobabs has over 300 species of elephants. You can come across numerous flamingos in the Lake Burungi region which is in the north-western part of the park. Along with the flamingoes, you can also spot the oryx. There is a certain level of uniqueness to the vegetation in the sense that you will not see such a mix in the northern safari circuit. As for the animals you can see here, there are leopards, zebras, impalas, and over 550 bird species. You can be a part of guided walking safaris and enjoy day trips to the Maasai and Barabaig villages. There are ancient rock paintings close to Kolo on the Dodoma road.

Ruaha National Park:

If you want to visit Tanzania in the dry season, then Ruaha National Park would be the most appropriate. In Ruaha, you can take photographs of animals like African Wild Dogs, elephants, and diverse antelope species such as roan, kudu, and sable. There are lions here too and the best way to see them, as well as the other animals, is through guided walks.

Gombe Stream National Park:

This park is on the shores of Lake Tanganyika and its highlights are its lush green, the enviable lake views, and its exotic wildlife. Gombe Stream is generally popular for its chimpanzees, you can also spot forest pigs, baboons, vervets, and forest monkeys.

In addition to taking guided walks in the deep forests, visitors like coming here for high-adrenaline activities like hiking and swimming. For those looking for adventures, the park provides plenty of chances for mountain climbing and bird-watching safaris.

Katavi National Park:

This park is in the western region of Tanzania and is popular for being the home of the largest herds of buffalos. There are game drives in which you can see, you guessed it, buffalos. You can spot elephants, hippos, and leopards in one of these game drives. If you want to just forget about the struggles of life, the walking safaris through the grasslands and floodplains can be the perfect remedy for those worries.

Arusha National Park:

This is another park in Tanzania where you are guaranteed to see game through drives. These drives usually take place in the Ngurdoto Crater and the forests in the surrounding area are home to hippos, buffalos, and elephants. The best time to go on one of these drives is early morning. In walking safaris, ranger guides will accompany you. You can trek through the various forest and savannah vegetation, and if you make it to the top of Tululusia Hill, you will get a reward. This hill used to be a lookout point during the tribal wars in Tanzania. Canoeing is another activity and is a great alternative to the traditional game drives. Finally, you can try climbing Mt. Meru, the second-highest peak in Tanzania at 4,566 meters above sea level. On your way to the top, and from the top too, you may come across colobus and red monkeys among other animals.

Mahale Mountains National Park:

This is the best place in Tanzania for watching chimpanzees. There are many lakeside beaches here, butterflies, and other game. It has over 1,000 chimpanzees if you can believe it in this 1,600 sq. km park. Other animals include baboons, vervets, and the red colobus. You can de-stress on the beaches with lush green mountains in the background. The park also offers a chimpanzee fly-in safari to get a bird’s eye view of the primates.

Ngorongoro Conservation Area:

This is the best place in Tanzania for watching chimpanzees. There are many lakeside beaches here, butterflies, and other game. It has over 1,000 chimpanzees if you can believe it in this 1,600 sq. km park. Other animals include baboons, vervets, and the red colobus. You can de-stress on the beaches with lush green mountains in the background. The park also offers a chimpanzee fly-in safari to get a bird’s eye view of the primates.

Nyerere National Park:

In addition to the game drives, there are many activities in this park that you can immerse yourself in. They are boat safaris, game drives, visits to the Maasai villages, walking safaris, bush meals, sundowners, and even hot-air balloon rides. The boat safaris can be 2-3 hours long and expect to spot birds and game along the shores. Discover or rediscover the photographer in you in these boat rides, game drives, or walking safaris.

Conclusion:

When it comes to activities in the wildlife reserves of Tanzania, there are plenty. You can trek, go on a boat ride, do game drives, visit the Maasai people, learn about their culture, and much more. Every reserve has something unique to offer. So, what are you waiting for?