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Roaming with Wildlife- Exploring the Untamed Tanzania National Parks

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African Scenic Safaris

15/06/2023

Safaris

With its vast wilderness and diverse flora and fauna, Africa continent has always intrigued travellers. Yet, among its numerous wildlife reserves, Tanzania National Parks hold a unique charm.

Tanzania National Parks are not merely protected areas for wildlife conservation; they are gateways to an adventurous safari experience in the untamed African landscapes. Join us as we journey through Best Tanzania National Parks, each an escapade to a unique wildlife adventure.

Table of Contents

Serengeti National Park – The Wilderness Epicentre

In the heart of Tanzania’s preserved landscapes, you’ll find the extraordinary famous Serengeti National Park. Honored as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Serengeti is a must-see for anyone seeking an authentic Tanzania Safaris.

Serengeti National Park Facts

The land area encompasses 13,250 square kilometres.
The altitude range varies from 1,139 meters to 2,174 meters.
Wildebeest, giraffes, gazelle, large cats, elephants, zebra, eland, topi, and kongoni are regularly seen.
The optimal Visit Period is from mid-year (June-July) and the start of the year (January-February)
Attractions in the vicinity are Ngorongoro Conservation Area, Lake Natron, Tarangire National Park
Entry Charges are USD 60 for individuals not from Africa
Annual Visitor Count Exceeds 350,000

Major Highlights of Serengeti National Park

The Great Migration	Witness the largest mammal migration on earth, the Great Wildebeest Migration. The sight of this monumental movement is simply breathtaking and humbling. Also, it is a testament to the resilience and relentless drive of life.
African Big Five	The Serengeti is also home to the iconic African ‘Big Five’. These include the African lion, African leopard, African elephant, Cape buffalo, and rhinoceros. Tracking these magnificent creatures across the sprawling plains is a thrilling adventure in itself.
Hot Air Balloon Safaris	For a unique perspective of the Serengeti, try a hot air balloon ride at dawn. Floating above the endless plains, spotting herds of wildlife from a bird’s-eye view make for an incredible experience.
African Predators	Serengeti National Park is one of the best places in Africa to spot African Predators. Around 3000 lions, 1000 leopards, and 7700 spotted hyenas reside within the park premises.

Note: For more information on Tanzania Safari Packages for animal lovers  refer to the blog link here- https://africanscenicsafaris.com/blog/tanzania-safari-packages-for-animal-lovers-spotting-the-big-five-and-more/

Ngorongoro Conservation Area- A Natural Wonder

The Ngorongoro Conservation Area is an outstanding example of coexistence between humans (the Maasai people) and wildlife. The Ngorongoro Crater located inside NCA was once a gigantic volcano. It is now the largest intact caldera in the world and houses a high concentration of wildlife.

Ngorongoro Conservation Crater Facts

The geographical size is 8,228 square kilometres.
The elevation ranges from 1008 to 597 meters.
Typical wildlife sightings include black rhinos, wildebeests, zebras, gazelles, elephants, topi, cheetahs, lions, spotted hyenas, and leopards.
The ideal time to visit Ngorongoro is June through September.
Adjacent attractions are Serengeti National Park, Empakaai Crater, and Mount Kilimanjaro.
Entry Charges are USD 71.
Annual Visitor Count is approximately 400,000

Major Highlights of Ngorongoro Conservation Crater

Ngorongoro Crater	Within the caldera’s walls, you can spot a wide range of wildlife, including all members of the Big Five. The density of wildlife here means your chances of witnessing these animals up close are significantly high.
Oldupai Gorge	Known as the Cradle of Mankind, the Oldupai Gorge has yielded numerous fossils, showcasing millions of years of human evolution. A visit to this archaeological site offers a fascinating diversion from wildlife viewing.
Maasai cultural tour	The Ngorongoro Conservation Area is also home to the Maasai, an indigenous tribe known for their distinctive customs and dress. A cultural tour offers insights into their traditional lifestyle and coexistence with wildlife.
See the Big Five	A safari in the Ngorongoro Area guarantees the spotting of the African Big Five including the endangered black rhinos.

Selous Game Reserve-The Unexplored Territory

The Selous Game Reserve is Africa’s largest game reserve and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Relatively undisturbed by human intervention, this reserve offers an authentic Tanzania Safari Experience.

Selous Game Reserve Facts

The game reserve covers an area of 47,665 square kilometers.
The altitude varies between 36 meters to 1460 meters.
Usual wildlife sightings include elephants, wild dogs, black colobus monkeys, hippos, crocodiles, sable, reedbuck, waterbucks, and bushbucks.
The ideal time to visit Ngorongoro is June through November.
Adjacent points of interest are Dar es Salaam and Zanzibar.
Entry Charges are USD 50.

Major Highlights of Selous Game Reserve

Walking Safaris	One of the best Tanzania Destinations for walking safaris. These walking safaris allow you to observe the small yet intriguing details often overlooked during vehicle safaris.
Boat safaris	Drifting down the Rufiji River offers a different pace and perspective while encountering aquatic life. Be ready to watch hippos bobbing in the water, crocodiles basking in the sun, and a myriad of bird species adorning the riverbanks.
Fly camping	Spend a night under the African sky for an immersive wilderness experience on Tanzania Safari Holidays. Reside in the temporary camps surrounded by the nocturnal sounds of wildlife.
Elephant Migration	The dry season is the best time to watch elephants migrate between the Selous and Mozambique’s Niassa Game Reserves. According to estimates, it is believed that around 64,000 elephants move in between these two parks.

Lake Manyara National Park: The Birdwatcher’s Paradise

Despite being one of the smaller National Parks in Tanzania, Lake Manyara offers an incredibly diverse ecosystem. The park, teeming with birdlife, is an avian enthusiast’s dream destination. It’s also renowned for its tree-climbing lions, a rare behaviour exhibited by the lions here.

Lake Manyara National Park Facts

The National Park spans an area of 330 square kilometres.
The altitude ranges from 953 meters to 1445 meters.
Frequently spotted animals include baboons, flamingos, wildebeests, elephants, blue monkeys, buffaloes, warthogs, zebras, Kirk’s dik-dik, lions, and leopards.
The ideal time to visit Ngorongoro is between July and October.
Adjacent attractions are Serengeti National Park and Ngorongoro Conservation Centre.
Entry Charges are USD 53.

Major Highlights of Lake Manyara National Park

Birdwatching	With over 400 species of birds, Lake Manyara is a birdwatcher’s dream. From thousands of pink-hued flamingos to herons, storks, and pelicans, the park is a riot of colours and sounds.
Tree-climbing lions	While lions usually prefer to stay on the ground, those in Lake Manyara are special. They have developed a unique habit of climbing trees. Spotting these majestic predators lounging on tree branches is a truly rare and delightful sight on Tanzania Safaris Tours.
Maji Moto hot springs	At the southern end of the park, you’ll find the Maji Moto hot springs. This geothermal hot spring set amidst the green landscape offers a scenic spot for relaxation.
Night Safaris	The night safari drives, trekking and hiking are the best possible ways to experience the wilderness of the national park.

Tarangire National Park- The Elephant’s Haven

Tarangire National Park is often overshadowed by the Serengeti and Ngorongoro but offers a unique safari experience with far fewer crowds. With the largest elephant population, this Tanzania National Park is fondly known as the Elephant’s Haven.

Tarangire National Park Facts

The National Park occupies an area of 2850 square kilometres.
The altitude ranges from 982 meters to 1646 meters.
Typical wildlife encounters include elephants, lions, cheetahs, leopards, gazelles, impalas, elands, hartebeest, wildebeests, and giraffes.
The ideal time to visit Ngorongoro is between July and October.
Nearby places of interest are Arusha National Park, Serengeti National Park, Lake Manyara National Park, and Ngorongoro Conservation Area.
Entry Charges are USD 45.
The annual Visitor Count is around 160,000.

Major Highlights of Tarangire National Park

Baobab Trees	Tarangire’s landscape is dotted with ancient baobab trees, some of which are thousands of years old. These towering landmarks provide a magnificent backdrop for your safari photographs.
Large herds of Elephants	Tarangire is home to thousands of African elephants, to be precise around 4000 of them. This National Park in Tanzania offers exceptional opportunities for viewing these magnificent creatures in their natural habitat.
Birding Paradise	With over 500 bird species, Tarangire is a prime bird-watching destination in the country. Keep an eye out for vibrant bee-eaters, elusive nightjars, and the world’s largest bird, the ostrich.
Night Safaris and walking safaris	The night safaris and walking safaris offered inside the Tarangire help travellers explore all the intricate details of wildlife and their surrounding habitat.

Ruaha National Park- The Unspoiled Wilderness

Tanzania’s largest national park, Ruaha is a remote, unspoiled wilderness that offers an authentic African safari experience. It may not possess a globally renowned status, yet it undeniably delivers the most untamed encounters for those with keen observation.

Ruaha National Park Facts

The National Park spans an area of 10,300 square kilometres.
The altitude ranges from 720 meters and 1886 meters.
Frequently spotted animals include giraffes, greater kudus, antelopes, lesser kudus, buffalos, gazelles, waterbucks, elephants, lions, cheetahs, spotted hyenas, and African wild dogs.
The ideal time to visit Ngorongoro is between June and October.
Surrounding attractions are Dar es Salaam and Zanzibar.
Entry Charges are USD 30.
The annual Visitor Count is around 20,000

Major Highlights of Ruaha National Park

Diverse Landscapes	From rolling hills to sprawling plains and rocky kopjes, Ruaha’s diverse landscapes are home to an equally diverse array of wildlife.
Large Carnivore Population	Ruaha boasts a large carnivore population, including lions, leopards, cheetahs, and African wild dogs. It’s particularly famous for its large pride of lions.
Birdlife	Ruaha is another hot spot for bird enthusiasts with over 570 bird species recorded. Look for the endemic Ruaha red-billed hornbill among others.
Cultural Sites	The burial site of Chief Mapenza, a significant historical and cultural figure, lies within the park. It can be reached via a full-day excursion from Msembe to Mpululu, but it is recommended to be accompanied by a guide. Additional historical sites in the vicinity include Ganga la Mafunyo, Nyanywa, Chahe, Painting Rock, Ismila Pillars near Iringa town, Kalenga, Mlambasi, Lugalo, and God’s Bridge.

Discover the Unchartered Beauty of Tanzania National Parks with Us!

Roaming with wildlife in Tanzania National Parks is like stepping into a live nature documentary. If this peek into Tanzania’s wildlife has kindled your spirit of adventure, it’s time to answer the call of the wild! African Scenic Safaris invites you to experience the thrill of a real safari, to be a part of this incredible journey. So, are you ready to roam with the wildlife and explore its untamed Tanzanian parks? Our tailored Tanzania Safari Packages cater to all types of travellers. By choosing us, you’re opting for unforgettable Tanzania Safari Tours that transport you into the untamed wilderness. Connect with us today and let’s bring your dream safari to life.