Tanzania National Parks – A Playground For Wildlife Watching
Written By
African Scenic Safaris
29/03/2023
Safaris
Last updated on June 26th, 2023 at 07:00 am
From the iconic Serengeti National Park to the lesser-known but equally stunning Tarangire National Park, Tanzania National Parks are a playground for wildlife watching. With its vast and varied landscape, Tanzania offers some of the best wildlife-watching opportunities in the world.
Interested in witnessing the Great Wildebeest Migration? Or maybe encountering some of the rarest animals on the planet? Tanzania’s national parks have it all. From the iconic Serengeti National Park to the lesser-known but equally stunning Tarangire National Park, Tanzania’s national parks are a playground for wildlife watching.
In this blog, we’ll take a closer look at some of Tanzania National Parks and their diverse array of wildlife. So, get ready to be amazed by the beauty and diversity of Tanzania’s wildlife and its natural habitats.
Top Tanzania National Parks And Its’ Diverse Wildlife
Tanzania is home to an incredible diversity of wildlife. This makes it one of the best places in the world for wildlife watching. Tanzania National Parks offer a unique opportunity to see some of the planet’s iconic animals right in their natural habitat.
From the Big Five-elephant, lion, leopards, buffaloes, and rhinoceros to lesser known other fascinating species- National Parks In Tanzania teems with wildlife. Be it a tiny dik-dik or a towering giraffe, the amazing diverse array of wildlife is just fascinating to discover.
Now, that we have seen that Tanzania is a wildlife haven for safari-goers, let’s take you through some of its important national parks. We will discuss four different Tanzania National Parks while highlighting their common, occasional, and rare species.
Serengeti National Park
Being the most visited Tanzania National Park, Serengeti is often considered the best national park in Africa. Serengeti is popular worldwide for being home to the Great Serengeti Wildebeest Migration. Simultaneously, it wears the crown for sheltering the largest mammal populations in the world.
Key Wildlife Highlights of Serengeti:
The Serengeti is known for its annual wildebeest migration. During the greatest natural spectacle, around 1500,000 wildebeest, 200, 000 zebras, and around 300,000 Thomson’s gazelle join the trekking in search of fresh water and food.
Serengeti is one of the best places to spot African predators including Cheetahs, and lions.
Common animal sightings: wildebeest, giraffes, gazelles, big cats, elephants, zebras, eland, kongoni, and topi.
Occasional sightings: leopards
Rare sightings: Black rhinos and wild dogs.
Ngorongoro Conservation Area
Ngorongoro Conservation Area is a unique and spectacular wildlife reserve located in northern Tanzania. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is home to an incredible diversity of wildlife. The crater area is an unbroken caldera and extinct volcano that teems with wildlife.
The place is famous for providing year-round wildlife viewing. Also, travelers to Ngorongoro will get the opportunity to see the Big Five in a single day.
Key Wildlife Highlights of Ngorongoro Conservation Area
Common animal sightings: wildebeests, zebras, gazelles, elephants, topi, buffalos, cheetahs, spotted hyenas, leopards, golden jackals, and bat-eared foxes.
Occasional: leopards
Rare sightings: wild dogs
Black rhinos which are otherwise hard to spot in Tanzania can be easily spotted in the crater area.
Giraffes are an exception in NCA. They are present in the conservation area but cannot be found in the crater area. This is due to the steep ascent of the crater.
Lake Manyara National Park
Lake Manyara National Park is a small yet stunning wildlife reserve located in northern Tanzania. Often described as a mini Serengeti, Lake Manyara National Park has vast and varied wildlife. The major area of the park is covered by the eponymous lake itself.
The national park is home to many common species, rare predators, and endangered animals, making it a must-visit destination for wildlife lovers. Tree-climbing lions and herds of elephants are the primary attractions of the national park.
Key Wildlife Highlights of Lake Manyara National Park
Common animal sightings: Flamingo, elephants, giraffes, blue monkeys, baboons, wildebeests, buffalos, water-buck, impala, warthog, zebra, kirk’s dik-dik.
Occasional sightings: lions and hyenas
Rare species: cheetahs, leopards, and wild dogs.
Tarangire National Park
One of the less crowded national parks in Tanzania, Tarangire is not located on the main safari route. Despite that, the park sees incredible concentrations of games during the peak season. Tarangire is known for the awe-inspiring baobab trees that determine the landscape of the national park.
Key Wildlife Highlights of Tarangire National Park
Common animal sightings: Elephants, lions, leopards, cheetahs, elands, impalas, gazelles, hartebeest, buffalo, wildebeest, and giraffes.
Hyenas are occasionally sighted.
Rare sightings: cheetahs, wild dogs, and leopards.
Arusha National Park
Under the cover of mainland Tanzania, Arusha National Park uphold the spirit of the most topographically stunning Safari Parks in Tanzania. Despite its small size, Arusha is without a doubt a wildlife-filled paradise. One of the major advantages of this park is that it serves as a great beginning or end to a broader Tanzania Safari Tour itinerary.
Common Sightings – Cape Buffaloes, Hippos, Zebras, Giraffes, Wildebeests, and a variety of other mammals.
Rare Sightings – Cheetahs, Leopards, and Hyenas.
Adventures In The Wild: Activities And Attractions In Tanzania National Parks
Tanzania’s national parks offer a diverse range of activities and attractions beyond wildlife watching. Here are some of the adventures you can have in Tanzania’s national parks:
Hiking
Many of Tanzania’s national parks have hiking trails that offer stunning views of the landscapes and wildlife. Mount Kilimanjaro in Kilimanjaro National Park is a popular hiking destination for adventurous travelers.
Camping
Camping is a great way to experience the wilderness of Tanzania’s national parks. Many parks have designated camping areas where you can pitch your tent and enjoy the sounds of the bush at night.
Hot air balloon rides
Hot air balloon rides over the Serengeti are a popular attraction in Tanzania’s national parks. You can see the vast herds of wildebeest and zebras from above, and enjoy a champagne breakfast after the ride.
Cultural experiences
Tanzania is home to many ethnic groups, each with its unique culture and traditions. Cultural tours in and around national parks offer an opportunity to learn about local customs, music, and dances.
Historical sites
Tanzania’s national parks are home to several historical sites, such as the Olduvai Gorge in Serengeti National Park. Here the oldest known human remains were discovered. In addition to these, other important activities and attractions in Tanzania National Parks, include birdwatching, mountain biking, and rock climbing.
Planning Your Tanzania National Parks Adventure
Planning a Tanzania National Parks adventure can be overwhelming. But with a little preparation, you can ensure a memorable and safe trip. Here are some tips to help you plan well for your adventure:
Choose the best time to visit Tanzania’s national parks depending on what you want to see and do.
While the dry season, from June to October, is the best time for wildlife viewing, the wet season, from November to May, is great for bird watching and seeing newborn animals. So, choose the time of travel as per your liking and convenience.
Make sure you hire experienced guides and a reputable tour company. And, if they are committed to responsible tourism practices it is all the better.
We at African Scenic Safaris have made it a point to adopt conservation measures and sustainable tourism practices during our safari expeditions. You can book your Tanzania Safari Tours with us for the best possible African safari experience.
Packing for a Tanzania National Parks adventure can vary depending on the time of year and the activities you plan to do. However, essentials include comfortable clothing and shoes, a hat and sunglasses, insect repellent, sunscreen, a camera, and binoculars.
With long hours in a vehicle and potential exposure to wildlife and the elements, the experience can be a little tiring. Hence, stay motivated and have little patience. However, we promise that the end experience will be rewarding with incredible wildlife sightings, stunning landscapes, and cultural experiences.
Exploring The Wonders Of Tanzania National Parks
At African Scenic Safaris, we share the passion of sharing the wonders of Tanzania National Parks with travellers from far and wide. We’re certain that every nature lover should add visits to these parks to their bucket list. Because we know that the experiences the Best Tanzania Safari Parks have to offer will last a lifetime.
We also recognize the importance of supporting conservation efforts and sustainable tourism in Tanzania’s National Parks. By working with local communities and conservation organizations, we aim to promote responsible tourism practices. While also focusing on minimizing negative impacts on the environment and contributing to the protection of wildlife and their habitats.
