Top 8 Safari Parks in Tanzania

Do you dream of your own Tanzanian safari?

Who doesn’t? But Tanzania is full of incredible safari parks, all full of iconic wildlife and spectacular landscapes.

But unless you’ve got unlimited time – and money – chances are you’ll need to choose a handful of them for your bucket list. For each visit, anyway.

Which ones to include is not an easy decision to make! I’ve asked our friend, Ella McKendrick, from her self-titled website, to help you decide.

Below she shares her experiences at 8 of the top safari parks in Tanzania.

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Tanzania is one of my absolute favourite safari destinations in the world. It’s home to the sprawling Serengeti, the stage of the famous great wildebeest migration.

It’s also where you’ll find the magical Ngorongoro Crater. Tanzania is a bucket-list destination for pretty much every wildlife enthusiast.

Boasting 22 national parks and reserves, there’s no shortage of choice for visitors wishing to embark on a Tanzanian safari. But, of all the country’s incredible national parks, which should you visit?

In this post, we’ll go through the best safari parks in Tanzania to help you answer that very question!

@photos courtesy of EllaMcKendrick.com

8 Top Safari Parks in Tanzania

The cost of safaris in Tanzania are generally not cheap. Doing some homework and choosing the best safari park, the right tour operator, the right lodge, and the right time of year are all crucial. 

These factors will ensure you get maximum value for your money and a truly memorable safari experience. 

To make your life a little simpler and based on my own extensive travels throughout Tanzania, I have narrowed this list down to just the 8 top parks. 

Even then, you still might struggle to decide which of these to visit and which to leave out. So I’ve also included a breakdown of what you can expect to see in each park.

You’ll find info from the wildlife populations to stunning landscapes, to help you decide where to visit on your trip.

And, thankfully, some parks are situated close to one another so you can combine a few on a single Tanzania safari itinerary. 

As a general rule, the best time to visit would be during the dry season (between June and October) when the shrubbery is sparse. Plus, grasses are short, and animals congregate around the rivers and shrinking wetlands, making them easier to find.

This applies to all the parks in Tanzania.

So, without further delay, here is my list of the top safari parks in Tanzania! 

1. Tarangire National Park

If you love elephants, you’ll love this national park, as Tarangire’s main stars are the elephants! The park has some of Africa’s largest herds, which reach up to 300 in numbers – a truly awesome sight seeing them moving through the forests.

And, except for rhinos, Tarangire National Park has all the members of the Big Five (lion, leopard, elephant and buffalo) in abundance. However, sighting leopards is rare in most parks. 

Despite having a drier climate, the varied landscape combines dry open plains with red dusty soils dotted with large baobab trees and dense woodlands. You’ll see impressive granite formations and many marshlands during the wet seasons. 

Together, these terrains provide perfect habitats for many animals and 500 bird species. 

Alongside elephants, this 2850 km² park houses thousands of wildebeest, zebras and antelopes. They all have their own mini-migration here when they head to the heart of Tarangire during the dry months of June to October. 

These herds are usually followed by big cats, making it a great time to witness them on the hunt.

Apart from iconic species like cheetahs, giraffes, eland, hippos, crocs and tons of gazelles, Tarangire is also home to several rare species. These include a sub-species of oryx and the endangered African wild dogs, although sightings of both are rare. 

Ample accommodation of varying levels of comfort and luxuries is available both inside and outside the park. Staying inside is always better as this cuts down on driving time, but tends to cost a little more.

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2. Serengeti National Park

Serengeti is by far the most iconic nature reserve in Tanzania and arguably in the world. Its massive 14,763 km² area provides a series of habitats for one of the planet’s most diverse concentrations of wildlife.

The Big Five all thrive here in large numbers, except rhinos, which are scarce across most of Tanzania. The park has over 4,000 lions, 1,000 leopards, 500 cheetahs, and who knows how many tens of thousands of elephants! 

You’ll also find thousands of buffalo, 300,000 zebras, giraffes, hyenas, gazelles and about 1.3 million wildebeest.

Seeing such a huge concentration of wildlife grazing on the expansive golden savannahs is definitely a sight you won’t forget in a hurry. 

Being so vast, the landscape and species differ throughout the park. The vast open plains of the south are renowned for their numbers of big cats. As well, during calving season thousands of herbivores are born every day between January and March each year. 

This time provides some of the best opportunities to view lions and cheetahs on the hunt. This season also brings abundant birdlife.

The birds are in mating mode, with their brightest plumage and performing dancing rituals for their partners.

Around June, when the dry season begins, 2 million wildebeest, zebras, and gazelles set off on their Great Migration. These animals head to the greener pastures of the Maasai Mara in Southern Kenya. 

Being ambushed along every step of the way, they face their biggest obstacle when they reach the raging and crocodile-infested Mara River. This is where you can view the most dramatic crossings during August and September.

This never-ending circuit of life and death makes the Serengeti an all-year-round safari destination. Each season is special in different ways.

Honestly? If you go to Tanzania, you gotta come here. 

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3. Lake Manyara National Park

Lake Manyara is conveniently tucked in between Tarangire and Ngorongoro parks. It’s a popular park for anyone on safari in Tanzania’s Northern Circuit, even if it’s just for a day or two. 

Apart from being exceptionally beautiful, Lake Manyara is home to one of the world’s few prides of tree-climbing lions and large herds of elephants.

The lake takes up nearly two-thirds of the park. It’s teeming with thousands of pelicans and flamingos, painting the waters multiple shades of pink.

Other wildlife here includes leopards, cheetahs, buffalos, hippos, giraffes, zebras, warthogs and tons of antelope and bird species.

The park’s small size makes the wildlife extremely compact. This makes it possible to view many species on a single game drive, with the lions being the main star.

Aside from game drives, the wildlife and natural beauty of the park can also be appreciated from the lake.

Booking a canoe safari allows you to get super close to water birds such as flamingoes. And many animals quench their thirst in the shallows.

Numerous lodges in and around the park can arrange safari activities. While you’re here, don’t miss a cultural tour of the charming village of Mto Wa Mbu, based in the northern tip of the park.

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4. Ngorongoro Crater

Moving further northwest, we reach what is dubbed the ‘Eden of Africa’ and most certainly one of the top safari parks in Tanzania – the Ngorongoro Crater. 

Formed millions of years ago, this small pocket of wilderness consists of a 260 km² flat crater floor. It’s completely encircled by a steep 610-metre-high volcano wall.

This wall is 19 km in diameter, thus ‘trapping’ 25,000 animals, including large numbers of the Big Five. And yes, rhinos, too!

The views from the top of the volcano rim are breathtaking. With no migration being possible in the crater, Ngorongoro is an all-year-round destination (although it’s still most pleasant to visit during the dry season). 

Most top Tanzania species can be seen in abundance, except giraffes and crocodiles. You can see hippos and many water birds in the lake, including thousands of flamingos who are always teeming in and around the water.

Elephants, lions, cheetahs, buffalos, black rhinos, zebras, wildebeest and tons of antelope are common sights. The flat terrain and open grasslands also make spotting animals fairly easy. 

The compact wildlife of Ngorongoro may provide visitors with good opportunities to witness a lion or cheetah kill at close range.      

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5. Ruaha National Park

We’re moving from one of the smallest parks on the Northern Circuit to one of the largest parks on the Southern Circuit. Ruaha is a brilliant option for visitors wanting to enjoy Tanzania’s wildlife without being smothered by tourists and safari trucks. 

Being a little off the beaten track means fewer crowds, but that’s what makes Ruaha a favourite for some! Due to the park’s vastness, you’ll never feel crowded and may often find yourself alone without a soul in sight. 

Ruaha is packed with wildlife but is particularly well-known for its high numbers of big cats, large herds of elephants, and buffalos. Although, unfortunately, there are no rhinos. 

The best time to visit Ruaha is during the dry months between June and October. It rains pretty heavily during the wet months. The roads and tracks become inaccessible, forcing many lodges to shut down completely. 

That said, while January and February are fairly wet months, it’s still very doable to visit during this time. These months are prime bird viewing time, with over 500 resident and migratory species present.

The remoteness of Ruaha makes accommodation a little more expensive than usual, but the experience is more intense, too. Getting to Ruaha can mean long and uncomfortable hours in a safari truck. 

But several airstrips in and around the park provide another quicker and easier option, although more expensive. 

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6. Nyerere National Park (previously Selous Game Reserve)

Also situated on the Southern Circuit southeast of Ruaha, Nyerere is the largest park in Tanzania and one of the largest in Africa. 

Within this massive wilderness of over 30,000 km², you’ll find most animals and birds found on the entire continent. This includes the Big Five in huge numbers.

But, although rhinos are plentiful, the park’s vast size may not always guarantee a sighting of these critically endangered animals.  

Other wildlife commonly sighted include cheetahs, hippos, crocs, zebras, giraffes, wildebeest, eland, and various other gazelles. 

Some of the park’s rarer animals include Coke’s hartebeest and endangered African wild dogs. In fact, Nyerere National Park holds over 1,300 wild dogs, which is the largest concentration in Africa.

The terrain is pretty similar to Ruaha, being ruggedly beautiful but with many more waterfronts. This abundance of water ensures a thriving bird population, which is best appreciated by taking a boating safari. 

Apart from hippos, crocs, and a wide range of game hanging out in and around the rivers and watering holes, the lush forests and vegetation teem with a rich variety of birds. Fish eagles, Goliath herons and colourful kingfishers are always seen in the dense canopies.

These live alongside the rare black and white colobus monkeys, which are not common in many other parks. 

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7. Katavi National Park

For a truly exclusive and isolated African safari experience off the beaten track, the seldom-visited Katavi National Park is the perfect choice. 

Stuck out on the Western edge of Tanzania, far from virtually everywhere, this hidden gem perfectly defines the term ‘untouched wilderness’.

Katavi’s 4470 km² landscape consists of vast plains, dense woodlands and seasonal lakes, rivers and floodplains with mountain ranges looming in the background. This landscape provides multiple habitats for a wide variety of wildlife. 

Lions, leopards, cheetahs, and other smaller predators like hyenas and wild dogs abound here. Elephants (over 4,000), buffalos, zebras, giraffes, and various antelope species are also sighted regularly.

Meanwhile, rare roan and sable antelopes, which are seldom seen in most other well-known parks in Tanzania, thrive in Katavi. The abundance of water ensures a healthy population of hippos and crocodiles, as well as over 370 species of birds.  

With only a handful of lodges allowed in the park, you have to plan well in advance to secure a booking. Although it may be possible to reach Katavi by road, the most convenient way is by air.

This cuts out a full day’s uncomfortable and exhausting drive. 

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8. Arusha National Park

In contrast to the remoteness of Katavi, Arusha National Park is one of the easiest parks to get to. The park is conveniently situated a mere 45-minute drive from Arusha, which is usually the main entry point for all overseas travellers to Tanzania. 

What Arusha National Park lacks in predators, it more than makes up for with its scenic landscapes and density of wildlife. This includes elephants, buffalos, zebras, hippos, and numerous gazelles.

Plus it’s home to black and white colobus monkeys and other primates, as well as hundreds of bird species. Arusha also holds one of the biggest concentrations of giraffes in Tanzania.

Spread over a 552 km² area, the park has open savannahs, densely wooded forests, hills and valleys. You can also spot Mount Meru, Tanzania’s second tallest mountain, from almost everywhere. 

Lakes, marshes, volcanoes and waterfalls add to this already photogenic landscape.

The well-maintained roads make it an ideal park to self-drive – providing you have a 4×4 vehicle with a high clearance. The lack of dangerous predators makes it perfect for guided walking safaris. 

A series of lakes in the northeast section of the park provide ideal picnic spots with scenic views. Canoeing safaris allow you to get close to animals lining the shores and the vast flocks of flamingos and other water birds.     

Mount Meru provides excellent hiking opportunities. These range from casual half-day strolls along the hillside to strenuous multi-day hikes to its summit, which towers 4,566 metres above sea level. 

Views from the summit are breathtaking. You can see the Arusha city on one side and the entire park and surrounds on the other, with the majestic snow-capped Mount Kilimanjaro way in the distance. 

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Summit It Up: Which Tanzania Safari Park should you choose?

So, here they are – 8 stunning Tanzania safari destinations to choose from. Each is similar in that it has amazing wildlife viewing, but also each one provides something different and unique.

At the end of the day, it will all boil down to your personal choices, as any of these parks will make for a fantastic safari experience.

The parks on the Northern Circuit are closest to Arusha and are, therefore, the most convenient and popular. These include the famous Serengeti (home to the great migration) and the picture-perfect Ngorongoro.

And of course the compact Lake Manyara, and Tanzania’s ‘elephant head office’ Tarangire National Park. 

Being close to one another, you could easily cover them all on the same trip. If this is your first African safari, I would strongly recommend visiting these!

However, if you’re seeking a more exclusive and private safari experience, and money is not a concern? You could fly instead of driving to the more remote parks.

In this case, you can more easily reach Ruaha and Nyerere, which are situated on the Southern Circuit, or Katavi on the western reaches of Tanzania. 

These remote parks will provide an equally satisfying safari experience. But without the tourist masses, you will certainly have in the more accessible and popular game parks in the north.

Read more:

➵ Best Luxury Safaris in the Serengeti for 2024
➵ Trekking Kilimanjaro: The Adventure of a Lifetime
➵ The Truth About Drone Use on Safari in Tanzania
➵ 17+ Awe-Inspiring Reasons to Visit Tanzania

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