Top 10 Breathtaking National Parks in Tanzania You Absolutely Must Visit

Tanzania is a nature enthusiast’s paradise with some of the most beautiful natural attractions in Africa. The national parks of Tanzania are globally acclaimed with spectacular biodiversity, ranging from endless savannas with abundant wildlife to dense forests and high mountains. If you are looking for the ultimate safari experience or sabbatical moments of peace into the unknown, the national parks in Tanzania will be unforgettable. This guide features the top 10 must-visit national parks in Tanzania with crucial information to aid in planning the ultimate safari.

1. Serengeti National Park

The Serengeti National Park is amongst the best parks to go to in Tanzania no question. Famous for the Great Migration annually, in which millions of wildebeests as well as zebras move across the plains, the Serengeti offers some of the ultimate wildlife experiences.

What to See: The Big Five (lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo, rhino), Great Migration, variety of birdlife.
When to Go: June to October to experience the dry season and the Great Migration, November to March to see calving season.
What to Do: Game drives, hot-air-balloon safari, guided walking tours.

2. Ngorongoro Conservation Area

The Ngorongoro Conservation Area, the UNESCO World Heritage Site, hosts the world’s largest dormant volcanic caldera. The park has a distinctive combination of human settlements and wildlife, with the Maasai coexisting with the environment.

What to See: Ngorongoro Crater, Big Five, Maasai villages.
When to Go: Year-round, although June to October is ideal for wildlife spotting.
Things to Do: Crater tours, cultural tours, bird watching.

3. Tarangire National Park

Famous for large elephant populations alongside ancient baobab trees, Tarangire National Park is still a gem within Northern Tanzania’s circuit.

What to See: Herds of elephants, baobab trees, variety of birds.
When to Go: June to October during the dry season.
Which Activities: Game drives, walking safari, bird watching.

4. Lake Manyara National Park

Lake Manyara National Park offers the exceptional combination of forests, soda lakes, as well as beautiful escarpments. The national park itself hosts the tree-climbing lions as well as big flocks of flamingos.

What to Watch Out For: Tree-climbing lions, flamingos.
When to Visit: June to October to see wildlife, November to April to spot birds.
These Activities: Game drives, canoeing, bird watching.

5. Ruaha National Park

Ruaha National Park is one of the most spectacular National Parks in Tanzania, famous as the largest one that offers a farther, wilder experience compared to the northern circuit. One of the lesser-known yet most rewarding National Parks in Tanzania, Ruaha is best suited to travelers in search of seclusion and real wildlife contact. As with most top National Parks in Tanzania, big predators such as lions and leopards can be seen, in addition to varied bird life as well as ancient baobabs.

To view this pearl among National Parks in Tanzania, the dry season from June to October is the best time. The activities characteristic of the best National Parks in Tanzania, such as exhilarating game drives, interactive walking safaris, as well as top-notch bird watching, are the activities that can be undertaken.

6. Selous Game Reserve

It is one of the world’s largest faunal reserves, Selous Game Reserve provides a blend of lakes, rivers, woodlands, as well as open plains.

What to Watch: Wild dogs, elephants, hippos, crocodiles.
When to Go: June to October during the dry season.
What Activities: Game drives, walking safaris, boat safaris.

7. National Park Kilimanjaro

With the highest African mountain, Mount Kilimanjaro, this park is a must-see for hikers as well as nature lovers in quest of spectacular landscapes.

What to See: Mount Kilimanjaro, diverse landscapes that range from rainforest to alpine desert.
When to Go: June to October to trek and January to March to climb.
Which Activities: Mountain climbing, guided hikes, birdwatching.

8. Mikumi National Park

Like the Serengeti, because of the broad landscapes along with the high wildlife density, the Mikumi National Park is one of the best options among the lesser-crowded parks.

What to See: Lions, elephant, zebras, giraffes.
When to Go: June to October to experience the dry season.
What to Do: Game drives, walking safari.

9. Arusha National Park

Arusha National Park presents a wide range of different landscapes such as the Momella Lakes, the Ngurdoto Crater, as well as the second-highest mountain in Tanzania, Mount Meru.

What to See: Colobus monkeys, flamingos, Mount Meru.
When to Go: June to October to guarantee the dry season.
These Activities Can Be Done: Canoeing, walking safaris.

10. Gombe Stream National Park

With world recognition thanks to Jane Goodall’s chimpanzee research, Gombe Stream National Park offers a close-up introduction to the fascinating primates.