Tanzania is a world-renowned safari destination, home to some of the most iconic wildlife reserves on the planet.
From the vast plains of the Serengeti to the lush, self-contained ecosystem of the Ngorongoro Crater, Tanzania offers a wealth of biodiversity that attracts wildlife enthusiasts from around the globe.
This guide explores the best places to experience wildlife on a Tanzania safari, highlighting where to find the famous Big Five, witness the Great Migration, and embark on unique adventures like chimpanzee trekking.
Whether you’re a seasoned safari-goer or a first-time traveler, Tanzania‘s diverse landscapes and rich wildlife offer unforgettable experiences.
1. Serengeti National Park
Serengeti National Park is often regarded as the heart and soul of a Tanzania safari and is one of the most iconic wildlife destinations in the world. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is home to an astonishing variety of wildlife on Tanzania safari experiences, with the Great Wildebeest Migration standing out as the park’s most famous spectacle. Each year, millions of wildebeest, zebras, and gazelles traverse the Serengeti’s sweeping plains in search of fresh grazing grounds, offering a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to witness animals on a Tanzania safari in their natural state.
The Serengeti is vast, covering 5,700 square miles, and features a variety of ecosystems. From the grassy southern plains to the rocky northern hills and the Western Corridor with its gallery forests and riverine landscapes, each region offers distinct wildlife encounters. Planning a visit to the Serengeti involves understanding which area to visit at what time of year.
For those looking to witness the Great Migration, the southern Serengeti is best from December to March, the Western Corridor from May to mid-July, and the northern Serengeti from mid-July to November.
The Great Migration
One of the key highlights of any safari in Tanzania is experiencing the Great Migration. While many envision the thrilling river crossings at the Mara River between July and August, the Migration is a year-round event, with continuous movement and activity as the animals follow the rains. February and March are particularly special months for the migration, as this is the calving season, where hundreds of thousands of wildebeest calves are born on the nutrient-rich southern plains. Along with the birth of new life, predators like lions, cheetahs, and hyenas are never far behind, offering intense predator-prey interactions that are a hallmark of any safari in Tanzania wildlife adventure.
Beyond the migration, the Serengeti is home to a host of resident wildlife, ensuring excellent game viewing throughout the year. Visitors can expect to see the “Big Five” – lions, leopards, elephants, buffalos, and rhinos – as well as giraffes, hippos, and a variety of bird species. The Central Serengeti, known for the Seronera River Valley, offers consistently good game viewing, with permanent water sources attracting wildlife year-round.
Luxury safari experiences in the Serengeti elevate the adventure. From mobile camps that follow the movement of the herds to high-end lodges like Faru Faru in the Grumeti Reserve, travelers can expect personalized service, gourmet dining, and the opportunity to enjoy activities like hot air ballooning, guided bush walks, and community visits. Whether witnessing the Migration or exploring the Serengeti’s rich ecosystems, the park offers an unrivaled Tanzania safari experience that showcases the raw beauty and diversity of East African wildlife.
2. Ngorongoro Crater
Often referred to as Africa’s Garden of Eden, Ngorongoro Crater is one of Tanzania’s most stunning natural wonders and a must-visit destination for any Tanzania safari. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is the largest inactive, intact volcanic caldera in the world, measuring more than 12 miles across and covering about 100 square miles. Its rich, self-contained ecosystem makes it one of the most unique places to view wildlife on a Tanzania safari, offering an opportunity to see an incredible variety of species in a relatively small area.
Ngorongoro Wildlife Highlights
The Ngorongoro Crater is home to a high concentration of wildlife, making it one of the best places to spot the “Big Five” – lions, leopards, elephants, buffalos, and the endangered black rhino. The Crater’s lush floor supports around 25,000 large animals, including zebras, wildebeest, gazelles, and hippos. The black-maned lions here are particularly famous, and it’s not uncommon to witness predator-prey interactions in this predator-dense environment. For bird enthusiasts, the Crater’s lakes and swamps attract more than 100 species of birds, including flocks of pink flamingos that wade through the shallows.
The Ngorongoro Crater‘s unique landscape is like a microcosm of Tanzania’s broader wildlife regions. The steep crater walls act as a natural enclosure, trapping animals within the basin. This self-contained ecosystem offers varied habitats, from grasslands to swamps and dense forests, which provide homes to different wildlife species. The year-round presence of water in the Ngorongoro Crater means animals don’t have to wander far, making it an excellent location for consistent game viewing throughout the year.
While the Ngorongoro Crater is a year-round safari destination, the best time for wildlife viewing is from June to October during the dry season. This period offers optimal conditions for spotting animals on a Tanzania safari, as wildlife tends to gather around water sources, making them easier to find. However, the Ngorongoro Crater can become extremely crowded during peak months, with lines of vehicles waiting to enter and exit, and vehicles clustered at animal sightings. We recommend visiting during the shoulder months of November to December and January to March for thinner crowds.
Exploring the Ngorongoro Crater
A day trip into Ngorongoro Crater offers an unforgettable safari in Tanzania wildlife experience. The descent begins with a drive down the steep walls of the caldera, leading to the crater floor where vehicles traverse diverse landscapes in search of remarkable wildlife. While you cannot sleep inside the crater itself, several lodges and camps on the rim offer breathtaking views and front-of-the-line access.
Overall, Ngorongoro Crater is a must-see for anyone seeking an immersive and rewarding wildlife experience in Tanzania. Whether you’re on the lookout for the elusive black rhino or simply want to enjoy the scenic beauty of the crater, this unique destination promises to be a highlight of your Tanzanian safari.
3. Tarangire National Park
Tarangire National Park is one of Tanzania’s lesser-known safari destinations, but it stands out for its incredible wildlife diversity. The park is most famous for its large elephant herds, often seen in family groups around the Tarangire River, especially during the dry season. Beyond elephants, the park is home to a wide variety of animals on a Tanzania safari, including lions, leopards, giraffes, wildebeest, zebras, and hippos. Tarangire is also a birdwatcher’s paradise, boasting over 300 species of birds. Whether you’re an avid birder or a first-time safari-goer, the sight of ostriches, hornbills, and brightly colored weavers adds a dynamic layer to your wildlife experience.
What makes Tarangire truly unique are the scenic landscapes dotted with towering baobab trees, which create a dramatic backdrop to the park’s rolling grasslands. These trees, often referred to as the “upside-down trees” because of their gnarled, root-like branches, are an iconic feature of the park.
The park also experiences a seasonal migration, with animals moving in and out based on the availability of water in the Tarangire River. During the dry season, from June to October, the river becomes a vital water source, attracting a high concentration of wildlife. This makes it one of the best times to visit and offers prime game viewing opportunities as animals gather around the river to drink.
A Unique Night Safari Experience
One of the special features of Tarangire National Park is that it offers night game drives—something not commonly available in other parks in Tanzania. These night safaris provide an entirely different perspective on wildlife as many animals, particularly predators, are more active after dark. With the guidance of experienced rangers, you’ll have the opportunity to spot nocturnal creatures such as bush babies, aardvarks, and elusive leopards on the prowl. The thrill of being out in the African bush under the starlit sky, with the sounds of the wild surrounding you, makes night game drives an unforgettable experience during your safari in Tanzania wildlife journey.
The best time to visit Tarangire is during the dry season, from June to October. During these months, the concentration of wildlife along the Tarangire River is at its peak, providing exceptional game viewing. The green season, from January to May, offers lush, beautiful landscapes but fewer animals, as many have migrated to other areas. We don’t recommend Tarangire during the green season due to the presence of tsetse flies.
4. Lake Manyara National Park
Lake Manyara National Park, located along the edge of the Great Rift Valley, offers a compact yet diverse safari experience. The park’s centerpiece, Lake Manyara, is a soda lake that attracts an incredible variety of birdlife, making it a must-visit for bird enthusiasts. The lake’s shores are often adorned with large flocks of flamingos, along with storks, pelicans, cormorants, and more than 350 other bird species, creating a stunning spectacle for visitors.
Distinct Ecosystems
Beyond the lake, Lake Manyara National Park boasts several distinct ecosystems. To the north, a lush groundwater forest, filled with towering fig and mahogany trees, provides shelter for elephants, baboons, monkeys, and bushbuck. As you move south, the park opens up into grasslands, where herds of buffalo, giraffe, zebra, and wildebeest roam. The park is also known for its elusive tree-climbing lions, a rare phenomenon that visitors are often eager to witness.
Lake Manyara’s accessibility from Arusha and its proximity to other popular destinations, such as Tarangire National Park and the Ngorongoro Crater, make it an ideal stop on a northern Tanzania safari. In addition to traditional game drives, visitors can explore the park through a variety of activities, including walking safaris, canoeing on the lake, and cycling tours through the nearby village of Mto wa Mbu. For a unique perspective, the Treetop Walkway offers a bird’s-eye view of the forest canopy.
5. Ruaha National Park
Ruaha National Park, part of Tanzania’s lesser-visited southern circuit, is the country’s largest park and one of its most remote wilderness areas. Known for its rugged and diverse landscapes, Ruaha is a haven for those seeking a quieter, more exclusive safari experience, far from the crowds of the northern parks. The park’s scenery ranges from open savannahs and rolling hills to dry riverbeds lined with palms and iconic baobab trees.
Ruaha’s isolation is part of its allure, as it offers a pristine safari environment where wildlife sightings are frequent and undisturbed. The park is home to a wide array of animals on a Tanzania safari, including some of the largest elephant populations in the country, large herds of buffalo, and a rich variety of predators. Ruaha is renowned as a predator’s paradise, with lions, leopards, cheetahs, and wild dogs commonly spotted. Remarkably, 10 per cent of the world’s lion population resides in Ruaha, where they have adapted to hunting large prey such as giraffes and buffalo.
Ruaha Wildlife Highlights
For seasoned safari-goers, Ruaha also offers the chance to spot rarer species, such as roan and sable antelopes, along with lesser and greater kudu. Birdwatchers will be delighted by the park’s 570 species of birds, making it one of the top birding destinations in Tanzania.
Visitors can explore Ruaha through game drives, walking safaris, and night drives. The best time to visit is during the dry season, from June to October, when wildlife congregates around water sources, and the clear skies make for stunning landscapes.
6. Nyerere National Park
Nyerere National Park, formerly known as Selous Game Reserve, is one of Africa’s largest protected areas, covering an area nearly four times the size of the Serengeti. This UNESCO World Heritage site is located in Tanzania’s southern circuit and offers a truly wild, remote atmosphere, making it ideal for those seeking a more secluded safari experience. The park’s diverse landscapes, including rolling plains, woodlands, rocky outcrops, and an extensive network of lakes, lagoons, and tributaries formed by the Rufiji River, provide a stunning backdrop for wildlife viewing.
One of the main attractions of Nyerere is its rich and varied wildlife. The park is home to large populations of elephants, giraffes, lions, and leopards. It also holds the distinction of having one-third of the world’s wild dog population, making it one of the best places to see these elusive predators. Along the Rufiji River, you can spot hippos, crocodiles, and a wide variety of bird species, especially during the dry season from June to October, when animals gather at the riverbanks for water.
A standout feature of Nyerere National Park is its unique boat safaris, the only ones of their kind in East Africa. These boat excursions along the Rufiji River and its tributaries offer an incredible opportunity to view wildlife from a different perspective, as you glide past hippos, crocodiles, and elephants cooling off in the water. Fishing for species like catfish and tigerfish adds an extra layer of adventure for those interested in angling.
In addition to boat safaris, visitors to Nyerere can enjoy traditional game drives, walking safaris, birdwatching, and even fly camping, where you sleep under the stars in a minimalist, yet comfortable, setting. For a more relaxing experience, natural hot springs within the park provide a chance to unwind while soaking in the surrounding beauty.
Though Nyerere is remote, it is easily accessible via regular flights from Dar es Salaam, making it a perfect destination for those looking to combine a bush safari with a beach getaway to Zanzibar, Pemba and Mafia islands. The park is also well-connected with other wildlife destinations, offering daily flights to the Serengeti and Ruaha, enabling travelers to experience the best of Tanzania’s diverse ecosystems in one trip.
With its blend of stunning landscapes, rich wildlife, and exclusive safari activities, Nyerere National Park offers a truly immersive and unique Tanzanian safari experience that goes beyond the typical game drives found in other parks.
7. Mahale Mountains National Park
Mahale Mountains National Park is one of Tanzania’s most remote and unique destinations, situated along the eastern shores of Lake Tanganyika in the country’s far west. This park, part of the Southwest Circuit, is known for its rugged terrain, pristine landscapes, and diverse wildlife. Access to Mahale is only possible by boat, adding to the sense of adventure and isolation that characterizes the park. With no roads leading into the area, visitors are greeted by the sight of forested mountains rising directly from the crystal-clear waters of Lake Tanganyika.
The park’s biggest wildlife draw is its population of habituated chimpanzees, which is one of the largest remaining groups in Africa. Trekking through the dense forests of Mahale to observe these fascinating primates in their natural habitat is an unforgettable experience. The hike itself can be challenging, particularly in the early dry season from June to July when the chimps tend to stay higher in the mountains, but the reward of watching them up close—playing, grooming, and interacting with one another—makes the effort worthwhile. It’s a rare opportunity to witness the complex social dynamics of our closest living relatives.
Chimp Trekking in Mahale
Beyond chimpanzee trekking, Mahale offers a wide variety of activities that take advantage of its spectacular natural setting. Visitors can hike through the park’s lush forests, swim in waterfalls and mountain pools, or explore the shoreline by dhow or kayak. Lake Tanganyika, one of the deepest and oldest freshwater lakes in the world, provides an idyllic backdrop for water-based activities, and its clear waters are perfect for swimming or fishing.
Accommodations in Mahale are limited, ensuring an exclusive experience far from the crowds of more popular parks. Greystoke Mahale is the premier lodge in the region, located at the foot of the mountains and on the shores of Lake Tanganyika. The lodge offers rustic luxury, with rooms designed to blend seamlessly into the natural surroundings, and guests have direct access to the park’s incredible wildlife and landscapes.
The most comfortable time to visit Mahale Mountains National Park is during the dry season, from July to October, when the weather is favorable. However, the best months for chimp sightings are September and October. The park’s remote location and limited accessibility only add to its charm, making it a must-visit for adventurous travelers seeking a truly off-the-beaten-path Tanzanian safari experience.
Book Your Tanzania Safari Today
A safari in Tanzania promises more than just incredible wildlife sightings; it offers a deep connection to nature and an immersive experience in some of the most pristine ecosystems on Earth.
From witnessing the awe-inspiring Great Migration in the Serengeti to tracking wild chimpanzees in the remote Mahale Mountains, Tanzania’s diverse parks provide a once-in-a-lifetime journey.
If you’re looking to explore the beauty and wildlife wonders of this East African nation, now is the perfect time to book your Tanzania safari with Extraordinary Journeys.
Whether you’re after the Big Five or remote wilderness adventures, Tanzania has something magical waiting for you.
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