Tanzania Safari Destinations
Tanzania Safari Destinations: Tanzania formerly Swahililand is a country in East Africa within the African Great Lake Region. It is bordered by Uganda to the northwest, Kenya to the northeast, the Indian Ocean to the east, Mozambique and Malawi to the south, Zambia to the southwest, and Rwanda, Burundi, and the Democratic Republic of Congo to the west. Mount Kilimanjaro, Africa’s highest mountain, is in northeastern Tanzania. The country is home to 16 national parks and game reserves, which provide a safe haven for an incredible array of flora and fauna. From the majestic lions and elephants to the Serengeti to the rare and endangered eastern lowland gorillas of the Mahale mountains, Tanzania’s national parks are a treasure trove of wildlife diversity. The country’s unique geography, which includes the Great Rift Valley, the Ngorongoro Highlands and the coastlines of the Indian Ocean, has created a unique ecological niche that support an astonishing variety of ecosystems and species. Whether you’re interested in witnessing the Great Migration of wildebeest, tracking the elusive Big Five (lion, elephant, buffalo, leopard, and rhinoceros) or simply experiencing the thrill of being in the midst of nature’s splendor, Tanzania’s national parks offer an unforgettable adventure waiting to be had.
This article highlights some of the safari destinations in Tanzania and they include;
Selous Game Reserve
Tanzania Safari Destinations: Selous Game Reserve is located in southern Tanzania, the Selous Game Reserve is one of the largest game reserves in Africa, covering an area of over 50,000 square kilometers (19,00sq mi). This UNESCO World Heritage site is a true wildlife paradise, home to an incredible array of animals and offering a unique safari experience. The Selous Game Reserve was established in 1922 by Frederick Selous, a British explorer. The reserve was created to protect the region’s unique wildlife and ecosystem, which were threatened by hunting and human settlement. The Selous Game Reserve is home to an incredible array of wildlife including the Big Five- lions, buffalo, leopard, rhinoceros, other animals including impala, kudu, eland, waterbuck, wild dog, spotted hyena, crocodile, zebra and wildebeest, primates such as baboons, monkeys and chimpanzees among others. The reserve is also home to over 400 species of birds including red-billed duck, African pygmy-goose, helmeted guineafowl, crested francolin, nightjar, jacana, stork, shoebill, hamerkop and heron among others. Tourists on a Tanzania safari in Selous Game Reserve are offered with a range of activities such as game drives, walking safari, boat cruise and fishing among others.
Serengeti National Park
Tanzania Safari Destinations: Serengeti National Park is undoubtedly the best-known wildlife sanctuary in the world, unequalled for its natural beauty and scientific value, it has the greatest concentration of plains game in Africa. The Serengeti National Park in Tanzania was established in 1952. It is home to the greatest wildlife spectacle on earth- the Great Migration of wildebeest and zebras. The resident population of lion, cheetah, elephant, giraffe, and birds is also impressive such as grey-throated spurfowl, schalow’s wheatear, red-throated tit, rufous-tailed weaver, grey-crested helmet shrike among others. The park covers 5,700 sq mi (14,763 sq km). Visitors on a Tanzania safari in Serengeti National Park have the chance to participate in a number of tourist activities such as game drive, walking safari, wildebeest safari, fishing, swimming, hiking and cultural encounters among others.
Mount Kilimanjaro National Park
Tanzania Safari Destinations: Mount Kilimanjaro National Park is located in the northern part of Tanzania, the national park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a popular tourist destination, the national park is approximately 300 km southwest of the city of Moshi. The park is surrounded by the Kitulo Plateau to the south, the Usambara Mountains to the west and the Pare Mountains to the north. Mount Kilimanjaro National Park is home to Africa’s highest peak, Mount Kilimanjaro, the highest freestanding mountain in the world, standing tall at 5,895m above sea level. Mount Kilimanjaro National Park is home to a range of wildlife including mammals such as colobus monkeys, blue monkeys, bush pigs, elephants, hyraxes, rodents, bats, leopards, lions, giraffes and over 140 species of birds such as black-shouldered kite, long-tailed trogon, gaber goshawk, blue-napped mousebirds, grey hornbill, African fish eagles, white-cheeked barbet, African pygmy kingfisher, red-capped robin chat and white-necked raven among others. Tourists while on a Tanzania safari in Mount Kilimanjaro National Park have the chance to participate in a number of activities such as Mount Kilimanjaro climbing, wildlife safari, cultural tours, birdwatching and photography among others.
Ngorongoro Conservation Area
Tanzania Safari Destinations: Ngorongoro Conservation Area is a UNESCO World Heritage site and one of Africa’s most iconic and awe-inspiring destinations. The Conservation Area is a protected area that combines the Ngorongoro Crater, the Olduvai Gorge and the Empakai Crater, offering a unique blend of natural beauty, cultural heritage and wildlife diversity. The Ngorongoro Crater is the largest intact caldera in the world, formed around 2.5 million years ago when a massive volcano collapsed. The Crater is home to an incredible variety of wildlife including the Big Five (lion, buffalo, leopard, rhino, and elephant) as well as other species such as wildebeest, zebra, and gazelle. Ngorongoro Conservation Area is renowned for its exceptional wildlife viewing opportunities. The crater’s unique ecosystem and geography create a haven for animals to thrive, with over 25,000 animals call the area home. Ngorongoro Conservation Area is also one of the best places in Africa to see the rare and endangered black rhinoceros. Visitors on a Tanzania safari in Ngorongoro Conservation Area have the chance to engage in a number of tourist activities such as wildlife viewing, hiking, climbing, guided walks, birdwatching, star gazing, fishing, mountain biking and horseback riding among others.
Lake Manyara National Park
Tanzania Safari Destinations: Lake Manyara National Park is nestled in the Great Rift Valley, situated in the north part of Tanzania, the park is situated approximately 126 kilometers west of Arusha, the starting point for many safaris in Tanzania. Lake Manyara National Park was established in 1960, making it one of the oldest national parks in Tanzania. The park was initially created to protect the unique ecosystem of Lake Manyara, a shallow lake that is home to a diverse array of wildlife, the national park covers an area of approximately 330 square kilometers, including the surrounding forest, grasslands and woodlands. Lake Manyara National Park is renowned for its incredible wildlife diversity, the park is home to over 400 species of birds including pelicans, flamingos and eagles, It also dwells over 100 species of animals including elephants, hyenas, African buffalos, giraffes, lions, common warthogs, impalas, wildebeest, python, hippos and crocodiles, primates like monkeys and baboons among others. Travelers while on a Tanzania safari in Lake Manyara National Park, have the great opportunity to engage in a number of tourist activities such as game drives, birdwatching, hiking and boat cruises among others.
Tarangire National Park
Tarangire National Park is a protected area located in Tanzania, situated approximately 120 kilometers (75 miles) southwest of Arusha, the safari capital of Tanzania. The national park covers an area of approximately 2,600 square kilometers (1,007 sq mi), making it one of the smaller national parks in Tanzania. Tarangire National Park was established in 1970, with the primary goal of protecting the park’s unique and diverse wildlife and habitat. Tarangire National Park is renowned for its impressive wildlife population including large herds of lions, elephants, cheetahs and hyenas. The national park is also a birders paradise with over 550 species of bird recorded within the park such as painted-snipe, laughingthrushes, sandgrouse, bushshrikes, black-headed herons and northern red-billed hornbill among others. During your safari in Tarangire National Park, you’ll have the chance to participate in a number of thrilling activities such as game drives, walking safaris, night game drives, birdwatching, hiking, cultural tours, hot air balloon safari, Maasai rock painting among others.
Arusha National Park
Arusha National Park is a hidden gem located in the north of Tanzania, that is often overlooked by tourists. Arusha National Park covers an area of approximately 552 square kilometers, making it one of the smallest national parks in Tanzania. The park’s landscape is characterized by grasslands and savanna, several lakes and rivers, a forest of cadre and pine trees, and mountainous terrains among others. Arusha National Park was established in 1960, primarily to protect the area’s unique natural habitats and wildlife. The park is situated on the slopes of Mount Meru, Africa’s fifth-highest mountain and is surrounded by the Shengena Escapement to the west and the Momella lakes to the east. Arusha National Park is home to a diverse arrange of wildlife including African elephants, buffaloes, warthogs, African wild dogs, bushbuck, cheetahs, leopards, zebras, and giraffes, primates like baboons and monkeys as well as housing over 100 species of bird such as ostrich, nightjars, maccoa duck, silvery-cheeked hornbill, yellow-billed duck, hartlaub’s turaco, Kori bustard, white-faced whistling duck and tawny eagle among others. Visitors on a Tanzania safari in Arusha National Park have the chance to participate in a number of activities such as game drives, hiking, birdwatching, climbing, and cultural encounters among others.
