Jul 19, 2024 8 min read

Top safari destinations in Tanzania

Escarpment Luxury Lodge Lake Manyara

Tanzania is renowned as one of the premier safari destinations in the world, offering an incredible diversity of wildlife, stunning landscapes, and rich cultural experiences. From the iconic Serengeti National Park to the remote and pristine Ruaha National Park, Tanzania provides safari experiences that cater to all types of travelers. This comprehensive guide explores the top safari destinations in Tanzania, highlighting the unique features, wildlife, and activities that make each location special.

Destinations

1. Serengeti National Park

The Serengeti National Park is arguably Tanzania's most famous safari destination, known for its vast plains and the incredible Great Migration. Covering approximately 14,750 square kilometers, the Serengeti is home to a stunning array of wildlife and offers diverse safari experiences.

Central Serengeti

The Central Serengeti, also known as the Seronera area, is the heart of the park and provides year-round game viewing opportunities. This region is characterized by its rich biodiversity and permanent water sources.

Wildlife: The area is home to large populations of lions, leopards, elephants, and buffalos. The Seronera River attracts many animals, making it a hotspot for wildlife viewing.
Activities: Game drives, hot air balloon safaris, and guided walking tours.
Accommodation: Popular lodges and camps include the Meliá Serengeti Lodge Meliá Collection and Four Seasons Safari Lodge.

The central region also hosts a large number of bird species, making it a great destination for bird watchers. The Seronera River provides a lifeline for wildlife during the dry season, ensuring that game viewing is excellent throughout the year.

Link: Explore Serengeti National Park

Western Corridor and Grumeti Game Reserve

The Western Corridor is known for the dramatic river crossings during the Great Migration, where wildebeest and zebras face the peril of crocodile-infested waters.

Wildlife: In addition to the migrating herds, this area is excellent for spotting predators like lions and leopards.
Activities: Game drives and walking safaris.
Accommodation: Notable places to stay include Grumeti Serengeti Tented Camp and Singita Sasakwa Lodge.

The Grumeti River is a significant feature in this region, attracting a variety of wildlife, particularly during the migration season. The remote location ensures fewer tourists, offering a more intimate safari experience.

Link: Visit Grumeti Game Reserve

Northern Serengeti

The Northern Serengeti offers a more remote and exclusive safari experience, particularly known for the Mara River crossings during the Great Migration.

Wildlife: The region is rich with lions, leopards, and large herds of elephants and buffalos. Rhino sightings are also possible.
Activities: Game drives, walking safaris, and river safaris.
Accommodation: Options include Sayari Camp and Serengeti River Camp.

The Mara River crossings are one of nature's most dramatic spectacles, attracting wildlife enthusiasts from around the globe. The Northern Serengeti's rolling hills and less crowded environment provide a serene setting for wildlife viewing.

Link: Discover Northern Serengeti

2. Ngorongoro Crater

The Ngorongoro Crater, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is a unique and breathtaking destination. Formed by a collapsed volcano, the crater is one of the most beautiful natural wildlife havens in the world.

Wildlife: Home to all of the Big Five, including a healthy population of black rhinos. The crater floor also hosts hippos, zebras, wildebeest, and a plethora of bird species.
Activities: Game drives, guided walking tours on the crater rim, and cultural visits to Maasai villages.
Accommodation: Ngorongoro Serena Safari Lodge and Ang'ata Ngorongoro Camp are popular choices.

The crater's unique ecosystem supports a dense concentration of wildlife, making it possible to see a wide variety of animals in a relatively short period. The high walls of the crater act as a natural enclosure, ensuring that the animals stay within the area, providing excellent viewing opportunities.

Link: Discover Ngorongoro Crater

3. Tarangire National Park

Tarangire National Park is known for its large elephant herds and iconic baobab trees. It offers a less crowded and more intimate safari experience.

Wildlife: Besides elephants, the park is home to lions, leopards, cheetahs, and a variety of bird species. During the dry season, animals congregate around the Tarangire River.
Activities: Game drives, walking safaris, night drives, and bird watching.
Accommodation: Stay at Tarangire Safari Lodge.

The Tarangire River is a vital water source that attracts large herds of wildlife, particularly during the dry season. The park's varied landscape, including swamps, hills, and floodplains, supports diverse flora and fauna.

Link: Explore Tarangire National Park

4. Lake Manyara National Park

Lake Manyara National Park is a small but diverse park, famous for its tree-climbing lions and flamingo-filled lake.

Wildlife: Apart from the lions, you can see elephants, hippos, giraffes, and a multitude of bird species.
Activities: Game drives, canoeing on the lake, bird watching, and cultural visits.
Accommodation: Escarpment Luxury Lodge Manyara and Isoitok Camp Manyara are great options.

Lake Manyara's alkaline waters attract thousands of flamingos, creating a pink-hued spectacle. The park's groundwater forest provides a cool, lush environment that contrasts with the surrounding savanna.

Link: Visit Lake Manyara National Park

5. Ruaha National Park

Ruaha National Park is Tanzania’s largest national park, offering a remote and rugged safari experience with stunning landscapes and diverse wildlife.

Wildlife: Known for large prides of lions, elephants, and a variety of antelope species. It's also a prime location for seeing African wild dogs.
Activities: Game drives, walking safaris, bird watching, and night drives.
Accommodation: Ruaha River Lodge and Jabali Ridge are top choices.

The Great Ruaha River is the park's lifeblood, attracting a plethora of wildlife to its banks. The park's varied terrain, including river valleys, escarpments, and plains, offers diverse habitats for its resident species.

Link: Explore Ruaha National Park

6. Nyerere National Park (formerly Selous Game Reserve)

Nyerere National Park, formerly part of the Selous Game Reserve, is one of Africa’s largest wilderness areas, offering a unique combination of river, lake, and savanna ecosystems.

Wildlife: Home to a significant population of elephants, lions, and hippos. Boat safaris along the Rufiji River provide close encounters with crocodiles and birdlife.
Activities: Game drives, walking safaris, boat safaris, and fishing.
Accommodation: Rufiji River Camp is a popular option.

The Rufiji River and its network of channels and lakes are a defining feature of the park, supporting a rich variety of aquatic and terrestrial wildlife. The park's remote location ensures an exclusive and undisturbed safari experience.

Link: Visit Nyerere National Park

7. Mahale Mountains National Park

Mahale Mountains National Park offers another incredible chimpanzee tracking experience in a stunning, remote setting.

Wildlife: Chimpanzees are the main attraction, but you can also see other primates and diverse birdlife.
Activities: Chimpanzee tracking, hiking, kayaking on Lake Tanganyika, and snorkeling.
Accommodation: Greystoke Mahale and Mbali Mbali Mahale Lodge.

Mahale Mountains' remote location on the shores of Lake Tanganyika ensures a pristine environment for its wildlife. The park's dramatic scenery, including steep mountains and crystal-clear waters, enhances the adventure.

Link: Visit Mahale Mountains National Park

8. Katavi National Park

Katavi National Park is one of Tanzania’s most remote and least visited parks, offering an untouched wilderness experience.

Wildlife: Large herds of buffalo, hippos, and crocodiles. Predators include lions, leopards, and hyenas.
Activities: Game drives, walking safaris, and bird watching.
Accommodation: Katavi Wildlife Camp and Chada Katavi Camp.

The vast floodplains of Katavi become a hub of activity during the dry season, attracting large concentrations of wildlife. The park's isolation ensures that visitors can enjoy a truly wild and unspoiled safari experience.

Link: Discover Katavi National Park

9. Arusha National Park

Arusha National Park is often overlooked but offers a variety of landscapes and wildlife experiences in a compact area.

Wildlife: Home to giraffes, zebras, buffalos, and various primates. The park is also a great place for bird watching.
Activities: Game drives, canoeing on Momella Lakes, and hiking to the base of Mount Meru.
Accommodation: Hatari Lodge is a great choice.

Link: Explore Arusha National Park

Conclusion

Tanzania offers a wealth of safari destinations, each with its unique landscapes, wildlife, and experiences. Whether you’re drawn to the iconic Serengeti and its Great Migration, the dramatic scenery of Ngorongoro Crater, or the remote wilderness of Ruaha and Katavi, Tanzania provides unparalleled opportunities for wildlife viewing and adventure.

By choosing reputable safari operators and lodges, you can ensure a safe, enjoyable, and memorable experience in this magnificent country. Start planning your Tanzanian safari today and discover the magic of its top safari destinations.