Tanzania’s National Parks
Overview
There are several different national parks in Tanzania, and each one offers a different perspective on the environment and animals. The Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater, Tarangire, Lake Manyara, and Arusha National Park are a some of the most well-known. The TANAPA oversees these parks with the goals of preserving biodiversity and encouraging eco-friendly travel.
Kitulo National Park
Enter Tanzania's hidden floral wonderland, Kitulo National Park, where wildflowers and clouds coexist.
Locals also refer to Kitulo National Park as "The Garden of God," while botanists refer to it as "The Serengeti of Flowers." Over 350 species may be found in the park, including 45 types of terrestrial orchids, which during the wet season create a floral show. The biggest montane grassland in Tanzania is supported by the well-watered volcanic soils of the 412.9 km2 Poroto and Livingstone Mountains, two of Tanzania's most well-known mountains.
Ruaha National Park
Discover the untamed wilderness of Ruaha National Park, which is home to the biggest number of elephants and big cats in Africa.
Ruaha National Park is a pristine environment that is well-known for its unique wildlife watching and captivating sceneries. Aside from this, the park's lifeblood is the Great Ruaha River, which traverses the whole eastern border plains for 160 km.
It was gazette by Germany in 1910 and given the designation Rungwa Game Reserve in 1946. With 20226 km2 and the highest concentration of elephants in the region, Ruaha National Park is the largest in East Africa. Later in 2008, Usangu Game Reserve and wetlands were added to the park, making it the largest in the region.
Katavi National Park
Discover the pristine splendor of Katavi National Park, a hidden treasure with abundant animals and peace.
At 4.4 71 km2, Katavi National Park is the third-largest national park in Tanzania. Offering a genuine experience of Africa, Katavi is a remote, serene, and pristine environment. The park is located in the Rift Valley in the southwest of the nation and ends at the tiny Lake Rukwa. In addition, the park attracts 4,000 elephants and a large number of hippos. The Katuma River and its floodplains, including the seasonal Lakes Kata and Chada, are the main destinations for wildlife watching.
Serengeti National Park
See the enduring splendor of the Serengeti National Park, where the Great Migration comes to life.
Covering an area of 14.763 km2, the Serengeti is the oldest and most visited Tanzania National Park. Tanzania Safari Tours bring millions of visitors to this world-renowned location, which was recently named the 7th Wonder of the World.
Known for The Great Migration, the Serengeti National Park provides the most breathtaking wildlife watching in Africa throughout the year. The Big Five can also occasionally be seen here, identifying a variety of creatures that are severely endangered.
Rubondo Island National Park
Visit Rubondo Island National Park, a tranquil island haven where wildlife thrives and nature rules.
Established in 1977, Rubondo Island National Park serves as a significant fish and bird nesting area for migratory species. Did you know that thick forest covers more than 80% of the park, giving animals a range of habitats? The park is home to a rare blend of mainland and sea plants and animals. Aside from a number of seasonal rivers and dams, the Wami River is the park's primary freshwater supply.
Gombe Stream National Park
Explore Gombe Stream National Park, where harmony in nature flourishes as chimpanzees swing over the treetops.
The Gombe Stream National Park is Tanzania's smallest national park, with a 52km2 size. Encircling the northern side of Lake Tanganyika, the park is a fragile chimpanzee habitat strip along Rocky Mountains and river basins.
Mahale mountains National Park
Adventurers looking for monkeys, sandy beaches, and pristine waterways are drawn to Mahale National Park's borders.
About 800 chimps live in Mahale Mountains National Park, which is 1613 km² and is home to some of Africa's few surviving wild chimpanzees. The park is traversed by a 50-kilometer section of the Mahel mountain range. At a height of 2462 meters, Mount Nkungwe is the highest peak on the coast of Lake Tanganyika.
Mount Kilimanjaro National Park
Conquer Africa's tallest mountain, Mount Kilimanjaro National Park, which beckons with its challenge and stunning vistas.
At 5,895 meters, Mount Kilimanjaro National Park is Africa's highest peak. This enormous volcanic mountain boasts stunning snowy peaks that cross five distinct climate zones while standing in magnificent solitude above the surrounding lowlands. In the park, you will also see several endangered animals.
Lake Manyara National Park
This is home to a stunning array of flamingos, lions, and stunning scenery.
Ernest Hemingway called the 50-kilometer Lake Manyara National Park, which runs along the foot of the 600-meter-high Rift Valley escarpment, "the loveliest I had seen in Africa." The park has vistas of the volcanic peaks of the Masai Steppes over the alkaline lake, as well as a vast tract of lush groundwater forest of ancient mahogany trees.
Mkomazi National Park
Explore the tranquil plains of Mkomazi, where the nature remains untamed and rhinos roam.
Starting at a height of 3245 km2, the Mkomazi National Park serves as a link between the northern safari circuit and other coastal attractions. The African wild dog and black rhino are two of the park's rarest and most endangered animals.
Tarangire National Park
Discover the magnificent savannah of Tarangire National Park and get up close to the famous baobabs and enormous elephants.
The Tarangire National Park, Tanzania's sixth biggest national park, spans 2,600 square kilometers and is well-known for its massive herds of elephants and mini-wildlife migration, which occurs during the dry season and brings in over 250,000 animals.
During the dry season, the Tarangire River becomes smaller and attracts a large number of thirsty animals, including the highest concentration of mammals outside of Serengeti National Park. Additionally, you will come across herds of the Rufous-tailed weaver, Ashy Starling, and colorful yellow-collared lovebird, all of which are native to the arid savannah of central Tanzania.
Saadani National Park
Offering both beach enjoyment and animal thrills, Saadani is where the ocean meets safari.
The 1100 km2 Saadani National Park is located in the ancient triangle of Bagamoyo, Pangam, and Zanzibar. With coral reefs transforming inland waterways into mangrove forest habitats, the park offers a distinctive blend of marine and mainland flora and animals.
Mikumi National Park
Discover the abundant animals and expansive horizons of Mikumi National Park, which is ideal for those who are new to safari.
Slicing the paved route between Dar es Salaam and Iringa, the Mikumi National Park is situated on the edge of the Selous, Africa's largest wildlife reserve. Numerous wildlife reserves are located on the national park's floodplain, which is its center region. The primary attractions are the hippos at the pools close to the park's entrance. Despite being Tanzania's fourth biggest park, Mikumi is a part of a much wider ecosystem and covers 3230 km².
Udzungwa Mountains National Park: Explore the historic woods of Udzungwa, a refuge for both nature lovers and hikers.
The woods of the Udzungwa Mountains National Park are made up of lush meadows with trees that are 30 meters tall. At a height of 1992 km2, Udzungwa is one of Africa's biggest and most biodiverse ecosystem chains. The region, which is collectively known as the Eastern Arc Mountains, features closed canopy spans that reach elevations of 250–2000 meters.
Arusha National Park
Take in the breathtaking scenery of this ideal safari day trip destination. With its diverse habitats and breathtaking vistas of Mt. Meru, the crater that gives the area its name, Arusha National Park is a treasure.
It is a well-liked location for day trippers who are ready to start lengthier northern circuit safaris from the town of Arusha. The Momela Lakes, Ngurdoto Crater, the slopes, summit, and ash cone of Mount Meru, as well as the verdant highland forests that cover its lower slopes, are all part of this tiny national park. The pace of game watching in the Momela Lakes area is relaxed and peaceful, and many tourists pause as they travel through the forest to look for groups of endangered colubus monkeys playing in the trees.
Tanzanian people pay the lowest rates, while all other non-East African citizens pay tariffs that range from the lowest to the highest. Children under the age of five visit the park free of charge.