6 best national parks and reserves in Tanzania : Tanzania is a veritable safari lover’s heaven with its many national parks and wildlife reserves. Landscapes include savanna woodland, montane forest, mountains, and plains. They are both diverse and beautiful. Fortunately for tourists, a significant portion of this country is protected by sizable parks and reserves and kept immaculate.

Tanzania wildlife preserves offer a wealth of options for animal viewing, while Tanzania national parks offer amazing sights and safari experiences. Due to their breathtaking beauty, these six parks and reserves have attracted attention from throughout the world.

Serengeti National Park.

Serengeti is regarded as one of Tanzania’s top ten natural national parks and reserves for a reason. World’s natural wonders. Its name is derived from a Massai phrase for “endless plains,” and the savanna’s immense stretches truly do seem to go on forever. However, the topography is anything but regular and includes woodlands, wetlands, meadows, and forests.

Location.

The large and stunning Serengeti National Park is situated in Tanzania’s northwest. It’s one of the most alluring safari locations in Africa. It’s astounding how much game there is in this place. Ngorongoro Conservation Area is in the south, while the Kenyan border is to the north. The park can be reached by automobile or by air.

Wildlife.

Serengeti National Park is home to a wide variety of animals, but six in particular attract the most interest: Lions: The abundance of prey draws the largest number of these renowned big cats in Africa. Over 3,000 are thought to exist in the Serengeti environment.

Leopards of Africa these stunning cats, known for their beauty and seclusion, are common in the Seronera area of the park. African bush elephants can be found in large herds in the park’s northern section. Over thirty-one Eastern Black Rhinoceros are still present in the park, despite hunting decimating the population.

Cape buffalo: The Park is home to approximately 50,000 of these enormous creatures, making them one of the most commonly seen. Wildebeests: These migratory antelopes travel in great numbers through the park. There may be up to two million wildebeest, according to estimates.

Some of these wildlife has year-round homes in ‘home’ locations, making safaris there enjoyable all year long. However, a large number of zebra and wildebeest participate in the migration, which is a breathtaking spectacle and one of the best wildlife displays on earth.

Best time to visit.

It is generally agreed upon that the best time to visit the park is during the dry season, which lasts from late June to November. You’ll not only avoid the nuisance of rain, but you’ll also have the finest opportunity to witness animals, such as wildebeests on their migratory route.

Tarangire National Park.

Tarangire National Park is home to a river with the same name and is teeming with various wildlife and beautiful plant life. River valleys, meadows, woods, granite ridges, and marshes are just a few of the diverse landscapes that may be found in the park.

Location. 

The country’s northern region is a home to Tarangire National Park. It is reachable by car, and the drive from Arusha to the entrance is roughly two hours.

 Highlights include.

African bush elephants: The Park is renowned for having a large population of this iconic species. An extremely old female elephant in the park once gave birth to a set of healthy twins in a well-known instance. Zebras: Huge herds of these striped horses travel across the park. Giraffes: There is a sizable population of these long-necked creatures in the park, and extensive research has been done on them.

Tarangire National Park offers a wide range of activities, including: Like in the majority of Tanzania’s national parks, game drives are the main draw.

Bird watching: Although four-legged mammals may receive most of the attention, the park is also home to beautiful bird species including hornbills, parrots, and many others. Cultural visits to local Massai villages.

Best time to visit.

 It is vital to schedule your visit for the dry season, which lasts from June to October, as the majority of the park’s animal’s leave during this time. The majority of the park’s animals will be present at this time.

Ngorongoro Conservation Area.

 This lovely location is a World Heritage Site in addition to being a natural park. It is called for a sizable volcanic crater, one of the park’s features. Ngorongoro Conservation Area earned a spot among the greatest Tanzanian wildlife reserves thanks to the area’s thriving animal population and natural beauties.

Location.

The conservation area is situated in northern Tanzania, in the Arusha Region. Since there are paved roads leading from the city of Arusha, you can travel there by automobile.

Wildlife.

In the crater itself, a wide range of creatures can be found, including: The Park is a stop on the migratory route for wildebeests. Eland: These enormous antelopes, whose bodies resemble cows, inhabit the crater’s grasslands. Spotted Hyenas: These sly-appearing animals are widely researched in the region. Cheetahs: Though these swift cats are rarely seen, they live in the crater.

Activities.

Exploring the crater and seeing the fauna are the major activities in the park. Highlights consist of: A three-hour trek around the crater’s rim is known as the crater rim walk.

 Trip to the Olduvai Gorge, the site of the discovery of ancient human remains.

Lake Manyara National Park.

This national park contains a staggering quantity of enormous African baobab trees, as well as marshlands, floodplains, and the northern portion of the eponymous lake. It’s a great place to see wildlife and birds.

6 best national parks and reserves in Tanzania
Lake Manyara N.P

Location.

The north of the country’s Arusha and Manyara regions share the park. It is an hour and a half southeast of Arusha and is accessible by automobile.

Wildlife.

 The park, which is well-known for its birds, is home to many different kinds of animals. Visitors may anticipate seeing:

Flamingos: Although these pink birds can be found in zoos and parks all over the world, they are truly magnificent in their natural habitat. Gatlin’s gazelle these long-horned creatures are common on the plains and are renowned for their grace and speed.

Large cats: Along the lake’s edge, lions, leopards, and African wild cats all hunt.

Activities.

In the park, there are activities like:

Taking a walk on the Lake Manyara treetop walkway.

Birdwatching and animal viewing.

Canoeing in the waters of the lake.

Ideal Season to Visit

The dry season (June to October) is the greatest time to see wildlife. The wet season (November to May) is the best time to view the lake area’s sceneries at their most beautiful.

Arusha National Park.

This park is known for its diverse landscapes, which include grasslands, rivers, and a sizable volcano.

Location.      

Only 35 kilometres separate the city of Arusha from the northern region of the country where Arusha National Park is situated. It’s ideal for a day trip because of how close it is to the city.

Wildlife.

Although there aren’t quite as many animals here as in other Tanzanian wildlife  National parks, you can still expect to see: Giraffe, Blue Monkey, Leopard, and Hyena 400 kinds of birds.

Activities.

In the park, there are activities like:

A game drive.

Canoeing in the river.

Climbing the magnificent volcano Mt. Meru, which is enormous

Nyerere National Park/ Selous Game Reserve.

 The northern portion of Selous Game Reserve, which had already long been set aside for photography safaris, was designated as Tanzania’s 20th national park in 2019 and given the name Nyerere National Park. You can walk through this untamed area, drive across it to see wildlife, or take a boat safari.

This park, along with the Selous Game Reserve, creates a vast refuge that is almost untouched by human effect. Here, you may get a striking sense of the size of the African wilderness. Its size, isolation, and untamed landscape make it a striking and captivating contrast to other parks in Tanzania in nearly every way.

Location.

Southern Tanzania is where the reserve is situated. The majority of travellers fly into Dar es Salaam.

Wildlife.

Selous is the largest remaining African wilderness, according to the astonishingly large mammal populations observed here: According to estimates, there are 120,000–150,000 buffalo. High wildebeest, zebra, and impala populations. Giraffe, bigger kudu, and waterbuck large herds. It’s possible to see the threatened African wild dog as well.

Which one should I visit? 

What matters is which one I should go to first. These parks all provide fantastic Tanzania safari experiences. The most well-known parks, including the Serengeti National Park and the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, are well-deserving of their fame, but that doesn’t imply the lesser-known parks have to be disregarded.

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