Tanzania is a country endowed with an incredibly diverse array of wildlife and it makes for some of the best game viewing safaris in Africa. Below are the top five national parks and game reserves in Tanzania.
Ruaha National Park
Occupying 12,950 sq km, Ruaha national is Tanzania's second largest national park. It is situated 128 km from the Tanzanian town of Iringa, and is home to zebras, roan and sable antelopes, giraffes, greater and lesser kudu, impalas, leopards, wild dogs, lions, water bucks, and reed bucks among many other animals. The park derives its name from the great Ruaha river, which itself hosts many crocodiles and hippos, and also draws many thirsty animals to its banks creating a great wildlife spectacle. What makes this national park unique is the fact that it hosts plant and animal species found both in southern Africa and Eastern Africa.
The topography at Ruaha is highly suitable for trekking and walking safaris. The rain seasons from March to April and from October to November see an increase in the population of birds to peak levels, with more than 350 bird species present. These include some Eurasian migrant birds. The climate of Ruaha is usually hot and dry, and temperatures get to 40 degrees Celsius in October. Previously, this national park was completely inaccessible by road. Now, it is accessible all year round. If you travel from Dar es Salaam by road, you will take 10 hours, whereas if you take a flight, you will only take one and a half hours. May to December, the dry season, is the best time to take a safari in Ruaha.
Lake Manyara National Park
Lake Manyara National park is home to an unrivaled abundance of bird species, making it the greatest birding destination in Tanzania. The park hosts many resident and migratory birds. It is also one of the best places for viewing leopards, which can be spotted in the lush green vegetation. At the grassy shores of Lake Manyara, you can also spot the famous tree-climbing lions. This national park is situated between the walls of the great rift valley - which rise up to 610 meters above from the floor - and Lake Manyara.
The periods between December and February and between August and September constitute the best times for going on safari in Lake Manyara national park. However, it is still possible to see animals throughout the year. Most parts of the park are easily accessible, making it possible for you to see all its major attractions in two hours. Lake Manyara National park has three habitats: groundwater green forests, acacia woodlands, and open floodplains.
Tarangire National Park
Tarangire National Park is part of Tanzania's famous northern safari circuit. Occupying about 2,600 sq km, the park is named after the Tarangire river. It has a a high concentration of wild animals including elephants and over 570 species of birds, rendering it a haven for birdwatching lovers.
If you want to visit Tarangire National Park, the best time to go would be during the dry season from June to September. During this period, wild animals tend to congregate at the banks of river Tarangire as they seek to quench their thirst. Likewise, the dry season means less thick vegetation cover, increasing your chances of seeing more animals. It is also in Tarangire that you stand the best chance of spotting pythons because they have a habit of climbing trees here.
Ngorongoro Conservation Area
Ngorongoro Conservation Area is situated at the north of Tanzania and covers an area of over 7,000 square miles. The park is one of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites, having been declared so in'79. At the conservation area's north west, it merges with the Serengeti plains. Part of the world-famous great wildebeest migration between Serengeti and Masai Mara takes place here.
The main focal point of the conservation area is the 264 sq km Ngorongoro crater. Every year, more than 350,000 tourists visit the crater, whose floor is home to many different animals. Wildlife watching in the crater remains a richly rewarding experience, which is perhaps why Ngorongoro conservation area is one of the most popular destinations for an African safari in Tanzania.
Great herds of gazelle, antelope and zebra can be seen grazing along the river beds as well as large herds of elephants moving from one corner of the park to the other. It is also possible to see prides of lions sleeping lazily under the shady trees or at least hear a lion's roar echoing off the walls of the crater. This is an exciting, though at times, shocking experience. Birdwatchers will also enjoy visiting Ngorongoro. Lake Ndutu in the area is home to a thriving population of birds. Some of the bird species you will see here include stocks, ducks and flamingos among may more.
Serengeti National Park
The name "Siringit" in Masai language means unending plains, and it is this word that aptly gives Serengeti national park its name. The park covers 12,950 sq km in the same ecosystem as Masai Mara game reserve on the other side of the Kenya-Tanzania border. The Serengeti plains hosts around 500 bird species, and over 30 species of large mammals.
The world's longest and largest overland mammal migration takes place in the Serengeti plains. Dubbed the "great wildebeest migration", the event is recognized as the most spectacular wildlife show in the world, and is ranked alongside the Ngorongoro crater and the mighty Victoria falls among the ten natural wonders in world travel.
The great wildebeest migration from Serengeti to the Mara generally takes place between July and August. It is however impossible to correctly predict its timing as it is largely dependent on the rain and pasture availability patterns. The reverse journey of the migration happens around October. About 2 million herbivores participate in the migration, with some of the most interesting moments being when they cross the Mara river in pursuit of greener pastures.
To get to Serengeti, you can travel both by road or by flight. It takes about 8 hours by road from Arusha, 320km away. By air, you can take a flight from Kilimanjaro International Airport in Arusha to Kirawira airstrip or Seronera airstrip or any of the other airstrips in Serengeti.
Ruaha National Park
Occupying 12,950 sq km, Ruaha national is Tanzania's second largest national park. It is situated 128 km from the Tanzanian town of Iringa, and is home to zebras, roan and sable antelopes, giraffes, greater and lesser kudu, impalas, leopards, wild dogs, lions, water bucks, and reed bucks among many other animals. The park derives its name from the great Ruaha river, which itself hosts many crocodiles and hippos, and also draws many thirsty animals to its banks creating a great wildlife spectacle. What makes this national park unique is the fact that it hosts plant and animal species found both in southern Africa and Eastern Africa.
The topography at Ruaha is highly suitable for trekking and walking safaris. The rain seasons from March to April and from October to November see an increase in the population of birds to peak levels, with more than 350 bird species present. These include some Eurasian migrant birds. The climate of Ruaha is usually hot and dry, and temperatures get to 40 degrees Celsius in October. Previously, this national park was completely inaccessible by road. Now, it is accessible all year round. If you travel from Dar es Salaam by road, you will take 10 hours, whereas if you take a flight, you will only take one and a half hours. May to December, the dry season, is the best time to take a safari in Ruaha.
Lake Manyara National Park
Lake Manyara National park is home to an unrivaled abundance of bird species, making it the greatest birding destination in Tanzania. The park hosts many resident and migratory birds. It is also one of the best places for viewing leopards, which can be spotted in the lush green vegetation. At the grassy shores of Lake Manyara, you can also spot the famous tree-climbing lions. This national park is situated between the walls of the great rift valley - which rise up to 610 meters above from the floor - and Lake Manyara.
The periods between December and February and between August and September constitute the best times for going on safari in Lake Manyara national park. However, it is still possible to see animals throughout the year. Most parts of the park are easily accessible, making it possible for you to see all its major attractions in two hours. Lake Manyara National park has three habitats: groundwater green forests, acacia woodlands, and open floodplains.
Tarangire National Park
Tarangire National Park is part of Tanzania's famous northern safari circuit. Occupying about 2,600 sq km, the park is named after the Tarangire river. It has a a high concentration of wild animals including elephants and over 570 species of birds, rendering it a haven for birdwatching lovers.
If you want to visit Tarangire National Park, the best time to go would be during the dry season from June to September. During this period, wild animals tend to congregate at the banks of river Tarangire as they seek to quench their thirst. Likewise, the dry season means less thick vegetation cover, increasing your chances of seeing more animals. It is also in Tarangire that you stand the best chance of spotting pythons because they have a habit of climbing trees here.
Ngorongoro Conservation Area
Ngorongoro Conservation Area is situated at the north of Tanzania and covers an area of over 7,000 square miles. The park is one of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites, having been declared so in'79. At the conservation area's north west, it merges with the Serengeti plains. Part of the world-famous great wildebeest migration between Serengeti and Masai Mara takes place here.
The main focal point of the conservation area is the 264 sq km Ngorongoro crater. Every year, more than 350,000 tourists visit the crater, whose floor is home to many different animals. Wildlife watching in the crater remains a richly rewarding experience, which is perhaps why Ngorongoro conservation area is one of the most popular destinations for an African safari in Tanzania.
Great herds of gazelle, antelope and zebra can be seen grazing along the river beds as well as large herds of elephants moving from one corner of the park to the other. It is also possible to see prides of lions sleeping lazily under the shady trees or at least hear a lion's roar echoing off the walls of the crater. This is an exciting, though at times, shocking experience. Birdwatchers will also enjoy visiting Ngorongoro. Lake Ndutu in the area is home to a thriving population of birds. Some of the bird species you will see here include stocks, ducks and flamingos among may more.
Serengeti National Park
The name "Siringit" in Masai language means unending plains, and it is this word that aptly gives Serengeti national park its name. The park covers 12,950 sq km in the same ecosystem as Masai Mara game reserve on the other side of the Kenya-Tanzania border. The Serengeti plains hosts around 500 bird species, and over 30 species of large mammals.
The world's longest and largest overland mammal migration takes place in the Serengeti plains. Dubbed the "great wildebeest migration", the event is recognized as the most spectacular wildlife show in the world, and is ranked alongside the Ngorongoro crater and the mighty Victoria falls among the ten natural wonders in world travel.
The great wildebeest migration from Serengeti to the Mara generally takes place between July and August. It is however impossible to correctly predict its timing as it is largely dependent on the rain and pasture availability patterns. The reverse journey of the migration happens around October. About 2 million herbivores participate in the migration, with some of the most interesting moments being when they cross the Mara river in pursuit of greener pastures.
To get to Serengeti, you can travel both by road or by flight. It takes about 8 hours by road from Arusha, 320km away. By air, you can take a flight from Kilimanjaro International Airport in Arusha to Kirawira airstrip or Seronera airstrip or any of the other airstrips in Serengeti.
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