Tanzania National Parks
Serengeti National Park
Serengeti National Park is the oldest and most popular national park in Tanzania. It is a World Heritage Site and is famous for its annual migration when thousands of wildebeests, zebras, and gazelles run across its plains. Even when migration has come to an end, Serengeti remains to be one of the unique places to see wild animals in their natural element. It is home to herds of buffalos, groups of elephants and giraffes and prides of lions and it is common to find leopards on top of the trees and cheetahs roaming the southeastern plains. If seeing animals in your safari truck doesn’t cut it for you, you can opt for a memorable hot air balloon ride to view the vast beauty of Serengeti from above.
Ngorongoro Crater
Ngorongoro is a conservation area and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is also considered to be one of the natural wonders of the world, and it is the world’s largest inactive, intact, and unfilled volcanic caldera. It is 610 meters deep, it covers 260 square kilometers, and it is 1,800 meters above sea level.
Approximately 25,000 animals live inside the crater. Some of those animals include black rhinoceros, hippopotamus, leopard, cheetah, zebras, and gazelles. The crater also has one of the densest populations of lions.
Tarangire National Park
Tarangire is the 6th largest national park in Tanzania, it covers 2,850 square meters, and it is located 118 km southwest of Arusha in the Manyara region. Tarangire is one of the few parks where big groups of elephants can be spotted. Plenty of other animals are found in this park including lions, wildebeest, zebra, buffalo, impala, gazelle, wildebeest, eland, lions, leopards and giraffes.
It is also a great place for bird lovers as it offers 550 bird varieties, the most breeding species in one habitat anywhere in the world. Tarangire is also famous for its numerous baobab trees.
Arusha National Park
Arusha National Park is the closest park to Arusha, and it is a perfect place for a day trip or to be added to a longer itinerary. Blue and colobus monkeys can be seen at its gate and inside the park many animals such as zebras, waterbucks, buffalos, and giraffes can be seen. It also offers beautiful views of Momela Lakes and Mt. Meru.
Due to the low numbers of predators in the park, walking safaris are permitted. This is a must for anyone wanting to get a closer look at the moss covered trees and the occasional red hot pokers as well as for those wanting to get up close to wildlife. Most common sightings whilst on a walking safari include buffaloes, warthogs, giraffes and a variety of birds such as the silvery cheeked hornbill, little bee-eater and the occasional long crested eagle. The walk takes visitors to the refreshing Tululusia waterfalls and back to the Momella gate.
Lake Manyara National Park
Lake Manyara is the smallest park in the region at 329 square meters but it offers a spectacular view of the lake, and it is home to pink flamingos and hippopotamus who consider these alkaline waters to be their playground. Lake Manyara is well known for its baboons who watch visitors as curiously as they watch them.
Many other animals can be found inside the park such as elephants, zebras, giraffes, wildebeest, and warthogs. Leopards and lions live inside this park as well though are often difficult to spot.
Lake Manyara is also known for its fig and mahogany trees.
