Tanzania National Parks – Tanzania is located in East Africa, with about 30% of the country’s land designated as conservation areas.
The country is famous for its high density of wildlife and offers some of the best wildlife viewing experiences.
Some notable national parks include:
Serengeti National Park
Serengeti National Park is a true gem and pristine wilderness teeming with vast wildlife, making it one of the most visited national parks in the country.
It is also the site of the Great Wildebeest Migration, one of the most spectacular wildlife events on Earth.
Ruaha National Park
Ruaha National Park has been recognized as a lion conservation unit, boasting 10% of the world’s lion population.
It is also home to various other wildlife and numerous bird species.
Mount Kilimanjaro National Park
Mount Kilimanjaro National Park is home to Mount Kilimanjaro, the highest mountain in Africa.
It is one of the most famous tourist destinations in the country, with mountain climbing as the main activity.
Arusha National Park
Arusha National Park, one of the smallest in Tanzania, is rich in biodiversity.
Visitors can enjoy activities like hiking Mount Meru, Tanzania’s second-highest mountain, cruising on the Momella Lakes, nature walks, birding, and wildlife watching.
Lake Manyara National Park
Lake Manyara National Park is renowned for its tree-climbing lions, found only here and in Queen Elizabeth National Park in Uganda.
The park is named after Lake Manyara, located within its boundaries.
Tarangire National Park
Tarangire National Park is one of the best national parks in Tanzania, offering excellent wildlife viewing and a paradise for bird watchers, with over 500 species recorded.
Mahale Mountains National Park
Mahale Mountains National Park offers a unique chimpanzee trekking experience in Tanzania.
The park is set against the backdrop of Lake Tanganyika and covers the Mahale mountain ranges.
Mikumi National Park
Mikumi National Park, established in 1964, covers an area of 3,220 square kilometers.
It is home to various wildlife and bird species and is an excellent location for hiking in montane forests.
Mkomazi National Park
Mkomazi National Park, known for its scenic views of Mount Kilimanjaro and the Usambara Mountains, was established in 2005.
It offers great wildlife viewing and birding opportunities.
Nyerere National Park (Formerly Selous Game Reserve)
Nyerere National Park is one of Africa’s largest national parks, supporting numerous mammal and bird species.
Gombe Stream National Park
Gombe Stream National Park, situated along Lake Tanganyika, is one of Tanzania’s prime locations for viewing chimpanzees.
It was famously associated with primatologist Jane Goodall, who conducted research on endangered chimpanzees here.
Katavi National Park
Katavi National Park is home to some of Africa’s largest buffalo herds. Located in southwestern Tanzania, it was established in 1974.
Wildlife viewing is particularly spectacular during the dry season when the Katuma River banks teem with wildlife, including hippos and crocodiles.
Saadani National Park
Saadani National Park is unique as it is located along the coast of the Indian Ocean.
It is home to the Big Five and other animals, such as mongoose, colobus monkeys, bohor reedbucks, hartebeest, Masai giraffes, blue wildebeests, sable antelopes, and dik-diks.
Udzungwa Mountains National Park
Udzungwa Mountains National Park was established in 1992 by Prince Bernhard of the Netherlands, founder of the World Wide Fund for Nature.
The park has rich biodiversity, with 400 bird species, 2,500 plant species, and the Udzungwa Mountains.
Bugiri Chato National Park
Bugiri Chato National Park is located at the border of Lake Victoria and is home to Cape elands, one of the world’s largest antelopes.
Bugiri Chato offers stunning photography opportunities with views of Lake Bugiri, the Akagera River, and Lake Victoria.
Ibanda Kyerwa National Park
Ibanda Kyerwa National Park, initially gazetted as a reserve, was upgraded to a national park in 2019.
The park boasts diverse wildlife and is known for its breathtaking sunrises and sunsets over the plains.
Kitulo National Park
Kitulo National Park, located on the Kitulo Plateau in southern Tanzania, was established to protect its unique flora and fauna, with 350 plant species and various bird species.
It’s an ideal location for hiking and forest walks.
Rubondo Island National Park
Rubondo Island National Park, located on an island in Lake Victoria, serves as a sanctuary for chimpanzees reintroduced to the wild.
It is also the best place for sport fishing on Lake Victoria and is a birding paradise.
Additional national parks in Tanzania include Nyerere National Park, Rumanyika Karagwe National Park, Saanane National Park, and Ugalla River National Park.
