Tanzania is popular for some of Africa’s finest national parks and several other tourist attractions worthy exploring on Tanzania safaris. Besides magical wilderness areas, holidaymakers on Tanzania safari who are interested in soaking themselves in the beautiful beaches, Tanzania still has you sorted. Here are some of the amazing Tanzania’s national parks and other attractions;
Serengeti National Park.
Notably the most famous of all Tanzania’s parks, Serengeti National Park is magical protected area within the country’s most famous Northern Safari Circuit. Each year, it is visited by thousands of holidaymakers who come to enjoy the wildebeest migration experience. The park forms part of the vast ecosystem that encompasses the Simiyu and Mara areas in Kenya. It is one of the oldest parks in Tanzania and largely shelters the savanna grasslands, acacia trees, small forests and woodland.
Wildebeest migration experience is one reason Serengeti National Park has become the most favorite destination for most holidaymakers on Tanzania safaris. This is enjoyable around July to September and if you are interested in witnessing the wildebeest as they give birth then February is the best month to travel up to Serengeti. During the wildebeest migration, nearly 2 million wildebeest can be spotted on regular movement as they cross the Mara river to search for pasture and water.
Aside from wildebeest, zebras, gazelles, the 14763sq.kms Serengeti National Park also protects a significant population of other wildlife. These include the big five, giraffes, impalas, hyenas, elands, wild dogs plus an estimated population of 500 bird species.
Ngorongoro Conservation Area.
Located just near Serengeti National Park, Ngorongoro Conservation Area is part of the Northern Safari Circuit and it is approximately 180kms from Arusha. It is a designated UNESCO Site and also listed among the top 10 natural wonders of the world. This extensive protected area boasts of its unique species including among others elephants, black rhinos, buffaloes, lions, leopards and interesting bird species like flamingos. While at Ngorongoro Conservation Area, there is possibility for you to also to explore the Ngorongoro Crater where most of the Africa’s popular wildlife species thrive.
Tarangire National Park.
Tarangire National Park is Tanzania’s 6th largest park, expanding up to 2850sq.kms of land area. The park lies close to Lake Manyara National Park and Ngorongoro Crater area. It is known for its huge concentration of African elephants that are mostly spotted confining around River Tarangire mostly during the dry season (from June, July, August, September to October).
Besides, it is credited for its tranquility and natural endowment especially when it comes wilderness features such as swamps, open woodlands and riverine forests. Other species of wildlife that thrive within Tarangire include 550 bird species; lions, zebras, giraffes, impalas.
Lake Manyara National Park.
Set just adjacent to Arusha, Lake Manyara National Park is popular not only as one of the interesting spots within the Northern Safari Circuit but also an exceptional destination in Africa to spot the tree climbing lions. It is a compact park sitting on 330sq.kms of land area, largely featuring water and a lush forest.
It is an incredible place to look out not only the tree climbing lions but also buffaloes, leopards, elephants, hippos, leopards, birds especially countless pelicans and flamingos.
Arusha National Park.
Arusha National Park compared to most protected areas is the least explored of all Tanzania’s beautiful parks. This can be attributed to its closeness to the most famous parks such as Serengeti National Park, Ngorongoro Crater, Lake Manyara National Park and others. However, it also has something unique to offer the world.
Its top attractions include Mt. Meru, Ngurdoto Crater, the 7 Momela Lakes and enormous species of wildlife such as buffalos, zebras, warthogs, colobus monkeys.
Katavi National Park.
Situated in the remotest Western Tanzania, Katavi National Park is the 4th biggest park in Tanzania. This occupies over 4471sq.kms of land area largely untapped wilderness offering holidaymakers with authentic African experiences. The park boasts of its enormous species of wildlife that include among others buffaloes, crocodiles, elephants estimated to be about 4000, hippos, zebras, impalas, reedbucks, about 400 bird species, leopards.
Other beautiful protected areas to expect to visit on Tanzania safaris include Mahale Mountains National Park, Gombe National Park for chimpanzee tracking experiences; Ruaha National Park, Lake Natron National Park, Selous National Park.
Mount. Kilimanjaro.
Mt. Kilimanjaro is remarkably Tanzania’s iconic attraction and also Africa’s highest mountain rising up to 5895m. This scenic volcano lies within Mount Kilimanjaro National Park and it is undoubtedly the most explored park not only for game viewing but also mountaineering adventures. It is every hiker’s dream to trek through this volcano and the most favorite time to experience it is during the months of June, July, August, September and October-these are notably the dry months of the year.
Along the slopes of Mt. Kilimanjaro, there exist alpine zone with lots of interesting avifaunal species; rain-forest with significant population of wildlife especially elands, elephants, monkeys, buffaloes, leopards.
Stone Town.
Set at the heart of Zanzibar, Stone Town is remarkably one of the exceptional historic and cultural towns Africa boasts of. This can be explored on Tanzania safaris. It is one of the few ancient functioning Swahili cities in the world also priding itself of remarkable landmarks including Anglican cathedrals, Beit El-Amani, Old dispensary, People’s Palace.
WHEN TO VISIT?
Paying a visit to Tanzania may mean beach getaway in Zanzibar, city escape in Dar-es-salaam, wildlife safari, hiking/mountaineering, primate walks or cultural safaris. For game viewing safaris, the most favorite months of the year to visit Tanzania is from January to March or June to September.
These dry months are also ideal for trekking through Mount Kilimanjaro. Birding in Tanzania is favorable especially between October to April and in order to witness the wildebeest as they give birth, February is the best time.