Tanzania is the biggest East Arican country and thus has a vast network of National parks and other protected areas including game reserves and conservation areas with the national parks covering approximately 15% of Tanzania’s total area. Tanzania National Parks Authority (TANAPA) is the governing body of national parks and other protected areas in Tanzania, primarily managing the national parks for tourism and conservation of the diverse wildlife and the flora.
Most of the tourists who flock Tanzania come with a specific aim of going on game viewing safaris in the any of the many national parks which offer special and unique experiences.
List of Tanzania National Parks
- Serengeti National Park
The most popular and most visited national park in Tanzania
Was established in 1951 (oldest national park)
Located in Northeastern Tanzania covering an area of 5,700 sq. miles (14, 763 sq. km)
Highlight: The Great Wildebeest Migration that happens every year
- Ngorongoro Conservation Area
Preserves the natural environment and supports sustainable land use by the resident humans of the area
Was established in 1959
Located in Northern Tanzania covering an area of 3,202 sq. miles (8,292 sq. km)
Highlight: Ngorongoro Crater, the largest unspoiled intact caldera with a depth of 2,000 ft and Olduvai Gorge
- Lake Manyara National Park
Part of the Manyara ecosystem and known for its tree climbing lions
Was established in 1960
Located in Northern Tanzania covering an area of 125 sq. miles (325 sq. km) of which 230 sq. km are covered by the lake (Lake Manyara)
Highlight: The soda lake, Lake Manyara which offers great bird watching experiences
- Tarangire National Park
Tanzania’s African Elephant playground as the park is believed to have the largest elephant concentration
Was established in 1970
Located in Northern Tanzania in the crater highlands covering an area of 1,100 sq. miles (2,850 sq. km)
Highlight: The permanent Tarangire River which is the lifeline of the park’s ecosystem and the wildlife especially in the dry season and giant ancient baobab trees
- Arusha National Park
Home to Tanzania’s 2nd highest mountain, Mount Meru (4,566 m)
Was established in 1960
Located in Northern Tanzania covering an area of 53 sq. miles (137 sq. km)
Highlight: Mount Meru, Ngurdoto crater
- Katavi National Park
Was established in 1974
Located in Southwestern Tanzania in Katavi region covering an area of 4,471 sq. km
Highlight: Largest herds of Buffalos, a member of the iconic Big 5 African animals
- Mikumi National Park
One of the biggest national parks in Tanzania
This park Was established in 1964
Located in Southern Tanzania between Lumango range and Uluguru Mts covering an area of 1,250 sq. miles (3,230 sq. km)
Highlight: Superbly scenic views
- Gombe Stream National Park
Home of the primates of Tanzania
Gazetted in 1968
Located in Western Tanzania, East of Lake Tanganyika covering a small area of 14 sq. miles (35 sq. km), thus the smallest national park in Tanzania
Highlight: Chimpanzee trekking
- Kilimanjaro National Park
Home to the highest point and tallest mountain in Africa, Kilimanjaro Mountain
Gazetted in 1973
Located in Northeastern Tanzania covering an area of 652 sq. miles (1,688 sq. km)
Highlight: Summiting Mount Kilimanjaro, Vegetation Zones, Uhuru peak
- Nyerere National Park
The largest national park in Tanzania and one of the newest parks
Gazetted in 2019
Located in South Eastern Tanzania covering an area of 30,893 sq. km making it one of the largest national parks in the world
Highlight: Rufiji River, the largest river in Tanzania
- Mahale Mountains National Park
Gazetted in 1985
Located in East of Lake Tanganyika in Western Tanzania covering an area of 1,650 sq. km
Highlight: Hosts the largest population of Eastern Chimpanzees
- Ruaha National Park
The 2nd biggest national park in Tanzania
Gazetted in 1964
Located in Central-Southern Tanzania covering an area of 7,809 sq. miles (20,226 sq. km)
Highlight: The Ruaha River
- Udzungwa Mountains National Park
Gazetted in 1992
Located between Morogoro and Iringa regions in Central Tanzania covering an area of 770 sq. miles (1,990 sq. km)
Highlight: Hiking and Mountain climbing
- Saadani National Park
Only national park to protect the mangrove forests
Gazetted in 2005
Located in East Tanzania along the Indian Ocean coast covering an area of 410 sq. miles (1,062 sq. km)
Highlight: Endangered green sea turtles
- Burigi-Chato National Park
Gazetted in 2019
Located in North West Tanzania, stretching from Lake Victoria covering an area of 4,707 sq. km
Highlight: Lake Burigi
- Kitulo National Park
The “Serengeti of Flowers”
It was established in 2005
Located in South Tanzania in the Mbeya region covering an area of 413 sq. km
Highlight: Beautiful flora
- Ibanda-Kyerwa National Park
It was established a s a national park I 2019
Located in West Tanzania in Kagera region covering an area of 77 sq. miles (200 sq. km)
Highlight:
- Rubondo Island National Park
Tropical island and one of the 2 national parks in Tanzania located in Lake Victoria
Gazetted in 1965
Located in Lake Victoria covering an area of 240 sq. km making it the largest island park
- Mkomazi National Park
Gazetted in 2006 as a national park
Located in North Eastern Tanzania in Tanga and Kilimanjaro regions on the border with Kenya covering an area of 3,234 sq. km
Highlight: Black Rhino