National Parks and Game Reserves

THE BEST NATIONAL PARKS & GAME RESERVES

Tanzania is a world-renowned destination for wildlife enthusiasts, offering a wide variety of national parks and game reserves that showcase the beauty and diversity of Africa’s natural landscapes. From vast savannahs to lush forests and breathtaking mountains, the country is home to some of the most iconic safari experiences in the world.

The Northern Circuit is famous for its legendary parks, including the Serengeti National Park, the perfect setting to observe, each year, impressive migratory movements such as the Great Migration. The Ngorongoro Crater, as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is also a must of the northern itinerary. These destinations are a must for anyone seeking close encounters with Africa’s Big Five and dramatic landscapes.

In contrast, the Southern Circuit offers a quieter, more off-the-beaten-path safari experience. Parks like the Nyerere National Park boast rich ecosystems and fewer crowds, allowing visitors to immerse themselves in Tanzania’s wild beauty in a more intimate way.

Whether you’re drawn to the iconic plains of the Serengeti or the untamed wilderness of the south, Tanzania’s national parks and game reserves promise unforgettable adventures for every traveler. Explore each of these incredible destinations in detail and choose the most suitable options for you. Shemeji Safari agents will assist you to prepare the safari of your dreams.

Tarangire National Park

Tarangire National Park is a fun and easy park to explore. Wildlife is abundant and exposed due to the park’s more compact and open terrain making it easier to see wildlife both up close and from a distance. The park is only a short 2 hours’ drive from Arusha and in close proximity to Lake Manyara. Tarangire is known for its large herds of elephants, which can be viewed at close range. Other animals likely to be seen throughout Tarangire are; wildebeest, zebra, buffalo, gazelle, warthog, impala, python, lion, leopard and over 50 species of birds.

Arusha National Park

Arusha National Park is one of the smaller national parks in the northern circuit and located at the foot of Mount Meru in Arusha. This beautiful park is mostly known for the rare black and white Colobus monkey that is often seen here The park consists of mountain areas combined with rainforests and lakes. It is a paradise for bird watchers. Examples are the Greater flamingo and the Silvery cheeked hornbill. A walking safari is definitely worth your while.

Lake Manyara National Park

Lake Manyara National Park, an underestimated gem of the safari parks, offers a large ecological variety in a small area. More than 400 bird species have been identified and one of the highlights are the thousands of strolling flamingos. From the entrance of the park, the road winds through a groundwater forest area where baboon troops can be seen hanging about on the roadside and in the trees. On the grassy banks of the lake, the wildebeest, giraffe, zebra and the large buffalo can be seen grazing the day away. If you’re lucky you might spot a lion lazing on a tree branch.

Serengeti National Park

With vast open plains and an abundance of wildlife as far as the eye can see, the Serengeti is a safari maker’s dreamland. Serengeti National Park spans across 14,763 square kilometres and is easily the largest and arguably most popular of the northern circuit National Parks. The Serengeti is host to the annual Wildebeest migration, when some six million hooves pound the open plains, as more than 200,000 zebra and 300,000 Thomson’s gazelle join the wildebeest’s trek for fresh grazing. Buffalo, elephant, giraffe, lion, hippo and hyena are also frequently sighted throughout the Serengeti.

Ikoma wildlife Management Area

Ikoma Wildlife Management Area (WMA) is located between the Serengeti National Park and the Grumeti and Ikorongo Game Reserves. This area supports a variety of wildlife across 242 square kilometres of pristine wilderness including herds of elephant, waterbuck, Black and White colobus monkeys, shy leopard and both the Greater and the Lesser Kudu. Spectacular night game drives are offered in this well-kept secret area.

Lake Natron

Shimmering amid the sun-scorched Kenyan border northeast of Ngorongoro Conservation Area, this 58 km-long but just 50cm-deep alkaline lake should be on every adventurer’s itinerary. The roads pass through untraveled Maasai land, with small bomas and big mountains often in view in a wild, cauterised landscape. From June to November at the lake itself, around two million flamingos gather – it’s one of East Africa’s most stirring wildlife spectacles. And close to the southern end of the lake, the views of Ol Doinyo Lengai volcano are splendid.

Ngorongoro Crater

Nothing can prepare you for the breathtaking beauty of the Ngorongoro Crater. As you stand at the viewpoint looking out over the crater, clouds hovering around the tip of the rim with the cool mountainous breeze in the air, there is no mistaking the divinity of mother nature. The Ngorongoro Crater is a world heritage site, the world’s largest intact volcanic caldera and is commonly referred to as the 8th wonder of the world. Due to its natural borders, there is an abundance of wildlife throughout the conservation area which is home to the Big Five including the African Black Rhino as well as hyena, zebra and elephants to name a few.

Mikumi National Park

Mikumi National Park, covering 3,230 sq km, is one of Tanzania’s most accessible wildlife areas, known for its vast open plains and varied wildlife. Often called a “mini Serengeti,” it offers a classic safari experience and is an excellent destination for those looking to explore Tanzania’s wilderness near Dar es Salaam.

African openbill storks (anastomus lamelligerus) wait on a dead tree over a flooded lake as they hunt in Nyerere National Park (Selous Game Reserve) in southern Tanzania.

Nyerere National Park (Selous Game Reserve)

Nyerere National Park, formerly known as Selous Game Reserve, is one of Tanzania’s largest protected areas, covering 30,893 sq km. It features a mix of woodlands, savannas, rivers, and lakes, offering a stunningly diverse ecosystem. Recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, it’s a prime spot for those seeking authentic wildlife experiences.

National Parks and Game Reserves

THE BEST NATIONAL PARKS & GAME RESERVES

Tarangire National Park

Arusha National Park

Lake Manyara National Park

Serengeti National Park

Ikoma wildlife Management Area

Lake Natron

Ngorongoro Crater

Mikumi National Park

Nyerere National Park (Selous Game Reserve)

GENERAL INFO

CONTACT US

LEGAL INFO