Serengeti is one of Africa's most iconic wildlife reserves, renowned for its expansive savannahs and diverse wildlife. It’s especially famous for the annual Great Migration, where millions of wildebeest, zebras, and gazelles migrate across the plains in search of food and water. The park is home to a variety of species including lions, cheetahs, giraffes, and elephants.
Size: Approximately 14,750 square kilometers (5,700 square miles)Activities : Game drives, hot air balloon safaris, and guided walking safaris.
This UNESCO World Heritage Site is a massive volcanic caldera formed millions of years ago. The crater’s floor is a rich, fertile environment that supports a high concentration of wildlife. It’s one of the best places to see the Big Five (lion, leopard, buffalo, elephant, and rhinoceros) in a relatively small area. The crater’s diverse habitats include grasslands, swamps, and forests.
- Activities: Game drives within the crater, exploring the surrounding highlands, and visits to nearby Maasai villages.
Known for its large herds of elephants and distinctive baobab trees, Tarangire is a park with a varied landscape including savanna, swamps, and woodlands. It becomes especially wildlife-rich during the dry season when animals congregate around the Tarangire River. It is less crowded compared to other major parks, providing a more serene safari experience.
- Activities: Game drives, guided walking safaris, and birdwatching.
Lake Manyara is known for its diverse ecosystems which include lake shores, forests, and grasslands. The park is famous for its flamingos and other bird species, and the unique behavior of tree-climbing lions. The lake attracts a variety of wildlife, especially during the wet season.
Approximately 330 square kilometers (127 square miles), with the lake covering a significant portion.
-Activities: Game drives, birdwatching, and guided walking safaris.
Arusha National Park features diverse landscapes including the towering Mount Meru, lush montane forests, and the scenic Momella Lakes. The park offers opportunities for walking safaris and mountain climbing. It is less known for big game but is rich in smaller wildlife such as giraffes, zebras, and the rare colobus monkeys.
- *Activities*: Walking safaris, climbing Mount Meru, game drives, and exploring the park’s unique ecosystems.
These parks collectively offer a broad spectrum of wildlife viewing, from the vast plains of the Serengeti to the unique landscapes of Arusha, making Tanzania’s Northern Circuit a premier safari destination.
is one of Tanzania's lesser-known but highly accessible national parks, located in the southeastern part of the country, about 283 kilometers (175 miles) west of Dar es Salaam. It is part of the larger Selous ecosystem and covers an area of approximately 3,230 square kilometers (1,250 square miles), making it the fourth-largest national park in Tanzania.
Selous Game Reserve, recently re-designated as Nyerere National Park(in honor of Tanzania's first president, Julius Nyerere), is one of the largest and most important protected wildlife areas in Africa. Located in southern Tanzania, it covers an area of approximately 50,000 square kilometers (19,300 square miles), making it the largest game reserve in Africa and one of the largest protected areas in the worldGame Drives: Traditional game drives are a primary way to explore Selous, offering excellent opportunities to see the diverse wildlife.
- Boat Safaris: The Rufiji River provides the unique opportunity for boat safaris, where visitors can observe hippos, crocodiles, and a variety of birds from the water.
- Walking Safaris: Selous is one of the few places in Tanzania where walking safari
Ruaha National Park is one of Tanzania's largest and most remote national parks, known for its stunning landscapes, diverse ecosystems, and significant populations of wildlife. It is located in the central part of Tanzania, within the Iringa Region Ruaha is home to a rich diversity of wildlife, including large populations of elephants, which are among the largest in East Africa. The park is also known for its predators, particularly lions, which are present in large numbers. Ruaha is sometimes referred to as a "Lion Park" due to its significant lion populations
Zanzibar is an archipelago off the coast of Tanzania, consisting of two main islands: Unguja (commonly referred to as Zanzibar Island) and Pemba. It’s known for its beautiful white-sand beaches, crystal-clear waters, and rich cultural history influenced by African, Arab, Indian, and European traditions. Stone Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is the historic heart of Zanzibar and is famous for its narrow streets, traditional Swahili architecture, and spice markets. Zanzibar was a major hub for the spice trade and the slave trade in the 19th century. Today, it’s a popular tourist destination, known for its vibrant culture, spice tours, and marine life.
Mafia Island is part of Tanzania and lies in the Indian Ocean, about 160 kilometers (100 miles) south of Zanzibar and about 50 kilometers (31 miles) off the Tanzanian mainland, near the Rufiji River delta. It is the largest island in the Mafia Archipelago, which also includes several smaller islands and islets. Unlike its more famous neighbors, Zanzibar and Pemba, Mafia Island is quieter and less touristy, making it a great destination for eco-tourism.
Mafia Island is renowned for its rich marine biodiversity, especially within the Mafia Island Marine Park, one of the largest protected marine areas in the Indian Ocean. The island is a top destination for diving, snorkeling, and swimming with whale sharks, which visit the waters from October to March. Its coral reefs, clear waters, and diverse wildlife make it a paradise for nature lovers and adventurers.