The Big Five

Tanzania is a land that captures the soul of Africa with its sweeping savannahs, towering volcanoes, dense forests, and sparkling lakes. It’s no wonder that millions of travelers from all over the world flock here to immerse themselves in authentic safari adventures and breathtaking wildlife encounters.

At the heart of Tanzania’s tourism appeal lies its incredible biodiversity centered around some of the world’s most famous national parks and reserves. The country offers an unrivaled blend of expansive wilderness, abundant big game, and stunning landscapes—from the vast plains of the Serengeti to the dramatic caldera of Ngorongoro.

One of the most iconic natural phenomena on Earth occurs here: the Great Migration. Every year, over a million wildebeest, along with hundreds of thousands of zebras and gazelles, traverse the endless grasslands in search of greener pastures. Witnessing this awe-inspiring spectacle—the thunder of hooves, life-and-death river crossings, and the dance of predator and prey—is a powerful reminder of nature’s rhythms and raw beauty.

Tanzania savannah

But Tanzania’s magic doesn’t end with the migration. The Ngorongoro Conservation Area, often called the world’s largest natural amphitheater, offers a condensed snapshot of Africa’s wildlife wonders. In the volcanic crater below, you’ll find large populations of elephants, lions, hippos, buffalo, and the elusive black rhinoceros, all living within a lush, self-contained ecosystem.

Further afield, parks like Tarangire and Lake Manyara provide unique ecosystems and unforgettable wildlife spectacles. Tarangire is famous for its majestic baobab trees and vast elephant herds that gather around the seasonal Tarangire River, while Lake Manyara enchants visitors with its tree-climbing lions and flocks of flamingos painting the soda lake’s shore pink.

For adventurers seeking less crowded paths, the parks of Ruaha and Selous (now Nyerere National Park) offer raw, remote wilderness experiences rich in predators and herds. These vast reserves provide a true sense of wild Africa where the safari feels deeply personal and intimate.

Tanzania safari

Tanzania’s appeal extends to its marine life too. The coast and the islands of Zanzibar and Mafia offer sparkling turquoise waters, coral reefs alive with colorful fish, and gentle whale sharks migrating along the reefs.

Whether you’re looking for luxury lodges, mobile tented camps, cultural visits, or walking safaris, Tanzania delivers unforgettable experiences that bring you closer to wildlife and nature. Conservation efforts and community-based tourism underpin much of this tourism, allowing travelers to support the preservation of these stunning wild places and the people who live near them.

Embracing Tanzania as your safari destination means uncovering an extraordinary blend of nature’s wonders—from ancient rhythms of migration and predator hunts on sprawling plains to quiet forest treks and vibrant coral reefs. Each park contributes its own signature to the country’s wildlife tapestry, inviting visitors to connect deeply with Africa’s wild heartbeat.

A safari in Tanzania is more than just a trip—it’s a journey into the wild heart of Africa, an adventure filled with discovery, awe, and unforgettable memories.

National Parks:

Serengeti National Park

The Serengeti is Tanzania’s crown jewel and one of the most famous wildlife reserves in the world. Spanning nearly 15,000 square kilometers, its endless golden plains and acacia-dotted landscapes are home to one of the richest collections of wildlife on Earth. The park is perhaps best known for the Great Migration—a thrilling, awe-inspiring annual movement of over a million wildebeest accompanied by massive numbers of zebras and gazelles. Travelers gather here to witness the epic river crossings where these vast herds brave crocodile-infested waters in their quest for fresh grazing.

But the Serengeti offers more than the migration. It supports incredible biodiversity, including large prides of lions, stealthy leopards lounging in trees, fast cheetahs sprinting to catch prey, herds of elephants, and rare endangered black rhinos. The classic endless savannah is punctuated by kopjes—rocky outcrops perfect for wildlife viewing and stunning sunrise scenes.

Serengeti safaris range from luxury lodges and mobile camps that move with the migration to budget-friendly campsites, catering to all travelers longing for that quintessential African safari experience.

Ngorongoro Conservation Area

The Ngorongoro Conservation Area boasts the world’s largest intact volcanic caldera, a natural amphitheater roughly 20 kilometers across and 600 meters deep. Below its rim lies the Ngorongoro Crater, a unique and self-contained ecosystem hosting a remarkable concentration of wildlife within a lush landscape dotted by lakes, grasslands, and forests.

Ngorongoro is a success story of coexistence, where conservation efforts blend with the ancestral lands of the Maasai pastoralists. Visitors are treated to extraordinary wildlife sightings including the rare and endangered black rhinoceros, large elephant herds, lions, buffaloes, and a myriad of bird species. The crater’s dramatic setting and diverse habitats allow for compact, action-packed game drives with chances to see the Big Five in a single day.

Besides the crater, the conservation area includes Olmoti and Empakaai volcanoes, with hiking trails leading through crater lakes and indigenous forests.

Tarangire National Park

Tarangire is a captivating wilderness often overshadowed by its more famous neighbors but treasured by those who discover it. Known for its striking baobab trees and seasonal swarms of elephants, the park covers roughly 2,850 square kilometers.

During dry seasons, animals flock to the Tarangire River, creating wonderful wildlife concentrations where lions, leopards, zebras, impalas, and other species can be seen in close proximity. The park’s varied terrain includes rolling plains, acacia woodlands, and rocky outcrops.

Tarangire is particularly beloved by birdwatchers, hosting over 500 bird species including raptors, storks, and colorful hornbills. Its relatively lower visitor density offers a more peaceful and intimate safari experience, where you can enjoy Kenya’s diverse natural rhythms.

Lake Manyara National Park

Though compact in size at roughly 330 square kilometers, Lake Manyara National Park is packed with surprises. The park features varied habitats—from dense woodlands and marshes to the alkaline soda lake fringed with flamingos.

One of the park’s most distinctive claims to fame is its tree-climbing lions, a rare behavior that delights visitors, as lions lounge lazily in giant fig and acacia trees. Manyara also supports large herds of elephants, hippos wallowing in the shallow lake, baboons, and myriad bird species.

Boat tours, walking safaris, and cultural visits to nearby Maasai villages round out the visitor experience, making Lake Manyara a popular and accessible safari destination.

Ruaha National Park

Ruaha National Park is Tanzania’s largest and among its wildest reserves, covering over 20,000 square kilometers in the country’s central region. Its vastness and remoteness deliver a truly unspoiled safari adventure, attracting visitors who want to leave the crowded circuits behind.

The park’s rugged miombo woodlands, baobabs, and riverine forests support herds of elephants, lions, leopards, cheetahs, and wild dogs. Ruaha’s Ruaha River and the Great Ruaha River host hippos and crocodiles, while seasonal migrations bring thousands of wildebeest and zebra.

Wildlife viewing here is often intense, with one of the highest lion densities in Africa. Ruaha’s combination of landscape diversity, predator abundance, and cultural richness, with communities like the Barabaig living alongside the wildlife, makes it a remarkable safari destination.

Nyerere National Park (Selous Game Reserve)

Nyerere National Park, formerly known as Selous Game Reserve, is the largest protected wildlife area in Tanzania and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Spanning more than 50,000 square kilometers, it's a massive expanse of wilderness where animals roam freely, mostly unaffected by tourism.

The park offers unique safari experiences including boat safaris along the Rufiji River, walking safaris, and game drives. Visitors have the chance to spot hippos, crocodiles, elephants, lions, buffaloes, and several rare species like African wild dogs. The park’s labyrinth of waterways is home to rich birdlife, making it an ornithological treasure.

Because of its sheer size and wildness, Nyerere offers a more exclusive, slow-paced safari experience in pristine habitats rarely seen by many.

Mahale Mountains National Park

For those interested in primate trekking, Mahale Mountains National Park is one of the world’s premier destinations. Located on the shores of Lake Tanganyika, it shelters chimpanzee populations in dense, rugged forests.

Guided treks here allow visitors unique opportunities to observe these intelligent, social primates up close in their natural habitat. The park’s stunning mountainous terrain, combined with the sparkling lake shore, offers beautiful hiking and boating options alongside the primate experience.

Mahale is remote and less visited, appealing to travelers looking for a blend of adventure and tranquility in an exceptional ecological setting.

Gombe Stream National Park

Gombe Stream National Park gained fame through Jane Goodall’s pioneering chimpanzee research. It is a small, forested park along Lake Tanganyika’s shores, offering intimate wildlife experiences with its well-studied chimpanzee troops.

Visitors here can enjoy guided chimpanzee tracking expeditions, walk through lush forests, and observe other wildlife including baboons, colobus monkeys, and over 200 bird species. The park is rich in natural beauty and scientific heritage.

Gombe’s exclusivity and conservation importance make it a vital spot for both research and tourism that supports wildlife preservation.

Mikumi National Park

Mikumi, often considered a smaller Serengeti, lies near the bustling town of Morogoro and covers around 3,230 square kilometers. The park is an accessible option for travelers looking for classic game drives without the crowds of more famous parks.

It houses large populations of lions, elephants, zebras, giraffes, and buffaloes amid stunning landscapes of open plains dotted with baobabs and kopjes. Mikumi’s proximity to urban centers makes it popular for weekend safaris and family trips.

Though sometimes overshadowed by bigger parks, Mikumi provides quality wildlife viewing and beautiful sunsets that many visitors cherish.

Mafia Island Marine Park

Off Tanzania’s southern coast, Mafia Island Marine Park protects an extraordinary underwater world of coral reefs, seagrass beds, and marine species including whale sharks, dolphins, and turtles. The park offers snorkeling, diving, and fishing in pristine tropical waters.

Visitors can explore vibrant hard and soft corals, swim alongside gentle giants like whale sharks, and enjoy the tranquility of this less frequented Indian Ocean island paradise.

Mafia Island Marine Park highlights Tanzania’s marine conservation efforts and provides a perfect contrast to the inland safari experience.

Udzungwa Mountains National Park

Udzungwa Mountains National Park is a biodiversity hotspot set within Tanzania’s Eastern Arc Mountains. Known as an “ecological island,” it offers rugged hiking trails through dense rainforest, waterfalls, and rare species.

The park is home to endemic primates such as the Udzungwa red colobus and Sanje mangabey, and showcases an impressive variety of plants and birds. Its hiking trails reward visitors with breathtaking views and the chance to experience Tanzania’s rainforest ecosystems rarely found elsewhere.

Udzungwa appeals to nature lovers who wish to combine hiking, wildlife spotting, and peaceful solitude.

Katavi National Park

Katavi National Park, in remote western Tanzania, is a wild and untouched gem. Its vast floodplains and lakes attract large concentrations of hippos, crocodiles, elephants, and buffaloes, completed by packs of lions and leopards.

Visitors seeking solitude and raw safari encounters will find Katavi uniquely rewarding. The park retains a true wilderness feel with fewer visitors and pristine habitats, offering an authentic African safari far from the beaten path.

Rubondo Island National Park

Rubondo Island sits on Lake Victoria and offers a fascinating blend of aquatic and terrestrial wildlife. The island is home to chimpanzees introduced in the 1960s, along with a variety of birds, reptiles, and game.

Visitors can enjoy forest hikes, boat tours around the island, fishing, and birdwatching. Rubondo provides an intimate wildlife experience layered with island tranquility and natural beauty.

Saadani National Park

Saadani National Park is Tanzania’s only coastal wildlife park where savannah animals like elephants and lions meet the Indian Ocean. Covering diverse ecosystems including mangroves, beaches, and forest, it offers both beach relaxation and traditional game drives.

Its location near the town of Bagamoyo makes it a unique destination combining nature and culture. Wildlife here thrives in an environment where ocean breezes and savannah grasses blend seamlessly.

Saadani is perfect for travelers seeking a coastal safari with the best of both worlds.

  • Copyright 2016 @ Umbrella Corporation UG

© 2025 Africa Horizon Safaris. All rights reserved.