Top Safari Destinations in Tanzania

1. Serengeti National Park – Best for the Great Migration

Why Visit?

Serengeti National Park is Tanzania’s most famous safari destination and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is best known for the Great Migration, where over 1.5 million wildebeest, zebras, and gazelles travel across the plains in search of fresh grazing lands.

Wildlife & Safari Highlights:

• Big Five Safari: Lions, leopards, elephants, buffaloes, and rhinos

• The Great Migration: One of the most spectacular wildlife events on Earth

• Predators: Large lion prides, cheetahs, and hyenas

• Birdwatching: Over 500 bird species, including vultures and ostriches

Best Time to Visit:

• June to October – Best for game viewing & predator action

• January to March – Best for the calving season, when thousands of baby wildebeests are born

2. Ngorongoro Crater – Best for Big Five Safari & Scenic Views

Why Visit?

Ngorongoro Crater is the world’s largest intact volcanic caldera and offers one of the highest densities of wildlife in Africa. This natural wonder provides a Big Five safari experience with breathtaking views.

Wildlife & Safari Highlights:

• Highest concentration of lions in Tanzania

• Rare black rhinos & large elephant herds

• Thousands of flamingos at Lake Magadi

• Large populations of zebras, wildebeests, and buffaloes

Best Time to Visit:

• June to October – Best for wildlife spotting

• November to May – Lush scenery and fewer crowds

3. Tarangire National Park – Best for Elephant Herds & Baobab Trees

Why Visit?

Tarangire National Park is an underrated gem and one of the best safari parks in Tanzania. It is famous for its massive elephant herds, ancient baobab trees, and diverse wildlife.

Wildlife & Safari Highlights:

• Largest elephant population in Tanzania

• Predators: Lions, leopards, and cheetahs

• Unique species: Fringe-eared oryx, greater kudu, and wild dogs

• Over 550 bird species, including hornbills and kingfishers

Best Time to Visit:

• June to October – Best for spotting large mammals near the Tarangire River

4. Lake Manyara National Park – Best for Tree-Climbing Lions & Flamingos

Why Visit?

Lake Manyara National Park is a small but incredibly diverse safari destination, best known for its tree-climbing lions and flamingo-filled alkaline lake.

Wildlife & Safari Highlights:

• Tree-climbing lions, a rare behavior among big cats

• Large elephant herds & hippos

• Thousands of flamingos, pelicans, and storks

• Beautiful landscapes, from groundwater forests to savannah plains

Best Time to Visit:

• June to October – Best for big game safaris

• November to May – Best for birdwatching

5. Selous Game Reserve (Now Nyerere National Park) – Best for Boat Safaris & Remote Wildlife Encounters

Why Visit?

Formerly Selous Game Reserve, Nyerere National Park is Africa’s largest protected wildlife area, offering boat safaris and a remote wilderness experience.

Wildlife & Safari Highlights:

• Boat Safaris along the Rufiji River, where you can see hippos & crocodiles

• One of Africa’s largest populations of wild dogs

• Large prides of lions and leopards

• Elephants, giraffes, and rare antelope species

Best Time to Visit:

• June to October – Best for wildlife viewing and predator activity

6. Ruaha National Park – Best for Predator Sightings & Off-the-Beaten-Path Safaris

Why Visit?

Ruaha National Park is Tanzania’s largest national park, offering a wild and less crowded safari experience with high predator densities.

Wildlife & Safari Highlights:

• Largest lion population in Tanzania

• One of the best places to see leopards & cheetahs

• Rare antelope species like sable and roan antelope

• Home to over 570 bird species

Best Time to Visit:

• June to October – Dry season for peak wildlife sightings

7. Katavi National Park – Best for Remote & Exclusive Safaris

Why Visit?

Katavi National Park is one of Tanzania’s least-visited parks, offering an authentic wilderness experience far from crowds. It is famous for its massive buffalo herds and large crocodile and hippo populations.

Wildlife & Safari Highlights:

• Huge herds of buffalo, sometimes over 1,000 individuals

• Large pods of hippos & crocodiles in the Katuma River

• Abundant lions & hyenas hunting along the floodplains

• Stunning open grasslands & seasonal lakes

Best Time to Visit:

• June to October – Best for large wildlife concentrations

8. Mahale Mountains National Park – Best for Chimpanzee Trekking

Why Visit?

Mahale Mountains National Park is one of the best places in the world for chimpanzee trekking. It is located on the shores of Lake Tanganyika, offering stunning landscapes and crystal-clear waters.

Wildlife & Safari Highlights:

• Chimpanzee trekking, with a high chance of close encounters

• Other primates like red colobus & vervet monkeys

• Hippos & crocodiles along Lake Tanganyika

• Stunning beaches & mountain landscapes

Best Time to Visit:

• June to October – Best for chimpanzee tracking

Conclusion – Why Tanzania is the Best Safari Destination in Africa

Tanzania offers some of the best safari experiences in the world, from witnessing the Great Migration in the Serengeti to tracking chimpanzees in Mahale Mountains. Whether you’re looking for a luxury safari, budget safari, or a remote adventure, Tanzania has it all.

If you’re planning a Tanzania safari, make sure to choose the right destination based on your interests and travel season. Book your safari today and experience the incredible wildlife and landscapes of Tanzania!