Distinguished as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Serengeti National Park stands as the largest expanse of protected land in Northern Tanzania, encompassing a vast area spanning 14,763 square kilometers. Renowned for hosting the world’s most extensive annual animal migration, where millions of wildebeests, accompanied by numerous zebras, as well as smaller groups of Thomson’s gazelles and elands, traverse the Mara River into Masai Mara National Park. The park also boasts the most significant lion population in Africa and teems with diverse game and wildlife.
Throughout the entire year, the Serengeti provides incredible opportunities for observing wildlife. The months of June and July stand out as prime times to witness the migration and the potential spectacle of a Grumeti River crossing. The more renowned river crossings at the Mara River are typically observed around September in the park’s northern reaches. February emerges as the optimal month for observing wildebeest calving. The dry period spanning from June to October offers unparalleled chances for general wildlife viewing.
Situated just beyond the well-trodden path of the popular northern Tanzania Safari Circuit, Tarangire National Park occupies a space amidst the expanses of the Masai Steppe to the southeast and the surrounding lakes within the Great Rift Valley to the north and west. This park holds the distinction of being the sixth-largest National Park in Tanzania, covering a sprawling area encompassing 2,600 square kilometers.
Noteworthy for its abundant elephant population and iconic baobab trees, Tarangire is a destination frequented by those seeking a unique wildlife experience. Travelers who explore the park during the dry season from June to November can anticipate encountering substantial gatherings of zebras, wildebeests, and cape buffalos. Among the assortment of resident animals, waterbucks, giraffes, dik diks, impalas, elands, Grant’s gazelles, vervet monkeys, banded mongooses, and olive baboons are commonly spotted. Predators in the Tarangire ecosystem encompass lions, leopards, cheetahs, caracals, honey badgers, and African wild dogs.
At the northern edge of Tarangire, the permanent River Tarangire flows, acting as a vital lifeline for the park, particularly during the arid months when much of the region becomes parched. The river stands as the defining feature of this landscape, bestowing its name upon the park. A series of expansive swamps transform into verdant plains as the dry season progresses in the southern part of the park.
Located in the northern part of Tanzania, Lake Manyara National Park is 126 kilometers west of Arusha Town. Designated as a national park in 1960, Lake Manyara National Park is home to a diverse range of stunning landscapes, including marshland, dense acacia woodland, and steep rocky slopes.
The park Centres around its eponymous alkaline lake whose surface covers two thirds of the park’s total area, a key habitat for hundreds of bird species.
Lake Manyara National Park is famous for housing vast flocks of flamingos, water buffaloes, zebras, antelopes, tree-climbing lions, over 400 bird species and one of the highest concentrations of elephants in all of Tanzania.
Like all of Tanzania’s national parks, Lake Manyara’s peak season is during the dry months from July to September.
Hot springs can be found in the south of the park, and the park is bisected by 2 rivers, the Mto wa Mbu River and the Endabash River.
The short dry season from mid-December to early March is also a good time to visit, but the temperatures can get very hot during this period.
Although you will see wildlife during the wet season, it will be more difficult to spot animals amongst the luscious vegetation. In the dry season, animals are drawn to the few remaining water sources and wildlife viewing opportunities are excellent.
Recognized as one of Africa’s Seven Natural wonders, the Ngorongoro Conservation Area is a safeguarded region and a UNESCO World Heritage Site situated in Ngorongoro District, positioned 180 km to the west of Arusha City in the northern part of Tanzania, within the geological expanse known as the Crater Highlands. The name of this area is derived from the Ngorongoro Crater, a large volcanic caldera nestled within it.Â
The Conservation area comprises a large chunk of the southern Serengeti’s short-grass plains and the Ngorongoro Highlands..
Within the Crater, an exceptional variety of animals thrives within their distinct habitats, constituting a remarkable concentration of wildlife. Additionally, the conservation area encompasses the Olduvai Gorge, a site of immense significance in the realm of paleoanthropology, holding a position as one of the most important sites globally.
Situated in the northeastern part of Tanzania lies Kilimanjaro National Park, an area designated as a UNESCO World Heritage site and one of Africa’s seven Natural Wonders. This park spans an approximate expanse of 75,575 hectares and encircles the largest freestanding volcanic mass globally, including the towering peak that ranks as Africa’s highest mountain. From its base at 4,877 meters above the surrounding plains, the mountain ascends to a majestic height of 5,895 meters at Uhuru Peak. This peak, an integral part of the Kibo cone, forms one of the mountain’s three volcanic cones.
With its peak adorned by a snow-capped crown, Kilimanjaro stands as an unparalleled natural spectacle, towering above its surrounding environment and embraced by a ring of mountain forest.
Mount Kilimanjaro National Park presents an astonishingly varied array of habitats as it climbs from the pastures and bushlands of the indigenous Maasai territory. Here, the melting waters from the summit give life to a luxuriant belt of tropical forest, home to some of the healthiest herds of elephants on the entire continent. Within this realm, elephant herds roam freely with their offspring, Alongside these majestic creatures are colossal, aged tuskers .Among a supporting cast of antelopes and primates, you might even have the fortune to spot the endangered Abbott’s duiker.
