6 Best Tanzania Safari Parks to See the Big 5 of Africa

Which are the best Tanzania safari parks to see the Big 5 of Africa?

This will help you decide where to go on safari in Tanzania if you want to see the famous Big Five safari animals of Africa - lion, elephant, rhino, leopard, and buffalo.

Lake Manyara safari elephants by Colin J. McMechan

Best Tanzania Safari Parks to see Africa's Big 5

Let's start with the Tanzania wildlife parks where you can see all five of Africa's Big Five. Namely Serengeti, Ngorongoro & Selous (now Nyerere).

1. Ngorongoro Crater - Northern Tanzania Safari Circuit

Home to all 5 of Africa's Big 5 Animals

Rhino in Ngorongoro Crater, Tanzania Safari by R Boed

The Ngorongoro Crater is the best place to see all five of Africa's Big 5 animals on safari in Tanzania. It is also, arguably, the best wildlife park for seeing rhinos in Tanzania.

1. Lions: Ngorongoro Crater hosts the densest population of lions in Africa. 

2. Elephants: Elephants are common in Ngorongoro Crater, including bulls with large tusks.

3. Rhinos: The crater is home to a sizeable population of black rhinos. Rhinos are commonly sighted here, unlike rhinos in other African and Tanzanian parks.

4. Leopards: There are healthy populations of leopards in the Ngorongoro Crater, although these elusive cats are more difficult to spot.

5. Buffaloes: Buffaloes are regularly seen in the Ngorongoro Crater.

Ngorongoro Crater Big 5 in Summary

On Tanzania safaris in Ngorongoro Crater, you are highly likely to see lions, elephants, rhinos, and buffalos. With some luck and extra time, you may also see leopards.

Other Highlights of Ngorongoro Crater Safaris in Tanzania

Another highlight of exploring Ngorongoro Crater on your Tanzania Safari is the high concentration of wildlife found here. It is a small caldera (unflooded crater) hosting one of the highest concentrations of African animals that are almost all easy to see on game drives.

• See our Ngorongoro Crater Safaris in Tanzania.

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2. Serengeti Park - Northern Tanzania Safari Circuit

Home to all 5 of Africa's Big 5 Animals

Leopard in Seronera Valley, Serengeti Safari by Christoph Strassler

The Serengeti National Park is not only home to the great migration but also to all five of the Big 5 of Africa. Another reason why the Serengeti Park in Tanzania is one of the very best safari destinations in the world. 

1. Lions: Serengeti is said to host Africa's largest population of lions, commonly sighted on safaris here.

2. Elephants: Elephants are commonly seen roaming the Serengeti Plains, especially in the northern part of the park.

3. Rhinos: There are a few rhinos in Serengeti, mainly found in the central region of the wildlife park.

4. Leopards: Serengeti boasts excellent leopard sightings in the central region (Seronera Valley) of the park. Leopards are found in other parts of Serengeti but are less often seen.

5. Buffaloes: Serengeti is home to large herds of buffaloes that are regularly sighted.

Serengeti Big 5 in Summary

You are highly likely to see buffaloes, lions, and elephants on safari in Serengeti. If you visit the central part of Serengeti then you may also see rhinos and are likely to see leopards too.

Other Highlights of Serengeti Safaris in Tanzania

The great migration, aka the wildebeest migration, takes place in Serengeti Park. One of the most thrilling wildlife spectacles on earth, the great migration is more than enough reason to go on safari in Serengeti. If your Tanzania safari takes you to Serengeti in the right season (around June and July), you may just catch this spectacular wildlife trek in action.

Other highlights of Serengeti Safaris include excellent cheetah sightings and quintessential African safari scenery (endless open savannahs dotted with thorn trees).

• See our affordable Serengeti Safaris 

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3. Nyerere National Park (Selous) - Southern Tanzania Safari Circuit

Home to all 5 of Africa's Big 5 Animals

Selous safari, Tanzania lions by James Berridge

Formerly Selous Game Reserve, Nyerere National Park is home to all five of the Big 5 animals of Africa. But, rhinos are very rare and only found in certain parts of the park. Leopards are rarely seen and elephants only occasionally. 

Due to the massive size of this Tanzania national park (it's one of the largest wildlife areas in the world), the animals are very widely dispersed. This makes wildlife more difficult to track down and observe, resulting in less predictable wildlife sightings.

1. Lions: Lions are commonly sighted in Nyerere which hosts a large lion population.

2. Elephants: The once large elephant populations in Nyerere have shrunk due to poaching. Elephants are still sighted on occasion.

3. Rhinos: Due to poaching rhino sightings are very rare and usually limited to the southern section of Nyerere Park. 

4. Leopards: There are leopards in Nyerere Park but these shy cats are rarely sighted.

5. Buffaloes: Nyerere is home to huge herds of buffaloes that are commonly sighted on safaris here.

Nyerere Big 5 in Summary

You are very likely to see buffaloes and lions in Nyerere National Park. Don't count on seeing elephants. It is highly unlikely that you will see black rhinos and chances are you won't see leopards either. 

Other Highlights of Nyerere Safaris in Tanzania

Nyerere National Park is the largest national park in Africa. It covers over 30,000 square kilometres of wilderness in southern Tanzania. This is a truly wild and remote African safari destination. It's a great place to escape the crowds and experience an authentic African wildlife adventure. Nyerere is also a stronghold for endangered African wild dogs and rare antelope species.

• See our Nyerere / Selous Safaris in Tanzania

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4. Lake Manyara Park - Northern Tanzania Safari Circuit

Home to 4 of Africa's Big 5 Animals

Lake Manyara tree-climbing lions

Lake Manyara National Park is a compact wildlife park, home to four of Africa's Big Five, the exception being the rhino.

1. Lions: Lake Manyara Park is famous for its tree-climbing lions, often sighted here.

2. Elephants: The national park (established to protect elephants) is home to large herds of elephants that are commonly sighted, including large bull elephants with impressive tusks.

3. Rhinos: Absent.

4. Leopards: A healthy population of leopards inhabits Lake Manyara National Park but these shy cats are rarely sighted in the thick vegetation.

5. Buffaloes: Lake Manyara Park is home to large herds of buffaloes that are commonly sighted.

Lake Manyara Big 5 in Summary

On Lake Manyara Safaris, you are highly likely to see elephants and buffaloes, quite likely to see lions (in the trees), and unlikely to see leopards. You won't find rhinos here.

Other Highlights of Lake Manyara Safaris in Tanzania

You can often get up close to the resident wildlife and birds in this relatively small national park of Tanzania. Lake Mayara Park is a birding hotspot, one of the finest in Africa. It hosts a high diversity of bird species with over 1,130 bird species recorded here. Sightings include seasonal flocks of flamingoes as well as flocks of pelicans. The park is home to the largest concentration of baboons in Africa, hosting huge troops of baboons numbering in the hundreds.

• See our Lake Manyara Safaris

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5. Ruaha National Park - Southern Tanzania Safari Circuit

Home to 4 of Africa's Big 5 Animals

Ruaha safari buffalos, Tanzania

Four of the Big 5 are present in Ruaha National Park, famous for its massive elephant population.

1. Lions: Lions are commonly sighted in Ruaha Park which hosts large prides of lions.

2. Elephants: Ruaha National Park is one of the best places in Africa to see wild elephants. It hosts large herds of elephants that you are sure to see.

3. Rhinos: Absent.

4. Leopards: In Ruaha National Park, your chances of seeing a leopard are relatively high (at almost 70%), especially along the river. 

5. Buffaloes: Ruaha is home to sizeable buffalo herds commonly sighted on game drives.

Ruaha Big 5 in Summary

In Ruaha National Park you will see elephants and you are almost sure to see lions too. The likelihood of seeing buffalos is also high and your chances of laying eyes on a leopard are good. There are no rhinos here.

Other Highlights of Ruaha Safaris in Tanzania

Dubbed the 'best-kept safari secret' in Tanzania, Ruaha is a wild and unspoiled game park. Like Nyerere Park, Ruaha is a massive national park, incorporating over 20,000 square kilometres of southern Tanzania. It is a favourite amongst safari aficionados because of its dramatic scenery, ruggedness, and reliable wildlife sightings along the Ruaha River. Due to its remoteness and the low number of safari camps found here, it is an uncrowded place for an adventurous Tanzania safari.

• Affordable Ruaha Safaris in Tanzania

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6. Tarangire National Park - Northern Tanzania Safari Circuit

Home to 4 of Africa's Big 5 Animals

Tarangire elephants, Tanzania safari by Kat and Rully

Tarangire National Park hosts four of the Big 5 of Africa (elephants, buffalos, lions, and leopards) with rhinos being absent. It offers exceptional game viewing in the dry season (June to October).

1. Lions: Tarangire National Park is an excellent place to see lions, especially along the Tarangire River in winter.

2. Elephants: Elephant sightings are pretty much guaranteed in this Tanzania safari park which is famous for its huge elephant herds.

3. Rhinos: Absent.

4. Leopards: There are a fair number of leopards in Tarangire Park and your chances of seeing them are about 50-50.

5. Buffaloes: Tarangire National Park attracts large herds of buffaloes in the dry season with buffalo present year-round, so you are almost sure to see these dangerous herbivores here.

Tarangire Big 5 in Summary

On safari in Tarangire Park, you are sure to see lions and elephants and are extremely likely to see buffaloes. You may or may not spot a leopard, depending on your luck and there are no rhinos here. 

Other Highlights of Tarangire Safaris in Tanzania

Of the wildlife parks on the popular Northern Tanzania Safari Circuit, Tarangire is the least-visited and most under-explored. The southern part of the national park offers a less crowded Tanzania safari experience during busy times and still has a wild feel to it. 

• Affordable Tarangire Safaris in Tanzania

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Best Tanzania Safari Parks to See Africa's Big 5 - In Summary

Ngorongoro Crater takes first prize overall as the best Tanzania safari park to see all five of Africa's Big 5 animals. You are most likely to spot all five of these iconic safari animals here, although leopards are not seen often. The main reason Ngorongoro Crater comes out tops is that black rhinos are commonly sighted. Whereas rhinos are absent from most of the other Tanzania wildlife parks, or rare and seldomly seen.

Leopard, Serengeti safari in Tanzania by Ganesh Raghunathan

Second place goes to Serengeti Park. Here you can see rhinos and you are far more likely to see leopards if you visit the central Seronera Valley area. So, you're chances of seeing all five, or four out of five, are pretty high.

Ruaha and Tarangire are the best Tanzania parks for seeing elephants, whilst Nyerere Park comes in last (with only occasional elephant sightings). Nyerere (Selous) is however one of the best Tanzania safari destinations for seeing large herds of buffaloes. But, you can see buffaloes in all 6 of these Tanzania parks. Lake Manyara Park is a good all-around choice for seeing the Big 5, except for rhinos, and offers excellent elephant sightings as well as the novelty of seeing tree-climbing lions.

For the best Tanzania safaris to see leopards go to Serengeti (central), Tarangire, Ruaha, and then Ngorongoro Crater.

Find out more in...

• How to Spot a Leopard on Safari in Africa
• The Best Places to See Lions in Africa, in the wild
• 11 Best Places to See Elephants in Africa
• The Big 5 of Africa & where to see these safari animals

Big 5 Tanzania Safaris

The best way to increase your chances of seeing all of Africa's Big Five is to visit both Serengeti Park and Ngorongoro Crater on your Tanzania Safari. Luckily, these two wildlife parks are close to each other and often combined on guided safaris.

Serengeti lions, Tanzania safari

In fact, many of the private and group safaris in Tanzania visit several of the best parks to see Africa's Big 5. Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater, Lake Manyara, and Tarangire are the most frequently combined Tanzania safari parks. They are all located on the Northern Tanzania Safari Circuit which makes them easy to combine on one affordable Tanzania Safari. It is, however, worth noting that the high season for safaris in this part of Tanzania can get very busy and the prices go up too.

• Compare budget safaris to the Northern Tanzania Safari Circuit

To avoid the crowds, some safari goers prefer to head to the more wild and remote wildlife parks of the Southern Tanzania Safari Circuit (including Ruaha and Nyerere/Selous).

• See our affordable Southern Tanzania Safaris or browse all of our Budget Tanzania Safaris

For help planning your Big 5 Tanzania Safari or the ultimate Big 5 African Safari on a budget, talk to one of our friendly travel advisors. Whether you are looking for a private Tanzania Safari or an affordable camping safari, they are happy to help.

Our safari travel consultants know the ropes and have been on safaris across the continent. Plus, their help is free. So, get in touch.