9 of the Best Places to Visit on Safari in Tanzania

Tanzania is one of the most popular destinations for wildlife safaris in Africa. Home to some of the most diverse, and abundant wildlife in East Africa, Tanzania has a wide range of landscapes and habitats that support this vast array of species. This can make it tricky to choose the best places to visit on safari in Tanzania. From the Serengeti Plains to the lush forests of Gombe Stream National Park, Tanzania has something to offer every traveller, but where should you go?

Whether you’re an avid birdwatcher, a wildlife photographer, or just looking for an immersive African safari experience, Tanzania has some incredible destinations. In this article, African Budget Safaris highlights some of the best places to visit on safaris in Tanzania, and what you can expect to see and experience in each. 

Best Game Parks for Safaris in Tanzania 

Tanzania has 21 National Parks making it one of East Africa’s hottest safari destinations. Top of the list (and the most famous) is the Serengeti National Park, but don’t stop there! Tanzania’s other wildlife parks each offer something special for those who choose to discover them. Here is our (short) list of must-visit places for safaris in Tanzania. 

The Serengeti National Park 

With vast open landscapes, the Serengeti National Park is one of the most famous wildlife destinations in the world. It is also Tanzania’s premier safari destination. Known for its annual wildebeest migration, where millions of wildebeest and zebras cross the plains in search of food and water, the Serengeti is not to be missed. 

While the Great Wildebeest Migration takes place from July to October, the Serengeti is an all-year-round African safari destination. In addition to the thousands of migrating wildebeest and zebras, plenty of these mammals do not migrate. The Serengeti savannah is home to a wide range of wildlife that includes over 450 bird species, elephants, giraffes, eland, topi, gazelles, impala, Roan antelope, buffalo, rhino, aardvarks and pangolins too. Where there are herbivores there are predators, and the Serengeti does not disappoint. The abundance of large game animals means that the Serengeti is one of the best places to see predator action.  Lions, cheetahs, leopards, lynxes, and serval are all in evidence as well as hyenas and wild dogs. 

The main attraction of Serengeti Safaris is the abundance of African wildlife during the Great Migration. Safari activities include game drives, night safari drives, walking safaris, and hot air balloon rides. Watching the herds of wildebeest and zebra moving across the open grasslands from a hot air balloon is an unforgettable experience that many safari enthusiasts budget for. The Serengeti is Tanzania’s premier tourist destination for a good reason, but don’t forget that there is more to these epic African plains than the Great Migration, and the Serengeti, with amazing accommodation options, is an all-year-round safari mecca. 

The Ngorongoro Crater 

Next door to the Serengeti National Park, in northern Tanzania, is the UNESCO-designated Ngorongoro Conservation Area. Ngorongoro is an African safari treasure because of its impressive biodiversity, and other-worldly beauty. The Ngorongoro Crater formed millions of years ago when a series of volcanic eruptions created a mammoth 264km2 (164 sqm) crater that is now home to (reportedly) the highest concentration of mammals in the world.  

The Ngorongoro Conservation Area is part of the greater Serengeti-Mara ecosystem. From December to February, the Ndutu region sees over a million wildebeest gather to feast on the grass plains and to calve. Over 8000 wildebeest are born into the world every day. This spectacle of life is closely accompanied by death as predators and scavengers alike take advantage of the glut of vulnerable food. This is Africa at its miraculous and brutal best. 

While the game viewing in the Ngorongoro Conservation Area and the Ngorongoro Crater is impressive, the area is also known for its peek into our ancient ancestral history. Walk in Olduvai Gorge where Bone fragments of Homo habilis, Paranthropus boisei, Homo erectus, and Homo sapiens have all been found around the gorge, illustrating a history that stretches back over 1.9 million years. Founded by celebrated archaeologist Mark Leakey, you can visit the Olduvai Gorge Museum which offers curious tourists a chance to view some of the area's archaeological treasures which include the much-debated Laetoli footprints.  

Ngorongoro’s other attractions include; picnicking at Ngoitokitok spring, exploring the smaller volcanic craters of Olmoti and Empakaai on foot, visiting the gneiss inselberg of Naseru Rock which protrudes sharply from the plains, bird watching at Lake Natron, and a trip to ‘The Mountain of God’ - Ol Doinyo Lengai. Tanzania safaris to the Ngorongoro Crater are spectacularly rewarding.

Ruaha National Park  

Ruaha National Park is not only one of the largest national parks in Tanzania but also one of the least-visited. Ruaha is a popular destination with African safari enthusiasts returning to Tanzania for a second or third time who are looking for a more secluded safari experience.  

Ruaha National Park is 20,000 km2, but including the surrounding parks, this unfenced area stretches to over 50,000 km2. Home to 10% of Africa’s lions, Ruaha boasts huge elephant herds, leopard, buffalo, rhino, hyenas, jackals, African painted wolves, kudus, various antelope, and 580 bird species including vultures, eagles, and storks.  

Because of Ruaha’s remote location, visitors enjoy a more intimate wildlife experience, with fewer crowds and a real sense of untamed Africa. In addition to its abundant wildlife, Ruaha National Park straddles the transitional area between open grassland and Miombo woodland and is known for its stunning landscapes, rocky outcrops, and huge baobabs.  Visiting Ruaha is truly a magical experience.

Nyerere National Park  

Nyerere National Park, formerly the Selous Game Reserve, is one of Tanzania’s largest wildlife reserves and covers an area of approximately 55,000 square miles. The park is named after the country's first president, Julius Nyerere, and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. 

Home to a diverse range of wildlife species, Nyerere National Park boasts elephants, lions, buffalos, zebras, giraffes, and various species of antelopes and primates. In addition to the more common residents, the park is also an important habitat for the endangered African wild dog. 

Visitors to Nyerere National Park can enjoy a range of activities which include game drives, walking safaris, and boat trips on the Rufiji River, which runs through the park and is home to large populations of hippopotamuses and crocodiles. Nyerere is a birdwatcher's paradise with over 400 species of birds recorded in the area. 

Despite its many attractions, Nyerere National Park is still relatively undiscovered and offers visitors a unique and off-the-beaten-track wildlife safari in Tanzania. Whether you're looking to observe wildlife, learn about the area's culture, or simply get away from it all, Nyerere National Park is well worth a visit. 

Lake Tanganyika 

Lake Tanganyika is the oldest and deepest freshwater lake in Africa, and second only to Lake Baikal in Siberia. The lake is a hotbed of endemism with an estimated 2,000 animal and plant species, about 600 of which are endemic. Surrounded by lush tropical forests, and rolling hills, the lake is known for its stunning scenery, breathtaking vistas, and clear crystal waters.  

Meet Jane Goodall’s Chimpanzees at Gombe Stream National Park 

On the shores of Lake Tanganyika is one of Tanzania’s smallest national parks. With a tiny 14 square miles (35sq km), Gombe Stream National Park is famous as the site of Jane Goodall's chimpanzee research. Gombe is hilly with dense primordial forest, steep valleys, and bubbling streams. In addition to chimpanzees, Gombe is home to, blue monkeys, red colobus monkeys, olive baboons, and vervet monkeys, over 200 species of birds, and a kaleidoscope of butterflies.  

Visitors to Gombe National Park can walk through the jungle to observe the primates in their natural habitat or take part in chimpanzee trekking safaris to get a little closer to our closest relatives. Boat rides on Lake Tanganyika are also a popular activity to explore the area.  

Zanzibar & Stone Town 

The Zanzibar archipelago, off the coast of Tanzania, is a famous Indian Ocean entrepot. Its rich history, well-preserved architecture, and stunning beaches make Zanzibar a must-visit for any safari in Tanzania.

Located on the western edge of Unguja Island in the Zanzibar archipelago, Stone Town is known for its unique style of architecture which is a fusion of African, Arabic, Indian, and European styles. The architecture in Stone Town is characterized by intricately carved wooden doors, tall and narrow openings, decorated balconies and verandas, and the use of coral stone as the main building material. Stone Town’s architecture reflects the diverse cultural influences of the many traders, merchants, and settlers who lived and traded there over the centuries. 

Unsurprisingly, Stone Town is a UNESCO World Heritage site, and its narrow, winding streets, historic buildings, and vibrant bazaars make it a fascinating place to explore. Visitors can tour the city’s museums and historical sites, including the Zanzibar Palace Museum, the House of Wonders, and the Arab Fort.  

Many people however visit Zanzibar, not for its colorful history, but for the stunning beaches. White, powdery sand and warm Indian Ocean waters, Zanzibar has a beach for everyone. Kite surfers should head to Paje Beach, visit Nungwi for dhow tours and sunsets, Pongwe for swimming and snorkelling, or Jambiani, Matemwe, or Pingwe for some chilled-out beach R&R. 

Zanzibar’s rich history, beautiful beaches, and crystal-clear waters make it a great destination for those who want to combine a wildlife safari with a Zanzibar beach holiday. 

Climb Mount Kilimanjaro  

Kilimanjaro is the tallest mountain in Africa. While the most iconic views of Kilimanjaro are in Amboseli across the border in Kenya, those who wish to climb the mountain must visit Tanzania. Located in Northern Tanzania, not far from the Serengeti plains, Ngorongoro Crater, and Tarangire National Park, Kilimanjaro is a mecca for serious hikers from around the world. 

Surrounded by lush forests, rolling hills, and breathtaking vistas, summiting Kilimanjaro is a challenging but rewarding experience. Visitors can choose from a variety of routes to reach the top, which vary in scenery, fitness required, and technical experience. Whether you’re a seasoned climber or a beginner, the Kilimanjaro trek is an unforgettable experience. 

The entire mountain falls under the Mount Kilimanjaro National Park and is affectionately known as Kili. With 5 distinctive climatic zones with their own unique flora and fauna, summitting Kilimanjaro is akin to walking from the equator to the north pole in just a few days. The highest mountain in Africa, the highest freestanding mountain in the world, and its proximity to some of the most sought-after safari destinations in the world, all make visiting Kilimanjaro a must. 

Great Rift Valley Lakes - Flocks of Flamingos  

Both greater and lesser flamingos flock to Tanzania’s Great Rift Valley lakes. In the dry season, these shallow alkaline lakes attract sizeable flocks of flamingos and other water birds that come to feed and breed. Though populations do fluctuate with seasonal changes, there are large aggregations of these bright pink birds in various parts of Tanzania. Lake Natron is believed to be where 75% of the world’s flamingos are born and is a popular flamingo safari destination.  

In addition to Lake Natron, you can visit Lake Manyara, the Ngorongoro Crater, Rubondo Island National Park, Lake Tarangire, the Momella Lakes, Lake Manyara, and Lake Magadi. The Flamingo's distinctive pink colour results from their diet of small algae and crustaceans. Watching the flamingos feed and interact is a magical experience not to be missed. 

Dar es Salaam and Arusha 

Not an obvious choice, Dar es Salaam is the largest city in Tanzania and the country’s commercial capital. Most safaris in Tanzania begin in Dar, and you will likely end up spending time either at the beginning or at the end of your safari vacation. In Dar es Salaam, everyone is always on the move, and it’s a great place to get a sense of Tanzania’s contemporary culture. 

Dar es Salaam is known for its vibrant street life with markets, food stalls, and craft shops. Every traveller should visit the massive, bustling Kariakoo Market for anything you can imagine, and quench your thirst with a freshly cut piece of sugar cane. Learn about Tanzania’s history at the National Museum of Tanzania, and in the afternoon visit the beach to cool down with the locals.   

Spend some time in Arusha before you hit the parks. Scruffy, Arusha is the starting point for the Northern Tanzania Safari Circuit. Arusha’s climate is mild and pleasant, and it’s a good place to walk. Consider a coffee tour or a hike to the Chemka Hot Springs, in the town, the Maasai Market is a great place to pick up gifts and curios. Mt Meru is a smaller, less crowded alternative to Kilimanjaro that offers stunning views from the top. 

The Best Places to Visit on Safari in Tanzania 

You can’t go wrong with a wildlife safari in Tanzania. These are just a few of the incredible options available to you for your Tanzania safari adventure. Whether you choose the more remote southern Tanzania game parks or the legendary parks of the Northern Safari Circuit, you'll experience an unforgettable African safari in Tanzania.

Talk to one of our experienced East Africa safari experts, and start planning your trip today!