discover
tanzania
The Soul of Africa
Tanzania is a country of breathtaking contrasts, where nature’s raw beauty meets deep cultural heritage. The legendary Great Migration sweeps across the Serengeti, while traditional dhows glide over the turquoise waters of the Indian Ocean. But beyond these iconic scenes lies a world of hidden treasures: chimpanzee trekking in the remote Mahale Mountains, walking safaris in untouched wilderness and secluded island escapes. With a reputation for safety, stability and warm hospitality, Tanzania offers an unparalleled safari experience. Whether it’s your first visit or your fifth, this land of vast landscapes and extraordinary wildlife invites you to explore, connect and be inspired.
Tanzania has dedicated nearly 40% of its land to wildlife conservation.
Despite having over 120 ethnic groups, Tanzania maintains remarkable peace and unity.
Tanzanite, a striking blue gemstone, is found only in one place on Earth: the foothills of Mount Kilimanjaro.
The world’s oldest human footprints (3.6 million years) were discovered at Laetoli.
Tanzania houses Africa’s highest peak, Mount Kilimanjaro, and lowest point, the floor of Lake Tanganyika.
tanzania’s national parks
Where the wild roams free and your senses come alive
A Tanzanian safari is more than just the Serengeti. The Great Migration and Ngorongoro Crater are spectacular, but the adventure doesn’t end there. Tanzania has 22 national parks managed by the Tanzania National Parks Authority (TANAPA)! Venture south to Ruaha and Nyerere National Parks for vast, untamed wilderness teeming with lions, elephants and wild dogs. Or head west to Katavi and Gombe, where you can track chimpanzees and experience true solitude. These lesser-known parks offer thrilling wildlife encounters with fewer visitors, perfect for those seeking a more intimate experience. Whether it’s your first or second safari, Tanzania always has more to discover.
Discover the wonders of each park – click on the names below to explore!
The Northern Zone
Arusha national park
Where Mountains, Lakes and Wildlife Meet
Arusha National Park is a small yet incredibly diverse park located just outside the safari capital of Arusha. Dominated by the stunning Mount Meru, the park features lush rainforests, sparkling lakes, and open savannahs, all packed into a compact area. The Momella Lakes attract thousands of flamingos, while the forests are home to blue monkeys, colobus monkeys, and even elusive leopards. The park is also a fantastic destination for walking safaris, where visitors can explore giraffes, buffaloes and warthogs up close!
The park is named after the Wa-Arusha people, a subgroup of the Maasai who have long inhabited the region. Unlike many Tanzanian parks, Arusha offers the unique experience of canoeing safaris on Momella Lakes, providing an entirely different perspective of its wildlife. With fewer crowds and stunning landscapes, it’s a perfect introduction to Tanzania’s wild beauty.
Mount kilimanjaro national park
The Roof of Africa
Kilimanjaro National Park is home to the legendary Mount Kilimanjaro, Africa’s tallest mountain and the world’s highest free-standing peak. This UNESCO World Heritage Site attracts adventurers from around the globe, eager to conquer its 5,895-meter (19,341-foot) summit. The mountain’s distinct ecological zones range from lush rainforest at its base to an arctic desert at the top, offering hikers breathtaking scenery along the way.
The name “Kilimanjaro” has debated origins, possibly from a combination of Swahili and Chagga words meaning “mountain of greatness” or “impossible journey.” While the main attraction is trekking to the summit, the park is also home to elephants, buffaloes and colobus monkeys, which can be spotted on lower-altitude forest walks.
Lake Manyara national park
A Jewel of Flamingos and Tree-Climbing Lions
Nestled between the Great Rift Valley escarpment and Lake Manyara, this stunning park is famous for its dazzling birdlife and unique tree-climbing lions. The alkaline lake attracts thousands of flamingos, pelicans and storks, creating a pink-hued spectacle against the blue waters. Beyond the lake, woodlands and grassy floodplains provide a home to elephants, giraffes, zebras and baboons.
The name “Manyara” comes from the Maasai word emanyara, referring to a type of euphorbia plant used in traditional livestock enclosures. Visitors can explore the park via game drives, canoeing (seasonally), and even treetop walkways that offer a bird’s-eye view of the lush landscape.
Mkomazi National Park
Home of the Black Rhino
Mkomazi National Park, located in northern Tanzania near the Kenyan border, is a semi-arid wilderness known for its striking landscapes and conservation success. The park plays a crucial role in the protection of endangered black rhinos and wild dogs, both of which have been reintroduced here. Its open savannahs, baobab-dotted plains, and volcanic outcrops create a dramatic backdrop for game viewing.
The name “Mkomazi” comes from the Pare language, meaning “a scoop of water,” highlighting the scarcity of permanent water sources in the park. Despite its arid nature, Mkomazi supports giraffes, zebras, elands and cheetahs, and offers fantastic opportunities for walking safaris and birdwatching.
Serengeti national park
The Stage of the Great Migration
Serengeti National Park is one of the most famous wildlife reserves in the world, best known for the awe-inspiring Great Migration, where over 1.5 million wildebeest, zebras and gazelles traverse its vast plains. Covering nearly 15,000 square kilometres, the park is home to an incredible concentration of predators, including lions, leopards and cheetahs. Its golden grasslands, acacia-dotted savannahs and rocky outcrops (kopjes) create a breathtakingly beautiful landscape.
The name “Serengeti” comes from the Maasai word siringet, meaning “endless plains.” Beyond game drives, visitors can experience hot air balloon safaris at sunrise, walking safaris and cultural visits to Maasai communities, making the Serengeti a truly immersive adventure.
Tarangire national park
Land of Giants and Ancient Baobabs
Tarangire National Park is a hidden gem of northern Tanzania, famous for its towering baobab trees and massive elephant herds, which gather in large numbers along the Tarangire River during the dry season. The park is also home to diverse wildlife, including lions, leopards, buffaloes, zebras and rare antelope species like the fringe-eared oryx and gerenuk.
Named after the Tarangire River, which sustains its wildlife, the park offers a more secluded safari experience compared to the busier Serengeti and Ngorongoro. Visitors can enjoy night drives, walking safaris and cultural visits to local Maasai and Barabaig communities.
Ngorongoro Conservation Area (NCAA)
Africa’s Eden in a Volcanic Crater
The Ngorongoro Conservation Area is a UNESCO-listed site, home to the famous Ngorongoro Crater, a collapsed volcano that forms a natural enclosure for an astonishing concentration of wildlife. Here, visitors can see the Big Five – lion, elephant, buffalo, leopard and rhino – against the backdrop of lush grasslands and acacia forests. The crater also supports hippos, flamingos and cheetahs in an ecosystem that has remained virtually unchanged for thousands of years.
The name “Ngorongoro” is derived from the sound ngoro ngoro, believed to mimic the ringing bells of Maasai cattle grazing in the crater. The conservation area also includes Olduvai Gorge, one of the most significant archaeological sites for human evolution.
The eastern Zone
Saadani National Park
Where the Bush Meets the Beach
Saadani National Park is Tanzania’s only coastal wildlife park, where elephants, lions and giraffes roam just a short distance from the Indian Ocean. This unique location allows visitors to enjoy classic game drives in the savannah while also relaxing on palm-fringed beaches or taking boat safaris on the Wami River.
The park is named after the historic Swahili trading town of Saadani, which lies within its borders. It’s one of the few places in the world where you can see wildlife tracks in the sand while enjoying the ocean breeze, creating a truly one-of-a-kind safari experience.
The southern Zone
Kitulo national park
The Garden of God
Kitulo National Park, perched high on the Kitulo Plateau, is a floral paradise renowned for its vibrant wildflower blooms. Dubbed “The Garden of God” by locals, the park bursts into a stunning display of orchids, lilies and rare alpine flowers between November and April. Unlike most Tanzanian parks, Kitulo is better known for its botanical wonders than its large mammals, though it is home to elands, reedbucks and various primates.
The park’s name comes from the Kitulo Plateau, an elevated grassland region in the southern highlands. Visitors can enjoy hiking through its rolling meadows, birdwatching for endemic species and soaking in the peaceful atmosphere of this lesser-known gem.
Mikumi national park
The Little Serengeti of the South
Mikumi National Park is often compared to the Serengeti due to its vast open plains teeming with wildlife, including elephants, lions, zebras and giraffes. Located along the main highway between Dar es Salaam and the southern parks, it offers one of the most accessible safari experiences in Tanzania. The park is also known for its impressive baobab trees and the hippo-filled Mkata River.
The name “Mikumi” is believed to come from a local Swahili word for a type of palm tree found in the area. Visitors can explore the park via game drives, spot rare African wild dogs and enjoy spectacular birdwatching with over 400 species recorded.
ruaha national park
Tanzania’s Best-Kept Safari Secret
Ruaha National Park is the largest national park in Tanzania, covering over 20,000 square kilometres of rugged wilderness. It is a haven for predators, boasting the country’s largest lion population and significant numbers of leopards, cheetahs and hyenas. The park is also home to vast elephant herds, crocodiles in the Great Ruaha River and rare antelope species like the sable and roan antelope.
The name “Ruaha” comes from the Hehe word Luhava, meaning “great river,” referring to the life-giving Ruaha River that sustains the park’s wildlife. Its remote location ensures fewer visitors, making it an ideal destination for those seeking a raw and intimate safari experience.
Udzungwa Mountains national park
The Eastern Arc’s Pristine Rainforest
Udzungwa Mountains National Park is a biodiversity hotspot, often called the “Galápagos of Africa” due to its high number of endemic plant and animal species. This lush rainforest is home to rare primates like the Sanje mangabey and Udzungwa red colobus monkey, as well as spectacular waterfalls such as the 170-metre-high Sanje Falls.
The park is named after the Wasungwa people, an indigenous group from the area. Unlike traditional safari destinations, Udzungwa is best explored on foot, with excellent hiking trails that lead to breathtaking viewpoints and hidden waterfalls deep in the forest.
Nyerere national park
Africa’s Largest Game Reserve, Untamed and Wild
Nyerere National Park is one of Africa’s largest protected areas, covering over 30,000 square kilometers of diverse landscapes, from vast savannahs to winding waterways. Once part of the Selous Game Reserve, it is now named after Julius Nyerere, Tanzania’s first president and a champion of conservation. The Rufiji River, the park’s lifeline, provides incredible boat safari opportunities, where visitors can see hippos, crocodiles and a rich variety of birdlife.
This park boasts high densities of lions, elephants and endangered African wild dogs. With fewer visitors than northern parks, Nyerere National Park offers a truly off-the-beaten-path safari experience with walking safaris, game drives and boat trips.
The western Zone
Gombe national park
Walk in Jane Goodall’s Footsteps
Gombe National Park is world-famous for being the site of Dr. Jane Goodall’s groundbreaking chimpanzee research, which began in 1960. This small but beautiful park, located on the shores of Lake Tanganyika, is one of the best places in the world to see wild chimpanzees up close. The park’s dense forests also harbour red-tailed monkeys, olive baboons, and a stunning variety of birds.
The name “Gombe” comes from a local term for the forested hills in the region. Visitors can trek through the jungle to observe chimpanzee families, swim in the crystal-clear lake and take boat safaris along the shore.
Katavi national park
The Last True Wilderness
Katavi National Park is one of Tanzania’s most remote and untouched safari destinations, offering an authentic wilderness experience far from the crowds. The park is known for its dramatic dry-season gatherings, where thousands of buffalo, elephants and hippos congregate around the shrinking waterholes, attracting large numbers of lions and crocodiles.
The park is named after Katabi, a legendary spirit believed to reside in a sacred tamarind tree within the park. With its vast floodplains, thick woodlands and seasonal lakes, Katavi offers some of the most spectacular wildlife encounters in Africa, making it a paradise for adventurous travellers.
mahale Mountains national park
Where Chimpanzees Roam Free
Mahale Mountains National Park is one of the most magical destinations in Tanzania, where dense jungles meet the white beaches of Lake Tanganyika. Home to one of Africa’s largest wild chimpanzee populations, Mahale offers unforgettable trekking experiences where visitors can observe these primates in their natural habitat. The park also boasts leopards, bushbucks and stunning birdlife.
The park is named after the Mahale Mountains, which were historically inhabited by the Holoholo people before being designated a protected area. With no roads and only boat access, Mahale is a true wilderness escape, offering a blend of adventure, relaxation and wildlife encounters.
The islands
Mafia Island Marine Park
A Diver’s Paradise in the Indian Ocean
Mafia Island is an unspoiled tropical paradise, famous for its rich marine biodiversity and world-class diving. The Mafia Island Marine Park protects coral reefs teeming with colourful fish, sea turtles and whale sharks, making it a dream destination for snorkelers and divers.
The name “Mafia” may come from the Arabic morfiyeh (meaning “archipelago”) or the Swahili mahali pa afya (meaning “a healthy dwelling place”). With its laid-back charm, traditional fishing villages and incredible underwater world, Mafia is a perfect getaway for those seeking tranquility and adventure.
Jozani Chwaka Bay national park
Home of the Red Colobus Monkey
Jozani Chwaka Bay National Park is Zanzibar’s only national park, best known for its population of rare Zanzibar red colobus monkeys. The park’s mangrove forests and salt marshes also provide important habitats for bird species, butterflies and small mammals.
The name “Jozani” comes from a nearby village, while “Chwaka” refers to the adjacent bay. Visitors can explore the park on guided walks, learning about the delicate coastal ecosystem and the conservation efforts that protect its unique wildlife.
Pemba Island
The Green Isle of Spices and Secrets
Pemba Island, often overshadowed by Zanzibar, is a lush and lesser-visited paradise known for its spice farms, white sand beaches and world-class diving sites. The island’s rich Swahili culture and historic ruins add to its mysterious charm.
Its name originates from the Arabic jazīrat al-khadhrāʾ, meaning “the Green Island.” With deep-sea fishing, dhow sailing and underwater adventures, Pemba offers a secluded and magical escape from the modern world.