Tanzania is one of the best places to travel for wildlife encounters. You will have the adventure of life if you choose Tanzania as your next holiday destination, especially if you love nature and exotic animals. 10 of the best places to visit in Tanzania for wildlife encounters include:
Serengeti National Park
Serengeti National Park will top any list for wildlife encounters in the world. With over 14,700 square kilometres of vast plains, Serengeti National Park is home to some of the most exciting wildlife you will find. You will encounter various species across various safaris throughout the park, including lions, cheetahs, wildebeest, zebras, hippos, crocodiles, and so on. At Serengeti National Park, you can also witness The Great Migration, a phenomenal movement of nearly 2 million wildebeests, zebras, and other animals.
Ruaha National Park
If you feel that Serengeti National Park is massive, it is nothing compared to the Ruaha National Park. Ruaha National Park spans over 20,000 square kilometres and is the largest national park in Tanzania. The breathtaking park has beautiful woodlands and grasslands, the perfect habitat for elephants. The park is also home to over 2,000 lions, one of the highest concentrations in Africa.
Selous Game Reserve
Selous Game Reserve is within the Ruaha National Park and is stunningly beautiful and untouched. It is nature in its purest form. UNESCO has classified it as a World Heritage Site. You will find over 400 different species of birds at the reserve. The Rufiji River, situated in the game reserve, is home to many crocodiles and hippos.
Tarangire National Park
Tarangire National Park is another great place you can visit if you want to see elephants in their natural habitat. You may even come across a tree-climbing python, a rare snake species, if you are lucky. Apart from these animals, you will also see wildebeests, giraffes, buffalos, and many other exotic animals.
Arusha National Park
Arusha National Park, with the mighty Mount Kilimanjaro in the backdrop, is one of the fascinating national parks in the region. The Arusha National Park has a diverse collection of bird species and you may even encounter giraffes and buffalos. It is also a great place to stop over on various safaris.
Mount Kilimanjaro
Mount Kilimanjaro is the towering beauty you can see from Arusha National Park, along with Mount Meeru. Apart from the magnificence of the mountain itself, Mount Kilimanjaro hosts many wild animals, including the colobus monkey, Aardvark, white-tailed mongoose, and many others.
Ngorongoro Conservation Area
Ngorongoro Conservation Area is a national park within an inactive volcano crater. Once inside the park, you can see the towering crater walls, filled with lush green trees, rising around you. The view will leave you awestruck. Apart from its beauty, the Ngorongoro Conservation Area is also one of the best places to see the Big Five.
Lake Manyara National Park
Lake Manyara is a great place to visit to take in the surrounding beauty of nature. The breathtaking lake is also home to stunning pink flamingos. Lake Manyara is also notable for its tree-climbing lions. In addition, you will also have a great experience of bird watching at this park.
Lake Natron
Considered one of the deadliest lakes in the world, Lake Natron is one of mother nature’s rare gifts you need to see to believe. It is something you will not find or experience anywhere else. The lake has a crimson red colour because of its unique chemical composition. The water can reach temperatures of up to 60 degrees Celsius. Only a select few animals can survive these dire conditions, including the pink flamingo.
Lake Eyasi
Lake Eyasi is another fascinating and unique place to visit during your holiday in Tanzania. You will experience the culture and traditions of the Hadzabe tribe that lives near the lake. Wildlife encounters include flamingos, grey-headed gulls, pied avocet, and many other birds.
Tanzania is a remarkable place to visit for your next holiday adventure. Learn more about the region in our Tanzania Travel Guide.
