10 Exciting National Parks In Tanzania That Are Worth Taking A Trip To!

The plentiful national parks in Tanzania have always been a favorite of all the travelers and nature lovers. The African continent is blessed with abundant wildlife, thick forests, huge rivers, and gigantic mountains. It boasts of the Amazon basin, Mount Kilimanjaro, Flamingos, and other rare plants as well as animal species.

Typical to the continent, Tanzania is a country loved for its varied wildlife and the adventures it has to offer. Often tourists visit Tanzania to explore the jungles, live with the local tribal people and relax. In order to take a break from the hectic city life, it is quite essential to reconnect with Mother Earth. These national parks are a wonderful place to get lost in order to find peace and calm.

Tanzania’s Prized National Parks And Reserves

This article discusses Tanzania national park fees, their location, entry timings, and all other important details. For those who are wondering how many national parks in Tanzania are worth a visit, here is a list especially compiled for you:

1. Serengeti National Park

Serengeti National Park in Tanzania is the pride and glory of the country. It is one of the most visited national parks in Tanzania. It always tops the list due to the various ecosystems that it supports. The park is famous for the migration and calving seasons as well. It is also the best spot to see the predatory animals in their natural habitat.

The best way to enjoy a trip to this park is opt for a jeep safari. However, a trip would not be complete without a ride in the hot air balloon. One reason why the park is so famous is the fact that there are a lot of hotels, resorts and guest rooms near it.

Location: Mugumu
Timing: 6 am to 6 pm, open on all days
Entry Fee: INR 4,956 per adult
Best time to visit: June to July, January to February

Must Read: Safari In Tanzania: For An Exquisite Encounter With The Wild Side of Africa!

2. Lake Manyara

This is one of the smallest national parks in Tanzania yet, one of the best. The local tour agencies call it as mini Serengeti National Park. It is known to have one of the biggest elephant populations in all of Tanzania. Major area of the park is Lake Manyara and is crowded with hippos and flamingos during the monsoon season. This park is also the only place where you will find lions and other predatory animals on trees. It is also a hot spot for trekking activities with some tricky tracks and climbs.

The park offers jeep safaris for regular day tours. During monsoons and at night, there are canoe safaris which are very thrilling and a very different experience. If you like being among trees, birds and on boats then you must visit this park.

Location: Lake Manyara
Timing: 6 am to 6 pm, open on all days
Entry Fee: INR 3,710 per adult
Best time to visit: July to October

3. Ngorongoro National Park

Ngorongoro is one of the most frequently visited Tanzania national parks. It is the only place where you can spot the Black Rhino. The Ngorongoro crater made the conservation area inaccessible and thus, this place is the most natural habitat of all the species found here.

You can also visit the nearby Maasai villages to experience the local traditions closely. One reason why this park must be on your list is that it offers year round viewing of all animal species.

Location: Arusha region
Timing: 6 am to 6 pm, open on all days
Entry Fee: INR 4,956 per adult
Best time to visit: June to September

4. Tarangire National Park

Of all the Tanzania national parks, Tarangire is known for its serene beauty and lush green Baobab trees. It is not very frequently visited and so, if you are looking to escape the crowd then head to this park. You can opt for a jeep safari or go for guided walking tours.

You would not be spotting a lot of animals in this park. The park is for people who want to spend some time relaxing and rejuvenating. A visit to this park surely has the most positive effect on people.

Location: near Lake Manyara
Timing: 6 am to 6 pm, open on all days
Entry Fee: INR 3,710 per adult
Best time to visit: July to October

5. Selous Game Reserve

In case you missed spotting the wildebeest migration in Serengeti National Park then the second best place is Selous. Each year, the area receives thousands of elephants owing to migration.

However, the reserve is not just famous for elephants but also for frequent lion sightings. It is mainly known for its untouched and unaltered beauty. The tall trees and bushes make it a lovely place for safaris and day trips.

Location: Morogoro
Timing: 7 am to 6 pm, open on all days
Entry Fee: INR 6,195 per adult
Best time to visit: June to November

6. Gombe Stream National Park

This may not be the largest national park in Tanzania but it has the largest population of chimpanzees, monkeys etc. The park gained popularity after it became home to Jane Goodall’s research program on the chimps. If you are interested in trekking, sighting different monkey species then you must visit the park. It fetches brownie points for being less crowded as compared to other national parks in Africa and around the world.

Location: Kigoma
Timing: 7 am to 6 pm, open on all days
Entry Fee: INR 8,260 per adult
Best time to visit: July to October

7. Mikumi National Park

Mikumi has often been compared to Serengeti owing to the abundance of wildlife species found here. You can spot some Giraffes, Hippos, Zebras, Lions, Wildebeests, Spotted Hyenas, and Elephants in the park. If you are lucky, you might also spot the Impalas during the dry season.

It is surrounded by wonderful hotels and resorts making it easily accessible. You can either take a jeep safari or guided walking tours.

Location: Morogoro, A-7 Highway
Timing: 7 am to 6 pm, open on all days
Entry Fee: INR 1,400 per adult
Best time to visit: June to October

8. Arusha National Park

Arusha National Park has the best safari experience to offer to all its visitors. For those looking for a quick safari or on a tight budget, Arusha is your best bet! It offers all kinds of safaris around the park – jeep, canoe or guided walking tour.

One thing that makes this park different from others is the rare species of monkeys and birds. Some of these monkeys and birds are so rare that they cannot be seen anywhere except in Arusha National Park. It is a perfect holiday option for exploration enthusiasts and nature lovers.

Location: Mageso Chamber, Arusha
Timings: 6 am to 6 pm, open all days
Entry Fee: INR 3,710 per adult
Best time to visit: June to October

9. Katavi National Park

This park is not a favorite of most tourists but that is why it is on our list. It is in an isolated area that requires a lot of effort to reach. However, the untouched beauty of this park is worth the effort.

You can easily spot hippos, buffaloes, duikers, elephants, lions, sables, wild dogs, leopards, zebras, redbucks and roan antelopes in the park. It has some very unusual and rare species that bask in the bright sun. You can opt for a jeep safari or a guided walking tour in the park. Walking tours, however, are limited to only a few areas.

Location: East of Lake Tanganyika
Timings: 7 am to 6 pm, open all days
Best time to visit: June to October

10. Ruha National Park

It is Tanzania’s largest national park and is known for the spectacular game viewing opportunities it offers. The park has the most breathtaking setting with thick baobab trees, a stunningly clear water river and plenty of wild animals. On good days, you can see lots of wild cats chasing their prey.

In this park you can see black-backed jackal, cheetah, lion, cheetah, spotted hyenas, giraffe, sable, antelope, bushbuck, zebra, impala and hartebeest.

Location: Iringa
Timings: 6 am to 6 pm, open all days
Entry Fee: INR 2,100 per adult
Best time to visit: June to October