National Parks and Reserves Travel Guide

Print our full travel guide to Tanzania
Tanzania travel Forum

National Parks and Reserves
Ngorongoro Crater © Judith Duk
Tanzania boasts some of the world's most famous natural attractions, three of which are national parks in a country that offers outstanding opportunities for viewing wildlife in their natural habitat.

Almost a quarter of the country is protected within a park or reserve, and of these most tourists visit the 'big three' in the north: the plains of the Serengeti, famous for the annual migration of about two million wildebeest; the adjacent Ngorongoro Conservation Area with the magnificent Ngorongoro Crater; and Mt Kilimanjaro National Park, which encompasses Africa's highest mountain. Other attractions, including the massive Selous Game Reserve in the south, can be difficult or expensive to get to, and are less visited as a result.

The word 'safari' had its origins in Tanzania, a Kiswahili word meaning 'journey', and there are unlimited safari options that can be tailor-made by any tour operator, with accommodation ranging from luxury lodges to camping. A journey by vehicle, foot, horseback or hot air balloon into prime game-viewing country is an experience not to be missed. The attractive town of Arusha is the main gateway to the parks and reserves in the north and is the best place from which to arrange a safari.




Attractions

Elephant © Claire Allison

Mt Kilimanjaro National Park

Rising 19,341ft (5,895m) above the African plains, the magnificent solitary peak of Mt Kilimanjaro is the dominant feature of this national park, surrounded by a vast protected area. The lush rainforest on its lower slopes is home to a number of animals including elephant, buffalo,...  see full details



Ngorongoro Crater © Judith Duk

Ngorongoro Conservation Area

Rising above the plains of the Serengeti, the Ngorongoro Conservation Area is a vast protected area that includes the important archaeological site of Olduvai Gorge, and its main attraction Ngorongoro Crater. Once the site of an active volcano, the crater was formed about two...  see full details



Annual migration, Serengeti

Serengeti National Park

Meaning ‘endless plains’ in the Masai language, the Serengeti is Tanzania’s oldest park and one of the world’s best wildlife refuges, continuous with Kenya’s Masai Mara Game Reserve to the north. The open plains are home to an estimated three million large mammals involved...  see full details



Events

A herd of Wildebeest © Winky

Annual Wildebeest Migration

The migration of over a million wildebeest, zebra and gazelle from the plains of the Serengeti to the Masai Mara in Kenya is arguably the most impressive natural event on land. Along the herbivore's journey in search of fresh grazing they are pursued...  see full details


Tanzania travel Forum
Intrepid Travel, one of the world's leading suppliers of small group adventures focused on getting off the beaten track, interacting with the locals and having real life experiences throughout Tanzania.
iExplore designs made-to-order, privately-guided safaris to Tanzania. Come Back Different!
Meet the Masai and climb Mt Kenya. Sleep in tented lodges in lion territory. Build your own Kenya & Tanzania safari.