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Tanzania national parks and game reserves are home to an amazing diversity of wildlife, making for incomparable Africa game watching safaris. Among these game reserves, the five parks below stand out as the best of the best.

Ruaha National Park

Ruaha national park occupies 12,950 sq km, making it the second largest national park in Tanzania. Located 128 km from Iringa, this park is named after the great Ruaha river, which attracts many thirsty animals to its banks, among them lions, leopards, hyenas, water bucks, and reed bucks. The river also hosts several hippos and crocodiles. Other animals found in Ruaha include zebras, wild dogs, giraffes, lesser and greater kudu, impala, and several antelope species. Ruaha national park is unique in that it combines Southern Africa and Eastern Africa flora and fauna.

Ruaha’s topography is ideal for hiking and walking safaris. In the rainy season between March to April and October to November, the bird population peaks to a high of over 350 bird species – including some Eurasian migrants. Ruaha’s climate is hot and dry, with temperatures reaching 40 degrees Celsius in October. The Ruaha is was until recently totally inaccessible, but there is now a year round road access to the park. From Dar es Salaam, road travel takes 10 hours while a charter flight takes 1 and and half hours. The best time for a safari is over the dry season- May to December.

Lake Manyara National Park

The Lake Manyara National Park is without doubt the best destination for birdwatching in Tanzania due to its unrivaled birdlife. The waterfowl and several migratory birds are some of the bird species found here. Lake Manyara national park is also one of the greatest places for viewing leopards atop the lush green vegetation. Tree-climbing lions are also common in parts of the park. The National Park is located between Lake Manyara and the walls of the great Rift Valley, which rise up to 610 meters above.

The periods between December and February and between August and September constitute the best times for going on safari in Lake Manyara national park. However, it is still possible to see animals throughout the year. Most parts of the park are easily accessible, making it possible for you to see all its major attractions in two hours. Lake Manyara National park has three habitats: groundwater green forests, acacia woodlands, and open floodplains.

Tarangire National Park

Named after the Tarangire River, Tarangire National Park is also part of the northern tourism circuit. The park area is approximately 2,600 sq km and has a high concentration of wildlife during the dry seasons as well as a high number of elephants. With over 570 bird species, the place is surely a birdwatchers’ paradise.

The best time to go on safari in Tarangire national park is in the dry months from June to September. The dry weather at that time force many animals to congregate at the river to drink water. There is also less vegetation cover at this time, giving you great animal spotting chances. You also stand a better chance of seeing pythons at Tarangire than in any other places, particularly because Tarangire pythons have love climbing trees.

Ngorongoro Conservation Area

Located towards the north of Tanzania on an area of over 7,000 square miles the Ngorongoro conservation area was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site in’79. The park joins up with the Serengeti to the north-west and it is through here that wildebeest horde through during their world famous migration from the Masai Mara to Serengeti, then to Ngorongoro.

At the center of this conservation area lies the 264 sq km Ngorongoro crater, whose floor is inhabited by a great array of wildlife. Since the crater provides one of the greatest and very satisfying game watching experience, it is not a big surprise that it remains one of the most popular Tanzania destination for wildlife safaris.

Great herds of gazelle, antelope and zebra can be seen grazing along the river beds as well as large herds of elephants moving from one corner of the park to the other. It is also possible to see prides of lions sleeping lazily under the shady trees or at least hear a lion’s roar echoing off the walls of the crater. This is an exciting, though at times, shocking experience. Birdwatchers will also enjoy visiting Ngorongoro. Lake Ndutu in the area is home to a thriving population of birds. Some of the bird species you will see here include stocks, ducks and flamingos among may more.

Serengeti National Park

In the local Masai language, the word “Siringit” means unending plains. Serengeti’s name is derived from this word, describing the national parks open grassy plains. Occupying 12,950 sq km, this national park is part of the same ecosystem with Masai Mara game reserve in Kenya. This vast plain is the home of over 30 large mammal species and about 500 bird species.

The Serengeti hosts the largest and longest overland migration in the world, dubbed the Great Wildebeest Migration. The semi-annual occurrence that is said to be the world’s most spectacular wildlife show is one of the ten natural travel wonders of the world. Others include the Ngorongoro Crater and Victoria Falls.

The great wildebeest migration from Serengeti to the Mara generally takes place between July and August. It is however impossible to correctly predict its timing as it is largely dependent on the rain and pasture availability patterns. The reverse journey of the migration happens around October. About 2 million herbivores participate in the migration, with some of the most interesting moments being when they cross the Mara river in pursuit of greener pastures.

Serengeti is reached by both road and air. The road trip from Arusha, situated some 320km from the park, takes approximately 8 hours. International visitors to Serengeti are served by the Kilimanjaro International Airport in Arusha. From there, the visitors can travel by road to the park or take either scheduled or charter flights to Serengeti airstrips like Kirawira or Seronera.

See great Tanzania vacations packages and also make your reservation for Tanzania hotels in the author’s website.

Looking where to travel in a land of contrast and diversity, excitement and adventure? Tanzania could be just the answer, and it will not disappoint you.

Access this country easily through a network of international flights from the UK, Europe,the Middle East or even many of the neighboring African countries.

Mount Kilimanjaro

It is a country of extremes in its geography and landscape, from the majestic Mount Kilimanjaro, Africa’s highest peak to its lowest at the bed of Lake Tanganyika and to the shores of the Indian Ocean at sea level. Mount Kilimanjaro, with snow at the top, is one of Tanzania’s wonders and many people visit this country just to climb Kilimanjaro.

Wildlife And Game Sanctuaries

Where to travel in Tanzania will invariably include the Game Parks and National Reserves. You can witness the wildebeest migration as it sets off from the Serengeti National Park heading into the Maasai Mara in Kenya.

Other wildlife sanctuaries like Tarangire National Park are several in Tanzania and the choice is wide as to where to visit.

Sandy Beaches and the Islands

Enjoy the deep blue sea, the sandy beaches and the haven of peace under the palm trees on the islands of Zanzibar, Pemba and the other surrounding small islands.

For an unforgettable offer in scuba diving and snorkeling, the Mafia Island Marine Park just south of Zanzibar is a good place to be. The ocean breeze and the palm trees add to its the overall tranquility.

Visit also Zanzibar’s Stone City and sample the rich blend of the historic with the modern as its unique architecture shows.

Thinking about where to travel in Tanzania? Well this country is precisely one of the good reasons why people come to Africa, the options are unlimited and the experience is truly memorable.

The Tanzanian southern circuit is a combination of three heavenly destinations that redefine what an African safari as really about. They are the Udzungwa National Park, Mikumi National Park and the Selous Game Reserve .The Selous game reserve is one of the larges reserves on the African continent. It got its name from Sir Fredrick Selous, a British big game hunter and early conservationist who died in this territory in 1917.

The Selous is graced by a number of rivers like the Rufiji, Ruaha and Kilombero. It also has a large animal population comprised of buffaloes, lions, hyenas, elephants, Crocodiles, roan, waterbuck, zebras, bushbuck and a wide variety of other antelopes. The vegetation found on the rolling plains is Miombo and Mopane bush with dense thickets. There is thick dense bush and trees around riverine regions.

The Selous game reserve has at its disposal open four wheel drive vehicles or one could also choose to have the bush experience the old fashioned way by camping, hiking or foot safaris.

Visitors who opt to indulge in foot safaris or game walks within the reserve are accompanied by an armed park ranger. This is probably the most indigenous way to reconnect with Mother Nature. There are magnificent sight to see like the rolling grass plains, wetlands, swamps and dense forests.

The river Rufiji Delta is an eye striking feature in the reserve. It connects the Ruaha and Rufiji rivers close to the park boundaries and deposits its waters out into the Indian Ocean along the Tanzanian coast. The biggest water catchment resource in this region is the Rufiji River. It is home to a variety of water an bird life, one can explore the deltas by taking an exciting boat ride into the different channels and lakes found in this river system. The water usually is packed with hippos and crocodiles that are usually found on the river banks soaking in the sun warmth. The river also has plenty of storks, ducks and herons.

Flights operate daily from Arusha, Dar es Salaam and Zanzibar with a transfer at an airstrip known as Mtemere. Flights usually take 45 minutes. The distance from Dar es Salaam via Kibiti is 250km and 250km from Morogoro via Uluguru Mountain.

For visitors seeking accommodation they can find it at the Rufiji River Camp. It is well equipped with 20 private tents and is ideally located on the banks of Rufiji River. Each tend has a private verandah that has a commanding view of the river plus a bathroom. The bar & restaurant is the epicenter of the camp. The camp sports a large swimming poll with sun loungers and a library.

Visiting Selous game reserve results to the nagging temptation to visit the other awesome gifts of Mother Nature that are in close proximity, namely: Udzungwa National Park, Mikumi National Park. This make up the Tanzanian Southern circuit that leaves you yearning for more.

Mikumi National Park is well known for its population of elephants, giraffes, buffaloes, zebras, elands, and greater Kudu, wildebeest, roan and sable antelope. Predators include tree-climbing lions, leopards, wild hunting dogs and black-backed jackal. You may also see crocodiles, monitor lizards, yellow baboon and hippos.

Accommodation of travelers to the Mikumi national is offered in the homely Vuma hills tented camp. The bar and restaurant ahs an eye striking view of the rolling plains and is the place to relax. As is the norms with tented camps the menu options are somewhat limited. The meals are finger licking delicious. There is a pool that is just below the restaurant.

The Vuma Hills tented camp is only 2 hours away from Udzungwa Mountains National park where guests could decide to spend the day walking or hiking. Undzungwa is a haven to over 400 bird species hence the perfect getaway for bird watching lovers.

The southern circuit of Tanzania is one safari worth considering.