Safari In The 22 Tanzanian National Parks
Safari In The 22 Tanzanian National Parks
Tanzania is a paradise for safari lovers that has been blessed with some of the most spectacular and diverse landscapes in Africa. The country boasts of 22 national parks, and whether it is the iconic Serengeti plains or the mystical shores of Lake Tanganyika, each one has a different attraction, rich wildlife and memorable experiences.
A journey in these parks will enable the adventurers to experience the finest African wilderness on a Tanzania safari, including the Great Migration, rare primates, Big Five, and pristine ecosystems. As a first-time visitor or a traveller, a trip to the national parks of Tanzania is a trip of discovery, culture and mind-blowing beauty.
Northern Circuit Parks
The most popular safari route is the northern circuit, which attracts thousands of tourists annually. It has at its core the Serengeti National Park, a world heritage site known as the Great Wildebeest Migration, where millions of wildebeest, zebras and gazelles cross the plains in search of new pastures. Big cats such as lions, cheetahs, and leopards can also be found in the park; this makes it one of the best places to take wildlife photos.
The Ngorongoro Conservation Area is adjacent to the Serengeti and includes the Ngorongoro Crater, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This huge volcanic caldera is home to more than 25,000 large wildlife species, including the endangered black rhino, and pastoralist communities of the Maasai people who still practice their traditional ways of life.
A bit further east, Arusha National Park is more relaxed and has forests, Mount Meru and beautiful lakes. It is perfect for hiking, canoeing and colobus monkey spotting. In the meantime, Lake Manyara National Park is well known due to its tree-climbing lions, pink flamingos and its variety of birdlife on the alkaline lake.
Southern Circuit Parks
The southern parks are not so popular, yet are just as satisfying to the adventurous traveller. The largest park in Tanzania is the Ruaha National Park, which has extensive savannahs with baobab trees and a high population of elephants. It is also among the finest places to observe wild dogs.
Nearby is Nyerere National Park (formerly Selous Game Reserve), a huge wild region full of rivers and wetlands. It is fantastic to do boat safaris in the Rufiji River, where you can see crocodiles and hippos basking in the sun and elephants grazing.
To birdwatchers, Mikumi National Park and Udzungwa Mountains National Park are unique. Mikumi is sometimes described as a mini Serengeti, and Udzungwa is famous for having hiking trails, waterfalls and primates such as the Udzungwa red colobus.
Western Circuit Parks
The western circuit is isolated, wild, and ideal for those who want off-the-beaten-track safaris. Katavi National Park is another secret in Tanzania, as large buffalo and hippo herds can be found in the floodplains. It is an untouched wilderness and is not touristy.
There are other chimpanzee trekking locations in nearby Mahale Mountains National Park and Gombe Stream National Park, which are world-renowned. Mahale is an island of tropical forests, sand beaches, and clear waters of Lake Tanganyika, which provides a home for primates as well as rest. One of the most suitable places to observe chimpanzees in a natural habitat is Gombe, which became known due to the research of Jane Goodall.
Eastern Circuit Parks
The eastern parks in Tanzania present the beauty of the coast and rare habitats. The beach meets the bush is only found in Saadani National Park in East Africa. Tourists are able to experience a safari in the morning and spend the afternoon on the shore of the Indian Ocean.
Mkomazi National Park is a reserve that is close to the Kenyan border and a haven of rare animals such as the black rhino and the African wild dog. It also provides a beautiful scenery of Kilimanjaro mountain and a number of birds.
More Obscure National Parks
In addition to the well-known circuits, there are also smaller, yet equally interesting parks in Tanzania. The botanical paradise of colourful wild flowers and orchids, Kitulo National Park, is also known as the Garden of God. Burigi-Chato National Park is a park along Lake Victoria with fishing, birding, and boating experiences.
Other notable parks are the Rubondo Island National Park, a green Island on Lake Victoria that has chimpanzee conservation initiatives and Kigosi National Park, a wetland sanctuary that is perfect for birds. The relatively recent parks are Rumanyika-Karagwe National Park, Ibanda-Kyerwa National Park and the Ugalla River National Park, which offer pristine wilderness with antelopes, elephants and big cats.
Special Safari Attractions
A tour of the 22 parks of Tanzania implies a variety of safari activities. The most popular are classic game drives, but there are also walking safaris in Selous, hot air ballooning over the Serengeti, chimpanzee trekking in Gombe and mountain hikes in Udzungwa. There are more than 1,000 species of birds, and culture lovers can visit local communities, including the Maasai and Hadzabe hunter-gatherers.
When to Go
The most suitable time to visit the national parks in Tanzania is subject to your interests. The period between June and October is the dry season, and a good time to see wildlife, because it concentrates around water. In the case of the Great Migration, timing depends on which river crossing in the Serengeti or which calving season in Ndutu.
The river crossings usually occur in July through to September, and the calving season is in Ndutu between January and March. Safaris during the wet season (November to May) are characterised by green scenery, fewer tourists and good bird watching.
Travel Tips
To visit all 22 parks might take multiple trips or an elaborate itinerary. Most of the travellers mix the northern circuit parks and have a traditional Tanzania safari, and then proceed to the southern or western circuits to have more exclusive adventures.
When booking with a good tour operator, logistics will be smooth, particularly when travelling to some remote areas such as Katavi or Mahale. One should also bring necessities like insect repellent, binoculars and light clothing during the day and night.
Conclusion
The 22 national parks in Tanzania are a gold mine of natural attractions, including endless plains, dense forests, volcanic craters and unspoilt lakeshores. In every park, there is something different, and no two safari experiences can ever be the same.
Tanzania offers unforgettable experiences, whether you are tempted by the show of the Great Migration, the excitement of chimpanzee tracking, or the peace of a boat safari. No place in the world can offer the traveller a better immersion into the wilderness of Africa than what is on offer in these parks.
