The National Parks of Tanzania
Tanzania protects around a third of its land in national parks, game reserves and conservation areas, and it has some of the best wildlife viewing in the world. The northern parks are the most visited and are easy to combine in one trip. The southern and western parks are quieter and wilder.
Tanzania protects around a third of its land in national parks, game reserves and conservation areas, and it has some of the best wildlife viewing in the world. The northern parks are the most visited and are easy to combine in one trip. The southern and western parks are quieter and wilder.
Use this guide to compare the main parks and decide which ones fit your trip.
The northern circuit
Serengeti National Park
The most famous park, with big cats, huge herds and the Great Migration. See our Serengeti safari page.
Ngorongoro Conservation Area
The crater is a natural wildlife arena with an extremely high density of animals, and a good chance of seeing a rhino. See our crater page.
Tarangire National Park
Best for elephants and baobab trees, especially in the dry season.
Lake Manyara National Park
A small park with forest, a lake and tree-climbing lions.
Arusha National Park
A short day trip with giraffes, colobus monkeys and Mount Meru.
The southern and western circuit
Nyerere National Park (Selous)
Boat safaris, walking safaris and large elephant and hippo populations along the Rufiji River.
Ruaha National Park
A large wilderness of baobab trees and lions, with few visitors.
Mikumi National Park
An accessible park near Dar es Salaam, easy to reach from Zanzibar.
Katavi, Mahale and Gombe
Remote western parks for chimpanzees and rare wildlife, reached by air.
Which parks should I choose?
For a first trip, choose the northern circuit and plan on Tarangire, the Serengeti and the Ngorongoro Crater. If you have a second visit, or want fewer people and a wilder feel, add Ruaha or Nyerere. If you are on Zanzibar, Mikumi is the easiest day trip. Our guide to the northern and southern safari circuits compares the two sides in detail.
Park fees and rules
National parks charge daily fees per person and per vehicle, paid in US dollars. Fees differ by park, with the Serengeti and the Ngorongoro Crater being the highest. Fees are set by Tanzania National Parks and the Ngorongoro Conservation Authority and are revised from time to time. All fees are included in our packages.
Choosing between Tarangire, Manyara and Arusha for a short trip
If you have only a day or two, Tarangire is the best choice for big game, Lake Manyara for variety and Arusha National Park for a short, easy outing. All three are within two hours of Arusha, and any of them combines well with the Ngorongoro Crater. We will recommend the best mix for your dates and interests.
Conservation and community
Tanzania’s parks depend on tourism for funding, and fees pay for rangers, roads and conservation. Many camps also support schools, clinics and conservation projects in the villages around the parks. Travelling with a locally owned company and staying in community-minded camps helps these efforts.
Safaris through the main parks
- 5 Day Shared Group Camping Safari (5 Days, from USD 1,250 per person) Five days on the Northern Circuit with public-campsite nights: Tarangire, two nights in the Serengeti, a crater-rim night at Simba, then Ngorongoro Crater befor
- 3 Day Serengeti & Ngorongoro Joining Safari (3 Days, from USD 750 per person) A short joining safari for travellers who want Serengeti and Ngorongoro without a private vehicle. Two nights in the Serengeti, a full day on the plains, then t
- 2 Day Tarangire & Ngorongoro Joining Safari (2 Days, from USD 500 per person) Two days from Arusha for travellers with limited time: a full day in Tarangire, one lodge night, then Ngorongoro Crater before the evening drop-off in town.
- Ngorongoro Day Trip Joining Safari (1 Days, from USD 250 per person) A one day joining safari from Arusha into Ngorongoro Crater. Shared 4x4, professional English-speaking guide, picnic lunch, and evening drop off in town, no ove
- 1 Day Ngorongoro Crater Safari from Arusha (1 Day, from USD 500 per person) A private one-day safari from Arusha into the UNESCO-listed Ngorongoro Crater with a full day game drive and picnic lunch.
- 1 Day Tarangire National Park Short Safari from Arusha (1 Day, from USD 350 per person) A private one-day Tarangire safari from Arusha: elephant herds, ancient baobabs and a picnic lunch inside the park.
Frequently asked questions
How many national parks are there in Tanzania?
Tanzania has more than twenty national parks, along with game reserves and conservation areas.
Which is the best national park in Tanzania?
It depends on what you want. The Serengeti is the most famous, Ngorongoro has the highest density of animals and Tarangire is best for elephants.
Can I visit several parks in one trip?
Yes. The northern circuit parks are close together and are usually combined in 5 to 10 days.
Is the Big Five in Tanzania?
Yes. Lions, leopards, elephants and buffalo are common, and black rhinos live in the Ngorongoro Crater and the Serengeti.
Are the parks open all year?
Yes. Most parks are open year-round, though some tracks may be difficult in the heaviest rain and some lodges close in April and May.