More travelers are looking to East Africa when planning their vacations. In its 947,300 square kilometers there are paradisiacal beaches, lakes, volcanoes, mountains including Kilimanjaro, the highest on the continent, cities and natural parks.
These natural parks hide within them different ecosystems and a rich wildlife that you can discover through safaris, guided tours, hot air balloon flights and many more activities. Today we show you five Tanzania national parks that you should consider on your next trip.
1. Tarangire National Park
The Tarangire National Park is named after the Tarangire River, which crosses the park and acts as the main source of water for the animals of the region. In its landscapes, a rich vegetation stands out dominated by baobabs and acacias, which extends through its different valleys, plains and swamps. Established in 1970, the park welcomes a migration every year where wildebeest and zebras are the main protagonists.
2. Serengeti National Park
The Serengeti is one of the dreams of any lover of Africa and wildlife . Its name is inspired by a Maasai word that describes the infinite plains of the park, one of the largest on the continent. Precisely the Maasai already inhabited this region long before the arrival of European explorers and, even today, many of their tribes live here with their traditional way of life.
The most iconic event in the Serengeti is the Great Migration. During this, more than two million mammals cross the park in search of food. Many of the park’s campsites are mobile and will allow you to enjoy this spectacle of nature in the best possible way.
3. Ngorongoro Conservation Zone
The Ngorongoro Conservation Area is a protected area and UNESCO World Heritage Site that is home to nine volcanoes, although only one of them is considered “active”. The biggest attraction here is its crater, the largest volcanic caldera in the world and a veritable cradle of ecosystems, including forests, savannas, lakes, and swamps.
In addition to these landscapes, this area also allows you to contemplate the Big Five and many more animal species.
4. Lake Manyara National Park
Lake Manyara National Park runs in a narrow strip that stretches between Lake Manyara and the Rift Gregory wall. In turn, these territories vary significantly between the wet season and the dry season. The park is famous for harboring diverse habitats within itself and for its rich fauna, among which its tree-climbing lions and its large population of flamingos stand out.
5. Arusha National Park
The Arusha National Park enjoys a privileged location, being close to Arusha, the most important city in the region, Mount Meru, Mount Kilimanjaro and the Ngorongoro Crater. Its small size does not prevent it from hosting a wide variety of beautiful landscapes and rich wildlife, including lions, giraffes, elephants and various species of monkeys.
All these parks are located in Northern Tanzania and it is common to combine several of them when planning your trip to Africa . The best time to go is from June to October , since during these months the sightings of animals are greater and the Great Migration , in the case of the Serengeti, experiences some of its most spectacular moments.
