There are many reasons to visit Tanzania, but the one that attracts almost every other tourist is the National Parks in this beautifully diverse country. These National Parks are included as part of every Tanzania safari package and every Tanzania safari tour, given their popularity.

During a trip to the Tanzanian National Parks, tourists may come across something as mesmerizing as the wildlife itself in the form of the Masaai tribe that lives and thrives in the areas surrounding these national parks. These Masaai locals are mostly seen by tourists while putting on a dance and wearing their ‘lubegas’. These locals rarely also act as tour guides for the national parks in Tanzania.

In a typical safari in Tanzania, the tourists are introduced to national parks like Serengeti National Park in Tanzania, Ngorongoro Conservation Area, Tarangire National Park, to put it in order.

Serengeti National Park

This national park was named ‘Siringet’ in the local tongue which directly translates to ‘endless plains’. This is a perfect way to describe this world-renowned national park in Tanzania, comprising some of the largest carnivore species in the world. A major attraction that makes tourists choose this national park as their first visiting location in Tanzania without hesitation, is the mesmerizing spectacle of watching wildebeests and zebras thrive and run along in their natural habitat. This national park is also the home to the Big Five, which includes the five nationally recognized animal species that constitute the pride of Africa. The migration of wildebeests and zebras during the major seasons makes up for one unforgettable experience when witnessed in real life.

For most tourists exploring the national parks in Tanzania, Africa, the Serengeti National Park acts as the perfect starting point, given its mesmerizing sunsets and the lush landscapes that run for miles and miles!

Arusha National Park

Despite only covering a small area, it fits a large amount of tourist-loved attractions within its short boundaries. It includes some of the most mesmerizing Tanzania attractions, such as:

• Mount Meru forest
• Ngurdoto Crater
• 7 Momella lakes

It is also well-known for showing off a wide variety of versatile animal species such as the black and white Colobus monkeys that are found in large numbers in the Arusha National Park. You can even attempt to climb Mount Meru, the second tallest mountain in Tanzania!

Gombe National Park

When talking about Tanzania safari tours, one cannot gloss over the Gombe National Park in Tanzania, which stands as a living testament to the primal beauty of Africa. It holds one of the most endangered primate species on the planet; the chimpanzees. The high concentration of these primates in this national park is impressive, given it is the smallest national park within the Western Circuit.

It was one of the beloved spots of primatologist Jane Goodall, who spent a large portion of her life witnessing and studying the mesmerizing primates that this national park houses.

Ngorongoro Conservation Area

Yet another common national park that is included in most Tanzania safari packages is the much renowned Ngorongoro Conservation Area. Housing the humongous volcanic crater known as the Ngorongoro Crater, it holds an interesting story behind its attractions. The story goes that the Ngorongoro Mountains were the tallest ancient mountains in Africa and even reached higher than Kilimanajro itself, before erupting and collapsing completely. The Ngorongoro Crater is one of the larger proofs of the volcanic catastrophe that happened and stands as one of the most beloved Heritage sites in the world. It also houses the Big Five and proves to be an excellent water source for migrating species.

Tarangire National Park

This park, with its high concentration of elephant and bird species, houses the Tarangire River, after which it gets its name. This national park is renowned for being one of the only national parks that houses up to 500 species of birds along its lush green and brown landscapes and it’s cool, drizzling waterways. These bird species are also entirely endemic to Tanzania, which further showcases the beauty of wildlife and vegetation all across this gorgeous country. The Tarangire river is said to be the ‘heart’ of this national park since the large herds of elephants that roam around in the Tarangire national park, find solace and let themselves relax along the shores of the Tarangire River that runs throughout this majestic location, broadcasting its heritage to the world.

Kilimanjaro National Park

No safari in Tanzania is complete without a visit to the Kilimanjaro national park. This beautiful park stretches from the base of Mount Kilimanjaro, hence the name. It houses the highest standing mountain in Africa, and with all due pride, since it is one of the most prominent national parks in all of Tanzania. During dry seasons, the mountain is seen completely covered in snow and transitioning to low temperatures. It includes every species that can be found separately in the different national parks that surround it, including the black and white colobus monkeys, white-necked ravens, elephants, blue monkeys, etc. These immaculate and beautiful specimens of nature are housed carefully inside the forests that surround the mountain, and it is made sure they find complete comfort in their natural habitats and are not hindered by human presence.

Conclusion

Any tourist with a knack for adventure and exploration would never sacrifice the opportunity to be amongst the rarest and most majestic creatures and vegetation found on our beautiful planet. This is why the national parks mentioned on this list are more than worth the visit if you are a traveler. These parks are not containment facilities for animals but have transcended to the status of more than a place; they have reformed into an experience where humans are taken back to the same place where they started. They are set onto square one and given a special chance to interact and thank the nature that birthed them. And what better way to explore and witness the true greatness of the natural world than to visit these great national parks listed above!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQS)

Q1. Which of these parks offers transportational provisions?

Ans. Most tour packages come with transportational services included in their program. These transportational services can be availed at Dar es Salam or Arusha. Alternatively, if you’d like to, you can also go by private taxis or use public transport to get to your preferred national park.

Q2. Do these parks charge a fee for entry?

Ans. Yes, these national parks do charge entry fees which go into the maintenance and upkeep of the parks as well as the compensation for the park’s workers.