13 Beautiful National Parks in Tanzania

Located in East Africa, Tanzania is part of the African Great Lakes region and has a vast array of diverse ecosystems. From mighty mountains disappearing into the sky, to thick montane forests and vast savannahs, Tanzania has something for everyone to enjoy. If you’re a nature lover then Tanzania’s national parks are a great place to visit, offering stunning scenery and thrilling animals. So, let’s take a look at the most beautiful national parks in Tanzania!

1. Kilimanjaro National Park

Home to the highest mountain in Africa, Mount Kilimanjaro National Park is often called the Roof of Africa. The stunning mountain stands a massive 19,341 feet high and is covered with snow all year round, making it a challenging climb. However, if you don’t fancy climbing it then there are still plenty of activities for you to enjoy within the park. There are stunning montane forests with dozens of nature trails to explore where you can see rare and endangered plants and animals. Plus, there’s also the Lauwo waterfall and Maundi Crater to see. There’s a variety of accommodations within the national park, including mountain huts and campsites.

2. Serengeti National Park

Just like the Maasai Mara National Park in Kenya, the Serengeti National Park is the place to see one of the most breathtaking annual occurrences — the Great Migration. The Great Migration occurs between July and October and consists of millions of wildebeest, zebra, gazelle, impala, and many others. They all travel from Serengeti to Maasai Mara in a clockwise direction in search of better grazing. Serengeti is one of the best places to view the “Big Five” and is also regarded as having one of the highest concentrations of carnivorous animals in Africa.

3. Udzungwa Mountains National Park

Next, we have the Udzungwa Mountains National Park. This spans 770 square miles and features stunning mountain scenery, tropical rainforests, breathtaking waterfalls, and vast grasslands. It is one of the best places to go birdwatching, with approximately 400 different species. There are also six species of primates, five of which are endemic to the park. These include the Udzungwa red colobus and the Tana River mangabey. There are plenty of hiking routes to explore within the park, as well as places for mountain biking, swimming, and camping.

4. Gombe Stream National Park

If you’re looking for a place where you can truly experience the wilderness then Gombe Stream National Park is the place to be. Despite its small size (13.5 square miles), it features steep valleys and a tropical rainforest. Gombe Stream is located in the Kigoma District on the shores of Lake Tanganyika and is only accessible by boat. Gombe Stream is the place where Dr. Jane Goodall conducted her pioneering study of primates in 1960. Although there is a variety of animals in the park, chimpanzees are the main attraction, followed by baboons and several species of monkeys. Aside from the animals, you can also check out the other attractions which include the Mkenke and Kakombe waterfalls. Also, if you want to explore Lake Tanganyika then you can go fishing, snorkeling, swimming, or kayaking.

5. Lake Manyara National Park

Located between Lake Manyara and the Rift Valley, the Lake Manyara National Park is a diverse area that features more than 350 species of birds, including the thousands of flamingos that grace the shores. Incredibly, the national park is also the place where you can see tree-climbing lions! Although not common lion behavior, the Manyara lions tend to spend their time relaxing in the trees away from the heat of the day. Lake Manyara National Park also features two hot springs, three campsites, and a luxury lodge.

6. Mahale Mountains National Park

Another beautiful national park in Tanzania is the Mahale Mountains National Park which is located near the eastern shore of Lake Tanganyika. Like Gombe Stream, this national park is a protected area for chimpanzees and is home to the largest known population of them. Within the park is also the stunning Mahale Mountains where the highest point can be reached with a five-hour hike.

7. Nyerere National Park

When it comes to wildlife, Nyerere National Park is definitely one of the top places to visit. Spanning a massive 11,928 square miles, Nyerere hosts one of the largest concentrations of animals in the entire world. These include all of the major large animals, plus the endangered African wild dog, crocodiles, birds, and snakes. There’s also the stunning Rufiji River where you can even take a boat trip. The park is highly accessible by both road and air and there are a variety of campsites and lodges available for accommodation.

8. Saadani National Park

One of the most unique and most beautiful national parks in Tanzania is Saadani National Park where the wilderness meets the beach and the Indian Ocean. Saadani covers 410 square miles and provides the opportunity to see animals such as dolphins, humpback whales, green sea turtles, lions, and elephants, to name just a few. It also features stunning coral reefs along the Mafui Sandbank, as well as Zaraninge Forest which is a coastal forest that is home to many endemic plants. There’s also a variety of accommodations available both inside and outside of the park.

9. Tarangire National Park

Located in the Manyara region is the Tarangire National Park where its namesake, the Tarangire River, is one of the most important locations in the entire area. This is because it serves as the primary water source for the animals in the area during the dry season. Between June and November, huge herds of zebra, wildebeest, and buffalo can be seen congregating in the surrounding area. It is also famous for its large population of elephants and excellent birdwatching opportunities. Tarangire National Park spans 1,100 square miles and consists of river valleys, woodlands, and grasslands. There are also plenty of lodges and campsites where you can spend the night after a long day in the bush.

10. Ruaha National Park

One of the largest national parks is Ruaha National Park which spans a massive 7,809 square miles. It is named after the Great Ruaha River which runs through it. Ruaha features rocky hillsides and vast open plains as well as an abundance of animals. Both the greater and lesser kudus can be seen in Ruaha, along with sable and roan antelope. There’s also a large population of lions. Ruaha is also a birdwatcher’s paradise, with more than 500 different species living there, both permanently and temporarily as they migrate. This park is known for its baobab trees which can be found right across the park. Plus, there are stunning architectural and cultural sites, including museums and rock paintings.

11. Mkomazi National Park

Right on the Kenyan border is the Mkomazi National Park which was established as a national park in 2006. It joins the Tsavo West National Park which means that there is a huge swathe of protected land for animals to freely roam. Although there is a diverse range of flora and fauna in the park, one of the most stunning is the powerful black rhino which resides in Mkomazi’s rhino sanctuary. As well as game drives, there are numerous hiking opportunities on the nature trails near Muheza town. There are also guided walking safaris with a park ranger. Mkomazi can be accessed by road or by air and has several campsites and lodges.

12. Mikumi National Park

Another beautiful national park in Tanzania is Mikumi National Park. Mikumi is divided into two areas by the A-7 highway which runs through it, although it still has beautiful scenery all around. The highest point in the park is the south peak of Malundwe Mountain which consists of three peaks on a ridge. There’s a vast array of animals in the park which can be seen on both day and night game drives. However, one of the most popular places within the park is the “hippo holes” which provide a fantastic viewing opportunity of these massive animals.

13. Kitulo National Park

Finally, we have the Kitulo National Park which is located at an elevation of 8,500 feet in the Southern Highlands of Tanzania. It consists of montane forests and montane grassland and also features the Kitulo Plateau. Kitulo has a vast array of plants, including more than 40 species of orchids. Its flowers form one of the most stunning displays in the world and the park is known locally as Bustani ya Mungu which means Garden of God. There are also huge crashing waterfalls, campsites, and picnic areas.

Summary of 13 Beautiful National Parks in Tanzania

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