Tanzania has some of the most famous wildlife parks in the world. Most safaris start in Arusha and visit the northern circuit: the Serengeti, the Ngorongoro Crater, Tarangire and Lake Manyara. Each park has its own character, so the best route mixes them. Here is our local guide to the best safari parks in Tanzania and what makes each one special.
1. Serengeti National Park
The Serengeti is Tanzania’s most famous park: endless golden plains, huge skies and some of the best big cat viewing in Africa. Lions, leopards and cheetahs live here all year. It is also home to the Great Wildebeest Migration, when more than a million wildebeest and zebras move through the park in search of fresh grass.
- Best for: big cats, the Great Migration, classic safari landscapes
- Best time: all year; June to October for dry-season game viewing, January to March for calving in the south
- How long: at least two nights, as it is a long drive from Arusha
Read our Wildebeest Migration guide and see our Serengeti Migration safari packages.
2. Ngorongoro Crater
The Ngorongoro Crater is a huge volcanic caldera with a floor full of wildlife. Because the animals live inside the crater walls, game viewing is excellent in a single day. It is one of the best places in Tanzania to see the rare black rhino, together with lions, elephants, buffalo, hippos and flamingos.
- Best for: the Big Five in one day, black rhino, spectacular scenery
- Best time: all year
- How long: usually a half-day or full-day game drive on the crater floor
3. Tarangire National Park
Tarangire is famous for its large elephant herds and ancient baobab trees. In the dry season, animals gather along the Tarangire River, making it one of the best parks for wildlife at that time of year. It is less crowded than the Serengeti and only about two to three hours from Arusha, which makes it a perfect first stop.
- Best for: elephants, baobabs, birdlife, a quieter safari
- Best time: June to October, when wildlife gathers at the river
- How long: one full day or a night in or near the park
4. Lake Manyara National Park
Lake Manyara is a small but beautiful park below the Great Rift Valley escarpment. You drive through green groundwater forest to the lake shore, where you may see flamingos, hippos, baboons and many birds. It is also known for its tree-climbing lions, although they are not seen every day.
- Best for: forest scenery, birds, a relaxed half-day game drive
- Best time: all year; the wet season is great for birds
5. Arusha National Park
Close to Arusha town, this park has giraffes, buffalo, colobus monkeys and views of Mount Meru. It is one of the few parks where you can do a walking safari with an armed ranger. It is a great choice for a day trip, or for your first or last day in Tanzania.
Beyond the national parks
- Lake Eyasi: spend a morning with the Hadzabe, one of Africa’s last hunter-gatherer communities.
- Lake Natron: flamingos, waterfalls and the Ol Doinyo Lengai volcano, on the way to the northern Serengeti.
- Southern Tanzania: Ruaha and Nyerere (Selous) are wild and remote parks, best for second-time visitors with more time.
Which parks should I combine?
For most first safaris we recommend Tarangire, the Serengeti and the Ngorongoro Crater. Together they give you elephants, big cats, the Big Five and very different landscapes. Read how many days you need for a Tanzania safari, then compare our 4-day Big Five safari and our 7-day Tanzania Safari Odyssey.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best national park in Tanzania?
The Serengeti is the most famous and the best for big cats and the Great Migration. The Ngorongoro Crater is the best place to see the Big Five in one day. Most guests visit both.
Which park is best for a short safari?
Tarangire and the Ngorongoro Crater are both close enough to Arusha for a 2-day safari and offer excellent wildlife.
Ready to choose your parks? Browse all our Tanzania safari packages or get a free tailor-made quote from our team in Arusha.
