Tanzania • National Parks
Tanzania's national parks& wild places
Endless plains, a wildlife-filled crater, baobab country, flamingo lakes and Africa’s highest mountain — explore the parks we know best and find the right ones for your safari.
Why Tanzania
Some of the greatest wildlife country on Earth
Tanzania protects a remarkable share of its land in national parks, conservation areas and reserves. In the north, the Serengeti, the Ngorongoro Crater, Tarangire and Lake Manyara form one of Africa's classic safari circuits, with Kilimanjaro and Mount Meru rising on the horizon.
Each park has its own character — the Great Migration on the Serengeti plains, the Big Five on the crater floor, Tarangire's elephant herds and baobabs, Manyara's flamingos and tree-climbing lions. Our local team combines them into a safari that suits your time, your budget and the season.
- Parks in this guide
- 6
- Safari circuits
- 1
- National parks in Tanzania
- 22
Where they are
The parks on the map
Tap a pin to see the park and open its full guide.
The parks
Choose your park
Filter by circuit or search by name, then open any park for its habitats, wildlife, weather, map and FAQs.
- Northern CircuitSerengeti National ParkEndless plains, the Great Migration and the Big Five in northern Tanzania.14,750 km²Best: All year roundExplore the park
Northern CircuitNgorongoro CraterThe world's largest intact caldera, with the Big Five and black rhinos on its crater floor.260 km² (crater floor)Best: All year roundExplore the park
Northern CircuitTarangire National ParkHuge elephant herds and ancient baobabs along the Tarangire River.2,850 km²Best: June to October (dry season)Explore the park
Northern CircuitLake Manyara National ParkTree-climbing lions, flamingos and groundwater forests below the Rift Valley escarpment.330 km²Best: All year roundExplore the park
Northern CircuitArusha National ParkWalking and canoe safaris, colobus monkeys and Mount Meru, 40 minutes from Arusha.137 km²Best: All year roundExplore the park
Northern CircuitMount KilimanjaroAfrica's highest peak: seven routes to Uhuru Peak (5,895 m) through five climate zones.5,895m · 19,341 ftBest: January to March & June to OctoberExplore the park
No parks match.
At a glance
Compare the parks
Size, best time to visit and what each park is famous for, side by side.
| Park | Size / height | Best time | Famous for | Circuit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Serengeti National Park | 14,750 km² | All year round | Wildebeest Migration | Northern Circuit |
| Ngorongoro Crater | 260 km² (crater floor) | All year round | High-density wildlife & Big Five sightings | Northern Circuit |
| Tarangire National Park | 2,850 km² | June to October (dry season) | Large elephant herds and giant baobabs | Northern Circuit |
| Lake Manyara National Park | 330 km² | All year round | Tree-climbing lions & flamingos | Northern Circuit |
| Arusha National Park | 137 km² | All year round | Mount Meru & colobus monkeys | Northern Circuit |
| Mount Kilimanjaro | 5,895m · 19,341 ft | January to March & June to October | — | Northern Circuit |
When to go
Best months for each park
Dry-season months are usually best for game viewing; the green season brings fewer visitors, lush scenery and great birding.
| Park | J | F | M | A | M | J | J | A | S | O | N | D |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Serengeti National Park | Dry | Dry | Green | Green | Green | Dry | Dry | Dry | Dry | Dry | Green | Dry |
| Ngorongoro Crater | Dry | Dry | Green | Green | Green | Dry | Dry | Dry | Dry | Dry | Green | Dry |
| Tarangire National Park | Dry | Dry | Green | Green | Green | Dry | Dry | Dry | Dry | Dry | Green | Dry |
| Lake Manyara National Park | Dry | Dry | Green | Green | Green | Dry | Dry | Dry | Dry | Dry | Green | Dry |
| Arusha National Park | Dry | Dry | Green | Green | Green | Dry | Dry | Dry | Dry | Dry | Green | Dry |
| Mount Kilimanjaro | Dry | Dry | Dry | Green | Green | Dry | Dry | Dry | Dry | Dry | Green | Green |
Good to know
National parks questions
How many national parks does Tanzania have?
Tanzania has 22 national parks managed by Tanzania National Parks (TANAPA), plus the Ngorongoro Conservation Area and a number of game reserves. Our safaris focus on the northern parks — Serengeti, Ngorongoro, Tarangire, Lake Manyara, Arusha and Kilimanjaro.
Which park is best for a first safari?
A combination works best: Tarangire or Lake Manyara for a gentle start, the Ngorongoro Crater for the Big Five in a single day, and the Serengeti for the endless plains and the Great Migration.
When is the best time to visit Tanzania’s parks?
The long dry season from June to October is the classic time for game viewing, with a shorter dry spell from mid-December to February. The green season brings lush landscapes, newborn animals, excellent birding and fewer vehicles.
How many days do I need?
Three to four days covers Tarangire, Lake Manyara and the Ngorongoro Crater. Add two to three nights in the Serengeti for a complete Northern Circuit safari of six to eight days.
Can I combine a safari with Kilimanjaro or Zanzibar?
Yes — many of our travellers climb Kilimanjaro first and continue straight into a safari, then finish with a few days on the beaches of Zanzibar. We plan the transfers and accommodation between each part.
Are park fees included in your safaris?
Our safari prices are all-inclusive, so park entry and conservation fees for the itinerary are covered. We confirm exactly what is included in every quote.
Not sure which parks to choose?
Tell us how many days you have, when you’re travelling and what you’d love to see. We’ll suggest the right parks and a realistic route — with no pressure to book.