Newsletter Contact
Lake Manyara

Tanzania Safari Destinations

HomeTanzania Safari Destinations

Every safari destination in this guide, mapped from Lake Manyara across Tanzania’s northern circuit to the wild southern parks, the western forests, the mountains and the Zanzibar coast. Open any park for its full guide, then string several into one route on our Tanzania safari packages page.

01 — The classic route

The northern safari circuit

The highest wildlife density and the easiest road access, which is why most first safaris happen here. Lake Manyara is the anchor and pairs naturally with the other three in a single week.

Anchor park

Lake Manyara National Park

Tree-climbing lions, large elephant herds and flamingos on the soda lake.

Open guide →

Ngorongoro Crater

A collapsed volcano floor with black rhino and year-round game.

Open guide →

Tarangire National Park

Baobabs and the biggest dry-season elephant gatherings in the north.

Open guide →

Serengeti

Open plains and the Great Migration across endless grassland.

Open guide →

02 — For a second trip

Southern and western Tanzania

Quieter, wilder and mostly reached by light aircraft, these parks reward a longer itinerary or a return visit.

Ruaha National Park

Tanzania’s largest park, remote and heavy on big predators.

Open guide →

Nyerere (Selous)

Boat safaris and wild dogs along the wide Rufiji River.

Open guide →

Mikumi National Park

Open, Serengeti-like plains an easy drive from the coast.

Open guide →

Mahale Mountains

Chimpanzee tracking on the forested shore of Lake Tanganyika.

Open guide →

Gombe Stream

The lakeshore forest where chimpanzee research began, reached by boat.

Open guide →

Udzungwa Mountains

Rainforest trails and waterfalls rather than game drives.

Open guide →

Burigi-Chato

Quiet lakeside wilderness in the far northwest, rarely crowded.

Open guide →

03 — Before or after the safari

Mountains and the coast

The two add-ons that bookend most Tanzania trips, one for the summit and one for the sand.

Climb Mount Kilimanjaro

The roof of Africa, often added just before or after a safari.

Open guide →

Zanzibar

The classic beach finish to a Tanzania wildlife trip.

Open guide →

Not sure how to combine them?

Start with the best months to travel, then browse ready-made routes that link these parks into one trip.