map of tanzania safari parks

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Tanzania Safari Map – With The 9 Best Parks

Largely based on the ease of access and a choice of accommodation to the parks, you'll find that there is a hearty variety of national parks and game reserves you can explore during a Tanzanian safari. 

I've visited several notable parks in Northern, Southern, and Western Tanzania over the years. Each experience has given me perspective on the importance of wildlife conservation and appreciating the beauty of the untamed East African landscape. 

In this article, I'll give you brief outlines of the most popular national parks for the ultimate Tanzania safari and how to reach them using our dynamic Tanzania Safari Map .

Let's crack on! 

The national parks and game reserves in Tanzania are divided into Northern, Southern and West regions.

As you'll see, our user-friendly Tanzania Safari Map above contains all the national parks in Tanzania , including the popular Serengeti , the more remote Gombe , and the total wilderness paradise that is Katavi .

Now, let's dive further into the Tanzania Safari Map! 

Plan your Safari experience

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Tanzania Safari Map

Time needed for your tanzania safari.

The time needed for a typical Tanzania safari is anywhere from 7 days up to 14 days in total . This should give you enough time to travel, get settled in your accommodation, view unique wildlife species , and enjoy some specialised activities like hot air balloon rides or scuba diving .

Here's a brief outline of how much time you'll approximately need to experience a safari  in each part of Tanzania: 

Which tour? Here are 5 Tanzania safari tours I highly recommend: 

• Mahale Chimpanzee Safari (4 days)
• Budget Serengeti Safari  (5 days)
• Tanzania Camping Adventure (incl. Arusha and Mto wa Mbu) (6 days)
• Scenic Northern Tanzania Safari (7 days)
• Epic Ruaha Adventure Safari (incl. Mikumi and Selous (9 days)

See more  Northern Tanzania safari deals .

Northern And Southern Tanzania Safaris

In the North, you will need about 8 days to visit all the parks, since there are 5 of them and they're relatively close to each other. In the South, you'll ideally go for 8-12 days , as there are 8 national parks in total that you can visit and they're more spread out than the Northern Circuit parks. 

A Western Tanzania Safari

In the West, you'll likely spend 12-14 days  on a Tanzania safari. This is because specialised safaris like tracking chimpanzees in Gombe and Mahale might take more than a day. Plus, the nature there is out of this world, so you might want to enjoy it whilst you are there. As those six national park are in some of the most remote and exclusive locations in East Africa , this type of Tanzania safari will probably be an only once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for you.

Read more on the best time of year for a Tanzania Safari .  

Where to stay? Here are 5 of my favourite safari accommodation options in Tanzania: 

• Serengeti Mawe Camp
• Ngorongoro Crater Serena Lodge (see reviews
• Lake Manyara Kilimamoja Lodge (see reviews)
• Mikumi Faru Tented Camp (Morogoro)
• Africa Safari Selous (near Mtemere main gate and airstrip)

See more Northern Tanzania safari accommodation options .

National Parks in Tanzania

As I said before, there are three regions of Tanzania available to tourists for curating the ultimate safari adventure: the Northern Circuit, the Southern Circuit, and the Wild Wild West. 

Let's talk about each region and their most popular national parks in more detail. 

Northern Circuit Parks

The most notable national parks in the Northern Circuit are Serengeti, Ngorongoro, Tarangire and Lake Manyara. Northern parks are by far the most popular due to Serengeti’s fame and the Wildebeest Migration that takes place there.

These northern parks are also popular in terms of logistics – these parks (Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater ,  Tarangire  and  Lake Manyara ) are very easily accessed from Arusha and Kilimanjaro Airports. The whole journey from those airports to each park might be about 2-3 hours in total.

Southern Circuit Parks

The most notable national parks in the Southern Circuit are Selous Game Reserve and Ruaha National Park . 

Southern parks are far less visited and this is due to the fact that they are harder to reach. To avoid five-hour drives from Dar es Salaam , visitors usually fly directly into these parks.

As you'll see from our Tanzania Safari Map above, flights to these locations take about under an hour but come with heftier price tags. Selous and Ruaha are also connected by flights (roughly 90 minutes each), which makes a trip down south even more invigorating.

Western Parks

The most notable national parks in the Wild Wild West are Mahale Mountains, Gombe Stream, and Katavi. 

Western parks (like Mahale and Gombe) are only visited by about 5% of all travellers for a classic Tanzania Safari. And this is not because chimpanzee tracking available there is lacking in excitement, but because the roads get muddy and accessing these parks is often a challenge on top of the higher price of flying in here. For instance, to reach  Katavi National Park , you have to endure a 4-5 hour flight from Arusha or Dar es Salaam .

However, these challenges are exactly what makes these western Tanzania parks so unique and definitely worth considering.

These distinct safari locations outlined in our Tanzania Safari Map above should give you an idea of the size of this exquisite country. It’s about 1.5 times bigger than the US state of Texas. Says it all in terms of true adventure being hard to find!

And that's a wrap on the Tanzania Safari Map! I hope this article gives you a better idea of all the opportunities available to you for the best and most memorable Tanzanian safari. 

Mark Whitman

Hi, I'm Mark! Welcome to Climb Kilimanjaro Guide - the Web's No.1 Trekking Guide to Mount Kilimanjaro. This site is your one stop shop for everything Kilimanjaro. To date over 5 million people have visited Climb Kilimanjaro Guide, many of which have gone on to summit Kili! I hope you find all the answers you are looking for, but if you have any questions don't hesitate to drop a comment below!

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Maps of the main regions for a Tanzania safari

Two different maps can help you to understand Tanzania:The GOOGLE MAP shows Tanzania's remarkable landscape, spanning 900,000km2 from vast grasslands to its extensive coastline, whilst our REFERENCE MAP clearly outlines the national parks. In northern Tanzania , the remarkable wildlife sanctuary of the Ngorongoro Crater rises beside a huge crack in the earth’s crust, the Rift Valley Escarpment, which splits the landscape and bounds the soda-lakes of Lake Manyara and Lake Natron . Nearby, at Olduvai Gorge , the same geology protects some of the earliest hominin fossils ever discovered. Southern Tanzania ’s two main parks are far apart. The flat Nyerere National Park , dominated by many waterways of the mighty Rufiji River, contrasts with the huge, rolling plateau of Ruaha National Park . More remote still, in western Tanzania , lie the plains of Katavi National Park and the mountainous sloes of the tropical forests in Mahale Mountains , on the shores of Lake Tanganyika. Off Tanzania’s tropical Indian Ocean coastline lie the ‘spice islands’ of Zanzibar and Pemba ; the laid-back Mafia Island , and many tiny satellites, like the private islands of Fanjove , Chumbe and Mnemba .

Reference map of Tanzania - showing the main safari areas & wildlife parks

This REFERENCE MAP shows Tanzania’s main protected areas – the national parks and game reserves – plus a few of the key towns/cities which are of particular relevance to our travellers. See below for links to park maps.

For Reference maps of the keyparks in Tanzania’s “Northern Circuit”, with the key safari lodges shown, see our map of Tarangire , map of Lake Manyara , the map of the Serengeti and the map of Ngorongoro Crater . Similarly, for Reference maps of the main parks in the south and west of Tanzania – see our map of Nyerere National Park (which is better known by its old name, Selous Game Reserve), map of Ruaha National Park , map of Katavi and the map of Mahale Mountains .

Google map of Tanzania’s national parks

This GOOGLE MAP marks Tanzania’s main safari areas, national parks and holiday and safari areas. Mouse-over the orange pins to see their names; click for a little more info; then click the heading in the box to access our full page on that area. For Google maps on the individual parks in Tanzania’s “Northern Circuit”, with the key safari lodges shown, see our map of Tarangire , map of Lake Manyara , the map of the Serengeti and the map of Ngorongoro Crater . Similarly, for Google maps on the main individual parks in the south and west of Tanzania- see our map of Nyerere National Park (which is better known by its old name, Selous Game Reserve), map of Ruaha National Park , map of Katavi and the map of Mahale Mountains .

Our top safaris in Tanzania

Here are 28 great Tanzania safaris to inspire you.

Marabou Stork Fly-in Safari

13 days • 5 locations KILIMANJARO AIRPORT TO DAR ES SALAAM AIRPORT

Four luxurious camps enable exploration of Tanzania’s north and southern regions. With a range of land- and water-based activities available throughout, decidedly comfortable accommodation and applicable long-stay discounts, this adventurous safari is excellent value.

US$16,050 - US$23,210 per person

Flufftail Guided Safari

10 days • 3 locations KILIMANJARO AIRPORT TO KILIMANJARO AIRPORT

Stay in three unique camps as you safari across the Ngorongoro Crater and the iconic Serengeti Plains with your private guide and 4WD vehicle: a trip of comfort and autonomy, with excellent wildlife.

US$11,410 - US$16,860 per person

Firefinch Drive-Fly Safari

9 days • 3 locations KILIMANJARO AIRPORT TO KILIMANJARO AIRPORT

Enjoy a combination of privately guided and shared game drives during this good-value exploration of northern Tanzania. Explore game-dense regions from three comfortable bases which offer a variety of activities.

US$7,440 - US$10,740 per person

Jackal Fly-in Safari

8 days • 2 locations DAR ES SALAAM AIRPORT TO DAR ES SALAAM AIRPORT

Enjoy a range of activities on this luxury fly-in safari. Explore the remoter regions of Ruaha National Park and Nyerere National Park with phenomenal guides during stays at two impressively comfortable camps that remain perfectly in keeping with their surroundings.

US$7,740 - US$9,960 per person

Chimpanzee Fly-in Safari

8 days • 3 locations KILIMANJARO AIRPORT TO KILIMANJARO AIRPORT

Combining two of the remotest parks in Tanzania, this safari can deliver extraordinary wildlife viewing in Katavi, and East Africa's best chimp treks, on the shores of Lake Tanganyika.

US$10,130 - US$14,810 per person

Tinkerbird Fly-in Safari

8 days • 4 locations KILIMANJARO AIRPORT TO KILIMANJARO AIRPORT

Explore Tanzania’s famous northern circuit in Tarangire National Park, the Ngorongoro Conservation Area and the Serengeti National Park. Four smart sister camps offer a high level of care, first-class guiding and a wide range of activities.

US$10,340 - US$15,100 per person

Secretary Bird Fly-in Safari

Chosen for comfort and relaxation as much as for its range of activities, this safari makes for a leisurely trip featuring stunning accommodation and swift access to many of northern Tanzania’s best wildlife regions.

US$12,110 - US$16,740 per person

Jasmine Beach Holiday

8 days • 1 locations DAR ES SALAAM AIRPORT TO DAR ES SALAAM AIRPORT

Relax on Pemba Island’s Manta Resort, a laidback and remote beach retreat with superb views. Enjoy a range of land- and water-based activities, and spend a night in the unique underwater bedroom for a truly special experience.

US$2,710 - US$4,100 per person

Topi Fly-in Safari

7 days • 2 locations DAR ES SALAAM AIRPORT TO DAR ES SALAAM AIRPORT

Explore Nyerere National Park and Ruaha National Park from two luxurious, colonially styled camps. Chosen for their access to good game viewing and thrilling remoteness, these camps also offer a range of varied safari activities.

US$6,540 - US$6,870 per person

Yellow Baboon Fly-In Safari

Two authentic bushcamps offer access to Ruaha’s remote wildernesses through walking safaris, day and night 4WD drives and fly-camping. Explore in almost utter isolation, with superb guiding to heighten your immersion in nature.

US$7,950 - US$9,220 per person

View all holidays in Tanzania

Tanzania fact file

Useful information to help you prepare for your trip in Tanzania

Flights to Tanzania

How to get to and within the country

LGBT travel in Tanzania

Attitudes, the law & our experiences

Privately guided safaris

Safari with a private guide in your own 4WD

The Great Wildebeest Migration

Info to maximise the experience

Tanzania general info

Essential travel information

Tipping in Tanzania

Expectations & guidelines for tipping

Weather & climate

The best time to visit Tanzania

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The Ultimate Tanzania Safari Itinerary

LAST UPDATED: 3/1/24 – The Ultimate Tanzania Safari Itinerary

Ever since Doctor David Livingstone ventured into the interior of Africa in search of the origins of the Nile River, people from around the world have been curious about the animals and landscapes on this beautiful continent.  In many ways, the Tanzania that Livingstone explored has changed a great deal since his time, but in other ways, it is much the same. 

The same incredible animals that he ran into and some of the beautiful landscapes that he traversed can still be enjoyed by visitors. Many of those landscapes are on my Tanzania safari itinerary and are some of the best places in all of Africa to see those incredible animals that Livingstone encountered.

Located in Southeastern Africa, the country of Tanzania is a wildlife traveler’s dream.   It is home to many of Africa’s most amazing animals, has some of the world’s best wildlife viewing destinations, and is home to Africa’s tallest mountain. 

In my Tanzania safari itinerary, I am going to help you start planning your safari trip to Tanzania by outlining some of the country’s top parks, helping you decide what time of year to plan your trip, and showing you what my recommended Tanzania safari itinerary looks like.

Before You Go on Your Tanzania Safari

Planning a trip to Tanzania to go on safari can be an incredibly exciting experience, but it can also be a little stressful and overwhelming if you haven’t been to Africa before. If you are planning your first big safari adventure, let me first tell you how excited I am for you. Going on safari, especially in an amazing country like Tanzania, will be one of the most memorable experiences of your life. It only took one visit to Tanzania to get me hooked, and I am sure the experience will be the same for you.

To make the process of planning your Tanzania safari itinerary easier for you, I have included links to some of my most popular safari guides for you to review below. If this will be your first time visiting Africa, I would strongly suggest you review my article on the 20 Tips for Those Visiting Africa for the First Time.

Even if you have been to Africa before, my Safari Packing Guide will help ensure that you have all of the gear and equipment with you to make sure your safari experience is a safe and memorable one. Finally, my Safari Photography Guide will give you plenty of valuable tips and tricks for photographing the wildlife that you see while on safari in Tanzania. Armed with this information, you can be sure that you will capture top-notch photographs to share with your family and friends.

Choosing Which Parks in Tanzania to Visit

One of the biggest decisions that you will need to make when starting to plan your Tanzania safari itinerary is which of Tanzania’s parks and wildlife areas you will visit during your trip. In this Tanzania safari guide, I include a map of all of Tanzania’s protected areas and my choice of Tanzania’s top national parks to visit.

I also outline each of these parks and discuss what the pros and cons of visiting each park are, what animals you can expect to see when you visit each park, and what time of year it is best to visit each park.

However, as you start to put together your Tanzania safari itinerary, you might have certain animals, landscapes, or events that you want to be sure to see while in Tanzania. For this reason, I have put together this quick reference guide to help you determine which park(s) are best for seeing certain things.

Simply click on the name of the animal or other category below to see which of Tanzania’s parks I would recommend adding to your Tanzania safari itinerary to give yourself the best chance of seeing those animals, landscapes, or events.

Click on the animal or park attribute below to learn more

Several of Tanzania’s national parks consistently have elephants for visitors to spot while on safari. The Ngorongoro Crater is a great spot to see large bull elephants, who migrate to the crater to feed between breeding seasons.

Ruaha National Park is also a great place to spot large groups of elephants while on safari, though your best chance of seeing them in the park is during the dry season when animals are forced to congregate near the remaining watering holes.

If you want to see elephants up close in the wild, then the park you want to make sure you have on your Tanzania safari itinerary is Lake Manyara National Park . The wildlife in the park is more concentrated than in other parks, so up-close animal experiences are more common.

However, the best park to see elephants in Tanzania is undoubtedly Nyerere National Park and the nearby Selous Game Reserve. The park is on the annual elephant migration route and you will find thousands of elephants in the park during their migration.

If spotting lions while on safari in Tanzania is your ultimate goal, then there are plenty of great destinations for you to choose from to accomplish that goal. Except for Gombe Stream, Mahale Mountains, Arusha, and Kilimanjaro National Parks, the rest of the parks that I highlight in this Tanzania safari itinerary offer a lot of great opportunities to spot lions.

As the home to the Great Migration, the Serengeti National Park has some of the highest concentrations of lions in Africa. If you would like a unique lion-viewing experience, I would also suggest checking out Lake Manyara National Park and its famous tree-climbing lions.

However, the best place to visit to be assured of spotting lions while on your safari is the Ngorongoro Crater . With grazing animals in the crater year-round, the lion prides that occupy the crater are typically very easy to find.

As one of the most endangered animals in Africa, the Black Rhino isn’t an easy animal to find while on safari almost anywhere in Africa. Lucky for you, Tanzania is home to one of the best destinations in Africa for viewing Black Rhinos in the wild.

Because it is an enclosed and protected space, the rhinos living in the Ngorongoro Crater are much better protected from poachers than other locations in Tanzania and the rest of Africa. That is why the crater is one of the few places left in Africa where you can view these beautiful creatures in the wild.

For those travelers who have their heart set on seeing wild chimpanzees while on safari, then you will want to be sure to add either Gombe Stream National Park or Mahale Mountains National Park to your Tanzania safari itinerary. Both parks offer incredible wild chimpanzee viewing opportunities but are also much more remote and harder to get to than some of the other parks I highlight in this itinerary.

Gombe Stream was made famous by Jane Goodall, who did most of her chimpanzee research in the park, but Mahale Mountains is my favorite pick for chimpanzee enthusiasts. Not only does it offer some of the best chimpanzee tracking in Tanzania, but there is a greater diversity of other wildlife in Mahale Mountains National Park than there is in Gombe Stream National Park.

While the number of lions and leopards in the infamous Serengeti number is in the thousands, there are only a few hundred cheetahs to be found in the famed park.

There is a chance that you will spot these magnificent predators while on safari in the Serengeti National Park , but you have a far better chance of spotting the speedy cats if you add Ruaha National Park or Tarangire National Park to your Tanzania safari itinerary.

Ruaha National Park is an especially good place to spot cheetahs, despite the large number of other predators, because the park is so large and it is easier for them to stake out territory away from lions and leopards.

If you love giraffes, then you will be delighted to know that most of the top parks in Tanzania offer excellent opportunities to view these beautiful animals. You probably won’t see giraffes when visiting Gombe Streams National Park and Mahale Mountains National Park.

Also, chances are that you won’t spot giraffes inside the Ngorongoro Crater, but you should see them in the surrounding areas of the Ngorongoro Crater Conservation Area. In my opinion, the best parks for spotting wild giraffes are the Serengeti National Park , Lake Manyara National Park , and Tarangire National Park , in order of likelihood of spotting the animals.

Next to black rhinos, African wild dogs are some of the rarest animals that you will be able to spot while on safari in Tanzania. To see these rare and beautiful creatures, you will need to include the right parks on your Tanzania safari itinerary.

The best parks for seeing African wild dogs in Tanzania are Ruaha National Park and Nyerere National Park . If you visit the parks during the dry season when the animals are more concentrated around the watering holes, you have a good shot of spotting wild dogs in these parks.

Spotted hyenas are another animal that you can find in many of Tanzania’s national parks and protected areas. Chances are, you won’t see these unique carnivores in Gombe Streams National Park and Mahale Mountains National Park, and they are rare in parks like Kilimanjaro National Park and Arusha National Park because of their proximity to the city.

However, in parks like the Serengeti National Park , Ngorongoro Crater , and Ruaha National Park , you have an excellent chance of spotting many hyenas.

Few animals in Africa are as incredible to see in the wild as the mighty hippopotamus. These massive and beautiful creatures spend most of their days wallowing in water to protect their delicate skin and then come out at night to feed on grass.

If you would like to see hippos while on safari, I would be sure to add a park with water to your Tanzania safari itinerary. Because it has a constant supply of water year-round, the Ngorongoro Crater would be the top park on my list for seeing hippos.

Other parks that offer a great opportunity to see these African wildlife icons include Lake Manyara National Park , Nyerere National Park , and Arusha National Park .

If you are interested in seeing the Great Migration while on safari in Tanzania, then you will definitely want to make sure that you add the Serengeti National Park to your Tanzania safari itinerary.

The Great Migration, in which upwards of 1.5 million wildebeest and other grazing animals follow the rain between the Masai Mara in Kenya down into the Serengeti in Tanzania and back each year, is one of the world’s most amazing wildlife viewing experiences.

In addition to being able to see millions of grazing animals in one place, the migration also attracts droves of Africa’s big predators to the Serengeti to feast upon them.

The migration reaches the Serengeti around December each year and the animals typically leave by March, so if you want to see the migration in Tanzania, you will want to plan your trip during that time.

Tanzania is a country that is certainly not short on beautiful and breathtaking landscapes. All of the parks that I have included in this guide are incredibly beautiful and worthy of adding to your Tanzania safari itinerary.

However, if incredible landscapes are what you are after, then I would suggest considering Kilimanjaro National Park and Arusha National Park while in Tanzania. In addition to the wildlife that can be found in these parks, both parks offer unique and beautiful landscapes for visitors to enjoy.

Kilimanjaro is home to Mount Kilimanjaro, which is Africa’s tallest mountain and the world’s tallest free-standing mountain. Arusha National Park is home to the incredible Mount Meru and has a fig tree that is so large that you can drive a car through a tunnel in its trunk.

Deciding When to Plan Your Tanzania Safari

The parks that I have highlighted in this guide are located in different regions of Tanzania, so the best times to plan your Tanzania safari itinerary are going to vary slightly depending on which parks you visit. 

For instance, parks like Gombe Streams, Ruaha, and Nyerere are much worse to visit in the rainy months of March and April than some of the other parks in Tanzania. 

If you would like to see the Great Wildebeest Migration, then you will want to coordinate your visit for when the Wildebeest are in the Serengeti, which tends to be between December and March.

However, for the most part, the best times to go on Safari in Tanzania is going to be in July through October.  These are the driest months of the year and the wildlife is much easier to spot because it is typically concentrated around the watering holes. 

Keep in mind, that these are also typically the busiest months of the year for safari in Tanzania, so you might want to target the shoulder months of June or November to have your best shot at good weather and lighter crowds.

Best Times to Plan Your Tanzania Safari Itinerary

My recommended tanzania safari itinerary.

To hit all of the parks on my recommended list, I suggest that you target 6-9 days for your Tanzania safari itinerary, depending on whether or not you want to spend the optional days at the start or end of your trip to visit Kilimanjaro National Park, Arusha National Park, or both. 

Using the Tanzania safari itinerary that I outline below, you will be able to hit all six of the parks on my recommended list.  Keep in mind, that your permit for the Ngorongoro Crater will only allow you 24-hour access to the crater, so you will want to plan to arrive on night four and spend the night near the crater so that you can start your safari first thing in the morning.

If you would like to plan a shorter trip, I would suggest cutting out a stop at either Arusha National Park, Kilimanjaro National Park, or both.  If you would like to spend a longer amount of time on Safari, I would suggest either adding stops at one of the parks not outlined on my itinerary or adding an extra day in the Serengeti.

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Tanzania Safari Advice VLOG Episode

Planning a Tanzania safari itinerary is a big undertaking, which is why I am trying to be as detailed as possible when providing my tips on which parks to see, how long to spend there, and what to bring with you on your trip. If you would like to see more of my tips for planning a Tanzania safari itinerary, I would suggest watching my Travel Vlog episode on my Tanzania Safari Advice and Itinerary below.

Tanzania’s Protected Areas

Over the decades, the country of Tanzania has done an incredible job of identifying the most important wildlife areas within its borders and protecting those lands.  If you want to go on safari in Tanzania, you certainly won’t have a shortage of destinations to choose from. The country is home to:

• 18 National Parks
• 10 Major Game Reserves
• 2 Marine Park Reserves
• 13 Forest Nature Reserves
• and 3 Game Controlled Areas

While each of the country’s protected areas is spectacular in its own way, I have chosen to focus this Tanzania safari guide on my list of the top parks and conservation areas in Tanzania that I recommend visitors include on their Tanzania safari itinerary. 

However, that doesn’t mean that other parks, such as the incredible Katavi or Mikumi National Parks, aren’t worth exploring if you have the time. If you would like an overview of Tanzania’s parks and other protected areas and where they are located, I have included a map below for you to review.

The Top 10 Tanzania Safari Destinations

To help you narrow down which parks and wildlife refuges to visit during your safari trip in Tanzania, I have narrowed down the list of options to my Top 10 Wildlife Viewing Areas in the country for you to review.  In some cases, I included areas that have very high concentrations of wildlife to see.  The Serengeti and Tarangire National Parks fall into this category. 

Other locations, like Gombe and Mahale National Parks, were chosen because of the unique wildlife viewing opportunities that they afford travelers. 

Finally, parks like Kilimanjaro and Arusha National Parks were chosen both because of their close proximity to the city of Arusha and the unique landscape features that are found within the parks. For an overview of my top 10 recommended safari destinations in Tanzania, please refer to the map below.

Serengeti National Park

Home to the Great Migration and with the most diversity of wildlife that you will find almost anywhere in Africa, the Serengeti National Park is one of the most iconic wildlife destinations in the entire world.  It is one of the most coveted safari destinations in Africa, and for good reason. 

It has some of the most authentic wildlife viewing opportunities, is one of the best places to spot Africa’s big predators, has excellent accommodation options, and even offers hot air balloon safaris.  Best of all, it is one of the cheapest parks in Tanzania to visit.

If you are going to add the Serengeti to your Tanzania safari itinerary, I would recommend taking the time to tour both the North and the South ends of the park.  It is a big park and you will enjoy seeing as much of it as you can.  The Serengeti borders the Masai Mara in Kenya, so if you want to really extend your safari itinerary, you can book a tour of the Masai Mara on the tail-end of your Tanzania safari.

Ngorongoro Crater Conservation Area

The Ngorongoro Crater is perhaps one of the best places in all of Africa to see all of the Big Five animals of Africa in one day.  This includes the increasingly endangered black rhino.  Because the crater is protected by steep walls and has available water year-round, the grazing animals in the crater don’t need to migrate. 

This attracts all of Africa’s big predators, who can also be found in the crater all year long.  The only downside to visiting the crater is that it can get quite busy during the peak safari season, so you will need to be sure to book your safari well in advance if you want to add the Ngorongoro Crater to your Tanzania safari itinerary.

Tarangire National Park

With the second largest concentration of wildlife in Tanzania outside of the Serengeti, Tarangire National Park is definitely a park that you will want to have on your Tanzania safari itinerary.  It isn’t located on the traditional safari route, and therefore typically left off the itinerary for shorter safaris. 

This means that it is typically much less crowded than the other big parks in Tanzania.  During the peak safari season, the wildlife is typically very concentrated within the park, which means there are excellent wildlife viewing opportunities. 

The park even offers night safaris, which is an incredible experience.  If you want to see Tarangire National Park, I would recommend avoiding the wet season as the wildlife tends to be dispersed inside the big park and can be difficult to spot. 

Lake Manyara National Park

What Lake Manyara National Park lacks in size, it makes up for in the show.  There are as many as 11 different ecosystems within this small national park, which means there is a wide variety of wildlife that calls the park its home. 

The big draw in Lake Manyara is the famous tree-climbing lions.  Few other places in Africa can you see lions who climb as often as at Lake Manyara.  In my opinion, that alone is worth adding Lake Manyara to your Tanzania safari itinerary.

However, one of the more underrated aspects of the park is that it offers probably the best opportunity in Tanzania to see elephants up close.  The wildlife in the park is typically concentrated in small pockets, which makes getting close much easier. 

Kilimanjaro National Park

Home to Africa’s tallest mountain and the world’s tallest free-standing Mountain, Kilimanjaro National Park is a park unlike others that you will find in Tanzania.  Most who visit the park do so to climb the mountain, but it is also a decent safari location if you are looking to add on a park either at the beginning or end of your Tanzania safari itinerary.  It is far less likely that you will spot any of Africa’s big predators, such as lions, in the park, but you do have a good chance of seeing other wildlife.

Arusha National Park

One of the biggest draws to visiting Arusha National Park is its proximity to the city of Arusha and Kilimanjaro National Airport, which makes it a great option if you would like to add on a park either at the beginning or the end of your Tanzania safari itinerary. 

It is relatively easy to get to and has some truly breathtaking landscapes that you can explore.  One of my favorite spots inside the park is the giant fig tree that has a tunnel carved in it you can actually drive your car through.  The park may not offer as good of opportunities to lions as other parks, but you do have a great chance of spotting other wildlife.

Gombe Stream National Park

Although Gombe Stream National Park is one of Tanzania’s smallest parks, it offers visitors some unique and spectacular wildlife viewing opportunities.  Made famous by Jane Goodall, who performed much of her Chimpanzee research in the park, Gombe National Park is one of the best places in Tanzania to spot wild Chimpanzees. 

Because of its remote location, you will either need to take a long bus or car ride from Arusha to get to Gombe National Park or take a bush flight.  The park typically isn’t crowded, which is a perk, but the amount of accommodations is limited.  Because of this, you will want to book your stay well in advance if you want to add Gombe Streams National Park to your Tanzania safari itinerary.

Mahale Mountains National Park

One of the most underrated national parks in Tanzania is undoubtedly the incredible Mahale Mountains National Park .  In addition to having the best Chimpanzee tracking experience in all of Tanzania, the park also offers fishing and kayaking tours, spectacular beaches to enjoy, and a greater variety of wildlife for visitors to see than nearby Gombe National Park. 

However, its remote location means that you will either need to take a long car ride or a bush flight to get to the park and the accommodations near the park are limited.  In addition, Mahale Mountains is also one of the more expensive parks in Tanzania to visit.  Because of the limited accommodations, you will want to be sure to book your safari well in advance if you want to add Mahale Mountains National Park to your Tanzania safari itinerary. 

Ruaha National Park

While it is no longer Tanzania’s largest Park, the beautiful Ruaha National Park still offers visitors some of the wildest and most authentic wildlife encounters in Tanzania.  The park is famous for its breathtaking beauty, incredible ancient baobab trees, picturesque rivers, and dramatic landscapes. 

If you are coming to Tanzania to see African Wild Dogs, which are quite rare, then adding Ruaha National Park to your Tanzania safari itinerary may be your best bet to see them.  The park is also home to some unusual antelope species that are harder to find in some of the country’s other parks. 

Because of its relatively remote location, Ruaha National Park doesn’t get as busy as the more famous parks in Tanzania.  However, the park also doesn’t have as many accommodation options as the busier parks do.  Because of that, you will want to book your safari in Ruaha well in advance to ensure you have a place to stay. 

When you visit, I will make sure to target the dry season in Tanzania.  During the wet season, wildlife can be much more difficult to spot because the animals are not congregating around watering holes. 

Nyerere National Park

One of the newest national parks in Tanzania, Nyerere National Park is now also the country’s largest.  It was formed from a large portion of what was the northern region of the Selous Game Reserve.  The large expanses of raw African wilderness in the park really showcase the beauty of the African savannah. 

If you love elephants, then you will definitely want to add Nyerere National Park to your Tanzania safari itinerary as it is one of the best places in Tanzania to witness the annual elephant migration.  If you visit during the right time of year, you will get to see thousands of elephants in the park. 

Nyerere National Park is Very Remote

The park is rather remote, so you will either need to take a long drive or bush plane to get there, so plan accordingly if you want to visit.  The park is also in a malarial region of Tanzania, so you will want to ensure that you have proper mosquito netting and insect repellent for your safari. 

When you visit, I will make sure to target the dry season in Tanzania.  This is another park where wildlife can be much more difficult to spot because the animals are not congregating around watering holes during the rainy season. 

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Avid traveler and photographer who loves to see new places, meet new people, and experience new things. There is so much this world can teach us, we just need to explore! View all posts by Josh Hewitt

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2 comments ›.

Thanks for sharing this informative blog with us. This blog will help us while travelling in Tanzania. There is no need to find national parks because you share all the information about national parks in this blog.

No problem! I am so happy to help! Safe travels!! 😄

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[…] Click here To read The ultimate guide To saving money on hotels when traveling. […]

Thanks so much for the kind words Nick!!

Hello Josh, Great article, love all the info you have provided!! Thanks for sharing. We completely agree that Hwange is…

Nice Blog, Thanks for sharing this informative blog. We also provide nepal tour package. Nepal tour Package

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Top 10 Tanzania National Parks & Reserves (The Ultimate Tanzania Safari)

Disclaimer: This post may contain affiliate links. All hosted affiliate links follow our editorial policies .

With 16 national parks, three game reserves, and two marine reserves, going on a Tanzania safari ranked high on our world travel bucket list long before we had the means to visit the country. Around one-third of the country’s total land area is protected, with management overseen by the Tanzania National Parks Authority ( TANAPA ).

The natural attractions found within the approximately 122,000 square miles of Tanzanian national parks and reserves are world-renowned.

There’s the “Big 5” mammals– Cape Buffalo, Elephants , Leopards, Lions, and Rhinos –which draw wildlife lovers from all across the planet.

There’s the annual great migration , in which millions of ungulates make their way from Serengeti National Park in Tanzania to Kenya’s Masai Mara in search of water and green grass.

There’s the majestic summit of Mount Kilimanjaro (at 19,341 feet), and the vast volcanic crater of Ngorongoro (102 square miles).

When most people think about going on a Tanzania safari, birdwatching isn’t the first activity that comes to mind. But there are around 1100 different bird species found in Tanzania’s national parks. Of these, 43 are rare, 36 are listed as threatened by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN), and 23 are endemic.

Of course, wildlife isn’t the only attraction you’ll find on a Tanzania safari. The country is well known for its rich indigenous cultures, including the Chagga, Maasai, and Sukuma peoples.

It also has a rich anthropological history: Fossilized human remains dating back some 2 million years have been uncovered in the Olduvai Gorge . And in 1978, footprints of hominids (which are believed to be our oldest ancestor) were discovered in volcanic ash covering a plain at Laetoli.

As a result, Tanzania is believed to be one of the oldest continuously inhabited countries on earth.

From Kilimanjaro and Ngorongoro to Serengeti, many of Tanzania’s most visited national parks and reserves are located along the northern safari circuit. But there are numerous smaller, less frequented parks in the western, central, and southern regions that are also teeming with wildlife and uncrowded by safari vehicles.

So here’s a look at 10 of the best national parks and reserves in Tanzania, which include numerous popular favorites as well as some lesser-known gems that receive very few visitors:

READ MORE: What is Glamping? (The Top 10 Glamping Resorts in the World)

ARUSHA NATIONAL PARK

If you have a day to spare in Arusha or Moshi and want a taste of what Tanzania has to offer, look no further than Arusha National Park .

While it can’t match the breathtaking majesty of Tanzania’s more illustrious safari destinations, Arusha National Park can’t be beaten when it comes to proximity and ease of access. This small, 552 square-kilometer park is just an hour’s drive from the safari hub of Arusha, and can be easily taken in during a day trip.

This is one of the few Tanzania parks in which walking safaris are possible, in addition to game drives, canoe trips, and camping out in the bush. Visitors with a few days to spare can also climb picturesque Mount Meru (Tanzania’s second highest peak, after Kilimanjaro), which overlooks the park.

Africa’s famous big cats aren’t abundant here, but you won’t struggle to find other wildlife. Arusha  is home to elephants, zebras, waterbucks, cape buffalo, baboons, colobus monkeys, many varieties of antelope, and some of the world’s largest populations of giraffes .

It’s also a prime destination for birders, with brilliant flocks of pink flamingoes blanketing the Momella Lakes. Over 400 different species of birds can be spotted here!

Arusha National Park offers a glimpse at the whole of Tanzania in a manageable size. You’ll see an array of animals grazing in the open grassland known as “Little Serengeti.” There are herds of buffalo wandering through Ngurdoto Crater, or “Little Ngorongoro.” And don’t miss the impressive variety of monkeys and birds in the trees of Ngurdoto Forest.

A visit to this small, but splendid national park is the perfect way to experience Tanzania’s abundant wildlife , even if you don’t have the time (or funds) to commit to a longer safari. –Emily Scott of Two Dusty Travelers

READ MORE: 50 Interesting Facts About Elephants (for World Elephant Day

GOMBE STREAM NATIONAL PARK

The first of Louis Leakey ’s trailblazing trio of female primatologists (who were collectively known as “the Trimates”), Jane Goodall was inexperienced before he sent her to London to study primate behavior and anatomy in 1958. By 1960 she was based in Tanzania, doing pioneering chimpanzee research along the eastern shore of Lake Tanganyika.

Eight years later, Gombe Stream National Park was created to protect this 13.5-square mile patch of steep valleys and lush tropical rainforest. But despite its diminutive size, the park offers remarkable biodiversity that make it a dream destination for wildlife lovers.

It’s home to an array of primates, such as blue monkeys, olive baboons, red colobus, red-tailed monkeys, and vervet monkeys. It also include more than 200 different bird species, bush pigs, hippos, and the occasional leopard.

But of course the main attraction of this park is the world-renowned  Kasekela chimpanzee community , which the iconic Goodall has studied for over 50 years now.

Trekking into the forest to see them is the park’s most popular activity. But don’t miss an opportunity to snorkel the lake, which boasts nearly 100 different kinds of colorful cichlids (a popular aquarium fish). –Bret Love of Green Global Travel

READ MORE: Interview with Primatologist Jane Goodall

KILIMANJARO NATIONAL PARK 

Located in the northeast of Tanzania near the town of Moshi, Kilimanjaro National Park was created in 1973. Originally containing the entirety of Mount Kilimanjaro above the tree line, it was later expanded to include the montane forest above 1820 meters, making it 1688 square kilometres (652 square miles).

Mount Kilimanjaro is famous worldwide as the highest mountain in Africa, and one of the seven peaks on the seven continents. Towering at 5895 meters above sea level, it is topped with multiple glaciers and a small (albeit diminishing) ice field, despite being located just 300 kilometers (190 miles) south of the equator.

First climbed in 1889, it is now a popular hiking destination for international tourists. In comparison to many of the other seven summits, reaching its summit is potentially achievable for those of reasonable fitness and with bulging bank balances. Just remember to pay attention to your guide’s admonition to go “pole pole” (slow).

Despite its primary attraction being hiking and climbing to the mountain’s summit, there’s still an impressive array of wildlife found in the national park , predominantly below the tree line.

Primates such as blue monkeys and western black-and-white colobuses can often be spotted (or heard) in the forest, while leopards, elephants, and cape buffaloes can be found on terra firma.  Higher up, weird animals such as the Kilimanjaro tree hyrax are most commonly encountered. –Shandos Cleaver of Travelnuity

READ MORE:  Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro

LAKE MANYARA NATIONAL PARK

Lesser known than more famous parks such as Serengeti and the Ngorongoro Crater, Lake Manyara is an incredibly beautiful park filled with exotic wildlife.

During our first visit to Lake Manyara, we saw countless elephants, giraffes, and baboons right by our vehicles. It was such an overwhelming feeling to see these exotic animals freely roaming their natural habitat, it was an experience we’ll never forget.

However, these are not the only animals you’ll find in Lake Manyara National Park. The area is known for hippos, impalas, wildebeests, buffalo, and warthogs, as well as lions and leopards (if you’re lucky enough to spot one).

You can spot more than 300 migratory birds in the park, including flamingos, lilac-breasted rollers, and kingfishers. Another great feature of the park is the broad variety of flora, fauna, and landscapes.

You’ll also find the gorgeous lake for which the park is named, as well as hot springs, floodplains, groundwater forests, and bush plains. The park is conveniently located just 126 km (78 miles) southwest of Arusha, and is quite close to Tarangire National Park (another awesome place to see elephants).

Lake Manyara is part of the Lake Manyara Biosphere Reserve, which was established by UNESCO back in 1981, making it a protected area for wildlife. If you’re booking a dream trip to Africa , make sure you add Lake Manyara to your list! –Matt Bailey of LiveLimitless  

READ MORE: The Culture of the Maasai People

NGORONGORO CONSERVATION AREA

The Ngorongoro Crater is technically not a national park , but a conservation area in Tanzania. Still, it deserves a place on every nature-loving traveler’s bucket list.

We had seen plenty of wildlife in Tanzania before we got to Ngorongoro Crater. But it was not until we were among the vast herds of zebras and wildebeests in Ngorongoro that I really felt I was in the Africa I’d seen on TV and in the movies.

This area has all of Africa’s “Big 5” animals, but the endangered Black Rhinos are kept in a remote area to protect them from poaching . The crater’s array of wildlife also includes flocks of flamingos, a pool of hippos, warthogs, gazelle, cheetahs, and a number of lion prides.

As majestic as it is to see the large herds, there is something quite singular about seeing lions. Even from the safety of your RangeRover, nothing quite loosens the bowels like a lion roaring right next to you. It’s an eye-opening reminder that we humans have not always been the top of the food chain.

The floor of this impressive, ancient volcanic crater measures some 260 square kilometres (100 square miles). There is no lodging within the crater and tickets are limited to six hours. So all trips to the floor of the crater are day trips offered from nearby lodges . There’s also a Maasai cultural Boma outside the crater, but inside the conservation area, which will give you a view into the life of these nomadic pastoral people. –Chris Christensen of Amateur Traveler

READ MORE: Exploring the Ngorongoro Conservation Area

RUAHA NATIONAL PARK

Most people don’t know this, but Ruaha National Park is actually the largest national park in Tanzania. It was expanded in 2008 with the addition of Usangu Game Reserve and other important wetlands, which increased its size to about 7,809 square miles.

But still Ruaha is usually under the radar for most visitors, receiving around 21,000 visitors each year. I believe the reason for this is that most of Tanzania’s best national parks are located in the north, while Ruaha is in the country’s center, near the city of Iringa.

The vastness of the park ensures that you can find most of the major African mammals here, except for the rhino. You will definitely see lots of elephants, crocodiles, and wild dogs, along with a wide variety of birds.

We stayed inside the park (in the Ruaha River Lodge ), but there are multiple options to stay just outside the park as well. We drove from Dar-es-salaam to Ruaha, with a stopover in Iringa: The drive takes about 10 hours these days. Alternatively, you can fly into Iringa and then catch a ride to Ruaha from there.

Ruaha will always remain special to me, since I had one of my most memorable experiences of my life here. Though it may be more remote than many of Tanzania’s national parks, it is definitely a worthwhile place to visit. –Soumya Nambiar of Travel, Books & Food  

READ MORE:   The Endangered Elephants of East Africa

SAADANI NATIONAL PARK

Established as the 13th national park in Tanzania in 2005, this rarely-visited park (which averages less than 100 travelers per day) was originally set aside as a game reserve in 1969. Encompassing around 425 square miles along the Indian Ocean (2-3 hours drive from Dar es Salaam), it’s the only wildlife reserve in Tanzania  that borders the sea.

Once used primarily for hunting, Saadani National Park is one of the rare places in Tanzania where wildlife population numbers have been increasing over the past few decades. Once killed as bushmeat, herds of Lichtenstein’s hartebeest, common waterbucks, blue wildebeests, bohor reedbucks, and sable antelopes are now beginning to thrive.

The park is home to four of Africa’s famed Big 5– East African lions, African elephants, buffaloes, and African leopards. You’ll also find four species of primates (black-and-white Colobus monkeys, blue monkeys, vervet monkeys, and yellow baboons), as well as Masai giraffes, civets, genet cats, warthogs, hippos, crocodiles, and more.

Unfortunately, Saadani’s coastal beauty is clouded by controversy. When the Tanzania National Parks Authority upgraded the reserve to a national park, they redrew its boundaries to include prime seaside villages such as Uvinje and Porokanya. But they never discussed this with the villagers, which they’re required by law to do.

As a result, poaching within the park has been on the rise in recent years, despite the fact that these villages have historically been very conservation-focused.

Here’s hoping TANAPA will do the right thing by the villagers in the near future and recognize the importance of community-based tourism in ensuring the long-term sustainability of their conservation efforts. –Bret Love of Green Global Travel 

READ MORE: Battle in Tanzania Over Maasai Land Rights

SELOUS GAME RESERVE

The Selous Game Reserve is located in southern Tanzania, far from the mass tourism of the Serengeti or the Ngorongoro Crater.

The Selous reserve encompasses 54,600 square kilometers, making it Africa’s largest game reserve (and even bigger than some countries). The Rufiji River serves as the heart of the park and is a major water source for all the amazing wildlife in the Selous.

I loved our four-day safari here because there are not many lodges in or around the reserve. Compared to the national parks on Tanzania’s northern safari circuit , the reserve remains relatively unheard of. Which means you may never see any other people while you’re there!

The main thing to do here, of course, is go on safari game drives. But you can also fish, enjoy a river cruise, or go on a walking safari. The wildlife in the reserve is unreal, with nearly 120,000 buffalo, 40,000 hippos, and around 4,000 lions.

The population of lions is likely the largest in the world, and you also stand a strong chance of seeing the elusive leopard and the endangered African wild dog . The only animal you won’t see much of in the Selous reserve is the African elephant: Sadly they were nearly poached to extinction in the past.

The best time to visit Selous is from June to October, which is also the high season. There is little to no rain then, which means there is a higher chance of seeing wildlife around the watering holes. For a luxurious (and expensive) stay, Nomad Tanzania’s Sand River lodge can’t be beat! –Natasha Alden of The World Pursuit

READ MORE:   Walking With Lions & Canned Lion Hunting  

SERENGETI NATIONAL PARK

The Serengeti is easily the most famous national park in Tanzania. And with good reason! Serengeti National Park is massive, spanning 5700 square miles in Northern Tanzania. It’s also one of the oldest, least disturbed, and most complex ecosystems on earth. The climate, flora, and fauna have remained virtually unchanged over the past one million years.

A photographer’s dream, the Serengeti is home to all of Africa’s Big Five: the lion, leopard, elephant, rhino, and Cape buffalo.

The Serengeti plains are also where the last triumphant mass movement of animals on earth occurs like clockwork each year. From December to April, more than two million wildebeest and some 250,000 zebra call the Serengeti plains home.

In a strategy for their very survival, February and March bring the birth of zebra and wildebeest calves, who feed on the mineral-rich grasslands to quickly grow strong and build stamina. As the rains move north towards Kenya, the herds follow in a never-ending journey known as the Great Migration , traversing around 500 miles year after year.

A safari in the Serengeti is a discovery of animals you didn’t even know existed. The park boasts over 500 species of birds alone. All three African big cats are abundant, with cheetahs following the gazelles on the plains, lions everywhere, and the most elusive of the Big Five– the leopard– lazing in the shade of the big trees.

Aside from the usual safari staples, there are also several species that are found nowhere else on earth. You might even spot the recently re-introduced African wild dog, which had been locally extinct since 1991.   –Jennifer Dombrowski of Luxe Adventure Traveler   

READ MORE: Serengeti National Park Photo Essay

TARANGIRE NATIONAL PARK

Though it’s not nearly as large as the Serengeti or as well known as the Ngorongoro Crater, Tarangire National Park won our hearts thanks largely to the impressive array of wildlife we saw during our short two-day visit.

Located in the Manyara region less than two hours from Arusha, it’s an absolute must-see for anyone doing the northern Tanzania safari circuit. It was arguably our favorite of the five national parks we visited during our tour with Tanzania Journeys .

The sixth largest Tanzania national park at approximately 1,100 square miles, its key draw for animals is the Tarangire River. This becomes the area’s only source of water during the dry season, drawing giraffes, zebras, and countless ungulates there to drink. This may also explain why the park has become a huge draw for Elephants, which we saw by the dozens during our visit.

Tarangire has a number of other unique features, including massive Baobab trees, huge termite mounds that often serve as home to dark mongooses, and the famous tree-climbing lions.It’s also a major draw for birdwatchers , as the swamps in Tarangire National Park attract one of the world’s most stunning arrays of breeding birds (over 550 species).

Though we loved all the national parks and reserves we visited in Tanzania, Tarangire is the one that far exceeded our expectations.   –Bret Love of Green Global Travel; editorial assistance by Anika Chaturvedi

If you enjoyed reading Top 10 Tanzania National Parks & Reserves (The Ultimate Tanzania Safari), then you also might like:

10 Best National Parks in the USA For Wildlife Watching

The Top 5 UK National Parks

The Least Visited National Parks In Europe

Top 10 Australian National Parks

Top 10 Thailand National Parks

About the Author

Green Global Travel is the world's #1 independently owned ecotourism website encouraging others to embrace sustainable travel, wildlife conservation, cultural preservation, and going green tips for more sustainable living.

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Owned by Bret Love (a veteran journalist/photographer) and Mary Gabbett (business manager/videographer), USA Today named us one of the world's Top 5 Travel Blogging Couples. We were also featured in the 2017 National Geographic book, Ultimate Journeys for Two, for which we contributed a chapter on our adventures in Rwanda. Other awards we've won include Best Feature from both the Caribbean Tourism Organization and the Magazine Association of the Southeast.

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12 Most Beautiful National Parks in Tanzania

Tanzania is a feast for the senses. It is unparalleled for its natural beauty, unique wildlife viewing, and rich culture. The landscape is shaped by extremes. Where mountains, lakes, grasslands, and rainforests are not uncommon to see within the same area. Also safaris in Tanzania are some of the best in the world, with most of them never going without seeing one of the “Big 5” of game animals: lions, leopards, rhinoceros’, elephants, and buffalo.

Alongside these wild animals, the Maasai graze their livestock. Making themselves one of the few groups in the world to uphold their traditional, nomadic lifestyles in our modern times.

Therefore it comes as no surprise that tourism is on the rise in this beautiful East African country and no visit is complete without a visit to some of the stunning national parks in Tanzania. Each one offers its own unique natural spectacles, adventure activities, and cultural experiences that will awe-inspire even the most seasoned traveler.

Map of National Parks in Tanzania

12. Arusha National Park

Although somewhat small in comparison to other national parks in Tanzania, Arusha packs a punch. It has truly varied vegetation made up of grasslands, rainforest, and alpine areas and thanks to these conditions it is home to incredible wildlife diversity.

One of Africa’s largest mountains, Mount Meru occupies the space alongside Africa’s largest concentration of giraffes. Animals that are regularly seen include waterbucks, buffalos, elephants, hippos, flamingos, and monkeys. However, due to the size of the park, no more than a few hours are needed to see the entirety of it and can be explored via a walking, or canoe safari. Most travelers stopover en route to larger parks.

11. Mahale Mountains National Park

Mahale is always cited for having a couple of unusual characteristics which make this park extra special. The first of which is that this park is a chimpanzee sanctuary and is home to almost 2000 wild chimpanzees.

It is surrounded by the beautiful Mahale Mountain range, which the local people worship as being scared, and is nestled onto the banks of Lake Tanganyika. The lake itself is the longest, second deepest lake, and the least polluted freshwater lake in the world. The beach on the banks of Lake Tanganyika is an incredible spot to watch the sunset dip below the horizon.

10. Katavi National Park

Located in Western Tanzania, Katavi is absolutely mesmerizing in the dry season. During this time, the Katuma and Kapapa rivers are the only water source for miles around so thousands of animals congregate here for a sip. Visitors are greeted by hundreds of crocodiles snoozing in the mud, as pods of massive hippos huddle around water sources, and zebras appear by the thousands.

It also remains one of the best places in Tanzania to see interactions between lions and buffalos. Due to its remoteness, there are few visitors, so tourists and locals are treated to a relatively untouched wilderness. This is truly an exceptional place simply waiting to be discovered.

9. Tarangire National Park

Tarangire is most well-known for its yearly elephant migration of over 3000 elephants but the park offers so much more than that! This quiet park offers year-round opportunities to view four of the big five, and the guides in the region are so knowledgeable about the migration patterns of the animals within the park that you will no doubt get a glimpse at these exotic creatures up-close.

No matter the time of year! More so, the great baobab trees and large termite mounds that dot the landscape are like something out of a fairytale. As if it couldn’t get better, this park emulates the importance of national parks in Tanzania as currently, it is home to the fringe-eared oryx, greater kudu, and Ashy Starling. All of which are greatly endangered and can only be found here in Tanzania in the Tarangire National Park.

8. Lake Manyara National Park

Ernest Hemingway remarked that this park had the loveliest lake in Africa, and he may have been right. Manyara Lake is really stunning. It covers one-third of the park size, and despite its high salt content, it is safe for animals to drink so it remains an essential life source for many animals in the area.

It is also the main hangout spot for wild flocks of flamingos, and other bird life. However, truly unique to Lake Manyara National Park is their resident tree-climbing lions. Researchers have still not come to a conclusion as to why these lions habitually laze among the treetops, but nevertheless, it is an extraordinary sight to see.

7. Ruaha National Park

Ruaha National Park became Tanzania’s largest national park when it expanded its borders in 2008. Today, it holds 10% of the worlds lion population and Tanzania’s largest elephant population. The park’s landscape is made up of giant mountains that lead into vast grasslands, rocky outcrops, and a network of rivers. The largest of which, the Great Ruaha River, the park is named after.

Visitors to the park are captivated by the lands red soil and legendary baobab trees as well as the large population of lions. Often prides of up to 25 lions are seen, sometimes attempting to take down a buffalo. Again, this park is relatively untouched by tourism but because of this, it is one of the best examples of how Africa has been for millenniums.

6. Gombe Stream National Park

Gombe Stream National Park was made famous by Jane Goodall who took up residence here during her Chimpanzee research in the 1960’s. It features steep forested mountains that cascade down to Lake Tanganyika, grasslands, and warm tropical rainforests.

This park is one of the best places on earth for up-close encounters with our closest relative but also has incredibly diverse flora, and fauna to observe. The park is only accessible by boat, and visitors can snorkel in this incredible lake for a look at some of the 2000 species of vibrant fish that call it their home.

5. Mikumi National Park

Also known as the second Serengeti Plains, the open horizons of this park make wildlife viewing a highlight of any visit. The grounds support impressive herds of zebra, wildebeest, buffalo and impala.

While legendary giraffe, elephant, and lion sightings are common. The landscape is scattered with the famous baobab trees, black hardwood trees, and grassy plains. And tucked in between three mountains ranges: The Uluguru, Rubeho, and Lumango Mountains ranges. Likewise, it is home to several primate research studies most notably the yellow baboon field study.

4. Udzungwa Mountains National Park

This gorgeous national park boasts incredible flora and fauna. Initially, when the Eastern Arc mountains were created, they were covered with rainforest. However, throughout a colder and drier period about 10 million years ago the area towards the base of the mountains was transformed into a savanna leaving the ranges as rain forested “islands”. This isolation has allowed for incredible biodiversity including 4 epidemic primate species, one of which was only discovered in the 1970s.

There are a number of great treks ranging in length and difficulty, as the best means to experience this park. Some of which pass by stunning waterfalls, and small pools to go for a dip in.

3. Ngorongoro Conservation Area Park

There are few places on earth quite like this park. It houses the “Big 5” animals, deep volcanic craters, and is home to the semi-nomadic Maasai people. The most well-known crater in Africa, the Ngorongoro Crater, is one of the largest of its kind and a true marvel to behold. The landscape consists of a mix of lakes, grasslands, swamps and wooded areas where domesticated Maasai livestock graze beside wild animals.

There has been extensive archaeological research conducted on the property which has led to the discovery of fossilized footprints, and exhaustive evidence of human evolution. Today, it continues to be lead the way globally for its conservation efforts.

2. Kilimanjaro National Park

Each year thousands of visitors visit the infamous Kilimanjaro Mountain. Its beauty and magnificence are simply unmatched. Whether it be looking out from within the mountain, or from afar toward Mount Kilimanjaro, there is no doubt that it is a stunning natural spectacle.

As the highest mountain in Africa, it is a dream trek for many. En route to the top one must pass by sloping lowlands, farmlands and alpine areas. However, it is not just for the experienced trekkers anymore, first-time enthusiasts can partake in a trip to this legendary national park via more gentle trips to the top or by stopping in for a day trip.

1. Serengeti National Park

This park is the holy grail for wildlife viewing. The yearly migration of wildebeest and zebra, followed by their predators, is unlike anything else in this world and has inspired people for generations. The parks name was given by the Maasai people, ‘serengit’, which means the land of endless plains. This is an accurate description, only small rocky outcrops, rivers, and few woodlands interrupt the short grasslands.

There is an impressive array of animals taking up residence in the park including the “Big 5” and is one of the largest and only migration patterns of its kind uninterrupted by human contact.

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Parks & reserves (15).

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​National Parks & Game Reserves – Tanzania

Premier parks & reserves, all parks & reserves.

Arusha National Park  

Arusha National Park 

Classic safaris, hiking, mainly antelope species, buffalo, giraffe and Kilimanjaro colobus

Gombe National Park  

Gombe National Park 

Chimpanzee trekking, other primate species are present

Grumeti Game Reserve (Greater Serengeti)  

Walking and classic safaris, Big Five (rhino very rare), wildebeest migration

Katavi National Park  

Katavi National Park 

Walking and classic safaris, four of the Big Five (no rhino), abundant wildlife in the Dry season

Lake Manyara National Park  

Lake Manyara National Park 

Classic, walking and canoe safaris, treetop walkway, four of the Big Five (no rhino)

Mahale Mountains National Park  

Mahale Mountains National Park 

Mikumi National Park  

Mikumi National Park 

Walking and classic safaris, four of the Big Five (no rhino)

Mkomazi National Park  

Mkomazi National Park 

Classic and walking safaris, black rhino sanctuary, Big Five present but difficult to spot

Ngorongoro Crater  

Ngorongoro Crater 

Classic safaris, abundant wildlife including the Big Five

Nyerere (Selous) National Park  

Nyerere (Selous) National Park 

Walking, boat and classic safaris, four of the Big Five (no rhino), healthy population of wild dog

Ruaha National Park  

Ruaha National Park 

Walking and classic safaris, four of the Big Five (no rhino), cheetah and wild dog

Rubondo Island National Park (Lake Victoria)  

Chimpanzee trekking, classic and boat safaris, elephant, sitatunga and giraffe present

Saadani National Park  

Saadani National Park 

Walking, boat and classic safaris, beach and bush, wildlife is thinly populated

Serengeti National Park  

Serengeti National Park 

Walking and classic safaris, Big Five present (rhino very rare), many big cats , wildebeest migration

Tarangire National Park  

Tarangire National Park 

Walking and classic safaris, four of the Big Five (no rhino), lots of elephants in the Dry season

Safari Tours to Tanzania

8-Day Safari to Most Celebrated African Parks

$3,740 pp (USD)

Tanzania: Private tour Lodge & Hotel

You Visit: Arusha (Start) , Tarangire NP, Serengeti NP, Central Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater, Arusha (End)

Tanzania Roadside Expeditions

5.0 /5  –  248 Reviews

8-Day Great Migration Safari

$3,135 pp (USD)

Tanzania: Private tour Lodge & Tented Camp

You Visit: Arusha (Start) , Tarangire NP, Central Serengeti, Northern Serengeti NP, Serengeti NP, Ngorongoro Crater, Foothills of Mt Kilimanjaro, Arusha (End)

Safari Soles

5.0 /5  –  246 Reviews

5-Day Mid Range Best of Tanzania

$1,876 to $1,958 pp (USD)

You Visit: Arusha (Start) , Tarangire NP, Ngorongoro Crater, Serengeti NP, Lake Manyara NP, Arusha (End)

Lion King Adventures

5.0 /5  –  1018 Reviews

Map of Tanzania

This is a travel Map of Tanzania displaying some of Tanzania's tourist attractions including wildlife reserves such as Serengeti, Nyerere, Lake Manyara, Tarangire,Ruaha & Mikumi National Parks.

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The detailed map of Tanzania below may be downloaded from the link provided for non commerical or personal usage. Kindly link to this page to provide credit. Please contact us in case you need exact coodinates or postions of any major map feature. In case you want to see the Map of Tanzania on Google Maps click here

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Map of Tanzania

This is a travel Map of Tanzania displaying some of Tanzania's tourist attractions including wildlife reserves such as Nyerere National Park and Selous Game Reserve, TANAPA ( Tanzania National Parks Authority ) National Parks such as Serengeti and Lake Manyara in addition to location of major cities such as Dar es Salaam and Zanzibar. Please note that the map if not to scale.

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Detailed Map of Tanzania listing Cities, Airports, National Parks and Major Geographical Features

The detailed map of Tanzania below may be downloaded from the link provided for non commerical or personal usage. Kindly link to this page to provide credit. Please contact us in case you need exact coodinates or postions of any major map feature. In case you want to see the Map of Tanzania on Google Maps click here

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Set out on a Tarangire bush walk, intermingle and learn about Maasai communities or opt for a game drive, in comfortable, custom-built 4WD vehicle, with all-round viewing - open sided or pop-up roof.

BEST TIME TO VISIT TARANGIRE

The best time for a Tarangire safari is from June to October during the dry season when migrant game from elephants to hoofed herbivores congregate around the swamps and the Tarangire River valley.

BALLOON SAFARI IN TARANGIRE

Try an early morning take-off in a hot-air balloon, floating soundlessly above the treetops for a unique perspective on herds of elephant, unmoved by your presence, and zebra chased by furtive lions.

AFRICANMECCA REVIEWS

Jambo Raza, It was a wonderful experience in Tanzania. Thoroughly enjoyed the game drives. Rogers, our guide was superb; knowledgeable, helpful, and very friendly. Everything ran smoothly.

Alan Winner - Minnesota, United States

AfricanMecca Safaris created a remarkable honeymoon tailored to our interests and desires. The quality of service and delivery of experience was unsurpassed. I highly recommend AfricanMecca Safaris to honeymooners, families, or any traveler.

Noorin & Jason Nelson - Maryland, United States

Dear Raza, We arrived home on Sunday full of happy memories of our holiday. Emmanuel our driver was a top guide. Very knowledgeable about the animals and the parks. Thank you so much for making this a holiday to remember.

Norman & Janet Sutton - Lincolnshire, United Kingdom

Raza, we had an incredible time and this is largely due to you and your staff's exceptional advice and flexibility in accommodating our needs. We will both vouch that AfricanMecca's quality for customer service is beyond reproach.

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AfricanMecca's professionalism and care understands that what distinguishes Africa is its authenticity, the land, people and wildlife who do not share our world of fashion and fanfare that distinguish so many travel companies today.

Cyril Christo & Marie Wilkinson, Conservation Photographers, Authors & Wildlife Documentary Producers - USA

The AfricanMecca Safari experience was great. All the connections were spot on and the lodges and camps were great - 1st class. The safaris were great with the time spent in Ngorongoro totally outstanding. We just totally loved it, a great experience.

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The Tanzania safari was a trip that will remain in our memories as one of the best. The guide we had for the safari was named Babu and he was professional, knowledgeable & attentive. I will definitely use your company for any future trips.

Marian Murray - Boston, United States

East africa safari booking trip idea for tarangire in northern tanzania.

When visiting Tarangire National Park, we recommend combining it with your Northern Tanzania safari to Lake Manyara , Ngorongoro Crater and Serengeti ( wildebeest migration ). End your trip with a Swahili cultural tour and beach holiday in Zanzibar . You may optionally extend out to offbeat parks in Southern and Western Tanzania such as Nyerere (Selous) , Ruaha or Katavi ending with a chimpanzee trekking safari at Gombe or Mahale by the relaxing Lake Tanganyika .

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Safaris in multiple parks or focus on fewer of them? - Tanzania Forum

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Safaris in multiple parks or focus on fewer of them?

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My wife and I are planning on our first safari experience in Africa.

What worries us is that the travel time between the parks (and the cities for flights ) is quite long, so I'm wondering if it's actually worth spending 1/3 of the holiday travelling to see multiple parks, instead of just focusing on a couple of them. I'm afraid people might say to visit as many parks as possible just to tick them off the bucket list, while maybe they are not that different and we will just be wasting hours (or even days) travelling.

What do you think? Are the parks actually very different from each other (regarding to animals, views, and landscape)? Or would it be more worth it to focus on a couple of parks and stay there for longer?

Do you have any suggestion regarding which parks to choose?

4 replies to this topic

This post was determined to be inappropriate by the Tripadvisor community and has been removed.

Some parks are different and if you have sufficient time it is good to see more.

So for Kenya you have Amboseli, Masai Mara, to which you could add Tsavo,and maybe Nakuru. This would give you enough variety and fill your time nicely.

Masai Mara and Serengeti are the same eco system so very similar so again . One or the other.

So for Tanzania - Serengeti, Tarangire, Ngorongoro and Manyara would again provide all that you really need for a first safari experience..

My preference would be for Tanzania which will include the world famous heritage sites of Ngorongoro Crater which should be on everybody's list to visit.

From Arusha you can visit Tarangire, then Ngorongoro and then Serengeti . Much depends upon the time of year, though. For example, if you are coming in late January to early March you would want to visit Ndutu before Serengeti. If you can afford to fly out of Serengeti at the end it makes for a good flow.

Are the parks actually very different from each other (regarding to animals, views, and landscape)?

Yes the three main parks you should visit between July and Sept. are really different landscape and views wise.

So if I was going when your going...one country limit travel time and Tanzania especially for the migration and those three but different parks will complement each other.

Drive one way and fly the other.

ie somthing like visit Tarangire then drive to Ngorongoro via the rift valley then Ngorongoro and finally Serengeti and stay in two locations central and North and fly back to Arusha or KIA from Northern Serengeti.

That wold be a pretty nice trip straightforward and not much back tracking or travel days.

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Animals Around the Globe

10 Best African Countries for Safari

Posted: December 19, 2023 | Last updated: December 19, 2023

#1 Botswana

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Thus, poachers are seen as enemies of the people. As a result, Botswana has come into view as Africa's most sought-after ecotourism destination. Starting from the Chobe National Park to the Moremi Nature Reserve, you'll be able to witness numerous gems all around the country.

Back in 2014, Botswana widely banned the hunting of wild animals and implemented strict laws which are still in practice. The country resumes its zero-tolerance for poaching and their very own environmental minister, Tshekedi Khama, has even launched a shoot-to-kill policy for poachers.

Botswana, with its wildlife conservation and natural parks, is a haven for nature lovers. It is currently in the top 5, as its approach to the protection and conservation of wildlife is worth the praise. As a country, it is very forward-thinking, some may even call it aggressively forward-thinking when it comes to its preservation and anti-poaching laws.

Its fertile land provides a safe and comforting home to around 200 mammal species. This includes elephants, hippos, monkeys and so much more. Along with 650 bird species and 5,500 plants. Even though the country is still underdeveloped and most of the population live in rural households, its national parks, and sight-seeing destinations are on the top 10 of our lists.

Even though many would face some difficulties in locating Malawi on a map, given how tiny it is, the country is home to the world-renowned Lake Malawi National Park. This is practically one-third of the country and is the most biodiverse lake in the world.

Most of the land in Namibia is occupied by the Kalahari and Namib Deserts. Along with that, the country also has 12 national parks and many other areas which are protected. So, if you go there for a safari, you'll have many rich areas to see and explore.

When it comes to countries with the least amount of population, Namibia is one of them. Which proves to be a good thing for nature. This is because most of the land in Namibia is still unspoiled by human filth or any sort of development, giving nature a chance to breathe.

In the country's Volcanoes National Park, you'll find 10 habituated gorilla families. Groups of 8 trekkers can visit them for one hour per day. But that's enough to get the best African safari experience. And as a nature lover, you'll enjoy the experience to the max.

If you've been around for some time, you'll be familiar with Rwanda's mountain gorillas. They were famously broadcasted and their fight for survival was shown on  National Geographic . This was all thanks to the late  Dian Fossey  back in the 1970s who advocated for the rights of these mountain gorillas throughout her life.

Considering the tragic history surrounding the mass genocide of the people of Rwanda back in 1994, it's truly a blessing what the country has achieved in the past 25 years. There have been countless investments in infrastructure. This has resulted in the country being a very fast-growing destination for ecotourism.

#6 South Africa

But given all the advantages, it's safe to conclude that South Africa also suffers from over-tourism. I mean, if you have so many great attractions, people will flock towards it. Chances are that you'll find yourself in the middle of dozens of unruly visitors who are not too keen on obeying the rules. This occurs mostly during the peak seasons.

Annually, the country has one million visitors. Its biggest attraction is the Kruger National Park with its enrichment in biodiversity. Visitors there also have the liberty to self-drive, thus, getting a first-person private but superb experience. 

For some time now, South Africa has been climbing the charts to become one of the most popular destinations for African safaris. Given its location, South Africa is a very convenient and cheap destination for people from the United States. Besides that, the country also boasts a well-developed infrastructure which makes it perfect for luxury travelers as well.

#7 Tanzania

One of the most popular locations would be the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. The country is also a haven for 1100 different bird species. It's no wonder that Tanzania gets this much rep. Especially when the country boasts so many wonders.

We talked about Kenya being the top destination for Safari. Now Tanzania here takes second place in being the continent's most popular safari destination. And why shouldn't it? The country has 16 national parks and an extraordinary amount of wealth and wildlife wonders for the people to witness.

Some of its natural attractions include housing the highest mountain range in Africa. It also has the world's largest free-standing volcano and the second-largest freshwater lake. With its 30 national parks and other wildlife reserves, Uganda boasts many more sanctuaries which are worth the visit. Especially if you're a lover of nature and wildlife.

Often called "The Pearl of Africa", Uganda is certainly a great pick for an African safari. Its reputation as being one of the best ecotourism destinations comes from the country's natural attractions and wildlife.

Out of its 20 national parks, the Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park is home to many wildlife animals such as African elephants, Angolan giraffes, Cape buffalo, etc. Other than that, there are many private ownerships of National parks, notably the Kasanka National Park which is near the basin of Lake Bangweulu. It's a safe place where visitors can see 400 different avian species.

Zambia may be a bit far down the list of popular destinations for your African safari, but many consider it to be a destination for diversified and immersive safari experiences, and making a notable feature on our 10 Best African Countries for Safari guide. The country is steadily focusing on conservation as their president has shown a keen interest and is working on building the nation's economy as well as the infrastructure.

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What’s Next for Jane Goodall? An Immersive Spectacle in Tanzania.

“Dr. Jane’s Dream” is going up in East Africa, where visitors can experience the primatologist’s scientific breakthroughs (complete with termite mound).

By Ralph Blumenthal

Are you ready for the Jane Goodall Experience?

It’s getting ready for you.

“Dr. Jane’s Dream,” an immersive spectacle by former Walt Disney Imagineers and African artisans celebrating the groundbreaking English primatologist and environmental activist, is taking form in a cultural complex in Tanzania.

Its debut, in the safari gateway of Arusha, between Mount Kilimanjaro and Serengeti National Park , is planned around World Chimpanzee Day, July 14, 2025 — 65 years since Goodall, then a 26-year-old novice researcher chaperoned by her mother, landed at the Gombe forest reserve to begin her field work for the anthropologist Louis Leakey .

Within months she upended scientific doctrine by observing an adult male chimp she called David Greybeard raid a termite mound, stripping leaves from a hollow branch to extract and eat the insects. The making and using of tools was long thought a hallmark of humans.

Since then, the nonstop Goodall, who turned 90 on April 3 during a typically exhausting American tour, has been lionized (or aped) in books and movies. She’s a Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire and a United Nations Messenger of Peace. And champion of a global crusade of young people and celebrities from Prince Harry to Leonardo DiCaprio fighting deforestation, climate change, pollution and factory farming.

Her nonprofit Jane Goodall Institute in the U.S. is projected to raise $30 million this year, with additional millions raised by the other 25 chapters worldwide, a spokesman said. Her youth movement, Roots and Shoots, is operating in 70 countries.

But she has never been presented like this — in an immersive tribute by African artists and Disney veterans. Disney has called Imagineering the “blending of creative imagination with technical know-how.” But “Dr. Jane’s Dream” is not a Disney project; rather, it taps into storytelling techniques by some of its former innovators.

At “Dr. Jane’s Dream,” Goodall said in New York last week, “There’s a tent where my mom and I were and two little peepholes looking out into the world of the chimps.” Visitors will be challenged. “They go into this dream world and are going to have to investigate. It’s like an adventure.”

Goodall is now on one of her globe-circling jaunts that keep her on the road some 300 days a year. She flew in from the West Coast at the end of March and after Canada and a few days back home in her native Bournemouth on the English Channel, she is booked to Europe, Africa, Australia, South America and Asia.

Since Jan. 12, she calculated, she has slept in her own bed five nights.

On April 2, Goodall was on East 54th Street at the Hotel Elysée with its Monkey Bar — a coincidence, she insisted — along with the fact that her top floor suite had been the last abode of the playwright Tennessee Williams, who died there in 1983 at 71, choking on the cap of a bottle of barbiturates.

Her latest project, “Dr. Jane’s Dream,” is unfolding at the Arusha Cultural Heritage Center, opened in 1994 by Saifudin Khanbhai, whose great-grandfather from India established a trading outpost in British colonial Tanganyika in the 1800s.

Khanbhai offered Goodall a location on the five-acre heritage site, amid a complex of half a dozen buildings and four huts displaying the work of some 3,000 artists and jewelers and showcasing the region’s unique blue gemstone, Tanzanite.

“We just connected so well,” Khanbhai said in an interview. “I’m a man of chemistry. If it works it works.”

Her building’s shell of round drumlike forms is already up, with the interior exhibits coming over the next year.

“Basically, she is getting the deep storytelling, design and immersiveness of Disney Imagineering because — well, we adore Jane,” said Tom Acomb, an architect with his own firm, AOA, and a former Imagineer who teamed up with colleagues including Joe Rohde , creator of Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park in Florida, to donate hundreds of thousands of dollars of free design services for “Dr. Jane’s Dream.”

But Acomb said, “Disney has nothing to do with the project, nor is any technology of theirs deployed in any way. What is in the mix is a process — the process that was unique to Disney Imagineering’s ability to tell a story.” He said they still did support work for Disney when called upon.

The idea, Rohde explained, was to create “much more of an experience center than an expository center.”

“What we’re trying to do,” he added, “is sort of take all the feelings and emotions that made Jane Goodall Jane Goodall and transfer that into a series of objects and encounters.”

It was not so much “about” Goodall, he noted, as “feeling her.”

He said it would feature a kiosk with a recording of Goodall translating chimp cries into English; a ceiling of 800 leaflike tiles painted by various African artists, models of animals wrapped in information about them (requiring close study by visitors, just as Goodall had to closely study her subjects); and elaborately carved and painted tree trunks in a style of artmaking called Makonde .

And, of course, the famous termite mound.

“Rather than just telling people that this is the way chimps fish for food,” Rohde said, “we want to compel people to do something like what the chimps do — use these little probes to stimulate something within the termite mound. You’re not learning about what chimps do — you’re learning what they do.

“It’s a very Jane Goodall thing.”

To keep “Dr. Jane’s Dream" maintainable locally, it will limit fancy technology, and allow for improvisation, Rohde said.

“It’s going to be what it becomes as the artists make it.”

Born in London in 1934, Goodall grew up cherishing animals, even, as a not-yet-2-year-old, taking earthworms to bed with her. Her mother, Vanne, convinced her that the worms would do better in the ground. At 4½ she lost herself in the henhouse trying to figure out where eggs came from.

Her parents separated when she was little and, amid Nazi bombings, she relocated with her mother and younger sister to her grandmother’s home in Bournemouth. The first book she read was “The Story of Dr. Dolittle,” about a country physician who talks to the animals. Another early book, “Tarzan of the Apes” left her jealous, she remembers: “He marries the wrong Jane.”

Set on visiting Africa, Goodall saved her waitressing money and, at 23 in 1957, sailed to Kenya where, though lacking a college degree, she sought out Leakey who with his wife, Mary, was excavating early human fossils in Olduvai Gorge, Tanzania.

One day at the site, out walking with another assistant, Gillian Trace, and the Leakeys’ two protective Dalmatians, Toots and Bottom-Biter, Goodall noticed they were being trailed by a young male lion. The dogs, off leash, were busy chasing a mouse.

“Gillian wanted to hide in the vegetation at the bottom of the gorge,” she recalled last week. “I said no, the lion would know where we are, we won’t know where the lion is. We have to climb up on the plains so the lion could see us. I had this firm belief that animals wouldn’t hurt us if we are not a threat to them.”

Goodall said she was less worried about the lion than coming back to Mary Leakey without the Dalmatians.

Afterward, Louis Leakey, impressed, offered her a job studying chimpanzees for clues to man’s earliest ancestors. She became one of his three ape mentees, “the trimates,” who also included Dian Fossey on gorillas and Birutė Galdikas on orangutans. Fossey would be murdered in Rwanda in 1985.

Goodall returned to England but sailed back to Africa with her mother in 1960 to begin her research in Gombe, on Lake Tanganyika.

Alone in the jungle with only their cook, both were felled by malaria. Her mother nearly died. “We just lay in our beds and handed the thermometer back and forth,” Goodall recalled. Somehow, without quinine, they recovered.

She tried repeatedly to make contact with the chimps but they remained aloof, as recorded by an old movie camera she propped up in a tree fork.

Until, after nearly four months, David Greybeard let her get close enough as he made his tool of the tree branch.

“It was held in the left hand, poked into the ground, and then removed coated with termites,” she recorded in her field book. “The straw was then raised to the mouth and the insects picked off with the lips, along the length of the straw, starting in the middle.”

Goodall said she knew immediately that her breakthrough would thrill Leakey. He cabled back: “Now we must redefine ‘tool,’ redefine ‘man’ or accept chimpanzees as human.”

But Goodall also observed the primates in warfare and cannibalism — along with manifestations of empathy and communal rearing of offspring orphaned by poachers. At a waterfall, she observed chimps dancing as if in religious awe.

Sergio Almécija , senior research scientist in primates and human evolution at the American Museum of Natural History, said Goodall revolutionized the way we understand primates and other animals — “like the transition from radio to color TV.”

Starting in 1961, Goodall returned periodically to Cambridge for what became four years of doctoral studies in ethology. “I was told you must focus on feeding behavior or maternal behavior, but not everything,” she recalled.

She focused on everything. She also rejected complaints that she was giving names, not just numbers, to her chimp subjects and recognizing their humanlike traits.

When National Geographic sent a renowned Dutch wildlife photographer, Baron Hugo van Lawick, to Gombe in 1962 to document an irresistible story — a young Englishwoman among the apes — a romance blossomed. They married in London in 1964 and had a child, Hugo Eric Louis, nicknamed Grub. (Now a house builder in Africa and Latin America, he has two sons and a daughter, Goodall’s grandchildren, who work on some of her projects.)

A slowdown in assignments sent van Lawick in search of work in the Serengeti and he and Goodall divorced in 1974. A year later she married the Tanzanian national parks director, Derek Bryceson . He died of cancer in 1980, when Goodall was 46.

In 1986, she helped organize a conference in Chicago, and was shocked to learn how deforestation and pollution were decimating animal populations.

“I went to the conference as a scientist and I left as an activist,” she said.

After revelations of terrible conditions at the Brazzaville zoo in the Republic of Congo, she persuaded the American oil company Conoco to help build a chimp sanctuary in that country. She convinced leading research laboratories like Harvard’s that chimps, after all, made poor models for medical experimentation to benefit humans. Many long-captive animals were released to sanctuaries (though ape-trafficking remained rampant).

She widened her focus to human behavior as well, and became a vegan. “How can we even save the precious chimpanzees,” she asked, “when people all around are struggling to survive?”

Some of her favorite stuffed animals that she carries around in her hand luggage sat last week on a mantle in her New York hotel room: Mr. H, a monkey from a blinded United States Marine, Gary Haun, who became a proficient magician, skier and sky diver; Pigcasso, a South African pig taught to create artworks with a paintbrush in her mouth; an octopus from the movie “My Octopus Teacher”; and Rattie, an African pouched rat trained to detect land mines.

Two other items were away on display at a National Geographic Museum traveling exhibition called “Becoming Jane: The Evolution of Dr. Jane Goodall” — a piece of the Berlin Wall and a limestone rock from Nelson Mandela’s Robben Island prison.

All symbols, Goodall says, of her mantra — hope.

“I’m seeing humanity as at the mouth of a very long dark tunnel,” she said, “and right at the end is a little star — that’s hope. But in order to get there we’ve got to roll up our sleeves and climb under and crawl over all the obstacles that lie in the path, like climate change, and loss of biodiversity. And a very important one is poverty. We must alleviate poverty because really poor people destroy the environment to survive.”

In her hotel suite, the living room lights and brass chandelier were lit. A photo of Tennessee Williams glistened in a vitrine.

Goodall was in a bedroom, resting her eyes from her travels and lectures into the spotlights. Suddenly, for no apparent reason, the chandelier began to sway.

Goodall didn’t seem surprised to hear of it. Once, she said, staying in another suite on the same floor, she had seen an apparition.

Did she believe in a hereafter?

There’s either nothing or there’s something, she said. Finding out the answer would be “the next great adventure.”