
What are the top 5 largest national parks in Tanzania
What are the top 5 largest national parks in Tanzania
Tanzania is regarded as an excellent safari destination, largely due to its many world-class opportunities for game spotting. Tanzania is home to many of the best and biggest parks in Africa, and some of the most varied and unique landscapes that you’ll ever see.
The country home to the great wildebeest migration, each year Tanzania sees millions of animals make their way across the land in search for water and fresh pastures. Wildebeest, zebras, and gazelle make the arduous journey, and brave the ranging Mara River, filled with waiting crocodiles.
But the great migration isn’t the only aspect of Tanzania that’s worth seeing. Herds of grazing animals mean that predators won’t be far away. In Tanzania, you’ll have the opportunity to see lion, cheetahs, leopards, and hunting dogs. If you’re curious about what this beautiful country has to offer, here’s a look at ten reasons it’s regarded as one of the best safari destinations in Africa.
However, in the context below are some of the five largest national parks can are found in Tanzania and some of these include;
Nyerere National Park
Nyerere National Park formerly known as Selous Game Reserve, is the largest national park in Tanzania covering an area of about 30, 893 square kilometers and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. this national park is characterized by beautiful features such as rivers, wetlands, and open savannah. The national park is home to the largest river in the country known as the Rufiji River, which flows through the park and is a vital water source for a rich diversity of wildlife including a large population of hippos, elephants, crocodiles, and a range of bird species.
Nyerere National Park is famous for its large population of African wild dogs and offers an impressive sanctuary for these endangered animals. The national park’s remote and untouched nature allows for an authentic safari experience, with opportunities for walking safaris, boat safaris, game viewing, and bird watching among other interesting safari activities.

Ruaha National Park
Ruaha National Park is the second largest national park in Tanzania covering an area of approximately 20,226 square kilometers. The national park is also composed of stunning steep cliffs, river valleys, and savannah grasslands. This interesting national park got its name from the Great Ruaha River which flows along its southeastern margin, supporting an abundant variety of wildlife
Ruaha National Park is known for its large population of elephants as well as other wildlife such as Giraffe, greater kudu, sable antelope, lesser kudu, zebra, impala, bushbuck, buffalo, hartebeest, gazelle, waterbuck, lions, black-backed jackals, cheetahs, leopards, spotted hyenas, and African wild dogs.
The national park is also home to over 500 species of birds recorded including the residents and migratory birds. Unique features of Ruaha National Park include the park’s baobab trees and its breathtaking sunsets, making it a paradise for nature lovers and photographers.
Serengeti National Park
Serengeti National Park is one of Africa’s most beautiful wildlife destinations, famous for its role in the annual great migration, where millions of wildebeest and zebras cross the plains in search of greener pastures.
The park’s diverse ecosystem includes grasslands, savannah, riverine forests, and woodlands, each supporting a large array of wildlife. Serengeti National Park is home to the “Big Five” (lion, buffalo, elephant, rhino, and leopard) and also boasts a rich bird population.
The national park is also famous for its stunning features such as the Seronera River, a hotspot for wildlife viewing, and the Ngorongoro Crater to the east, creating a unique conservation area adjoining the park.
The major highlights of a Tanzania safari in the Serengeti National Park are the opportunity to witness the Great Migration, game viewing, and Hot air balloon safaris, the park is one of the best destinations to spot African predators with excellent accommodation options. additionally, the park is one of the cheapest national parks in Tanzania.
Ngorongoro Conservation Area
Ngorongoro Conservation Area is unique as it encompasses an extinct volcanic caldera and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site located in the northern part of Tanzania occupying about 8,292 square kilometers, making it among the larger protected areas in Tanzania. the Ngorongoro Crater itself is the world’s largest unbroken caldera, is a major attraction and boasts some of the highest concentrations of wildlife in Africa.
This diverse ecosystem supports a wide variety of species such as rare black rhinos, buffalos, lions, and elephants among others. The area is rich in cultural heritage, home to the Maasai people, who maintain their traditional lifestyle alongside the conservation effort.
Visitors while on a Tanzania safari here have the chance to participate in a number of activities such as wildlife viewing, black rhino tracking, seeing the Big Five, bird watching, and exploring the Maasai culture by visiting a traditional village among others
Katavi National Park
Katavi National Park is a Tanzanian national park, located in the Katavi region. This Unique remote national park was gazetted in 1974 and covers an area of approximately 4,471 square kilometers, making it the fifth largest national park in Tanzania.
This remote national park is home to Katuma River and the season Lake Katavi and Lake Chada floodplains which are home to a wide variety of wildlife. The Katavi is famous for its large herds of elephants and buffalos that congregate near the seasonal lakes and rivers during the dry seasons.
The park is also known for its thriving hippo population, zebras, giraffes, cheetahs, wild dogs, hyenas, leopards, lions, and crocodiles among others as well as over 400 species have been recorded, and migratory birds are present from November to April.
Visitors while on a Tanzania safari here, have the best chance to engage in a number of activities such as game viewing, nature walks, birdwatching, and cultural encounters among others.
Contact our trusted tour operators for more information about what are the top five largest national parks in Tanzania and then book with our tours and travel companies such as; Focus East Africa Tours who offer the best tour packages while on your safari in Tanzania.