1. Serengeti National Park

Serengeti National Park is one of the most renowned and iconic wildlife destinations in the world. Located in the northern part of Tanzania, it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is home to one of the most spectacular concentrations of wildlife on the planet. The park's dramatic landscapes, its role in the Great Migration, and its status as a top safari destination make it one of Africa's most beloved conservation areas.

Serengeti National Park is located in the northwest of Tanzania, extending into the southwest of Kenya. The park borders Ngorongoro Crater Conservation Area to the southeast and is part of the larger Serengeti Ecosystem, which stretches across both Tanzania and Kenya.

Serengeti National Park spans an impressive 14,750 square kilometers (5,700 square miles), making it one of the largest national parks in Africa. The park is also part of a broader Serengeti-Mara Ecosystem that extends into Kenya's Masai Mara National Reserve.

2. Ngorongoro Crater Conservation Area

The Ngorongoro Crater Conservation Area (NCCA), often simply referred to as the Ngorongoro Crater, is one of the most iconic and important protected areas in Tanzania, and it holds a unique place in the world’s natural heritage. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most visited and sought-after safari destinations.

Ngorongoro Crater is located in the northern part of Tanzania, within the Great Rift Valley. It is part of the larger Ngorongoro Conservation Area (NCA), which extends across an area of about 8,292 square kilometers (3,200 square miles). The crater itself is about 20 kilometers (12 miles) in diameter and is located approximately 180 kilometers (110 miles) west of Arusha.

The NCA, which encompasses both the Ngorongoro Crater and the surrounding highlands, spans 8,292 square kilometers, making it a vast area with diverse landscapes, including volcanic landscapes, grasslands, and forests.

3. Tarangire National Park

Tarangire National Park is one of Tanzania’s most spectacular and diverse wildlife destinations, known for its large elephant herds, impressive baobab trees, and rich biodiversity. Located in the northern safari circuit of Tanzania, Tarangire offers a unique and rewarding safari experience.

Tarangire National Park is located in northern Tanzania, about 120 kilometers (75 miles) southwest of Arusha, the gateway town to the Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater, and other northern Tanzanian parks. It lies within the Manyara Region and is often included in the northern circuit safari tours. The park covers an area of 2,850 square kilometers (1,100 square miles), making it the sixth largest national park in Tanzania.

4. Selous Game Reserve (Nyerere National Park)

Selous Game Reserve, now known as Nyerere National Park, is one of the largest and most ecologically diverse conservation areas in Tanzania. It is a vital part of the country’s natural heritage and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The park offers a unique combination of wildlife, pristine wilderness, and a variety of landscapes, making it a standout destination for safari enthusiasts looking for a more remote and untouched experience.

The park is located in the southern part of Tanzania, covering the areas of Rufiji River Basin and extending into the surrounding districts of Morogoro and Lindi regions. It is about 250 kilometers (155 miles) south of Dar es Salaam, Tanzania's largest city. Originally, Selous Game Reserve covered an area of around 50,000 square kilometers (19,300 square miles), making it one of the largest game reserves in the world. However, in 2019, it was upgraded to Nyerere National Park, and its total area was reduced to about 30,000 square kilometers (11,500 square miles), still making it one of the largest protected areas in Tanzania and Africa.

5. Gombe Stream National Park Gombe National Park

Gombe Stream National Park, often simply referred to as Gombe National Park, is a unique and ecologically significant protected area located in the Kigoma Region of western Tanzania. The park is famous for its role in chimpanzee research, especially due to the pioneering work of Dr. Jane Goodall, and it remains one of the most studied places for understanding the behavior, social structure, and ecology of chimpanzees.

Gombe Stream National Park is situated in the western part of Tanzania, along the northern shore of Lake Tanganyika, the second-largest freshwater lake in the world by volume. The park is located about 16 km (10 miles) from the town of Kigoma, which serves as the primary gateway to the park. Covering an area of 52 square kilometers (20 square miles), Gombe Stream National Park is relatively small compared to other Tanzanian national parks. Despite its compact size, the park holds immense ecological significance, primarily due to its dense chimpanzee population and its role in primate research.

7. Mkomazi National Park

Mkomazi National Park is a relatively lesser-known gem in Tanzania, renowned for its unique biodiversity, stunning landscapes, and efforts toward wildlife conservation. Located in the northeastern part of Tanzania, Mkomazi is one of the country's newest and most intriguing protected areas, offering a rich blend of wildlife, scenic views, and a historical connection to conservation efforts. Mkomazi National Park is located in the northeastern region of Tanzania, near the border with Kenya. The park is positioned between the Usambara Mountains to the west and the Pare Mountains to the south. It is roughly 200 km (124 miles) from Arusha, making it accessible via a drive from the city or through private charters. Mkomazi covers an area of about 3,250 square kilometers (1,255 square miles), making it one of Tanzania's medium-sized national parks. The park is known for its diversity in terrain and ecosystems, ranging from savannah and grasslands to more arid and semi-desert regions.

8. Lake Manyara National Park

Lake Manyara National Park is one of Tanzania’s most popular and accessible national parks, offering a unique mix of landscapes, wildlife, and birdlife. Located in the northern part of Tanzania, this park is known for its stunning scenery, rich biodiversity, and the iconic Lake Manyara, which dominates the park's ecosystem. The park is part of the Northern Safari Circuit, making it a key destination for wildlife enthusiasts, photographers, and nature lovers.

Lake Manyara National Park is situated in the northern part of Tanzania, in the Arusha Region. It lies approximately 126 kilometers (78 miles) west of Arusha town, about a 2-hour drive from the city. The park is located at the base of the Great Rift Valley, along the shores of Lake Manyara, and it is bordered by the Ngorongoro Conservation Area to the west. The park covers an area of about 330 square kilometers (127 square miles), with approximately 200 square kilometers of this area being covered by the lake itself during the wet season. The park’s landscape ranges from the lake shore to woodlands, grasslands, and steep cliffs.

9. Kitulo National Park

Kitulo National Park is one of Tanzania’s most remarkable yet lesser-known parks, often referred to as the “Serengeti of Flowers.” Located in the southern highlands of Tanzania, the park is renowned for its breathtaking scenery, rich biodiversity, and its importance as a unique ecological hotspot. Kitulo is distinguished by its extensive wildflower meadows, high-altitude plateaus, and incredible variety of species, particularly endemic plants and birds.

Kitulo National Park is located in the Southern Highlands of Tanzania, in the Mbeya Region. The park is about 400 kilometers (250 miles) southwest of Iringa and about 40 kilometers (25 miles) from the town of Mbeya. It sits along the Mbeya escarpment, near the borders of the Ngorongoro Conservation Area and the Selous Game Reserve, making it part of Tanzania's southern tourism circuit.

The park covers an area of about 412 square kilometers (159 square miles). The park’s topography consists of grasslands, highland plateaus, and patches of montane forest, making it a diverse landscape with a variety of ecosystems.

10. Mahale Mountains National Park

Mahale Mountains National Park is one of Tanzania's most remote and breathtakingly beautiful national parks. Located on the shores of Lake Tanganyika in the western part of the country, the park is renowned for its pristine wilderness, dramatic landscapes, and diverse wildlife. It is a sanctuary for both nature enthusiasts and those looking for a secluded escape, offering opportunities to explore rainforests, alpine terrain, and pristine lakeshores. Mahale is best known for its population of wild chimpanzees, but it also boasts a wide range of flora, fauna, and stunning scenery that make it a true gem of Tanzania’s biodiversity.

Mahale Mountains National Park is located in western Tanzania, along the shores of Lake Tanganyika, which is one of Africa's Great Lakes. The park is situated in the Kigoma Region, approximately 1,300 kilometers (810 miles) from Dar es Salaam and 150 kilometers (93 miles) from the town of Kigoma.

The park covers an area of approximately 1,613 square kilometers (623 square miles). It spans a variety of landscapes, including lush rainforests, mountainous terrain, and the expansive shorelines of Lake Tanganyika.

11. Saadani National Park

Saadani National Park is a unique and diverse park in Tanzania, located along the Indian Ocean coastline. This distinctive park offers a rare combination of safari experiences and beach relaxation, making it one of Tanzania's most fascinating destinations. Its location, which blends savannah, mangrove forests, and beaches, offers a chance to witness a diverse array of wildlife with the added beauty of ocean views. Saadani is also historically significant as it was Tanzania's first coastal national park. Saadani National Park is located in the Tanga Region, situated between the towns of Bagamoyo and Tanga, along the eastern coastline of Tanzania, by the shores of the Indian Ocean. It is about 100 kilometers (62 miles) north of Dar es Salaam and about 50 kilometers (31 miles) south of Tanga.

The park spans an area of 1,100 square kilometers (425 square miles). It includes a variety of habitats such as savannah, coastal forests, mangrove swamps, and beaches.

12. Arusha National Park

Arusha National Park is one of Tanzania's most accessible and diverse parks, offering a variety of ecosystems, wildlife, and stunning views. Located near the city of Arusha, the park provides visitors with a chance to experience a wide range of landscapes, from mountainous terrain to lakes and savannahs. The park is also home to Mount Meru, the second-highest peak in Tanzania, making it a fantastic destination for both nature lovers and adventure seekers.

Arusha National Park is located in the northern region of Tanzania, about 25 kilometers (15 miles) east of the city of Arusha. The park is strategically positioned between two major Tanzanian tourism attractions: Mount Kilimanjaro to the northeast and the Ngorongoro Crater to the south.

The park covers an area of approximately 137 square kilometers (53 square miles), making it one of the smaller parks in Tanzania, but despite its size, it is packed with diverse ecosystems and wildlife.

13. Katavi National Park

Katavi National Park is one of the most remote and pristine parks in Tanzania, located in the western part of the country. Known for its wild, rugged beauty, Katavi is often considered one of the best-kept secrets of Tanzanian wildlife conservation. It offers an authentic, off-the-beaten-path safari experience, with dramatic landscapes, rich wildlife, and fewer crowds compared to other more well-known parks like Serengeti and Ngorongoro. Katavi is a park for adventurous travelers seeking an untamed African wilderness experience.

Katavi National Park is located in the western part of Tanzania, in the Katavi Region, which is about 500 kilometers (310 miles) from Mbeya and around 40 kilometers (25 miles) from the nearest town of Sumbawanga. The park is situated in the rural, remote part of the country, making it one of the least visited national parks in Tanzania. Katavi spans approximately 4,471 square kilometers (1,726 square miles), making it one of the larger national parks in Tanzania. Despite its size, it is relatively less developed and offers a more secluded safari experience.

14. Kilimanjaro National Park

Kilimanjaro National Park is one of Tanzania’s most iconic national parks, known primarily for its stunning centerpiece: Mount Kilimanjaro, the tallest mountain in Africa and the highest freestanding mountain in the world. This UNESCO World Heritage Site offers a rich combination of dramatic landscapes, diverse ecosystems, and wildlife, making it one of the most popular destinations for climbers and nature enthusiasts alike. Located in the northeastern region of Tanzania, it attracts adventurers from all over the globe, seeking to summit the mountain or experience its lush forests and wildlife.

Kilimanjaro National Park is located in northeastern Tanzania, near the town of Moshi, approximately 300 kilometers (190 miles) south of the Kenyan border and 300 kilometers (190 miles) east of Arusha. The park is easily accessible from Moshi, which serves as the main base for climbers attempting to summit Mount Kilimanjaro.

The park covers an area of 1,688 square kilometers (652 square miles), protecting the mountain's slopes, forests, and the Kilimanjaro ecosystem. The park extends from the lowland rainforests at its base to the alpine deserts near the summit, showcasing various ecological zones.