TANZANIA’S MAJOR NATIONAL PARKS

Tanzania’s major national parks

1. Tarangire national park

Tarangire national park is found in Manyara region in Tanzania. The name Tarangire originates from Tarangire river. Many wildlife animals cross to this river especially in the dry season. its area covers 2850 square kilometers.

Tarangire national park is also known to harbor  a large number of elephants and baobabs, large herds of zebras, wildebeests and so many other wild animals. This park is also a birder’s haven with about 550 bird species.

2.Serengeti national park

Serengeti national park is also found in Tanzania with an area of about 2286 kilometers boarded to the north by the Kenyan boarder. Interestingly this park was proposed a world heritage site by UNESCO. This is the only national park in Tanzania where one can witnesses thousands  of wildebeests and other wild animals cross over to acacia plains. The landscape in this park is savannah with grasslands with a dry and cool season from May to August and the climate is moderate. Temperatures vary with seasons. Serengeti national park is also a bird’s paradise with about 500 bird species. This park is also divided into three regions namely; Serengeti plains, western corridor and northern Serengeti.

3. Lake Manyara national park

Lake Manyara national park is also one of the major parks in Tanzania west of Arusha town covering an area of 330 sq kilometers with a breath taking scenery, known for the tree climbing lions and soda ash that attracts a number of flamingos. The best time to visit Lake Manyara national park is during the dry season for the best game viewing although it can be visited all year around. Lake Manyara has the big five such as elephants, lions, leopards, others like zebras, wildebeests , impalas to mention but a few.

4. Mt. Kirimanjaro national park

Mt. Kilimanjaro is one of the highest point in Africa found in Tanzania located near the town of Moshi. it is also a world heritage declared by UNESCO. This park is approximately 1688 square kilometers with great fauna and flora. it includes the mountain and montane forest. Variety of animals found in this park include; bushbucks, red duikers, cape buffaloes, elephants, blue monkeys plus the eastern black and white colobuses, bush babies and leopards

5. Ngorongoro crater Area

This is also found in Tanzania and was named after the Ngorongoro crater a large volcanic crater within the area Arusha region. It is also a UNESCO world heritage site. This crater is also the world’s inactive, intact and unfilled volcanic caldera and among the seven natural wonders of Africa. There are so many wild animals in this crater which include; black rhinoceros, hippopotamus, zebras, blue wildebeests, elands, thomson’s gazelles, waterbucks, giraffes, impalas, crocodiles, oribis, cheetahs to mention but a few. Ngorongoro crater area is also known to have a good number of lions.

6. Arusha national park

Arusha national park is one of the small but major park in Tanzania with spectacular landscapes. it is a 300 kilometer axis running from Serengeti national park and Ngorongoro cater. It also has a rich variety of wildlife. Birdlife in this park is prolific with different species.

7.Ruaha national park

Ruaha national park is also found in Tanzania and its about 130 kilometers. The name Ruaha was derived from the great Ruaha river which flows along its southeastern margin. It has great flora and fauna known for many elephants although they declined in 2015. It has birds especially the hornbills. Wildlife animals include; the East African cheetahs, the east African lions, African leopard, wild dogs, spotted hyenas, giraffes, hippopotamus to mention but a few.

8. Nyerere national park

Nyerere national park also known as selous national park is one of the second largest conservation area in Africa in the southern part of Tanzania. It covers an area of 54,600 square kilometers inhabiting different wildlife. It was also declared a world heritage by UNESCO. There are a number of wildlife in this park including; buffaloes, lions, wildebeests, giraffes, zebras, hippos, hyenas, crocodiles and so many more.