You feel like you don’t have enough time but still want to go on a short safari and explore wildlife destinations? These 5 Tanzania National Parks are our personal favorites and are rewarding in their own unique ways. Whether you are pressed by time or budget, explore some of the less visited and best-kept secrets of the animal kingdom.

Arusha National Park

The beautiful lake Momela where you can even choose to canoe under the bright open sky

Just 30 minutes drive from the Safari capital, this safari park is a hidden gem beyond wildlife. Arusha National parks gives you the best views of Mt. Meru, the Momela Lakes, Ngurdoto Crater with the lush highland forests that blanket its lower slopes. This destination makes for a great short safari trip for families to spot red colobus monkeys, hundreds of birds and giraffes all in the serene retreat. A few hours of a game drive makes for a fulfilling experience.

For You: A Quick Safari Getaway

Lake Manyara National Park

Spot the famous tree climbing lions of Manyara – a favorite activity while visiting one of Tanzania’s national Parks

Known for its tree climbing lioness and pink flamingoes, Lake Manyara National Park is one of its kind in the Northern Safari Circuit. It has water forests, bush plains, baobab strewn cliffs, and algae-streaked hot springs offer incredible ecological variety in a small area, rich in wildlife and incredible numbers of birds. In addition to the lions, the national park is also home to the largest concentration of baboons anywhere in the world — a fact that accounts for interesting game viewing of large families of the primates.

Mikumi National Park

The hippo pool- a perfect spot for your lunch time

The fourth-largest Tanzania national park, Mikumi enjoys direct access from Dar es Salaam and is a mere 5-6 hours drive away from the city. Most travelers prefer to take this day trip with a near guarantee to see all the Big 5; lion, cheetah, elephant, buffalo and rhino. There are more than 400 species of birds including the resident lilac-breasted roller and the bateleur eagle enjoying the company of the migrating European birds. Mikumi National Park is also known as the little Serengeti.

Ngorongoro Conservation Area

How many flamingoes can you count? Visit Tanzania’s only natural calder- The Ngorongoro

The eight-natural wonder of the world, this naturally formed caldera is of 300 sq kms and offers the most happening game drives against a scenic deep backdrop. The crater floor consists of several different habitats that include grassland, swamps, forests and Lake Makat (Maasai for ‘salt’) – a central soda lake filled by the Munge River. Ngorongoro Crater is one of the most likely areas in Tanzania to see the endangered Black Rhino, leopard here are also good, and fabulous black-maned lions. Many flamingos are also attracted to the soda waters of Lake Magadi.

Explore: Classic Northern Safari Circuit

Kilimanjaro National Park

This park forms Mt. Kilimanjaro’s foot slopes and is a part of Kilimanjaro National Park featuring a lush montane forest, home to the leopards, buffaloes, elephants, antelopes and endangered Abbot’s duiker to mention a few. Cape Buffaloes and Elephants bathing in the Namwai and Tarkia river, blue monkeys, colobuses and leopards on the trees are a frequent site here. Witness the greatness of the Kilimanjaro Mountain with overnight hikes on the Shira Plateau, visit the Chala crater lake on the southern eastern slopes and enjoy trout fishing.

Want to organize a trip to one of these Tanzania national parks or combine an incredible short safari experience? Write to us and we will plan a budget friendly holiday for you to Tanzania.