Tanzania Wildlife & Safaris

Wildlife in the North vs the South of Tanzania

The principal northern and southern wildlife regions cover a vast range of destinations, each of which has its own unique wildlife and ecosystems.

The southern region offers more remote and unspoiled safari terrain and is much less frequented, whilst the northern circuit is busier but still has some great wildlife. The Southern Circuit includes the Selous Game Reserve and is one of the few areas you can explore on foot, offering the chance to view wild dogs, wildebeest, hippos, over 70,000 elephants, zebra and predators in their natural habitat. In the wilds of the west, Katavi is one of the least visited parks yet boasts some of the largest populations of crocodiles and hippos, while lion and leopard feed from the huge herds of herbivores.

In the north, the likelihood of spotting Big Five game, crocodiles, hippo, zebra and giraffe is strong in the renowned National Parks of the Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater and Tarangire.

The Serengeti is perfect for the quintessential landscapes of Africa; golden plains that teem with life of the numerous resident animals that one associates with Africa. Here you can also find the Great Migration for a majority of the year, where millions of wildebeest traverse the plains with predators such as lions, leopards, hyenas and crocodiles in hot pursuit.

The Ngorongoro Crater is a breathtaking volcanic caldera that contains its own unique ecosystem and this animal sanctuary literally throngs with a staggering variety of wildlife, including buffalo, wildebeest, endangered black rhino, Thomson’s and Grant’s gazelle, elephant and lions.

Chimpanzees

In the stunningly beautiful areas of Mahale and Gombe, the rainforest-clad slopes are home to some of the oldest habituated chimpanzee troops in Africa. Trekking through the forests to track these familiar-looking distant relatives is one of the highlights of a wildlife holiday in Tanzania and can range between 1 to 4 hours, awaiting the upshot of a monkey hunt or the pant hoots of their frenetic communication is worth the tiring trek.

The Masai Giraffe

The national animal of Tanzania, also known as the Kilimanjaro Giraffe, is the largest subspecies of giraffe and one of the most easily recognisable animals. Using their long tongues to reach between thorns, they will find and eat large amounts of leaves, flowers, fruits and twigs, feeding for 16-20 hours each day. They can be found in several national parks such as Serengeti National Park, Tarangire National Park, and Lake Manyara National Park.

Birdwatching in Tanzania: Top Bird Species and Safari Locations

Tanzania is one of Africa’s top birdwatching destinations, with over 1,100 recorded bird species found across its national parks and reserves. From the Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater to the Eastern Arc Mountains, the country offers incredible birdlife diversity for both expert and beginner birders. Key species include the Secretary Bird, Superb Starling, and Grey-Crowned Crane, as well as wetland favourites like the Yellow-Billed Stork and African Fish Eagle. Tanzania’s mix of savannah, woodland, wetlands, and highland forests creates ideal habitats for year-round birdwatching on safari.