A full one-third of Tanzania’s land mass is protected due to the creation of 16 national parks. This makes the country perfect for safaris and wildlife viewing. Thanks to this vast amount of protected land, at least 20% of Africa’s large mammal populations are spread across reserves, conservation areas, and marine parks in Tanzania.
Tanzania has the largest animal population density of any country in the world. There are more animals per square mile of land in Tanzania than anywhere else. Tanzania is famous for its biodiversity, its large populations of big cats, and the Great Migration.
What is Tanzania’s National Animal?
Tanzania has chosen the graceful, intriguing giraffe as its national animal. Standing an average of 20 feet tall, the giraffe is the tallest land mammal on earth. Giraffes are social animals. They travel in groups of 10 to 12 females with their young. The males travel separately.
Although there are many giraffes in Tanzania, the World Wildlife Fund says their population numbers are declining. Habitat loss and poaching have put giraffes in a “vulnerable” status for conservation.
Nearly 30 Percent of Tanzania is National Parks
Almost 30% of the country has been turned into wildlife preserves, conservation areas, and marine conservation areas. Tanzania has 17 national parks that cover more than 16,000 square miles.
Tanzania boasts some of the best national parks in the world. The Serengeti National Park is one of the most famous and best-loved parks, and is home to more than one million species of large mammals. It’s also a World Heritage Site, and has also had the honor of being named a 7th world wonder. The Serengeti is the site of the Great Migration, where wildebeest and zebras make their way across the plains in search of fresh grasslands.
It’s also home to great buffalo herds, elephants, giraffe, leopard, impala, and gazelle, as well as the endangered Eastern Black Rhinoceros. Tanzania also features the largest population of elephants; which can be found in the Selous Game Reserve. Another famous Tanzanian park is the Gombe Stream National Park, where Dr. Jane Goodall famously carried out her studies on chimps. Take a look at our trademark itinerary: Tanzania’s 5 Parks which is the ultimate wildlife experience.
What you can see on Safari in Tanzania
The wildebeest great migration happens in October and November. During the migration, wildebeests travel across the Serengeti in huge herds. This migration includes more than 200,000 zebras and 300,000 Thomson’s gazelles.
A game drive is the most popular way to view animals. This allows you to watch them from the comfort and safety of a closed vehicle. You can even take a balloon safari, which takes you across the whole park.
Some of the best places to see wildlife on a Tanzania safari are Serengeti National Park, Selous Game Reserve, Tarangire National Park, and Mkomazi National Park.
In the wetlands areas, your safari adventure will include sightings of flamingoes, ducks, hippos, waterbucks, common warthogs, crocodiles, and sitatatungas or marshbucks.
Zanzibar Island is part of Tanzania, and the island has its own unique ecology. The coral reefs and mangrove forests are home to whales, dolphins, sea turtles, manta rays, colobus monkeys, dik-diks, Mozambique cobras, and Pemba flying foxes. Zanzibar has one national park and many protected marine areas.
The most dangerous animals in Tanzania
Many dangerous animals live in Tanzania.
Mosquito: The tiny mosquito spreads malaria, which causes more deaths in Africa than any other disease.
Black mamba: This venomous snake can grow up to 14 feet. Its venom is so powerful it can completely incapacitate a grown adult. An untreated bite will cause cardiac collapse and death in about seven hours.
African buffalo: They kill more than 200 people a year. Also known as the Cape buffalo, this animal is stronger than an ox and can weigh a ton or more. Cape buffaloes have massive horns and travel in large herds. It takes an entire pack of lions or cheetahs to bring down one Cape buffalo.
Hippopotamus: After the African elephant, the hippopotamus is the second largest animal on earth. Although they seem fat and lazy, hippos are dangerous. They can weigh over three tons and run more than 30 miles per hour. They are known to attack and kill humans.
See these animals on Safari
Tanzania has many animals, and its parks and game preserves have made it one of the world’s premier places to see exotic wildlife. Animals extinct in other African countries thrive in the parks and game reserves here. Photographic safaris are a wonderful way to see wildebeests, cheetahs, chimpanzees, hippos and other animals.
Ngorongoro Crater is one of the best places to see the Big Five
Another must-see destination in Tanzania is the world-famous Ngorongoro Crater, located in northern Tanzania. Thought to be the result of a volcanic explosion, this fertile valley is one the most beautiful natural wildlife safari destinations in the world, and has even been named one of Africa’s Seven Natural Wonders. The enclosed nature of the crater has created an ecosystem all of its own, resulting in some of the best opportunities to spot game. It also has the densest known population of lions. Buffalo, elephants, leopards, and rhino can also be seen here, in addition to a host of other well-loved African classics like the ostrich, zebra, cheetah, wildebeest, gazelle, and even hippos.
The Great Migration sees over 2 Million animals travel across the Plains
The Great Wildebeest Migration sees over 1.5 million wildebeest, as well as zebra, and gazelle, make their way through the grasslands of Tanzania and Kenya in search of pasture. Undoubtedly, the most exciting part of the journey is the Mara River crossing, where massive herds make their way to the Masai Mara, braving crocodiles, and danger at every turn.
Conclusion
As you can see, Tanzania is a unique and beautiful safari destination, one that offers plenty to see and do in terms of game-spotting opportunities. Little wonder that it ranks amongst the top safari choices as an ideal destination for first-time, and experienced safari-goers alike. Contact Primate Safari Experiences for more interesting information about Tanzania.