1.Nyerere National Park
Nyerere National Park, located in southeastern Tanzania, is part of the former Selous Game Reserve and was upgraded to national park status in November 2019. Named in honor of the late Mwalimu Julius Nyerere, Tanzania’s first president and a staunch advocate for wildlife conservation, the park represents one of the country’s most significant ecological treasures. It is known for its breathtaking landscapes and rich diversity of wildlife.
Covering approximately 30,893 square kilometers, Nyerere National Park is the largest national park in Africa. It lies within the ecosystem of the Selous Game Reserve, a protected area originally established in 1922 and later named after explorer Frederick Courtney Selous. In 1982, the Selous Game Reserve was recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site due to its vast biodiversity and untouched natural environment.
The park features an array of habitats, including open savannahs, Miombo woodlands, wetlands, swamps, and dense riverine forests. These habitats are sustained by the mighty Rufiji River and its network of tributaries, which eventually flow into the Indian Ocean. This variety supports abundant wildlife such as elephants, lions, buffalo, crocodiles, hippos, and numerous bird species.
Bordered by Mikumi National Park to the northwest and Udzungwa Mountains National Park to the west, Nyerere National Park offers exceptional opportunities for photographic safaris and eco-tourism. Its remote location and minimal human impact make it one of the last truly wild places in Africa, ideal for nature lovers and conservation enthusiasts.
2.Udzungwa Mountains Park
Established in 1992, Udzungwa Mountains National Park spans 1,990 square kilometers, with approximately 20% located in Morogoro Region and the remaining 80% in the Iringa Highlands. The name "Udzungwa" is derived from "Wadsungwa," a sub-tribe of the Hehe people who once inhabited the mountain slopes.
Udzungwa is renowned for its rich biodiversity and is home to one of East Africa’s most remarkable forest ecosystems. The park features a wide range of habitats, including tropical rainforests, montane forests, Miombo woodlands, grasslands, and dry savannas. Its greatest appeal lies in its exceptional plant life—many species found here are endemic, ranging from delicate African violets to towering 30-meter trees.
Visitors are treated to breathtaking scenery that includes rugged peaks, rolling grasslands, rocky outcrops, flowing rivers, and dramatic waterfalls. These natural wonders, along with the park’s rare and diverse flora and fauna, make it a must-visit destination.
Wildlife in the park includes elephants, leopards, duikers, bushbucks, hyenas, palm civets, Miombo genets, and elephant shrews. The park is also a sanctuary for unique primates, such as the Iringa red colobus and the Sanje crested mangabey, species found only in this region.
For bird enthusiasts, Udzungwa offers over 400 bird species, including crowned eagles, woodland kingfishers, Rüppell’s vultures, marabous, silvery-cheeked and trumpeter hornbills, and malachite kingfishers.
Safaris in Udzungwa can be customized to match your interests, seasonal preferences, and travel goals—just let your tour planner know your ideal experience.
3.Saadani National Park
Saadani National Park, covering 1,062 square kilometers (415 square miles), lies along Tanzania’s north coast, around 100 km northwest of Dar es Salaam. It is the only national park in East Africa where the beach meets the bush, offering a rare combination of coastal and wildlife experiences. Visitors can enjoy both thrilling game drives and relaxing moments by the Indian Ocean.
This unique park hosts a fascinating blend of marine and terrestrial ecosystems. Its biodiversity includes a wide range of animals such as giraffes, buffaloes, waterbucks, reedbucks, hartebeests, sable antelopes, wildebeests, elephants, and various primates like yellow baboons and vervet monkeys. Lions, leopards, spotted hyenas, and jackals also roam the area.
The Wami River, winding through the park, offers scenic boat safaris rich in wildlife and birdwatching. Guests may encounter hippos, crocodiles, mangrove kingfishers, lesser flamingos, ospreys, and colobus monkeys during a river journey. The park’s beaches are also one of the few remaining green turtle nesting grounds on mainland Tanzania.
Historically, Saadani was a 19th-century trading hub known as Utondwe, later renamed Saadani. It played a role in regional trade, including the slave trade, and is mentioned in early travel records by explorers like Richard Burton and Ptolemy.
Activities available include game drives, birdwatching, walking safaris, snorkeling, kayaking, and cultural site visits. From turtle hatchings to mangrove explorations, Saadani offers a truly immersive experience where wildlife, history, and coastal beauty converge.
4.Mikumi National Park
Mikumi National Park is located just three to four hours from Dar es Salaam, making it one of the most accessible safari destinations in Tanzania. Situated along the main highway to Zambia, it also serves as a convenient stopover to other parks like Udzungwa Mountains, Ruaha, and Kitulo.
The park's most striking feature is the expansive Mikumi flood plain, surrounded by scenic mountain ranges. Open grasslands dominate the plain, gradually blending into miombo woodlands that blanket the lower hills. This diverse habitat supports an impressive variety of wildlife.
Mikumi offers year-round game viewing, ideal for travelers with limited time. Visitors can spot elephants and giraffes, especially near tamarind trees whose fruits are a favorite treat. The Mkata River area is home to giraffes feeding on isolated acacia trees, while the park also shelters lions, zebras, buffalo, and elephants. In the miombo woodlands, keen observers may see the elusive greater kudu and sable antelope.
Birdwatchers will find Mikumi a paradise, with over 400 species recorded. Common birds include marabou storks, bateleur eagles, black-bellied bustards, guinea fowls, oxpeckers, lilac-breasted rollers, and yellow-throated longclaws. During the rainy season, migrating birds from Europe—such as blacksmith plovers, cattle egrets, herons, and fish eagles—add to the spectacle.
Whether for a quick getaway or a stop en route to other parks, Mikumi offers a compact yet rich safari experience packed with wildlife and birdlife diversity.
The Usambara Mountains, located in northeastern Tanzania, are part of the ancient Eastern Arc range, a chain of mountains extending from the Taita Hills in Kenya to southern Tanzania. Estimated to be over 100 million years old, the mountains are among the most biodiverse areas in Africa, hosting more than 3,000 plant species and 600 types of trees. They attract nature lovers, birdwatchers, and researchers from around the world.
The range is split into the West and East Usambaras. The West, accessible via Lushoto, is larger and drier. The East Usambaras, reachable through Muheza, receive more rainfall and are home to Amani Nature Reserve, known for its butterfly farms, botanical gardens, and tea plantations.
The Usambaras offer a mild climate, rich history, and breathtaking scenery. Colonial-era buildings remain from German and British rule. Activities include hiking, biking, bird watching, and cultural tours. Popular hikes include:
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Irente Viewpoint: Offers stunning views of Mazinde and Maasai plains with lunch at Irente Biodiversity Farm.
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Magamba Forest: Walk through royal villages, rainforest home to colobus monkeys, and historic German trenches.
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Kisasa and Mkuzi Waterfalls: Scenic treks to beautiful waterfalls; Kisasa has steep trails and picnic spots.
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Growing Rock Tour: Begins at Soni, climbs Kwamongo Mountain, and visits a unique “growing” rock and conservation site.
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Bangala River Walk: Follows rivers through farmlands, showcasing traditional irrigation and village life.
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Ndelemai Forest: Explore untouched rainforest with wildlife like chameleons, butterflies, and endemic flora.
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Mtae Viewpoint: Combines forest walks, pottery villages, and panoramic views of the region.
The Usambaras are a must-visit for those seeking adventure, ecological richness, and authentic cultural experiences.
6.Amani Nature Forest Reserves
Located in Muheza and Korogwe Districts of Tanga Region, Amani Nature Forest Reserve (ANFR) spans 8,380 hectares and is one of Tanzania’s most ecologically significant protected areas. It is famously known as the “Home of African Violet Flowers” (Saintpaulia), which hold cultural and spiritual significance, symbolizing forgiveness. Recognized by UNESCO as a Man and Biosphere Reserve, ANFR is also ranked by BirdLife International as the 12th best birdwatching site in the world.
Beyond the unique Saintpaulia, the reserve boasts a rich collection of endemic flora and fauna, rare butterflies, three-horned chameleons, and over 1,000 plant species in its historical botanical garden—one of Africa’s oldest. Scenic waterfalls like Zigi, Chemka, and Ndola offer perfect spots for swimming after a forest trek, while tea plantations and spice farms enhance the area’s natural beauty. The reserve also showcases colonial-era steam engine remnants and local cultural experiences.
A one-day tour of Amani allows visitors to engage in ecotourism activities such as bird watching, forest trekking, mountain biking, camping, picnicking, night safaris, and cultural interactions including local dances, massages, and brew tasting. Hiking to sunset viewpoints or trekking to waterfalls offers unforgettable scenery and experiences.
Nearby Attractions
Amani is well positioned near other tourism hotspots like Saadani National Park, Amboni Caves, Tongoni Ruins, Nilo Forest Reserve, Magamba Forest in Lushoto, Chome Nature Reserve, and Mkomazi National Park—making it a perfect addition to northern Tanzania’s eco-tourism circuit.
7.Amboni Caves
The caves are rich in history and mystery. Traditionally, local ethnic groups including the Segeju, Sambaa, Bondei, and Digo used the caves for worship and rituals. Even today, the caves are regarded as sacred, believed to be inhabited by spiritual forces known locally as “Mizimu”. Some chambers are considered holy, such as “Mzimu wa Mabuvu,” where people come seeking healing, relief from suffering, and even fertility blessings.
The Amboni Caves are also home to thousands of bats and unique limestone formations that resemble various shapes and figures, inspiring countless local legends and folklore. Many visitors are fascinated not only by the natural beauty but also by the mystical atmosphere the caves provide.
In 1892, Amboni Limited, a sisal plantation company, acquired the land and notified British colonial authorities. In 1922, the caves were declared a conservation site. Later in 1963, the government of Tanganyika handed the site to the Department of Antiquities.
The Amboni Caves remain one of Tanzania’s most captivating natural and cultural heritage sites, offering both adventure and spiritual insight.
There are Many other destinations in Southern Circuit approximately to 59 You can visit
