1.Ruaha National Park
Located south of Tanzania’s central point, Ruaha National Park spans an impressive 20,226 square kilometers (7,809 sq miles), making it the largest national park in the country and one of the largest in Africa. It forms part of the vast Rungwa-Kizigo-Muhesi ecosystem, covering around 45,000 sq km, which includes additional game reserves and a wildlife management area.
Ruaha offers three main areas for game viewing, with the Ruaha River area being the most spectacular. Here, Mdonya woodlands and the Mbage-Mwagusi circuit provide dramatic landscapes, while Ngalambulwa Mountain—the park’s highest peak at 1,600 meters—adds to its scenic allure.
The Ruaha and Njombe Rivers are lifelines for wildlife, particularly during dry seasons. These water sources attract large herds of elephants—the biggest population in Tanzania—as well as crocodiles basking along the banks.
Ruaha is known for iconic predators like lions, leopards, cheetahs, spotted hyenas, and endangered wild dogs. Great Kudu, sable antelope, roan antelope, giraffe, buffalo, and zebra are frequently sighted, making this park a wildlife haven.
Bird enthusiasts will find over 570 recorded species here, including hornbills, raptors, bee-eaters, and the rare Eleonora’s falcon during December and January.
The park also offers unique viewing platforms like tree houses and hides positioned near watering holes, allowing visitors to observe animals in peace. It’s a perfect blend of rugged adventure and rich biodiversity.
Activities: Game drives, walking safaris, birdwatching, balloon safaris, canoeing, and hiking.
Wildlife Highlights: Wild dogs, lions, leopards, cheetahs, kudus, sable, giraffes, jackals, and a diverse array of birds.
2.Nyerere National Park
Nyerere National Park, formerly part of the vast Selous Game Reserve, is one of Africa’s largest and most pristine wildlife sanctuaries. Upgraded to national park status in November 2019, it was named in honor of Tanzania’s first president, the late Julius Nyerere, who was a strong advocate for wildlife conservation.
Covering an expansive 30,893 square kilometers, Nyerere is the largest national park in Africa. It lies in southeastern Tanzania and is bordered by Mikumi National Park to the northwest and Udzungwa Mountains National Park to the west. The park forms the northeastern section of the original Selous Game Reserve—established in 1922 and later recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1982 for its ecological significance and undisturbed nature.
The park features a wide range of habitats, from open grasslands and miombo woodlands to swamps and riverine forests. Its lifeblood is the Rufiji River, the largest river in Tanzania, whose tributaries carve through the park before flowing into the Indian Ocean. These waterways support a thriving population of wildlife and offer unique boat safari experiences.
Nyerere is home to a rich variety of animals, including elephants, lions, hippos, crocodiles, wild dogs, leopards, buffalo, and giraffes. It is also a paradise for birdwatchers, with hundreds of recorded species. Unlike more crowded parks, Nyerere offers an exclusive and raw safari experience.
Visitors can enjoy game drives, walking safaris, and river safaris, immersing themselves in one of Africa’s last remaining true wildernesses.
Nyerere National Park, formerly part of the vast Selous Game Reserve, is one of Africa’s largest and most pristine wildlife sanctuaries. Upgraded to national park status in November 2019, it was named in honor of Tanzania’s first president, the late Julius Nyerere, who was a strong advocate for wildlife conservation.
Covering an expansive 30,893 square kilometers, Nyerere is the largest national park in Africa. It lies in southeastern Tanzania and is bordered by Mikumi National Park to the northwest and Udzungwa Mountains National Park to the west. The park forms the northeastern section of the original Selous Game Reserve—established in 1922 and later recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1982 for its ecological significance and undisturbed nature.
The park features a wide range of habitats, from open grasslands and miombo woodlands to swamps and riverine forests. Its lifeblood is the Rufiji River, the largest river in Tanzania, whose tributaries carve through the park before flowing into the Indian Ocean. These waterways support a thriving population of wildlife and offer unique boat safari experiences.
Nyerere is home to a rich variety of animals, including elephants, lions, hippos, crocodiles, wild dogs, leopards, buffalo, and giraffes. It is also a paradise for birdwatchers, with hundreds of recorded species. Unlike more crowded parks, Nyerere offers an exclusive and raw safari experience.
Visitors can enjoy game drives, walking safaris, and river safaris, immersing themselves in one of Africa’s last remaining true wildernesses.
4.Katavi National Park
Katavi National Park, Tanzania’s third-largest national park, offers some of the most unspoiled and remote wildlife experiences in Africa. Nestled in the western part of the country, the park lies within a secluded arm of the Rift Valley, ending at the expansive and mysterious Lake Rukwa. It is one of Tanzania’s least visited parks, making it an ideal destination for those seeking raw, untouched wilderness.
This remote park boasts a diverse and dramatic landscape. Expansive floodplains, reed-filled marshes, and seasonal lakes dominate the scenery, supporting large concentrations of hippos, crocodiles, and waterbirds. In the west, miombo woodlands provide shade and shelter for elephants, buffaloes, and rare antelope species such as roan and sable. The elusive eland can also be found here, adding to the park’s rich biodiversity.
The lifeblood of the park is the Katuma River, which feeds into seasonal lakes like Katavi and Chada. During the dry season, these water sources attract massive congregations of animals, creating one of the most intense wildlife spectacles in East Africa. Hippos cluster in shrinking pools, crocodiles bask on muddy banks, and predators like lions and hyenas lurk nearby.
Despite its seclusion, Katavi offers rewarding game drives and walking safaris in pristine landscapes rarely seen by most travelers. With its raw beauty, rich wildlife, and absence of crowds, Katavi is a true gem for safari purists and adventurers seeking Africa as it once was—wild, vast, and awe-inspiring.
5.Kalambo Falls
Located in Kalambo District, Rukwa Region, Kalambo Nature Forest Reserve spans 43,334 hectares and is home to one of Tanzania’s most spectacular natural wonders—Kalambo Waterfalls. Towering at 250 meters, Kalambo is the second-highest single-drop waterfall in Africa, forming a natural border between Tanzania and Zambia.
Beyond the falls, the reserve offers stunning sights like the Kalambo Gorge downstream, Lake Tanganyika’s sandy beach, and the Kizombwe hot spring. Cultural experiences include performances of Rungu Drama from Kalambo village and numerous archaeological sites, showcasing ancient human history.
The Kalambo River flows from the highlands into Lake Tanganyika, a vast water body shared by four nations—Tanzania, Zambia, Burundi, and the DRC. The best time to view the falls in full force is May to June, following the heavy rains from January to April. By October or November, the flow often reduces significantly.
Kalambo Reserve is part of the lesser-known Southern Circuit, offering an off-the-beaten-path safari experience. It combines dramatic landscapes, cultural richness, and untouched wilderness—ideal for nature lovers and adventure seekers alike.
6.Mbozi Meteorite
Though scientists are unsure of when it fell, the absence of a crater and any oral legends suggest it landed thousands of years ago. While known to locals for generations, it was only discovered by outsiders in the 1930s, as taboos once discouraged discussion of its presence.
The meteorite is composed of about 90% iron, 8% nickel, and trace elements, giving it a dark, burnished appearance due to atmospheric heating. In 1967, it was declared a protected monument under the Department of Antiquities.
Visiting the site is an enriching experience, especially when traveling with a group by public transport. The journey offers scenic views of the countryside and opportunities to engage with friendly local communities, making it a blend of science, culture, and adventure.
