5 Largest Game Reserves in Tanzania

Tanzania is home to some of the most beautiful and amazing game reserves in the world. Tourists can find extraordinary biodiversity, a rich history and heritage, and a vast number of opportunities for unforgettable activities and experiences. Here are the 5 largest game reserves in Tanzania, which every travel lover must visit during their vacation in this breathtaking and remarkable country.

1. Serengeti National Park

The spectacular Serengeti National Park covers an area of about 14,750 square kilometers. It is one of the best and top rated locations in Africa for game viewing, wildlife watching, hot air balloon safaris, walking tours, and witnessing the “Great Migration”. During the great migration, around 1.5 million wildebeests, zebras and antelope move from Serengeti to Masai Mara, in search of summer pasture. The park is also home to animals such as elephants, lions, leopards, buffaloes, rhinos, giraffes, zebras, cheetahs, wild dogs, elands, kudus, and spotted hyenas, as well as over 500 species of birds. The best time to visit the park is the dry season from June to October, and it is a must-see location in Tanzania. Spanning over an area of 2,850 square kilometers, it is one of the largest game reserves in the country.

2. Tarangire National Park

Tarangire national park is located in the Manyara region of northern Tanzania, and is one of the most popular safari parks in East Africa. One of the best times to visit Tarangire is from June to October, when the river is filled with water, so animals flock around it. Tourists can spot elephants, zebras, giraffes, lions, cheetahs, wildebeests, hyenas, mongooses, leopards, impalas, and warthogs. Visitors can find stunning plantlife, such as ancient baobab trees, and acacia woodlands. Tourists can enjoy game drives, walking tours, and extraordinary night safaris!

3. Ruaha National Park

Covering 20266 square kilometers, Ruaha National Park is one of the largest game reserves in Tanzania. Within the park, visitors can find the Great Ruaha River, which offers scenic views and unique biodiversity. The park is home to 547 species of exotic birds, such as kingfishers, palm-thrushes, hornbills, doves, spurfowl, geese, and oxpeckers! Tourists can also enjoy game watching and wildlife viewing as they can spot elephants, giraffes, lions, leopards, buffaloes, hippos, zebras, wild dogs, cheetahs, impalas, antelopes, and bushbucks!

4. Selous Game Reserve

Selous Game Reserve is the largest game reserve in Tanzania, as it covers a vast area of approximately 54,600 km²! The reserve is home to amazing animals such as hippos, crocodiles, elephants, rhinos, cheetahs, giraffes, lions, waterbucks, elands, antelopes, kudus, wild dogs, and hartebeests. The reserve offers scenic views of the diverse landscapes, including hot volcanic springs, lakes, the Great Ruaha River, and the Rufiji River. At Lake Manze and Impala, visitors can enjoy the views of the clear waters, and watch the exotic flora and fauna of the region!

5. Kigosi Game Reserve

Covering an area of 8265 square kilometers, Kigosi Game Reserve is a private reserve in Tanzania. The reserve is home to stunning and unique flora and fauna, and breathtaking views of landscapes such as swamps, woodland, grassland, flood plain, and riverine forest. Tourists can spot birds such as cranes, geese, storks, owls, and  ducks. They can also find animals such as lions, leopards, crocodiles, buffaloes, zebras, hartebeests, warthogs, baboons, elands, topis, bushbucks, reedbucks, hyenas, kudus, hippos, and waterbucks. This protected reserve is a must-see tourist spot for travel lovers, and is one of the best game reserves in Tanzania!