Top 10 Tanzania Safari Destinations in December 2020

December is the time for migration for most animals including the vibrantly colored birds and the great wildebeest migration. These Tanzanian safaris destinations in December host impressive sights that you’ll always remember:

• Ngorongoro Conservation Area 

One of Tanzania’s hotspots, the Ngorongoro Conservation Area hosts the world's largest intact volcanic caldera.  Unlike other countries, December in Tanzania are relatively hot and receive plenty of rainfall. The park offers a beautiful and lush scenery, attracting the migratory birds to stay and for wildlife to graze upon the fresh grass. Known for its Big Five, you can easily spot a pride of lions laying around or big tusked mammals marching up to the lake.

Wildlife: The Big Five, hippos, zebras, wildebeests, cheetahs, hyenas, African wild dogs, jackals and over 500 species of birds!

• Serengeti National Park

December marks the beginning of the green season in Tanzania. The weather is perfect for wildlife viewings and the great wildebeest migration. Every year they migrate in massive numbers to the Southern and Eastern Serengeti plains, attracting many predator species. During this season many animals also give birth, so there are high chances of spotting cute photographable young ones.  

Wildlife: Wildebeests, impalas, migratory birds, giraffes, impalas, gazelles, zebras, hippos, hyenas, African wild dogs and over 500 species of birds!

• Ruaha National Park

Located right in the middle, Ruaha is the largest park in Tanzania. Travelling during December offers bird-watching at its finest. This season is typically wet, so the bush and forests get dense, and hence do not attract a lot of crowds. On the other hand, the animal lovers adore this season, as they get some of the rarest and most intimate shots of animals engaging in courtship after months of aridity.

Wildlife: Endangered wild dogs, cheetahs, jackals, reptiles

• Selous Game Reserve

Crossed by River Rufiji in the middle, this game reserve is divided into two halves, Northern Selous and Southern Selous. Visiting the Selous in December offers less tourist crowds and a pleasant rainy weather. This time is perfect for wildlife viewing and incredible for capturing sheer-sized landscapes blooming with flowers. 

Wildlife: Elephants, black rhinoceroses, crocodiles

• Tarangire National Park

Ranked as the sixth largest park in Tanzania, Tarangire is known for its gigantic elephant herds. December being one of the wet months, the Tarangire river swells up, attracting a large number of game animals to quench their thirst and enjoy the lush habitat after the long dry season. If you’re looking for a less crowded and comparatively less expensive safari, then travelling to Tarangire is an optimum choice! 

Wildlife: Elands, hyenas, zebras

• Kilimanjaro National Park

Kilimanjaro National Park boasts of being home to the tallest peak of Africa. 

This park harbours a variety of wildlife species which may be eye-catching to the hikers that are on their way to the top of the mountain! 

Wildlife: Blue monkeys, antelopes, buffaloes

• Lake Manyara National Park

Home to over 400 species of birds, this park is truly rewarding for bird enthusiasts. This forest hosts game viewing all year around, which means you can easily encounter large playful groups of blue monkeys, and baboons, and giraffes, wildebeests and other game animals. The set season also attracts a large number of pink flamingos, pelicans and other migratory birds.

Wildlife: blue monkeys, buffaloes, pink flamingos

• Mikumi National Park

Hosting a landscape of baobabs, and grassy plains, Mikumi National Park is the fourth largest park in Tanzania. The main features of this park are its flood plains and the open grasslands dominating the floodplains. According to its size, the park harbours a ton of wild animals that can be spotted all year round, regardless of the weather.  

Wildlife: Warthogs, hippos, baboons

• Mahale Mountain National Park

The chimpanzee safari here is worth the visit at any time of the year. The beautiful waterfalls and lush green mountains provide a serene atmosphere. However, if you’re planning to visit in December, make sure to plan a trip in the initial days of the month as the forest gets quite treacherous after that. 

Wildlife: Chimpanzees

• Gombe National Park

Gombe is the best place in Africa to track Chimpanzees. It is very much similar to the Mahale and has sandy beaches and steep-slopes. Being the smallest isolated ecosystem, this place has a large concentration of chimpanzees, which can be spotted as soon as you enter the park. 

Wildlife: Chimpanzees

So, what are you waiting for? Explore Tanzania with Flightlink and have adventurous safari experiences!