Tanzania is one of Africa’s most incredible wildlife destinations with vast stunning landscapes, diverse wildlife, rich cultural heritage sites, and the hospitality of the local people. From the lush forests, pristine coastlines with beautiful beaches, towering mountains, and vast landscapes, Tanzania is undoubtedly a beautiful traveler’s destination that one should not miss to include on their bucket list. Regarding tourism, Tanzania is popular for its great wildebeest migration, which is one of the world’s seven natural wonders, thus drawing thousands of tourists from different countries to come and witness this magical natural wonder. Tanzania consists of various wildlife species that Visitors on an African Safari can spot and connect with wildlife in their natural environment.

This Article highlights the animals a tourist can see on a Tanzania safari, where to see these animals, getting there and away, tourist activities to do, and other possible safari adventures in Tanzania.

The Big 5 (Classic Safari)

Tanzania is a great safari destination that offers a classic safari including the Big 5 animals (Lions, Leopards, Elephants, Buffaloes, and Rhinos). These are called the Big 5 because of the great role they play in the ecosystem and were the most difficult to hunt in Africa. The Big 5 are briefly highlighted below;

Lions

Lions are one of the strongest wildlife animals in the African savannah national parks and are known for their social structure. Lions live in a group called pride and produce young ones known as cubs. Lions can be spotted in Serengeti National Park, Ngorongoro Conservation Area, Tarangire National Park, and other Savannah National Parks.

Buffaloes

Buffaloes are one of the powerful animals usually seen in large herds during an African safari. They are the most common sightings during a safari game drive in Tarangire National Park, Selous National Park, Serengeti National Park, and Ngorongoro Conservation Area.

Elephants

 Get up close with the largest land mammal in Africa and the most powerful big 5 animals. Elephants are predominantly herbivores and spend most of their time grazing in the African savannah parks. Elephant sights are more common in Tarangire National Park with the largest population of Elephants in Tanzania. Elephants live in large groups known as herds and can be seen in other national parks of the country including Ngorongoro Conservation Area, Selous National Park, and Serengeti National Park.

Leopards

 Leopards are generally solitary and shy creatures rarely spotted during the day on a safari game drive. However, Tanzania offers several national parks that habit leopards while they can mostly be spotted during night game drives as they hunt down animals for survival. Leopards are known for taking their kills up in the trees. Leopards can be spotted in Ngorongoro Conservation Area and Serengeti National Park.

Rhinos

Rhinos are an endangered species in the world and Tanzania offers the best opportunity of getting up close with these endangered rhino species. Rhinos are small in number due to poaching which led to the great loss of these magnificent features. An encounter with the Rhinos makes a complete Big 5 safari and these can be seen in Ngorongoro Conservation which consists of the Big 5 and other animal species.

Other animals include Giraffe, zebra, wildebeest, cheetah, hyena, baboon, elephant shrew, impala, kudu, warthog, meerkat, vervet monkey, dik-dik, serval, bushbuck, Topi, sable antelope, oryx, jackal, crocodile, hippopotamus, aardvark, bat-eared fox, and bushbaby among others that can be spotted on a safari in Tanzania.

Birds Species

Tanzania is one of Africa’s top birding destinations consisting of over 1100 different species of Birds including Secretary bird, lilac-breasted roller, African fish eagle, marabou stork, flamingo, ostrich, hornbill, helmeted guinea fowl, white-bellied go-away bird, yellow-billed stork, grey crowned crane, common ostrich, hoopoe, black-headed heron, greater kestrel, tawny eagle, African hoopoe, weaver bird, lapwing, blacksmith plover, spotted dikkop, red-necked falcon, African spoonbill, silver-backed shrike, white stork, and yellow wagtail.

Other bird species include Pied kingfisher, coral-breasted bush-shrike, woodland kingfisher, white-backed vulture, blue-cheeked bee-eater, brown-headed parrot, red-billed oxpecker, white-headed buffalo weaver, rufous-tailed weaver, fork-tailed drongo, violet-backed starling, black-crowned night heron, African grey hornbill, Nubian woodpecker, Klaas’s cuckoo, Marsh harrier, red-chested cuckoo, chestnut-bellied sandgrouse, flamingo, pink-backed pelican, and African pied wagtail. These can be spotted in most national parks including Serengeti National Park, Ngorongoro Conservation Area, Selous National Park, and Tarangire National Park.

What to do during a Safari in Tanzania

Game Drive Safaris

Game drive safaris are one of the best ways to explore Tanzania’s eco-systems including National Parks that give you a chance to get up close with wildlife animals such as elephants, lions, buffaloes, leopards, Rhinos, giraffes, zebra, wildebeest, cheetah, hyena, baboon, elephant shrew, impala, kudu, warthog, meerkat, vervet monkey, dik-dik, serval, bushbuck, Topi, sable antelope, oryx, jackal, crocodile, hippopotamus, aardvark, bat-eared fox, and bushbaby among others that make a memorable African Safari.

Hot Air Balloon Safaris

 Imagine floating over the endless plains and Vast lands of Tanzania offering breathtaking views. Hot air balloon safaris are the best way to explore the parks giving you a chance to spot animals such as zebra, wildebeest, cheetah, hyena, baboon, elephant shrew, impala, kudu, warthog, meerkat, vervet monkey, dik-dik, serval, bushbuck, Topi, sable antelope, oryx, jackal, crocodile, hippopotamus, aardvark and bat-eared fox. Ballon Safaris are mostly done in Serengeti National Park and Ngorongoro Conservation Area though they tend to be more luxurious for travellers on Luxury African Safaris.

Bird watching

For a nature enthusiast on a bird-watching safari, Tanzania consists of the best birding destinations offering you a chance to spot a variety of bird species including Pied kingfisher, coral-breasted bush-shrike, woodland kingfisher, white-backed vulture, Blue-cheeked bee-eater, brown-headed parrot, red-billed oxpecker, white-headed buffalo weaver, rufous-tailed weaver, fork-tailed drongo, violet-backed starling, black-crowned night heron, African grey hornbill, Nubian woodpecker, Klaas’s cuckoo, Marsh harrier, red-chested cuckoo, chestnut-bellied sandgrouse, flamingo, pink-backed pelican, and African pied wagtail.

Are you planning, to go on an African safari and worried about what to see, Tanzania offers the best incredible safari sightings including a variety of wildlife species as well as the Big 5 that create a mesmerizing moment. Embark on a thrilling African safari that offers incredible safari moments that create memories that you will cherish forever.