Animals to observe on a safari in Tanzania – The Big Five
A trip to Tanzania means encountering the emblematic species of the African savannah in exceptional natural settings. More than 4 million wild animals live on Tanzanian land and roam freely between the country’s vast parks and reserves. A true sanctuary for African wildlife, Tanzania has the highest concentration of animals per square kilometre in the world. A safari in Tanzania is therefore the perfect opportunity to discover the famous Big Five and many other fascinating species.
The animals to observe on a safari in Tanzania – The Big Five
Going on a trip to Tanzania means encountering the iconic species of the African savannah in exceptional natural settings. More than 4 million wild animals live on Tanzanian land and move freely between the country’s vast parks and reserves. A true sanctuary for African wildlife, Tanzania has the highest concentration of animals per square kilometre in the world. A safari in Tanzania will therefore be an opportunity to discover the famous Big Five and many other fascinating species.
The Big Five: the star animals of Tanzanian safaris
The true stars of the African savannah, the animals that make up the Big Five fascinate travellers. Behind this name are 5 emblematic animals to observe on a safari in Tanzania : the lion, the leopard, the elephant, the buffalo and the rhinoceros. Although this term is now used to refer to the flagship animals of the African savannah, this designation has a much less glorious origin. In fact, the name Big Five was used to refer to the 5 animals that were the most difficult to track during hunting safaris in the wild. This ruthless hunting of the Big Five decimated certain species which are now threatened with extinction. The national parks and nature reserves that have made Tanzania famous for wildlife viewing play an active role in preserving these famous Big Five.
The lion
Tanzania is certainly one of the best destinations for seeing the king of the savannah on safari. 3000 individuals live in the heart of the vast Tanzanian plains, which are home to the greatest concentration of lions in Africa. Serengeti National Park is known to be the predators’ favourite playground during the Great Migration. It is the ideal park for discovering this majestic Big Five feline on a safari in Tanzania at this time of year.
The leopard
Highly discreet, the leopard is one of the Big Five animals that is hardest to spot on a safari. Usually hidden in the shade of trees, this small spotted cat blends into the scenery. Although sightings remain rare, your chances of seeing one are higher in the Seronera area in Serengeti National Park. The leopard may also be seen in Tarangire National Park during the dry season and in the trees of the Ngorongoro Conservation Area.
The elephant
Imposing and impressive, the elephant does not go unnoticed in the heart of the savannah. It is therefore very easy to observe elephants during a safari in Tanzania. With the largest concentration of elephants on the African continent, Tarangire National Park is a true sanctuary for these huge pachyderms. The Ngorongoro Conservation Area and the Selous Game Reserve are also among the sites not to be missed when discovering Tanzanian elephants.
The rhinoceros
White or black, the rhinoceros is one of the world’s most endangered species. The rhinoceros population has been decimated by poaching. Numbering 15 in 2015, the individuals living in Tanzania are now more numerous thanks to the strengthening of the fight against poaching. Despite the encouraging increase in the number of animals, the chances of seeing a rhinoceros on a safari tour in Tanzania remain slim. The parks to prioritise for a higher probability are the Ngorongoro Conservation Area and Serengeti National Park.
The buffalo
The buffalo is a Big Five animal that is very easy to observe in Tanzania’s national parks. You can spot them all over the country, but their daily need for water means they have to stay close to water sources. The shores of Lake Manyara therefore harbour a large concentration of buffalo. Selous Game Reserve is also a true haven for these iconic animals of the Tanzanian savannah.
Tanzania’s national parks: the richness of wildlife
Tanzania’s rich biodiversity is partly due to the number of protected areas in the country. The 22 national parks and reserves scattered across every corner of Tanzania account for a third of its total area. These protected natural areas are unfenced, allowing wildlife to thrive in complete freedom, to the rhythm of the migrations. Each park has its own ecosystem, and this is what makes Tanzania so beautiful. A safari crossing several protected areas will allow you to discover all facets of the country and increase your chances of encountering a multitude of wild species.
Located in the north of Tanzania, Serengeti National Park is the country’s most famous park because of the high concentration of wild animals it is home to. The Serengeti savannah, a prime spot for observing the Big Five, is the stage for exceptional natural spectacles. The iconic predators of the African bush coexist here with a large population of herbivores. With a little patience, you may be lucky enough to witness an epic hunting scene or admire the spectacular crossing of the Mara River during the Great Migration. Birdwatchers will not be disappointed either, with nearly 500 bird species having made Serengeti National Park their home.
Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Ngorongoro Conservation Area is a true haven for Tanzania’s wildlife. Located south of Serengeti National Park, the world’s largest caldera is made up of plateaus and savannahs that are home to a dense and rare array of wildlife. Observing the wildlife that inhabits the plains of the Ngorongoro Crater is a must on a safari in Tanzania. This Garden of Eden, home to nearly 30,000 individuals, reveals an incredible animal density. The species to discover in the heart of this ancient volcano are numerous: elephant, buffalo, wildebeest, zebra, hippopotamus, leopard, spotted hyena, cheetah, lion, flamingo, ostrich, eagles, vultures, etc.
Not far from Serengeti National Park and the Ngorongoro Conservation Area is Lake Manyara National Park. This much-loved site for wildlife viewing in Tanzania stands out in several ways. Here, the kings of the savannah do not lounge at the foot of trees, but on their branches. A distinctive feature well worth a visit! Lake Manyara is also a favoured home for the many colonies of flamingos that have settled there. Among the herbivores, giraffes, wildebeest, zebras, warthogs, buffalos and impalas move around peacefully near the lake waters. Primates are also present in this magnificent green area, having found refuge in the sublime tropical forest surrounding Lake Manyara. This protected area offers a wide variety of landscapes and allows you to admire a great diversity of wild animals in their natural habitat.
Paradise for birdwatchers, Lake Natron is a safari destination that goes off the beaten track when it comes to wildlife viewing. This salt lake, with its surprising blood-red colour, offers breathtaking scenery. Despite the arid climate and the high salinity of the water, which is unfavourable to wildlife development, Lake Natron is a major breeding and nesting site for lesser flamingos. The high concentration of spirulina in the lake waters and the absence of natural predators due to harsh living conditions provide a favourable environment for many water birds to flourish.
A safari in Tarangire National Park will be an unforgettable experience for elephant lovers. Tanzania’s large elephant population thrives in this little paradise located south of Lake Manyara. The centuries-old baobabs and the peaceful river that characterise this park provide an exceptional habitat for the elephants and the birds it is home to.
Looking for wild, unspoilt nature and a less-visited park for your safari in the heart of Tanzania’s wildlife? The national parks in the south of the country offer a more intimate wildlife-viewing experience. The largest reserve in Africa, Selous Reserve contains an incredibly well-preserved biodiversity of great variety. A large part of African wildlife is represented in the heart of this vast wilderness. Mikumi National Park offers a unique safari in the wild, while Ruaha National Park is the guarantee of a peaceful safari far off the beaten track. Saadani National Park, meanwhile, is the only safari by the sea. Ideal for relaxing on the beach after spending the day discovering the characteristic animals of the Tanzanian savannah.
For primate watching in Tanzania, three protected parks are well worth a visit: Udzungwa National Park, Gombe Stream National Park and Mahale Mountains National Park. These parks are true sanctuaries for chimpanzees and other primates in Tanzania.
Wildlife viewing in Tanzania: tips and best times
What is the best time for wildlife viewing in Tanzania? The dry season is the time of year that offers the best conditions for going on safari. From June to October, temperatures are very pleasant and it hardly ever rains. The vegetation is then much less dense, which makes it easier to spot animals. The drying out of the ground also encourages animals to gather around the remaining waterholes. The chances of encountering them are therefore higher.
Animal migration movements are particularly important during the dry season; it is at this time that the famous Great Migration of zebras and wildebeest takes place on the border between Tanzania and Kenya. If birds can be seen all year round in Tanzania, the best time to observe them remains the rainy season. From October to November and from March to May, migratory birds stop off in the country.
The Great Animal Migration in Tanzania
The Great Migration of herbivores is an exceptional natural spectacle to discover during a trip to Tanzania. The vast Tanzanian plains are the setting for spectacular migratory movements that shape the lives of millions of wildebeest and zebras. These immense herds move in unison between Kenya and Tanzania in search of water and food. This natural phenomenon, driven by the seasons and the weather, consists of four main phases. It is up to you to choose the spectacle you wish to discover during your safari in Tanzania.
- La saison sèche qui se déroule de juin à octobre est marquée par la grande traversée de la rivière Mara. Les millions de gnous et de zèbres qui vivaient au nord du parc national du Serengeti dans la région de Kogatende migrent en direction de la réserve nationale de Massai Mara au Kenya. Un déplacement périlleux qui les conduit à traverser une rivière habitée par de nombreux crocodiles sous l’œil attentif des lions prêts à bondir. En réalisant un safari à cette période de l’année, vous aurez l’opportunité d’observer la grande traversée de la rivière Mara et les scènes spectaculaires qu’elle donne à voir.
- Durant la petite saison des pluies, de novembre à décembre, les troupeaux de gnous et de zèbres quittent le Kenya pour les plaines verdoyantes du sud du parc national du Serengeti. Un petit havre de paix pour ces herbivores.
- La saison chaude qui se tient de janvier à mars est marquée par la période des naissances. C’est au cœur de la région de Ndutu, entre le parc national du Serengeti et l’aire de conservation du Ngorongoro que les gnous donnent vie à leurs petits. Près de 400 000 bébés naissent au cœur de la savane tanzanienne durant cette phase de la Grande Migration.
- Au printemps, du mois d’avril au mois de juin, la menace pèse sur troupeaux en transhumances vers le nord du Serengeti. La traversée des plaines de l’ouest du parc est rythmée par les nombreuses attaques des prédateurs.
Les oiseaux du Serengeti : un paradis pour les ornithologues
More than 400 species of birds live in the wooded savannah of Serengeti National Park, which is none other than Africa’s 2nd largest wildlife park. A safari in this legendary natural area will be an opportunity to spot a wide variety of birds: ostriches, Kori bustards, secretary birds, silver-breasted broadbills, yellow-throated sandgrouse, Hildebrandt’s starlings, hornbills, sunbirds and birds of prey. A true paradise for birdwatching enthusiasts, Serengeti National Park is home to some of Tanzania’s endemic species: Fisher’s lovebird, characterised by its bright green and orange plumage, the grey-breasted spurfowl, the red-billed quelea, a ground bird, and the red-tailed coachbird with its striking plumage. An exceptionally rich biodiversity to discover on a safari in Tanzania.
The predators of Serengeti and their role in the ecosystem
Symbol of the African savannah, predators are the most popular animals on a safari in Tanzania. The lion, the leopard and the cheetah are the animals that immediately come to mind when speaking of the predators of the African bush. Yet the king of the savannah is not the only one to pose a danger to the animals that inhabit this vast wilderness. Several species help regulate the populations of herbivores that roam the Serengeti savannah with the seasons. A hunt that contributes to the balance of ecosystems. The predators that follow the movements of the wildebeest, zebras and gazelles between Tanzania and Kenya during the Great Migration are more numerous than one might imagine. In addition to the stars of the Big Five, cheetahs, hyenas, jackals and crocodiles also play a key role in this ecosystem.
The herbivores of the Serengeti: an impressive diversity
Among the many animal species recorded in Serengeti National Park, herbivores occupy a place of choice. In addition to the millions of wildebeest and zebras that migrate each year between Kenya and Tanzania via Serengeti National Park, many other animals are found in this iconic park. Buffaloes, giraffes, antelopes, impalas and gazelles are all animals you may have the chance to see moving through their natural habitat on a safari in Serengeti National Park.
The ecosystems of the Serengeti and their specific features
Nicknamed the “endless plains” by the Maasai, Serengeti National Park is defined by exceptional landscapes of great diversity. This impressive stretch of savannah covers a large part of the park and provides a wonderful backdrop for the animals that live here in harmony. Made up of grasslands, forests, plains, kopjes and marshes, the Serengeti ecosystem is divided into three main regions:
- The endless plains that create the most iconic scenery of the Tanzanian savannah.
- The western corridor crossed by the Grumeti River and characterised by marshy savannah.
- Northern Serengeti, where you will find small isolated villages and the Mara River on the Kenyan border.
The endangered and protected species in Tanzania
Protecting Tanzania’s animals and biodiversity is a major challenge for this destination, which is prized for the richness of its natural heritage. Tanzania’s vast landscapes were long the playground of hunters and poachers. A relentless hunt for big game nearly led to the extinction of the Big Five. To preserve this unique biodiversity, a third of the country is designated as a protected area. This record proportion of protected land in Africa is made up as follows: 21 protected areas where people and animals coexist, 14 national parks where human activity is prohibited except for tourism, 1 conservation area and 2 marine parks. These measures have helped to halt the decline of 4 flagship species: the lion, elephant, chimpanzee and rhinoceros. While the figures are encouraging, the battle is far from won.
- The black rhinoceros is one of the most endangered species in the world. Decimated by poaching, the black rhino population had fallen to just 127 individuals in 2013. The measures introduced have shown a hopeful increase, with 167 rhinoceroses recorded in Tanzania in 2019.
- Although the ivory trade is illegal, elephants are still victims of poaching today. The measures put in place by the government to combat this scourge have made it possible to halt the decline of the elephant population in Tanzania.
- Shot by villagers, hunters in search of trophies or poachers, Tanzanian lions have long been threatened. The largest concentration of lions is found in Tanzania. The number of individuals present in protected areas is stable, or even increasing, but the overall population remains under threat across Africa.
- Threatened by deforestation and hunted for their meat, chimpanzees are the subject of a conservation initiative put in place by Tawiri, Tanzania’s public wildlife research institute.
The challenges of animal conservation in Tanzania
The conservation of endangered species in Tanzania is a major challenge. The intensive anti-poaching campaign and the creation of many protected areas have made it possible to reverse the trend. While reserves and parks dedicated to conservation represent a third of the Tanzanian territory, these protected natural areas account for only 8% of the territory in Kenya. These measures introduced to protect wildlife have borne fruit by helping to stabilise populations threatened with extinction. Thanks to these anti-poaching efforts in the country, the elephant population is said to have increased by 40% in Tanzania in recent years. Education and promoting the benefits of tourism for local people are essential for safeguarding wildlife in Africa.
At Off Road Tanzania, a specialist local agency, we do everything we can to offer you environmentally and locally responsible safaris while raising awareness of the threat facing these animals. We make sure to offer you itineraries off the beaten track, provide you with a more authentic and local safari experience, and offer you better conditions for observing the wonders of nature in Africa.
