Underrated Safari Parks in Tanzania
As most safari-goers congregate in the Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater, and Kilimanjaro, some other places remain pristine and unexplored. A few people know about them, and mostly repeat visitors. But they’ve a lot to offer, from exclusive game drives to amazing boat rides and night safaris. Below are five lesser-known parks you should include (at least one of them) in your itinerary.
Nyerere National Park.
Imagine being in a giant ecosystem where the landscape is still virgin. And wildlife is undisturbed. Welcome to Nyerere National Park (formerly Selous Game Reserve). This vast wilderness is large and extremely remote, such that driving is bumpy but secluded, unlike in most northern parks, while competition is high. Elephants, buffalo, giraffes, and lions are frequent encounters when driving.
It’s no luck, Nyerere is known as a water-based park. It’s because of a plethora of water bodies, like rivers, lakes, and seasonal swamps. That means you can sail through the Rufiji River (or Lake Tagalala) to explore beautiful hippos, crocodiles, and a myriad of river birds, such as kingfishers, skimmers, storks, and egrets.
The low volume of visitors and the bigger size of Nyerere make it a perfect escape for couples. Plus, additional activities, such as night drives, bush walks, and balloon safaris. Fly camping also set a boundary between Nyerere and other famous northern parks. This immersive experience lets you sleep under the stars while you listen to the sounds of the bush.
Nyerere has no shortage of camps. And contrary to large hotels, which may be crowded, camps in Nyerere are small and private. And they are suitable for every budget. Luxury camps include Beho Beho, Roho ya Selous, and Kiba Point. Affordable options include Sable Mountain Lodge and Selous Kulinda Camp.
Ruaha National Park.
Once you pass the gate, you realize the air is fresh and time is slow. Before you, a giant elephant breaks a branch of a baobab tree and feeds on the inner part of the bark, a sign of thirst for water. This is Ruaha National Park. Nestled in the remote South, Ruaha harbors one of the largest elephant populations and baobab-studded woodlands.
Every drive is like an adventure through an unknown bush. In plains and woodlands, you’ll meet large lion prides alongside grazers, such as wildebeest, zebras, and gazelles. You can spend your evening cruising on the Great Ruaha River. Float gently while watching large pods of hippos and Nile crocodiles.
Add the awe of flying over Ruaha on a balloon or sleep under stars in a simple fly sheet on the banks of the Ruaha River. Driving at night is allowed: book 24 hours in advance. As for camps, you can stay at Usangu Camp, Kigelia Ruaha, and Ruaha River Lodge.
Katavi National Park.
Katavi can battle top places, such as Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater, in terms of wildlife concentration. And contrary to them, Katavi harbors a large population of mega beasts, such as elephants, buffalo, giraffes, and hippos. Massive buffalo herds sweep the floodplains and expansive savannahs as they eat fresh grass.
There’s a plethora of seasonal swamps, rivers, and streams inside Katavi, which hosts a large count of hippos and crocodiles. And with these water sources, wildlife viewing is spectacular as animals don’t have to move long distances in search of water. Lions, impalas, and gazelles make frequent appearances on drives through the Chada Floodplain.
Accessing Katavi National Park is challenging, and it’s a great reason for its small number of visitors. However, once you’re there, we promise you will have a great time. You can do game drives, bush walks, balloon safaris, and pay a tribute to the legendary Tamarind tree. Places to stay include Nomad Chada Katavi Camp and Katuma Bush Lodge.
Gombe National Park.
There are few places in Tanzania where you can spot wild chimpanzees. Gombe is one of them. It’s a world-famous park where Jane Goodall spent her life studying these wonderful creatures. Its location is tricky: in the west, far from entry points, such as Dar es Salaam and Arusha, but there’s a way through. Take a flight to Kigoma Airport, then a 2-4-hour boat ride to Gombe.
The main activity available in Gombe National Park is to trek with the endangered chimpanzees. The park hosts around 100, most of which are habituated thanks to Jane Goodall’s efforts. Chimp trekking allows you to walk through the forest, finding a chimp troop, then spend an hour watching these mysterious creatures.
In addition to watching chimpanzees, you can feel the freshwater breezes of Lake Tanganyika. The lake is full of fish species and other aquatic creatures. There’s a growing interest in diving into the crystal-clear waters to see aquatic species. You can also try sport fishing on a sunset boat cruise. Places to stay include Mbali Mbali, Gombe, and Kasekela Luxury Tented Camp.
Rubondo Island National Park.
Rubondo is located in the northwest of Tanzania on Lake Victoria. This island records fewer visitors annually than it deserves. The main highlight here is wildlife, including elephants, giraffes, impalas, lions, and chimpanzees. Add to the list over 350 bird species, hippos, sitatunga, and crocodiles.
Rubondo offers a variety of safari activities, including game drives, chimpanzee trekking, boat cruises, and bush walks. You can go on a fishing trip with locals or explore other islands of Africa’s largest freshwater lake. There’s only one camp here: Rubondo Island Camp, one of the finest camps by Asilia Africa.
Well, we know how tempting the top parks are in the North. And we aren’t against them. We can take you there on your first trip then to these fascinating places on your return visits. We are here to help you plan your safari. Contact our experts.
