Tanzania’s Lesser Known Safari Gems

in Safari Destinations by Araneta&Tan — September 12, 2009 at 7:20 am | 0 comments

Tanzania has a number of national parks and game reserves, all of which are unique in their own way. However, a lot of the time visitors to the country don’t manage to get past the two main ones – the Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater. Stunning and awe-inspiring in equal measure, these two destinations are certainly amongst the best of their kind. But if you want to see some more of Tanzania that is not often witnessed by tourists, then you might want to go on a photo safari to one of the following locations.

Selous Game Reserve

Getting its name from Frederick Courteney Selous, the British explorer who inspired the fictional character Allan Quartermain, Selous Game Reserve is one of the biggest in the world. Situated in the south of Tanzania, it is a rugged, isolated wilderness that was granted the status of a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1982 for its stunning array of wildlife. Here you will find more African wild dogs, elephants, hippos and crocodiles than anywhere else in Africa.

Compared to the frequently visited northern parks, the Selous is truly wild. You are unlikely to bump into anyone else on your photo safari, and if you take a walking safari here then you’ll get an experience like no other. Highlights include the 100-metre-deep Stiegler canyon, and the mighty river Rufiji.

Mikumi National Park

Situated near Morogoro, Mikumi is the fourth-largest national park in Tanzania. It borders Selous Game Reserve, and together the two form one giant ecosystem. With a similar savannah landscape to the Serengeti, you will find incredible rock formations here as well as huge amount wildlife. Lions, giraffes, zebras, elephants and buffalos are present in large numbers, as well as over 400 species of bird. Between May and November is the best time of the year to head here on your photographic safari.

Ruaha National Park

The Ruaha is the biggest national park in the country, and is situated right next to the Selous. It is home to the Great Ruaha River, which provides excellent opportunities for wildlife viewing. There are a huge number of elephants here, about 10,000 in all, and well over 400 species of bird, including kingfishers, sunbirds and white storks, making it a fantastic destination for photo safaris.

Tarangire National Park

Tarangire is only the sixth biggest national park in Tanzania, but it offers some superb game -viewing opportunities. Situated near to Lake Manyara, it is easily accessed from major towns like Arusha. It is divided in half by the Tarangire River, which provides great opportunities for game viewing as it becomes the only source of water for animals during the dry season, attracting them in huge numbers. A massive elephant population is another huge draw for visitors going on a photo safari. Its terrain comprises floodplains, hills and wide, open grassland dotted with acacias and baobab trees.