Wildlife of Tanzania
The biggest reason for most (including me) people to visit Tanzania is the unbelievable amount of wildlife the country has to offer. You can find wildlife throughout the country, but I will help you find them on this page. Note that I did not put all animals in here, but a lot of them and the places where you can find them. I am only talking about the animals I have found myself.
Big Five
The Big Five are the animals that were the most impressive to hunt years ago. Now it is mostly a term for tourists to find five of the most interesting animals in Africa. Although these animals are fantastic, also look at all the other great animals!
Elephant
The first is the biggest animal on land on our planet, and it is always a treat to find these gentle giants. You will feel so small next to them, and that makes finding them a fantastic experience every time. They are pretty easily found in most places in Tanzania. If you are here on safari for a couple of days, you will absolutely find elephants.
Top park to find the species: Tarangire
Other parks to find the species: Serengeti, Ngororngoro, Lake Manyara
Buffalo
Buffaloes are the most dangerous animals of the Big Five. They are aggressive but a fantastic sight. They can be with big herds or by themselves, and both are great to find them. Always be alert, but enjoy seeing them. You have a big chance of seeing them in all parks in the North of Tanzania.
Top park to find the species: Ngorongoro
Other parks to find the species: Serengeti, Tarangire, Lake Manyara
Black rhino
The black rhino may be the most difficult member of the Big Five to find in Tanzania. You only have a proper chance in the Ngorongoro crater. In the other parks it is nearly impossible. Seeing a black rhino is often one of the highlights of your time in Tanzania.
Top park to find the species: Ngorongoro
Other parks to find the species: Almost impossible.
Lion
Lions are often the most sought-after animals on the African savannah. Don't get me wrong; they are fantastic animals, but there are way more great animals, which are often more interesting to observe. Chances of seeing lions are really high when staying a couple of days in Tanzania.
Top park to find the species: Serengeti
Other parks to find the species: Ngorongoro, Tarangire, Lake Manyara (Lake Manyara less chance than other parks)
Leopard
For me, leopards are one of the most beautiful animals on Earth, and seeing them in the wild is absolutely fantastic. You need some luck to find these great cats, but the chances are good in the Serengeti. In other parks, finding leopards is more difficult.
Top park to find the species: Serengeti
Other parks to find the species: Ngorongoro, Tarangire, Lake Manyara
Other fantastic wildlife
As I said before, there is way more to see on the Tanzanian savannah than the Big Five. There are many other great species to find on the trip to Tanzania.
Antelopes
Impala
Even if you are a couple of hours in a national park in Tanzania, it is almost impossible not to find these beautiful creatures. The species is the most seen inhabitant of the Tanzanian savannah. They are missing in the Ngorongoro crater. Although people do not take too much time for them, just have a good look at the beauty of them. They often are in big herds of females and one male.
Top park to find the species: Serengeti, Tarangire, Lake Manyara
Other parks to find the species:
Common waterbuck
This may be my favourite antelope in Tanzania, especially because of the ring on the back of their body. Although they seem an easy prey for lions, the lions do not like them as they are very hairy, and when they die, there is a nasty fluid going through their blood. They are not as widespread as impalas, but you probably will find them during your safari.
Top park to find the species: Tarangire
Other parks to find the species: Serengeti, Lake Manyara, Ngorongoro
Dik-dik
The smallest antelope in the world is a very cute dik-dik. They are very small, which makes them a bit more difficult to find. They always live in pairs, and they will stay with each other until death. Once one of them dies, the other will follow in the following days. You will probably find them.
Top park to find the species: Lake Manyara
Other parks to find the species: Serengeti, Tarangire
Thompson's gazelle
Thompson's gazelles are not common in Africa, but they are in the north of Tanzania. They are part of the Great Migration in the Serengeti alongside zebras and wildebeests. Enjoy the beauty of these gorgeous antelopes with their orange backs, white bellies, and black lines.
Top park to find the species: Serengeti
Other parks to find the species: Ngorongoro, Tarangire, Lake Manyara
Grant's gazelle
The Grant's gazelle is a family member of the Thompson's gazelle, and the two are often confused. The Grants are a bit bigger, and their skin is paler. They are common in the North of Tanzania, and you will find them, when in this gorgeous area, so you will cross their paths.
Top park to find the species: Serengeti
Other parks to find the species: Ngorongoro, Tarangire, Lake Manyara
Oribi
In comparison to other antelopes, the oribi is pretty difficult to find. Part of the reason is that they are often alone or in pairs, and they are way less widespread. I have found an oribi only twice in several safaris. They are pretty shy, so enjoy the moment you see this antelope species.
Top park to find the species: Serengeti
Other parks to find the species: Ngorongoro, Tarangire, Lake Manyara (all very difficult)
Coke's hartebeest
Coke's hartebeests are odd-looking antelopes, which are very nice to come across during your time in Tanzania. They are often in small herds of under ten individuals. They are not very common, but you have good chances of finding them when in Tanzania.
Top park to find the species: Serengeti
Other parks to find the species: Ngorongoro, Tarangire, Lake Manyara
Eland
The biggest antelope in the world is the eland. It can weigh up to 1000 kilograms, which is 200 times as heavy as a dik-dik. They tend to be pretty shy, but you will probably see them a couple of times on your safari in the North Tarangire They can be alone or in bigger herds.
Top park to find the species: Ngorongoro
Other parks to find the species: Serengeti, Tarangire, Lake Manyara
Topi
The picture is not good, but the species is. Topis are antelopes that are very similar to hartebeests, except they have darker brown skin and their legs are blue. They live in groups of around six individuals. You will hopefully come across the species, but there is no guarantee.
Top park to find the species: Serengeti
Other parks to find the species: Ngorongoro, Tarangire, Lake Manyara
Big herbivores and omnivores outside antelopes
Warthog
Warthogs are classic omnivores, and they will eat everything that is crossing their path. They are very common inhabitants of the African savanna. The species became famous as the funny Pumba of The Lion King. When they run, look for their tail, which is high up, so that their offspring can find them.
Top park to find the species: Serengeti
Other parks to find the species: Ngorongoro, Tarangire, Lake Manyara
Plain's zebra
One of the most photogenic creatures with its gorgeous stripes. They are part of the Great Migration in the Serengeti, where they move around in the national park. You will probably see zebras in every park, as they are very common and always a good sight on the Tanzanian savanna.
Top park to find the species: Serengeti, Ngorongoro
Other parks to find the species: Tarangire, Lake Manyara
Blue wildebeest
Blue wildebeest are the leading role of the Great Migration in the Serengeti. Hundreds of thousands of individuals are walking an annual cycle in this great national park. They are often seen in other parks as well, especially in the Ngorongoro. You can get very close to them and enjoy the sound of them.
Top park to find the species: Serengeti, Ngorongoro
Other parks to find the species: Tarangire, Lake Manyara
Giraffe
Giraffes are one of the most beautiful creatures in the world. Their movement is very gallant and a treasure to observe. They are one of the highlights of a safari in Africa, and the chances of finding them are very good in several parks, but they are absent in the Ngorongoro crater.
Top park to find the species: Serengeti
Other parks to find the species: Tarangire, Lake Manyara
Hippo
Hippos are surprisingly the most dangerous large inhabitants of Africa, as they are very dominant. They are huge, and seeing them is a great experience, especially when they are out of the water. You will come across these giants several times during a safari in Tanzania.
Top park to find the species: Serengeti
Other parks to find the species: Tarangire, Lake Manyara, Ngorongoro
Ostrich
The biggest bird in the world is a common sight in the Tanzanian safari. They are extremely fast runners, caring parents, and funny-looking. There is almost no chance that you will not find these prehistoric birds, although they are not as common as some antelope species.
Top park to find the species: Serengeti
Other parks to find the species: Tarangire, Lake Manyara, Ngorongoro
Kori bustard
Kori bustards are one of the heaviest birds in the world. They are not often in the air. These are pretty difficult to find, and it is not guaranteed that you will see them during your safari. However, in the Ngorongoro there is a good chance of finding them.
Top park to find the species: Ngorongoro
Other parks to find the species: Serengeti, Tarangire, Lake Manyara
Olive Baboon
Olive baboons are a lovely sight as they are very active. They can be pretty aggressive, but don't be scared. The species is often in huge groups with several dominant males. You will come across these creatures, even outside the national parks.
Top park to find the species: Lake Manyara
Other parks to find the species: Serengeti, Tarangire, Ngorongoro
Carnivores and Scavengers
Cheetah
Cheetahs are the fastest animals on land, as they can run up to 112 kilometres per hour. They are one of the most charming mammals in Africa with their thin posture and gorgeous spots. Also, the black lines underneath their eyes (it helps reduce the incoming sunlight) are iconic. They are pretty common in the Serengeti but very hard to find elsewhere in the country and even absent in Ngorongoro and Lake Manyara.
Top park to find the species: Serengeti
Other parks to find the species: Tarangire
Nile crocodile
Crocodiles are another good sight. Of course they are mostly in and around small lakes and rivers, and they are often relaxing. In July until September they are often one of the highlights as they will try to eat the crossing zebras and wildebeests. These reptiles are huge and a reason to always have a look at waters.
Top park to find the species: Serengeti
Other parks to find the species: Tarangire, Lake Manyara
Spotted hyena
Spotted hyenas may not be the most popular animals on the savannah, but that is not correct. They are very important for the food chain, and they are very cool. Although they are nocturnal, there is a good chance of seeing them during the day. You will see them when you are in Tanzania.
Top park to find the species: Serengeti, Ngorongoro
Other parks to find the species: Tarangire, Lake Manyara
Jackal
There are two species of jackal: the side-striped jackal and the black-backed jackal. You can find both species in Tanzania, and your chances are high. They are scavengers and are feeding from carcasses, and they are the second in line after the hyenas. They are often in pairs.
Top park to find the species: Ngorongoro
Other parks to find the species: Serengeti, Tarangire, Lake Manyara
Vultures
There are several species of vultures, and they may be the most famous scavengers of the world. They can eat almost every piece of a carcass. They are the last one in line to finish the death animals. They are very important to ecosystems as they can digest a lot of bacteria and viruses, which can harm other organisms.
Top park to find the species: Serengeti
Other parks to find the species: Ngorongoro, Tarangire, Lake Manyara
Final thoughts
Tanzania is undoubtedly one of the best countries in terms of wildlife. There are so many different animals to find, so your eyes will get short on sleep. The Serengeti and the Ngorongoro crater are the places with the highest densities of wildlife in the world. If you are looking for lions, hippos, baboons, or impalas, Tanzania will give you fantastic wildlife experiences.
If you want to know more about travelling through Tanzania, check out: