Tanzania is the home of Olduvai Gorge, the world famous palaeoanthropological site studied for more than 40 years by the Leakeys. The 40-kilometre-long Gorge (Olduvai is a mispronunciation of Oldupai, a Maasai word meaning 'the place of wild sisal') is located in northern Tanzania at the border of the Ngorongoro Conservation Area and the Serengeti National Park. It has yielded numerous fossil remains from Pleistocene times (from about five million to 10,000 years ago), including the skull of the primitive hominid Australopithecus boisei or 'Nutcraker Man', a species that became extinct about one million years ago. Despite the controversy surrounding the interpretation of many of the Olduvai specimens, life scientists agree that no other site has produced stone tools, animal bones and early hominid remains so precisely associated in such a well-understood environment, and over such a vast time span. The 3.75 million-year fossilised hominid footprints, found by Dr. Mary Leakey in 1975 at the nearby Laetoli, proves that our human ancestors walked in an upright position much earlier than it was thought, and are widely thought to rank among the greatest palaeonthropological discoveries of this century.

There are also several important mid-Pleistocene sites in the southwest of Tanzania, while the later Quaternary sites of Mdutu, Eysi and Ngaloba, all located within easy reach of Tanzania's 'northern circuit', have yielded significant fossil evidence for dating the evolution of Homo Sapiens. It was from this evidence that a group of US scientists concluded recently that anatomically, modern humans actually evolved in East Africa.

Tanzania is also home to some fine examples of prehistoric 'rock art', some dating back about 50,000 years. More than 500 such sites have been found in the central highlands alone, but much of the area remains unexplored. A string of early Iron Age sites in the Kagera region of northwest Tanzania, provides evidence that its inhabitants had developed complex metallurgical skills, involving the production of carbon steel, almost 2,000 years before such skills were evolved in the West.

Sites of significant historical importance from later years, include the numerous medieval ruins scattered along Tanzania's 800-kilometre-long coastline. These are the remains of the Swahili city states that flourished along the East African coast between the ninth and 16th centuries. Among the most outstanding of these ruined medieval cities is the ancient Islamic trading centre of Kilwa Kisiwani, in the southeast of the country. The city derived its wealth from the gold and ivory trades. By the end of the 14th century, Kilwa boasted the largest building and mosque in sub-Saharan Africa as well as the first mint on African soil. In 1312, a famous Arab traveller described Kilwa as the "best built" settlement he had ever seen, and another writer calls it "the Pearl of Africa". Other ruined cities dating from the same period include Songo Mnara, Mtitimira, Sanje ya Kati and Sanje Majoma, all located near Kilwa; Kunduchi and Mbweni, near Dar es Salaam; and Kaole near Bagamoyo. The former slave-trading town of Kilwa Kivinje in the south, are also rich in late 19th and early 20th century German and British colonial architecture. Kabale, the 19th - century capital of the kingdom of Kyamtwara, has survived almost intact, providing a living example of traditional East African kingship.

A popular day trip for visitors about to embark from the town of Arusha on longer northern circuit safaris, Arusha National Park is a gem of varied ecosystems and spectacular views of Mt. Meru, the crater that gives the region its name. The small national park includes the slopes, summit, and ash cone of Mt. Meru, the Momela Lakes, Ngurdoto Crater, and the lush highland forests that blanket its lower slopes. Game viewing around the Momela Lakes is at a laid-back and quiet pace, and while passing through the forest many visitors stop to search for troupes of rare colubus monkeys playing in the canopy.

Climbing Mt. Meru or enjoying the smaller trails that criss-cross its lower slopes is a popular activity for visitors to Arusha National Park. The three-day trek to reach the crater's summit is a quieter, and some say more challenging alternative than the famous peak of nearby Mount Kilimanjaro. Along the lower slopes, paths to rivers and waterfalls make a relaxing day hike for visitors who don't  want to attempt the rather arduous climb. Ancient fig tree forests, crystal clear waters cascading from mountain streams, and a chance to spot colobus monkeys are the attractions and pleasures of Arusha National Park.

Gombe Stream National Park, located on the western border of Tanzania and the Congo, is most famous for Jane Goodall, the resident primatologist who spent many years in its forests studying the behaviour of the endangered chimpanzees. Situated on the wild shores of Lake Tanganyika,Gombe Stream is an untamed place of lush forests and clear lake views.Hiking and swimming are also popular activities here, once the day's expedition to see the chimpanzees is over.

Gombe Stream’s main attraction is obviously the chimpanzee families that live protected in the park's boundaries.Guided walks are available that take visitors deep into the forest to observe and sit with the extraordinary primates for an entire morning -- an incredible experience and one that is the highlight of many a visitors trip to Africa. Aside from chimpanzee viewing, many other species of primates live in Gombe Stream’s tropical forests. Vervet and colobus monkeys, baboons, forest pigs and small antelope inhabit the dense forest, in addition to a wide variety of tropical birdlife.

The wilderness of Katavi National Park, located in the western area of Tanzania, is one of the most untouched areas of the entire country. It offers unspoilt wildlife viewing in the country's third-largest national park, in a remote location far off the beaten track. The park is Africa at its most wild -- unadulterated bush settings, spectacular views, and rich wildlife.

Katavi's dramatic scenery is as varied as it is pristine. Flood plains of thick reeds and dense waterways are home to a huge population of hippo and varied birdlife. In the woodlands to the west, forest canopies shroud herds of buffalo and elephant. Seasonal lakes fill with dirt coloured water after the rains and animals from all corners of the park descend on them to drink. The park is also home to the rare roan and sable antelope species, and is a must-see for the visitor intent on exploring the wilds of the continent.

Located beneath the cliffs of the Manyara Escarpment, on the edge of the Rift Valley, Lake Manyara National Park offers varied ecosystems, incredible bird life, and breathtaking views. Located on the way to Ngorongoro Crater and the Serengeti, Lake Manyara National Park is well worth a stop in its own right. Its ground water forests, bush plains, baobob strewn cliffs, and algae-streaked hot springs offer incredible ecological variety in a small area, rich in wildlife and incredible numbers of birds.

The alkaline soda of Lake Manyara is home to an incredible array of bird life that thrives on its brackish waters. Pink flamingo stoop and graze by the thousands, colourful specks against the grey minerals of the lake shore. Yellow-billed storks swoop and corkscrew on thermal winds rising up from the escarpment, and herons flap their wings against the sun-drenched sky. Even reluctant bird-watchers will find something to watch and marvel at within the national park.

Lake Manyara's famous tree-climbing lions are another reason to pay this park a visit. The only kind of their species in the world, they make the ancient mahogany and elegant acacias their home during the rainy season, and are a well-known but rather rare feature of the northern park. In addition to the lions, the national park is also home to the largest concentration of baboons anywhere in the world -- a fact that makes for interesting game viewing of large families of the primates.

Mahale Mountains National Park is located in one of the most remote locations in Tanzania, on the western border with the Congo, against the dramatic shores of Lake Tanganyika. Accessible only by small aircraft, the park is the home of a large chimpanzee population that is well acclimatized to human contact. Although the nearby Gombe Stream National Park is more famous, the primate population in Mahale Mountains is more numerous and sightings more regular and prolonged.

Observing the chimpanzees in their natural habitat, one cannot help but be touched by their natural grace and anthropomorphic features. Although remote, a chimpanzee safari to Mahale Mountains National Park is well worth the effort. Hikes to their habitation areas are accessible and not strenuous, although being in good physical condition will ease the strain of walking through the jungle! Up close, observing the endangered primates is a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

Due to the completion of the paved road connecting the park gate with Dar es Salaam, Mikumi National Park is slated to become a hotspot for tourism in Tanzania. Located between the Uluguru Mountains and the Lumango range, Mikumi is the fourth largest park in Tanzania and only a few hours drive from Tanzania’s largest city, the park has a wide variety of wildlife that are easy to spot and well acclimatised to game viewing. Its proximity to Dar es Salaam and the amount of wildlife that live within its borders makes Mikumi National Park a popular option for weekend visitors from the city, or for business visitors who don't have long to spend on an extended safari itinerary.

Most visitors come to Mikumi National Park looking to spot the ‘Big Five’ (cheetah, lion, elephant, buffalo, and rhino), and they aren't disappointed. Hippo pools provide close access to the mud-loving beasts, and bird-watching along the waterways is particularly rewarding. Mikumi National Park borders the Selous Game Reserve and Udzungwa National Park, and the three locations make a varied and pleasant safari circuit.

Located just east of the Pare Mountains in Tanzania's Eastern Arc range, and situated just south of the border with Kenya, Mkomazi Game Reserve is the focus of an intensive breeding program to save the endangered black rhinos.Adjacent to Tsavo National Park in Kenya, Mkomazi’s tourist facilities are exceedingly sparse and limited, and travel to the area is often neglected in favour of more accessible national parks and reserves.

The savannah and grasslands around Mkomazi Game Reserve may be perfect for black rhinos, but it is dry and dusty for most of the year. When frequented water holes dry up, game becomes elusive and hard to find. Compared to larger and more populated national parks, Mkomazi Game Reserve has its own unique appeal. wild dogs have recently been introduced to the region, and the reserve does have a wide variety of indigenous snakes.

Tanzania has more land devoted to national parks and game reserves than any other wildlife destination in the world. Everything from pristine coral reefs to the Crater Highlands, remote game reserves and the famous national parks are protected by government law and placed in trust for future generations to marvel at in wonder and awe. In addition to a listing of the main attractions of Tanzania, we have included many parks that are largely neglected in favour of the big names like Serengeti and Ngorongoro. It is our hope that in writing up these lesser-known locations, visitors may be tempted to include them on their itineraries and encourage tourism to other equally beautiful, parts of the country.

Most hunting reserves have been omitted due to restricted access for safari vehicles and wildlife tourists. Tanzania has incredible biodiversity, so wildlife populations and bird species often vary according to the season and region. A visit to one of the smaller game reserves for a short hiking trip or a day excursion is well worth the effort of an extended itinerary. Off the beaten track, the sights and sounds of Africa truly come alive.

The Ngorongoro Crater is often called ‘Africa’s Eden’and the‘8th Natural Wonder of the World,s a  visit to the crater is a main drawcard for tourists coming to Tanzania and a definite world-class attraction. Within the crater rim, large herds of zebra and wildebeest graze nearby while sleeping lions laze in the sun. At dawn, the endangered black rhino returns to the thick cover of the crater forests after grazing on dew-laden grass in the morning mist. Just outside the crater's ridge, tall Masaai herd their cattle and goats over green pastures through the highland slopes, living alongside the wildlife as they have for centuries.

Ngorongoro Conservation Area includes its eponymous famous crater, Olduvai Gorge, and huge expanses of highland plains, scrub bush, and forests that cover approximately 8300 square kilometres. A protected area, only indigenous tribes such as the Masaai are allowed to live within its borders. Lake Ndutu and Masek, both alkaline soda lakes are home to rich game populations, as well as a series of peaks and volcanoes and make the Conservation Area a unique and beautiful landscape. Of course, the crater itself, actually a type of collapsed volcano called a caldera, is the main attraction. Accommodation is located on its ridges and after a beautiful descent down the crater rim, passing lush rain forest and thick vegetation, the flora opens to grassy plains throughout the crater floor. The game viewing is truly incredible, and the topography and views of the surrounding Crater Highlands out of this world.

This truly magical place is home to Olduvai Gorge, where the Leakeys discovered the hominoid remains of a 1.8 million year old skeleton of Australopithecus boisei, one of the distinct links of the human evolutionary chain. In a small canyon just north of the crater, the Leakeys and their team of international archaeologists unearthed the ruins of at least three distinct hominoid species, and also came upon a complete series of hominoid footprints estimated to be over 3.7 million years old. Evacuated fossils show that the area is one of the oldest sites of hominoid habitation in the world.

The Ngorongoro Crater and the Ngorongoro Conservation Area are without a doubt some of the most beautiful parts of Tanzania, steeped in history and teeming with wildlife. Besides vehicle safaris to Ngorongoro Crater, Olduvai Gorge, and surrounding attractions, hiking treks through the Ngorongoro Conservation Area are becoming increasingly popular options. Either way you choose to visit, the Crater Highlands are an unforgettable part of the Tanzanian experience.

Kitulo
Kitulo, which has recently become a fully protected National Park, is situated on the Kitulo Plateau, which forms part of Tanzania's Southern Highlands. It is understood that the area, which is known locally as the "Garden of God," provides a home for a wide variety of wildflowers such as balsams, bellflowers, honey-peas, irises, lilies and orchids.

Rubondo Island
Located on the south-west shores of Lake Victoria, Rubondo Island National Park includes Rubondo Island and several other small islands on Lake Victoria. The park boasts a rich and diverse variety of butterflies and bird life, easily viewable from the lake shore. The rare Sitatunga, an extremely endangered amphibious antelope, can sometimes be viewed escaping charging predators by hiding and camouflaging itself in the lake shore marshes.

A visit to Rubondo Island National Park offers visitors a break from game viewing in the tranquil peace of a lake shore setting. Exploring the islands within the park makes for exciting day trips. Fishing expeditions into Lake Victoria are easily arranged through the major lodges. Rubondo Island National Park is a break from the rigours of the safari circuit and a relaxing place from which to explore Lake Victoria.

Tanzania's second-largest national park after the Serengeti, Ruaha National Park is a remote bastion of spectacular wilderness, undisturbed wildlife, and breathtaking scenery. With herds of more than 10,000 elephants, vast concentrations of buffalo, gazelle, and over 400 bird species, Ruaha's  limitless wilderness, together with the surrounding game reserves of Rungwa and Kisigo -- stretches over 40,000 square kilometres. Elephants are found in some of the highest concentration in the country, travelling in matriarch-lead herds through ancient grazing lands and seasonal supplies of water.

The Great Ruaha River is the main feature of the park, and meanders through its borders. On its banks, the game viewing is spectacular, whether done by land or by water. Hippos yawn under the midday sun and crocodiles lie lazily along the banks. Fish eagles dive and swoop along the riverbanks, and at night the sound of frogs croaking happily in the reeds extends across the hills and plains. Boating safaris are starting to gain in popularity, and provide a popular alternative to viewing the area by car.

Most of the national park is located on the top of a 900 metre plateau whose ripples of hills, valleys, and plains makes the game viewing topography beautifully unique. Small mountains run along the southwest borders of the park and their tree-covered slopes are visible in the distance. During the rainy seasons, dry river beds swell with the biannual deluge and within days, a thin coat of green covers all the land in sight.

Because of its rather remote location, Ruaha National Park is largely unexplored. Because of this, a safari to the national park often has the feel of a private adventure and an unique experience. For the intrepid wilderness lover and the avid safari explorer, a trip to Ruaha is uniquely rewarding and a perfect piece of Africa.

Saadani National Park is the perfect union of beach and bush. Located just 70 km north of Bagamoyo and immediately accessible by paved road from Dar es Salaam, Saadani has recently become a fully protected national park and is a popular day-trip from beach resorts scattered along Tanzania's  northern coast. The Wami River, which passes through Saadani National Park and empties into the Indian Ocean, hosts a large population of hippos, crocodiles, flamingos, and many large bird species. Elephants are often viewed bathing and playing on Saadani's beach, especially in the early hours of the morning.

A good choice for visitors based in Dar es Salaam who don't have time for longer safaris to visit more remote parks around the country, Saadani is easily visited on a day trip or short weekend safari. It's elephant population frolics in the sands and sometimes ventures into the crashing surf, which alone makes Saadani one of the more special and unique parks to visit in Tanzania.

With so many parks and itineraries to choose from, safaris to Tanzania are often divided into regional circuits, or groups of game parks whose geographical proximity and topographical variations make up a varied and diverse group. Some of the circuits are of course more travelled than others. Tanzania’s northern circuit alone easily attracts the majority of tourists. But the northern circuit’s fame and popularity means that other equally stunning but less well-known locations remain little-visited attractions whose beauty is known to only a select few. The southern circuit contains the Selous Game Reserve - Africa's largest game reserve which is bigger than Denmark! Although the northern circuit is the most famous, venturing off the familiar path inevitably rewards visitors with the phenomenal scenery and wildlife experiences.

What follows is a brief write-up of the main attractions of each region in Tanzania, divided into circuits accordingly. Although the western and eastern circuits are not developed as full itineraries per se, there is much in each region that warrants a discerning visitor’s attention. Of course, none of these circuits are a complete itinerary in itself, nor is it set in stone. Rather, they are regional suggestions for travellers wishing to explore a certain part of the country, or for return visitors to travel someplace new. Most safari operators will encourage you to select regions and areas to incorporate into your safari from a few or all of the circuits. Longer descriptions of each of the locations can be found in the ‘National Parks and Reserves’ section below.

Serengeti is easily Tanzania's  most famous national park, and it's also the largest, at 14,763 square kilometres of protected area that borders Kenya's Masai Mara Game Park. Its far-reaching plains of endless grass, tinged with the twisted shadows of acacia trees, have made it the quintessential image of a wild and untarnished Africa. Its large stone kopjes are home to rich ecosystems, and the sheer magnitude and scale of life that the plains support is staggering. Large prides of lions laze easily in the long grasses, plentiful families of elephants feed on acacia bark and trump to each other across the plains, and giraffes, gazelles, monkeys, eland, and the whole range of African wildlife is in awe-inspiring numbers.

The annual wildebeest migration through the Serengeti and the Masai Mara attract visitors from around the world, who flock to the open plains to witness the largest mass movement of land mammals on the planet. More than a million animals make the seasonal journey to fresh pasture to the north, then the south, after the biannual rains. The sound of their thundering hooves, raising massive clouds of thick red dust, has become one of the legends of the Serengeti plains. The entire ecosystem thrives from the annual migration, from the lions and birds of prey that gorge themselves on the weak and the faltering to the gamut of hungry crocodiles that lie in patient wait at each river crossing for their annual feed.

But it's not just the wildebeest who use the Serengeti as a migratory pathway. The adjacent reserves of Maswa and Ikorongo, the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, and the Masai Mara Game Reserve in Kenya all allow the animals and birds of the area a free range of movement to follow their seasonal migrations. Indeed, in the wake of the wildebeest migration, many of the less attention-grabbing features of the Serengeti are often overlooked. The park has varied zones in which each ecosystem is subtly different . Seronera in the centre of the park is the most popular and most easily visited area. The Grumeti River in the Western Corridor is the location for the dramatic river crossing during the wildebeest migration. Maswa Game Reserve to the south offers a remote part of the park rewarding in its game-viewing and privacy, and Lobo near the Kenyan border offers a change to see plentiful game during the dry season.

Aside from traditional vehicle bound safaris, hot-air ballooning over the Serengeti plains has become a safari rite-of-passage for travel enthusiasts. The flights depart at dawn over the plains and take passengers close over the awakening herds of wildebeest and zebra, gazelle and giraffe. The extra altitude allows guests to witness the striking stretches of plains punctuated only by kopjes. Up in the sky, you have Africa all to yourself.

Tarangire National Park has some of the highest population density of elephants anywhere in Tanzania, and its sparse vegetation, strewn with baobab and acacia trees, makes it a beautiful and special location. Located just a few hours drive from the town of Arusha, Tarangire is a popular stop for safaris travelling through the northern circuit on their way to Ngorongoro and the Serengeti. The park extends into two game controlled areas and the wildlife are allowed to move freely throughout.

Before the rains, droves of gazelle, wildebeest, zebra, and giraffes migrate to Tarangire National Park’s scrub plains where the last grazing land still remains. Tarangire offers unparalleled game viewing, and during the dry season elephants abound. Families of the pachyderms play around the ancient trunks of baobab trees and strip acacia bark from the thorn trees for their afternoon meal. Breathtaking views of the Masaai Steppe and the mountains to the south make a stop at Tarangire a memorable experience.

Rising up from the floors of the Rift Valley, the Crater Highlands form a lush chain of mountains and volcanoes that includes the Ngorongoro Conservation Area and the surrounding Masaai tribal lands. Hiking safaris take visitors from Ngorongoro Crater to the foot of Ol Donyo Lengai and offer visitors a chance to see some of the most spectacular and stunning scenery in Tanzania. Exploring this little-visited wilderness is the hiking adventure of a lifetime – for more information, see the ‘Mountain Climbing’ section under  " Things to DO ".

The benefit of the eastern circuit is that it offers visitors based in Dar es Salaam a chance to see the wildlife and scenery the country has to offer without the expense and time involved in flying to Arusha for a longer safari. Parks like Saadani and Mikumi grow in popularity every year, and the Mafia Island Marine Park is fast becoming a hot destination in the Indian Ocean.The national parks, game reserves, and marine parks of the eastern circuit are perfect weekend retreats for guests on business-related trips to Dar es Salaam.

The parks and game reserves that make up Tanzania’s northern circuit are easily the most popular and accessible attractions in the country. All the big names of mainstream Tanzanian safaris are located in the north, from the plains of the Serengeti to the lofty peak of Mt. Kilimanjaro.On a northern circuit safari, most safari companies and independent travellers depart from Arusha.Lake Manyara National Park and Tarangire National Park are little more than three hours away and are often incorporated as part of a longer safari. The most visited part of the northern circuit is the Ngorongoro Crater, where wildlife graze and hunt in one of the largest volcanic craters in the world.

If you are travelling from December to April, the annual wildebeest migration in Serengeti National Park is definitely not to be missed. For hikers,climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro or the crater of Mt. Meru is an adventurous break from game viewing. A longer trek through the Crater Highlands is also a beautiful way to explore northern Tanzania at a leisurely pace.Day-trips from Arusha to Mt. Meru and the Momela Lakes, located in Arusha National Park, incorporate short forest hikes and canoeing trips as a break from standard vehicle game drives.

The sheer vastness of southern Tanzania makes for some spectacular game viewing and superb African vistas.An additional benefit of a visit to the southern circuit is the remoteness of the location,which means that most visitors rarely see another car during their long game drives. Whereas wildlife and big game are the focus of the northern circuit, a trip to the parks of southern Tanzania allows visitors to learn in-depth knowledge about complex ecosystems and diverse living creatures that are usually skimmed over in more crowded areas. A visit to the southern circuit is a trip into an unexplored and wild Africa.

On the southern Swahili Coast,the little-visited old town Mikimazi is a good base for diving explorations and trips to the abandoned ruins of the ancient Swahili trading post.The old German boma in Mkomazi is also a historical site of interest.

Although off the beaten track, the western circuit offers visitor an incredible glimpse of Tanzania at its best. Chimpanzee trekking is the wildlife experience of a lifetime, and few who return from their safari fail to marvel at the up-close experience.Katavi National Park is remote bastion of the wild Africa, the rugged terrain certain to bring adventure and breathtaking experiences.The often neglected shores of Lake Victoria are also a pleasant retreat from the safari circuit and offer boating, fishing, and hiking excursions for visitors who are not content to admire the scenery.

Located west of Dar es Salaam, the Udzungwa Mountains rise up from the western edge of the Selous Game Reserve. Vervet monkeys play high in the forest canopy, and small forest antelope can be viewed at the right time of day. Botanical diversity is exceptional, and the park is host to a large number of endangered bird species. Views from the peaks of the mountains, towards the Selous Game Reserve and the distant Indian Ocean coast, are incredible and well worth the effort.

The Udzungwa Mountains offer visitors the opportunity to view several species of primates and endangered birds in a beautiful African rain forest. Five distinct trails cover the forests and mountain peaks within the park, and offer varying levels of difficulty for everyone from novices to experienced trekkers. Better yet, there are no roads through the Undzungwa Mountains National Park, so hikers have the area all to themselves.