Whether you’ve experienced the concept of a safari, or are a newbie, a Tanzanian safari is sure to leave you mesmerized, awestruck with its natural beauty and exotic animals. The country is believed to host some of the best safaris on the planet and its vast untouched national parks are ideal ways of diving into the wild, exploring nature at her best. Here are the five best safari parks in Tanzania - and best times to visit. After all, not all experiences are created the same!

Serengeti National Park

•    Altitude: 3737 to 7133 feet
•    Size: 13,250 sq. km.

If you’re really in for a safari, and are dying to witness the Great Migration phenomenon, an annual pilgrimage made by millions of zebra and wildebeest, Serengeti is where you need to be. Quintessential Africa, this iconic national park attracts a large chunk of the sophisticated adventure, for this is easily the best safari destination in Africa. The sheer variety of ecosystems and animals that this park has to offer is mind-blowing. Common sightings include the elephant, big cats, giraffe, wildebeest, gazelle, kongoni, eland, and zebra. The best time to visit the Serengeti is between the months of June to July and January to February. 

Ngorongoro Crater 

•    Altitude: 3310 to 1959 feet
•    Size: 8228 sq. kms.

No list of the best safari parks in Tanzania would be complete without the Ngorongoro Crater. This three-million-year-old volcano boasts of high crater walls that allowed the wildlife found here to flourish without interference from man. This means that the Ngorongoro hosts some of the most mesmerizing animal species on the planet, and game drives along the crater floor are truly exciting here. You can see the Big Five on the same day and other popular sightings include the endangered black rhino, topi, gazelle, spotted hyena, bat-eared fox, topi, and gazelle. The best time to visit Ngorongoro Conservation Crater is between the months of June to September. 

Lake Manyara National Park 

•    Altitude: 3127 to 4741 feet
•    Size: 330 sq. kms.

Despite being one of the smallest parks in Africa, Lake Manyara is a truly special place, one that attracts visitors with its 11 unique ecosystems and varied wildlife. This is the park that hosts those tree-climbing lions and this is also where you get to see pink flamingos and elephants in droves. The park might not feel as dramatic as the Serengeti or the Ngorongoro, but it every bit beautiful and exciting. The best time to visit Lake Manyara is between the months of July to October. 

Gombe Stream National Park

•    Altitude: 2516 feet to 5269 feet
•    Size: 52 sq. kms.

Gombe Stream is home to the world-famous chimpanzee reserve that showcases the pioneering work of Jane Goodall. The park is where you get to see those chimps, a species that shares 95% of our genes! Popular sightings include the chimpanzee, olive baboon, red colobus monkey, bushpig, bushbuck, olive baboon, and the blue monkey. The best time to visit Gombe Stream is July to October. 

Selous Game Reserve

•    Altitude: 118 feet to 4793 feet
•    Size: 47,665 sq. kms.

Located far from the crowded northern circuit, Selous feels like heaven, an untouched expanse of paradise that offers the perfect African safari. Game drives an obvious charm, but Selous also takes your adventure to the next level through boat safaris, fly camping trips, and guided treks into the wild. Common sightings include the elephant, crocodile, wild dog, hippos, black colobus monkey, sickle-horned sable, antelope, reedbuck, bushbuck, curly-horned greater kudu, and waterbuck. The best time to visit the Selous is between the months of June to November. 

Tanzania is a fantastic destination, an adventure lover’s paradise. There’s so much to see and do here, so many safaris to choose from. Each offers a unique experience, and each can turn out to be more exciting than the next. What animals did you come across? Which do you believe are the best safari parks in Tanzania? Let us know about your Tanzanian odyssey. We love hearing from you.