What Animals to See in Tanzania – Your Ultimate Wildlife Guide

1. The Big Five – Lion, Leopard, Elephant, Buffalo, Rhino

The Big Five are the most famous African animals, often sought after by safari travelers.

1.1 Lions

• Best Seen: Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater, Tarangire

• Behavior: Hunt in prides; most active at dawn and dusk

• Tip: Look for lionesses with cubs in Serengeti’s central plains (Seronera)

1.2 Leopards

• Best Seen: Serengeti, Ngorongoro, Arusha National Park

• Behavior: Solitary and elusive; often spotted resting on tree branches

• Tip: Early morning and late afternoon game drives increase chances of sightings

1.3 Elephants

• Best Seen: Tarangire (largest herds), Ruaha, Selous

• Behavior: Form matriarchal family groups; roam widely in search of water

• Tip: Bring binoculars for observing calves and social interactions

1.4 Buffalo

• Best Seen: Serengeti, Ngorongoro, Selous

• Behavior: Herd animals; often near water sources

• Tip: Observe from a safe distance; known for unpredictable behavior when threatened

1.5 Rhinoceros

• Best Seen: Ngorongoro Crater (black rhinos), Serengeti (rare sightings)

• Behavior: Shy and solitary; black rhinos prefer dense vegetation

• Tip: Join guided walks or drives with experienced trackers for better sightings

2. Wildebeest and Zebra

• Great Migration: Over 1.5 million wildebeest and hundreds of thousands of zebras migrate annually between Serengeti and Masai Mara.

• Best Seen: Serengeti, Northern Serengeti, Ndutu, Mara River crossings

• Tip: Timing is crucial – river crossings are most dramatic from July to October

3. Giraffes and Antelopes

• Giraffes: Masai giraffes are widespread; best seen in Serengeti, Tarangire, and Ruaha

• Antelopes: Includes impala, eland, gazelle, topi, and dik-dik

• Tip: Open savannahs like Serengeti plains offer excellent photographic opportunities

4. Hippos and Crocodiles

• Hippos: Found in rivers and lakes across Tanzania, especially in Lake Manyara, Serengeti, and Selous

• Crocodiles: Nile crocodiles inhabit rivers such as Grumeti, Mara, and Rufiji

• Tip: Early morning river safaris provide the best chances to see these aquatic animals

5. Primates

• Baboons: Common in Tarangire, Ngorongoro, and Serengeti

• Vervet Monkeys: Found near forested areas and waterholes

• Colobus and Red Colobus Monkeys: Exclusive to Jozani Forest in Zanzibar and some Ngorongoro areas

• Chimpanzees: Limited populations in Gombe Stream National Park and Mah