Best Safari Parks and Game Reserves Near Dar es Salaam.

The main city in Tanzania, Dar es Salaam, is where many travelers begin their journey. The seaside city is frequently the starting point for visitors heading to the famed Northern safari circuit, which includes Tarangire National Park, Ngorongoro Crater, and Serengeti National Park, as well as adjacent Zanzibar Island.

Though they are typically less costly and busy, the southern game reserves close to Dar es Salaam nonetheless provide breathtaking landscape and excellent chances to see wildlife. For those who prefer to venture off the main path, these southern parks are perfect. Despite Tanzania’s vast size, Dar es Salaam is within a day’s drive from all of these parks and reserves.

1. Nyerere National Park (Selous)

The most well-known safari park close to Dar es Salaam is most likely Nyerere National Park (previously Selous Game Reserve). It is among Africa’s largest national parks. Miombo woods, savannah, and wetlands are among the diverse landscapes found in this enormous park, which is recognized as a Unesco World Heritage Site.

The park’s numerous inhabitants, including lions, leopards, black rhinos, hippopotamus, and one of Africa’s largest populations of wild dogs, rely on the Rufiji River as a source of water. You can also cross more than 400 birds off your list of birds to see. Between November and April, the migratory species arrive.

It takes five hours to drive from Dar es Salaam. The 230 km/143 mi road to Mtemere Gate is the quickest way to get there. It takes longer to use the alternate route through Mikumi NP. There are flights every day.
Accommodations: Lodges and camps for all price ranges. The majority of the lodgings are located in the park’s northern section.
Activities include fishing, boat safaris, walking safaris, and game drives.

2. The National Park of Mikumi

The park nearest to Dar es Salaam is Mikumi National Park, which is connected by a tarmac road that passes through it. To the south is Nyerere National Park, which is connected to it. It’s rarely crowded because it’s one of the lesser-known wildlife reserves.

Along with giraffes and bands of yellow baboons or vervet monkeys, you may see herds of elephants, buffalo, zebras, wildebeest, eland, kudus, and impala on green savannah plains peppered with baobab trees. Although there are lions in the park, they are not as common or visible as they are in Tanzania’s more famous parks, such the Serengeti. You could be lucky enough to spot a leopard or a wild dog.

Mikumi, a park near Dar es Salaam, is a well-liked weekend getaway spot for locals. It is frequently utilized as a stopover for visitors on longer trips between other southern parks. Since it’s the driest and animals are drawn to permanent waterholes like those on the Mkata Floodplain, the best time to visit is between late June and October.

It takes six hours to drive from Dar es Salaam.
Accommodations: Lodges and camps for all price ranges (some close during the March to May rains).
Activities: Walking safaris and game drives

3. The National Park of Saadani

North of Dar es Salaam is Saadani National Park. The park is the only coastal wildlife destination on Tanzania’s mainland, and it is situated along the Indian Ocean.

Mangrove swamps around Saadani’s gorgeous coastline, which eventually gives way to inland forests. Green turtles use the coastlines as nesting grounds. Four of the Big Five can be found in the park: lions, elephants, buffalo, and leopards (but not rhinos). The sable antelope, hippo, yellow baboon, Lichtenstein’s hartebeest, and Masai giraffe are also present. It should be mentioned that compared to the more well-known Tanzanian parks, it is more difficult to spot animals here.

Aim to visit Saadani in January and February or June to August to avoid the protracted rains that occur in April and May.

It takes three to four hours to drive from Dar es Salaam.
Places to stay: mid-range and luxury campers and lodges
Activities include boat excursions, walking safaris, and game drives.

4. National Park Ruaha

Perhaps the greatest safari park close to Dar es Salaam is Ruaha. Despite being the second largest national park in Tanzania and one of the largest in Africa, it only gets a small portion of the tourists that the northern parks do. Ruaha, named for the Great Ruaha River that flows through it, is a place of rocky outcrops and ancient baobabs.

The park has an amazing variety of species and is the size of New Jersey. In addition to cheetahs, lions, leopards, hyenas, giraffes, hippo, buffalo, and wild dogs, there are over 450 different species of birds, which are best observed during the migration season, which runs from November to April.

June to October is the dry season. There aren’t many people at the park, even during this busy season. On their way to Ruaha National Park, many visitors make stops at Mikumi or Udzungwa Mountains National Parks.

It takes ten hours to drive from Dar es Salaam. Although they are far more costly, there are also flights into the park.
Accommodations: Lodges and tented camps with a range of prices, including some luxury choices
Activities: Walking safaris and game drives

5. National Park of the Udzungwa Mountains

Rather than its fauna, Udzungwa Mountains National Park is well-known for its numerous trekking paths that wind through the tropical rainforest. Sanje Waterfall is a well-liked swimming location that is accessible by half-day hike. Or stay in the park for a few nights while traveling routes like the challenging 5-day Lumemo path.

Keep an eye out for the Sanje crested mangabey and the Iringa red colobus. The two primates are native to the region. Actually, out of all the national parks in Africa, the Udzungwa Mountains have the second-highest biodiversity rate. Ten primates and about 400 bird species are present. Although visitors rarely see them, the park is also home to buffalo, elephants, leopards, hippopotamus, and crocs.

Mikumi is around 90 minutes distant, and Udzungwa Mountains National Park is a simple day excursion from Mikumi (or the other way around).

It takes six hours to drive from Dar es Salaam.
Where to stay: Campsites and lodges with varying price ranges
Activities: swimming and hiking

6. Marine Park on Mafia Island

The largest marine protected area (MPA) in the Indian Ocean, Mafia Island Marine Park, provides an alternative to the usual Tanzanian wildlife experience.

With more than 400 fish species, turtles, and dugongs inhabiting the reefs and mangrove forests, Mafia Island is a snorkeler’s and diver’s paradise. Additionally, it’s a fantastic spot to unwind after a busy safari itinerary in southern Tanzania.

With their hot, dry weather, August, September, and October are excellent travel months. July can be windy, and June is cooler. The hottest months are November through March, when there are showers and rising humidity.

Transportation from Dar es Salaam: Light aircraft are the most efficient means of transportation to Mafia Island.
Accommodations: Mostly upscale lodges, but there are also some mid-range and low-cost choices. Activities: Boat excursions, diving, and snorkeling