Tanzania

Other Parks Worth Knowing

Smaller and less-visited parks across Tanzania: mountains, forests, chimpanzees, an island park and a beach.

Plan a safari hereSee safaris

Best monthsVaries by park; June to October suits most
Getting thereBy road from Arusha or Dar es Salaam, or by light aircraft
Suggested stayUsually 1 to 3 nights, added to a longer safari
  • Chimpanzees
  • Mountain forest
  • Island park
  • Bush and beach
  • Rhino sanctuary
  • Wild flowers

Our view

Beyond the famous names, Tanzania has a string of smaller parks that are worth knowing about. None of them is a reason on its own to fly to Tanzania, but each can add something different to a longer trip: a walk in the mountains, chimpanzees, a night on an island, or a beach at the end of a safari.

Some are easy to reach from the main safari routes, such as Mikumi and Udzungwa on the road between Dar es Salaam and Ruaha. Others, like Gombe, Rubondo and Kitulo, take more planning.

This page gives a short introduction to each. If one of them interests you, ask me and I will send more detail and suggest how to fit it into your trip.

The parks

TANZANIAKENYALake VictoriaIndian OceanLake TanganyikaLake MalawiGombe Stream: A tiny park on the shore of Lake Tanganyika, made famous by Jane Goodall's chimpanzee research, which began here in 1960. Reached by boat from Kigoma.1Gombe StreamRubondo Island: An island park in Lake Victoria, with forest, fishing, birdlife and a small chimpanzee population that is not easy to see. Quiet and very different from the mainland parks.2Rubondo IslandMikumi: An open, easy-to-reach park on the main road west of Dar es Salaam, with plains game, lion and elephant. Good for a short safari from the coast.3MikumiUdzungwa Mountains: A forested mountain park next to Mikumi, for hiking to waterfalls and looking for primates and birds found nowhere else. There are no game drives here.4Udzungwa MountainsSaadani: Where the bush meets the Indian Ocean, on the coast north of Dar es Salaam. Game viewing is modest, but the combination of safari and beach is unusual.5SaadaniMkomazi: A dry-country park on the Kenyan border below the Usambara Mountains, known for its black rhino sanctuary and wild dog breeding programme.6MkomaziKitulo: A high plateau in the Southern Highlands, nicknamed the Garden of God for its wild flowers and orchids in the rainy season. For walkers and botanists rather than game viewing.7Kitulo
  1. 1
    Gombe StreamA tiny park on the shore of Lake Tanganyika, made famous by Jane Goodall's chimpanzee research, which began here in 1960. Reached by boat from Kigoma.Safaris here
  2. 2
    Rubondo IslandAn island park in Lake Victoria, with forest, fishing, birdlife and a small chimpanzee population that is not easy to see. Quiet and very different from the mainland parks.Safaris here
  3. 3
    MikumiAn open, easy-to-reach park on the main road west of Dar es Salaam, with plains game, lion and elephant. Good for a short safari from the coast.
  4. 4
    Udzungwa MountainsA forested mountain park next to Mikumi, for hiking to waterfalls and looking for primates and birds found nowhere else. There are no game drives here.
  5. 5
    SaadaniWhere the bush meets the Indian Ocean, on the coast north of Dar es Salaam. Game viewing is modest, but the combination of safari and beach is unusual.
  6. 6
    MkomaziA dry-country park on the Kenyan border below the Usambara Mountains, known for its black rhino sanctuary and wild dog breeding programme.
  7. 7
    KituloA high plateau in the Southern Highlands, nicknamed the Garden of God for its wild flowers and orchids in the rainy season. For walkers and botanists rather than game viewing.
Other Parks Worth KnowingOther Parks Worth KnowingOther Parks Worth KnowingOther Parks Worth Knowing

Where to stay

Safaris that go here

Tanzania Serengeti and Chimps

Arusha › Ngorongoro › Central Serengeti › Rubondo Island

9 days · Game drives · Chimpanzees · Walking · Balloon flight

2027 rates on request

A flying safari in Northern Tanzania, combining Ngorongoro Crater, central Serengeti and Rubondo Island National Parks, staying in high-quality permanent camps

Questions

Are these parks worth visiting on a first safari?

Usually not as the main focus. They are best added to a longer trip for something different: a walk, chimpanzees, a beach or a quieter area.

Which of these parks can I see chimpanzees in?

Gombe Stream, and to a lesser extent Rubondo Island. For the best chimpanzee trekking in Tanzania, see Mahale.

Can you arrange visits to these parks?

Yes. Ask me about any of them and I will suggest how and when to fit them into your trip.

Plan a safari to Other Parks Worth Knowing

Tell us roughly when and how you would like to travel, and we will reply with ideas and a detailed quote within one working day.