Along with being the largest city in Tanzania, as well as a commercial and trading centre as its southern Indian coast, the vibrant city known as Dar es Salaam is also a gateway to some of the most iconic African safari parks and game reserves. Being close to various world known national parks, Dar es Salaem is the perfect place to start and initiate those traveling who would like to see the rich and varied wildlife in Tanzania. No matter what kind safari-goer you are (first-time traveler or experienced traveler), you will find no shortage of opportunities to plan memorable wildlife trips.
Here, we shall discuss the top safari parks and game reserves available around Dar es Salaam, and we shall highlight the various landscapes, wildlife species and experiences that you are about to have in this part of East Africa. Whether it is forest to savannah-like expanses, these destinations are the places where you can find both the small-scale off-the-road safari with intimate feel or the big 5 luxury in their own game reserve. Now, we shall venture into some of the best safari parks and game reserves in the vicinity of Dar es Salaam, which deserve to be in every lovers of the wildlife list.
1. Mikumi Free Wildlife reserve: A Safari Classic off Dar es Salaam.
Mikumi National Park is perhaps the most convenient and common safari park in Tanzania, only approximately 4-5 hours drive outside Dar es Salaem. The park is situated in the centre of the southern circuit of the country and it is mostly termed as the ideal in the starting of the wildlife of Tanzania. Though the safari may be surrounded by the busy city, it is natural and serene such that Mikumi could be the best recommended place to visit to avoid the crowd and enjoy the beauty of nature.
Mikumi National Park harbors a rich variety of wildlife such as the big five that comprise of elephants, lion, leopard, buffalo and rhinoceros. Open savannah landscape with acacia trees scattered around and well-developed wetlands all create the best landscape where animals can be seen wandering in a free environment in the park. Other attractions in Mikumi include high population of zebras, giraffes, wildebeests and antelopes making it a heaven to both photographers and wildlife owners.
The park is associated with its great terrain to view the animals particularly during the early morning hours and late afternoons when animals are at their best. Bird species are also found in Mikumi where more than 400 species have been registered in the park and this makes it a great destination in terms of birdwatching.
Tourists visiting Mikumi have a chance to enjoy a game drive experience under the supervision of professional guides, who provide a general understanding of the ecology and the wildlife of the park. Walking safaris are also available where you get to explore the African bush on feet and get opportunities to learn about the smaller creatures and plants which constitute this unique ecosystem. Mikumi park has various campsites and lodges where they can accommodate all categories of travelers with both simple camping to high end safari lodges.
2. Selous Game Reserve: An immense and unspoiled Wilderness.
Selous Game Reserve (since 2010 in the larger Nyerere National Park) is one of the largest and the most ecologically diverse protected areas in Africa which is around 6-7 hours of drive in the Dar es Salaam. Selous which covers a total of more than 50,000 square kilometers boasts of a large variety of wildlife animals, such as elephants, lions, hippos, crocodiles, wild dogs, more than 400 species of birds.
The most outstanding feature of the Selous Game Reserve is the size and the feeling of isolation. Especially when compared with other busier safari parks, Selous provides tourists with a way to see an untouched wilderness that is hardly reminiscent of the common tourist route. Reserve is also characterized by a large number of wildlife and does not only offer the conventional game drive, Selous offers tourist to experience boat safari along Rufiji river whereby you can observe hippos, crocodiles and also other species of birds whilst moving on the water.
Also among the small majority of safari destinations, is Selous where one can have a walking safari, a very complete and adrenaline-rushed experience of the park and its scenery. Selous also has game drives, and there are skilled rangers who provide knowledge about the history of the park, conservation activities and the behavior of wildlife. Since it is a large area, Selous is a real wilderness and can be recommended to everyone in search of a safari adventure when going off-road.
Visitors will experience the best mix of adventure and luxury in this reserve with several high-end safari lodges and camps scattered across the reserve. Selous boasts of both a variety of rustic tented camping as well as luxury lodges with scale-threatening views of the jungle, both types of accommodation will fit any kind of traveler.
3. Ruinsori Game Reserve: A Safari Secret Haven of Intimate Experiences.
Ruinsori Game Reserve is a small place that is not as popular as other Tanzanian safari parks, but it provides a personalized and isolated safari experience that is located within a shorter distance of Dar es Salaam. Ruinsori belongs to the Southern Circuit, Tanzania and its location in the vicinity of Dar es Salaem makes it an easy, yet off-beat location to go when one wants an alternative safari holiday.
Despite its limited size compared to other safari parks, Ruinsori Game Reserve is where multiple wildlife species can be found, just to mention, there are elephants, giraffes, zebras, Wildebeasts, and several species of antelopes. Birdwatchers also have this park as a sanctuary as more than 300 varieties of birds can be seen in the reserve. Its close distance will also provide you with less tourists and so a more intimate and exclusive wildlife adventure.
The combination of woodlands, grasslands and riverine environment that the reserve has makes the landscape to be beautiful and one that is diverse to both the wildlife and visitors. It is a perfect place where one can enjoy the beauty of Tanzania without other people. As a private game reserve, where you can enjoy a personalized amount of time with safari and the assistance of guides to drive you throughout the park, you will have the chance to see the animals in the wild and get to hear more about conservation initiatives in the park.
4. Saadani national park: the Bush and the Beach meet.
Saadani National park will offer the ideal mix of wildlife and as well as a relaxation destination to anyone seeking a safari holiday that will also provide a touch of beach vacation. Only a few days (3-4) away in Dar es Salaem, Saadani is the only national park in Tanzania to border Indian ocean that offers tourists a combined safari and beach holiday.
Saadani is also a haven of a variety of wildlife such as lions, elephants, giraffes, and buffalos; it is also a home to a mixture of birds. The mixture of savannah, wetlands and coastal forests to form a natural environment makes it a big habitat to wildlife where areas around rivers are full of hippos and crocodiles. The good population of the endangered species like the African wild dog and the endangered sea turtle are also known in Saadani.
Besides game drives, Saadani has one more additional activity, a boat safari on the Wami River, where you will be able to see hippos, crocodiles, and many bird species. There is also the option of walking safaris in the park that will enable the guests to walk across the green landscapes and be taught about the local flora and fauna. The visitors are encouraged to then relax at one of the lodges or campsites in the park located on the scenic Indian Ocean after an exciting day of the safari.
5. Mikumi National Park: An Entrance to Southern Circuit in Tanzania.
The other place that would present a good option to those who are looking to have a safari adventure in Southern Tanzania is Mikumi National Park, which is only a few hours away in Dar es Salaam. The park belongs to Selous-Mikumi ecosystem, and represents the habitat of numerous species of animals such as elephants, lions, leopards, and buffalos. It also boasts of scenic landscapes that comprise open savannahs, woodlands and riverine habitats.
Mikumi is the best secret of Tanzania where one can have an opportunity of a more personalized and less crowded safari. Birdwatching is also a popular activity in the park and more than 400 species have been recorded in the park. Tourists will be able to go on game drives with highly qualified tour guides who are in a position to offer informational details about the parks and ecosystems.
Mikumi offers accommodation facilities ranging between affordable campsites and luxurious lodges and therefore is an affordable though memorable tourist safari destination. The park is one of the best places to spend a short weekend without the time wastage that people spend traveling to other safari sites because of their distant location.
Summary: Game Park Tour To Safari Adventure is Waiting You in the Dar es Salaam.
The strategic positioning of Dar es Salaam has made it the ideal point of location when exploring the best safari parks and game reserves that Tanzania has to offer. The southern safari circuit has got the legendary Selous game reserve as well as the accessible Mikumi National Park that have numerous options as far as wildlife is concerned. You want to undertake classic game drive, to go on walking safaris, on boat safari in special environs, the best safari parks and game reserves around Dar es Salaem ensure that wildlife experience is never forgotten.
All these safari parks and reserves are unique and so you are able to design your safari experience to fit your tastes, interests and available time boundaries. Through proper planning and guiding, your safari to this wonderful land of Tanzania would be a lifetime adventure and one would have close experiences with the exquisite wildlife in Africa.
