Tanzania National Parks

The United Republic of Tanzania was formed out of the union of the two previous countries of Tanganyika and Zanzibar. Tanzania is bordered by Kenya and Uganda to the north; and Mozambique, Zambia and Malawi are to the south. Rwanda, Burundi, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo lie to the west of Tanzania and the Indian Ocean to the east.

In Tanzania, one finds several of Africa’s greatest natural treasures, including the famous Mt. Kilimanjaro, the tallest mountain in Africa; the Ngorongoro Crater; the Serengeti plains; and the spice Island of Zanzibar. Tanzania has some of the greatest concentrations of wild animals on the planet and is a favorite destination for birders and nature-lovers visiting Africa for the first time. The fifteen parks managed by Tanzania National Parks offer a wonderful opportunity to view the spectacular wildlife of Africa. Activities offered at the national parks include wildlife and bird watching, boat trips, canoeing safaris, chimpanzee tracking, fishing, hiking, hot air ballooning, mountain biking, mountain climbing, swimming, and snorkeling.

Zanzibar is actually an archipelago located in the Indian Ocean and consisting of two main islands: Unguja Island is largest island of the Archipelago and is commonly referred to as Zanzibar Island. Pemba Island, the second largest of the two islands, was called Al-khudra, “The Green Island”, by the Arabic traders and offers some of the finest diving in East Africa. The archipelago also contains over 50 smaller islands. Zanzibar is the birthplace of Swahili. Zanzibar consists of a multiracial and multicultural community of nearly one million people.

The Zanzibar Coast offers some of the best deep sea fishing in Africa. In addition to a wide variety of top sporting game fish, Zanzibar also hosts a variety of sea life that can be observed by visitors

Misali Island is a popular destination due its natural treasures, including beautiful coral reefs populated with a myriad of beautiful, jewel-like marine fishes, an open forest which is home to the rare Fischer`s Turaco, vervet monkeys and the famous Pemba flying fox. So spectacular are these natural treasures that Misali has been officially declared a Marine Conservation Areas, and it is a wonderful place for both snorkeling and scuba diving.

Chumbe Island’s beautiful coral reefs and diverse marine life were the reasons for creating the Chumbe Coral Park, the first marine park created East Africa. These marine park also has an education centre, a terrestrial Nature Trail and an “Eco-lodge” for accommodation.

Mnemba Island also provides a safe nesting site for the endangered Green Turtle.

National Parks of Tanzania – More Information