Serengeti National Park, Tanzania: Animals To See

In Tanzania, animals both exotic and wild wander through the Serengeti National Park. If you are wondering what animals you will see in Serengeti National Park, this detailed Tanzania animals list features every animal you’ll likely see while on safari in Africa. Read on to learn about the big five in Serengeti National Park, what animals you will see, their population counts, and more.

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When I packed my bags and flew to Tanzania, I knew it would be a trip of my lifetime.

I was filled with excitement, ready to finally experience the amazing Serengeti National Park in person and to cross “African Safari” off of my bucket list. Like many people, a Tanzania safari was something I had dreamed of for a long time.

Compared to Egypt and Morocco, East Africa was unknown and mysterious. The culture was going to be completely new to me, the landscapes were going to be beautifully foreign, and the animals in Serengeti National Park were some that I’d never laid eyes on in the wild before.

In fact, many of the species that you see on a Tanzania safari are not found outside of the African continent.

How To Visit the Serengeti

I chose to take a 6 day camping safari in order to get up close and personal with the animals in Serengeti National Park. And, I sure did, both in the day and night.

I could hear them just outside my tent every evening – hyenas fighting, elephants trumpeting, zebras stomping their hooves. I even heard lions several nights in a row! It was incredible, and it is every wildlife lover’s dream.

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It’s unexpected actually, how bold the animals are. They don’t seem to care if humans are nearby; as if they feel very sure that we are trespassing in their territory. And, they are not wrong.

I think that is what is so breathtaking about going on safari. You truly witness the animals as they live, in their home, in the wild.

While many animals showed no fear in walking very close up to the vehicle, others were farther away or were smaller in size, and binoculars were incredibly helpful along the way.

If you are heading out on safari soon, and want to arm yourself with the best gear, check out my Tanzania packing list. In it I list everything that I found both helpful and necessary in seeing the animals.

What Does “Serengeti” Mean?

In the Maasai language, Serengeti means “endless plains”. But in fact, Serengeti National Park features two distinct landscapes within it’s 12,000 square miles.

First, you’ll see endless golden grasslands, and then woodlands, with trees and even forest.

Because some animals in Tanzania prefer the grasslands and others prefer the cover of trees, you will see different wildlife within the different environments. Everything changes the deeper into the Serengeti you go.

Besides the fearless animals that entered several of my camps, I saw countless mammals, birds, and reptiles throughout the park. And I kept a detailed list each day to document the experience.

I am excited to share with you below all of the animals I saw while on safari in Serengeti National Park, Tanzania.

List of Animals Seen Inside of Serengeti National Park, Tanzania

You may notice that on my safari, I was lucky enough to see all of the famous Big Five of Tanzania. We’ll go into that more below.

What are “The Big 5” Animals of the Serengeti in Tanzania?

If you are not familiar with what “The Big Five” means, it is referring to the following five animals:

• Lions
• African Elephant
• Leopard
• Cape Buffalo
• Rhino

Your group is generally regarded as lucky if you are able to spot all five of these animals on safari. This applies to the leopard and the rhino in particular, who are most-often missed.

Leopards are often missed because they are excellent at hiding in the trees, and prefer coverage. You wouldn’t think the leopards spots would blend in very well with the bark, but Mother Nature sure knew what she was doing!

Rhinos are, sadly, endangered. Due to their fewer numbers in the wild, you just aren’t as likely to spot them.

Approximate Population of Specific Animals in the Serengeti

We learned a lot about the animals that we saw from our guide. He was incredibly knowledgable about African animal behavior in the Serengeti.

But sadly, not everything we learned was good news. Over the years, many wild animal populations are declining in Serengeti National Park. This applies to animals in Tanzania, in other parks, too.

Below are some of the approximate populations of current animals in Serengeti National Park.

• There are less than 1000 lions left in the Serengeti
• There are less than 100 cheetahs left in the Serengeti
• There are less than 500 leopards left in the Serengeti
• There are approximately 10 rhinos left in both the Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater

Compare those small numbers to the nearly one million zebras in the Serengeti!

The fast declines in animal population has been caused by a multitude of factors, including poaching and loss of habitat.

The good news is, there are a number of reputable animal conservation and breeding programs throughout East and South Africa. These organizations are dedicated to increasing the numbers of these animals in the wild.

I’ve visited two of such cheetah sanctuary and breeding centers to date. Though they are usually quite expensive to experience, you can feel very good about where your money is going. Be sure to research whether or not the animals benefit before going.

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List of Notable Encounters with Animals in Tanzania

An African Safari is high on many people’s bucket list, in the hopes of witnessing these amazing animals in the wild.

For anyone living outside of Africa, by and large this will be a first. Typically, the only exposure you are likely to have had to these creatures has been on the television or in a zoo.

It is beyond fascinating to witness firsthand – and in many cases very up close and personal – what these guys are like in the wild.

The majority of the time, they pay no mind to the vehicles and tourists and you truly get to witness their everyday behaviors and habits. From the beautiful to the majestic to even the gruesome, nature is amazing.

I had countless memorable moments with or near the animals in Serengeti National Park. Some of the highlights were:

• Witnessing the wildebeest migration. I had been hoping to catch this event, but of course it’s never guaranteed. Luckily, we were in the right place at the right time. We parked the car with nobody else around and watched the wildebeest run by the thousands for the next 30 minutes! It was breathtaking, to hear the thunderous hooves as they ran.
• Seeing two wild cheetahs close up. Cheetahs are my absolute favorite. I find them to be fascinating. Their speed, their personalities, and did you know that they are the only big cat that purrs?
• Having an elephant stomp right through our camp! Truly, he was walking in between tents. This elephant was determined to go wherever he darn well pleased, and no person or campground was going to stop him!
• Watching a father baboon with his tiny baby on his back leap across the dirt road.
• A tall giraffe meandered all around the campsite, following the non-fenced boundary of the sleeping area. It is worth mentioning that some tourists from another car walked way too close to the giraffe, and got in trouble with their guide. First and foremost, understand that you are in the wild animals’ homes, and respect their space.

FAQs About Tanzania Animals & Wildlife

What is Tanzania’s national animal?

The national animal of Tanzania is the Masai Giraffe. It is commonly seen all around the Serengeti and other parks within the country.

Are there crocodiles in Tanzania?

Yes, the Nile Crocodile is commonly found in Tanzania. You will typically see it in bodies of water within the Serengeti.

Are there tigers in Tanzania?

Contrary to popular belief, there are not and never have been wild tigers in Tanzania. The Serengeti is not their natural habitat.

Are snakes common in Tanzania?

Tanzania is home to many native snakes, including some of the world’s most venomous species. Keep your eyes peeled for black mambas, cobras, and puff adders in rural areas and on safari.

What is the most common animal in Tanzania?

Surprisingly, the most common animal in Tanzania is the blue wildebeest. There are roughly 1,300,000 of them within the country, which is the majority of the world’s population.

Are there wolves in Tanzania?

I was surprised to learn that the answer is yes, wolves are found in Tanzania. Though we didn’t see any in the wild, they do live between Mount Kilimanjaro and the middle of Serengeti National Park.

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After visiting, it’s easy to see why it is popular to watch animals in Tanzania. Serengeti National Park is a must-see at least once in your life.

Viewing all of these animals up close and in the wild was beyond magical and it has left me wanting to visit other regions of Africa for safari as well. Stay tuned for more!

Are you dreaming of a safari in Tanzania? Please let me know below if you have thoughts or questions! This was an incredible experience and I highly recommend making it a priority in your travels.

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