Where To See Rhinos In Tanzania?

Where To See Rhinos In Tanzania, Of all large animal species in Tanzania, rhinos are the rarest. As of 2023, the number of rhinos was 212 according to the International Rhino Foundation. It’s an incredible improvement from just 15 rhinos recorded about 40 years ago. These prehistoric animals once roamed Tanzania’s wilderness in large numbers, but poachers brought this species to the brink of extinction.

But there’s a good chance to spot rhinos during your Tanzania safari. Whether you’re visiting the famous northern safari circuit or the remote south, we are sure that with the best guides, you will spot these beautiful animals. In this article, we will explore the four best places to see rhinos in Tanzania.

1.   Ngorongoro Crater

This large, unfilled crater tops the list of the best places to encounter black rhinos. The population is small – around 30 rhinos – but it’s easier to spot them. This is because of the small size of the crater and the short-grass plains that dominate the floor. Since rhinos prefer thickets and trees, which are not common in the crater, they hide in fever and acacia trees.

There’s much to explore in this UNESCO World Heritage Site besides rhinos. It has over 25,000 large animals spread across 264 square kilometers of crater floor. You can effortlessly tick off all the Big Five animals or scan for large plains game like buffalo, wildebeest, and zebra. A friendly reminder is: you won’t find giraffes on the floor.

2.   Serengeti National Park

This park is every nature lover’s haven. It is a perfect escape to watch wildlife moments at their finest. Regarding rhinos, Serengeti boasts many rhinos. The exact figure is unknown, but estimates put the rhino population in the Serengeti at 80.

Promising encounters are common in the south-central region called Moru Kopjes, where the Serengeti Rhino Project is. Here, rangers patrol this zone 24/7 to ensure every rhino is safe because its life matters the most. A drive to this region will reward you with the views of this stunning creature.

Occasionally, you can encounter rhinos in the Mara River area (where they sometimes cross from the Masai Mara). Rhinos are also present in the Grumeti Game Reserve exclusively for visitors staying at the Singita properties.

Apart from rhinos, Serengeti hosts the other four animals of the Big Five. Lions form 300 prides that command the vast plains of the Serengeti. Elephants sway their trunks as they head toward the Seronera River to drink water. Buffalo are in abundance in the wooded plains, while the elusive leopards hide in acacia and sausage trees along the banks of the Seronera River.

The Great Migration, nature’s grandest show, premieres every year, featuring over 2 million ungulates. You can gaze at its famous river crossings in July and August in the north or watch beautiful baby wildebeest being born from January to March in the south.

3.   Nyerere National Park

Nyerere is twice as big as the Serengeti. It has virgin wilderness featuring grasslands, woodlands, rivers, and swamps. The rhino population present here is quite small, and it is difficult to spot a rhino because they hide in thickets and dense forests.

Besides rhinos, Nyerere offers incredible wildlife worth seeing. You can find buffalo, elephant, giraffe, wildebeest, zebra, and gazelle. Even species deemed so rare in the northern parks are abundant in this park. You can find Lichtenstein’s hartebeest, blue wildebeest, roan antelope, and African wild dog.

Nyerere also offers bucket-list safari activities like boat safaris, guided walks, and fly camping. Since the park is lesser-known, you’ve 30,393 square kilometers of wilderness to explore. On top of that, luxurious camps and lodges are offering unique safari experiences at the best prices.

4.   Mkomazi National Park

Mkomazi has its very own rhino sanctuary called Mbula Rhino Sanctuary. Started in 1991, this project serves as a safe breeding place for rhinos. There are about 35 rhinos in Mkomazi. The introduction of rhino tourism in 2021 enabled tourists to visit to see rhinos in protected zones.

You can drive in the protected zones under the guidance of a ranger to find these critically endangered large species. Once you find them, enjoy their graceful look or capture some best photos, but do not step out of the vehicle.

You can also explore other animals in this remote park. Designated as a park in 2006, Mkomazi covers 3,234 square kilometers in Tanzania’s northeast. That means the wildlife can spread in its expanse. So, here you can see wild dogs, leopards, hyenas, elephants, and buffalo. You can also appreciate the distant views of mountains, including Mount Kilimanjaro, or explore local cultures in the Same District of the Kilimanjaro region.

The bottom line.

Tanzania is, therefore, a promising destination to spot rhinos. If you weren’t lucky enough to spot them in the Serengeti or Nyerere, you can find them in the Ngorongoro Crater. For a closer look, you can visit Mkomazi National Park. Are you ready for your rhino safari? Let’s start planning your safari today!