Tanzania offers some of Africa’s most exceptional predator viewing opportunities. Here’s a comprehensive guide to where and when to spot Tanzania’s magnificent predators:
Big Cats
Lions
Best Locations:
- Serengeti National Park: Particularly the Seronera region and kopjes (rock formations)
- Ngorongoro Crater: Exceptionally high density with reliable sightings
- Ruaha National Park: Famous for its large prides and male lions with magnificent manes
- Selous Game Reserve (Nyerere NP): Healthy populations along riverine habitats
Viewing Tips:
- Early morning and late afternoon game drives when lions are most active
- Look for vehicles clustered around kopjes in Serengeti
- Follow vulture activity which often indicates lion kills
- The Ndutu area during calving season (January-March) virtually guarantees sightings
Leopards
Best Locations:
- Southern Serengeti: Especially around Seronera Valley’s acacia trees
- Tarangire National Park: Along the river with abundant sausage trees
- Ruaha National Park: Outstanding leopard habitat with less tourism pressure
- Mahale Mountains: Surprisingly good leopard territory in forested areas
Viewing Tips:
- Scan large trees, especially sausage trees and fever trees
- Dawn and dusk drives along riverine areas
- Look for the flick of a tail hanging from a branch
- Listen for alarm calls from baboons and impala
Cheetahs
Best Locations:
- Serengeti Plains: Open grasslands provide ideal hunting grounds
- Ndutu Region: During wildebeest calving season (January-February)
- Ngorongoro Conservation Area: Open plains sections
- Ruaha National Park: Growing reputation for quality cheetah sightings
Viewing Tips:
- Focus on open plains rather than wooded areas
- Look for termite mounds which cheetahs use as vantage points
- Morning game drives when cheetahs are hunting
- Binoculars essential as cheetahs often maintain distance from vehicles
Other Predators
African Wild Dogs
Best Locations:
- Selous Game Reserve (Nyerere NP): Tanzania’s best location for wild dog sightings
- Ruaha National Park: Established packs with growing populations
- Northern Serengeti: Seasonal packs, especially during migration
- Loliondo Game Controlled Area: Border region with good sightings
Viewing Tips:
- Early morning drives when packs are hunting
- Listen for distinctive high-pitched chattering calls
- Be prepared to follow at distance as they can cover large areas quickly
- Most active during June-October dry season
Spotted Hyenas
Best Locations:
- Ngorongoro Crater: Large clans with visible den sites
- Central Serengeti: Particularly around Seronera region
- Western Corridor: During migration periods
- Virtually all Tanzanian parks have healthy hyena populations
Viewing Tips:
- Dawn drives to catch returning hunting parties
- Look for den sites with cubs (guides know locations)
- During migration, follow wildebeest herds
- Night drives in private concessions
Crocodiles
Best Locations:
- Mara River: During migration crossings (July-October)
- Rufiji River in Selous/Nyerere
- Grumeti River: Western Serengeti during June crossings
- Lake Ndutu: When filled after rains
Viewing Tips:
- River crossings during migration for dramatic hunting scenes
- Boat safaris on the Rufiji River
- Patience at permanent water sources during dry season
- Sand banks during mornings when they bask
Seasonal Considerations
Best Overall Predator Viewing Seasons:
- January-March: Calving season in southern Serengeti/Ndutu means predator concentration
- June-October: Dry season concentrates wildlife around water sources
- July-October: Northern Serengeti for river crossing predation events
- Year-round: Ngorongoro Crater maintains consistent predator populations
Photography Tips for Predator Sightings
- Minimum 300mm telephoto lens recommended
- Practice quick focus techniques for action shots
- Early morning and late afternoon light creates dramatic portraits
- Patience is essential—predators are often inactive for long periods
- Consider specialized photography safaris with professional guides
Ethical Viewing Practices
- Maintain minimum distances (recommended 20-30 meters)
- Never interrupt hunting behavior
- Limit vehicles around sensitive sightings (especially with cubs)
- No off-road driving except in designated parks/concessions
- Respect park rules about viewing hours
Tanzania remains one of the few places where you can realistically see all major African predators in a single safari if you plan carefully and visit the right combination of parks.