Karibu Tanzania

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Field guide

The wildlife of Tanzania

From the Big Five of the Serengeti to whale sharks off Mafia and monkeys found nowhere else on Earth. Find out what lives here, where to see it and when.

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Species profiled

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Places to see them

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Showing 12 species

Common Ostrich (Masai Ostrich)
LC

Flightless birds

Common Ostrich (Masai Ostrich)

Struthio camelus massaicus

The largest and fastest-running bird on Earth.

Serengeti, Tarangire +3 more

Lesser Flamingo
NT

Waterbirds

Lesser Flamingo

Phoeniconaias minor

Pink flocks that turn East African soda lakes into a moving carpet.

Ngorongoro Conservation Area, Lake Manyara +2 more

Umbrella Thorn Acacia
LC

Trees

Umbrella Thorn Acacia

Vachellia tortilis

The flat-topped tree that defines the African savannah.

Serengeti, Tarangire +3 more

Thomson's Gazelle
LC

Antelopes

Thomson's Gazelle

Eudorcas thomsonii

A small, fast antelope that flicks its tail as it grazes.

Serengeti, Ngorongoro Conservation Area +1 more

Common Eland
LC

Antelopes

Common Eland

Taurotragus oryx

The largest antelope in Africa, a calm giant of the plains.

Lake Natron, Serengeti +2 more

Gerenuk
NT

Antelopes

Gerenuk

Litocranius walleri

A long-necked antelope that stands on its hind legs to browse.

Tarangire, Lake Natron

Caracal
LC

Small cats

Caracal

Caracal caracal

A tufted-eared cat that can leap high to catch birds in flight.

Serengeti, Tarangire +1 more

Kirk's Dik-dik
LC

Antelopes

Kirk's Dik-dik

Madoqua kirkii

A tiny antelope, no bigger than a hare, that lives in pairs.

Tarangire, Lake Manyara +3 more

Secretary Bird
EN

Raptors

Secretary Bird

Sagittarius serpentarius

A long-legged raptor that hunts by stamping on snakes and rodents.

Serengeti, Ngorongoro Conservation Area +2 more

Kori Bustard
NT

Ground birds

Kori Bustard

Ardeotis kori

Africa's heaviest flying bird, a giant walker of the plains.

Serengeti, Ngorongoro Conservation Area +2 more

Von der Decken's Hornbill
LC

Hornbills

Von der Decken's Hornbill

Tockus deckeni

A hornbill with a red and black bill, common at safari lodges.

Tarangire, Ngorongoro Conservation Area +2 more

Superb Starling
LC

Starlings

Superb Starling

Lamprotornis superbus

A glossy blue-green bird with a chestnut belly, common around camps.

Serengeti, Ngorongoro Conservation Area +3 more

Conservation categories follow the IUCN Red List and can change as new assessments are published. Where and when you see a species depends on the season, the weather and luck: wildlife is wild, and we never promise a sighting.

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