Most visitors to Tanzania see lions, elephants and giraffes. A few lucky ones see something far rarer. Tanzania protects several critically endangered species, and some live nowhere else on Earth. This guide covers the rarest animals and where your chances are best.
Rare animals at a glance
| Animal | Status | Best chance |
|---|---|---|
| Black rhino | Critically endangered | Ngorongoro Crater |
| African wild dog | Endangered | Nyerere, Ruaha |
| Pangolin | Threatened | Night, anywhere; very rarely seen |
| Kipunji | Endangered | Southern highlands forests |
| Abbott’s duiker | Endangered | Eastern Arc mountain forests |
| Zanzibar red colobus | Endangered | Jozani Forest, Zanzibar |
| Aders’ duiker | Critically endangered | Zanzibar coastal forest |
| Chimpanzee | Endangered | Mahale, Gombe |
Black rhino
Poaching reduced Africa’s black rhinos to a small fraction of their former numbers. Tanzania’s populations are closely guarded. The Ngorongoro Crater gives the best chance of a wild sighting, usually at a distance on the open floor. A few also live in the Serengeti and in the sanctuary at Mkomazi.
African wild dog
Wild dogs live in packs, cover huge distances and need large, wild areas. Nyerere and Ruaha hold some of the most important populations in Africa. Sightings are never guaranteed, but they are much more likely in the south than the north.
Pangolin
Pangolins are covered in scales and roll into a ball when threatened. They are among the most trafficked mammals in the world. They are active at night and seldom seen, so a sighting is special even for guides.
Kipunji
A monkey discovered by scientists only in 2003, the kipunji lives in a few forests in Tanzania’s southern highlands. Visiting its habitat requires special planning and is best for dedicated wildlife travellers.
Abbott’s duiker and Aders’ duiker
These small forest antelopes are shy and live in very limited areas. Abbott’s duiker is found only in a few Tanzanian mountain forests, and Aders’ duiker in coastal forest including Zanzibar. Read our guide to duikers in Tanzania.
Zanzibar red colobus
Found only on Zanzibar, this monkey is endangered but easy to see in and around Jozani Forest. It is one of the rare animals most visitors can see. Read about colobus monkeys.
Chimpanzee
Wild chimpanzees live in western Tanzania, including Mahale and Gombe. Habituated groups make trekking possible. See our guide to chimpanzees in Tanzania.
Why these animals are rare
- Poaching for horn, scales and meat.
- Habitat loss as forests and grasslands are cleared.
- Small ranges: some species live only on a few mountains or islands.
- Disease and conflict with livestock and people.
How tourism helps
Park fees help fund anti-poaching patrols, research and community programmes. Choosing responsible camps and following park rules supports that work.
Improve your chances
For rhinos, include the crater: Crater & Manyara Quick. For wild dogs, head south with Ruaha Fly-In. For the red colobus, add Zanzibar with Zanzibar Beach Week.
Frequently asked questions
Several contenders exist, including the kipunji monkey, Aders’ duiker and some endemic forest species that live in very small areas. Among large mammals, the black rhino is the rarest.
The Ngorongoro Crater, where a small protected population lives on the crater floor.
Very rarely. Pangolins are nocturnal and shy, and many experienced guides have only seen a few.
