Vacations in Tanzania

This national park is one of Tanzania's oldest and most popular parks. It has been recognized by the World Heritage Organization as the 8th Wonder of the World. The Serengeti Plain is famous for its massive annual migration, where over six million animals will appear on the open plains. The plains are known for being one of the best wildlife sanctuaries in the world; it is especially renowned for the migration of animals. Every year more than a million wildebeest and zebras travel through the Serengeti National Park.

During the migration season, more than 200,000 zebra and 300,000 Thomson's gazelle join the wildebeest’s trek for fresh grazing areas. However, even when the migration is at its minimum, the Serengeti Plain offers the best game-viewing regions in Africa. You will observe great herds of buffalo, smaller groups of elephants, giraffes, eland, topi, kongoni, impala, and Grant’s gazelle.

This famous Tanzania conservation area has an immense concentration of wild animals that live in the surrounding area near the Ngorongoro Crater. It is also the home to a small relict population of black rhinoceros and some 25,000 other large animals, with the highest density of mammalian predators in Africa.

The lake-filled Empakaai crater and the active volcano of Oldonyo Lenga are located in the nearby regions. Excavations in the Oldupai Gorge and Laetoli to the west have resulted in discoveries such as Homo habilis and 3.5 million-year old human footprints which have given the area worldwide importance for research on the evolution of the human species.

Ngorongoro Crater supports up to 25,000 large mammals. Many grazing species dominate the region, especially zebra and wildebeest. Other species which account for almost half of the animals in the region are gazelle, buffalo, eland, hartebeest and warthog.

Giraffe mostly avoid the region due to the insufficient food source at tree level. In addition, Topi are also scarce because they compete directly with wildebeest. An odd feature of the crater is the elephants which are almost exclusively bulls. Breeding herds comprising of large numbers of females and young with a few attendant older males are probably unable to find sufficient quality food in the crater.

At the bottom of the Ngorongoro Crater is a very large lake called Lake Magadi which supports wonderful avian wildlife. Most of the variety of bird’s in Ngorongoro are seasonal and are influenced by the ratio of soda water versus fresh water. It has been noted that the concentration of soda water is the largest expanse of water found in Lake Magadi. The lake is alkaline due to deposits of volcanic ash thrown out by surrounding volcanoes.

This National Park is a hidden Tanzania treasure and is sometimes over-looked due to its close proximity to the Serengeti National Park. Lake Manyara National Park stretches for approximately 50km along the base of the rusty-gold 600-metre high Rift Valley. It is known as Tanzania’s scenic gem and was noted by Ernest Hemingway to be “the loveliest region I had seen in Africa”.

This park has an expanse of lush jungle-like groundwater forest where you will see a multitude of baboon troops who lounge nonchalantly along the roadside. Along with the baboons, you will notice blue monkeys who scamper between the ancient mahogany trees. Around the mid-day hour, you will enjoy a wonderful picnic lunch.

During recent periods, tree climbing lions have been discovered thriving in this wonderful area. During your exploration of Lake Manyara, you will observe elephants, hippos, numerous various species of bird life and several varieties of cheeky monkeys.

Tarangire National Park is the sixth largest national park in Tanzania and is named from the Tarangire River which crosses through the park. The river supports the majority animal life located within this natural wonder and is the only source of water for all of the different varieties of wildlife during the dry seasons.

Within this national park, you will discover termite mounds which are often frequented by colonies of the endearing dwarf mongoose, and pairs of red-and-yellow barbet. The mongoose and barbet draw attention to themselves by their loud, clockwork-like duet ting. Another type of wildlife found in Tarangire is the Tarangire's python. This slithering species is known for climbing trees, as do the lions and leopards, who lounge in the branches of the sausage trees.

Tarangire is also where the mighty African elephant resides. During the dry season (June through December) the elephants will mass along the river in enormous numbers where the viewing is amongst the finest in Africa. However even during the January thru May green season, the park is beautiful and has an abundance and variety of different animal species.

Arusha National Park covers approximately 137 sq. km and lies between the peaks of Mt. Kilimanjaro and Mt. Meru. Established in 1960, the park contains the Ngurdoto Crater and Momella Lakes. In 1967 Mt. Meru was made part of this natural wonder.

You will observe many varieties of flora and fauna which lie within the topography of the region. Along with the multitude of flowers, the park's terrain ranges from forest to swamp. The best time for visiting Arusha is during the dry season from July-March. Many visitors elect to climb Mount Meru during the months of June-February (although there are some rains in November). On clear days, wonderful views of the magnificent Mount Kilimanjaro and Mt. Meru are present. These majestic mountains can also be seen from almost any part of the park you are exploring. The best views of Mt. Kilimanjaro are from December-February.

Mount Kilimanjaro is known as the jewel of Tanzania. Kilimanjaro’s peak climbs to an altitude of 5895m (19.340ft), and is the highest peak in Africa. It is also noted as the highest freestanding mountain in the world, and has one of the largest volcanoes. Kilimanjaro’s immense mountain base has a diameter of about 70 km. On clear days this impressive formation can be seen from more than 160 km away.

This mighty mountain can be climbed almost any time of the year, although it is not recommended to climb during the rainy season, which is April and May. While thousands of people scramble to the top of Kilimanjaro each year, there are also trails off the beaten track and some technical climbs for the more experienced mountaineer.

The summit of Kilimanjaro is definitely a challenge, and there are risks involved, but it can be reached by any reasonably fit person who enjoys hiking. Reaching the summit will be a Once In A Lifetime experience!

This relatively small (3230 sq km) National Park is nestled between the Uruguru Mountains to the East and the Rift Valley escarpments to the Southwest. Even though this is a small park, it borders with the Selous Game Reserve. Being located so close to Selous, it allows for the movement of game and is known for the highest game density of the entire conservation area.

Mikumi National Park is composed primarily of the Mkata River flood plain and is surrounded by gently rolling hills covered in miombo woodland. Although less spectacular than some of the more illustrious Tanzanian National Parks, Mikumi still offers a wonderful safari experience with many varieties of flora and fauna in East Africa.

Located within Mikumi, is a rich variety of bird species as well as large numbers of giraffes, buffaloes and elephants. Near many of the local waterholes you will view lions, leopards and hippos. In addition all this, you will be able to view zebras, wild dogs, pythons, hartebeest, wildebeest, impala, warthog, eland and other antelope. Several observation towers enable you to view the park in its entirety.

Remote and rarely visited, Katavi National Park is one of the most wonderful national parks in Tanzania. This national park is Tanzania’s third largest national park and is located in the southwest remote part of the country.

Lake Tanganyika is within close proximity of Katavi and is located in a remote region of the Rift Valley arm. It has a higher density of mammals than any other park within the Tanzanian National Park system. Most, if not all, of its rivers are populated with hippopotamus and crocodiles. Roaming over the plains are great herds of buffalo, with sometimes up to 1000 animals in one group. The largest part of Katavi is covered by the Miombo Forest. The forest offers protection to large herds of Elen, black horse and Sable Antelopes. Another point of interest for animal observers is the Katuma River. This swampy region attracts water birds, and the largest population of hippos and crocodiles.

Katavi is most impressive during dry season, when the lakes and rivers are almost empty. Many Katavi’s animals, which include herds of elephants, concentrate at the small watering holes for their nourishment. Katavi’s most spectacular animal experience is the dangerous hippo. Towards the end of the dry season, you might see up to 200 hippos lounging in the deeper part of the river.