National Parks

Serengeti National Park
You might have heard the name, or watched a documentary on National Geographic, but to experience it is an experience of a lifetime. The Serengeti National Park is one of the most incredible places on the planet. What you might have seen on television or read in a book cannot do justice to the actual experience. It is just out of this world. This is the largest of Tanzania's national parks, measuring 14 763 sq. km's. The park name is derived from a Maasai word meaning ««endless plains» and houses the largest concentration of wildlife in the world.

The Serengeti is renowned for the huge concentrations of wildebeest and zebra. Approximately 1 500 000 wildebeest and 250 000 zebra migrate annually in a circular pattern between the Serengeti National Park's Western Corridor and Kenya's Maasai Mara Game Reserve. Contrary to belief, the migration of these animals is a continuous affair with stopover points along the way. These migrationary trends are dependent on the rains.

During late November or December through to May / early June, lines of Wildebeest (sometimes up to 40km long) can be seen on a journey which can be up to 800 km long. These vast herds of grunting and snorting animals consume a staggering 4000 tones of grass each day. Hot on their heels you will find the ominous and ever present lion, cheetah and hyena. They are particularly interested in the calving season that coincides with the migration off the plains. In a period of only 3 weeks, some 400 000 cows give birth. Unlike most antelopes who seek cover, wildebeest prefer to calve in open terrain, which provides another breathtaking spectacle. These new calves provide easy pickings for larger scavengers and cats. This is the reason why wildebeest calves are able to be up and running within 4 minutes of birth. The best time to witness this is between the end of January to February

The Seronera Valley provides for some of the best game viewing. Jutting kopjes provide a vantage point for lion to sit a gaze on the herds and plan the next meal. June and July sees the animals moving off to the Togoro Plain on the border of the Grumeti River. This presents an obstacle for the vast herd, as they have to cross the queues of the eagerly awaiting crocs. August to September sees the animals moving off to the Lobo area and into the Maasai Mara Game Reserve, in neighboring Kenya.We have been up to the Serengeti on numerous occasions, and we have never been disappointed.

Two experiences spring to mind immediately. Whilst on a game drive in the Lobo area, we spotted a lioness in the distance sitting in the grass. Upon closer inspection, «she» turned out to be a pride of 17 lion frolicking with cubs around a large kopje. That particular day we saw 49 lion. The other instance was our first game drive near the Naabi gate. Upon departing from the gate, we went straight for the nearest plain. As we came over the hill, the view is indescribable. In front of us were approximately 100 000 wildebeest and zebra grazing in an area of about 4 sq. kilometers. We stopped the car and sat amongst these animals, listening to the grunts and snorts. The animals were so close you could almost touch them.The Serengeti provides for an ultimate animal experience and unforgettable memories to tell your friends and family about.

Ngorongoro Conservation Area top
Regarded as the 8th wonder of the world. Granted the status as a World Heritage Site in 1978 and an international Biosphere Reserve in 1981, it is one of the most diverse and fascinating areas of Tanzania. The Ngorongoro Conservation Area (NCA) is home of Ngorongoro Crater. It was formed some 2.5 million years ago from a volcanic mountain sinking due to inactivity, and was initially thought to be higher than Tanzania's famous Kilimanjaro. The crater has evolved into a unique and integral part of Tanzania's eco-system.

The crater is actually a caldera, measures 22.5 km's across and the rim walls stand 600m high. Views from within and from the rim are breathtaking (as can be seen from the picture). The crater houses 30 000 animals, and a large variety of birds, which rarely move from the area due to the availability of water through wet and dry seasons. Black Rhino, which are on the endangered list, can be found scattered throughout the base of the crater. Visitors are almost guaranteed to get a look at one of these spectacular animals (our personal favourite). This is also one of the few places where the «big five» can be found in a small area, namely Elephant, Buffalo, Rhino, Lion and Cheetah. For those who don't know, the big-five were given this name due to the extreme danger and cunning these posed to early hunters. Buffalo for example, have a habit of playing dead after being shot. Once the hunter approaches to see his «kill» the buffalo rises and mauls the intended killer to death. The main water source for the animals in the crater is Lake Makat. In and around this lake are thousands of lesser flamingos. The lake is pretty much right in the center of the crater.

NCA is not a National Park, but a conservation authority administered by the government of Tanzania. Due to the diverse nature of the area the conservation authority is attempting to co-ordinate the many needs of the people accessing it. Main conservation projects include wildlife, people and culture, forestry, archaeological and prehistorical, education and obviously tourism. The area is in such demand by all the aforementioned factors, that there a definite need to manage these areas viably. Visitors are therefore requested to respect the rules laid down by authorities to preserve this naturally rich area.

A short journey from the crater will take you to one of the most famous archaeological sites, called Laetoli. Here the remarkable footprints of animals and ancestral humans who walked the earth 3.6 million years ago can be found. Along with this, at Olduvai Gorge, you can see the remarkable record of human evolution from 2 million years ago. These sites were excavated by the famous Dr Louis Leakey and his wife Mary and makes for fascinating viewing. A trip to the museum and presentation is definitely recommended.

A short trip down the road and one will encounter the «Shifting Sands». This is volcanic sand formed into a dune, and drifts along in its exact same shape down a large plain forced forward by continuous winds. These sands have religious significance to Maasai, and its progress has been marked back as far as 1969. The beauty of the area cannot be put into words. From ancient volcanic activity, all around one can see hills, mountains, kopjes and plains. From the rim of the crater one can see to the Southeast, Oldeani Mountain. Water collects in the mountain's ragged crater and flows down into Lake Eyasi. On the northern side, one will come across Makarut Mountain, with Sadiman on its shoulder. Makarut can be seen as a landmark from anywhere in the Serengeti plains. Sadiman Mountain is an old volcano whose ash preserved the Laetoli footprints. Another mountain to the north is Olmoti. Rainwater is also caught in here, and feeds the Mandusi Swamp, which in turn feeds Lake Makat, in the center of the Ngorongoro Crater. From the rim of another crater called Empakaai, one can see the striking cone of Tanzania's most recent and still active volcano, Oldoinyo Lengai. The last eruption of the volcano was in 1983.

Visitors often pay the ultimate compliment to Ngorongoro Crater, saying, «It's like a zoo». With such a large variety and amount of animals roaming freely in such a relatively confined space means the conservation efforts are working, and also indicates that there is no poaching, as animals are not afraid of human activity. This area is a must for your northern circuit safari. Like most Rift Valley lakes, the water is alkaline. This attracts vast flocks of flamingos, which form pink foam against a silver background of water. There are numerous water birds in the area, including pelicans that waddle around next to short grasses on the shore of the lake. The park is a bird lover's haven with a variety of local species inhabiting the forest and bush. The best time to observe these birds is in the late afternoon and early morning. The park authorities have recently allowed for tourists to canoe along certain portions of the lake, enabling bird and animal watching to become another experience altogether. Animals found in the area include zebra, wildebeest, waterbuck and warthog. Manayara is also known for its tree-climbing lions. These majestic animals find shelter in the branches of trees from the heat and biting flies. There is a particular belt, which they frequent along the woodland, south of the Msasa River. These lions also have a peculiar specialisation of killing buffalo. An adult buffalo weighs in the proximity of one and a half tons, being far larger than the average weight of an adult male lion. On the southern side of the park, you will find the hot springs of Maji Moto. This word directly translated from Swahili means hot water, and are about 60ºC. The views from some of the lodges on the rift wall are spectacular, and it is highly recommended that you spend at least one day/night of your safari in the area

Arusha National Park
Arusha National Park is an attractive little park located on the outskirts of Arusha. Not many visitors visit the park during the year which is surprising due to the concentrations of wildlife that are found in the area. Although it is not on any path of the major migration routes of the wildebeest it still has an attractive array of wildlife and birdlife. Mount Meru (4566m) also forms part of this national park. Mount Meru is the 3rd highest mountain in Africa (The highest being Mount Kilimanjaro and second is Mount Kenya). Many hiking trails are available up Mount Meru and spectacular views can be seen from the top. If you want to visit this park, we suggest that you only spend a day at the most here.

Selous Game Reserve
There are so many reasons why the Selous is remarkable. With an area of 55 000 sq km, or 5% of Tanzania's land surface, the Selous Game Reserve is one of the largest protected areas of the world. To give you an indication of how large it is, it is larger than Switzerland or Denmark and is uninhabited and little touched by human interference. The wildlife is spectacular and it houses the largest mammal populations in Africa. Nowhere else can you make boat safaris through more spectacular wildlife concentrations. Visitors are also permitted to take walking safaris with an armed ranger, which is not possible in Tanzanian National Parks. Outstanding features include Rufiji, Beho Beho and Ruaha River. These provide the eco system with the much needed water and also contribute to the marshy conditions found within the Reserve. The Rufiji River splits the eco-system into two distinct parts. Stiegler's Gorge which is 100m deep and 100m wide is a magnificent natural feature with a rickety and gut wrenching cable car that ferries safari vehicles across the the river. This is not for the feint hearted. The reserve is home to over half of Tanzania's elephant population, as well as significant numbers of buffalo, wild dog and hippo, as well as lion, leopard and plenty of lesser game. This is a bird lover's paradise with over 350 species of bird. To give you an indication of the numbers – 120 000 buffalo, 150 000 wildebeest, 50 000 zebra, an estimated half the African population of wild dog, about 4 000 and 50 000 impala. This is only seen by about 2000 visitors per year, which shows that this is untouched Africa as it was hundreds of years ago.

Lake Manyara National Park
Lake Manayara is one of the most scenic parks that you will encounter on your journey in Tanzania. Measuring only 330 sq. km, of which the lake occupies 230 sq. km, it is ideal for a day trip.

Lake Manayara is situated on the base of the escarpment of the Great Rift Valley. It derives its name from the Maasai word 'manyara' which is a plant known to us as Euphorbia tiraculli. This plant is used by the Maasai as a hedge to form a stockade for their cattle. As you approach the village Mto wa Mbu (pronounced mtowamboe) from Arusha, the rift wall provides spectacular viewing. Whilst driving up the rift wall, Lake Manyara appears behind you. The view is breathtaking, as you take in this massive lake with it's silver shimmer and surrounding vegetation.

Tarangire National Park
Welcome to the Tarangire National Park, one of the hidden jewels of Tanzania. This park measures 2600 sq km's and boasts a concentration of wildlife second only to Ngorongoro Crater. It features an impressive amount and array of bird life and plant life. Situated only 160km's from Arusha, the park is nestled to the south of the large open grass plains of southern Maasailand. It is named after the Tarangire River, which runs directly through the center of the park and is the only permanent water source for the animals. Along the banks of this river you will find herds of wildebeest (or gnu) and zebra, followed by Grant's Gazelle, Thomson's Gazelle and many others. Lurking in the background lion and leopard keep a watchful eye on a possible meal. The park offers views of grass and floodplains with impressive baobab and flat topped acacia trees scattered throughout. During the dry season the park may look quite ordinary, but activities continue even more earnestly due to the now increased competition.

Sadani National Park
Sadani National Park is Tanzania's most recently gazetted National Park. Unfortunately access to the park is very limited. However it does have potential to offer beautiful beaches in one section and safaris in the other section. At present we do not know of any safaris operating in this park. Mikumi National Park This small park measures 1300 km2 and is located closeby to Dar Es Salaam. There is not that is offered to visitors although it is a pretty park. Mostly used by residents of Dar Es Salaam for a weekend getaway. The park has resident game species which can be seen throughout the year. Gombe Stream National Park This park is a chimpanzee lovers haven. Used for Jane Goodall's chimpanzee project, chimpanzees are easily seen in their natural habitat. The park lies on the shores of Lake Tanganyika and is set in the beautiful Mahale mountains. This is a good stopover for keen photographers, where you can take magnificent pictures of sunsets over Lake Tanganyika and eastern Zaire. The park is quite remote, and the best time to visit is between May and October. Rubondo Island National Park Rubondo Island National Park is in the North-west of Tanzania on Lake Victoria and can be reached from Mwanza. The region covers an area of about 240 sq km, which includes the main island and eight smaller ones. There are a number of different vegetation types on the island which provide differing habitats for a variety of animals and with a high water table the island is able to support dense forest. Ninety per cent of the Park is humid forest, the rest is coastal grassland and papyrus beds.

Mkomazi National Park
This is a purely conservational park with no tourist facilities whatsoever. The Tanzanian government introduced it in an attempt to revive the populations of the black rhino, with animals being brought in from South Africa. Ruaha National Park At 12 950 km2, Ruaha is only marginally smaller than the Serengeti, and is pristine and untouched Africa, unsullied by minibus tourism and large lodges with electric lights, discotheques and glitzy curio shops. Infested with tsetse fly, Ruaha is bordered in the north by the Kizigio and Rungwa River Game Reserves, and together they form a 26 500 km2 conservancy, one of the biggest in East Africa. By road, it is a five hour journey from Iringa, but there is also an airstrip at Msembe for fly-in safaris. The best months to visit are from July to November when the animals congregate around the water holes, but the park is stunning all year round. Ruaha is visually a treat, with rocky outcrops and mountain ranges giving it a topography that ranges from 750m to 1900m on the peak of Ikungu Mountain, and the focal point of the reserve is the Great Ruaha River, with its deep gorges, swirling rapids – and excellent fishing. With over 10 000 elephant, 30 000 buffalo, 20 000 zebra and huge populations of lion and leopard (not to mention more than 400 bird species) Ruaha is a naturalist's paradise.

Udzungwa National Park
This beautiful and little visited national park is a prime area for hiking, with mountainous terrain and pristine forest, with a high diversity of wildlife. Mahale Mountains National Park This beautiful park is situated on the shores of Lake Tanganyika and provides spectacular chimpanzee viewing for guests. The park is very remote and expensive to get there. Katavi With only one camp in a million hectares of park, Katavi is about as wild as you can get. At the foot of the Mlele escarpment, excellent savanna grasslands support large herds of antelope, buffalo and elephant, along with good lion, leopard and hyena