TANZANIA

Serengeti National Park

Baloon Safari Over the Serengeti

14,763 square Kms of plains, rolling, seemingly endless. Serengeti sets the stage for the annual migration of millions of wildebeests and zebra that takes place in May or June. They move in their thousands in search of water and greener pastures as the seasons change. Wildlife is abundant here in Serengeti and the scenery is breathtaking. The park borders Kenya's Maasai Mara Reserve to the North and extends almost to the Lake Victoria.
Animals Of Serengeti: Almost 500 species of birds have made Serengeti their home. Eagles, storks, ostrich, vultures and many more.

Antelopes include: Duiker, Zebra, Gazelles, Bushbuck, Reedbuck, Dikdik, Impala, Topi, Kongoni and more. Other animals of interest include Buffalo, Hippo, Crocodiles in the rivers, Jackals, Hunting dogs, Foxes, Cheetah, Leopard, Baboon, Monkeys, Mongooses, Hyraxes Warthog etc.
Accommodation: Lodges in the Serengeti include: Serengeti Serena Lodge, Seronera wildlife lodge, Ndutu Safari Lodge among others. All these are very well kept accommodation facilities. Campsites are also available.

I find the rocks and boulders that litter the Serengeti quite fascinating. They add to the landscape to make it quite unforgettable and these images remain indelible in my mind. Given the expanse of Serengeti and the diverse ecosystems within the park, this is a definite must go place for visitors to Tanzania. Couple this with the hospitality of the Tanzanians and you have in your hands an unforgettable African Experience.

Lake Manyara National Park

A beautiful game park set around the Lake Manyara in the great Rift Valley. The Lake attracts a large number of water birds and others.

Lake Manyara National Park is only 130Kms from Arusha town. This makes it possible to make a day excursion out to the lake and back from Arusha for those staying in Arusha.

It is possible to enjoy game drives around the lake as well as walking safaris for those fit enough to venture out on foot.

Lake Manyara Hippos

Wildlife here include wildebeests Buffalo and Impala among other antelopes. Hyena, Baboon, Giraffe Hippo and the Manyara Lions famous for their tree climbing ability can also be found here. Migratory flocks of flamingoes may be found on the shores of the lake feeding on the blue-green algae that is responsible for their pink pigmentation.

Serena hotels has one of their accommodation facilities here. Kirurumu Luxury Lodge is another facility with great views just outside the park providing world class luxury in the bush.

Stops can be made here on the way back from the Serengeti or an the way to the Serengeti. Either way, it is a good rest from the bumpy trip to or from the Serengeti and just like the Serengeti, Manyara has its own special qualities some of which I have mentioned above and most of which you will discover for your self when you get there!

NgoroNgoro Conservation Area

A true spectacle on earth. NgoroNgoro brings new meaning to the word Amphitheatre. Visitors can opt to watch the animals down in the crater through the powerful binoculars provided at the lodges on the fringe of the crater or drive down 610 metres to be part of the show below. The 260sq Km crater is quite a fascinating place to explore. The ecosystem sustains itself and their is little if any migratory activity in and out of NgoroNgoro crater.

Ngorongoro from the crater rim

For those interested in archeology, the Olduvai gorge is near by and is the site of discoveries by Mary Leakey such as footprints said to be now millions of years old.

About 20, 000 large mammals live in the crater, the greater part of these are Zebra and Wildebeests. The black Rhino is a major attraction here and can easily be seen. The magnificent black-manned Lion of NgoroNgoro is yet another Mega-attraction. The soda lake on the floor of the crater is frequented by Flamingoes among other birds. Bird species that are present in the crater and not in the Serengeti number around 100.

Other big game in the park include: Elephant, Leopard, Cheetah, Warthog, Buffalo, Hartebeest, Eland among many others.

The NgoroNgoro wildlife Lodge, NgoroNgoro Sopa Lodge and NgoroNgoro Serena Lodge provide accommodation here for those who visit.

The fringe of the crater can be very cold during the rainy seasons and especially at night. It is advisable to dress warm or carry warm clothing on your trip to NgoroNgoro.

A true spectacle on Earth!.

Tarangire National Park

Baobab Tree in Tarangire

The park is located 120km from Arusha south east of Manyara. This park has a particularly dense wildlife population between June - October. This national park is home to thousands of elephant, and in the dry season game congregates along the river having migrated from the Masai Mara. This park is symbolised by the Baobab tree, growing in open acacia woodland. Tarangire is an ornithologists paradise rich in birds of prey and an incredible diversity of avifauna.

Tarangire Nattional park is also famous for Bird watching, photography, walking safaris, and ornithology between October and May.

It has Excellent Accommodation Experiences. Whether you want to sit from your chair on the tent deck to perform wildlife behavioral game viewing or from the elevated levels in a Baobab tree house, Tarangire delivers this superb experience like no other park on a northern Tanzania safari circuit.

Arusha National Park

Mount Meru and Momela Lake

One of the most beautiful parks in Tanzania and located 32 KM from Arusha town. Aside from the abundance of wildlife, fauna and flora there are three spectacular features; momella lakes, Meru Crater, and the Ngurdoto Crater. Both Mount Kilimanjaro and Mount Meru can be seen from the park when the weather is fine.

There are a number of hotels in Arusha itself or otherwise there are three camp sites at Momela and another at Ngurdoto. Near Momela Gate there is also a rest house which has fantastic views but can only accommodate upto 5 people. The Momela Wildlife lodge is just outside the gate too.

The Mount Kilimanjaro National Park

Uhuru Peak Mt Kilimanjaro

At 5895metres or 19340feet above sea level, the Mount Kilimanjaro is the tallest single standing mountain in the world. Kilimanjaro lies in northern Tanzania. Magnificent views of Kilimanjaro can be seen from the Amboseli National park in Kenya.

The area of mount Kilimanjaro above 2750metres is designated as a national park.

The main attraction on the mountain is climbing. The mountain boasts scenic routes up the mountain. Some routes are harder to climb than others and take more acclimatization. Kilimanjaro is said to have been successfully climbed for the first time in 1889. The mountain is an extinct volcano and there are no recorded eruptions.

Kibo is the summit crater and measures 1.5 miles wide. The highest point on Kibo is Uhuru peak which is the highest point in Africa.

Mawenzi Peak, which lies east of Kibo measures 16,893 feet and is said to be much harder to climb because of its steep sides. Rock climbing skills are indeed necessary for a successful climb of Mawenzi Peak. This peak is the third highest point in Africa, the second highest being Mt Kenya at 17,057feet. The snow on top of the mountain is said to be melting and there is less of it with the passing of time. This is attributed to global warming. There is however still a lot of snow and ice on there to keep it looking as beautiful as ever for a long while to come.