| irst walking Safari is a real adventure across part | | | | The second walking safari is much more genteel |
| of the Udzungwa Mountains National Park. There | | | | but no less an adventure. We move north to the |
| are no hotels or lodges in this park. This area is a | | | | Tarangire National Park. The park is named after |
| series of mountain rangers and interlocking valleys | | | | the Tarangire River that runs through the center |
| - ranging from the top of the Kilombero Valley at | | | | and drains into Lake Burungi. Tarangire is famed |
| 300 meters above sea level to peaks of around | | | | for its many herds of elephant and the prolific and |
| 2,570 meters above sea level. These mountains | | | | huge baobab trees. |
| are fantastic, wild and largely untouched by | | | | The Tarangire is home to many of the African |
| humans. The Udzunwa Mountains are unique in | | | | mammals including lion, leopard, African buffalo, |
| Tanzania as the park was created primarily for | | | | and lesser and great kudu and also boasts a |
| the protection of flora rather than fauna. | | | | multitude of bird species birds. |
| The Lumeno trail is a hard 65km long and follows | | | | The Tarangire has the highest concentration of |
| the path of the Lumeno River, which is sourced in | | | | wildlife during the dry season, starting in July and |
| the heart of these mountains. There are three | | | | lasting until February – with maybe a break |
| campsites along the trail that are roughly spaced | | | | for the short rains in November. This alone is |
| at 7 to 8 hour walk intervals. They are basic | | | | reason to make this park a top priority for a |
| campsites. Remember in Africa basic means just | | | | safari in the dry season. |
| that, basic – simply a peace of ground | | | | There are very few camps that are located in |
| cleared for your tents. It usually takes three to | | | | the south or the middle of Tarangire wilderness |
| four days to complete this hike. | | | | area. These camps are ideally placed to access |
| The trail passes through three types of | | | | the yearly migrations of wildlife throughout the |
| vegetation: Woodland, Grassland and Tropical | | | | ecosystem, and to view the impressive |
| Forest. Some of the wildlife you will see on this | | | | concentrations at waterholes for a 6-7 month |
| trail includes the red colubus monkey, yellow | | | | season each year. |
| baboon, the wonderfully named sanje mangabey, | | | | Tarangire wilderness area offers the visitors a |
| as well as bigger game such as the buffalo and | | | | rare treat by offering excursions into the bush on |
| elephant. Because of the vastness of the park | | | | foot. These walking safaris are close to the |
| you will be required to be accompanied by a guide | | | | camps and one tented camp [Olivers Camp] |
| and because of the wildlife an armed ranger will | | | | allows longer walking adventures in the endless |
| also be with your party. | | | | woodlands and plains habitat. Off road driving is |
| Many birds species are common along this trail | | | | another privilege of this area, something that is |
| including Pel’s fishing owl, which is an | | | | not available in any other National Park in Tanzania. |
| indicator of how rich the river is in fish. There are | | | | The variety of habitats here include open plains, |
| river rapids along this trail with jumping fish and | | | | acacia woodlands, tree lined sand rivers, swamps |
| diving otters. | | | | and challenging hill climbs. The walking opportunities |
| The hiking of this trail must be done in the dry | | | | in this area range from a gentle stroll near the |
| season – June to November – as in | | | | camp, to a full day out on foot across the Park |
| the rainy season the river becomes swollen and | | | | exploring the recently opened wilderness area. |
| turbulent making the river dangerous to cross. | | | | The migratory herds of wildebeest, buffalo, zebra |
| The flooding can also hide huge crocodiles, which | | | | and elephant offer the visitors to this part of the |
| can be a greater danger than the swollen river. | | | | Tarangire great wildlife viewing every day. The big |
| This is not an experience for the faint hearted, | | | | cats are never far away from the huge herds of |
| however, if you love the wilderness this is an | | | | grazers in their never ending search for water |
| experience not to be missed. | | | | during the dry season. |