| Tanzania's natural endowment as a wildlife safari | | | | tree-climbing lions, which can occasionally be seen |
| destination is unrivalled. Wild animals roam in vast | | | | along the branches of the acacia trees. It is also |
| areas as God intended on that sixth day of the | | | | an ornithologists' paradise and is host to over 400 |
| creation. These areas are designated as national | | | | species of birds. The water birds hovering around |
| parks and game reserves and have a high | | | | the lake include pelicans, spoonbills, Egyptian geese |
| reputation for being uncrowded and unspoilt. The | | | | and hammerkops. In addition, migratory |
| magnificent collection of game sanctuaries to the | | | | flamingoes arrive in hundreds of thousands |
| north of the country, near the border with Kenya, | | | | creating a spectacular sight over the soda lake. |
| is referred to as The Northern Circuit. This is the | | | | You will arrive at Lake Manyara after driving from |
| most popular and accessible wildlife safari route in | | | | Arusha for two hours or flying for just half an |
| Tanzania. I can positively say that this is one of | | | | hour. |
| the finest game viewing areas anywhere in the | | | | Tarangire National Park is a one and half hour |
| world. The game aside, the spectacularly diverse | | | | drive from Arusha making it very popular for day |
| cluster of eco-systems and habitats is a dazzling | | | | trips. Tarangire is a park of giant baobab trees, |
| experience for many a visitor. | | | | rolling savannah and acacia parkland. It is famous |
| The stars of the Northern Circuit are the | | | | for its dense wildlife population, which is most |
| Serengeti and Ngorongoro, very dear to the | | | | spectacular in the dry season between June and |
| hearts of nature lovers. But no less sparkling and | | | | September. It is during this period that thousands |
| indeed complementing the two are the other | | | | of animals- wildebeest, zebra, eland, hartebeest, |
| members of the circuit: Arusha, Tarangire and | | | | waterbuck, giraffe, impala, gerenuk, buffalo and |
| Lake Manyara. In terms of wildlife, the abundance | | | | oryx migrate from the dry Maasai steppe to the |
| and diversity of the wildlife here is difficult to | | | | Tarangire River in search of water. The predators |
| imagine. On top of the heap are the highly | | | | -lion, leopard and others- as is the custom in the |
| regarded "big five": elephant, buffalo, rhino, leopard | | | | savanna follow closely by. If lucky, you will spot |
| and lion. And then a wild array of plain animals: | | | | the peculiar tree-climbing python, kudu and roan |
| wildebeest, zebra, eland, hartebeest, oryx, | | | | antelope, a rare experience in the northern safari |
| reedbuck, giraffe, Thompson gazelle, and many | | | | circuit. Birds are also abundant here and over 550 |
| more of the same genre. But do not forget the | | | | species have been recorded. |
| merciless predators: cheetah, wild dog, jackal, | | | | Serengeti National Park is Africa's most famous |
| hyena and vultures. The Northern Circuit is an | | | | wildlife sanctuary and Tanzania's largest national |
| ornithologist's paradise too, and over 500 species | | | | park. The park is located 6 hours by road from |
| of birds are on record. On safari, you will be a | | | | Arusha or one hour by air. It lies in a high plateau |
| witness of the shocking and fascinating dance of | | | | between the Ngorongoro highlands and the Kenya |
| life and death on daily play by this combination of | | | | Tanzania border and almost touches Lake Victoria |
| animals. | | | | in the west. Appropriately named "endless plains" |
| The starting point for northern safaris is usually | | | | by the Maasai people, it features short and long |
| Arusha town. The town sits near the base of | | | | grass plains, acacia savanna and woodland in parts |
| Mount Meru and is in sight of mighty Kilimanjaro, | | | | of the north and east. |
| Africa's highest mountain. From Arusha, the | | | | Within its 15,000 sq km area, Serengeti hosts 3 |
| nearest protected area to see wildlife is Arusha | | | | million large mammals. More than 35 species of |
| National Park, just 32 km away. In this park of | | | | plain animals- zebra, wildebeest, eland, giraffe, and |
| 137 sq km area, you will see baboon, colobus and | | | | others are found here. And so for the big five: |
| vervet monkeys, duikers, elephant, buffalo, | | | | elephant, lion, buffalo, leopard and rhino. The park |
| giraffe, hippo, leopard, hyena, zebra and a wide | | | | is the staging-zone for one the most spectacular |
| range of antelopes. More than 400 species of | | | | events in the natural world- the annual migration |
| birds have been recorded, including Eurasian | | | | of wildebeest. This commences around June when |
| migrants, who visit between October and April. | | | | over 1 million wildebeest, zebra and gazelle head |
| One of the unique attractions of the park is that | | | | for the Maasai Mara in Kenya in search of pasture. |
| walking safaris are allowed and you can get off | | | | Following on their heels are the predators of the |
| your vehicle for a nature walk. Due to its | | | | savanna- lion, cheetah, wild dog, jackal, hyena and |
| proximity to Arusha, the park is very popular for | | | | vultures. |
| day trips. | | | | If you can spare the money, viewing the |
| Wildlife aside, Arusha National Park is a treasure | | | | migration afloat a balloon is an unforgettable |
| with a rich tapestry of habitats including grassland, | | | | experience. The best time to view game is from |
| montane forest, heath and alpine desert and soda | | | | December to May when the grass is short. Avoid |
| and fresh water lakes. Three spectacular features | | | | late June-October, when most of the animals will |
| stand out: the Momela Lakes, Mount Meru, and | | | | have evacuated with the migration and are best |
| Ngurdoto Crater. Mount Meru stands at 4,575 m | | | | seen in the adjacent Maasai Mara in Kenya. The |
| and is Africa's fourth highest mountain. It is | | | | keen ornithologist will have a good time trying to |
| however overshadowed by nearby Kilimanjaro, | | | | sight the 500 species of birds on record. |
| which rises above it by over 1300 m. It is | | | | Camping sites can be found in the Ngorongoro |
| regrettable that the snobbish instinct of many | | | | Conservation Area and all the national parks of |
| climbers makes them to overlook Mt Meru. The | | | | the northern circuit. Facilities are pretty basic and |
| mountain can be scaled in three to four days with | | | | this is where budget travelers prefer to spend |
| overnight accommodation in alpine huts. | | | | their safari nights. If you can afford it, overnight |
| The Ngorongoro Conservation Area, a UNESCO | | | | at the luxury safari lodges and tented camps. In |
| World Heritage Site and an International Biosphere | | | | this class of accommodation expect to find all the |
| Reserve, is located in the Great Rift Valley, a | | | | creature comforts associated with rated |
| monumental fracture of the earths crust. The | | | | accommodation. See our Tanzania Hotels & |
| area is filled with volcanoes, mountains, plains, | | | | Lodges page for info and book accommodation |
| lakes and forests. Covering 8288 sq km, its main | | | | for your safari. |
| features are the Ngorongoro Crater, the Empakai | | | | It is generally recommended to take an escorted |
| crater, the Oldonyo Lengai Mountain and the | | | | tour package that includes transport, guide, park |
| archeological site of Olduvai Gorge. Olduvai Gorge | | | | fees and accommodation. Tour guides have |
| is the prehistoric site where Dr. Louis Leakey | | | | valuable useful local knowledge about the animals, |
| discovered the remains of Homo habilis ("Handy | | | | where to find them and how to get where you |
| man") regarded by scientists as mankind's first | | | | are going. Check out our very good value |
| step on the path of human evolution. Be sure to | | | | escorted Tanzania Safari offers of various |
| have a look at the remains of our worthy | | | | durations and budgets. But if you know the |
| predecessor, whose valiant industry spurred by | | | | country well and have good knowledge of animals, |
| necessity, got him making simple stone tools. | | | | then hiring a self-vehicle is an option. See our |
| Unlike in the national parks, the colorful Maasai | | | | Tanzania Car Rental page to do your reservation |
| people, their livestock and wildlife coexist within | | | | for a self-drive or chauffer driven vehicle. |
| the conservation area. The Ngorongoro Crater is | | | | The relatively high elevation in northern Tanzania |
| the largest Caldera in the world that has its walls | | | | means that it never gets too hot. Indeed the |
| intact. The crater floor is a drop of 600 m and | | | | nights and early mornings can be quite chilly. You |
| covers an area of 260 sq km with a diameter of | | | | are well advised to take along a heavy sweater |
| 19 km. This magnificent natural amphitheatre is a | | | | and a windbreaker or jacket. Expect |
| stunning attraction in its own right and is one of | | | | temperatures to average from 15°C in May |
| the wonders of the natural world. The crater | | | | to August and 22°C over December to |
| supports a year round resident population of a | | | | March. The weather is best between June and |
| variety of wildlife. You will have no trouble | | | | September, but do not bet on seeing any animals |
| spotting lion, elephant, rhino, buffalo and many | | | | in the Serengeti. For a safari covering all the parks |
| species of plain animals- wildebeest, zebra, | | | | of northern Tanzania, September to March is a |
| reedbuck, Thompson gazelle and many more. The | | | | good time. But remember that some of the other |
| crater floor is dotted with watering holes and | | | | parks in the region offer nearly year round game |
| holds almost 30,000 wild animals. Ngorongoro is | | | | viewing opportunities. April and May can be a |
| four hours by road from Arusha or one hour by | | | | challenging period for dong a safari for as this is |
| air. And from either Lake Manyara or Tarangire | | | | when the weather is at its rainiest |
| you will be on the road for two hours. | | | | On safari, bright coloured clothing may get you in |
| Lake Manyara National Park spreads between the | | | | trouble with wild animals. If you are wise you will |
| cliff of the Great Rift Valley and Lake Manyara, a | | | | pack brown, beige and khaki clothing. Short sleeve |
| shallow soda lake. The park covers 330 sq. km, | | | | shirts, shorts and trouser for men are adequate. |
| 70% of which is occupied by the lake. The varied | | | | For ladies, short sleeve blouses, slacks and skirts |
| ecosystem consists of ground water forests, | | | | are ideal. Though the northern region is well |
| acacia woodland and open grassland along the | | | | outside the predominantly Muslim coast areas and |
| lakeshore and sustains a wealth of wildlife, including | | | | ladies do not have to dress too conservatively, |
| the Big Five -lion, elephant, leopard, rhino and | | | | modest attire is still a good idea. Remember to |
| buffalo. Other animals to be seen in the park | | | | bring along a pair of sunglasses to shield you from |
| include baboons, impala, giraffe, zebra, wildebeest, | | | | the sometimes harsh tropical glare. Binoculars will |
| ostrich and hippo. | | | | come in very handy for spotting animals. |
| Lake Manyara is famous for the elusive | | | | |