TANZANIA

Half the size of Western Europe, Tanzania is East Africa’s largest nation. It is a massive country with a kaleidoscope of landscapes, wildlife and people.

Over a quarter of Tanzania is made up of National Parks, Game Reserves and controlled areas. For the most part nature still reigns supreme and man comes second for a change.

Whilst the late dry season can bring huge herds of elephants to Tarangire, the spectacular migration of wildebeest into the vast Serengeti is a sight to behold.
Further East is the Ngorongoro Crater, an unequalled caldera which reveals on its floor a magical world teeming with animals and spectacular views from its crater rim.

The Southern parks, Selous and Ruaha, remain off the beaten track and are immersed in vast wilderness for those who want to avoid fellow humans.

Lake Tanganyika which runs along the western border, is Africa’s deepest and longest fresh water lake, On its Eastern shore one can find the spectacular Mahale Mountains with their chimpanzee forest galleries and primate sanctuaries.

There’s always the option of ending a safari on Tanzania’s coast or on historical Zanzibar where Bantu and Arab cultures merge with a backdrop of some of the best beaches in the world.

Of course there is Mt Kilimanjaro, the highest mountain in Africa (5,895m/19,340ft) rising majestically out of the dusty Northern Masai bush land. Its densely forested sides give way to blue glaciers and an unbelievable peak of white snow at the summit.

As you approach Lake Manyara National Park your first view is spectacular, regardless of direction. When you approach it from the east, the Rift Valley Escarpment looms on the horizon forming an impressive backdrop to the lake. Approaching from the west and viewing from the top of the escarpment, the park lies in a green strip below, the shallow alkaline lake reflecting the sunlight. Thousands of flamingoes and pelicans use this lake as one of the stopping off points on the Rift Valley’s aerial highway. The large variety of mammals, reptiles and birds in the park, all within a small area, make Lake Manyara a diverse and particularly memorable place to visit en route to Ngorongoro and Serengeti.

With hundreds of huge baobabs scattered across this dry landscape, large herds of elephants pass through here in search of food. The Tarangire River provides the major lifeline for all the game. It then runs into huge swamps in the south. To the northwest, the lush Lake Manyara National Park with its prolific birdlife provides a forest home to thousands of monkeys and tree climbing lions.

The Serengeti is undoubtedly the most famous wildlife sanctuary in the world, unequalled for its natural beauty and greatest concentration of plains game anywhere. Covering 14,500 km sq, it is renowned for its lions and other predators which in turn thrive on the vast herds of wildebeest, zebra and antelopes. Calving takes place in January in the southern sector before the wildebeest embark on their arduous trek north in search of fresh grazing. The Western Corridor, a narrow strip of dense vegetation, provides one of the biggest migratory barriers. In search of grass they must cross the murky crocodile infested Grumeti River, en route north to the Masai Mara. The herds pass through here in April and May reaching Northern Serengeti in June.

This remote reserve in southern Tanzania has vast tracts of virgin bush and provides the more adventurous travelers with a taste of untouched Africa. The Selous Game Reserve (54,490 km. sq.) is five times the size of the Serengeti, and with its mighty Rufiji River, forests, and rolling savannah is one of the strongholds for some of Africa’s wildest elephants. Due to its remote location, being easily accessible only by small aircraft, the Selous Game Reserve has remained one of the untouched gems of Tanzania’s wilderness areas, and offers visitors a chance to see a wild and expansive Africa far from paved roads and curio shops. Being a game reserve, walking activities and canoeing on the Rufiji River are allowed. This can bring about close encounters with the elusive, endangered African wild dog.

Covering an area of 264 km. sq., this is the largest caldera in the world and has an abundance of wildlife permanently residing on the crater floor. Approaching the crater is a unique experience, the road winds upwards through a beautiful area of montane forests and flowering meadows, before a final bend which then reveals the crater 2,000 ft. below in all its incomparable glory. A unique ecosystem where one can observe Africa’s predator and prey unfold their daily ritual at close quarters. The crater floor with its grasslands, salt pans and stands of Acacia forest hosts a fascinating diversity of large mammal species.

Ruaha National Park is the second largest national park in Tanzania. It covers an area of about 12,950 km. sq. located in the middle of Tanzania, about 130 km. from Iringa. The park is part of a more extensive ecosystem which includes the Rungwa and Usangu Game Reserves. This unspoiled wilderness derives its name from the Great Ruaha River, which flows along its south-eastern margin and is the focus for game viewing. Driving along the Ruaha River with its rocky gorges and deep pools provides a wonderful scenic backdrop to look for large cats, elephants, roan and sable antelope. Guests can stay in one of the six lodges and camps which are found here. The park can be reached by car via Iringa or there is an airstrip at Msembe park headquarters.

TANZANIA

Half the size of Western Europe, Tanzania is East Africa’s largest nation. It is a massive country with a kaleidoscope of landscapes, wildlife and people.

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