Tanzania Safaris

SERENGETI NATIONAL PARKS:

Serengeti National Park Size: 14,763km2 (5,700mi2 ) Established: 1951 Oldest and second-largest UNESCO World Heritage National Park in Tanzania Site & Biosphere Reserve Main habitats: Vast short-grass plains, Acacia woodland, kopjes (rocky outcrops) Seasons: dry: June–October wet: November–May Best time to see wildebeest calving on short grass plains is January–April. Activities: Game drives, guided bush walks.

The Serengeti is a must see for anyone wanting to go on safari as the park is together with the Maasai Mara in Kenya the only conservation area in Africa where you can see the annual migration of hundred thousand zebras and over a million wildebeest.

The Seronera Valley is the heart of the park and here the vegetation changes do acacia dotted plains, where lions and leopards are often spotted. The banks of the Seronera River are lined with lush palm trees, sausage trees and towering yellow fever acacias. The area around the river is abuzz with different bird species and large flocks of black headed herons, marabou storks and various birds of prey. The Retima Hippo Pool can also be found in the Seronera region and it is here where you can get a good look at these gentle giants in their natural habitat. it is claimed that the Serengeti has the highest population of lions anywhere in Africa.

ARUSHA NATIONAL PARK:

Size: 542km2 (210mi2 ) Established: 1960 Main habitats: Montane forest, lakeshore and altimontane shrubland on upperslopes of Mount Meru Seasons: dry: June–October wet: November–May Very little seasonal variation in wildlife. Activities: Game drives, guided forest walks, canoeing

Arusha National Park offers some lovely walking in the foothills of Mount Meru and canoeing on the Momela Lakes, plus gentle game drives.

There are a range of activities to do in Arusha National Park. This includes walking safaris which are always accompanied by a ranger and last for a maximum of four hours, during which you would stop for a break at one of the park's lovely picnic sites. You can also explore the far reaches of the park by vehicle, taking in some of the lovely views and keeping an eye out for wildlife. Another great activity here and one not found in other safari parks in Tanzania, is a canoeing safari which allows you to explore the Momela Lakes.

Within the park there are three broad areas to be found: Ngurdoto Crater (surrounded by forest), the Momela Lakes (alkaline) and Mount Meru (lush forest and bare rock). These are all at varying altitudes and as a result have very different vegetation – it is all this that helps to make this such a diverse park to visit.

Within the park's three vegetation zones, many different kinds of animals can be found. Near water, reedbuck and waterbuck can be spotted, while shy bushbuck and duiker keep to the forested parts of the park. The Mount Meru eco-system is especially diverse, and home to some of the more elusive larger mammals, such as leopard and hyena.

Almost 400 species of birds have been recorded in the park. Some of them are migratory and only present between October and April, others are permanent residents. Especially the Momela lakes are a great place for bird watching, which host a large concentration of water birds, including flamingos. There is also a variety of raptors, which hide in the forested areas of Mount Meru. The distance from Arusha town to Arusha National Park is about 25 km.

NGORONGORO CONSERVATION AREA: 

Ngorongoro Conservation Area is in the northern part of Tanzania and trip can easily be organized from Arusha town. The park was officially declared a UNESCO world heritage site in 1979. It consists with various incredible landscapes such as mountain forest, woodlands, grasslands, lakes, swamps and crater itself. Ngorongoro crater is unique to the fact that is the largest unbroken, inactive, and unfilled caldera in the world with diameter approximately 19km (12 miles) and its majestic walls rise over 610 meters (2000 ft) from the carter flow to the rim. The park is home of all big five such as Elephant, Buffaloes, Lions, black Rhino and Leopard, although due to the nature is hard to sport the leopard. Other animals are easily seen here are wildebeest, zebra, hyenas, Impala, Thomson gazelle, Cheetah, warthogs, hippos and so many other species such as birds like Flamingoes, Ostrich, ostriches, kori bustards, crowned cranes, white backed vultures, black kites, cattle egrets, tawny eagles, augur buzzards and many others.

Apart from the animal and birds, the Ngorongoro crater has a mankind history at Olduvai Gorge, where is believed that the fossil of the first human being was discovered here by Dr. Mary and Louis Leakey.

TARANGIRE NATIONAL PARK:

Tarangire National Park Size: 2,850km2 (1,100mi2 ) Established: 1970 Main habitats: Acacia–Commiphora bushland with scattered Baobabs, riverine bushland, dry bushland in the south Seasons: dry: June–October wet: November–May Best time for large concentrations of ungulates along the Tarangire River is July–October. Large gatherings of elephants in January–February. Activities: Game drives, guided bush walks and night drives.

 Our single day tour package gives you an opportunity to visit the national park by observing the great diversity of wildlife or experience the everyday life of the indigenous people of Tanzania.  These trips are usually starts from Arusha, Moshi or Marangu. The excursions are ideal: in a short time. At the end of the day trip, you can choose if you want to be dropped off at Kilimanjaro International Airport, at Arusha Airport or at your hotel. All day trips include a picnic lunch (lunch box) and mineral water.

One of the great features for those that decide to come and visit the park is that it is still relatively un-crowded (which can be an issue in other parks). Tarangire National Park has the highest density of elephants in North Tanzania and you can view these animals all year round in which the herds often can reach an impressive number of 300 animals. You will witness an unforgettable natural wonder as you can observe wonderful creatures such as lions, giraffes, buffaloes, wildebeests and zebras as well as various types of antelopes and gazelles and with a little luck, you can also spot a python. Around lunchtime, you will stop at a suitable picnic place before the afternoon is dedicated to more wildlife watching. Before sunset, you will be taken back to your desired destination (either Arusha or Moshi).

RUAHA NATIONAL PARK:

Ruaha National Park Size: 20,225km2 (7,800mi2 ) Established: 1964 Largest National Park in Tanzania Main habitats: Acacia–Commiphora bushland, dry miombo woodland, riverine forest, flood-plain grasslands Seasons: dry: May–October wet: November–April Wildlife viewing better in the dry season. Activities: Game drives, guided bush walks, night drives.

This unspoilt wilderness is rich in flora (about 1650 plant species) and fauna, and contains a wide variety of animals that includes Greater and Lesser Kudu, roan and sable antelopes, which are rarely seen in most other game parks especially in Northern Tanzania. The Ruaha National Park is famous for having one of the highest concentrations of African elephants in East Africa. Huge numbers of up to 200 are often spotted below giant baobab trees. Furthermore the park is home to both species of kudu (greater and lesser) as well as the majestic sable and roan antelopes both of which are frequently seen.

The best time for game viewing is during the dry season, from May to December. During the wet months from January to April some tracks become impassable

MIKUMI NATIONAL PARK:

Size: 3,320km2 (1,282mi2 ) Established: 1964 Main habitats: Dry miombo woodland, flood-plain grassland. Seasons: dry: June–November wet: December–May Little seasonal variation in wildlife. Activities: Game drives.

The park is rich in wildlife. And animals like buffaloes, hippos, baboons, sable antelopes, lions, wild dogs, wildebeests, zebras, impalas, giraffe, warthogs, and elephants which can easily be viewed all the year round.

Reptiles including crocodiles, monitor lizards and pythons are also resident in the park. Over 300 species of bird have been recorded some of which are Eurasian migrants.

Mikumi National Park is also home to lions as well as leopards. Even the African wild dog is present and spotting this rare creature can be a real treat for visitors. There are two artificial pools approximately 5 km north of the main gate and both of them are famous for Mikumi’s few hippos. Furthermore the pools attract an array of water birds such as blacksmith plovers, cattle egrets, various herons, fish eagles and many more. As Mikumi National Park is part of the Selous ecosystem it always has a good number of wildlife moving in and out of the park. The main feature of the park is the Mikumi flood plain, along with the mountain ranges that border the park on two sides. Open grasslands dominate in the flood plain, eventually merging with the miombo woodland covering the lower hills.

GOMBE STREAM NATIONAL PARK:

Size: 52km2 (20mi2 ) Established: 1968 Main habitats: Wet miombo woodland Seasons: dry: May–October wet: November–May Chimpanzees are generally easier to find in the dry season.Activities: Guided forest walks

Gombe is famous for a population of chimpanzees live within the park. These incredible primates habituated to humans can be seen on a walking safari through the forests. Other primates seen in the park include velvet monkeys, beachcomber olive baboons and red tailed monkeys. Bushbucks and bush pigs can also be seen foraging on the forest floors from time to time. Walking safaris to see the chimpanzees and forest is the main attraction at Gombe. Lake Tanganyika is also a wonderful place to go snorkelling and swimming, or just relax on the white sand. Hippos and crocodiles tend to keep their distance from Gombe which means visitors can take a dip in the lake without having to worry about sharing the water with wild animals.

Distance from Arusha: To Kigoma it is roughly 1,020 km (633 miles) about 4 hours by plane and from Kigoma to Gombe is 16 km (9 miles).

SAADANI NATIONAL PARK:

Size: 1,100km2 (425mi2 ) Established: 2005 Upgraded from a Game Reserve that was established in 1962 Main habitats: Coastal forest, mangrove forest, savanna-grassland Seasons: dry: June–October wet: November–MayLittle seasonal variation in wildlife. Activities: Game drives, riverboat trips.

Saadani has a diverse population of mammals and birds. Elephant, leopard, lion, buffalo, giraffe, wildebeest, zebra, colobus monkey, hippo, crocodile and the rare Roosevelt sable can be seen here. Saadani offers a choice of a driving safari, nature walk, and boat safari.

The park is situated between Dar es Salaam (200 km) and Tanga (75 km ) and borders the mainland coast. Saadani is the only coastal wildlife sanctuary in East Africa, which not only means relaxing on Indian Ocean beaches after each safari, but provides the opportunity to observe Africa’s big game and birdlife interacting with the sea. The Reserve, about 1000 sq. km in size, is being considered for upgrade to the National Park status.

Unlike as in other national parks in Tanzania, visitors can combine a safari with a relaxing beach stay in Saadani National Park. The beaches are clean and lined with palm trees. Saadani’s coast is hot and humid and swimming is pleasant with the ocean’s temperatures usually reaching around 25°C. Maziwe reef can easily be reached by boat from anywhere along the Saadani coast.

LAKE MANYARA NATIONAL PARK:

• Size 330 sq km
• Distance from Arusha: 126km
• Lake Manyara national park is one of the smallest parks, located in the northern part of Tanzania. The park is comprised with alkaline lake with depth of up 3.7m and has a beautiful landscape as well as collection of wildlife animals and birds.  The animals to be seen here are Elephants, Zebras, wildebeests, Buffaloes, hippos, waterbucks, impalas, leopards, lions, giraffes, Baboon, blue monkey, and blackface monkey and many others just to mention. There is over 400 species of birds therefore best place for birdwatching tour.

The entrance for Lake Manyara park is located close to the main road going to Karatu town and upon entering the gate you will be welcomed by springs of water forest which boasts with ancient Mahogany tree, giant fig trees, as well as kapok trees. Olive baboon are also common in the area as well as the lions climbing the trees. As you continue, the ground water forest transforms into a flash of greens and yellows signaling the arrival of the acacia forest. Vervet monkeys as well as the noisy red billed hornbills are common residents here.

The lake itself receives its water primarily from the Simba River in the north and the Makuyuni River in the east. However, the rift valley also provides a lot of water mainly in the rainy season. The ground water forest also feeds the swamps that eventually flow into the lake. 

MKOMAZI NATIONAL PARK:

Size: 3,245km2 (1,253mi2 ) Established: 2008 Upgraded from a Game Reserve established in 1951 Main habitats: Semi-arid Acacia bushland Seasons: dry: June–October wet: November–May Best visited in the dry season. Activities: Game drives, guided bush walks, night drives

Mkomazi National Park is located between Tanga and southern dry part of Kilimanjaro region. It’s location between Usamabara and pare mountains make it among the beautiful park to visit at any time of the year. The park gets its water from Umber river which make it worth and ease enough to spot wildlife animals along the river. The vegetation here primarily consists of acacia-commiphora woodlands and towards the western mountain the vegetation changes to dry land forest. Animal to be seen here are Elephants, Giraffe, Lions, Leopards, Cheetah, Hyenas, Jackals, Buffaloes, Hartebeests, warthogs, wild dogs, and Rhinos. It is the best place to see Ostrich, Wild Dog and Rhinos. Other species of wildlife birds are also available here such as flamingos, kingfishes, ducks, and many other species.