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Spectacular Tanzania

Tanzania is more than just the most popular safari destination in the world; in many cases, it is the reason why people come to Africa. Wildlife, beaches, Mt. Kilimanjaro, wildebeest stampede, friendly people and their fascinating cultures, Tanzania has all these and much more!

Northern Circuit
Munara-Arusha.jpg

Arusha City

Arusha is the safari capital of northern Tanzania situated beneath the twin peaks of Mt. Kilimanjaro and Mt. Meru and its proximity to major national parks coupled with its highland setting makes it an ideal place for cooling off before embarking on a safari.

Its location makes it a gateway to Tanzania’s northern safari destinations among them, the Africa’s highest peak, 5,895m Mt. Kilimanjaro that stands 100km in the northeast and Serengeti National Park- the jewel of Africa lies in the west and not forgetting Arusha National Park which is the closest to the city.

Arusha was built by the Germans as a center of colonial administration in the early 20th century, and today, it’s Africa’s major international diplomatic hub.

Arusha National Park

Arusha National Park covers 552km² of land and a 40 minute drive from Arusha City and approximately 60km from Kilimanjaro International Airport. It is the closest national park to Arusha City-the northern Tanzania’s safari capital. Arusha is the only park where the acrobatic black and white colobus monkey can be observed. The park includes the seven shallow alkaline Momela Lakes, Ngurdoto Crater which is 3.6km in diameter and over 100m deep, the slope, summit, and ash cone of Mt. Meru and the lush green highland forest that cover its lower slopes.

Mt. Meru, the 5th highest mountain in Africa at 4,566m and the topographic centerpiece of the park, dominates your view on one hand and on the other; Kilimanjaro stands unveiled, glowing in the morning sunrise.

The gate at the entrance leads you to the shadowy montane forest inhabited by curious blue monkeys. The park has a variety of landscapes from open savanna, acacia scrubland to rainforest and finally to alpine conditions on Mt. Meru.

Arusha Park is the best place to view giraffes for it is home to Africa’s largest giraffe population. Other animals in the park include hippos, buffalos, zebras, leopards, spotted hyenas, waterbucks, elephants, but they are uncommon and occasionally some wildebeest. And Momela lakes are the best place for bird watching experience for they support a wide variety of bird species.

Arusha City
Arusha National Park

Ol Duvai Gorge

Oldupai Gorge as it was originally spelt is an archeological treasure and a famous fossil site that lies between Ngorongoro Conservation Area and the Serengeti National Park and is part of Serengeti Ecosystem found in northern Tanzania in East Africa. Olduvai is an important place for study of the origin and evolution of humans.

The Olduvai Gorge Museum has fossils and artifacts of human skeletons and many extinct animals. It was here that archeologist Mary and her husband Louis Leakey discovered artifacts and fossils of the earliest human ancestors after 30yrs of painstaking work that were well dated.

The excavation sites have been preserved for public viewing where visitors learn about the early man and guests can go on historical tours at the museum or cultural safaris at the cultural boma where you will see local Maasai souvenirs.

Mt. Kilimanjaro National Park

At the very heart of Tanzania’s northern park is Mt. Kilimanjaro, the free standing mountain in the world measuring up to 40km across and the base covering an area of about 388,500ha. At 5,895m, Mt. Kilimanjaro is the highest point in Africa and one of the continent’s most magnificent sights, an adventure of a lifetime.

Climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro gives you the breathtaking views of Amboseli National Park across the Kenyan border and it’s one of the world’s most accessible high summits.

The lush ever green rainforest at the base of the mountain is home to wildlife such as elephants, leopards, monkeys & buffaloes, and elands can be sighted between Mawenzi and Kibo.

Lake Natron

In northern Tanzania is an alkaline lake with PH as high as 10.5 that can burn the skin & eyes of animals that are not acclimatized to it. Lake Natron got its name from the mineral called natron, a compound formed from volcanic ash consisting of sodium bicarbonate and sodium carbonate making the lake poisonous.

The lake is located in Arusha region in northern Tanzania close to the Kenyan border covering 1041 sq. km. Lake Natron has no outlet even though it’s fed by hot springs and small rivers.

Apart from flamingoes and fish species that has evolved to survive in Lake Natron’s deadly water, there’s no other species that survives near it. In fact, animals and birds coming near the lake die mysteriously and have been perfectly preserved by the extreme sodium bicarbonate content.

Mt. Ol Doinyo Lengai

Ol Doinyo Lengai is an extremely fascinating mountain, the only active volcano in the world known to erupt natrocarbonate lava instead of silica. The ‘Mountain of God’ as the Maasai word suggests, stands at 2,962m above sea level.

The earlier documented volcanic activity of Ol Doinyo Lengai dates back to 1880’s and the most recent was 2010. The natrocarbonate lava that flows from Ol Doinyo Lengai is uniquely cool; nearly twice as cold as silicate magma. These temperatures make the lava black and grey then white when it solidifies.

The depth of the active northern crater has changed during the course of eruptions ranging from about 200m deep in mid-20th century to the recent shallow crater which by the turn of the century was mostly filled and by early 2010; the lava had begun overflowing the crater rim.

The volcano is scientists favourite as it is easier to study.

The park is an ideal place for bird watchers due to abundance of birdlife and occasionally, antelopes and reptiles can be spotted.

Ol Duvai Gorge
Mt. Kilimanjaro National Park
Lake Natron
Mt. Ol Doinyo Lengai
Southern Circuit
Mwanza City.jpg
Western Circuit

Lake Tanganyika National Park

Lake Tanganyika covers 32,900 sq. km and it’s estimated to be the world’s second deepest fresh water lake after Lake Baikal in Siberia and it is the deepest in Africa at 1,470m and extends 673km in north-south direction with an average of 50km in width. It borders Congo (DRC), Tanzania, Zambia, and Burundi and it’s one of the oldest lakes in the world dating back to probably 10million years.

It’s a world class reservoir of biodiversity, food, and economic activity. Tanganyika is home to over 2000 flora and fauna with over 1000 different species of fish.The lake is situated within Western Rift of the Great Rift Valley that runs from Lebanon all the way to Mozambique.

Lukuga River is the major outlet, emptying into Congo River Drainage. Its inlets are Ruzizi River and Malagarasi River.

Mwanza City

Mwanza city is located in northwest of Tanzania and lies on the southern shores of L. Victoria; a major Tanzanian port, a center of economic activities in the region. The city is well serviced with infrastructure such as roads, airports, railway line, boats and ferries.

The city’s industrial habour makes it prosperous and an exciting place to explore. From here, guests can visit Rubondo Island, Serengeti National Park or go on cultural tour by paying a visit to the Sukuma tribe, the largest tribe in the Republic of Tanzania.

Mwanza is known for its unusual rock formations near Kamanga Ferry terminal. It has colonial buildings, mosques, Hindu temples, and 1935 Indian Public Library.

Gombe National Park

Gombe is one of Tanzania’s smallest national parks covering 52 sq. km, located 16km north of Kigoma on the shores of Lake Tanganyika, the second deepest lake in the world. The Park is situated on the western border of Tanzania and Congo (DRC). It was gazette as a game reserve in 1943 and later upgraded to a national park in 1968.

Gombe Stream National Park’s lush shade of palms and ancient trees is home to chimpanzees which are the main attraction. The Park was made world famous by a pioneer British researcher Jane Goodall.

Apart from primates, it is also inhabited by migratory birds such as storks, pelicans, vultures, ospreys, hawks, eagles, owls, cuckoos, rollers, hornbills, guinea fowls, and cormorants are magnificent to watch. Gombe Stream has 250 species of butterflies.

This park is ideal for hiking, swimming, chimpanzee trekking, and snorkeling.

You can get here by boat 4hours or motorboat which takes 2hours but accommodation is limited and almost parked all throughout the year.

Rubondo Island

The park covering 456.8km² is located in the south-west of Lake Victoria, 150km west of Mwanza City. Rubondo was gazette in 1977 and it’s the largest Island National Park and is home to hippos and crocodiles and an ideal place to sight semi-aquatic sitatunga antelope.

The Park has over 40 species of orchids growing on the island that attracts thousands of butterflies and with over 300 species of birds, bird watchers can visit the island and see kingfishers, marabou storks, white egrets, cormorants, and fish eagles.

You can access the park by plane from mainland Tanzania between June and October or December to February and go fishing, canoeing, walking safaris or bird watching.

Saanane Island

Saanane Island was named after its previous own who was a fisherman turned into a farmer Mzee Saanane Chamandi. Chamandi was compensated by the Tanzania government to pave way for conservation.

The Park is 2.18km² in size and the smallest national park in East Africa. Saanane Island is home to several mammals such as velvet monkeys, wild cats, impalas, Rock Hyrax and reptiles such as snakes especially pythons, crocodiles and lizards. The aquatic part has fish mainly Tilapia and Nile Perch.

The Island is a perfect place for game viewing, rock hiking, boat cruises, walking, bush lunches, sport fishing, and bird watching.

It can be accessed by boat in 5 minutes from southwest of Central Mwanza.

Mafia Island Marine National Park

Mafia archipelago is located in the Indian Ocean, 45 minutes flight from Dar es Salaam. It has five islands; Mafia, Jibondo, Chole, Bwejuu, and Juani with beautiful green vegetation and wildlife, baobabs, mangoes, coconut palms, and papaya trees.

The Mafia Island covers an area of 822km² with an estuary, coral reefs, mangrove forests and a marine ecosystem that spans over 1500 sq. km sheltering abundant wildlife. The mangroves attract sea birds and more than 400 species of fish. The Island has also serene beaches that are ideal for sun bathing.

The Park has accommodations at Kinasi Lodge, Pole Pole, Shamba Kilole and not forgetting Butiama and Chole Mjini Lodges.

Mahale National Park

Mahale National Park is home to some of the Africa’s last remaining chimpanzees numbering to about 900. The Park covers 1613 sq. km located in the remote western part of Tanzania south of Kigoma town and has the most picturesque place bordering Lake Tanganyika. Experiencing the beautiful and colourful sunset on the lake horizon is one memory you don’t want to miss.

Behind the beach fine powdered white sand raises a range of imposing Mahale Mountains, hikers’ paradise and a chimpanzee haven that primates and other wild animals call home.

Mahale is home to 355 species of forest birds, mahale ranges, alpine bamboos, 9 species of primates and 73 other species of mammals, 26 reptile species, 20 species of amphibians and the lake has over 250 fish species.

It’s an ideal park for hiking, snorkeling, bird watching and chimpanzee trekking through the misty mountain rainforest supported by alpine bamboos.

Mahale Park can be accessed by light aircrafts in 4 to 5 hours from Dar es Salaam or Arusha which operate twice-weekly schedule flights on Mondays and Thursdays.

Selous National Game Reserve

Selous Game Reserve is Africa’s largest game reserve covering 54 600 sq. km of wilderness, open woodland, mountains, forests and grassy plains in southern Tanzania, one of the favourite wildlife viewing areas. The reserve was named after an English explorer Frederick Courtney Selous.

Tanzania’s largest river, the Rufiji is at the heart of Selous Reserve and forms a complex network of channels, swamps, and lakes, creating one of the most outstanding ecological systems in East Africa.

The Reserve is home to the Big Five: large herds of elephants, black rhinos, buffaloes, lions, leopards and other mammals such as crocodiles, wild dogs, cheetahs, giraffes, and 440 bird species.

The Reserve is less congested in comparison to the northern parks and has diverse safari activities such as boat safaris, walking safaris, Balloon safaris, and of course game drives.

The Park is served by light aircraft flights from Dar es Salaam and Ruaha daily and they take 45 minutes from Dar and 90 minutes from Ruaha.

Visitors can be accommodated at Selous River Camp, Selous Luxury camp, Mivumo River Lodge, Selous Mbuyu Safari Camp, Sable Mountain Lodge and many more.

Udzungwa Mountains National Park

The beautiful Udzungwa Mountains is set on an area of 2000sq. km and the only place in East Africa with unbroken forest cover ranging from 250m above sea level to over 2800m uninterrupted with a spectacular view of Sanje River waterfall that plunges 170m through the forest to the down valley. ‘The Africa Galapagos’ is located 380km from Dar es Salaam, Tanzania’s commercial city, and 65km south of Mikumi National Park and west of the lively town of Morogoro. In 2015, it was rated as the 3rd best place to visit by the New York Times.

The only park in Tanzania with 11 primate species supports diverse tropical flora and fauna species. Wild animals such as lions, buffaloes, elephants, elands, and wild dogs call it home and it stretches across the Eastern Arc mountain range that extends from Taita Hills in Kenya.

Udzungwa is the richest forest bird sanctuary in Tanzania with over 400 bird species and has more than 2500 plant species with 160 of them serving medicinal purposes.

The Park is a haven for hikers, back packers, biking, camping and canoeing and accommodations at Foxes Safari Camp, Kikoboga Camp, and Udzungwa Forest Tented Camp offer magnificent views of the rainforest.

Ruaha National Park

Ruaha is the largest National Park covering an area of 20,226 sq. km located central Tanzania, 130km from Iringa and 625km from Dar es Salaam. It’s part of a larger ecosystem comprising Rungwa Game reserve, Usangu Game Reserve and other protected areas.

The Great Rift Valley crosses the park with the Great Ruaha River flowing 160km long, along its entire South-Eastern boundary through the open plains and rugged gorges. The vast challenging landscape includes rolling hills, miombo woodlands, baobabs, palm trees and dramatic beautiful scenery.

Ruaha is an important habitat for the endangered wild dogs, giraffes, elands, impala, foxes & jackals, herds of buffaloes, Greater Kudu, hippos, crocodiles and fish. It’s one of Tanzania’s bird haven with over 570 bird species both migratory and water birds. The Park has over 1650 plant species and a fascinating landscape that has early trade routes that were used by Arabs and coastal traders. European explorers John Speke and Burton used these routes too.

The Park sits on what was once Hehe Empire that was ruled by Chief Mkwawa and has cultural sites that were used for rituals namely: ‘Ganga la Mafunyo’, Chahe, and Nyanywa.

Kalenga, Mlambalasi, Isimila Pillars near Iringa, Lugalo, and God’s Bridge are historical sites neighboring Ruaha National Park.

Visitors are accommodated at Ruaha River Lodge, Ruaha Hilltop Lodge, Jongomero Camp, Kigelia, Kwihala, and Mwagusi camps.

Lake Tanganyika
Mwanza City
Gombe National Park
Rubondo Island
Saanane Island
Mafia Island Marine
Mahale National Park
Selous Game Reserve
Udzungwa Mountains
Ruaha National Park

Mikumi National Park

It’s Tanzania’s fourth largest park covering 3,230 sq. km of land surrounded by Eastern Arc Mountains leading to an enchanting view of sunrises and sunsets. Mikumi is set between Rubeho Mountains to the northwest, Uluguru Mountains to northeast, and Lumango Mountains to southeast, 283km west of Dar es Salaam, Tanzania’s largest city.

It is home to the ‘Big Five’ and it borders Udzungwa Park and Selous National Reserve. Mikumi is home to wildebeest, giraffes, elephants, lions, leopards, zebras, buffaloes, yellow baboons, and crocodiles. It is home to over 400 bird species.

Guests can book accommodations at Three Luxury Tented camps, Mikumi Wildlife camp, Three Campsites and guest Houses.

Lake Nyasa

Also known as Lake Malawi, L. Nyasa is the third largest African Great Lake and the 8Th largest in the world sitting on a landmass area of 29,600km², 550km long and 75km wide. The lake borders Tanzania, Malawi, and Mozambique. It was formed over 40,000 years ago and it’s the second deepest lake in Africa after Tanganyika.

Its tropical waters have more fish species that any other lake in the world! A total of 14 rivers pour their waters into the lake and only one outlet in the name of River Shire.

The Lake is rich in crocodiles and hippos.

Eastern Circuit

Eastern Circuit

Dar es Salaam City

Dar es Salaam City

Dar es Salaam is a major port city and a thriving metropolis; East Africa’s second busiest port and Tanzania’s commercial hub located on the Indian Ocean Coast. Its architectural design is a mixture of African, Indian, Arab and German. Dar es Salaam was the main point of contact for trade between the Swahili Coast and the Indian Ocean, and a centre of colonial administration and contact with Tanzania’s agricultural mainland.

The city has the Village Museum, historical landmarks like St. Joseph’s Cathedral, Botanical Gardens, the Old State House, and many colourful markets. The port city also has Uhuru Monument, National Museum of Tanzania, Dar es Salaam Zoo, and important facilities like conference halls, Dar es Salaam International Airport, trains, and port services.

Mikumi National Park
Lake Nyasa
Dar es Salaam City

Usambara Mountains

The beautiful Usambara Mountains lies in the northeastern part of Tanzania between the peaceful and quiet district of Lushoto in Tanga region and Mt. Kilimanjaro.

When the sun rises it slowly unfolds the African iconic scenery, the blue sky imposing the towering snowy peak of Kilimanjaro that bulldozes the beyond horizon. Usambara Mountainis home to an assortment of flora and fauna, an exquisite place for relaxing, bird watching, hiking and mountain biking.

It has both local and a colonial German history to it with early iron-working New Stone Age settlements and good looking buildings in Lushoto built by the British.

There is abundance of plant species and one can get accommodation at Amani Forest Camp, Muller’s Mountain Lodge, and Oliver’s Camp.

UsambaraMountains
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