A gathering of giants in a picture perfect African Landscape. The undulating savannah woodland, dotted with majestic baobabs-many of which are estimated to be over 2000 years old-is home to the largest elephant population in northern Tanzania . And when the dust blows the plains dry, game viewing is nothing less than breathtaking . Late in the dry season , the park hosts the highest density of wildlife of almost anywhere on the whole continent.

The Tarangire national park is situated in northern  parts of Tanzania in Manyara region . Tarangire national park, total area covered 2,850 km squire ( 1,100 m ) , The park established in 1970 it covers an area of approximately 2,850 km ( 1,100 squire miles ) . the landscape is composed of granitic ridges, river valley and swamps. Tarangire names

it’s come from the originates from the Tarangire river that a crosses the park . The Tarangire river which rises in the Kondoa highlands of central Tanzania and makes it’s way north – wards through the length of the park , the Tarangire river is the primary source of fresh water for wild animals in the Tarangire ecosystem during the annual dry season. One arm forks to the right feeding the Nguselororobi and Larmakau areas, and finally pours it’s water into lake Burunge.

The Tarangire ecosystem is defined by the long distance migration of wildebeest and zebras while large herd of elephant and cape buffalo. during the dry season thousands of animals concentrate in the Tarangire national park from the surrounding wet – season dispersal and calving area’s.

Before becoming a national park , Tarangire was original a popular hunting area. Today it’s regarded as one of the best wildlife area’s remaining in East African . The principal features of the park include the Lakes, swamps, rivers and rock outcrops. Interestingly this area is enqualify by several hills , oldonyo ngahari is to the east while Kalima is to be the south , Sangaiwe and Haidedonga area to the west and Kitibonga bit further inside from the two . On the other hand Tarangire hill is almost centrally located.

Tarangire dominated with vegetations mix of Acacia woodland, combretum woodland, seasonally flooded grassland and baobab trees. The park is famous for it’s high density of elephants and baobab trees. visitors visit to the park in the June to November dry season can expect to see large herds of thousands of zebras , wildebeest and cape buffalo . Other common resident animals include waterbuck, giraffe, dik dik, impala, eland, grant’s gazelle, vervet monkey, banded mongoose and olive baboon . Predators in Tarangire include lion, leopard, cheetah, caracal, honey badger and African wild dog .

The oldest known elephant to give birth to twins is found in Tarangire. A recent jbirth of elephant twins in the Tarangire national park in Tanzania is the great example of how the birth of these two healthy and thriving twins can beat the odds.

Home to more than 550 birds species , the park is a haven of bird enthusiasts. The park is also famous for the termite mounds that dot the landscape . Those that have been abandoned are often home to dwarf mangoose.

The park management has develop some tour circuit to enable visitors to observe this miniature of the world at their own space. Each circuit has it’s own outstanding features which can imprint into ones mind . The thrill of a lifetime . All circuit namely Lemiyoni , Matete , Burunge , Kitibong , Gursi , Mkungunero , Nguselororobi , and Larmakau.  The rainy season begins in November and continuous through May . The highest precipitation may recorded in March however the rainfall in the park is below , approximately 600 MM per annual in Tarangire national park.

An absence of Lakes is the secret to the abundance of wildlife, The Tarangire river is the only permanent source of water , besides Silale Swamp, an arm of the main river. It flows northwards throughout the length of the park and forms a life – providing artery for visiting wild animals. When the blazing sun vaporizes the last drops of moisture from the plains in early june – this is where all animals return , after another.

Most wildlife gathers in the central and northern areas of the park. The sight of thousands upon thousands of Zebra en wildebeest is something you won’t easily forget . It provides a feeding frenzy for lions – the parks most abundant residents – , leopards and spotted hyenas, which eagerly await their next chance to hunt. Infact all five of Africa’s greatest wild animals are present. Although the Cheetah number varies with the occurrence of gazelles, you stand a high change of seeing it.

The oryx might be an absent beauty in most of the other parks, it is a proud visitor of Tarangire. Here just a few mammals are rare residents, such as the Greater and lesser Kudu . And as for the elusive wild dog and peculiar long – necked gerenuk: you need a very well – trained eye indeed – or just a stroke of luck. But without much effort you can thick the checkboxes for Giraffe, Waterbuck, Bushbuck, Buffalo, Eland , Impala, Gazelle and warthog.

Bird lovers are treated to a Palette of over 500 breeding species – nowhere in the world you will find more in one habitat. And wet or dry, an encounter with elephants just cannot be avoided.

The park knows seasonal variation : the dry season lasts from June to October (with risk of bushfires). The wet period lasts from November to May ( less rainy December – February ). August – October is best for seeing migratory wildlife, but there is abundant resident wildlife all year round.

The park is easily  accessible by road or air . By road 114 km from Arusha town on a good tarmac road , last 7 km on dirt roads ( less than 2 hours in total ). By air : Private flights are organised by Safari companies from Arusha town. The main roads are drivable throughout the year, but roads in the river valley and on the flood plains are hard to pass in the wet season.

Mostly tourism activities to do inside the park are , Game driving, Guided walking safaris, Balloon safari ride, and Bird watching.

Welcome to Kilimanjaro national park! You are now at the foot of the highest mountain in Africa, Snow caped and World’s highest free-standing Volcano; the Kilimanjaro climbing to the top roof which is far up into the sky it is a memorable lifetime experience that no one can forget.

Mount Kilimanjaro national park was established in 1973, official opened in 1977 and declared a world heritage site by UNESCO in 1987 and natural wonder of Africa in 2013. Its size is 1688 km2. One among of the world’s heritage site to be found in the worlds. Mt Kilimanjaro is the highest free-standing mountain in the world’s and found in the Equatorial regions and tropical zone, which having snow thought of the year. Kilimanjaro is surrounded by dense forest so as to get higher Moorlands and main peak (Uhuru peak 5,895M) Although Mount Everest is the combination of several peaks which makes Everest to be highest Mountain in the world. Kilimanjaro is composed of three volcanic peaks those are, – First Kibo peak which extend up to 5,895 M above the sea level.

Kibo is the highest volcano peak of all three peaks and it is worn Uhuru point is.

Second, Mawenzi peak found east part of the mount extend up to 5,149 M above the sea level and it is used to be a technical mount to hiking,

Third, Shira peak plateau the oldest peak which collapse and formed Plateau peak extend to 3,962 M above the sea level. Mount Kilimanjaro has different cultivations zone. Cultivation zone characterized with plantation of crops and human agriculture activities.

There are four/ five eco-climatic zones take you to the equivalent of a trip from the equator to the arctic in a brief tour. As one climb Kilimanjaro, vegetation and weather changes in response to the changing elevation from montane forest, heath and Moorland, Alpine desert and the Summit zone (Arctic). The mountain peak is covered by snow all year – around.

The Montane Forest (Evergreen) zone, A layer of the forest zone different flora and fauna species such as Lichens and other highly prolific form in the montane forest include butterfly, Senecio, Red hot poker, Hagenia abyssinica, Impatiens Kilimanjari which is Endemic plants in Kilimanjaro.

Tropical region zone / Rainfall forest characterized

• Hot and Wet
• Rainfall 500-1500 MM
• Temperature 32 C
• Preferable by animals like Elephant, Buffalo, Duiker, Suni, Bushbuck.

Heather and Moorland zone

• 400 M above sea level plants species found are Mariscus kerstenii, Red hot poker, Kniphofia thomsonii, Erica excelsa, Erica arborea, Protea kilimandscharica, Helichrysum, Philippia trimeria, Adenocarpus, Giant tree groundsel (Senecio kilimanjarii) Senecio johnstonii cottonii, Lobelia denkenii.

Alpine desert zone

In Alpine desert zone there are species of mice found known as the (four striped mice) the four striped mice it is adapted to lives in the desert due to some characteristics make to stay on that layer. First is fat layer of their skin , diurnal active in afternoon hours but not evening and the last is the way you go deeper the hotter is comes out.

Desert (Summit point) zone

Here there is no life exist of any living organism / diversity existing on the altitude of (4,700 – 5,895 M) . Mount Kilimanjaro has popular routes to trekking up to the top Six route makes you success to Uhuru those are: –

1. Machame route (Whisky route)
2. Marangu route (Coca cola route)
3. Lemosho/ Shira / Londorossi route
4. Rongai route
5. Umbwe route
6. Mweka route (descending).

Machame, Marangu, Rongai, Umbwe and Lemosho all of this route is the only for Ascent but Marangu are including both.

Mweka route is the only for descending down and for resupply Mount. Mount Kilimanjaro the most iconic unique of Kilimanjaro is to found in a Tropical region which very close to the Equator region and possess glaciers and lastly Is the free highest outstanding mountain in the world.

The background of the words Kilimanjaro are known as Kilima comes from word Mlima (Mount) while njaro comes from a word used on the coast demon causing cold.  Mt Kilimanjaro have four major zone mainly based on the cooling of the climate with increasing altitude. 

Montane Forest, A wide band of exceptionally beautiful montane forest encircles the whole of Kilimanjaro from about 1800 – 2800m. The Forest zone is worth a visit even if you are not climbing to the peaks. The present nature trails in particular take you through this forest belt. This belt supports several plant species, including endemic plants like Impatiens Kilimanjaro.

• Montane forest (1900-2900 M)
• Dense, lush forest
• Temperature during day hours 18-24C, night hours 5-10C
• Rainfall on the southern slopes up to 2000 MM
• Heath and Moorland (2900-4000 M)

Mostly low growing bushy plants and tussock grass

• Temperature by day 10-18C, mostly frosty by rainfall (500-1300 MM) year.
• Alpine desert (4000-5000 M)
• Sparse, low – growing vegetation or barren ground
• Temperature by day 4-10C, frost every night.
• Rainfall around 250 MM every year precipitation in the form of both rain and snow.

Summit zone / Desert (5000-5895 M)

• Lava desert, pitches of glacier to be found at the highest altitude
• Maximum temperature slightly over 0C by day, freezing cold at night
• Rainfall negligible, precipitation only in the form of snow.

The park can be accessed by road or flight via Kilimanjaro international airport- about 45km to the west. The Park Headquarters and one of the ascending gates are at Marangu, about 41km from Moshi town and 86km from Kilimanjaro International Airport. The other seven gates of Rongai, Machame, Londorossi, Lemosho, Kilema, Mweka, and Umbwe are located around the mountain base and can be reached by road.

Kilimanjaro Climate conditions, are two rainy seasons in a year mainly influenced by the prevailing trade winds. The Short rainy period is from October to November and the wet season is from March to May during which it rains around the mountain base and snow accumulates on its peak. The dry season is from late June to September and from December to early March during which the nights are cool and the days completely clear and this provides good climbing conditions.

Attractions the Kilimanjaro national park is endowed with a diverse variety of attractions ranging from terrestrial wilderness to permanent glaciers on the mountain peaks.

The three peaks Kibo, the highest peak (5,895m) is covered by snow throughout the year though located near the equator and to many climbers, conquering this peak is an adventure of their lifetime. Mawenzi (5,149m) is rugged and opened for technical climb. Shira (3,962m) is the oldest peak that collapsed and forms a Shira plateau with outstanding scenic beauty on the mountain with several kinds of migratory large mammals such as Buffaloes, Elephants and especially elands.

Kilimanjaro national park have a cultural site which is known as Kifinika Cultural Site.

This is a site along Marangu route that is sacred by the local Chagga people. Historically, the site was used for cultural rituals.

Maundi Crater, located just 15 minutes’ walk past Mandara huts on the Marangu route the crater provides a  panoramic view of Lakes Chala, Jipe and Nyumba ya Mungu, all of which derive their waters from the Majestic Kilimanjaro.

The Lake Chala, Lake Chala is located about 30 minutes’ drive from Himo town. Although situated outside the park, the lake is an important geological link to the park as this deep fresh water lake can be visited prior to, or after climbing the mountain.

Lauwo waterfall, located along Marangu route 2.8 kms provides a spectacular experience while enjoying walking inside the thick montane forest.

Major tourism activities in the national park,

Climbing to the Summit of Kilimanjaro, climbing to Kibo peak takes 5 – 9 days depending on the route. Seven mountain trails can take a climber to the mountain peak each route offering different attractions and challenges.

Mountain Cycling, on two wheels a tourist can cycle to the roof of Africa. There are two routes which are used for cycling, one for summit bound visitors (Kilema route) and second one for non-summit visitors (Shira route).

Paragliding, Tourists can fly from the top of Mount Kilimanjaro and tourists may use parachutes or wingsuits while undertaking this activity.

Mawenzi Climbing, Mawenzi is the second highest peak on Mount Kilimanjaro. Technical climbers can hike the present seven sub-peaks enjoying the view of cliffs, complex of gullies and rock faces.

Non Summit tourism activities includes, Visit to the water falls, walking on nature trails, visiting Maundi Crater and Cultural sites such as Kifinika ( in the park ) and Cultural camps in the villages around.

Kilimanjaro national park provides some tourism facilities inside the park,

The Park provides accommodation for Mountain climbers using Marangu route at Mandara, Horombo, and Kibo mountain huts. On the wilderness routes of Rongai, Mweka, Umbwe, Machame, Lemosho and Londorossi, there are designated camping sites with toilet facilities. Also rescue services for the sick and injured including first aid and Radio communications are available in all mountain stations.

Trail Network, the network of nature trails offers a spectacular scenic beauty of the vegetation zones. Each trail represents distinct flora and fauna with a view of the mountain peaks, geological features and the physical challenge to climb differs significantly between the trails.

Welcome to Climb Mountain Kilimanjaro, visit the park and experience the real side of an African culture where locals can share their traditions and cultural values, where you can contribute by improving their livelihood in this ever changing world.

Discover uniqueness, travel and explore with us!

Nyamera Safaris: Mount Kilimanjaro preparations checklist.

You are responsible for bringing your personal gear and equipment while Communal equipment.

(Tents, Meal, cooking’s, camping items such mess, more….) is provided, below is a gear list of required, recommended and optional to bring on your adventure climb: 

1 – waterproof jacket, breathable with hood.

1 – Insulated jacket, synthetic or down.

1 – Soft jacket, fleece or soft – shell.

2 – Long sleeve shirt, light – weight, moisture wicking fabric.

1 – Short sleeve shirt, light – weight, moisture

wicking fabric.

Waterproof pants, breathable (Side – zipper recommended).

2 – Hiking pants (convertible) to shorts recommended).

1 – Fleece pants.

1 – Short (Optical).

1 – Long underwear (moisture – wicking fabric recommended).

3 – Underwear, briefs (Moisture – wicking fabric recommended).

2 – Sport Bra (women).

HEAD WEAR LIST:

1 – Brimmed hat, for sun protection.

1 – Knit hat, for warmth.

1 – Balaclava, for face coverage (optional).

1 – Bandana (optional).

HAND WEAR

1 – Gloves, warm (waterproof recommended).

1 – Glove liner, thin, synthetic, worn under gloves for added warmth (optional).

FOOT WEAR

1 – Hiking boots, warm, waterproof, broken in, with spare laces.

1 – Gym shoes, to wear down at camp (optional).

3 – Socks, thick, wool or synthetic.

3 – Socks liner, tight, thin, synthetic worn under socks to prevent blisters (optional).

1 – Gaiters, waterproof (optional).

ACCESSORIES LIST:

1 – Sunglasses or goggles.

1 – Backpack cover, waterproof (optical).

1 – Poncho, during rainy season (optical).

1 – Water Bottle (Nalgene recommended).

1 – Towel, light weight, quickly – dry (optional).

1 – Pee bottle, to avoid leaving tent during at night (recommended).

EQUIPMENTS LIST:

1 – Sleeping bag, warm, four seasons.

1 – Sleeping bag liner, for added warmth (optional).

1 – Trekking poles (recommended).

1 – Head lamp, with extra batteries.

1 – Duffel bag, (waterproof recommended).

for porters to carry your equipments.

1 – Daypack for you to carry your personal gear.

OTHERS LIST:

• Toiletries.
• Prescriptions.
• Sunscreen.
• Lip balm.
• Insect repellent, containing DEET.
• First aid kit.
• Hand sanitizer.
• Toilet paper.
• Wet wipes (recommended).
• Snacks, light – weight, high calorie high energy (optional).

PACKAGE INCLUDED IN PRICE:

• Private transport from the Airport to the Hotel.
• 2 nights of accommodation at Panama hotel, Park views inn or Kilimanjaro wonders hotel in Moshi.
• Park entry fees.
• Camping fees.
• Rescue fees.
• 18% VAT on tour fees and services.
• 4 Season mountain tents.
• Double layered sleeping Mats.
• Friendly and professional Mountain guides, cook, and porters.
• 3 hot meals daily while on the mountain.
• Enough treated and filtered drinking water throughout the trekking’s.
• Salaries for crew. (Guides, Cooker, and porters).
• Government taxes.
• Portable oxygen tanks and Ox meter.
• Emergency first aid kit.

PACKAGE NOT INCLUDED:

• Lunches, dinners and drinks at your first day before and after done Climb in the hotel.
• Travel insurance.
• Portable flush toilet with a toilet tent, Is available for extra charges $ 70 the entire trek.
• Flights.
• Laundry (Available at the hotel).
• Personal items and toiletries staff.
• Tips for guides, cooker, porters. (this is a guide to tipping on the mountain).

*Tipping on Kilimanjaro from the trekking group (Not per climber).

• Guides $ 20/ day
• Cook $ 15/ day
• Porter $ 10/ day.

But we aren’t limit you to give more extra tips for them, because it’s little bit hard experience adventure in a lifetime.

Welcome to Serengeti National Park!

Serengeti National park is one of famous and best national park in Africa and probably in the world, the park name comes from Maasai word “Siringeti” referring to an ” Endless Plain ” as you stand on the Southern grassland plain you can experience this vast that support the greatest concentration of herbivores left on earth, the park is rich in biodiversity supporting large herd of herbivores and high density of Carnivores, and variety of bird’s species supporting migratory birds with spectacular, vast landscape, plain grassland studded with outcrops kopje, rolling hills, Valleys, rivers with dramatic sky blue during day time and stars jewels during night this is breathtaking making the park focal point and once a lifetime tourists visiting park in Africa especially east and southern Africa. The park is one of world heritage site, Man and biosphere reserve, Seven Natural wonder of Africa and the world, the Africa’s leading national park.

Serengeti Is the only remain natural grazing ecosystem to be found in the world and all spectacular wilderness. Serengeti national park open plains in the heart of complex stretch away as far as the eyes can see and throb with life in an endless annual that is maintained by a migrating herd of 1.5 million in a year Wildebeest and best-known population of great predators like Lion, spotted hyena, Leopard, African Wild dog that found on the earth. The Giant Nile crocodile are waiting their turn as big migration enters their areas.

Serengeti is the richness of Wild fauna that intend to be providing best for grazing and browser for Mammals through their endless wonder plain land. Serengeti having exceptional uniqueness due to having number of Wildebeest which can be reach 2.8 million emigrants. They do move for many reasons likely Search water, green posture and last good favored weather climate condition.

In recognition of the need to preserve this special area, the Central Serengeti was declared a Game Reserve in 1929. In 1951, the Reserve became Tanganyika’s first National park, and in those days included the Ngorongoro Crater . Further alteration in 1959 resulted in the Park boundaries you see today. Part of the Serengeti plains and the highlands were removed and added to the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, while extensions to the North and South were included to provide more protection to Wildebeest Migration, the entire wildebeest migration route defines boundary of the park and ecosystem.

The Park is the centre of the Serengeti ecosystem. Roughly defined by the annual Wildebeest Migration, the Serengeti ecosystem is expansive – and covers an area of 25,000 – 30,000 Square Kilometres. It is the combination of Serengeti National Park with its buffer zones – Ngorongoro Conservation Areas, four Game Reserves, one Game Controlled.

Area and Kenya’s Maasai Mara National Reserve – that protects the largest single movement of wildlife on earth. Serengeti National Park covering 14,763 Square Kilometres, the Park is roughly the size of Northern Ireland or Connecticut, making the third largest national park in Tanzania after Nyerere and Ruaha national parks.

The Serengeti was first inhabited by the ancient hunter gatherers and more recently pastoralists, during this time the plains were controlled by the Maasai. There are early Maasai rock paintings still visible at Moru and a special rock used for making different sound (Gong! Gong!).

The colonialist who arrived by the early 1900’s found a land virtually untouched, and exploited it for exceptional hunting opportunities , particularly lion, leopard and Buffalo.

The Serengeti offers more than just an annual migration. It’s colorful topography of Mountains, Rolling Hills, Rivers and Plains provide year – around habitat for many of the Serengeti’s species.

Lake Manyara national park (Biosphere reserve) under UNESCO the park established in 1960, The second oldest national park together with Arusha national park. surface area 330 km of which one third island (100 km, 30%) remain being part of lake Manyara. Maximum length 32 km from South to North. Height Above the sea level 960 Lake Manyara 1,600 M the uppermost point of the rift valley wall in the southern part of the park. The Great rift valley wall in the north rise about 250 M above lake Manyara.

Lake Manyara national park within the Great rift valley which start from Turkey to Zambezi and follows the red sea, along the line of the Ethiopian highland through Sudan, Kenya, Tanzania and Malawi. Rift valley to Kenya the fault divides into Eastern and Western arms. Manyara is within the Eastern arm.

The park has an area of 648.7 Km2 (402 sq miles) is covered by lake and 386 km2 (240sq miles) is dry land.

Lake Manyara national park derived it is name from a plant called Euphorbia tirucalii, Known as Emanyara. A Maasai word for a plant which called emanyara used by Maasai tribe for making living stockades around their Kraals. It is scientific called Euphorbia tirucalii. other Maasai elders argue that it comes from the word old Manyara which means settlement. The outstanding features of the park include spectacular escarpment of the rift valley wall. One unique feature of the Manyara national park is underground water forest, the most impressive unit of its kind in the whole 5,600 kilometres of the East Africa rift valley. It’s large on account of this forest that UNESCO named Manyara as a biosphere reserve. The extinct volcano in that area that effectively catches the rains on which the forest covering its slopes for their water.

The rain retained by the forest soaks into the earth, which is porous, being of Volcanic origin.

Heading on wards after the village of Mto wa mbu and the junction where the main gate of Manyara national park is located, the road makes a steep ascent up to the rift valley wall. here around 250 meters above lake Manyara is a small lay-by where spectacular views of Manyara open up, although it also provides a good impression of the vegetation of the park as well. the area immediately below is occupied by dense stand of deep green trees belonging to the ground water forest, but if you cast your eyes further south the vegetation grades into tree and shrub savannah and the shores that frame lake Manyara are Soda flats or open short grass plains.

Among the most essential features of the ground water forest are the dense stands of large trees. the species are mostly the same as are found throughout the uplands of northern Tanzania, but with two essential differences the number of species in one location reaches its maximum size as well. one of the dominant trees is the sycamores fig tree (ficus sycamores) a magnificent buttress root, spreading tree that is easy to identify by its distinctive yellow to creamy brown bark. other common dominant trees are the Broad – leaved croton (Croton macrostachyus) which is easy to recognize by its large heart – shaped leaves, desert date tree (Balanites aegyptiaca).

Lake Manyara national park is the home of tree Climbing lions as one amongst of carnivores that found in the parks, other predator animals are Spotted hyena, leopard, Cheetah and jackals.

Most iconic identity of the Lake Manyara is Home of bird life in the lake such as Flock of Flamingo’s and other relative birds species.

As you enter the gate the park is dramatically marked by lush green vegetation consisting of tall trees of the ground water forest which provides home to troops of baboons and blue monkeys.

Further down the forest opens up into woodlands and swamps beyond the Soda Lake.

Highlights include a thousand of pink – hued Flamingos on their perpetual migration as well as other large water birds such as Pelicans, Cormorants and Stocks.

The lake Manyara has in late only and without out late of waters. Lake Manyara has hot springs sources due to drainage pattern of hot rocks that are found in the lake.

Lake Manyara national park offers wide Panoramic view to see high wildlife density, high diversity of wildlife species and Habitats (7 wildlife habitat).

The Lake forms the most spectacular sight and it is habitat of waterfowls such as Lesser flamingo.

Tree climbing lions.

Large herds of elephant and buffalos.

Rift valley escarpment forms a unique scenic beauty of the park.

Ground water forest an evergreen forest nurtured by fresh water springs.

Marang forest which take in diversity of animals, birds and plant species.

High diversity of bird’s species (Over 390 species) both migrants and residents.

Hippopotamus population at hippo pool.

Hot springs.

Climate situation, the rainfall pattern of the park is bi-modal with short rains starting from November to December and long rains from February to May. Dry season is from late June to October. Annual mean temperature is 26.50C, Average temperature 11 – 340C. Relative humidity ranges from 45% – 85%.

Lake Manyara national park is located in Northern Tanzania, 126Km (78.3 miles) west of Arusha town along the Makuyuni – Ngorongoro road. The park is close to the ethnically diverse market town of Mto wa mbu.

Accessibility to reached Lake Manyara national park, can accessed all year around. However, June through October is the best time for large mammals and November through June is ideal time for bird watching.

Lake Manyara is easily accessible by Road and air (Charter or scheduled flights).

Mostly Tourists should Stop and see the panoramic spectacular view of Manyara and other related part,

The park is strategically located along the high way to Ngorongoro crater and Serengeti.

Lions can climb the trees in other parks but in Manyara the behavior is More evident due to the nature of the park.

Some of the attractions found within the park may not be seen in other famous parks, such as hot spring, ground water forest and rift valley escarpment.

Most of the attractions are within the stretch of 50 Km long that is accessible all the year around.

Mto wa mbu is a close by Village in which a good representation of the 120 tribes of Tanzania can be found. This reveals high diversity of culture which attract tourist.

Mkomazi is a surprisingly little known natural treasure and a welcome stepping stone between the northern safari circuit and the east coast. You become immersed in the Vast beauty surrounding you perched below the lush Usambara and Pare Eastern Arch Mountains, while catching a glimpse of snow-capped peak of Kilimanjaro in the distance. Here, wildlife is not about quantity, but about quality.

Mkomazi national park began as a game reserve in 1951 before announced as National park by the Government. Conservation work plays an important role: In 1989 the Tony Fitzjohn/George Adamson Africa Wildlife Preservation intensified by TANAPA when Mkomazi become a National Park in 2008. The park it covers 3,276 km2 and Stretches 130 km from northwest to southeast.

Height 230-760 m, plus several mountains in the west: Maji kununua (1,594 m, Kinondo 1,620 m).

The number of mammals isn’t as high as in the more famous parks-particularly in the dry season the plains are too arid for big herds of grazers- yet the variety is remarkable. Elephants feel equally at home here as in the bordering Tsavo. Together with other migratory species, such as Zebra, Giraffe, Hartebeest, Kongoni, Buffalo and Eland, you can spot them all over the park.

Mkomazi will undoubtedly treat you to a truly special sighting of rare wildlife species. It is the only area in Tanzania where spotting Gerenuk, Oryx and Lesser Kudi, is just a matter of a little patience. What’s more, Mkomazi is a refuge for the endangered Black Rhino and Wild dog. Two conservation projects are booking promising results: the Mkomazi Rhino Sanctuary – that resulted in successful breeding – and the Wild dog capture and Translocation Programme that successfully released a few dozen dogs into the wild in the last decade.

The treasure hunt continues with spectacular avifauna. A part from the usual suspects in northern Tanzania, you could encounter species that are hardly to be found anywhere else. So, keep an eye out for Friedmann’s lark, the Violet wood-hoopoe, Somali long – billed crombec and Shelley’s starling. The Cobalt chested Vulturine guineafowl and large ground birds such as Ostrich, Secretary bird and Kori bustard are also typical residents. When you spot, a Hyrax don’t forget to look up: a colossal verreaux’s eagle might be circling above your head, eagerly awaiting his chance to strike.

The Ruaha national park an astonishing concentration of wildlife within one river basin.

The Savannas of Ruaha are concealed in the interior of Tanzania’s backwoods, in an area fed by the Great Ruaha river. The wonderful scenery of this area consists of rolling plains interrupted by gentle hills and smooth rocky outcrops, the amazingly profuse wildlife sums up almost everything that is essential to the Tanzanian savanna environment.

The Ruaha national park was established in 1964.

It’s Tanzania’s largest national park, the surface area covering 20,200 km2. The maximum length is 260 km from South-West to North-East. The Height: A.S.L in general up to 1,000 m, some scattered hills in the West rise up to 1,800 m (Lyambagari 1,816m, Ikungu 1,830m).

Season variation in the park two well-defined seasons: a dry season from May to October and a wet season from November to April (less rainy in December to February). Bushfires often occur in the dry season.

Only minor seasonal variation in the occurrence of animals

The Vegetation flourishes best in March – April

The best season for visiting is July – October.

The park is rather remote, but accessible by road and air. The roads are difficult during the wet season and can be impassable in places.

By road: 500 km from Dar-es- salaam to Iringa town on good tarmac road, followed by 120 km on rough road (total driving time :10 hours). Or take the tarmac road from Arusha through Dodoma (860 km/days, difficult in wet season).

By air: Daily scheduled flights from Arusha and Dar-es-salaam.

Temperatures: Monthly average 21 – 24C. (Daytime) 25 – 30C, up to 35 – 42C in October – November, and 15 – 18C (at Night), sometimes in July having the coldest nights (as low as 5C).

The Dry season: Starting from May-October, good for spotting large mammals.

Wet season: starting from November-April (less rainy in December-February), good for bird-watching, lush scenery and Wildflowers.

Ruaha national park have several attractions, Wildlife and conservation.

Principal Habitats: Tree and shrub savanna, Miombo savanna, rocky outcrops, Swampy floodplains, riverine forests, river systems

Primary Significance of Conservation:

• The heart of a huge, diverse savanna ecosystem
• Huge populations of big predators and Mammals typical of the plains.
• One of the most significant refuges for the wild dog.

Standard of Conservation Activities:

• Conservation has been arranged well
• Supervision is moderately effective

Noteworthy in Nature:

The Wild dog, Sable antelope, Roan antelope, Greater Kudu, Lesser Kudu.

The Ruaha national park is one of the most important refuges for the highly endangered wild dog.

Why Visit Ruaha national park (East African)!

• An enormous Wilderness area
• Essentially all the mammals of the East African plains can be seen here.
• Some species of large mammals, including the greater Kudu, are easy to spot here, whereas they are less visible in most of the other parks.
• Striking natural beauty: palm – fringed river valleys, savannas dotted with baobabs, rugged rocky outcrops.
• Marvelous floral splendor during the wet season.
• Closeness to nature, thanks to the good trekking facilities.
• Some feeding of solitude, because of the relatively few visitors (around 10,000 a years).

Accommodation:

Inside the park: Five lodges, one rest house, two public campsites, a few special campsites and bandas, huts for a good standard at Msembe. (Bookings for special campsites and bandas through the park).

2 public campsite and a couple of special campsites at Msembe and Mdonya old river (bookings for the latter should be made through Nyamera Treks & Safaris).

Several other lodges just outside the park (close to the boundaries).

Major tourism activates:

Game drives, bird watching, camping and bush lunch, there is a good road network in and around Msembe, but it’s sparse in the other parts of the park.

Hiking with a guide in designated areas.

Scenery equal to the best parts of Tarangire and Serengeti:

The Ruaha national park is a part of the huge complex of the Great rift valley. Its eastern boundaries run for almost their whole length along the Great Ruaha River, which lies in the bottom of the rift valley. Most parts of the river within park boundaries are at an altitude of almost 1000 meters, but the lowest parts descend to 750 meters. To the west of the river almost parallel with it’s the escarpment of the rift valley, but this mostly rises just 50-100 meters above its surroundings.

Exploring Tanzania Stunning unforgettable viewing of Mount Meru.                                        

Arusha national park is the second oldest park in Tanzania together with lake Manyara. It was established in 1960. It’s one of the smallest national parks: with its 542 km2 (and only 35 km from east to west) it’s 4% of the size of the Serengeti. The most recent enlargement took place in 2005: land was added on almost all sides and the area almost quadrupled. The park height from 1,450 meters (Momela Lakes) to 4,566 meters (Summit of Mt Meru). The entrance gates and major park roads lay at around 1,500 meters.  The wide – open plains is a breathtaking experience in itself. So imagine being free to leave your vehicle and let some vertical adventure add to the drama.

Witness the majestic Mount Meru awaits, ready to be tamed on foot!  The ultimate view over one of Africa’s most picture-perfect landscapes.

Arusha National Park gives you the opportunity to explore nature at its closest. There are good trekking facilities along the climbing route. The route passes through diverse habitats: Swamps, open plains, montane forests and volcanoes, all packed within a distance of 35 km.

The most striking landmarks are Mount Meru and the Ngurdoto Caldera, Formed after volcanic eruptions between 1 and 3 million years ago. Mount Meru has not put on a show in over a century, but 6,000 years ago a huge explosion blew away the eastern edge, causing a massive landslide. It is also how the mesmerizing north-eastern Momela lakes were born Due to different levels of alkalinity, each of these seven lakes boasts its own spectacular greenish-blue tone. The water is dotted pink with group of Flamboyance lesser and greater flamingos, while every now and then you might meet the eyes of a thunder hippopotamus. The extinct Ngurdoto volcano in the east is home to a mini Ngorongoro. looking down from the crater rim you see montane forests – keep an eye open for the majestic Fig Tree Arch – while an open, swampy bottom spreads out below it, at an altitude of around 1,470 meters.

Extinct Ngurdoto Volcano is home to a mini Ngorongoro, the entire park is full of life. You will encounter herds of buffalos (the park’s most abundant species), Zebra and Giraffe often, but warthog, Waterbuck, pairs of dik dik and Reedbuck are also frequent sights. Other mammals roaming the area are the elusive Aardvark, the bush pig and the crested porcupine. The low braying call of the silvery – cheeked hornbill regularly penetrates the silence, just as the harsh rhythmic cry of the endangered black and white colobus monkey. And this is not the acrobat in the dense forest, there are also plenty of vervet monkeys, blue monkeys and olive baboons to be seen. The well – trained spotter’s

eye will be treated to almost 450 bird species. Although you won’t hear the ferocious roar of a Lion very often – other big cats can be sited.

Keep an eye open for spotted hyena, wild cats, leopard, and, on the slopes of Mount Meru, even a wandering elephant.

Mostly popular activities inside the park is Game driving, walking safaris, Canoeing, Climbing Mount Meru.

Welcome to Tanzania to participate and share the most iconic outstanding journey experiences of your lifetime.

Ngorongoro crater is a world – class tourist destination. The area was established in 1959 as a multiple land use area, with wildlife coexisting with semi-nomadic Maasai pastoralists practicing traditional livestock grazing. Due to its outstanding natural universal values, it was the first to be inscribed as a Tanzanian site, on the world Heritage list in 1979. In 2010, UNESCO inscribed Ngorongoro Conservation Area as a mixed property on the world heritage list.

Internationally, Ngorongoro is also recognized as a part of Serengeti-Ngorongoro Biosphere Reserve, under UNESCO’s Man and the Biosphere Program since 1981. Ngorongoro is the most successful multiple used managed area (IUCN protected Area Category VI) in the world, where indigenous people (estimated at 88,000 people) are, so far, living harmoniously and peacefully with wildlife.

Ngorongoro Crater also contains the spectacular Ngorongoro Crater (250 km2), which is the world’s largest unbroken Caldera in the Eastern (Great) Rift Valley. There is a large population of wild ungulates in the crater, including the only visible population of Lion. Ngorongoro crater is the only conservation area in the world where visitors are likely to see Elephant, Rhino, Lion, Leopard, and Buffalo, in their natural environment, within a span of four – hour drive inside the Ngorongoro Crater.

Ngorongoro Crater

The crater covers an area of 304 kilometres squires and it is diameter is 19.5 kilometres, while its depth is 630m. The Ngorongoro Crater floor is dominated by open grassland and it has a patch of woodland known as Lerai forest. This forest provides shelter for animals such as Elephants, Eland, Monkey and various bird species.

Ngorongoro crater is home to a population of about 25,000 large animals, mostly ungulates, alongside the highest density of mammalian predators in Africa including the densest known population of Lion. Ngorongoro harbors a range of endangered species. such as the Black Rhino, Wild hunting dog and Golden Cat. It houses one of the largest animal’s migrations on earth, including over 1 million Wildebeest, 72,000 Zebras and 350,000 Thompson and Grant gazelles.

It’s also a home to about 500 species of birds, the mix of forests, canyons, grassland, lakes and marshes forms an ideal habitat for an enormous variety of birds. During the rainy season you can see the arrival of Eurasian migrants at the open pools. White storks and Yellow wagtails mingle with the local inhabitants, stilts, saddle bill storks, ibis, ruff and various species of duck.

Lesser Flamingos fly in to feed from their breeding grounds at Lake Natron. Distinctive grassland birds such as Ostrich, Kori bustards and Crown cranes occasionally put on truly magnificent displays.

Ngorongoro – Serengeti – Mara Great migration

During the periods of January through March, the southern Serengeti National Park and the western part of Ngorongoro Conservation Area , is inhabited by an estimated 1.5+ million herds of Wildebeest and Zebra, which is part of the greatest migration of wild ungulates ( Wildebeest and Zebras ) on earth. From as early as December the Migration starts to Move into the Ngorongoro conservation Area. The short grass plains here are rich in nutrition which provides the herds with the best conditions to raise their newborn. Mid February is Calving season when approximately 8,000 wildebeest are born every day for a period of approximately 3 weeks, therefore the area around lake Ndutu on the western part of Ngorongoro is the place to be at this time of the year. About 400,000 Zebra and 200,000 gazelles accompany the wildebeest along the way, making a total of over 2 millions migrating animals in Ngorongoro and Serengeti National Park plains.

Ngorongoro Conservation Area (NCA) the major habitat and land cover types are open grassland plains dominated by couch grass ( Digitaria macroblephara ) and Sporobolus marginatus; Acacia woodland savanna; gallery forest; low land woodlands with Commiphora, Acacia drepanolobium and Acacia gerrardii, Acacia lahai and Acacia seyal.

Ngorongoro Conservation Area, Geology of the area

Two main rifts of Lake Eyasi in the north and lakes of Manyara and Natron in the East characterize Ngorongoro conservation Area. The two rifts meet where the nine volcanoes of the Ngorongoro highlands were formed past four million years ago, the ashes and dust from each eruption were carried north – west to form the fertile soils of Serengeti plains. To date, only Oldoinyo Lengai is active, this has resulted into beautiful formations.

The Ngorongoro crater is a giant caldera some 16-19 kilometres in diameter with the floor lying 400-600 meters below the rim.

A spectacular narrow rock cut known as Orkarian Gorge in the Gol Mountains, is the only Ruppel’s griffon vulture – nesting site in east Africa! In the dry season, the Maasai bring their cattle into the gorge to drink water.

A spectacular tall, black dune composed of magnetic volcanic sand from Oldoinyo Lengai ( Barchan) Famously known as  shifting sand is being blown west wards across the plains at an average of 15 meters per year.

View beautiful and iconic symmetrical cone known as Mount Oldoinyo Lengai – this Maasai name for the still active volcano means ” mountain of God ” where visitors sometimes struggles up its steep slopes to visit the steaming, bubbling crater while most of them prefer to view it from the distance. It’s here in the whole world where you will be able to see the rare white natrocarbonanitite Lava emissions.

Lolmalasin mountain – situated on the northern part of Ngorongoro, is the third highest peak in Tanzania that offer an inspiring, Challenging landscape for trekkers.

Olmoti Crater – This shallow grassy crater is a source of Munge River, which pours through a notch in the Rim in a beautiful water fall on its way to Ngorongoro crater. There is scenic and pleasant walk from Nainokanoka through the forest up to the top of the waterfall. Majestically, the crater stands at 3100 meters above the mean sea level.

Empakaai Crater – It’s a six – Kilometer wide beautiful Caldera containing a natural forest and a deep lake, forming a really point of scenery where from the north and eastern side you can look out to a dramatic cone of active volcano Oldoinyo Lengai mountain, the Great East African Rift Valley and Lake Natron. It’s possible to camp in the rim and hike down in the crater floor, with an armed ranger (An armed ranger is necessary because of Buffalos in forests of the rim).

The Nasera Rock – prehistoric people did camp in the Leeside of this huge monolithic stand – alone stone, probably the largest known in the world! It’s 100 meters high forming an interesting point for climbers and bird watchers.

lake Natron – Colorful alkaline lake famous by plentiful of soda ash and hot springs, forms a major source of food for Flamingos thriving on growing algae. Lake Natron, which is just outside Ngorongoro Conservation Area boarders, forms a largest breeding ground of Flamingos in East Africa.

Cultural heritage of Ngorongoro – Ngorongoro Conservation Area has been subject to extensive archaeological research for over 80 years and has yielded a long sequence of evidence of human evolution and human – environment dynamics, collectively extending over a span of almost four millions years to the early modern era. The overall landscape of the area is seen to have the potential to reveal much more evidence concerning the rise of anatomically modern humans, modern behavior and human ecology.

Three separate tracks of small brained early upright walking Hominid Australopithecus afarensis are found at Laetoli in the west of Ngorongoro crater , the hominid footprints tracks are preserved in Volcanic rock aged 3.6 million years old which represent the strongest evidence ever indicating our ability to walk upright since that period .

More advanced descendants of Laetoli’s hominids were found at Olduvai Gorge, buried in the layers of the 100 meters deep! Excavations, mainly by famous Archeologist Dk. Louis and Mary Leakey yielded four different kinds of Hominids showing gradual increase in Brain size and corresponding complexity of their Acheulean stone tools with continuous inhabitation for over a million years.

How to get to Ngorongoro Conservation Area

By Air and Road, one needs to fly to Julius Nyerere International Airport (JNIA)bin Dar-es-salaam or direct to Kilimanjaro International Airport (KIA) at Moshi situated at the foot of Mount Kilimanjaro. There is also Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) in a neighboring country of Kenya. From JNIA and KIA one can get a local or charter flight to KIA or Arusha town. Then from KIA there are shuttles and taxis to take you to Arusha city. A good number of international airline carriers do fly direct JNIA, KIA and JKIA.

The road distance from Kilimanjaro international airport, Moshi to Arusha is about 55 km of a well tarmac road, about an hour drive.

The road distance from Jomo Kenyatta international airport to Namanga boarder to Tanzania is about 200 km and from there to Arusha is about 110 km – a total drive of about 4 hours in a good tarmac road.

From the City of Arusha to Ngorongoro Conservation is about 160 km of a good tarmac road.

Driving from Arusha to Ngorongoro Conservation Area, one needs to hire 4+4 vehicle for smooth ride within Ngorongoro Conservation Area.

Accommodation is both inside and outside the Ngorongoro crater.

There is one public campsite named Simba A, situated western of the crater rim with toiles,

hot water showers, Kitchen and dining hall facilities, you will need to prepare and come with your own tents, food supplies and cooking utensil.

A good number of special campsites are found within Ngorongoro Conservation Area, some can be found in the crater rim while others are scattered within NCA ( Ndutu area is the preferred site to watch wildebeest migration ).

There is a number of tented campsites in the area. Such tented campsites are Lake Masek, Lake Ndutu luxury camp, Oldupai camp and Ngorongoro wild camp.

There are three Lodges on the south west rim of the crater that includes Ngorongoro Wildlife Lodge, Ngorongoro Serena Hotel and Ngorongoro Crater lodge, on the eastern rim there is Sopa lodge while Ndutu safaris lodge is situated in Ndutu area. Rhino lodge is on the southern part of the crater rim. All these lodges are exquisite.

However, there are other lodges situated in Karatu Area, which is just outside the NCA, these include Gibb’s farm, Kifaru lodge, Endoro lodge, Ngorongoro farmhouse, Bashay Rift Lodge, High view Hotel, Kudu lodge.

The grassy plains of Mikumi, encircled by mountain ranges, are like a colorful bowl shimmering in a play of ever-changing skies and light. And the floor of this bowl has a prolific wildlife, in which the huge herds of animals, the elephants and the roaring of the lions are only some of the many highlights. The flood plain provides a habitat for a diverse bird fauna, with both resident species and a number of migrants that fly here to escape from the Eurasian winter.

The seemingly infinite horizon and rich wildlife make you feel like being on the Serengeti Plains-but you are not. Welcome to the Mkata Floodplain, the flagship attraction of Mikumi, safely tucked in between the Rubeho and Uluguru mountains. The light at dusk and dawn makes a visit to the plains truly mesmerizing.

Mikumi National Park was established in 1964.In 1975, it was connected to the Selous, with which it forms an integrated ecosystem. The park surface it covers 3,230 km2 and stretches 90 km from North to South. Height 430 m (Plains in the Northern sector)-700 m (average height of the hilly Southern sector). Highest point 1,290 m (Malundwe Hill).

Season times: Two well- defined seasons: a dry season from June to November and a wet season from December to May (less rainy in January – February). Bush fires occur annually in the dry season.

Little seasonal variation in the occurrence of animals. The best season to visit is June – October and the park roads passable in the dry season. Road can be difficult during wet season, but the trans-national highway that bisects the park is a good tarmac road.

Average temperature during June-September 25-28C (daytime).

November-April around 30C (Sometimes 40C). Average night-time temperature: 16-19C (Never below 12C).

Mikumi National Park the concentration of wildlife is remarkably high; no less than 15,000 large mammals roam the area. Mikumi is connected to the Selous in the South. With animas flocking through the corridor, it provides a vital artery to the park’s wildlife. Wildebeest, Eland, Zebra, Buffalo, Warthog, Yellow baboon, Vervet monkey, spotted hyena, Lion and Impala are a frequent sighting. Just as large herds of elephants. in the late 1980’s their numbers dropped rapidly after intensive poaching, but fortunately the population bounced back thanks to the efforts of TANAPA and other stake holders towards improving ant poaching in the area.

The Giraffe might be more of an elusive creature here, but it’s exceptionally light features add to the magic of a sighting. Another striking encounter you might have is with a lion. Lazily draped over a tree branch. Behavior that is typical in Manyara, yet not fully understood. Birdlife is rich and colorful; over 400 species can be seen and heard. Many migratory birds join the locals, especially during the Palearctic winter, when the abundant insects and amphibians of Mikumi form a feeding frenzy. And while hippos entertain the crowd in the pools north of the main entrance gate, they are often cheered on by many different waterbirds.

Why Visit Mikumi?

• Spectacular concentrations of mammals that are essential to the plains of East Africa
• Superbly scenic plains with might baobabs
• Easy access from Dar-es-salaam
• A popular park (15,000 visitors a year), but mostly day visits.

Major tourism activities: Game driving, walking safaris.

Mikumi national park between the Rubeho and Uluguru mountains, both rising to heights of well over 2000 meters, lies the vast Mkata plain, the appearance of which changes considerably in the course of the year. During wet season severe floods run riot over the lush green plain, while during the dry season the equatorial heat forces life on the plain to retire into its shell.