Tanzania has a large variety of game
reserves and national parks offering diverse wildlife
experiences and spectacular scenery. The reserves and
parks are divided into four circuits based on the
geographical proximity and topographical variations. All
four circuits offer different attractions and have
different specialties. The four circuits are:-
-
Northern Circuit
-
Southern Circuit
-
Western Circuit
-
Eastern Circuit (Zanzibar Island)
The game reserves and parks in Northern Tanzania are the
most famous and attract the largest number of tourists
coming to Tanzania. The world famous Seregenti,
Ngorongoro, Mt. Kilimanjaro, Lake Manyara and Tarangire
National park are located in the Northern circuit.
Wildlife game viewing especially the big five and Mt.
Kilimanjaro climbs are the highlights of the game
reserves and parks in this circuit
The parks in the Northern Tanzania are
located near each other so it is possible to visit most
of them in a short safari trip. Traveling to these parks
is idle for tourists who want to visit different parks
and view the wildlife in a short period of time.
The parks in the Northern circuit are
easily accessible than the other circuits. Travelers
have a choice of flying into Arusha or Nairobi (four
hours from Arusha) and depart for their safari directly
from Arusha.
Serengeti
National Park
Serengeti is the largest national park in Tanzania with
over 14000 sq. Kilometers. Serengeti meaning “endless
plains” in the Maasai language has a diverse eco
system ranging from savannah to dense forest. This park
is famed for its great wildlife spectacle of the annual
wildebeest migration that happens between December and
April. The park has over 3000000 large
mammals and over 500 species of birds have been recorded
in the park. A sign at the park entrance – “the
world as it was in the beginning” explains all
about the park.
Ngorongoro
Crater
Considered to be a natural wonder of the world, Ngorongoro
has one of the largest concentrations of animals including
the big five – lion, buffalo, elephant, leopard
and the endangered black rhino. With 2000ft deep and
12 miles wide, Ngorongoro crater is the world’s
largest unbroken caldera. Lush vegetation and Stunning
views of the crater leaves a visitor with beautiful
vivid memories of the safari.
Olduvai Gorge
Olduvai Gorge is part of the Ngorongoro Conservation
Area and one of the most important archaeological sites.
It is famously known as the “Cradle of Mankind”.
Dr. Leakey and his wife discovered the remains of Homo
hablis - a species of man that became extinct more than
1.75 million years ago. This is also famous for the
“footprints” of the early man.
Mount
Kilimanjaro
Mount Kilimanjaro is the highest mountain in Africa
standing at 19340ft and the world highest freestanding
mountain. Just south of the Equator rising from the
savannah plains, the summit is always enigmatically
covered in snow.
Mt. Kilimanjaro is a must for mountaineers,
trekkers and adventure lovers both amateurs and professionals.
There are three volcanic peaks Kibo, Mawenzi and Shira.
Kibo is the highest and most famous among climbers.
The climb takes you from the savanna plains through
the mists of equatorial jungle to reach the snows and
breath-taking views from the summit.
Lake
Manyara National Park
Set between the Rift Valley escarpment and the magnificent
lake Manyara, Manyara Park is a bird watchers paradise
(more then 380 species). The Park offers an enormous
topographical variety ranging from dense woodland to
savanna plains and abundant wildlife including the tree-climbing
lions unique in this park only.
Tarangire
National Park
Tarangire
can justifiably claim to be one of the best places in
all Africa to view elephant during the dry season when
animals migrate towards the Tarangire River offering
superb views. Located in the rift valley the park cover
nearly 2600 sq kilometers containing nine different
vegetation zones. Over 300 species of birds have been
recorded in the park, including green wood hoopoes,
green and yellow parrots.
Arusha
National Park
This park was made famous by John Wayne’s movie
“Hatari”. It consists of the spectacular
Momela lakes, Mount Meru and the Ngurdoto Crater. The
vegetation and wildlife varies with the topography which
ranges from mountain forest to swamps. This park is
famous for the gorgeous black and white Colobus monkeys.
Arusha National Park is also home to 400 bird species
and other animals including buffalos and giraffe.
Southern Circuit
The game reserves and parks in the
Southern circuit are located in Southern Tanzania.
Although the southern circuit does not attract as many
tourists as the northern circuit, the remoteness and
vast areas of wilderness offers superb game viewing and
a perfect getaway from the crowded North.
Southern Tanzania is famed for exploring the untamed
African wild and learning the complex ecosystems and
diverse flora and fauna. Unlike the Northern circuit
where most travelers come on a short safari and visit a
number of national parks, visitors to the southern
national parks visit fewer parks but spend more time in
each park.
The Southern circuit is comprised of the Selous game
reserve, Mikumi, Ruaha and Udzungwa Mountains National
parks.
Selous Game Reserve
Selous Game reserve is located in the
South Eastern part of Tanzania. Covering over 20,000
square miles of wilderness, it is the largest protected
wildlife reserve in Africa. This reserve covers about 5%
land of Tanzania and it is bigger than Denmark.
The great Rufiji River Delta brings this
park to life. It connects the Ruaha River and the Rufiji
rivers and is home to a large and spectacular water and
bird life. Hippos and crocodiles sleep lazily along the
shores of the river, large herds of elephants (selous
has the largest elephant population in the world), zebra
and buffalos graze the vast lands and come to drink at
the river with lions and the endangered wild dogs
following them for an easy meal.
Hiking safaris and boating safaris are a
specialty of Selous and a very popular alternative to
the regular vehicle safaris.
Ruaha National Park
The Ruaha River is the main attraction of this park
supporting a large variety of animals. Ruaha is the
second largest national park after Serengeti with large
herds of elephants buffalo, gazelle, crocodiles, hippos
and over 400 species of birds. The park is also home to
endangered species of wild dogs, greater and lesser kudu
and antelopes.
Because of its remote location, Ruaha is
largely unexplored. This allows the traveler to enjoy a
very private and unique safari. Boating safaris offers a
great way of exploring the river and view the wildlife.
Mikumi National Park
Mikumi National Park is located between
the Uluguru Mountains and the Lumango Range, a few hours
drive from Dar es salaam – Tanzania’s largest city.
Baboons, buffalos, colobus monkeys, giraffes,
hartebeests, hippos, zebras and waterbucks can be seen
in this park. Mikumi is also a bird watchers paradise
with over 300 bird species.
Mikumi is very small compared to Selous
and Ruaha but its close proximity to Dar es salaam makes
it a popular spot for game viewing and picnics for
visitors from the city especially during the weekends.
Udzungwa Mountains National Park
The Udzungwa Mountains National Park is located on the
western part of the Selous Game Reserve. Udzungwa
Mountain forests are home to some of plants that are not
found anywhere else in the world. This park has
stunningly beautiful scenery and a variety of primates
can be found such as the red colobus monkey, sanje
mangbey, vervet monkeys, baboons and sykes monkeys.
There are five different trials through
the forests offering varying levels of difficulty for
amateurs and professionals. Trekking the mountain allows
travelers to enjoy the scenery and view the plant and
animal life.
Western Circuit
The game reserves and parks in Western
Tanzania are located around Lake Tanganyika and are one
of the best places to view the Chimpanzees. Trekking and
observing the Chimpanzees from a close up view offer a
marvelous and unforgettable experience. The rugged
mountains, equatorial forest and the shores of Lake
Tanganyika make up a perfect combination for a superb
retreat and provide a classic African jungle safari
experience.
The parks in the Western Circuit are
Mahale Mountains, Gombe Stream National Park and Katavi
National Park. Visitors can go on a hiking, boating or
fishing excursions besides the vehicle based safaris.
Gombe Stream National Park
Gombe Stream was made famous by famed American
primatologist Dr. Jane Goodall for her research on
Chimpanzees. She spent years studying these endangered
primates and is a leading campaigner to save them from
extinction. Located on the shores of Lake Tanganyika, Gombe stream is a place of lush forest and spectacular
views of the lake.
The highlight of the safari is the guided walks that
take the visitors deep into the forest to observe the
chimpanzees going about their daily lives in their
natural habitat. Besides the chimpanzees, there are
other primates in this park such as vervet monkeys,
colobus monkeys, baboons and a variety of birdlife.
Mahale Mountains National Park
Mahale Mountains rise majestically from
the shores of Lake Tanganyika – the longest lake in the
world. Mahale is home to the largest population of wild
chimpanzees in the world and offers more regular and
prolonged sightings than other parks.
The remoteness of this park covered with
lush tropical rainforest provides a perfect setting for
a chimpanzee viewing safari. With guides, visitors trek
through the forest to observe the Chimpanzees within a
few feet feeding, grooming and playing in their natural
habitat.
The hikes to the chimpanzee habitats are
slightly strenuous but any individual in good physical
condition will ease through the jungle. This is one of
the remotest park and is accessible by small aircraft or
boat only.
Katavi National Park
The Katavi National Park is located
between Lake Katavi and Lake Chada in the middle of no
where. It is one of Africa’s greatest wilderness
offering abundant wildlife and spectacular scenery.
The park is so remote that it takes a few
extra days to drive from Arusha or Nairobi. Very few
tourists visit the park as compared to the Northern or
Southern Circuits however this park is one of the best
safari destinations for visitors who want to go on a
very private safari but enjoy the same wildlife viewing
opportunities that other parks offer. It is possible to
go through the whole safari without seeing any other
tourist or locals in the park. Buffalos, lions, zebras, giraffes and
other animals can be viewed in this park especially when
they converge to the lakes to drink water especially
during the dry season.
Eastern Circuit
Zanzibar
Zanzibar is one of the best kept secrets of the
Indian Ocean. This exotic spice island of offers a
relaxing beach vacation along its palm fringed unspoiled
beaches with clear warm turquoise waters. The
spectacular coral reefs are excellent for snorkeling,
diving and water sports.
Zanzibar
is full of history and culture.
It is famous for once being the commercial center of
ancient East African trade. Besides the spectacular
beaches, you can take a tour to the famous
stone town, the sultan’s
palaces, ancient Islamic ruins, local markets and try
exotic fruits and spices.
Customers
can take a Zanzibar vacation or combine it with a
wildlife safari. Our itineraries are planned in such a
way that after a dusty adventure filled safari you can
wind down and relax in the warm waters of Zanzibar and
enjoy your cool coconut juice and delicious seafood.
