Tanzania game parks, Tanzania National Parks, Wildlife sanctuaries
LAKE MANYARA NATIONAL PARK:
Lake Manyara National Park nesting under the wall of the Great Rift Valley is like a perfectly cut gemstone. It contains a variety of habitats and diverse animals and birds. It covers an area of 319sq Km, altitude 945 meters. Lake Manyara has 5 distinct zones.
- Ground water forest with towering mahogany and fig tree
- Extensive marshland reeds
- Plains of Savannah grassland
- Outback scattered with acacia trees
- Scrub-land on the face of the rift wall
NGORONGORO CRATER:
The largest intact crater in the world and second largest extinct volcano in the World has a spectacular concentration of wildlife. The crater rim is wooded with mountain forest vegetation. Its oval in shape and 20Km in diameter, 100sq miles in area, 2000 feet deep and 2286metres above sea level.
SERENGETI NATIONAL PARK:
One of the most unique wilderness areas of the world, fantastic in its natural beauty and unequalled in its scientific value. It occupies 14763sq Km. This Park is one of the most popular wildlife sanctuaries in the world. One of the most remarkable scenes in this wildlife sanctuary is the migration of wildebeest, zebras, giraffe, gazelle, buffalo and other plain animals. As the herds move to new grazing grounds they are followed by predators such as lions, leopards, cheetahs, hyenas, jackals and hunting dogs waiting for weak prey, while vultures soar overhead waiting for their share of the kill.
ARUSHA NATIONAL PARK:
This park is remarkable for its range of habitats – miniature volcanic craters, highland rainforest, acacia, woodland and a string of crater lakes (The Momella lakes). In addition, on clear day there are spectacular views of both Mount Kilimanjaro and Mount Meru. Arusha National Park offers many beautiful panoramic views. An opportunity to visit this park is not to be missed.
TARANGIRE NATIONAL PARK:
This park is wooded savannaland with baobab trees alternating with open acacia woodland. Open plains, swamps are also a part of this beautiful game reserve that is also home to rivers along which stand palm trees. Big game and birds abound. Among the wildlife that can be seen are lions, elephants, zebras, oryx and many more. The bird-life is also extremely rich and varied.
MOUNT KILIMANJARO:
This is the highest Mountain in Africa is just three degrees south of the equator and its two peaks, the KIBO (5,893m) and MAWENZI (5,149m) are permanently snow-capped. Ascent and descent takes five days and can be climbed by any normal, fit person with the assistance of experienced mountain guides and porters. Kilimanjaro can be climbed at any time of the year except during the long rains April and May.
OLDUVAI GORGE:
Within Ngorongoro conservation area is the Olduvai Gorge, some 180 Km west of Arusha, the northern tourist capital of Tanzania. The remains of Homo Habilis or "Handy Man" regarded as mankind’s first step on the ladder of the human evolution. Guides operate lecture tours on the archeological sites.
MIKUMI:
Located north of the Selous Reserve, some 300kms from Dar es Salaam this park covers an area of 3,230 square Kilometers. Among the species that can be seen here are baboons, buffaloes, colobus monkeys, hunting dogs, elands, elephants, giraffes, hartebeests, hippos, lions, impalas, sable, antelopes amongst other species.
SELOUS:
The Selous game Reserve is the largest in Africa. It is a vast wilderness, untamed by man and has a large population of the Elephants. Walking Safaris accompanied by an armed ranger can be organized together with game drives and boat trips.
