Tanzania National parks
NORTHERN PARKS
ARUSHA NATIONAL PARK
Only 32 km from Arusha and less than 140 sq km, this small park offers
an amazingly varied topography, from the rocky craters and ash cone of
Mount Meru and the mountain forest of its slopes to the flamingo lakes
of Momela. The forests are home to the park’s renowned black and white
Colobus monkeys, and the lower areas to a variety of mammals,
especially elephants, buffalo and giraffe. Walking safaris are possible
for the more adventurous traveler.
LAKE MANYARA NATIONAL PARK
This saline lake lies 130 km from Arusha on the floor of the rift Valley.
From its shores the steep sides of the rift rise over 300 m to
form a spectacular cliff. The park is 323 sq km in area and offers a
wide variety of vegetation: lush groundwater forest, acacia woodlands,
open grasslands, swamps and the lake itself.
Lake Manyara is renowned for its high concentration of birds,
such as flamingoes and pelicans, as well as larger mammals (several
species of primates, hippos, and elephants, not to mention the elusive
tree-climbing lions.
NGORONGORO CONSERVATION AREA
The Ngorongoro Conservation area covers 2286 sq km and
encompasses the volcanic area around the Ngorongoro crater - including
the still active volcano of Oldonyio Lengai, and the famous Olduvai
Gorge. Its centerpiece, the Ngorongoro Crater, is the largest unbroken
caldera in the world, and the rst sight of it is breathtaking.
The oor of the crater is only 100 sq miles but is home to around
30,000 animals with a high concentration of predators. The steep walls
rise 610 m and although this presents no problems for black rhino,
buffalo, male elephant and gazelles; giraffe and female elephant are
absent.
OLDUVAI GORGE
This “Cradle of Mankind” is a treasure trove of archaeological
sites, filled with fossil, settlement remains and stone artifacts. One
can see the evolution of prehistoric man in the landscape’s geological
strata.
It is the world famous site of the Leakey’s discovery of a hominoid skull dating back 1.8 million years.
There is a small but very informative museum located at the visitor center.
SERENGETI NATIONAL PARK
The endless plains of the Serengeti lie 330 km of Arusha. Its
15,000 sq kms support the annual migration of over 3 million
wildebeest, zebra and other plains game as they follow the rains in
their continual search for grass and water. They are closely followed
in turn by Africa’s largest concentration of lion and a host of other
predators.
Witnessing the power of the migration is an unforgettable experience for even the most seasoned African traveler.
TARANGIRE NATIONAL PARK
Tarangire is only 120 km from Arusha on a good road. The dry
season of July to October is the best time to visit the park as animals
from the surrounding Maasai Steppe move towards the Tarangire River
in search of water.
The giant baobab studded plains are famous for their high concentration of elephant and rich variety of bird life.
KILIMANJARO NATIONAL PARK
The history of Kilimanjaro National Park dates back from the
early 1900’s. The area had been established as a game reserve in the
early 1990’s and as a forest reserve in 1921. In 1957 the Tanganyika
National Parks Authority formally proposed the establishment of a
National Park surrounding and including Mt. Kilimanjaro. The
Kilimanjaro National Park stands 330km south of the Equator on the
northern boundary of Tanzania. The nearest town is Moshi. Mt.
Kilimanjaro, an awesome and magnificent mountain, is the highest
mountain in Africa. It is also one of the largest single free standing
mountains in the world, composed of an extinct volcano; Shira (3962m)
and two dormant volcanoes, Mawenzi(5149m) and Kibo (5895m). There are
six official climbing routes that provide a range of opportunities for
experiencing this mountain. Guides are required and bookings must be
made in advance.
SOUTHERN PARKS
MIKUMI NATIONAL PARK
Covers 3,230 sq km of open Flood plains and wooded hills, some
1,800 ft above sea level. Large herds of elephant feed by the Mkata
River, and lion, buffalo, hippo, giraffe and many other species can be
seen, including an occasional sable antelope and greater kudu. June to
November is the best time for a visit, this being the dry season;
though the Park is open all year round.
THE SELOUS GAME RESERVE
The largest game reserve in the world, to which Mikumi National
Pak is adjacent, the Selous in south-eastern Tanzania has some of the
nest virgin bush left in Africa, where the last of the really
big-tusked elephants and large-manes lions roam. It supports around one
million head of game, is bigger than Switzerland and is a World
Heritage site. The Selous is relatively easy to get to - by 4WD it is
eight hours drive from Dar - but hard to get around, even though half a
dozen airstrips have been constructed by the Game Department. From
March to May Floods sweep the valley, forcing the game on to the
‘islands’ of higher ground, where elephant, buffalo, lion, leopard,
crocodile, puku, buck, eland, sable and others concentrate.
THE RUAHA NATIONAL PARK
The road from Iringa to Mbeya passes near the Ruaha National
Park, 13,000 sq km of mostly undulating plateau 3,000ft above sea
level. The best months for game viewing are May to November.