Most people have heard of the Serengeti, but not everyone knows that it is in Tanzania. This remarkable wildlife reserve is, however, just one of the reasons to come to this great African country. Wildlife is certainly one of the main attractions for visitors to Tanzania, but there are also the Indian Ocean islands of Zanzibar, Mount Kilimanjaro, unique cultures and stunning scenery.
The Serengeti
Miles and miles of Africa lie waiting for you. A wide-open landscape of grasslands interrupted by acacia trees and rock kopjes is home to millions of animals. You will mostly explore this wilderness by 4×4 safari vehicle with an expert guide, often private, but you might want to consider a hot air balloon trip for a different perspective. Your choice of lodges and camps here is very good, and we can help you find the right camp for the standard and time of year you want to visit.
Of course the other very important aspect of this park is that it is the ecosystem where the annual wildebeest migration takes place, but this is such a key event that it deserves its own description, so please read the next point
The Great Wildebeest Migration
Within the Serengeti ecosystem, including the Masai Mara in Kenya, there are roughly 1.5 million wildebeest and half a million zebras, plus Thompson’s gazelles and elands, which are on a never-ending circuit of this vast wilderness. Following the rains which bring fresh grass, the herds move around this circle of life, giving birth in the southern plains around February, moving west and north, arriving in northern Serengeti and the Mara by about July, then setting off back south about October. But bear in mind that nothing is set in stone, it’s all about the rains.
Things to do in Ngorongoro
- Game Drives in the crater– this is what the area is all about, it is rich in wildlife and the best way to cover a large area is by vehicle. All day game drives are the way forward here.
- Picnic Lunch – enjoy a delicious picnic lunch down on the crater floor as part of your safari experience.
- Birding – the birdlife here is prolific. Kori bustard, crowned cranes and flamingos are all found here.
- Wildlife watching – this is Big 5 country with black rhino, leopard and majestic black-maned lions roaming the landscape.
- Visit Olduvai Gorge – where Mary Leakey discovered an ape-like skull believed to be 1.8 million years old, an important archaeological discovery.
- Laetoli footprints – also of anthropological importance are the ancient footprints left by human ancestors 3.6 million years ago. Though covered to preserve them, you can visit the site and also the Olduvai Gorge Museum which has casts of the prints and related artifacts.
- Combine it with a trip to the Serengeti and Tarangire – Ngorongoro works perfectly as part of a northern circuit safari and is easily accessible from Arusha.
Mount Kilimanjaro
Located in North Eastern Tanzania, Kilimanjaro is the highest mountain in Africa and can be seen from far into Kenya. The mountain represents a powerful life force for the local Chagga people and all those who have made their lives around the mountain, providing rich volcanic soils for agriculture and an endless source of pure spring waters. 75,000 people climb Kilimanjaro every year so it is not the most untouched mountain, nor is it the most arduous, however it is still an awe inspiring sight to behold and highly recommended for anyone with even a vague interest in mountaineering.
Zanzibar
What better way to round off a safari adventure through Tanzania than to spend some time relaxing in Zanzibar on one of its beautiful white sand beaches. Known as the “Spice Island”, Zanzibar has brought visitors from other lands since time immemorial – Persians, Chinese, Arabs, Indians and many more have all sailed their vessels into Zanzibar’s harbor over the centuries, bent on trade and sometimes plunder. Make sure to visit Stone Town to explore its spice markets and superb Arabic architecture. If diving is more your thing then learn to dive at one of the many dive centers the local resorts boast – the waters around the island are very clear and host a huge diversity of marine life.
The Food
Tanzanian cuisine is a mix of traditional African food, with a strong Arabic/Indian influence, especially along the coast and in Zanzibar. Surrounded by the ocean, Zanzibar is renowned for its seafood with most hotels in the area offering a fantastic variety of fresh seafood menus. For the ultimate foodie experience, visit the Stone Town night food market. Offering a variety of delicious eats, this lively market is a must-see to experience the local people and culture.
Outstanding Accommodation Options
Tanzania provides visitors with a variety of choices when it comes to accommodation. For the ultimate luxury safari experience there is the Four Seasons Serengeti, for those looking for an authentic tented safari experience there are are camps like &Beyond Serengeti Under Canvas and Selous Serena Camp and for honeymooners or couples, Zanzibar offers a plethora of luxury resorts such as Hideaway of Nungwi and Ras Kutani.
The Maasai People
The Maasai people of East Africa live in southern Kenya and northern Tanzania along the Great Rift Valley on semi-arid and arid lands. They’re well known for the special red cloth they wear which is called a Shuka and their highly energetic customs. They openly welcome visitors to the area to experience their culture and lifestyle first hand.
Wildlife and Birdlife
Tanzania has the largest concentration and diversity of animals in Africa and there are over 1000 bird species to spot in the country. Tanzania is home to some of the world’s most treasured national parks and game reserves including the Selous Game Reserve, which is the world’s largest game reserve and home to more than 120,000 elephants, 160,000 buffaloes and 2000 rhinos. Selous is also home to large concentrations of hippos, crocodiles and wild dogs.
Chimpanzees in Mahale National Park
The small and remote Mahale Mountains National Park is found in the very West of Tanzania and on the shoreline of Lake Tanganyika. Chimpanzee treks are the main draw card here and seeing them in their natural habitat is a truly magical experience. When you are with the chimps you will be able to observe their very human-like behavior as the younger ones play in the trees and the adults observe and squabble amongst themselves.
Recent Comments