SAFARIS

Kilimanjaro National Park

Northern Circuit Parks and Reserve

Mount Kilimanjaro National Park:

 Kilimanjaro. The name itself is a mystery wreathed in clouds. It might mean Mountain of Light , Mountain of Greatness or Mountain of Caravans . Or it might not. The local people, the Wachagga, don’t even have a name for the whole massif, only Kipoo (now known as Kibo) for the familiar snowy peak that stands imperious, overseer of the continent, and the summit of Africa .
Kilimanjaro, by any name, is a metaphor for the compelling beauty of East Africa . When you see it, you understand why. Not only is this the highest peak on the African continent; it is also the tallest free-standing mountain in the world, rising in breathtaking isolation from the surrounding coastal scrubland – elevation around 900 metres – to an imperious 5,895 metres (19,336 feet).
Kilimanjaro is one of the world’s most accessible high summits, a beacon for visitors from around the world. Most climbers reach the crater rim with little more than a walking stick, proper clothing and determination. And those who reach Uhuru Point, the actual summit, or Gillman’s Point on the lip of the crater, will have earned their climbing certificates and their memories.

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Tarangire National Park 

Tarangire National Park is one of the few national parks in Tanzania, who flora and fauna have not been elaborately described to prospective guest, making the park being overlooked and skipped during the Tanzania’s northern circuit safaris.

Apart from Tarangire National Park’s collage of varied colors of vegetation, supported by the water system to create a fantastic hue, the park is home to large concentrations of wildlife, all which can be observed from multiple angles: from the incredible views on the hilltop at Tarangire Safari Lodge where all one needs to do is perch themselves on a chair with a pair of binoculars or experience an alternative game viewing experience at superb camps such as Swala, where the wildlife and the action that follow it are less than 15 feet away from a guest’s tent. The birdlife at Tarangire are unmatched attracting 550 species seen easily on the Acacia and Baobab trees and on the riverbeds of the Tarangire River.

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 Lake Manyara National Park 

Stretching for 50km along the base of the rusty-gold 600-metre high Rift Valley escarpment, Lake Manyara is a scenic gem, with a setting extolled by Ernest Hemingway as “the loveliest I had seen in Africa”.
This Park provides the perfect introduction to Tanzania’s birdlife. More than 400 species have been recorded, and even a first-time visitor to Africa might reasonably expect to observe 100 of these in one day. Highlights include thousands of pink-hued flamingos on their perpetual migration, as well as other large waterbirds such as pelicans, cormorants and storks
The legendary tree-climbing lion of Lake Manyara inspire extensive theorising as to the wonders of evolution, and are also notoriously rarely seen.
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 Southern Circuit Parks

Selous Game Reserve

The Selous is known in swahili as Shamba ya Bibi – literally translated as “women’s garden”. It has the largest number of several species of animals found in a single reserve anywhere in the world:

• elephant – 65,000
• Bufalo – 110,000
• Hipopotamus – 40,000
• Lion – 3,000
• The endangered African Hunting Dog – 1,300

The Selous ecosystem encompasses a wide spectrum of wildlife habitats including open grasslands, miombo woodlands that cover three quarters of the reserve, and riverine forests. As a result of its unique ecological importance, the Selous was declared a World Heritage Site in 1982.

Selous was the son of a chairman of the London Stock Exchange, Born in England in 1851, he bacame a noted naturalist, conservationist and big game hunter. He was killed in 1917 while a Captain leading a detachment against a German position.

Flora / Fauna: miombo woodland, open wooded grassland, riverine swamps
Habitat : African Wild Dog, Elephant, Cheetah, Giraffe, Hippopotamus, Buffalo, Crocodile, White Rhinoceros
largest game reserve in Africa; 350 bird species.
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 Udzungwa National Park

 

The Udzungwa Mountains National Park covers 1,990 sq km (770 sq miles) and rises uninterrupted in altitude from 250 meters (820 feet) to above 2,000 meters (6,560 ft).
The Udzungwa Mountain is one of the mountains in the ancient Eastern Arc. Only the Udzungwa Mountain has been accorded national park status within the arc that originates in Kenya and terminates with this mountain. Udzungwa Mountain is the largest and most bio diverse of the forest shrouded mountains that rise majestically from the flat coastal area of eastern Tanzania. It along with Amani Game Reserve is often referred to as the African Galapagos because of its endemic animals, birds, trees and plants.

The Udzungwa Mountain National Park is magnificent for hikers but is not a game drive destination! It boasts an outstanding network of forest trails for hiking that includes a climb to the Sanje Waterfall, which plunges 170 meters (550 feet) through a misty spray into the forested valley below. The Mwanihana Trail leads to the high plateau, with its panoramic view, before ascending to the second-highest point in the Eastern Arc range, the Mwanihana peak.

Over 400 species of birds have been recorded here, including more than a dozen species endemic only to the Eastern Arc. Four bird species are peculiar to the Udzungwa Mountains, including the forest partridge, which was first discovered in 1991. It is home to a rare species of the African violet. Primate inhabitants include the Sanje Crested Mangabey discovered in nineteen seventy nine and the Iringa red Colobus both of which occur nowhere else in the world!
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The park is accessible year round although it is hazardous in the rains. The dry season is June through October but be prepared for fast changing conditions even in that season.

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Saadani National Park

 The Saadani National Park became the 13th National Park in 2002. It is the largest National Park covering 1,100 sq km (430 sq miles) and is the only wildlife sanctuary in East Africa to feature a beachfront on the Indian Ocean. The area has been protected as a game reserve since the nineteen sixties and in two thousand and two the area was expanded to cover twice its former area.

The parks inhabitants include the giraffe, buffalo, warthog, common waterbuck, reedbuck, hartebeest, wildebeest, red duiker, greater kudu, eland, sable antelope, elephants, lions, leopards, the spotted hyena and the black-backed jackal, yellow baboons, and the velvet monkey.

On the Wami River clients can spot hippos, crocodiles, and birds like the mangrove kingfisher and lesser flamingo. The beach itself is one of the last breeding grounds on the mainland for the rare green turtle. Clients can enjoy the white sandy beach or visit the Saadani fishing village which lies within the reserve.

The best game-viewing is in January and February and from June to August. Road access to Saadani is accessible year round from Tanga and Pangani only. However, the access roads to this park are sometimes impassable during April and May during the heavy rains.

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 Mikumi National Park

 Mikumi National Park is the fourth largest park in Tanzania with an area of 3,230 sq km (1,250 sq miles). It abuts the northern border of Selous Game Reserve which is also the largest game reserve on the African continent. Mikumi National Park is very accessible by vehicle because of a tarmac road that runs from Iringa to Dar es Salaam. The road makes nearly 75,000 sq. kilometers (47,000 sq. miles) of the park accessible. The Mkata Floodplain is home to the eland, the world’s largest antelope. The sable antelope and the greater kudu are found in the foothills of the mountains that rise from the park’s boundaries. There have been more than 400 species of birds recorded in the park. There are also road connections to Udzungwa Mountain National Park, Ruaha National Park and in the dry season to Selous Game Reserve.

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Western Circuit Packs and Reserves

 Rubondo Island

Rubondo Island which covers 240 sq km (93 sq mi) and nine other surrounding islands are all under park protection. The water surrounding the islands is a breeding ground for the world famous Nile perch and tilapia. Rubondo Island National Park is known for its sandy beaches. It supports a forest where tamarinds, wild palms and sycamores flourish. Wild jasmine and an array of more than 40 different species of orchids permeate the forest with intoxicating smells. Ninety percent of the park is covered in a humid forest.

This national park is a bird watchers paradise with some 400 species being recorded in the park. Along the lakeshore clients will discover the malachite kingfisher and paradise flycatcher. Across the entire island flocks of African grey parrots can be observed which were released onto the island after they were confiscated from illegal exporters. Herons, storks and spoonbills proliferate in the swampy lake fringes.

Indigenous mammals include the bushbuck, hippo, velvet monkey, genet, mongoose, chimpanzee, black and white Colobus monkey, elephant, giraffe, and the extremely elusive aquatic sitatunga antelope.

Clients can access Rubondo Island National Park, some 150 km (95 mi) west of Mwanza, either by chartered plane or by ground to Mwanza and then boat transfer. This park is. Wildflowers and butterflies abound from June through August during the dry season. Bird migration is at its peak from November through March and December through February during the rainy seasons. Because of the parks inaccessibility it is not well developed.

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 Mahale Mountains National Park

Mahale Mountains National Park borders Lake Tanganyika and covers 1,613 sq km (623 sq mi). It is inaccessible by road. The Mahale Mountains tower 2 km from the shore to form a chain of wild jungle draped peaks which are home to roughly 800 of Africa’s last remaining wild chimpanzees who reside in the area known as the Nkungwe range. The Nkungwe range, held sacred by the Tongwe people, towers 2,460 meters (8,069 ft) and is the highest of the six prominent points that make up the Mahale Mountain Range.

The slopes of the Mahale Mountains support a diverse forest fauna. Its inhabitants include the red Colobus, red-tailed monkey and blue monkey. The variety of forest birds are to numerous to mention.

Clients can trace the Tongwe people’s ancient pilgrimage to the mountain spirits, as they hiking through the montane rainforest belt, which is home to the endemic race of Angola Colobus monkeys. In the high grassy ridges clients may glimpse at the rare alpine bamboo. Clients will also find the world’s longest, second deepest and least polluted fresh water lake in this national park. The exquisitely clear waters harbor an estimated thousand species of fish.

Clients can track chimps, hike, snorkel, and fish for their own dinner. The dry season of May through October is best for forest walks and hiking. Clients will need to charter a private or park motorboat from Kigoma for their three to four hour water safari to the Mahale Mountain National Park. 

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 Kitulo Plateau National Park

 Kitulo Plateau National Park covers 412.9 sq km (159 sq miles) in Southern Tanzania and hovers at around 2,600 meters (8,500 ft) between the rugged peaks of the Kipengere, Poroto and Livingstone Mountains. One of the most important watersheds for the Great Ruaha River the well watered volcanic soils of Kitulo National Park support the largest and most important montane grassland area in Tanzania. Kitulo National Park is home to more than 350 species of vascular plants, including 45 varieties of terrestrial orchids, which erupt with blossoms during the rainy season of late November to April.

Referred to by locals in Swahili as Bustani ya Mungu or the Garden of God it is often referred to by botanists as the Serengeti of Flowers because it is host to one of the great floral spectacles of the world. This park is renowned for its multitude of orchids and for its stunning yellow orange red hot poker, an array of aloes, proteas, geraniums, giant lobelias, lilies and aster daisies, of which more than 30 species are endemic only to southern Tanzania. Big game is sparsely represented in this park, though a few hardy mountain reedbuck and eland still roam the open grassland.

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Katavi Plains National Park

 Katavi Plains National Park is Tanzania’s third largest park covering 4,471 sq km (1,727 sq miles) of isolated wilderness. This park is as primitive as it was a century ago. It is there that the Rift Valley terminates in the shallow expanse of Lake Rukwa. The bulk of Katavi Plains National Park is entrenched in brachystegia woodlands which are home to the eland, sable and roan antelopes.

The Katuma River, its floodplains, and the rainy seasonal lakes of Katavi and Chada support Tanzania’s densest concentrations of hippo and crocodile. During the dry season, when the floodwaters retreat the Katuma River is reduced to a shallow, muddy trickle and is the only source of drinking and wallowing water for the inhabitant of the this park. During the dry season the floodplains support dense concentrations of wildlife with an estimated 4,000 elephants, several herds of more than 1,000 buffalo, giraffe, zebra, impala, reedbuck, lion, and spotted hyena all converging onto the floodplain each dry season. Clients can often watch up to 200 hippos, all fight for their own territory, wallowing. flopping and fighting in bloody battles at the end of the dry season as the waters dry up to a trickle.

Roads within the park are flooded during the rainy season but may be passable from mid December and January. Katavi Plains National Park is a tough but spectacular day’s drive from Mbeya some 550 km (340 mi) or in the dry season from May through October from Kigoma 390 km (240 mi) only.

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 Gombe Streams National Park

 Gombe Streams National Park is Tanzania’s smallest park. It covers just 52 sq km (20 sq miles). It was made famous by Jane Goodall in nineteen sixty when she came to the park to study its chimpanzees. Her study revealed that chimpanzees share about 98% of their genes with humans. Of the original chimpanzee community only the matriarch, Fifi, remains. Other inhabitants of this park include olive baboons, the red-tailed Colobus money and the red Colobus monkey. Two hundred odd species of birds are recorded in this park.
This is park not a game drive destination! From Kigoma, local lake taxis take up to three hours to reach Gombe National Park or we can charter motorboats for our clients which take less than one hour. The park can be reached from Mbeya on rough primitive dirt roads however this means of transportation is not advised under the best of weather conditions.
Clients can track chimpanzee’s which don’t roam far in the rainy seasons from February through June and November through mid December, however due to harsh weather conditions it is advisable to visit this park during the dry seasons of July through October or in late December. Clients can swim, snorkel, and visit the site of Henry Stanley’s famous “Dr Livingstone I presume” at Ujiji near Kigoma during their safari
 4 Days Program at Gombe Stream National Park
Day 01: Leave Arusha– Fly to Kigoma
Fly to Kigoma with Zantas Air which (Via Katavi & Mahale) departs at 0800 hrs (ETA 1255 hrs)
Spend the evening tour in Kigoma. Sleep at Kigoma hilltop Hotel. (L,D)
Day 02: Kigoma – Gombe Stream National Park
After breakfast early morning boat transfer to Gombe, start with an early trekk up the hills to the places where the chimpanzees last nested.
Dinner and overnight at the Gombe Forest lodge (B, L,D).
Day 03: Gombe Stream National Park
Full day chimpanzee tracking in the forest. Also visit the Kakombe Waterfalls.
Dinner at the Gombe Forest lodge. (B, L, D)
Day 04: Gombe – Kigoma – Depart
After breakfast transfer to Kigoma by a boat for lunch and then transfer to the airport in time to connect flight to Arusha with Zantas Air which departs at 1330 hrs ( ETA 1700 hrs) .
Dinner and overnight at Silver palm hotel. (B,L)

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Budget Camping-Safari

Traveling within Tanzania is an exciting adventure. Experience the dusty roads, the hot climate, the thrilling encounters with wildlife, and also the beautiful landscape and the friendly African people! Camping in the wild provides some unforgettable moments…
Camping safaris are designed for the young & old in search of real adventure; for those who enjoy the unpredictable wilderness. Age, however, is not the criteria, what’s needed is, a spirit of adventure, a sense of humor and the willingness to explore and discover something new!!

  Luxury Tented Camp Safaris:

 You’re desire to discovery the wildlife nature of Tanzania while savouring one of our 1st class treatment enables you to feel special. The luxury tented camps provides you with a different kind of comfort other than the basic camp, but in the nutshell the experience are all splendid and amazing. With this kind of accommodation, your privacy is highly respected as everything is at your disposal within your tent!
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 Cultural Tourism

BABATI AND HANANG

 Babati district is located along the Arusha-Dodoma road in the Rift Valley, south of Lake Manyara Park and west from Tarangire. The town boasts Lake Babati where floating hippos can be seen and which is rich in fish, both tilapia and Nile perch. Here commercial and farming tribes co-exist with conservative cattle herding tribes to provide a distinguished cultural contrast. In Hanang District close by the beautiful  Mount Hanang (3418m), live the Barbaig people whose traditional culture is still unchanged and unspoiled. The   women wear traditional goatskin dresses and the men walk around with spears. Visitors can mix freely with the Barbaig, commonly known as the Mang’ati living in the Mang’ati plains. If you are interested in bird watching, 400 bird species will welcome you on your walks in the area.
Welcome to the fertile lands and farmland where most crops grow on the edge of the Rift Valley. Here you can walk and see a mixture of tribal cultures and rural lives as lived by ordinary Tanzanians off the well trodden Tourist Circuits such as:  A special Barbaig cultural insight hike ,an exclusive Mount Hanang climb, a fishing adventure with local canoes on Lake Babati while viewing hippos, a chance to participate in local brick and pottery making and beer brewing, a visit to development projects like cattle, dairy farming, piped water projects & Cycling expedition through remote areas.

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 Lake Eyasi Bushmen:

 Small groups of Hadzabe bushmen live around Lake Eyasi . Their language resembles the click languages of other bushmen further south in the Kalahari. Their small population was seriously threatened, in particular during the period when Julius Nyerere tried to introduce his Ujamaa policy. The tribe resisted the forcible settlement policies of Julius Nyerere and nowadays most of their children have never seen a doctor or school – the bush provides for all their needs and is a class room for their offspring.
They are often willing for visitors to come and see their simple bush homes where the tree canopy alone or a cave provides them with shelter. They live entirely off the bush and from hunting, generally small antelopes and baboons, although in rainy seasons gazelles and antelopes come down from the Ngorongoro or Serengeti to their then lush bush lands offering them richer pickings. In the recent past their hunting activities were resented by trophy hunters who tried to stop their “illegal” hunting.
The string on their lethal bows is made from giraffe tendons and the arrows are coated with a strong poison made from another tree. The commiphora tree provides excellent firewood which they kindle by rubbing wood, a green commiphora provides a mosquito-repelling sap, and juice squeezed out of the sansaveria provides a cure for snake bites while aloe is used to heal cuts. Roots provide a wide range of medicines and the mighty baobab fruits as a source of drink. A few hours spent with the bushmen makes the apparently inhospitable bush country come to life and to watch them hunt a unique experience as they stealthily spot then creep up on their prey skillfully killing it.

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 Maasai Village Longido:

 The Longido is about 90 kilometers north of Arusha town. It’s one of the places to visit and see Wa-Maasai and other tribes like Wa –arusha. Visitors have chance to see cattle being auctioned in the market and how local people( Maasai & Wa-arusha) conduct that business traditionally, the Maasai are benefiting from ‘green’ tourism by organizing tour of the mountains and plains near their community.
The tour guides fill visitors with fascinating information about history, culture and the natural wild. And visitors get to enjoy the traditional meals prepared by Maasai women. A potion of the tour fees go into a village fund that finances local development projects. Longido offer a guided tour hiking to Kimokouwa along with Maasai cattle trails that winds over the slopes of the summit of Longido Mountain .
There is a chance of viewing wildlife such as elephants, Impala and buffaloes. It’s also famous for camel-back safari which can be arranged as an optional of your safari package. A tour can take a half day to a week, depending on your wishes.
The safari takes you through the plains that are home to different species of birds: Mountain around the area (Longido and Oldoinyo Lengai) with a beautiful terrain that allows hiking to take place. Depending on a person’s physiology, hiking can be done just for one day to the top. Once at the top you have the good view of the mount Meru and Kilimanjaro Mountain as well as Maasai plain in Kenya side on a clear day. Get a chance to see and learn a little more about the pride of Maasai pastoralists in Tanzania .

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  Lodges Safaris

 Ngorongoro Wildlife Lodge

 Location
Situated on the rim of an ancient collapsed volcano, this lodge offers guests uninterrupted views of the Ngorongoro crater, a true remaining natural wonder. The most unique eco system on earth is home to over 20 000 large grazing animals, boasting the largest concentration of predators found on the planet. Ngorongoro crater is the largest of 9 volcanoes in this conservation area, Oldonyo Lengai being the only one still active. The conservation area is 8300 km squared with the crater itself having an average diameter of 23 km. The crater covers an area of 250 km squared and has an average depth of 600m. There are many activities available from the surrounding area which enhances knowledge historically, geographically and culturally.

FACILITIES AND SERVICES:
~> 24 hour reception
~> Mailing Service
~> Currency exchange facilities
~> Fax and telephone
~> Major credit cards accepted
~> Game activities
~> TV lounge with selected DSTV
~> Nature walks and hikes
~> 24 hour security
~> Outdoor chess
~> Laundry facilities
~> Safes at reception
~> Cell phone reception
~> Babysitting by prior arrangement
~> Nurse available for medical assistance
~> Airstrip nearby for domestic airlines
~> Bird Watching
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 Tarangire Sopa Lodge

Location
The lodge is located on the eastern side of the Tarangire River . Built as a ‘low profile’ structure, nestles into a wooded hillside valley overlooking Tarangire Hill.

Facilities
The lodge has direct-dial satelite telephone facilities as well as satellite television and wildlife-video-film options. A number of lodge electrical generating systems provide 240volts, 50 cycles 24 hours a day. The unique swimming pool which is located at the edge of a rocky gorge has its own bar and snack kitchen and offers a refreshing interlude between game drives. We can supply diesel and can carry out most minor repairs.
Specialties
Tarangire National Park is known for its many baobab trees. The conservation area is on the traditional migration route of several species of wildlife.

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 Serengeti Serena Lodge

 Location
Set high on the saddle of tree-clad ridge commanding panoramic views over the endlessly rolling reaches and volcanic reefs of the Serengeti, the Serengeti Serena Safari Lodge is the ultimate fusion of traditional African architecture and world-class style. Drawing its inspiration from the circular ‘Rondavel’ dwellings and winding paths of a traditional Maasai village, the Lodge features thickly-thatched, stone-built rooms, spaciously set amongst groves of indigenous trees that are cooled by sparkling streams and papyrus-fringed ponds.

Facilities
~> swimming pool
~> telephone, fax, radio
~> exchange bureau
~> American Express, MasterCard, Visa and Barclays credit cards accepted
~> Flying Doctors Services
~> nurse on-call 24 hours
~> laundry/pressing service
~> babysitting on request with sufficient notice
~> curio boutique
~> binoculars and hair dryers available
~> safe deposit
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