TANZANIAN NATIONAL PARKS/ TANZANIAN BUDGET SAFARIS

Serengeti National Park

which covers 14,763 sq km, is flourishing with magnificent wildlife. It lies between the shores of Lake Eyasi in the South, Lake Victoria in the west and the Great Rift Valley to the east. Serengeti is known as one of the best wildlife sanctuary in the world and an estimated 3 million large animals roam the plains. Serengeti’s main attraction is the annual migration of wildebeest herds in search for better grazing between Serengeti and Mara. Every October and November, close to a million wildebeest and 220,000 Zebras cross to the south from the northern hills to the southern plains for the tropical rains and then journey west and north after the long rains in April to June. This exciting activity spices up the Serengeti safari. The Park  is also famed for its huge herds of buffalo up to four thousand in a single herd.

Ngorongoro Crater

Area: 8,288 km2

Inscribed: 1979

Criteria: (vii) aesthetic; (ix) ecological processes; (x)biodiversity

Values: Ngorongoro Conservation Area is one of Africa's most important wildlife areas and a bold experiment in multiple land use.  At its core is the world famous Ngorongoro Crater - a giant caldera in which the dramas of life on the African plains are played out each day by a diverse assemblage of large mammals - wildebeest, zebra, lion and rhino - in a primeval ‘garden of Eden'.  Beyond the crater rim, Maasai pastoralists herd their cattle across the plains, seemingly oblivious to the herds of wild animals sharing this vast landscape, the ‘endless plains' of Serengeti.Lake-filled Empakaai crater and the active volcano of Oldonyo Lengai are nearby.  The area is also of great significance in tracing the origins of mankind with excavations in the Oldupai Gorge and Laetoli, resulting in discoveries of fossil remains of Homo habilis, and 3.5 million-year old human footprints. A comprehensive review of the world heritage values of Ngorongoro Conservation Area is provided below, together with details of the area's conservation status and the threats it faces.

Other International Designations: MAB Biosphere Reserve

Lake Manyara National Park

Located 130km west of Arusha, Lake Manyara National Park is home to millions of flamingos, pelicans, storks and other bird life, as well as many hippos that can be observed at close range. It is nestled at the base of the East African Rift Valley escarpment with large expanses of thick forest, woodland, grassland and swamps. Aside from the flamingos, Lake Manyara Park is also home to the famous tree-climbing lions, baboon, buffalo, zebra, hippo, giraffe and wildebeests. The best time for game viewing is during the dry season between July and October; and bird-watching as well as canoeing are perfect activities in the area during the wet season from November to mid June.

Tarangire National Park

This is the sixth largest national park after Ruaha, Serengeti, Mikumi, Katavi and Mkomazi in Tanzania. Tarangire National Park is located in the northern circuit of Tanzania and was named after the Tarangire River flowing within the park. The park area is approximately 2,850 sq km. Tarangire River is the centerpiece of this park is the only source of water for wild animals during dry seasons. Similar to Serengeti; the park takes pride in its high concentration of wildlife during the dry seasons as well as the only safari destinations in Tanzania with the largest herds of elephants and Baboons in Africa. Also, over 570 bird species have been identified, and the place is surely a birdwatchers’ paradise.

Arusha National Park

Arusha National Park covers Mount Meru, a prominent volcano and impressive feature which dominates this park. Mount Meru rises up to an elevation of 4566m. The Park is located in the Arusha Region in the north eastern of the country. Although small, Arusha most treasure is its spectacular landscape. The Park lies on a 300-kilometre axis of Africa’s most famous national parks, stretching from Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater in the west to Kilimanjaro National Park in the east. Despite its small size, Arusha National Park boasts a rich variety of wildlife. Common mammals include zebra, warthog, giraffe, buffalo, the black-and-white colobus monkey, the blue monkey, etc. Flamingos are also seen in huge congregations on the Momella lakes. Arusha National Park is one of the best destinations in Tanzania for walking safaris.

Gombe Stream National Park

Gombe Stream National Park is situated in the north western region of Tanzania, and lies about 16km north of Kigoma. Covering an area of 52 sq km, it is Tanzania smallest park but surprisingly one of the most destinations for chimpanzees tracking in the country. (This is one of the few remaining places where they can be found in their natural habitat). Due to the park being heavily forested, large game is not common in this area, but a number of other primate species such as the red colobus, red-tail and blue monkey, grey duiker, bushbuck and bush pig as well numerous species of bird including trumpter hornbills, Rooss turaco, crowned eagle, secretary bird and narrow tailed starling to mention a few.

Rubondo Island National Park

Located on the south-west shores of Lake Victoria, the park boasts a rich and diverse variety of butterflies and bird life, easily viewable from the lake shore. The rare Sitatunga, an extremely endangered amphibious antelope, can sometimes be viewed escaping charging predators by hiding and camouflaging itself in the lake shore marshes. Expect to see lions, elephants, hippos, Zebras, Flamingos, Jackals, Rhinos, antelopes, and many birds and other species. A visit to Rubondo Island National Park offers visitors a break from game viewing in the tranquil peace of a lake shore setting.

Kitulo National Park

Kitulo, which has recently become a fully protected National Park, is situated on the Kitulo Plateau, forming part of Tanzania’s Southern Highlands. It is understood that the area, which is known locally as the “God’s Garden,” is home for a wide multiplicity of wildflowers such as irises, bell flowers, balsams, honey-peas, lilies and orchids. lake manyara, serengeti, tarangire, ngorongoro tanzania national park

Amani Nature Reserve

Amani Nature Reserve is located at the Base of the Central Usambara Mountains well off the beaten path of the usual safari circuit. The Reserve presents a thrilling opportunity to view the flora and fauna of the area. For the aspiring African botanist, Amani Nature Reserve’s incredible diversity of plant life between 600 to 1,000 different species is sure to attract.

Lukwika-Lumesule Game Reserve

Lukwika-Lumesule Game Reserve attracts visitors for only six months of the year so that the hunting season from July to December can accommodate private hunting safaris. The reserve adjoins the Niassa Reserve in northern Mozambique and although wildlife ranges freely through the Ruvuma River that separates the two, there are no bridges or border crossings for visitors.