Tanzania is a captivating country in East Africa known for its stunning landscapes rich in culture and incredible wildlife and it’s a popular destination for adventure seekers ,wildlife lovers and anyone interested in exploring diverse ecosystems and cultural heritage, is an over view of Tanzania.
Its also a country of contrast form the vast plains of the Serengeti to the topical beaches of Zanzibar ,Tanzania offers a range of landscapes such as Mount Kilimanjaro, Great rift valley ,Zanzibar Archipelago among others.
It has a number of national parks such as Serengeti National Park, Ngorongoro National Park,Tangier National Park, Selous game reserve,Ruinsori Mountains among others .So let’s dive into their details .
Serengeti national park
This is a UNECSO World Heritage site famous for the great migration of wild beast, zebras, and gazelles which attract millions of animals and tourists around the world.It is located in Northern Tanzania East Africa and it covers approximately an area of 14750 square kilometers and is part of the sernegti ecosystem which is alos included in Ngorongoro conservation area and the Masai National reserve in kenya.It is incredible for wildlife specatcles on earth each year about millions of the wildebesat ,zebras and gazelles migrate across the park and into kenya masai mara in search of greener pastures .This migration is drive by the seasonal rains and is followed by predators such as lions ,cheetahs and crocodiles and also the big five ,hyenas ,baboons and munerous species of antelope ,birds and reptiles .
Serengeti is famous for its vast open plains savannah woodland ,and riverine forests which makes it an ideal habitat for large herbivoers and preators and the Seronera river is a major feature providing water for wildlife during the dry season , park has tropical climate with distinct wet and dry seasons . The park is a safari destination with various acitvites like game drives ,ballon safaris and walking safaris offered to visitors luxury lodges and tended camps provide and immersive experience into the African wildlderness. Serengeti has long been a focus of wildlife conservation and efforts are on going to protect its unique ecosystem and endangered species including the rhinocerous and cheetah .
The best time to visit the Serengeti National Park .
The park experinces the tropical type of climate and its in the dry and the wet seaosns.The dry seasons are in the months of June to October and wildlife viewing and the dry season is considered the peak time for wildlife viewing as animals gather around remaining water sources making them easier to spot and its whne the iconic great migration is as ts peak with herds crossing the Mara river and other areas ,the weather is bright blue skies and comfortable temperatures.Then between the months of January to February they are the wet months and they have fewer crowds with fewer tourists ,lsuh vegetation and considerations and the northern Serengeti is known for its Mara river crossings during the migration
Ngorongoro Crater
A geological marvel and a UNESCO World Heritage site and it’s often called Africa’s Garden of Eden because it’s diverse wildlife including elephants, lions and black rhinos.It is a large volavnis eruption made out of eruption a large volcanic beauty and incredible biodiversity and here are some key facts about the crater .The crater was formed millions of years ago when a massive volcano erupted and collapsed creating a bowl shaped depression and its considered the wolrds largest intact caldera .Its a home to vast array of wildlife including the big five ,is often one of the best places in the World to spot these animals as the wildlife is concentrated in a relatively small area .
Why visit Ngorongoro Crater
The crater has a lot of things to see though they are less to do but they are the most valuable ones and also has a lot of animals that don’t leave but are only found there which are captivating to see and watch and also one gets to see as why its named the Garden of Eden of the wildlife for its biodiversity
Tarangire national Park
Famous for large herds of elephants and distinctive baobab trees, Tangier offers excellent game viewing especially in the dry season .Its one of the diverse natural beautiful national parks known for elephant population and stunning landscapes and heres an o ver view of a unique destination.It is located in Northern Tanzania about 120kilometrs southwest of Arusha and its part of the popular northern safari cicurit and the park ssituated in a semi arid region between the Ngorongoro crater and lake Manyara .The park covers an area of about 2,850 kilometrs about 1,100 square miles making it a relatively large park in Tanzania . Tthe park is famous for its herds of elephants living in the park during the dry season .Te park is also known for its ancient massive baobab trees which add to the dramatic landscape and provide shade for the elephnats . The park not only has eleplahnts but also lions ,leopards and cheetahs although its hard to spot them ,giraffes ,zebras ,buffaloes and wildbeast plus the park also has a number of bird species over 500 species making it’s a bird watchers paradise and greater kudu ,impala ,water bucks and a number of antelope species .The seasonal variation of Tarangires landscape changes dramatically between the wet and the dry seaosns ,during the dry season of June to October animals gather around the Tarangire river which is one of the few water sources in the region making it a fantastic time for gaem viewing .The wet season between the months of November to maytransforms the park into a lush and green haven with migratory birds though game viewing can less concentrated .Th e park features diveres landscapes including savannah ,acaia woodlnads ,swamps and riverine forests .The park has a number of activities and the most common way to explore Tarangire and visitors can enjoy guided torus through different areas of the park looking for wildlife in various habitats .offering the walking safaris in some areas for those who want a more immensive experience ,hot ari balloon safaris are also suitable for a unique bird eye view of the park and its wildlife .Tarangire is part of the greater Manyara ecosystem which helps to maintain the movement of wildlife between several pretected areas including the Lake Manyara and the Ngorngoro Conservation area.
Why Visit Tarangire
There are various reasons as to why oe would like to visit Tarangire and amongst them include Elephant sightings where incaes one wants to see he large herds of elephants this is one of the best places to visit in Africa.The off beaten path which is the populars park its less crowded than some other parks like Serengeti and ngorongor offering a more peaceful experience and the scenetic beauty which is the icnonic baobab trees and stunning river valley make it a picturesque for safari photography offering an unforgettable experience with rich wildlife ad beautiful landscapes and it’s a must see for anyone looking to explore Tanzania natural beauty .
Where to stay at Tarangire National Park .
Tarangire has a variety of accomodations whre one can stay ranging form mid range ,average and also luxury each listed down according to the prefernces and likings of the people ,some are found inside the park and the rest are found outside and also not forgetting the rustic camp sites .First on the list is the Tarangire Treetops and it’s a luxury lodge sitated just outside the park ,its stuning views over the park and surrounding wildferness ,its unique rooms are elevated above the gorund giving guets the feeling of staing in the tree tops as its name .It has provate decks ,large rooms with excellent gaem viewing and a fantastic swimming pool another one is calles the Sanctuayr Swala located within the park ,its high end camp wildlife experinces with a relaxing pool and luxurious tented suites with outoodr showers ,known for its intimate atmosphere and great game viewing Olivers camp offers an authemntic safari experience with the comfort of high end accomodtions beautifully designed tents ,fantastic service and access to private wildlife viewing areas and it’s a pefect for those seeking a more remote .The mid range ones include Traangire Safari lodge which is just outside the park ,offering the combination of bungalows and tented rooms and it’s the great option for those who want comfort without the extreme luxury ,large comfortable rooms a restaurant with views of the park a swimming pool and proximity to the park entrance for easy game drives ,Kikoti Safari Camp situated outside Tarangire is an excellent mid range option with beautiful views and a more authentic safari feel with great game viewing and a more intimate atmosphere .Oliver camp a fantastic option for guests looking for a comfortable yet slighlity more affordable stay ,offers an excellne tsafari experience with personalised service and wildlife access .It has tents with private verandas ,a pool and a more feel compared to larger lodges .Then the budget friendly budget lodges include Public campistes in Tarangire is inside the park and also Tarangire Campsite found outside the park both offering the rugged safari .Then the eco friendly and Uniue stays first is the Baobab tented camp situated in the Tarangire National Park and the Lake Burunge Tented Camp .
Selous game drive
One of the largest reserves in Africa this less visited area offers a more tranquil safari experience and is home to lions, elephants, hippos and crocodiles.It is now officially known as Nyerere National Park and is one of the largest and most biodiverse conservation areas in Tanzania offering an incredible wildlife experience and it’s a UNESCO World Heritge Site located in the Southern part of the country .The park was renamed in honour of Fredrick Courteney Selous a british explorer and hunter who contributed significantly to the exploration of E ast Africa.The park spans over 50,000 square kilometers making it one of the largest eserves in Africa and it near Lke Rufiji and is part of the Selous ecpsystem that included other protected areas like Rufiji River basin.The park is a home to a wide variety of wildlife including the big five ,rhinos are rare ,famous for its large populations of elpehnats and wild dogs and its one of the best places to see these animals in their natural abita .The park is also a birdwatchers paradies with over 400 species of birds including both resident and migratory .The Rufiji river is lifeblood of the park flowing through its heart and providing a vital water source for wildlife particulary in the dry season ,the river is known for its hippos and crocodiles as weel as its breathtaking scenic beauty ,boat safris along the Rufiji river provde a uniqe perspective of wildlife allowing visitors to see naimals form the water and explore the parks wetalnds and islands .
The activites that are done at the park and why visit Selous National Park .The park has a lot of activites which are many and they are as follows in detail.Amongst the very many first on the list has to be game drives where one can explore the parks diverse landscapes and wildlife ,they are conducted in open 4×4 vehicles with experienced guides .Walking safaris is also another activity that is worthy to mention and also in camps in the park offers this activity giving you the chance to explore the bush on foot with a guide learning about the folra and fauna up close and enjoy .Boat cruise is among the many activites that one can get to do at the Selous game drive and it helps one to get closer look ta the hippos ,crocodiles and an array of bird species and it’s a sceric way to enjoy the park s wildlife and beautiful landscapes .
Where to stay at Selous game drive
There are a range of accommodation optins within or near the reserve from luxury lodges to tented camps ,most of which offer guided game drives led by experienced rangers who are knowledgeable about the areas wildlife and ecosystems .
Tips for a game drive in Selous
Bring binoculars for bird watching and animal sightings ,wear neutral coloured clothing to blend into the environment .pack a sunscreen ,a hat and plenty of water as it can get quite hot and most of all stay quite and respectful when observing animals to avoid disturbing them .
Lake Tanganyika
Afresh water lake home to various species of fish and primates including chimpanzees making it an excellent location for both water based activates and wildlife observation.
Inconculsion
Tanzania is a cultural melting pot with over 120 ethnic groups living across the country some of the most notable groups include the Masai ,Zanzibar ,Arabs and Chagga and Sukuma ,Each group has its own language , traditions and customs though Swahili is the national language among the very many indigenous ones .Tanzania is an exceptional destination for those seeking natural beauty rich culture and unforgettable adventures whether you’re going one thrilling safari ,relaxing on a beach in Zanzibar or climbing mount Kilimanjaro the country variety of experiences will leave your life long memoirs .
