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Tanzania National
Parks Information
Northern Tanzania National Parks
Serengeti National Park
Ngorongoro
National Park
Lake Manyara
National Park
Tarangire
National Park
Kilimanjaro
National Park
Arusha National
Park
Mkomazi Game
Reserve
Southern Tanzania National Parks
Selous Game
Reserve
Mikumi National
Park
Ruaha National
Park
Udzungwa
Mountains National Park
Saadani National
Park
Western Tanzania National Parks
Mahale National Park
Gombe Stream
Natinal Park
Rubondo Islands
National Park
Katavi National
Park
Serengeti National Park
The park covers 14,763 sq km of endless rolling plains, which reach
up to the Kenyan border and extends almost to Lake Victoria. The
park is teaming with stunning wildlife - it is thought that over 3
million large mammals roam the plains. In May or early June you can
witness the annual migration of millions of zebra and wildebeest in
search of water and forage as the seasons change.
Activites and Special Interests: Bird watching, photography,
walking safaris, and ballooning with Serengeti Balloon Safaris.
Wildlife:Large herds of antelope of all sorts including:
Patterson's eland, Klipspringer, Dikdik, impala, Zebra, gazelles,
water, bush and reed buck, topi, kongoni, cotton's oribi, grey bush
duiker, roan antelope buffalo, and wildebeest. Plus: lion, leopard,
cheetah, hyena, bat eared fox, hunting dog and jackal. Smaller
mammals: spring hare, porcupine, warthog, hyraxes, baboon, vervet
monkey, colobus monkey, patas monkey, and mongooses. Larger mammals:
giraffe, rhino, elephant, hippopotamus. Nearly 500 species of bird,
including vultures, storks, flamingoes, martial and fish eagles,
ostrich. Reptiles: crocodiles, a number of species of snakes and
lizards
Accommodation: There are a number of lodges and camps to stay at in
the Serengeti. Lodges: Seronera Wildlife Lodge, Lobo Wildlife Lodge,
Ndutu Safari Lodge (near Olduvai Gorge) Serengeti Serena Lodge, and
Serengeti Sopa Lodge. Camps: Kijesereshi Tented lodge just outside
the camp south of Nsabaaka Gate (north west of the Park) and
Migration camp around the Lobo area. There are public camp sites
(very basic some without even water), 6 special camp sites and 12
wilderness camp sites.
Ngorongoro
Crater/ Conservation Area
The
park is located between the Serengeti and Lake Manyara. It is home
to the famous volcanic Ngorongoro crater which is the largest
unbroken caldera in the world. The crater (610 metres deep and 260
km squared) is a microcosm of East African scenery and game and is
usually visited on the way back from the Serengeti to Arusha. Scenic
grandeur and stunning views are the hallmark of this wonder of the
world. All the lodges are built high on the crater rim and afford
amazing views over and into the crater - the perfect setting for a
well deserved sundowner.
Activites and Special Interests:Archeologists will be
interested in Olduvai Gorge which is in the Conservation Area and
where it is possible to see the famous discoveries of remains of
early Man by Mary and Louis Leakey. However most of the activity is
within the crater which is popular for bird watching, photography,
walking safaris, and game viewing from a vehicle (4 wheel drive).
Wildlife: There are 25,000 larger animals within the crater
itself, mostly Zebra and wildebeest. However, this is undoubtedly
the best place to see black rhino in Tanzania as well as prides of
lion that include the magnificent black-maned males. There are lots
of colourful flamingoes and a variety of other water birds around
the soda lake on the crater floor. More than a 100 species of bird
not found in the Serengeti have been found in the crater. Other
game: leopard, cheetah, hyena, elephants, warthog, impala, buffalo,
hartebeest, eland and lots of other members of the antelope family
and smaller mammals of sorts.
Accommodation: There are a number of lodges and camps to stay
at on the rim of the Crater. Lodges: Ngorongoro Wildlife Lodge,
Ngorongoro Sopa Lodge and Ngorongoro Serena. Camps: Most campers
stay at Simba site.
Kilimanjaro National Park
Kilimanjaro National Park covers an area above the 8,850 feet, or
2,700 meters, on the mountain. This includes the moorland and
highland zones, Shira Plateau, Kibo and Mawenzi peaks. In addition,
the Park has six corridors or rights of way through the Kilimanjaro
Forest Reserve. The Forest Reserve, which is also a Game Reserve,
was established in 1921; the Park was established in 1973 and was
officially opened in 1977.
Kilimanjaro stands a scant 205 miles south of the equator, on the
northern boundary of Tanzania. Its great size and height strongly
influence the climate, vegetation, animal life and the climbing
conditions. It is made up of three extinct volcanoes: Kibo 19,340
feet (5,895 meters), Mawenzi 16,896 feet (5,149 meters); and Shira
13,000 feet (3,962 meters). Even though it is possible to climb
throughout the year, January, February and September are the best
months, with July, August, November and December also being good.
The rainiest period is March to June. Most months of the year have
very little rainfall and this makes it possible to climb throughout
the year. Visibility can be limited by cloud cover even during Rainy
Season (March to May). Even with rains its usually warm. The Winter
Season (Tropical Style) begins in late June to July can and early
August and can be very cold at night, but usually is clear of
clouds. There is a short rainy period during October and Late
December (usually during the Christmas and New Year period. January
and February are dry, hot (temperatues up to 35 degrees) and clear
which make for good climbing conditions.
Equatorial to arctic conditions are present on Kilimanjaro. The
range begins with the warm, dry plains with average temperatures of
850F, ascends through a wide belt of wet tropical forest, through
zones with generally decreasing temperatures and rainfall, to the
summit where there is permanent ice and below freezing temperatures.
The summit can be totally clear and the successful climber looks
down on a sea of clouds with distant mountain peaks sticking out.
Tarangire National Park
With an area of 2600km², Tarangire is far from being the biggest of
the Tanzanian parks, but its unrivalled landscape of open plains,
dotted with thousands of baobabs, is unforgettable. About 120km
south of Arusha on the Dodoma road, Tarangire rivals the Serengeti
for the size of the game herds that congregate here at peak season
(June to November).
This is when many of the animals crowd around the only source of
permanent water in the park, the Tarangire River. This is also the
best place in Tanzania to see really big herds of elephant - up to
300 at a time. Tarangire is another park known for its tree-climbing
lions, and for its very big herds of buffalo. This is one of
Africa's little-known gems and should be on the itinerary of all
lovers of wilderness and solitude. The game numbers are staggering:
About 30 000 zebra, 25 000 wildebeest, 5 000 buffalo, 3 000
elephant, 2 500 Maasai giraffe and over 1 000 fringe-eared Oryx
(gemsbok). Predators include lion, cheetah and leopard, and birders
tend to look out for the endemic ashy starling, rufous-tailed weaver
and black-collared lovebird.
Mkomazi Game Reserve
Mkomazi Game Reserve is located in north-eastern Tanzania, on the
Kenyan border.The park is situated right next to Tsavo National Park
and in the wet season, large migratory herds of elephant, oryx and
zebra wander through the parks. The 1262km² reserve is predominantly
dry and supports savannah vegetation which is also home to the "big
five" (lion, elephant, buffalo, rhino and leopard.)
The
park boasts 78 kinds of mammals and over 400 bird species. The
endangered wild dog or African wild dog has also been introduced to
the reserve.
Selous Game Reserve.
The largest game reserve in Africa - 4 times the size of the
Serengeti. It possesses a diverse landscape from hot volcanic
springs, sporadic lakes, channels from the Great Rhaha and Rufiji
rivers. Walking is permitted (with an armed ranger) which with over
350 species of bird and 2,000 species of plants to see makes this
the most heavenly sanctuary to explore.
Activites and Special Interests:Take a cable car across
Stieglers Gorge (100 metres deep and 100 metres wide); bird
watching; photography; walking safaris; and fishing Tiger Fish,
vandu (in the rivers of the Kilombero Game Controlled Area to the
west of the reserve). boat safari in Rufiji River
Wildlife: Selous is famous for its elephant, hippopotamus and
rhino (although now few remain). The park has a broad range of game:
buffalo - the largest population in Africa; Nyasaland gnu; brindled
gnu; hartebeest; Greater Kudu; sable antelope; eland; reedbuck;
bushbuck; waterbuck; warthog; zebras; giraffe; and wildebeest. Also:
lion, leopard, the spotted hyeana and hunting dog are in abundance;
cheetah are rare; there are over 350 species of bird and reptiles
such as crocodiles and various snakes and lizards.
Accommodation: Mainly based in the north of the reserve. Stay
in the either the Island Mbuyini luxury tented camp, Richard Bonhams,
the Sand River Selous, the Mbuyu camp, or the Rufiji River Camp.
Game drives by vehicle, boat trips, and long and short walking
safaris into the reserve may be made from these camps and lodges.
Lake Manyara National Park
This is one of the most diverse of Tanzania's national parks, a tiny
(325km²) combination of Rift Valley Lake, dense woodlands and steep
mountainside. Manyara was established specifically to protect the
elephant herds that have made the area world-renowned. But heavy
poaching in the 1970s and 1980s decimated the herds, although they
are now recovering and returning to their former strengths.
Manyara is a birding paradise (more than 380 species), especially
for waterfowl and migrants, and the forests are one of the best
places to see leopards. Lions hunt on the grassy shores of the lake,
and are known for their habit of climbing trees. Best game viewing
months are December to February and May to July, tapering off in
August and September.
Arusha National Park
Arusha National Park lies within the Ngurdoto Crater, a volcano that
has probably been extinct for a quarter of a million years. Covering
137km², the terrain ranges from open savannah through acacia
scrublands to Afro-montane cloud and rain forest, and Afro-Alpine
vegetation similar to Mount Kilimanjaro. There are several alkaline
lakes, and the spectacular Ngurdoto Crater is unmissable.
Mammal species include elephant, buffalo, various primates, giraffe
and leopard. Hiking is allowed if accompanied by an armed guard, and
the climb up Mount Meru is superb, often giving the best views
available of Mount Kilimanjaro.
Mikumi National Park
This park, 1300 square kilometres in area, offers a chance to see
lion, zebra, hippo, leopard, cheetah, giraffe, impala, wildebeest
and warthog. A popular spot for visitors is the Kikaboga Hippo Pool.
Although December to March is the ideal time for viewing at Mikumi,
there are animals throughout the year.
Ruaha National Park
At
12 950km², Ruaha is only marginally smaller than the Serengeti, and
is pristine and untouched Africa, unsullied by minibus tourism and
large lodges with electric lights, discotheques and glitzy curio
shops. Infested with tsetse fly, Ruaha is bordered in the north by
the Kizigio and Rungwa River Game Reserves, and together they form a
26 500km² conservancy, one of the biggest in East Africa.
By road, it is a five-hour journey from Iringa, but there is also an
airstrip at Msembe for fly-in safaris. The best months to visit are
from July to November when the animals congregate around the water
holes, but the park is stunning all year round.
Ruaha is visually a treat, with rocky outcrops and mountain ranges
giving it a topography that ranges from 750m to 1 900m on the Peak
of Ikungu Mountain, and the focal point of the reserve is the Great
Ruaha River, with its deep gorges, swirling rapids - and excellent
fishing. With over 10 000 elephant, 30 000 buffalo, 20 000 zebra and
huge populations of lion and leopard (not to mention more than 400
bird species) Ruaha is a naturalist's paradise.
Udzungwa National Park
The Udzungwa rainforest is a remnant of the ancient Eastern arc
rainforest that stretched along the eastern rift. It has
similarities with forests in Madagascar and West Africa. However,
Madagascar split from the mainland 165 million years ago and the
Udzungwa forests have remained isolated from those in West Africa
for the last 5 million years so that there exists a high degree of
endemism with 25% of the plant species unique, 4 species of endemic
primate, and several recently discovered endemic bird species.
This is the most recently gazetted of the National Parks. Due to the
taboos of traditional beliefs, the mountains have remained untouched
for thousands of years so many endemic species of both mammal and
bird have evolved and thrived. The mountains are swathed in a unique
and fascinating rainforest, home to a huge biodiversity with 10
species of primate, including the endemic 'Sanje Crested' Mangabey,
the Hehe Red Colobus, 2 new species of Bushbaby and several recently
dicovered species of birds.
Saadani National Park
(Where the bush meets the beach)
Tanzania's most recently gazetted national park, Sadani has the
potential to offer visitors to Zanzibar an easy safari option. It is
also the only park that has the potential to offer beautiful beaches
and safari in one location. At present however, Sadani has poor
access, a shortage of game and a dirth of decent accommodation.
Saadani is highly recommended for campers.
The best accommodation is at A TENT WITH A VIEW SAFARI CAMP
Mahale National Park
Mahale National Park is half way up Lake Tanganyika and below Gombe
Stream National Park (see map). It was created to protect 1,000's of
chimpanzees and is set in the Mahale mountains which are stunning.
It is reknowned for fantastic sunsets over Lake Tanganyika and
Eastern Zaire which makes it an essential stop for the keen
photographer. The habitat combines rain forest, grasslands, alpine
bamboo and woodland. The best time to visit is between May and
October.
Activites and Special Interests: Climbing; snorkelling to
observe the 90 species of cichlid and other fish in Lake Tanganyika;
photography; walking safaris.
Wildlife: 50 species of animal have been noted in the park
predominantly from the monkey family: chimpanzees, yellow baboon,
Sykes monkeys, red tailed, savannah, colobus monkeys (both red and
black & white) and 2 species of galago.
Accommodation: Stay in the luxurious Kativi tented camp.
There are also tour operators who provide full board package tours
to Mahale Mountains National Park - Some have Luxury Tented Camps
Gombe Stream National Park:
The park is on Lake Tanganyika, near the Burundi border. Gombe was
created to protect 1,000's of chimpanzees and is set in the stunning
Mahale mountains. It is reknowned for fantastic sunsets over Lake
Tanganyika and Eastern Zaire which makes it an essential stop for
the keen photographer. It is also known of Jane Godall's fame in
Chimpanzee research. Its habitat combines rain forest, grasslands,
alpine bamboo and woodland. The best time to visit is between May
and October.
Activites and Special Interests: Boat safaris, Climbing;
snorkelling to observe the 90 species of cichlid and other fish in
Lake Tanganyika; photography; chimpanzee and walking safaris.
Wildlife: 50 species of animal have been noted in the park
predominantly from the monkey family: chimpanzees, yellow baboon,
Sykes monkeys, red tailed, savannah, colobus monkeys (both red and
black & white) and 2 species of galago.
Rubondo Islands National Park
The Rubondo island is consist of 80 % of dense forest. The rest of
the vegetation is papyrus swamps, open grassland, stony and sandy
beaches. A broad line of open water with a very rich fish population
belongs to the park as well. The coastline has a magnificent
diversity of trees and bushes.
Two groups of animals are found here; Parts of the first group are
smaller antelopes such as sitatunga and bushbuck, vervet monkeys,
small carnivores, hippos, crocodiles, reptiles and birds. Released
on the island were elephants, rhinos, giraffes, roan antelopes,
colobus monkeys and chimpanzees. Most of the rhinos and the roan
antelopes, brought in from Serengeti, have vanished because of
poaching etc. All of the other new species have been able to
maintain themselves in the new environment.
Easily accessible are bushbucks, sitatungas, vervet monkeys and
monitor lizards, while going by boat offers a view of hippos,
crocodiles and otters. There are between 25 and 30 elephants. The
giraffes and the colobus monkeys live in a rather restricted area in
the southern part. All carnivores (cats, mongooses) are nocturnal.
So far, more than 200 different bird species have been recorded.
Facts: Position (National park headquarters): 2°18' south /
31°51 east. Surface 450 square kilometres, comprising the main
island (240 square kilometres) and 11 small neighbouring islands.
Extension north south: 28 km, width 3 - 10 km. Height 1135 - 1485
metres. Status of National park since 1977. Prior to this date, the
island was a sparsely populated forestry reserve with a hunting ban.
Only National park in lake Victoria. The sweet water lake covers an
area of 68'000 square kilometres and is the largest lake of the
continent. The island hosts species of central and western Africa
which are unknown elsewhere in Tanzania. Main conservation aspect:
illegal fishing activities within the National parks boundaries.
Katavi National Park
The
Katavi National Park, is about 40 kilometers south east of Mpanda
town, at the foot of the Mlele escarpment, was established in 1974
covering an area of 2253 square kilometers. Despite of being
dissected by the Mpanda - Sumbawanga road, it is considered by many
as difficult to reach, that makes Katavi one of the unspoiled and
beautiful national parks with variety of game life in Africa. The
main vegetation in the Katavi National Park is miombo woodland,
acacia parkland, grassland plain and swamps around the River Katuma,
which joins Lake Katavi and Lake Chada.The
dry
season is the best time to visit especially by light aircraft or by
road.
Dry Season: May to October and mid-December to February are the dry
months. Rainy Season: the long rains are from March to May, which
makes the road impassable. Temperature range between 15° C at night
and 35° C during the hottest hours.
Activites and Special Interests: The lakes (Katavi and
Chada) which are joined by the River Katuma give an excellent
attraction to the visitors. Bird Watching around lakes and swamps
provide the safest breeding ground for the birds, over 400 species
of birds have been recorded in Katavi National Park, among others
are pelicans, Water fowl, and Flocks of open-billed storks, which
are easily observed. the park has one of the largest undisturbed
herds of buffalo in Tanzania, hippos, crocodiles and other sorts of
reptiles. Other animals include lions, leopards, roan and sable
antelopes, reedbuck, topi, eland, zebra and elephants, all are
visible during the safari. The Katasunga plains, is much more of
attraction occupied with thousands of antelope, zebra, giraffe, topi,
hartebeest and Defassa waterbuck.
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