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Itineraries | Country Highlights | Photos of Camps & Lodges
COUNTRY HIGHLIGHTS
Boasting over 95,000 square miles of game reserves and parks Tanzania is one of the best game viewing countries in Africa. From Mt. Kilimanjaro - the highest mountain in Africa - to Lake Victoria - the largest lake in Africa - Tanzania has it all. East Africa has been called the cradle of mankind, and visits to the Olduvai Gorge were the Zinjanthropus boisei skull was found can be arranged on one of our tours.
(OCTOBER - MARCH)
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(APRIL - MAY)
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(JUNE - JULY)
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(AUGUST - SEPT)
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LAKE MANYARA NATIONAL PARK - As you approach Lake Manyara National Park, the Rift Valley escarpment looms on the eastern horizon forming an impressive backdrop to the lake. Nestling at the base of the Great Rift Valley escarpment the park is noted for its incredible beauty. The mosaic of the Park's varying habitats is easily seen: the rift wall, the ground water forest, acacia woodlands, open grassland, the lake shore, swamp and the lake itself. Visitors are likely to see lion, often times resting up in the acacia trees, zebra, elephants, waterbuck, hippo, baboon, and a large variety of bird life. The extraordinary birdlife has made this place world-renowned among ornithologists, who come to observe the masses of pink flamingos and birds of prey.
NGORONGORO CRATER - The Ngorongoro Crater, at 2,286 meters above sea level, is the largest unbroken caldera in the world. Millions of years ago, Ngorongoro may have rivaled Kilimanjaro in size, but as its volcanic activity subsided, it collapsed inward, forming a caldera. Surrounded by very steep walls rising 610 meters from the crater floor, this natural amphitheatre covers an area of about 100 square miles, and is home to some 25,000 larger mammals, almost half of them zebra and wildebeest. The Crater is an African paradise and haven for lion, elephant, hyena, gazelle, buffalo, eland, hartebeest, warthog and some of the last remaining rhino in Tanzania. More than 100 species of birds not found in the Serengeti have been spotted here. The Crater's lake is home to thousands of flamingo, which carpet the area with the glow of their pink plumage. Nearby, in the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, is the famous archaeological site, the Olduvai Gorge, allowing the visitor a glimpse into our own past. And the pastoral Masai can be seen tending their herds of cattle, sheep and goats in their colorful and traditional dress. The Crater has been declared a World Heritage Site.
TARANGIRE NATIONAL PARK - Tarangire National Park gets its name from the river that threads its way through the length of the reserve. The Reserve supports a great diversity of wildlife, including giraffe, buffalo, lesser kudu, eland, oryx, zebra and the predators. Unusually large herds of elephant inhabit this sanctuary, while majestic baobab trees dwarf the animals that feed beneath them. Wide panoramas of open acacia woodland and grassy savanna studded with large baobab trees mark Tarangire, a lesser-known scenic gem located in southern Masailand. In the dry season months from June-October, huge herds of elephant and other big game species move peacefully toward the blue gleam of Tarangire's namesake river. Fringe-eared oryx and lesser kudu are among the unique resident species and lions are common. Tarangire is also heralded as a birders paradise. Many of our safaris in this area include tribal village visits and walks in the bush.
SERENGETI NATIONAL PARK - Serengeti means "endless plains" in the Masai language and within its boundaries are more than three million large mammals. The extensive grasslands are interspersed with "Kopjes", islands of rocky outcrops which are home to their own wildlife communities which include leopard and hyrax to name a few. Other common species found here are hippo, giraffe, eland, impala and other antelope, baboons, monkeys and a profusion of almost 500 birds. Largest of Tanzania's national parks, and arguably Africa's premier game park, the Serengeti is the setting for the most awesome wildlife spectacle on earth. Every year, more than two million wildebeest and zebra begin their great circular migration across the open plains and acacia woodlands. Zebras and wildebeest can be seen as far as the eye can see. In their wake follow the predators: lion, cheetah and hunting dogs with vultures circling overhead.
MT. KILIMANJARO - An almost perfectly shaped volcano rising sheer from Tanzania's far north-east plains, Mt Kilimanjaro is one of Africa's most magnificent sights. Snowcapped and not yet extinct, at 5895m (19,335ft) it's the highest peak on the continent. From cultivated farmlands on the lower levels, the mountain rises through lush rainforest to alpine meadow and finally across a barren lunar landscape to the twin summits. The rainforest is home to animals including elephant, buffalo, rhino, leopard and monkey. You may also stumble across herds of eland on the saddle between the summits of Mawenzi and Kibo. It's a travelers dream to scale the summit, watch dawn break and gaze out over a truly great expanse of bushland - but scaling a 5895m monolith is no Sunday school picnic. There is a wide range of organized treks along the Marangu trail.
DAR ES SALAAM - Dar es Salaam boasts one of the finest natural harbors in the world, and while it has therefore become a bustling port and economic center, it remains a place of fascination, with many reminders of its colorful past. Dhows still ply its waters. Dug-outs, filled with fish, bob by the harborside. The city also displays the many influences of its history. Enjoy the hustle and bustle of the Kariakoo Market where fish, fruit, vegetables, traditional medicine, herbs and livestock are traded. The maze of stalls and shops in the bazaar that surrounds the market is also worth exploring. Flights into and out of Zanzibar and the southern parks of Tanzania may well be routed through Dar es Salaam.
RUAHA NATIONAL PARK - Ruaha National Park covers an area of 12,950 sq. kms and is Tanzania's second largest NationalPark. The central spine of the Park is the watershed between the Nzombe and Ruaha rivers, with its dramatic escarpment above which are large stretches of miombo woodland. Below this lie undulating plains with vegetation ranging from dry bush country to treeless grasslands, swamps and evergreen forests intersected by the many sand rivers that are such a feature of this area. Ruaha represents a transition zone where eastern and southern species of flora and fauna overlap and in all some 1,650 plant species and over 450 bird species have been recorded within the park itself.
Ruaha is known for its large elephant and buffalo herds and one of its principal attractions lies in being able to see greater and lesser kudu as well as the majestic sable and roan antelope within the same area. As well as an abundance of lion, leopard and cheetah it is also home to the increasingly rare African Hunting Dog. Ruaha is great all year round with the months from June to November being prime, when the park is driest and the focus of wildlife viewing around the river courses and permanent waterholes.
SELOUS NATIONAL PARK - Selous National Park is the largest wilderness area left in Africa. Characterized by the Rufiji and Ruaha rivers, experience the exclusion and solitude of this wildlife domain. The Game reserve is situated in Southern Tanzania and has an enormous land area (50,000 sq km) making it the largest unexploited wildlife area in this region. It contains some of the largest elephants in Africa as well as great numbers of wildlife of all species. Once you are in the Selous you are in the real Africa bush as it has existed for thousands of years. The reserve contains some of the finest virgin bush left in Africa. It is only in the Selous that one can have game drives, boat and walking safaris together.
MAHALE MOUNTAINS - Two hundred miles down the eastern shores of Lake Tanganyika, near Gombe Stream, where Dr. Jane Goodall continues her research of chimpanzees, is a place so remote that only the most intrepid travelers will ever reach it - Mahale Mountains National Park. Accessible by light aircraft and Tanganyika dhow (no roads or vehicles in the park), it is an exceptionally unspoiled wildlife sanctuary. With mountains rising to a height of 8000 feet, and lush semi-tropical forest, this region is home to roughly 1000 wild chimpanzees. Within a two hour walk from your camp, you are in the awesome presence of these primates, who are totally at ease with your company. Watch them from mere yards away as they groom, wrestle and forage their way across the forest floor. If you tire of the trees, retreat to the lake shore for sun worshipping, swimming, fishing and snorkeling. The gin-clear waters of the lake are inhabited by over 200 species of tropical fish, found only in Lake Tanganyika. Chimpanzee tracking and forest walks can be interspersed with dugout canoeing and stargazing.
TANZANIA COAST & ZANZIBAR - Located on the warm Indian Ocean, the Tanzania Coast offers white sand beaches, hundreds of miles of palm fringed sands, first-class resorts and an array of water sports and fishing activities. The coastal areas are hot and humid with an average daytime temperature of 90 degrees F. Sea breezes make the climate very pleasant from June to September. Ras Kutani is a delightful resort to the south of Dar es Salaam and an ideal extension to a more traditional safari in Tanzania.
STONE TOWN - The old quarter of Zanzibar is known as Stone Town and looks much the same today as it did two centuries ago. It is a place of winding alleys, bustling bazaars, mosques and grand Arabian style stone houses. The houses are known for their extravagant front doors, elaborately carved and studded with brass. The National Museum is a good starting point for finding out more of the history and culture of Zanzibar. Take a stroll through the famous city of Stone Town starting with the hustle and bustle of the market including visits to slave markets, churches, historic buildings and museums. Tours of Zanzibar island are a rewarding experience, with cultural sites and natural beauty forming the basis of your itinerary. You travel past fragrant plantations of cloves, cinnamon, nutmeg and other spices on your way to a variety of places of historical interest. Stone Town provides an ideal base for exploring the natural and historic wonders of the famous spice island of Zanzibar.
ZANZIBAR - Zanzibar lies just off Tanzania's northern coast. The island is 85 kms long and covers an area of 1,464 sq kilometers, just 36 kilometers away from the Tanzanian coast. Zanzibar is a tropical island surrounded by lovely beaches and coral reefs with a spice filled interior. Clove trees grow almost everywhere, perfuming the air and reminding visitors that this was once a great trading center fabled, over the centuries, for spice, timber and slaves. A strong Arab influence prevails and can still be seen in winding streets with whitewashed houses with wooden balconies and brass-studded doors. Enjoy shopping, sightseeing or just relaxing on the beautiful beaches. The perfect place for a few days before or after your safari.
MNEMBA - Surrounded by turquoise waters of the Indian Ocean, Mnemba Island Lodge is a blissfully private tropical island paradise offering the best in barefoot luxury. Just 15 minutes by boat from the main Unguja Island which dominates the Zanzibar Archipelago, Mnemba Island is protected by a tranquil lagoon and boasts spectacular coral reefs. In the dancing dapple of shade and sunlight, 10 secluded cottages nestle within verdant tropical vegetation. Built from natural palm matting, timber ant thatch, the cottages have en-suite bathooms, and a private verandah overlooking the lagoon. Sea breezes waft through the central bar-lounge and the spacious open-plan dining area, where meals of fresh fish and tropical fruit are served. Relaxation is the hallmark at Mnemba, but boating and fishing as well as snorkeling and diving off the coral reefs, are irresistible diversions in this idyllic retreat. There can be no bettrer way to puncuate an East African safari than at this blissful haven, where balmy waters lap the sun-soaked shore.
MAFIA ISLAND - Mafia Island is a paradise for divers, fishermen and water sport lovers. The variety of coral permits an unimaginable quantity of fish: marlin, sailfish, shark, kingfish, barracuda, flying-fish, red mullet, tuna, wahoo and many more. The fishing season is from September to March although fishing is possible all year round within the reef and channel. Scuba diving the pristine coral reefs is about as good as it gets. You might also enjoy an excursion to Jibondo Island to watch the hand-made fabrication of the dhows. There are some sights to see too. A 13th century mosque has been excavated and fragments of Chinese pottery were found among the foundations.
PEMBA ISLAND - North of Zanzibar, Pemba has been famous for centuries for its clove production. Today, the Pemba Channel (2400 feet deep) which separates the island from the continent, has become renowned as Africa's premier place for deep sea fishing. Pemba also has pristine reefs and varied fauna including the great white shark and giant turtles. Take an excursion to the primeval forest of Ngezi and walk through the luxuriant vegetation, with its giant trees, ferns and endemic species. We also suggest a mini bus or motor bike ride along the East coast to visit the archeological sites and to the baobab forest of Micheweni. Do not miss a dhow or pirogue outing to the creeks or small islands and enjoy the veritable feast of lobsters, fish, fruit and spices. |
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