Tanzania vacation of the Best Visited parks
A Tanzania vacation is a circuit of fabulous Safari that takes you via Arusha, the gateway to world famous National parks, to Lake Manayara, climbing the walls of the great rift valley which forms the back drop to the loveliest of soda lakes, a real photographers paradise where flocks of flamingos form a line of shimmering pink stretching miles along the still water, silent families of giraffes, noisy packs of wild dogs. Lions rest on trees 10 to 25 feet above the ground to Ngorongoro Crater rising high above the Serengeti plains, other animals are zebras that roam around waiting for sunset, large herds of elephants and wildebeests
Vultures waiting to clean for lions hunt, unparalleled scenic beauty, good Weather and excellent year-round wildlife viewing, Great Food of the tropical climate, al provide unique and adventurous conserved areas for Tanzania vacation holidays. A very large part of Tanzania is set aside as national parkland – from Serengeti in the north, to Selous in the south, with its long adventures. Geographically, Ngorongoro Crater is protected by nature. Its steep walls create a separate ecosystem with lots of animals and this is because of the protection Ngorongogoro has. – Given the fact that these animals are wild – the best way to see them is by guided tour. A well explained and most adventurous discoveries for this park is to move with a range guide as there are so many animals and one cannot do it by them. No Worries for good and well-built lodges ranging from Luxury to budget and Budget Safari Camping.
To enjoy the vast beauties of Tanzania vacation Ababa Uganda Safaris will reliably with the wide expertise and experienced in handling of tourists tailor your Tanzania Vacation to all the sites in Tanzania in a couple of days which is acceptable to both Visitor and company that suites the budget.
Popular Tanzania vacation Programs
Ababa Uganda Safaris gives an inspiration to all visitors to Tanzania Vacation, together build up a tailor made program that the visitors will love till to the end of the Vacation with a few days of relaxation in Zanzibar beautiful beaches that the visitor will love as well as Kilimanjaro safaris.
The list of Programs arranged to the full list of Tanzania vacation are available on request ranging from 5 days to 24 Days which is customized suits all the wishes of the visitors.
TANZANIA VACATION NORTHERN TOURIST CIRCUIT
ARUSHA TOWN – Arusha town is the gateway city to Tanzania Vacation game sanctuaries of Serengeti, Ngorongoro, Tarangire and Lake Manyara, the oldest towns since 1900 that was formed as a tiny German garrison growing slowly to become the tourist capital of Tanzania with a population of about 450,000 people. It stands 1,540 meters above sea level, and enjoys good climate throughout the year which has favored the green vegetation. The city also forms the famous center of the North
ARUSHA NATIONAL PARK – The closest national park to Arusha town in the northern Tanzania, Arusha National park is a multi-faceted jewel, often overlooked by vacation goers, despite offering the opportunity to explore a beguiling diversity of habitats within a few hours. The park covers an area of 137 sq. km; it’s the smallest and most beautiful in Tanzania. There are four distinctive features of the park that include the Ngurdoto Crater, Momela Lakes, the highland montane forest, and the rugged Mount Meru (4575 m). Mt. Kilimanjaro, towering at 5895 m to the east, can be clearly visible during day from many locations in the park.
MOUNT KILIMANJARO NATIONAL PARK – Mountain Kilimanjaoro is the highest mountain in Africa rising to 5,895 meters above the sea level This is situated in the towns of Moshi in northern Tanzania, the mountain rises from the dry plains, through a wide belt of forest and high alpine heath to almost bare desert and finally snowcapped summit, Uhuru Peak, just 3 degrees south of the Equator. Composed of three extinct volcanoes peaks: Kibo 5895 m (19340 ft.), Mawenzi 5149 m (16896 ft.), and Shira 3962 m (13000 ft.). The ascent of Kilimanjaro can be done from six routes: Mweka, Umbwe, Shira, Rongai, Machame, and the marangu Route which is the easier and the most popular.
LAKE MANYARA NATIONAL PARK – Located 125 km west of Arusha town, under the wall of the Great Rift Valley; this is one of the oldest and most popular sanctuaries in East Africa. It has a large variety of habitats, which makes it possible to support a large number of wildlife in a small area. The habitats in the area include the shallow soda lake which occupies most of the National Park total area of 320 sq. km, the ground water forest, open grassland, acacia woodland and the rift valley wall. The most famous spectacle in the park is the tree-climbing lions, which are often seen along branches of acacia trees. Other animals found in the park include buffalo, elephants, leopards, baboons, impala, Giraffes, zebra, wildebeest, ostrich and hippos. Popularly referred to as an ornithologist’s paradise, Lake Manyara National Park contains over 400 bird species found in most savannah and river habitats in East Africa. Common water birds to be seen here are pelicans, spoonbills, Egyptian geese, hammer kops and the migratory flamingos, which arrive in hundreds of thousands creating Africa’s great natural sights over the soda lake.
TARANGIRE NATIONAL PARK – Situated only 120 km from Arusha, and south East of Lake Manyara National park which is famous for its dense population of various wild animals, it lies on 2,600sq km. The common features of the park include the flood plains and the grassland, mainly comprising of various types of acacia trees, and a few scattered baobabs, tamarind and the sausage trees. It’s second only to Ngorongoro in the concentration of wildlife. Famous animals found in the park include zebras, wildebeest, lions, leopards, waterbucks, giraffe, elephants, gazelles, impala, gerenuk, lesser kudu and the beautiful fringe-eared oryx. There are some tree-climbing python which if one is lucky can spot some. There are about 550 bird species that have been recorded in the Park.
GORONGORO CONSERVATION AREA – This is one of unique described as the 8th wonder of the world. Area is situated 190 km west of Arusha, between Lake Manyara and Serengeti National Parks. The area approximately 8,288 square km, in size consisting of the Ngorongoro Crater Lake, the Olduvai Gorge and Ndutu, the Empakai crater and the Oldonyo Lengai Mountain the active mountain in the area. The Area is multi-purpose land where you find people (the Maasai), their livestock and wildlife coexisting and sharing the same protected habitat. The craters of Ngorongoro and Empakai are reserved exclusively for wildlife, while the rest of the of the Conservation area is shared by wildlife, people and livestock. The Maasai, who are the main residents of Ngorongoro, are pastoralists who move widely with their herds of cattle, sheep, goat and donkeys in search of pasture and water. In recent years the Maasai have been encouraged to work on the land and supplement their traditional diet of milk, blood and meat
SERENGETI NATIONAL PARK – This is the largest National park in Tanzania covers an area of 14,763 sq. km with endless rolling plains. The park is located some 320 km to the northwest of Arusha, lying in a high plateau between the Ngorongoro highlands and the Kenya/ Tanzania border, and extending almost to Lake Victoria to the west. Its has one of the most breath taking events of the year in the animal kingdom millions of wildebeest plunge 40km (25miles) through crocodiles infested waters on the annual exodus North.
The main game drive areas in the Serengeti are the Seronera Valley, the Western Corridor, and Lobo or northern Serengeti. The Seronera valley in central Serengeti endowed with permanent surface water attract a large concentration of wildlife Throughout the year; Animals that are commonly seen here are “Serengeti lions”, buffaloes, impalas, hippos, waterbucks, elephants, cheetahs and the leopard. The best viewing months are from December, when the long rains start, to May. Between May and July, when drought sets in, the migration of thousands of wildebeest heading southwest, north or West in search of water and greener pastures. The Lobo area remains rich in wildlife during the dry months of August to November when most of the game has moved from the grass plains in the south. This is also true of the Western Corridor towards Lake Victoria when the migration usually lingers in the area between June and July, there is no fixed migration timetable, and the animals migrate according to the rainfall patterns.
TANZANIA VACATION COASTAL AND SOUTHERN CIRCUIT
DAR ES SALAAM CITY – Dar es Salaam, meaning The Haven of Peace in Arabic, has one of the best deep natural harbors in the world. From a small Swahili town in the middle of the 19th century, the city has grown into a large metropolitan center. The city population represents 120 tribes of Tanzania who have different cultural backgrounds coming together, alongside the oriental civilizations from the far and Middle East, the Europeans Portuguese who visited in the 16th Century, the Germans and later the British. All this cultures at one time passed through Dar es Salaam. As a commercial capital of Tanzania, which is the main gateway to the reserves of southern Tanzania, that include the Selous and Saadani Game Reserves and the National Parks of Mikumi, Ruaha and Udzungwa Mountains; it is also a connection for travel to the islands of Mafia, Zanzibar and Pemba by sea or air. A city tour of Dar es Salaam will allow you to visit places of interest of the National Museum, Nyerere Cultural Centre, the Village Museum, Mwenge Carvings Market, and the Magogoni Fish Market, among other interesting spots.
BAGAMOYO – This is 75 kilometers north of Dar es Salaam city, it was the once an embarkation port for the slaves from the hinterland, and later the first German colonial capital. It is a place of considerable significance to world history, both as an entry point for Arab, European missionaries, explorers, traders in East, Central Africa, and in the history of the infamous slave trade. Attractions here include: the Kaole ruins dating back to the 12th century thought to mark one of the earliest contacts of Islam with Africa; the Oldest Fort built in 1860 for holding slaves for shipment to Zanzibar; the first Roman Catholic Church in East Africa built around 1868 used as a base to run a camp of about 650 freed slaves; the German colonial administration headquarters, the Boma, in the first capital of German East Africa; the Mission Museum displaying history of Bagamoyo; and the Livingstone Memorial Church among others; Bagamoyo white sand beaches are considered some of the finest on the whole of the East African coast.
SAADANI GAME RESERVE – This is located 130 km north of Dar es Salaam and directly to the west of Zanzibar, Saadani is the only coastal wildlife sanctuary in East Africa, which not only means relaxing on Indian Ocean beaches after each safari, but provides the opportunity to observe Africa’s big game and birdlife interacting with the sea. The Reserve, about 1000 sq. km in size, is being considered for upgrade to the National Park status. Saadani has a diverse population of mammals and birds. Elephant, leopard, lion, buffalo, giraffe, wildebeest, zebra, colobus monkey, hippo, crocodile and the rare Roosevelt sable can be seen here. Saadani offers a choice of a driving safari, nature walk, and boat safari.
MAFIA ISLAND – Its located 120kms south of Dar es Salaam; Mafia is an unspoiled, un commercial, timeless island, where local people go about their traditional businesses apparently completely detached from the outside world. Just a short twenty-minute flight from Dar es Salaam, across the great Rufiji River delta, Mafia is large and flat, with a sandy landscape that is more similar in character to the mainland than to the coral rag of Zanzibar or the hilly fertility of Pemba. The major tourist activities are scuba diving, big game fishing, snorkelling, beach and offshore excursions. Mafia is a paradise for fishermen, divers and waters port lovers. The water is beautifully transparent on Mafia Island, and the variety of the coral permits an unimaginable quantity of fishes.
PANGANI – The name Pangani is derived from the river that runs through northern part of this Historical Town flowing from the slopes of Mt. Kilimanjaro. Located about 50km South from Tanga, it is believed to have been established before the 6th Century BC and played an important role during the slave trade era. It was a trading port dealing mainly with ivory and slaves. Several historical sites in and around the town serve as reminders for the strong Arabic influence and the later German, British colonial era in Tanganyika; Currently Pangani is mainly a fishing town providing beautiful beaches with coconut trees. Someone looking for a quiet vacation and an experience of African culture untouched by modern tourism Pangani would be an answer to that. Places of interest in Pangani: – There is a waterfall at Pangani River that provides electricity for Tanga, Arusha, Moshi and Dar es Salaam.
ZANZIBAR – Set like a jewel in tranquil coral waters, only 20 minutes flight from Dar es Salaam is one of the world’s most beautiful islands – Zanzibar. Its name evokes a romantic past. To the shores of these islands came Sumerians, Assyrians, Hindus, Egyptians, Phoenicians, Arabians, Chinese, Malaysians, and the Portuguese, all sailing in on Monsoon winds. From these shores the great European explorers Burton, Speke, Livingstone, Krapf, Rebman, and Grant set out on their voyages of discovery into the East and Central African hinterland.
Different excursions are arranged while in Zanzibar. These include taking visitors to spices plantations in the countryside where a variety of seasonal spices, tropical fruits and medicinal herbs are grown. Detailed description of the spices is given, and their uses in cooking and cosmetics. Other excursions will include the old slave cave, the prison island, ruins of what was the palace of the Sultan Said, the old slave market and many other historical places.
PEMBA ISLAND – It is located about 80km from Zanzibar Island and about the same distance directly east of Tanga on the Tanzanian mainland. With its hilly landscape the highest point is less than 100 metres above sea level, Pemba is smaller than Unguja. Arab sailors once named Pemba as ’El Huthera”, meaning the Green land, due to her dense and lush vegetation. There are more natural forests and plantations than on Zanzibar Island, and Pemba grows more cloves than her Zanzibar. Pemba is also popular for its voodoo and traditional healers. People come from throughout East Africa seeking cures or to learn the skills of the art from practioners on Pemba. The interesting point about Pemba is its wealth of natural resources ranging from beaches to mangrove ecosystems to natural forests. The coral reefs surrounding the island protect a massive amount of marine species and offer some of the best diving spots in the world. While much of the coast is lined with mangroves, there are a few amazing stretches of shoreline and enough attractive offshore islands with pure, clean beaches and interesting bird-life to keep someone busy for quite a while.
MIKUMI NATIONAL PARK – The park was established to protect the environment; resident animals and also educational center for students of ecology and conservation. It forms the northern border of one of the Africa’s biggest game reserve, Selous, Mikumi National Parks is only 283 km three to four hours’ drive from Dar es Salaam, lying astride the main highway to Zambia, and en route to the National Parks of Ruaha and Udzungwa Mountains. The main features of the park are the Mikumi flood plain, along with the mountain ranges that border the park on two sides. Open grasslands dominate the flood plain, eventually merging with the miombo woodland covering the lower hills. The common animals here include buffaloes, hippos, baboons, sable antelopes, lions, wild dogs, wildebeests, zebras, impalas, giraffe, warthogs, and elephants which can easily be viewed all the year round. Reptiles including crocodiles, monitor lizards and pythons inhabiting the pools; Ruaha National park the Kisigio and Rungwa River games reserves.
SELOUS GAME RESERVE – The Game reserve one of the largest well-watered wildlife sanctuary in Africa, and one of the largest protected areas in the world. Its size is simply stunning, bigger than Switzerland, uninhabited and little touched by human interference it covers an area of about 55,000 sq. km. the game reserve lies on an open grasslands, Acacia and miombo woodlands, swamps and riverine forests in the many tributaries of the mighty Rufiji River which flows through the reserve.
The game reserve has one of the largest wildlife including mammal and reptile populations these are buffaloes, elephants, hippos, wild dogs and crocodiles. Other wildlife found here include the wildebeest, impala, waterbuck, zebra, eland, the greater kudu, sable antelopes, giraffe, baboon, the vervet and blue monkeys, and the black and white colobus monkey seen in reverie forests moving from tree to tree in family groups. Large numbers of lions, leopards, cheetah and the spotted hyena, and about 440 species of birds can also be seen here in the Selous. The Reserve offers a wider variety of game viewing opportunities to visitor who would wish to experience a foot safari through game inhabited bushes in the company of an armed ranger. The many waterways in the Reserve provide an excellent natural setting for boat safaris, both for game viewing and bird watching. The best time to visit the Game Reserve is from June to October. Long rains occur between March and May, and this is the time when some parts the reserve become impassable and are temporarily closed for game drives.
RUAHA NATIONAL PARK – Ruaha National Park covers an area of 10,300sq km, making it the second largest National Park in Tanzania, after Serengeti National Park. The unspoiled park is rich in flora of about 1650 of different plant species and fauna, contains a wide variety of animals including the Greater and Lesser Kudu, Roan and sable antelopes, which are rarely seen in most of the other game parks Tanzania. There are lots of herds of Elephants in the Ruaha National Park is famous which are name famous in the park including buffaloes. The Ruaha River plays an important role in the ecosystem of the park, providing cooling water sanctuary to large schools of hippos and crocodiles. Other animals that can be seen along the river during the dry season are the great quantities of lions, leopard, wild dog, impala, waterbuck, warthog, giraffe, and elands. In the open plains ostriches, cheetahs and Grants Gazelles can be seen. There is rich in bird life throughout the year, with over 380 bird species recorded. The best time for game viewing is during the dry season, from Mid-May to December. During the wet months from January to April bird-watching, lush scenery and wildflowers can be seen here and you will require a good 4×4 drive for the roads here as they become impassable.
TANZANIA VACATION WESTERN TOURIST CIRCUIT
GOMBE STREAM CHIMPANZEE RESERVE – The park is situated 16 km north of Kigoma town in western Tanzania, this is the smallest National Park in Tanzania covering an area of 52 sq. km of land; it a narrow strip of a mountainous country bounded to the east of the Rift Valley escarpment and by Lake Tanganyika to the west. The unique beauty of Gombe enables one to walk and experience nature with all its sense; The Park’s vegetation varies from the evergreen forests of tall trees to open woodlands and grasslands. Common mammals found include forest species, mostly primates like chimpanzees, baboons, blue monkeys, red tailed monkeys and red colobus monkeys. Chimpanzees share about 98% of their genes with humans, and no scientific expertise is required to require distinguishing between the individual repertoires of pants, hoots and screams that define the celebrities.
MAHALE MOUNTAINS NATIONAL PARK – Mahale Mountains National Park lies 120 km south of Kigoma town, on a peninsula that cuts out into Lake Tanganyika. The park has an area of 1,577 sq. km and is dominated by the Mahale Mountains Chain running from north-west across the middle of the park, the highest peak being 2,462 meters above sea level. The park vegetation is mainly Miombo woodland with narrow strips of revering forests; the animal habitat range from different species from elephants, warthogs; giraffes, zebras, roan antelopes, buffaloes, hyenas, wild dogs and lions in the eastern woodland. Chimpanzees, blue monkeys are also mostly found here. There is more than 800 chimpanzees’ population in about 15 communities in the park. Both Gombe Stream National Park and Mahale Mountains National Park provide ornithologists with an outstanding opportunity to view the more than 340 species that have been sighted there. The best time to visit this area is in the month of May to October, there are no roads and all the game viewing is done on foot.