Tanzania Safari, On The Wild Side
TANZANIA
Tanzania borders Kenya to the north, Rwanda, Burundi, and the Democratic Republic of Congo to the west, and Zambia, Malawi and Mozambique to the south, and is the largest country in East Africa (943,000 sq km), comprising both the mainland and the Zanzibar Archipelago.
A large central plateau makes up most of the mainland (at between 900m and 1800m) and the mountain ranges of the Eastern Arc and the Southern and Northern Highlands cut across the country to form part of the Great Rift Valley.
A land of geographical extremes, Tanzania has the highest peak – Mount Kilimanjaro, the lowest point – the lakebed of Lake Tanganyika, and the largest lake – Lake Victoria, on the continent. With such a perfect Location, perched on the edge of the African continent, and facing the Indian Ocean, Tanzania’s weather and climate leaves nothing to be desired.
The country’s borders hold a vast number of people and tribes whose varied cultures and traditions make up the rich tapestry that is Tanzanian culture.
Although Tanzania is a country rich in culture and traditions, it’s history is also one of treasured heritage and pride. From the early days of mankind's history, man has called the land of Tanzania home - its verdant mountains, its scrubland plains.
Tanzanians enjoy a climate of freedom and peace in their daily lives, and value community and togetherness very highly. Religion is an expression of community and culture, and one that binds all the citizens to their country. Tanzanians practice Christianity, Islam, and traditional African religions in tolerance and understanding.
LAKE MANYARA NATIONAL PARK:
Location: 130KM west of Arusha
Best time to visit: Dry season (July-October) for large mammals; wet season (November-June) for bird watching, the waterfalls and canoeing. Size: 325 km² (of which about 230 km² Is the lake)
Sights: Lake Manyara NP is in base of the Great Rift Valley escarpment and comprises of forest, woodland, grasslands, and swamps. Wildlife to be spotted include Tree climbing Lions, Baboons, Buffalo, Zebra, Hippos, giraffe; Wildebeest, and over 350 species of bird, storks and flamingoes.
NGORONGORO CRATER:
The Conservation area is a fine blend of landscapes, people, wildlife and Africa's main archaeological site, lying in the north of country and merging into the Serengeti Game Reserve. The Ngorongoro Crater is regarded as a natural wonder of the world (the 8th) and has been declared a World Heritage Site. It is the largest intact crater in the world, being 610 meters deep, 16 kms across and covering an area of 540 sq kms. It is teaming with wildlife, with virtually all the big game species found here, including, zebra, wildebeest, black rhino, antelope, elephants, giraffe, buffalo, lion, cheetah, leopard. The area is also an ornithologists' paradise, with the thousands of flamingos wading in the shallows of Lake Magadi and hundreds of other species of birdlife.
The famous volcanic Ngorongoro crater is the largest unbroken caldera in the world. There are 25,000 larger animals within the crater including Zebra and wildebeest, lion, leopard, cheetah, hyena, elephants, warthog, impala, buffalo, hartebeest, eland and smaller mammals of sorts.
SERENGETI NATIONAL PARK:
Tanzania's oldest park, located in the North, covering an area of over 14,760 sq, the Serengeti is the country's most popular and famous park. "Serengeti" is a Maasai word meaning "endless plain", very apt, as the park consists of flat, treeless plains stretching as far as the eye can see, one of the highest concentration game sites in Africa.
Virtually every game species in Africa can be found here.
LUSHOTO:
Lushoto is a leafy highland town nestled in a fertile valley at about 1200m. It’s the centre of the western Usambaras and makes an excellent base for hikes into the surrounding hills. It was founded by the German administration and can be reached if turning from the main Dar es Salaam-Moshi road at Mombo.
