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THE PARKS
NOTHERN CIRCUIT PARKS
The Serengeti National Park is arguably the best know wildlife sanctuary in the world."Serengeti" means "Endless plains" in Maasai language and within its boundaries are more than 3 millions large mammals.About 35 species of plains animals can be seen here including the so-called "BIG FIVE" -Elephant, Rhino Lion,Leopard and buffalo.
Various types of vegetation: grassy plains, savannah with acacias, wooded hills and mountains are the backdrop for an extraordinary concentration of animals which reaches its peak during the wildebeest migration. Almost 1.5 of 1000kms, searching for new pastures and watering-holes
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Best time: for the migration from December to May in the south of the park from June to October to the west (Western Corridor) and to the north.
How to get there: from Arusha, 4 hour drive or 1 hour charter flight
Serengeti Ballon Safaris
Each day, at dawn on the Serengeti Plains, a fortunate few enjoy the Ultimate safaris experience. As the sun rises over Maasai kopjes so the hot air ballon, with its enthralled passengers, also rises.Floating silently over the game, and the stunning scenery, and then, on landing, celebrating with Champagne before sitting down to tradional ' Out of Africa' style breakfast in the bush.
This is probably the most beautiful ballon flight in the world. An experience not to be missed if travelling to Tanzania. The itinerary is designed to fit in with that of the client and his adventure can be booked as part of any safari which includes the Serengeti
To do: at dawn a balloon safari in the park. Two side trips: Lake Natron to the north, at the foot of Ol Donyo Lengai volcano (2 to 3 days roundtrip) with the possibility of undertaking and visiting Lake Victoria, the source of the Nile, to the west (2 to 3 days roundtrip). From Mwanza, the regional capital, a visit to the Rubondo National Park located on an island in the middle of the lake. .
Do not miss: the big cats on the kopjes (huge granite rocks) which dominate the plains. Hundreds of crocodiles in the Grumeti River. The Maasai paintings at Moru Kopjes. while watching the sunsent above the crater.
Ngorongoro Crater standing at 2286m above sea level, is the largest unbroken caldera in the world.Sorrounded by very steep walls rising 610m from the Crater floor, this natural amphitheatre measures about 16-19kms across in diameter and has an area 256sq.km. It is suct a captivating and breathtaking phenomenon. "It is one of the wonders of the world"
On the floor of this Garden of EDEN, which can be reached by 4WD vehicle, roam hundreds of thousands of animals. Elepahnts, Zebra, Buffallo, Wildbeest, Gazelle, Rhino, Velvet monkeys and he ever-hugry predators, including Cheetah, Hyena and black maned Lion can be observed in their natual habitats. More than a hundreds species ofbirds not found in the Serengeti have been spotted here. Ostriches, Kori bustards, secretary birds, crested Crances, Egrets, red billed Ox-peckers and the countless Flamingoes which form a pink over the soda lake.
Getting there: A four drive of one hour flight, from Arusha. A two hous drive from Manyara or Tarangire
Manyara
Nestling at the base of the Great Rift Valley escarpment, Lake Manyara nation Park is one of the most beautiful places in Africa.As you enter the gate, the park is dramatically marked off lush green vegetation constistiting of tall trees of the ground water forest which provided home for troops of Baboons and Blue Monkeys. Further down, the forest opens up into woodlands, grassland, swamps and beyond, the sodalake itself where over 3500 species of birds including the lovely Flaming(Lessr and Greater). Pelican, sacred Ibis, Grebe and Stock can be viewed ( The bird watchers paradise). At the sourthern end of the park are the hot sulphur spings (60 degree centigrade) called Majimoto
The most famous spectable in the park are the tree climbing Lions which spend most of the day spread out along branches of Acacia trees 6 to 7 m above the ground. The park is also noted for its numerous Buffalo, Elephant, Giraffe, Impala, Hipo and great variety of small animals which can be observed in the course of a single day.
Tarangire Nation park is located close to Arusha, 118 away., and gets its name from the river that threads its way through the length of the reserve.
It is famous for its dense wildlife population which is the most spectacular between June and September, the dry period. During this time thousands of animals - wildebeest, zebra, eland, elephant, hartbeest, buffalo and oryx migrate from the dry Maasai steppe tp the Tarangire River looking for water. Lion, Leopard and other predators follow the herds. The national park is also famous for tree climing Pythons and abundant birdlife.
Getting there: A one and half hour drive, or 30 minutes flight from Arusha.
Olduvai
Located within the Ngorongoro Conservation Area is the Olduvai George, 180km from Arusha.It was here that Dr. Louis Leakey discovered the remains of Homo hablis or "Handy Man" regarded asmankind's first step on the ladder of human evalution.Nearby is Laetoli, where the footprints of hominoids (said to be 3,5 million years old) were discovered by Mrs. Leakey in 1979. To the north is the Oldoinyo Lengai (Mountain of God), a living volcano. Around these sites if mans origin teem millions of wild animals.
But many more fossils have been discovered here including thoseof prehistoric elephants, giant horned sheep and enormous ostriches. Guides operate lecture tours of the sites
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COASTAL CIRCUIT PLACES
Zanzibar
Just the name, Zanzibar, evokes dreams of romance and mystery and the reality will not disappoint the travelers bored with mass tourism and seeking an enlightening and enjoyable holiday experience.
Zanzibar the name includes the main island, Unguja, and its sister island, Pemba has for centuries attracted seafarers and adventurers from around the word. Now it welcomes a new generation of explorers those who have come to marvel at the rich heritage, reflected in the architecture and the culture of the people. For this is where Arabia meets Africa.
Visit Zanzibar historic Stone Town, where the sultans once ruled. Relax on one of 25 dazzling white, palm fringed beaches, where the azure waters of the Indian Ocean beckon swimmers divers fishermen and waterspouts enthusiasts alike.
Breathe in the fragrant scents of cloves, vanilla, cardamom and nutmeg, and discover why Zanzibar is called "The spice Island." Explore the forests, with their rare flore and fauna. Or visit some of the ancient, archaeological sites.
Spend a few days here after a safari on the Africa mainland or, better still, allocate a week or two and immerse yourself in the magic that is Zanzibar
Tour Excursion: We assure you that we will be do our utmost to provide you with the best possible services so that your holiday will me an enjoyable and memorable one.
Spice tour: Zanzibar is also known as the "Island of Spices", whose name evokes a romantic past embalmed in the aroma of cloves, cinnamon, cardamon and lemon grass. This tour leads through a profusion of greenery in the countryside seeing, smelling and tasting a variety of mouth watering tropical seasonal fruits, (jackfruit, pineapple, banana, green coconut, durian, love apple, litches, soursop and starfruit). Spices are cloves, cardamon, cinnamon, blackpepper, turmeric, nutmeg etc.
Historical Town Tour: This tour starts at the main city market which was opened in 1904, where tropical fruits, vegetables, spices and fresh fish from the island are sold. Our next stop will be at the Anglican Church of Christ which ws built by Bishop Steere in 1873 on the site of the old slave market.Then you will visit the slave chambers, tiny rooms in which the slaves were kept before being auctioned. You will also visit these places, Sultan's Palace Museum, House of Wonders(Beit -el - Ajaib built in 1883 and bombarded by British fleet in 1896), The Old Fort, Africa House , Tippu Tip House (a notorious slave trade) etc
Tour to the South(KIZIMKAZI) The trip from town take 1.5 hrs. On your way you might get a chance to see the famousRed Colobus Monkeys of the Jozani Forest. Kizimkazi fishing village is the home of several schools of the bottle-nosed dolphins.Here you are taken by boat into the sea to view the dolphins and if luck will be able to swim quite close to them as they are friendly and playful, Kizimkazi is also the site of a 12th Century Mosque, the earliest evidence of Islam in East Africa.
Other tours are East Coast Tour, Tour to the Jozani Forest Reserve, Tour to the North(Nungwi), Tour to the Prison of Island etc.
Mafia
Only 40-minute flight south of Dar es salaam is one of the most exciting big game fishing and diving areas in the world, Mafia Island. Sports fishermen flock here for superb catches, many of the fish are great fighters. They include marlin, sailfish, shark, tuna, kingfish, barracuda, snapper, horse mackerel, wahoo and huge rock cod. The main season is from September to March although fishing is possible all year round within the reef and channel
Bagamoyo
Some 75 km to the north of Dar es salaam, on the coast opposite Zanzibar, is the former capital of German East Africa, Bagamoyo. Possessing a good, natural harbor ideal for sailing vessels and dhows, it was once the centre of the notorious slave trade.
Its Name is derived from the word Bwagamoyo, which means"Here I throw down my heart" reflecting the desperation and despair of the 'broken hearted' captives whose voyage into the unknown began here. The present police station, near the beachfront, was the first stone building in Bagamoyo. Originally an Arab residence it was at one time the old prison where slaves were herded through underground tunnels to waiting dhows.
The city was also the starting point for the first European explorers on the way to search for the source of NILE.Livingstone, Stanley, Burton and Speke all passed through here.
Livingstone's body was laid to rest here before being take first to Zanzibar and the to England.
The Mission has a museum with a wonderful collection of photographs and mementoes relating to Livingstone and to German colonial times.
A house where Henry Morton Stanley lived a century ago can be seen in solitary splendour near the beach.
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SOUTHERN CIRCUIT PARKS
Mikumi
Situated some 300km south-west of Dar es salaam, Mikumi Natinal Park offers a wide variety of wildlife in its 3230sq.km. Baboon, Buffalo, Colobus, Monkey, African hunting dog, Eland, Elephant, Giraffe, hartebeest, Hippo, Leopard, Lion, Impala, Sable, Antelope, Warthog, Waterbuck, Wildbeest, Zebra and greater Kudu can be seen here.
Over 300 species of birds have been observed in the park, some of which are Eurasian migrants, that are present from October to April. Also reptiles including crocodile, monitor lizard and python are residents in Mikumi
Selous
The Selous, occupying an enormous land area of 55000sq.km., is the largest Game Reserve in Africa.The reserve is one of Africas greatest wilderness, where the forest and bush are untamed and the animals unmolested by man. The Rufiji river system which flows through the reserve., flooding it during the rain season, further limits human trespass into this animal kingdom which boasts of over a million wild animals including some of the biggest population of Elephants in the world.
Other species commonly seen are Lions, Wild dogs, Buffaloes, Bushbucks, Impalas, Warthogs, Leopards, Hartebeest, Rhinos, Sable Antelopes, Reddbuck, Watebucks, Giraffe, Eland, Baboons, Zebra, Greater Kudu and the counterless Hippos and Crocodiles which flock the Rufiji River (the greatest in East Africa)
Walking Safaris accompanied by an armed ranger can be organised together with game drives and boat trips. The Selous is inaccessible during the rainy season i.e from March to May due to floods and the best time to visit the reserve is from JUNE TO OCTOBER.
Ruaha
Covering 13,000 sq.km., this relatively new and undisturbed park is one of Tanzanians largest Elephant sanctuaries. Its name derived from the great Ruaha river which flows along its entire eastern border creating spectacular gorges and scenery. Hippo, Crodile and fish inhabit the river.
The park is rich in all forms of wildlife except some of the typical plains animals such as Thomsons gazelle, Wildebeest and Topi whose range does not extend into this area.On the other hand, both Grants gazelle adn ostric are found in the park as well as the rare greater and lesser kudu, the loan adn sable antelopes. The birdlife is very interesting and varied and over 370 species have been recorded here, some of which are not found in other parks especially those of northern Tanzania
Udzungwa
The Udzungwa Mountains are almost unearthly.Burgeoning with rampant , verdant growth.It is at once vivid detail and larger than life: a new variety of the tiny African violet discovered in the shelter of 30m high trees. It isa hothouse nurturing species found nowhere else on earth, a secret bank account of precious genetic stock.
Of its six types of primate, two are endemic - the Iringa red colobus monkey and the Sanje Crested Mangabey, not detected until 1979.Four previous unknown birds, including the rufous-winged sunbird and new species of the partidge-like francolin, make this Tanzania's richest forest bird habitat and among the three most important bird conservation areas on the continent.
One of East Africa's great forests, undoubtedly this undisturbed habitat is yet to reveal all its treasure, waiting for further scientific exporation to catalogue its wealth.
A link in the chain of Africa's eastern arc mountains, Udzungwa is made of hiking and climbing with trails through the rainforest and escarpment. The plateau is a natural penthouse, with views of sugar plantations against a patchwork of grassland and mountain forest extending over 100km. But the centrepiece is the Sanje River where it reinvents itself as a spectacular waterfall, plunging 179m through the forest to land in a spray of mist in the valley below.
Getting there: Drive from Dar es salaam or Mikumi National Park.
To do: From a 2 hour hike tothe waterfall to camping safaris. Combine with nearby Mikumi of en route to Ruaha.
Best time: Possible year round although slippery in the wet. The dry season is June-October before the short rains but be prepared for rain anytime.
Accomodation: Camping inside the park. Bring all food and supplies. Accommodation just outsite the park entrance.
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