Whether they be first time travelers or veteran travelers, all safari adventurers have a checklist of what makes an ideal safari experience. Such a list would might start with a unique geologic setting and would also include an opportunity to mingle with local tribes-people, a picturesque lodge and, of course, the widest possible variety of animal species in Africa. They would find that Ngorongoro Crater checks all the boxes. A “Unique Geologic Setting” - The Olduvai Gorge The Ngorongoro Crater is an extinct volcanic caldera (‘Cauldron” in Spanish), a large bowl shaped formation that extends from a 16 km wide grassy lowland up through tree lined lava hillsides to volcanic hills 7,200 km above the valley floor. Enter the nearby Olduvai Gorge and walk back in time, literally tracing fossilized footprints that go back 3.6 million years. Often called “The Cradle of Mankind”, the Olduvai Gorge rich fossil trove has provided paleontologists with the most continuous record of human evolution. An “Opportunity to Mingle with Local Tribespeople”- Meet the Maasai The Ngorongoro Crater conservation area is covered with rolling grasslands, dotted with soda lakes (salt water) where you are likely to find wading flamingos and a variety of water life. The grassland are a natural grazing land for the cattle, goats and sheep of the Maasai tribe living there. You can visit their village and talk to them about their customs and traditions- with the opportunity to purchase handmade mementos to commemorate your visit! A “Picturesque Lodge”- The Sopa Ngorongoro Hotel Located along the rim of the Ngorongoro Crater and looking out over the sprawling grassland, the Sopa provides a beautiful vantage point for the spectacular Tanzanian sunsets. The Lamala Hill restaurant is a glass-walled culinary delight- combing great food for all palates and panoramic views of the Crater.
Whether they be first time travelers or veteran travelers, all safari adventurers have a checklist of what makes an ideal safari experience. Such a list would might start with a unique geologic setting and would also include an opportunity to mingle with local tribes-people, a picturesque lodge and, of course, the widest possible variety of animal species in Africa. They would find that Ngorongoro Crater checks all the boxes.
The lion and his pet wildebeest Travelling back to our lodge after enjoying the wildebeest migration on a game drive in the Serengeti National Park, we came across an unusual sight. – See more at: http://africageographic.com/blog/a-lion-and-his-pet-wildebeest/#sthash.vyCR9mYR.dpuf
The lion and his pet wildebeest
Travelling back to our lodge after enjoying the wildebeest migration on a game drive in the Serengeti National Park, we came across an unusual sight. – See more at: http://africageographic.com/blog/a-lion-and-his-pet-wildebeest/#sthash.vyCR9mYR.dpuf
There is no real need (unless you specifically want to) to go out and buy any special clothes for your safari experience – most people have something in their wardrobe that will be fine! Clothing Cotton clothing(preferably in neutral colours) is recommended, but do try and keep whites to a minimum, as white can attract bugs at night. Bright coloured clothing should be avoided if possible. Shorts are ideal for walks and the warm midday periods. Long trousers can be worn at night to protect from mosquito bites. Dinner dress in the evening is also very casual. A lot of the lodges will offer a laundry service, but if this is not included in your rate, then it will be priced on a ‘per item’ basis, which can become quite expensive if you decide to put all your dirty laundry in to be cleaned! Comfortable walking shoes, trainers or hiking boots are advisable if you want to go on a bush walk - otherwise sandals are ideal to wear at meal times and around the lodge area. In addition, during the rainy months, a waterproof jacket is of course a good idea. If you are visiting during the Southern Hemisphere summer months (so from March to May) a warm sweater is useful for the cooler morning and evening temperatures when out on game drives - you also have the ‘wind chill’ factor of being on a moving vehicle. During the Southern Hemisphere winter months (so between June and September), you will certainly need several warm layers for your game drives, including a hat, scarf and gloves, as it can be extremely cold when the sun goes down in the evenings, and when you first set off on the morning game drive. It is always better to have too many layers
There is no real need (unless you specifically want to) to go out and buy any special clothes for your safari experience – most people have something in their wardrobe that will be fine!
Tanzania is the home of the coconut crab. This crab, the largest crab in the world (and reportedly one of the most delicious), can be found on Chumbe Island of Zanzibar. At up to 1 m (3 ft) long, coconut crabs are not simply the largest land crabs. They are the largest arthropods, the group that includes insects, spiders and crustaceans, that live on land. These crabs has the advantage of living underwater where its weight is supported. Despite their name they eat a varied diet, including lots of fleshy fruit, and they also prey on smaller crabs. When they decide to eat a coconut, they rip strips of husk off with their pincers, then hit it repeatedly until it breaks open. They live in underground burrows, lined with fibres from coconut husks. Unlike most crabs, they are almost entirely land-based, only returning to the sea to lay their eggs. Source: Tanzania Tourist Board - Did you know?
Tanzania is the home of the coconut crab. This crab, the largest crab in the world (and reportedly one of the most delicious), can be found on Chumbe Island of Zanzibar.
The wildlife of Tanzania refers to the fauna of Tanzania. Tanzania contains some 20 percent of the species of Africa’s large mammal population, found across its reserves, conservation areas, marine parks, and 17 national parks, spread over an area of more than 42,000 square kilometres (16,000 sq mi) and forming approximately 38 percent of the country's territory. Wildlife resources of Tanzania are described as “without parallel in Africa” and “the prime game viewing country”. Serengeti National Park, the country’s second largest national park area at 14,763 square kilometres (5,700 sq mi), is located in northern Tanzania and is famous for its extensive migratory herds of wildebeests and zebra while also having the reputation as one of the great natural wonders of the world. The Ngorongoro Conservation Area, established in 1959, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and inhabited by the Maasai people. Its Ngorongoro Crater is the largest intact caldera in the world. The national parks are also part of the wetlands of Tanzania. The wild animals tend to be closer to the wetlands, particularly the water loving species such as the hippopotamus, waterbuck, common warthog, elephant, crocodile, sitatunga as well as water birds such as flamingoes and ducks. Since the colonial era, wildlife conservation in Tanzania has been the prerogative of the government. Under this structure, the use of wildlife resources by local communities had always been restrictive, causing increased rural poverty and poaching. In recent years, the Tanzania National Parks Authority (TANAPA) has initiated corrective actions to involve the local community in conservation efforts, which is aimed at contribution to local economies by way of equitable benefits sharing. Source: Tanzania Tourist Board - Plan Your Trip
The wildlife of Tanzania refers to the fauna of Tanzania. Tanzania contains some 20 percent of the species of Africa’s large mammal population, found across its reserves, conservation areas, marine parks, and 17 national parks, spread over an area of more than 42,000 square kilometres (16,000 sq mi) and forming approximately 38 percent of the country’s territory.
The Northern Circuit is probably Africa’s most dramatic wildlife area. Game safaris never fail to satisfy with the thrill of the big game; they also offer diverse flora, panoramic landscapes and spectacular mountains; the game migrations across the plains defy description. The Serengeti is an ‘Immortal Eden’ where nature reigns - vast endless plains echo with thundering hooves of over two million migrating wildebeest. Ngorongoro crater heralded as the ‘eighth wonder of the world’ is an awe-inspiring caldera; enclosed by sheer walls the crater is breathtaking; this Garden of Eden flourishes with flora and fauna. The Northern Circuit has other equally exceptional game sanctuaries such as Tarangire National Park, which during the dry season has teeming herds of wildebeest, zebra and gazelle passing through in search of water; and patiently the predators follow these grazers; Tarangire National Park also boasts many hundreds of bird species. Lake Manyara National Park where tree-climbing lions sprawl on stout limbs of acacia. The lovely Arusha National Park nestling against Mount Meru; Lakes Natron and Eyasi are soda lakes that are as fascinating as they are remote and Olduvai Gorge known as the cradle of humankind; so come and let us take you on a safari of a lifetime in Northern Tanzania. The Southern Circuit is off the beaten track. It is said that Tanzania even now has undiscovered nature secrets. This is not an exaggeration and the seldom-traveled southern circuit offers safaris that evoke the romance, enchantment and spiritual delight of the African bush. The Selous Game Reserve embraces 54,000 square kilometers of southwestern Tanzania; it is the largest protected wilderness reserve on the continent, three times larger than the Serengeti. There is also Udzungwa Mountains National Park, which is a park without roads and is Tanzania’s first National Park created primarily to protect
The Northern Circuit is probably Africa’s most dramatic wildlife area. Game safaris never fail to satisfy with the thrill of the big game; they also offer diverse flora, panoramic landscapes and spectacular mountains; the game migrations across the plains defy description. The Serengeti is an ‘Immortal Eden’ where nature reigns – vast endless plains echo with thundering hooves of over two million migrating wildebeest.
The Forest Nature Reserve (NFR) category of protected area (PA) offers the highest level of protection under the National Forest Act of Tanzania. FNRs are state-owned and are managed by the Tanzania Forest Services (TFS) Agency. No extraction of woody or animal species is allowed in these FNRs and activities are generally restricted to research, education and nature-based tourism. Todate, Twelve (12) FNRs of Amani (8,380ha); Uluguru (24,115ha); Kilombero (134,511ha); Nilo (6,225ha); Rungwe (13,652ha); Magamba (9,283ha); Chome (14,283ha) and Mkingu (23,388ha); Uzungwa Scarp (32,763ha), Rondo Plateau (14,000ha); Minziro (25,000ha) and Mount Hanang (5,871ha) have been fully proclamation as NFRs. An ongoing process to submit a dossier to the UNESCO Commission for advancing a number of these NFRs to a World Heritage Status (WH) is at an advanced stage.The ongoing process to review and ultimately re-submit the dossier to the UNESCO at a later stage accordingly, is at a higher status. The revised World Heritage (WH) dossier is now ready for submission to UNESCO after endorsement and approval by the Government of United Republic of Tanzania. A number of advocacy and publicity materials have been prepared to support the WH re-submission process, create awareness and publicity for the same. More information Source: Tanzania Tourist Board - Destinations
The Forest Nature Reserve (NFR) category of protected area (PA) offers the highest level of protection under the National Forest Act of Tanzania. FNRs are state-owned and are managed by the Tanzania Forest Services (TFS) Agency. No extraction of woody or animal species is allowed in these FNRs and activities are generally restricted to research, education and nature-based tourism. Todate, Twelve (12) FNRs of Amani (8,380ha); Uluguru (24,115ha); Kilombero (134,511ha); Nilo (6,225ha); Rungwe (13,652ha); Magamba (9,283ha); Chome (14,283ha) and Mkingu (23,388ha); Uzungwa Scarp (32,763ha), Rondo Plateau (14,000ha); Minziro (25,000ha) and Mount Hanang (5,871ha) have been fully proclamation as NFRs. An ongoing process to submit a dossier to the UNESCO Commission for advancing a number of these NFRs to a World Heritage Status (WH) is at an advanced stage.The ongoing process to review and ultimately re-submit the dossier to the UNESCO at a later stage accordingly, is at a higher status. The revised World Heritage (WH) dossier is now ready for submission to UNESCO after endorsement and approval by the Government of United Republic of Tanzania. A number of advocacy and publicity materials have been prepared to support the WH re-submission process, create awareness and publicity for the same. More information
The Usambara's are a part of the ancient Eastern Arc chain which mountains stretch in a broken crescent from the Taita hills in southern Kenya down to Morogoro and the southern highlands. They are estimated to be at least 100 million years old and the rocks forming them may be as much as 600 million years old. The mountains are home to an exceptional assortment of plants and animals and represent one of the highest degrees of biodiversity on the continent. The range is accessible from the towns of Lushoto in the west, and Amani in the east. The Usambaras are commonly split into two sub-ranges, the West Usambara and the East Usambara. The East Usambara is closer to the coast, receives more rainfall, and is significantly smaller than the west. The East Usambara mountains belong to Eastern Arc Mountains, which is a chain of isolated mountains stretching in a great arc from Southeast Kenya to Southwest Tanzania. Geologically the mountains are very old - at least 100 million years. The total area of African rain forests diminished due to cold and dry periods which started about 2.5 million years ago. The Indian ocean maintained the moist climate required by the rain-forests. The individual Eastern Arc Mountains became isolated from the large African rain-forests and finally from each other. The Climate of the East Usambaras differs from much of the rest of Tanzania. Rain can and does fall at any time of the year although there is a seasonal pattern. Tanzania has a hot, dry season in December-March, and a cooler, dry season in May to October. The ‘short’ rains occur in November and ‘long’ rains in April-May. The climate on the coast can be hot and humid, however, because of the altitude (800-1400m), the East Usambaras are cooler and
The Usambara’s are a part of the ancient Eastern Arc chain which mountains stretch in a broken crescent from the Taita hills in southern Kenya down to Morogoro and the southern highlands. They are estimated to be at least 100 million years old and the rocks forming them may be as much as 600 million years old. The mountains are home to an exceptional assortment of plants and animals and represent one of the highest degrees of biodiversity on the continent.
Kilwa Kisiwani, an authentic historical town in Real South, Located about 300km south of Dar es Salaam, Kilwa Kisiwani is the leading historical site in southern Tanzania. A quick visit to Kilwa Kisiwani gives a thrilling memory when discussing the rich history of the Swahili coast that extends along the Eastern coast of the Indian Ocean in Tanzania. Despite the beauty of this Island which is located in Kilwa District, Lindi Region, memories of the past civilization and early settlements could be a memoir of a lifetime for any tourist venturing this part of Tanzania. With its twin island of Songo Mnara, Kilwa Kisiwani is the United Nations Scientific and Educational Organization (UNESCO) World Heritage site, known by its rich history and Swahili cultural heritage blended with African and Arabic cultures. Kiliwa Kisiwani is a tourist site, standing among the leading, earliest trading towns on the East African coast. Historical buildings in the island were constructed with coral stone mixed with limestone materials which had made the architecture beautiful and stable to survive weather conditions characterized by humid and hot temperatures for hundreds of years. The Island had its prosperity achieved from the control of the Indian Ocean trade with Arabia, India and China between the 13th and 16th centuries, when gold and ivory from the mainland Tanzania and Congo were traded for silver, carnelians, perfumes, Persian faience and Chinese porcelain. Most attractive, are mosques built in 13th century and a Portuguese Fort, which are presently give the island its historical fame. These mosques are dating between 13th and 18th centuries. Between each mosque, there are cemeteries and worship places decorated with early Chinese porcelain and Persian artifacts including ceramics materials from the Middle East. Kilwa Kisiwani was occupied from the 9th to the 19th centuries by Oman Sultans and
Kilwa Kisiwani, an authentic historical town in Real South, Located about 300km south of Dar es Salaam, Kilwa Kisiwani is the leading historical site in southern Tanzania.
Dar es Salaam is the largest city and economic capital of Tanzania. Located in a quiet bay off the Indian Ocean coast, the city has developed into an economic importance to become a prosperous centre of the entire East African region. Its bustling harbour is the main port in Tanzania. Its industrial area produces products for export and use throughout the country. Government offices all have their main base in Dar es Salaam, and diplomatic missions and non-governmental organizations in the country all have a presence in the bustling urban city. Restaurants, shops, office buildings, and government buildings are all common features of Tanzania’s urban centre. During German occupation in the early 20th century, Dar es Salaam was the centre of colonial administration and the main contact point between the agricultural mainland and the world of trade and commerce in the Indian Ocean and the Swahili Coast. Remnants of colonial presence, both German and British, can still be seen in the landmarks and architecture around the city. The National Museum, the Village Museum, and many colourful markets are well worth a visit. Numerous historical landmarks, including St. Joseph’s Cathedral, the White Father’s Mission House, the Botanical Gardens, and the old State House make for an interesting walking tour around the waterfront and city centre. Seven kilometres north of the city, is Bongoyo Island Marine Reserve which offers good snorkelling and diving sites for those who want to explore the water. The reserve boasts of its beautiful beaches, secluded islands and many varieties of marine species. Although the variety and population of coral and fish species are not as numerous as other sites on Zanzibar, Pemba, and Mafia Island, the Bongoyo Island Marine Reserve is well worth a visit and is a great way to spend a day out and see
Dar es Salaam is the largest city and economic capital of Tanzania. Located in a quiet bay off the Indian Ocean coast, the city has developed into an economic importance to become a prosperous centre of the entire East African region. Its bustling harbour is the main port in Tanzania.
Planning your first safari can be a baffling and time-consuming process! We will discuss your ideas and offer suggestions as to what might work best for you.
Planning your first safari can be a baffling and time-consuming process! We will discuss your ideas and offer suggestions as to what might work best for you.
