TANZANIA'S PARKS AND RESERVES
Northern Reserves
Arusha National Park: Although it is one of Tanzania's smallest parks (137 square kms), Arusha is one of the most beautiful with a superb range of fauna and flora. Its main features are the Ngurdoto crater ( a reserve within the reserve), the seven Momella Lakes with their shifting islands, spectacular birdlife (lots of flamingoes) and the rugged Mt Meru (4,556 m) which overlooks the town of Arusha to the south. Wildlife is abundant with zebra, waterbuck, reedbuck, hippo, buffalo elephant and hyena.
Tarangire National Park: Tarangire National park lies to the south of the large, open grass plains of Maasailand. It covers an area of 2,600 square kms that encompasses several varying habitats. Most species of plains game are found in Tarangire. The best time to visit is during the dry season (June to October) when the park plays host to thousands of animals who migrated from the harsh and denuded plains to congregate along the Tarangire River. A unique feature of the park is the multitude of baobab trees whose imposing statures rise above the long herbs and rolling countryside.
Lake Manyara National Park: Fairly small in size (330 square kms) it is an enchanting park gifted with a wide diversity of habitats. From the Rift Valley Wall with its rock outcroppings, to the ground water forest, the acacia woodlands, the grasslands or the swamps and lake itself, all shelter their different species of flora and fauna. Wildebeest, giraffe and baboon abound and the park is famous for its tree-climbing lions that can be spotted draped over branches of acacia trees.
Mt Kilimanjaro National Park: Undoubtedly, Mt Kilimanjaro is one of Africa's most magnificent sights. This snow-capped and not yet extinct volcano is, at 5,895 meters, the highest peak on the continent. From cultivated farmlands on the lower level, it rises through lush rainforest to alpine meadow and finally across a barren lunar landscape to the twin summit. The rainforest is home to many animals, including elephant, buffalo, rhino, leopard and a variety of primates.
Ngorongoro Conservation Area: The area ranges in altitude from 1,350m to 3,600 meters above sea level. Its 8,288 square kms embrace the volcanic highlands centering on Ngorongoro Crater. Within its boundaries, lie some of Africa's most beautiful natural features, not the least of which is the Ngorongoro Crater itself. The "Eighth wonder of the world" as it is often referred to, was once an active volcano which collapsed, leaving a caldera 20 kms in diameter. The views from the crater rim are just breathtaking and wildlife abounds at the bottom. Lion, rhino, buffalo and many herbivores such as wildebeest, Thompson's gazelle, zebra and reedbuk can be spotted. Thousands of flamingos also wade in the shallows of Lake Magadi which lies at the bottom of the crater. Its permanent water and grassland account for abundant wildlife year round.
Olduvai Gorge : Situated within the Ngorongoro Conservation area, the landscape around the gorge is characterized by scenic lava beds between 73 and 91 meters thick. A small museum perched on the rim of the Gorge displays fascinating samples of fossils and stone tools testifying of its prehistoric inhabitants.
Serengeti National Park : The Serengeti which covers 14,763 square kms is Tanzania's most famous park. On its seemingly endless and almost treeless plains, hoofed animals can be found by the millions, migrating in search for grasslands and followed in this pursuit by their predators. Nowhere else will you witness wildebeest, gazelle, zebra and antelope in such concentrations.Serengeti is also famous for its lions.
Southern Reserves
Mikumi National Park: Mikumi National Park covers 3,237 square kms. One of the principal feature of Mikumi is the Mkata River flood plain, an area of lush vegetation which particularly suits the elephants and buffaloes. The park offers a wide variety of game such as elephant, lion, leopard, buffalo, zebra and impala throughout the year. Packs of hunting dogs whose development have been encouraged in the park, can be seen more regularly than anywhere else. The other attraction is Hippo Pools where one can observe hippo society.
Ruaha National Park: Together with its adjacent Game Reserve and game controlled areas, Ruaha covers 13,000 square kms. Its eco-system is surpassed only by those of the Selous and the Serengeti. Its undulating hills, open river plains and tree-lined sand rivers contain a wide variety of game. Sable and roan antelope, greater and lesser kudu, lion, leopard, cheetah, bat-eared foxes, hyena and jackal abound within the park. Groups of eland, buffalo herds, elephant, hippo and crocodile also thrive in this wild and undeveloped park.
Selous Game Reserve: Selous Game Reserve covers 54.600 square kms and is Africa's largest game reserve. It is absolute East African wilderness and remains widely untouched by the 20th century. It shelters more than two thirds of Tanzania's elephant population as well as plenty of buffalo, crocodile, hippo, lion, rhino and antelope. It is also a haven for birds. Most of the reserve is trackless wilderness and it is almost impossible to traverse during the rainy season. Boat excursions along the meandering mainstream and the tributaries of the Rufiji River (which divide the reserve in two unequal part) as well as walking safaris escorted by qualified armed rangers provide an unrivalled experience.
To the West...
Gombe National Park: Primarily a chimpanzee sanctuary, this tiny park of 52 square kms situated on the shores of Lake Tanganyika offers the opportunity to observe this rare species close up. It is here that Dr.Jane Goodall carried out much of her research and as a result the chimps are less wary of human beings than anywhere else in the wild. Due to its dense forests, the park is unsuitable for carnivores and therefore safe for walking safaris.
Mahale Mountains National Park: Like the Gombe, the park is also home to the last remaining wild chimpanzees in Africa. It can only be reached by boat from Kigoma to the park's headquarters. As there are no roads, all game viewing is done on foot.
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