TOURISM IN TANZANIA THE MAGIC SITE AND PARKS.

    

Tanzania is truly a safari destination without peer. The statistics speak for themselves: an unparalleled one-quarter of its surface area has been set aside for conservation purposes, from the world-renowned Serengeti National Park and the incomprehensibly vast Selous Game Reserve to the tiny Arusha National Park, Tanzania’s wildlife resources represent a rich mosaic of protected areas that collectively harbour an estimated 20 percent of Africa’s large mammal population.

And yet there is more to Tanzania than just safaris. There is Mount Kilimanjaro and Meru, respectively the highest and fifth highest peaks on the continent for mountain climbers, the Udzungwa and Usambara ranges for hikers, Lake Victoria (Africa’s largest lake), Tanganyika (Africa’s deepest lake) and Nyasa (located along Africa’s Great Rift Valley).

These three largest freshwater bodies in Africa are ideal spots for watersports and fishing enthusiasts.

The magical ‘spice island’ of Zanzibar is gem nestled on the vast Indian Ocean coastline, studded with picture perfect beaches, stunning offshore diving sites, and mysterious mediaeval ruins for the romantic at heart, the history buff and the culture enthusiast.

Ngorongoro Conservation Area (Ngorongoro Crater)

 

Referred to as the 8th Wonder of the world, the Ngorongoro Conservation Area in northern Tanzania stretches across some 8,300 sq km and is a unique blend of landscapes, wildlife, people and archaeology, unsurpassed in Africa.

The Ngorongoro Crater

Rhino in the Ngorongoro crater

Host to a pioneering experiment in multiple land use, pastoralism, conservation and tourism co-exist in carefully managed harmony.

The centrepiece of the Ngorongoro Conservation Area is the breathtaking Ngorongoro Crater, which is a caldera. Ngorongoro area is also home to the famous Maasai.

It provides a natural sanctuary for thousands of animals and many species of insects and birds. Lush highlands surround the Crater, falling away to the tawny plains and alkaline lakes of the Great Rift Valley.

The sheer magnificence of the area captivates the mind and whets the appetite for more, a perfect kickoff point for any visitors’ journey into Tanzania.

Selous Game Reserve

The largest protected wildlife area in Africa, larger in size than Switzerland, the Selous Game Reserve boasts the largest population of elephants as well as large numbers of lions, leopards, rare African wild dogs, buffalos and hippos.

Hippos in tthe Selous Game Reserve

No where else than the Serengeti National Park, will visitors see a greater concentration of wildlife the Selous Game Reserve

Well-watered, Selous is also home to the ferocious yet attractive tiger fish and vandu catfish, the latter equipped with a primitive set of lungs which allows it to migrate from one landlocked pool to another.

Saadani National Park

Tanzania’s first coastal wildlife sanctuary, Saadani hosts a wide variety of small game, extensive bird life, bottle nose dolphins, whales and a valuable green turtle breeding ground at Madete Beach.

Wami River across Saadani National Park

Surrounded by one of the oldest fishing communities on the East African Coast, its pristine white sands and blue waters provide an idyllic and restful setting for the weary traveller.

Manyara National Park

Lake Manyara National Park

Lion climbing trees in the lake Manyara National Park

Stretching for 50 km along the base of the rusty 600 metre high Rift Valley escarpment, the park is home to the scenic gem, Lake Manyara extolled by Hemingway as ‘the loveliest I had ever seen in Africa’.

The park is a sanctuary to over 400 species of birds including the pink flamingo, sacred ibis and Egyptian geese; huge herds of buffalo and elephant and numerous hippopotamus, fondly referred to as ‘water cattle’. Manyara is also home to unique tree climbing lions.

Serengeti National Park

Arguably the best known wildlife sanctuary in the world “Serengeti” which means “endless plains” in the Maasai language, is home to an unparalleled smorgasbord of wildlife, flora and fauna, more than three million mammals can be found at one time in the Serengeti.

Wilderbeasts in the Serengeti national park

The most spectacular sight in the Serengeti is the Wildebeest migration. Imagine a 1,000 km (600 mile) frenzied migration of millions of wildebeest and zebra, each one driven by an ancient instinct to migrate north in search of fresh pastures and to mate.

Envision a replenishing of the species in a brief population explosion of 8,000 calves daily, imagine over 100,000 animals scrambling to cross a crocodile infested river, its banks lined with predators primed for the hunt, imagine the carnage and the fight for survival. A must see sight, the Serengeti migration elucidates like no other spectacle, the Darwinian theory of Survival of the fittest. A novel way of seeing the Serengeti, from the air, by hot air balloon, is an opportunity not to be missed.

Mount Kilimanjaro National Park

Described by Ernest Hemingway as the roof of Africa and “as wide as all the world, great, high and unbelievably white.” Mount Kilimanjaro stands in isolated glory, the tallest free-standing mountain in the world at 5,895m.

Three majestic peaks Shira in the west, Mawenzi in the East and the snow capped Kibo in the centre provide ample challenge for mountain climbers and adventurers.

With a wide variance in climates, from tropical; where lush rainforests exist that are home to elusive elephant, leopard, buffalo, bushbuck, the endangered Abbott’s duiker, and numerous other small antelopes, primates and rodents; to heather and open moorland where giant lobelia and huge, cactus-like groundsel grow; moorland to an almost lunar landscape of an alpine desert stretching closer to the peaks of the mountain where herds of eland thrive. A fine example of co-existing contrasts, the Kilimanjaro National Park has everything for everybody. ( news of Mount Kilimanjaro in detail looking at this blog News Archive )

There are so many tourist centers as follows and you would also know about the details in all contact centers so I centers are Ngorongoro Conservation Area (Ngorongoro ...

     Selous Game Reserve
     Mkomazi Game Reserve 

     Saadani National Park 

     Rubondo Island National Park 

    Whale Mountains National Park
     Kitulo Plateau National Park 

     Katavi National Park
    Gombe Stream National Park 

     Udzungwa National Park
     Ruaha National Park
     Mikumi National Park
     Tarangire National Park
     Serengeti National Park
     Mount Kilimanjaro National Park
     Manyara National Park
     Arusha National Park

there is also a very unique place where you can visit and you feel that this is a completely different world, for example

Usambara Mountains

 

This little known mountain range is one of the gems of Tanzania. Located to the west of the coastal town of Tanga, the Usambaras offer incredible natural biodiversity, great hiking opportunities and a bird-watching paradise.

Usambara Mountains, with Irente viewpoint on top

Waterfalls in Usambara Mountains

Usambara Forest

Irente Viewpoint: From this famous viewpoint you can see the village of Mazinde almost 1000 meters below the vast Maasai plains beyond. On the return trip to Lushoto you can visit the Irente Farm cheese factory and the royal village of Kwembago . You can enjoy a whole meal picnic at Irente Farm.

Usambara Farm and Flora Tour: This walk takes you trough the fertile farmlands of Jaegertal to a fruit tree nursery where you can learn about different varieties of fruit trees and their propagation. You can continue uphill to the village of Vuli to learn about local soil conservation, irrigation projects and farming methods. You can return to Lushoto via the Arboretum.

Growing Rock: From Soni you walk to the top of Kwamongo Mountains Peak , famous for its multicoloured butterflies, via the villages of Shashui and Kwemula. From Kwamongo you have views of Soni, Lushoto and the Handeni Plains. You descend to the village of Magila at the foot of the "Growing Rock" to visit a soil conservation project and learn why the rock is growing.

Magamba Rainforest: This tour begins with an uphill walk from Lushoto to the royal village of Kwembago , where you can learn about the cultural history of the traditional ruling clan, the Kilindi. From Kwembago you have a beautiful view over Lushoto and the Maasai plains. You proceed to the lush Magamba rainforest, home of black and white colored monkeys. The return to Lushoto passes via the old German Middle School and the village of Magamba