The Safari Experience
There are many different safari itineraries to choose from, depending on the areas to be visited and the length of your stay. Of course there are also different standards of accommodation, ranging from basic camping (backpacker-style) through to luxury lodges where the service of your personal butler will set the tone of your visit. We design your package according to your needs.
It is advisable to combine different parks and nature conservation areas in a safari experience as this allows you the opportunity to see different regions, animals, experience different local culture etc. Tanzania is world famous for its parks, each for its own reasons. However, the annual migration of wildebeest and other plains animals between the Serengeti and the Masai Mara is perhaps the ultimate game viewing phenomenon on earth and not to be missed.
Tanzanian National Parks Information
Olduvai Gorge
Olduvai Gorge is known around the world for fantastic archeological discoveries, including the skull of a humanoid, believed to be 1.75 million years old. The “Cradle of Mankind” lies at the border of the grass plains of the Serengeti. Here, not only humanoid fossils have been found, but also fossils of the prehistoric animals that lived around them. Excavations still continue in the gorge during the dry season and it is possible to enter the gorge with a special guide. There is a small museum at the gorge showing some of the finds.
Lake Manyara National Park
This area covers some 330 Km² of which 230 Km² are lakes. Along its western boundaries is the rift valley’s western wall. The park is famous for bird life and there are almost 400 different species. It is also well known for its elephant population and tree-climbing lions. There is a large variety of tree species within the park.
Ngorongoro Crater
(Photo courtesy of CC Africa)
A photographer’s paradise, the Ngorongoro Crater is the largest intact crater in the world, covering some 265 Km². From the rim of the crater to the floor is a 600m vertical drop. It is one of nature’s true wonders, with an abundance of wildlife, including elephant, rhino, cheetah, lion, leopard and a wide variety of antelope and birds.
Tarangire
This park is made up of two large plains and a seasonal swamp in the south. It is a beautiful area filled with baobabs and acacias and a large variety of game such as zebra, elephant, giraffe and waterbuck. The animals are best viewed during the dry season.
Serengeti
The largest national park in Tanzania and one of the most spectacular parks in the world, the Serengeti covers 14 763 Km². It is made up of large, short grass plains, kopjes and lakes. The name Serengeti is derived from the Masai word meaning “endless plain”. Every year, more than one million wildebeest travel in long caravans across the plains of the Serengeti, all in search of better feeding grounds, followed by a large variety of other animals, including of course the predators.
Climate
There are two distinct rain seasons in Tanzania. The long rains during April and May, and the short rains during November and December. It is not advisable to plan a safari during the long rain season as there are bound to be several rainy days to interrupt your holiday plans. The best seasons to travel to the Serengeti would be June, July and August. Traditional holiday times such as January and even February are also good times of the year, although one should be prepared for higher temperatures.
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