Tanzania Destinations
KATAVI NATIONAL PARK
Katavi has rich treasures of both wildlife and spectacular views. The park is virgin and unspoiled. It is a home to the large numbers of hippo and, home to the rare roan and sable antelopes. There are also herds of buffalos, elephants, elands, crocodiles, zebras, impalas, lions, reedbucks, less spotted hyena, lots of giraffe and numerous species of birds.
Katavi is the third largest park in Tanzania, located far end, south west of Tanzania, east of Lake Tanganyika, 40 km from Mpanda town. Rarely visited, but one of the richest in wild animals and gives a real feel of wilderness.
The park can be accessed by charter flight from Dar es Salaam or Arusha, alternatively by road from Mbeya city about 550 km. Another alternative to visit the park is via slow moving train, scheduled Dar es Salaam to Tabora, then by road from Tabora to Mpanda, where game drive will be arranged.
Experience the wilderness with katavi National Park.
Activities in the park includes, game drive, guided walking and camping.
MKOMAZI NATIONAL PARK
Mkomazi is a hilly semi-arid savannah area. Hubs to large numbers of giraffes, elands, hartebeests, zebras, buffalos, and elephants.
Within the list of Tanzanian National parks, Mkomazi is the newest park to be included in the list.
Located within slopes of mountain ranges, and overseeing by iconic snowcapped peak of mountain Kilimanjaro. The park is suitable for game drive, camping, sightseeing, and bird watching.
Mkomazi has been selected as a refuge for highly endangered species, namely, black rhino and African wild dogs. Black rhino is restricted to a fenced sanctuary.
The park can be accessible by road from Kilimanjaro International Airport, about 120 km or from Dar es Salaam, 550 km.
AMBONI CAVES
According to the research, amboni caves were formed 150 years ago. Naturally, the caves are made from limestone, and formed as a result of special erosion.
The caves are believed to be the most extensive in east Africa, covering area of 234km, but official popular caves are two, that have tunnels which are very dark inside. There are chambers in side, treated by locals as sacred for worshipping some spirits. All tunnels are accessible through guided tour.
Passing through the caves not comfortable all the way, as some areas are very tight, you need to squeeze yourself to pass through. May be difficult to pass with luggage, or large cameras. Visitors are advised to leave behind those bags.
Amboni caves are located north of Tanga region, 8 km, and about 4/5-hour drive from Tanga city.
TARANGIRE NATIONAL PARK
Tarangire poses distinctive beauty due to its spaced bushes dominated by acacia trees and baobabs.
It is the nearest national park from Arusha city, about 3hrs, drive. The park is a home to so many elephants, especially during dry season. You can also watch migrations of wild animals as zebras, buffalos, impalas, gazelles, hartebeests, and eland. Dry season is also experienced by heaviest flying birds known as kori bustard, and ostrich.
Tarangire is characterized by tree climbing lions and leopards. Pythons also do, in search of fruits from sausage trees.
The park is situated on the way as one is heading to ngorongoro crater or Serengeti national park. This means, you can start with Tarangire and continue to Ngorongoro crater or Serengeti National Park or vice-versa. Charter flight is an ideal when planning to cover all three national parks at a go.
Activities in the park includes, game drive, guided walking, and visiting of traditional villages of maasai.
LAKE MANYARA NATIONA PARK
Lake Manyara is a breathtaking view, richer in wildlife and numerous species of birds. Pink
Flamingos in thousands, crisscross and enjoy alkaline soda of Lake Manyara shores and surroundings.
Lake Manyara National Park is also famous for tree climbing lions; mostly use mahogany and acacia trees as their home, especially during rain reason.
Apart from this rare behavior of lions, you will also view large number of baboons than any other place in the World. Perhaps, that is why, Lake Manyara national park become unique and must visit place.
The park also, hubs large number of buffalos, wildebeests, zebra, giraffes, and elephants.
Lake Manyara national park is located west of Arusha, on your way to Ngorongoro crater, and Serengeti national park. 126 km from Arusha.
NGORONGORO CRATER
Ngorongoro crater is a huge volcanic open caldera that possess an area of 260 sq, and 2000feet deep. As descending from up towards the bottom of the crater, you will be able to view magnificent savahah vegetation, and a place like football pitch.
Usually, at the ground of the crater there are many visitors crisscrossing with safari vehicles. If you are lucky, you will be able to see the lion at zero distance, sometime coming closer, even touching your vehicle. It is amazing; you can take many pictures as much as you want with a king of the jangle-The lion.
Ngorongoro crater is a home to large number of lions, therefore, obvious you will see lions. Other wild animals are: Wildebeests’, Zebra, large numbers of predators, eland, gazelles, hyenas, rhinos, and a number of bird species.
The place has abundant water; No wonder why there are Maasai pastoralists who share this crater with wild animals.
Ngorongoro conservation is a protected area, and UNESCO’S World heritage site.
Formation of Ngorongoro crater is unusual; normally formation of volcanic caldera turns into lake, but Ngorongoro crater never turned into lake. It is worth to see it.
How to get there:
It takes 3-hour drive from Arusha city. A day game drive is enough for this place, or from Ngorongoro crater, you can proceed to Serengeti national park or vice-versa.
The easiest way is to fly to Serengeti national park, and on your way back, you make a stopover at ngorongoro to see wild creatures.
SERENGETI NATIONAL PARK
Serengeti- One of the 7 natural wonders in Africa. The park is marked as the greatest endless plain in Africa, with the greatest wildlife migration on earth.
Every year, great number of wildebeests and zebras migrate from one part to another, either avoiding heavy long rains or searching for better pasture and water.
Serengeti is one of the largest mammal migrations in the world, estimated, 2 million animals migrate every year.
All big 5 animals are found in Serengeti national park. Lions are one of the most populated wildebeests in the park. Others are, cheetah, elands, elephants and giraffes. Serengeti also boasts to hub over 500 species of birds.
Best time to visit:
-Dry season, June – October.
-Best time to view migration, June – September, though in some years minor variations of timings may occur.
-Best time for wildebeests calving is Februarys.
Activities:
–Game drive
-Camping
How to get there:
Charter flight from Arusha, or Kilimanjaro International Airport. Alternatively, one can connect from nearby national park, for example; Tarangire National Park.
UDZUNGWA NATIONAL PARK
Udzungwa, also known as” the eastern arc mountains”. Unique for its densely populated forests, and different species of wildlife animals.
This park is a home to: red colobus, and sanje crested mangabeys that cannot be found anywhere in the world.
Great and densely forest at Udzungwa is believed to hub many species of wild nature, some of which are not yet discovered. More explorations can uncover much more treasures.
The park boasts to have attractive waterfalls that make hiking as well as camping lovely. Udzungwa is located south of Mikumi National Park, hence make possible to combine with mikumi national park or Ruaha national park so as to capitalize and compare richness on both parks.
Combinations of mountain plateaus, densely forests, natural water falls, and hundreds of birds, make this place to possess crescent views and amazing beauty.
Distance from Dar es Salaam: 350 km
MBOZI METEORITE
Mbozi meteorite is must visit site. Good for study and geological knowledge. The meteorite is a large junk of iron fallen many years ago. It is one of the 8th largest meteorites in the world, unfortunately not well known. This meteorite is 25 metric tons, 3 meters long and 1 meter long.
Locals people call, “Jiwe chuma” means iron rock. It is one of the wonders of this earth, ever found in this planet, but not has enough recognition. The object is dark in color, heavy piece of metal which was officially discovered to the outside world 1930. Up to now, it is not known when was fallen.
Be among the people who spear headed to spread the wonder of this world’s wonderful treasure.
The meteorite is located west of Mbeya city, about 70 km.
KITULO PLATEAU
Kitulo hosts one of the greatest flora spectacles in the world. As opposed to traditional wild animal tourist attractions, Kitulo form a new category of interest that is floral tourists. The place hubs thousands of species of flowers, and thousands of species of birds. Fascinating research results tells that, Intercontinental birds migrate from Europe and South Africa to Kitulo and vice-versa.
The area covers 413 km, of forests and spots of animals such as natural orchids, and others. The most attractions are Florist and bird watching tourism.