TANZANIA DESTINATIONS.
Are you planning for a wildlife safari in Africa? Tanzania will offer you the best of wildlife extravaganza as you visit her national parks and game reserves.
Tanzania is situated in East Africa, filled with diverse wildlife that can be viewed on an adventure wildlife safari. These animals include mammals, butterflies, bird species and tree species among others. It borders Uganda and Kenya to the north, Rwanda, Burundi and D.R. Congo to the west, Zambia, Malawi and Mozambique to the south and Indian Ocean to the south.
Tanzania offers a great view of wildlife which takes place in three circuits with the most amazing one being northern Tanzania that gives visitors a chance to witness one of the seven wonders of Africa - millions of wildebeest migration escorted by thousands of zebras and gazelles.
The northern circuit of Tanzania combines most of the predominant national parks such as the Serengeti, Ngorongoro, Tarangire, Lake Manyara national parks with famous wildebeest migration and this is where the migration starts from, heading to Kenya’s Masai Mara national reserve. The safari to the northern circuit gives a chance to spot big five animals, big cats, the rare tree-climbing lions, birds like flamingos and so much more.
The southern circuit in this country is graced by Selous Game Reserve which is the largest game reserve in Africa covering an area of 50,000 square kilometres and Ruaha national park that is hotter and drier, all these offer the best wildlife viewing opportunities and rich culture.
The western circuit presents an opportunity to undertake the adventurous chimpanzee trekking tours in Mahale national park and Katavi national park where you also get to see big mammals like buffalos and lions. All you need to know is that these are the most remote areas where these national parks are located and this makes a safari to these national parks quite expensive than that of southern and northern circuits.
While on the wildlife safari in Tanzania, you can take part in different activities including;
Game drives / game viewing encounters.
These are done in savannah areas where an open roof tourist vehicle which is a 4x4 is used to peruse through the muddy roads in a particular park. With the help of a knowledgeable park ranger guide, fully armed for protection against attacks, explains clearly each attraction you meet along the way. The game drives are done in three shifts, including morning, afternoon and evening / night shifts.
Hot air ballooning.
This is mainly done in Serengeti national park, where visitors are given this great adventure that offers viewing animals with an eagle’s eye. The basket carries between 8 and 16 passengers with a superb pilot flying in areas with diverse wildlife. The activity is completed with a delicious glass of wine and bush breakfast.
Birding.
Birding is another adventure for those interested in birds, Tanzania boasts over 1200 bird species and these are savannah birds, water birds and forest birds. Among the good places to undertake bird watching include Lake Manyara national park, Serengeti national park and Ngorongoro craters. The birds that will be spotted are Abyssinian ground hornbill, lover birds, flamingos, eagles among others.
Chimpanzee trekking.
Gombe stream and Mahale National Parks are located along the shores of Lake Tanganyika. It is the only destination in this country where you can find our close cousins which we share 98% DNA with. The activity takes about 2-3 hours while walking in the forest.
Nature walks.
These are normally done on foot as you walk around the plains of a national park with the guidance of the armed park ranger. Mostly it accompanied by the Masai guide well dressed in the Masai attire. It is also done in areas with fewer predators.
THE BEST TIME TO TAKE A WILDLIFE SAFARI IN TANZANIA.
The dry season is the best time to take a safari in Tanzania which happens to be in the months of December to February and June to September. This is when there are little rains, fewer mosquitoes, parks are easily accessed and also a large concentration of animals.
Weather is perfect for photography due to the short grasses. Whereas, if you wish to see the mass migration of wildebeests, visit the country in the months of August to October.