NATIONAL PARKS IN TANZANIA

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MAP OF TANZANIA SHOWING NATIONAL PARKS

Ngorongoro National Park

The Ngorongoro Conservation Area is huge area with a total of 8,288 sq kms. The area includes some other small craters known as Empakai, Olmoti, together with mountains, the archeological sites of Olduvai Gorge, rolling plains, forests, lakes, dunes and of course Ngorongoro Crater. The highest peak of the area stands at 3,600 mts above the sea level known as mount Lolmalasin. Active volcanoes of mt. Oldonyo Lengai is located on the North East side of the Area, Ngorongoro Crater, the first view of it is absolute splendor. The most striking feature, the Eden of Africa, one of the wonders of the world!. The Crater has an area of about 260sq Km, that is 19 km across. It stands 2,286mt. above the sea level, the floor lies about 610mt. below the rim.

Ngorongoro crater has graduated a bowl known as "Caldera", which is formed when the molten core of the volcano subsides into the earth and the steep crater sides fall inward.
The crater has a spectacular concentration of wildlife. Within the crater there is shallow soda lake (Magadi) and flamingos who dwell around the lake which remains dry sometimes. The best place to see rhinos throughout the year, the bird life is also rich and the hunting ground for lions, cheetahs and hyenas.

Between the Ngorongoro and Serengeti area lies the world's most important archaeological site the "Olduvai Gorge". "The cradle of mankind', where the oldest trace of men and animals were found by the Leakeys.

Arusha National Park

Arusha National Park is covering 137 sq. kilometres and lies between the peaks of Mountain Kilimanjaro and Mount Meru and ascends from 1500 metres at Momella to 4566 metres at the summit of Mount Meru. Established in 1960 the park had contained Ngurdoto Crater and Momella lakes, until 1967 when Mt. Meru was made part of the Park.

The flora and fauna varies with the topography, which ranges from forest to swamp. The best time for visiting is during the dry season from July-March. The best months to climb Mount Meru are June-February (although there are some rains in November). On clear days magnificent views of Mount Kilimanjaro and Mt. Meru can be seen from almost any part of the park. The best views of Mt. Kilimanjaro are from December-February.

Location
The Park is only 25 kilometers East of Arusha, 58 kilometers from Moshi and 35 kilometers from Kilimanjaro International Airport (KIA). It is the nearest National Park to both Arusha and Kilimanjaro International Airport and is thereby and easy day trip. From the main road between Arusha and Moshi it is about 10 kilometers to reach Ngurdoto Gate.

Wildlife
The Park contains a diverse resident population of herbivores, primates and predators including black and white colobus monkeys, baboons, elephants, giraffes, buffalos, hippos, leopards, hyenas, waterbucks, wart hogs and a wide range of antelope species. No lions in the park although you can see leopards if you are lucky.

If you wish to walk on the Mount Meru (4566 m) sector of the park through a variety of landscapes, plains, forest moorlands, and a lava desert, it is compulsory to be accompanied by an armed game warden because the wild animals. From the summit of Mount Meru you will have an impressive view of the crater and  the eruption cone 3000 metres below .

Arusha National Park is famous for its 400 species of bird life, both migrant and resident such as red sharks, hamerkops, spurwinged gooses, herons, woodpeckers, grey parrots, secretary birds and many more. The Momela Lakes offer plenty of bird watching opportunities.

Tarangire National Park

Tarangire National Park, with an area of 2600 sq. kms, situated only 120 km from Arusha, is famous for its dense wildlife population. The park offers splendid view over the savannah, interpassed with acacia and baobab trees includes the swamps, river, and rock outcrops. The area is engulfed by several hills. Between June and December during this time of the year thousands of animals migrate from the dry Maasai steppe to Tarangire river looking for water.

Among species to be seen in Tarangire are buffalo, elephant, lion, warthog, eland, the fringe-eared, and a large number of impalas and gazelles. Tarangire National Park is also famous for tree climbing pythons and abundant bird life.

Best Time to Visit: From June to February.
How to get there: From Arusha to 2 hour drive or 35 minutes charter Flight.

Serengeti National Park

The park covers 14,763 sq km of endless rolling plains, which reach up to the Kenyan border and extends almost to Lake Victoria. The park is flourishing with magnificent wildlife. An estimated 3 million large animals roam the plains. People of the Maasai Tribe called it Siringitu - 'the place where the land moves on forever.' The Serengeti is known as one of the best wildlife sanctuary in the world.

Two World Heritage Sites and two Biosphere Reservates have been established within this area. It's unique environment has enthused writers, filmakers as well as numerous photographers and scientists. The Serengeti ecosystem is one of the oldest on earth, the main characteristics of climate, flora and fauna have hardly changed in the past million years.

Serengeti is known for the migration of animals. Every October and November, more than a million wildebeest and about 220,000 zebras travel south from the northern hills to the southern plains for the short tropical rains, and then journey west and north after the long rains in April to June. The animals' ancient instinct to move is so strong that no drought, gorge or crocodile infested river can hold them back. The Wildebeest migrate through a number of parks, reserves and protected areas and through a variety of habitat.

Wildlife
The Serengeti boasts large herds of antelope including Patterson's eland, Klipspringer, Dikdik, Zebra, gazelles, lion, impala, leopard, cheetah, hyena and other larger mammals like the rhino, giraffe, elephant and hippopotamus. Nearly 500 species of birds have been recorded in the park. The Serengeti is an opportunity for one of the best game-viewing in Africa.

Migration in the Serengeti
The wildebeest migration, like a discernible thread, embraces and connects the Serengeti's ecosystem much as it has done for at least two millions years. Every year, with some seasonally dictated variations in timing and scale, one million wildebeest leave the southern Serengeti's short grass plains in search of the grass and water they need to survive. During their annual pilgrimage they will travel some 2000 miles devouring 4000 tonnes of grass a day. A quarter of a million will be born, many will die.

How to get there: From Arusha 6 hours drive or 1:20 hour charter flight.

Mount Kilimanjaro National Park

Mount Kilimanjaro is the crown of Tanzania. With an altitude of 5895m (19.340ft), it is the highest peak in Africa, the highest freestanding mountain in the world, and one of the largest volcanoes. The base of the immense mountain has a diameter of about 70 km. On a clear day his impressive formation can be seen from more than 160 km away, and although it is only three degrees below the Equator, his peak is permanently covered with snow and ice. Elephants, leopards, lions and colobus monkeys are among the residents of the park. The encircling rain forests ensure the fertility of the lush, lower lying countryside, where the Chagga cultivate their coffee, maize and bananas.

Mount Kilimanjaro can be climbed most of the year, although it is inadvisable during the rainy season, which is April and May, and during the short rains in November. The summit of Kilimanjaro is definitely a challenge, and there are risks involved, but it can be reached by any reasonably fit person who enjoys hiking, and reaching the summit will be an experience of a lifetime.

Lake Manyara National Park

Within the Greatest African Rift Valley, the Lake Manyara National Park covers an area of 325 sq. kms. and consists five distinct vegetation zones with a wide range of flora. The park is famous for its tree climbing lions that often laze on the branches of acacia trees.

Manyara Park is sanctuary to elusive buffalos and hippos, giraffes, impalas, zebras, troops of baboons, elephants, reedbuck, waterbuck, blue and vervet monkeys and many more.
Lake Manyara itself is a magnet for large varieties of birdlife, other species can be found around its shores, including huge flocks of flamingoes.

The Hotels and Lodges are situated at the top of rift walls offering comfortable accommodations and spectacular views of the Park and the Lake. The park is ideal for a day trip, a four-wheel drive is recommended during the rains. The dry season is from June to September and January to February.

Best time: Whole year
How to get there: From Arusha 2 1/2 hour drive or 1 hour charter flight.