Tanzania Is a Breathtaking Safari
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C E D A R B E R G A F R I C A ' S T A N Z A N I A I N S I D E R ' S G U I D E Tanzania is a breathtaking safari destination with abundant wildlife in several world-famous reserves. Over 25% of of the country is either a reserve, national park or game management area. Afterwards you can soak up the sun at one of the many beautiful beaches on Zanzibar, Pemba Island or the mainland. 10 REASONS TO VISIT TANZANIA There is such a diversity of landscapes and activities in Tanzania that it's hard to limit ourselves to just 10 reasons to visit. Here are a few of our favourites... 1 2 One of the world's Take a walk with the most famous wildlife Masai destinations Close enough to travel by road: Experience the wisdom of the Masai Tarangire, Lake Manyara, Ngorongoro pastoralists who have lived on the Crater and of course - the Serengeti Serengeti for hundreds of years 3 4 See the Experience the Chimpanzees Serengeti Yes, the ones Jane Goodall fell for in Experience the quintessential safari Gombe! landscape, big cats & migrating herds 5 6 Iconic Kilimanjaro Hunt and forage views with the Hadzabe Glimpse those iconic views of (or One of Africa’s few remaining hunter- maybe even from) the summit of Mount gathering people Kilimanjaro 7 8 Diving from Mafia Sail on Lake Island Tanganyika Dive among manta rays, manatees and Set sail on Lake Tanganyika, the world's whale sharks from Mafia Island largest lake 9 10 See the elephants Swahili Cuisine of Tarangire Some of the highest concentration of Arab, Indian & Portugese influences elephants in the world in Tarangire combine to create delicious Swahili cuisine D E S T I N A T I O N S Serengeti Mount Kilimanjaro & Arusha Ngorongoro Crater Lake Manyara Mahale & Tanzania Coast Kavati Zanzibar Tarangire Archipelago National Park Ruaha National Selous Game Park Reserve Why visit? Spanning over 1.5 million ha, the Serengeti is the home of the Great Migration for most of the year Vast open savanna plains allow wildlife to move with the seasonal rains Superb game-viewing offered all year round Over two million wildebeest make their annual journey S E R E N G E T I across its plains in search of better grazing areas Home to the Big 5 with high-density lion & other big cat populations Varied terrain from volcanic grasslands, open plains, rocky outcrops, rivers, volcanoes, and even forests Why visit? Largest intact volcanic caldera in the world - creates a natural amphitheatre of 260 sq km Mineral-rich crater floor is N G O R O N G O R O host to an unbelievably high concentration of game C R A T E R Complete eco-system comprising of nutritious grasslands, swamps, lakes, rivers, woodlands and forest Easily accessible airport in Arusha, only 2 hours away Great destination en route to Serengeti Why visit? Iconic peak - the highest mountain in Africa Range of hiking routes, duration and even comfort level on offer M O U N T Diverse terrain offers an interesting array from bush K I L I M A N J A R O & babies to the Kilimanjaro shrew A R U S H A Exclusive game concession of floodplains, hills and acacia woodland Much less commercial, so local interactions are more authentic Summit Mount Kili, or enjoy hikes to natural waterfalls, wildlife tours, and game drives Why visit? Elephant concentration in Tarangire is the greatest in Africa at end of dry season Excellent game viewing as the Tarangire River is a vital life-source for the wildlife The 'land of the giants' - vast number of ancient baobab trees dominate the landscape T A R A N G I R E N A T I O N A L Incredible bird diversity - over 490 bird species P A R K recorded Why visit? Warm waters, powder- white beaches & vibrant coral reefs Made up of Zanzibar Island, Pemba & Mafia Islands - each island offers something unique Perfect relaxing end to a Tanzania safari Snorkel & dive among coral reefs, sail on a traditional dhow and Z A N Z I B A R absorb the Swahili culture A R C H I P E L A G O Historic & captivating Stone Town is a UNESO World Heritage Site Atmospheric maze of narrow streets, night markets and food vendors Easily accessible! Why visit? Largest fauna reserve in the world at 45,000 sq km Far less 'busy' than the northern reserves Largely untouched - one of Africa’s last remaining wildernesses Boat trips are a speciality - S E L O U S G A M E R E S E R V E see the hippo & crocodile on a river cruise Unhurried walking safaris - track elephant on foot Abundant game in the reserve, with Africa’s largest buffalo & lion populations Possible encounters with its wild dog population - the most rewarding of predators to watch Why visit? Mahale Mountains are set on the shores of Lake Tanganyika in Western Tanzania (the oldest & largest of the Rift Valley Lakes) One of the best chimpanzee-tracking experiences in the world in Mahale Mountains Lake Tanganyika is home to Gombe Stream M A H A L E & National Park, famous for the work of Jane K A T A V I Goodall’s chimpanzee research team Katavi National Park is an unspoiled, true wilderness - provides adventurous travellers a thrilling taste of ‘old’ Africa Why visit? A hauntingly beautiful soda lake - diverse landscape offers visitors stunning views of the escarpment and lake surroundings Home to over 400 bird species See flamingos, pelicans and many other aquatic bird species Guided Treetop walkway L A K E through the forest canopy M A N Y A R A for a birds-eye view of the forest fauna and birdlife Between Arusha and Ngorongoro Conservation Area so easy to visit for the day Why visit? This Swahili Coast is often overlooked, but those that take a closer look will discover a beautiful wilderness area Idyllic beaches of deserted sand, interspersed with sleepy Swahili towns and tiny fishing villages T A N Z A N I A C O A S T Interesting lodges have opened up in beautiful, quiet coastal spots Visit Saadani National Park for the ultimate bush & beach experience Why visit? Rewarding game-viewing in less crowded southern Tanzania Rolling hills, baobabs and open bushveld border the wide Great Ruaha River Ecological transition zone yielding a diversity of game Over 8,000 African elephants roam across Ruaha Amazing floral diversity R U A H A N A T I O N A L P A R K leading to over 570 bird species One of the wildest and least- visited - seasoned safari enthusiasts will love Ruaha Many Ruaha lodges offer excellent walking safaris S E A S O N A L G U I D E The best time to visit Tanzania is from July to October when the country is at its driest. This coincides with the migration river crossings, however, all Parks offer amazing wildlife sightings at this time as the grasses and bush are at their least dense. Jan - Mar April - May June Migration is heading Migration herds are in This is a period of north through Serengeti's the southeast of the heavy rain, so we Western Corridor Serengeti for calving would advise against Less busy than July-Sept season, so the Ndutu travel, except perhaps Lush grasses & bush - Plains are busy. But it is at the end of May makes it more difficult to amazing to see so many Prices are keen! spot game in Ruaha & animals in one place Ruaha & Selous are Selous Chance of rain and effectively closed But good for birders - higher humidity, but during this time lots of migratory birds, rates are lower and the Migration is in the especially in the south safari is excellent central Seronera area Beach lodges in Zanzibar of Serengeti have reopened July - August September Start of peak season - migration is in Still peak season the north of the Serengeti Migration still in the north, but now Elephants start to gather in Tarangire herds on both sides of the Kenya & Drier land makes game spotting easier Tanzania borders - animals behaviour becomes more High numbers of elephant in Tarangire predictable Northern circuit can be very busy Experience herds in their hundreds To avoid the crowds, why not visit the crossing Tanzania's rivers from now until southern parks of Selous & Ruaha Sept - expect LOTS of action! October Nov/Dec Peak season, but migration is now in Start of Green Season (Nov to March) Kenya Low season rates but still a popular Game viewing in central Serengeti is still time to travel very good with resident game & lots of Return crossings can be seen in the predator action north of the Serengeti (Nov), but Southern parks are particularly unpredictable rewarding at this time of year Superb birdwatching opportunities, with migratory birds arriving R E C O M M E N D E D T O U R S F L Y - I N S Northern Highlights & Zanzibar Elewana Sky Safari Visit 3 of the most popular national parks in northern Tanzania, and stay in 4 of the finest luxury lodges, operated by Elewana Afrika. See further details here 11 night fly-in safari which visits the key attractions of northern Tanzania before continuing to Zanzibar for a few nights on the coast. See sample itinerary and accommodation here R E C O M M E N D E D T O U R S R O A D A N D F L I G H T Tanzania Discovery Migration Paths and Crater This is a luxury 11+ night safari combining road and flights and using a mix of both permanent and tented lodges in the Tarangire, Ngorongoro and Serengeti.