Arusha manage to compress an amazing diversity into a small space. Its environment comprises grazing plains, swamps, lakes, montane forests and volcanoes, all within a distance of only 33 kilometres. The most striking feature is the rugged Mt. Meru, the second highest peak in the country. This diversity of habitats means that the animal life varies from buffalo to giraffe roaming around the patches of grassland, guereza colobus monkey deep in the forest and flocks of flamingo feeding on the shallow soda lakes.
Principal habitats
- Montane forest, grasslands, volcanoes, soda lakes. Heath and upland desert on the upper slopes of Mt Meru.
Why Arusha
- Natural diversity; forests, mountains, open environment and lakes.
- Marvelous scenery.
- Closeness to nature.
Tarangire provides a wonderful spectacle of a savanna environment and a meeting point for mightiest components of the African wilderness, right here where the savanna is dotted with monumental baobabs and where the most magnificent herds of Africa elephants to be found in northern Tanzania are roaming. Life is spectacular in the dry season, when the migratory ungulate comes back to the permanent waters of the Tarangire river.
Principal habitats
- Tree and shrubs savannas, open flood plains, riverine forest.
Why Tarangire
- Large herds of elephants.
- Essentially all the mammals of East Africa plains can be seen there.
- Spectacular natural beauty; gently undulating savanna landscape, majestic baobabs, river valleys.
- Some of the large mammals seen here that are rare in most of the other parks.
Manyara is an astonishing oasis in the Great Rift Valley, for although the valley is thousands of kilometers long, it is only here that the high water table fed by countless spring from the escarpment has given rise to dense tropical vegetation, a forest brought about by a superfluity of ground water. But Manyara is much more besides. Its evergreen forests, its park like savanna dotted with acacias and open plains stretching down to the lake shores, together with the rugged wall of the Rift Valley as a backdrop, makes Manyara into a microcosm of Tanzania’s natural environment
Principal habitats
- Evergreen groundwater forest, trees and shrub savannas, grassy plains, Lake Environment and shores.
Why Manyara
- The unique and conspicuous groundwater forest.
- The rich flora of the groundwater forest.
- An amazing profusion of bird life, particularly on the lake shore.
- A good cross-section of all the essential features of nature in Tanzania.
- Fascinating element of the landscape.
Ngorongoro Crater 8th Wonder of the World (World Cultural Heritage Site, International Man & Biosphere Reserve)
Ngorongoro is a pioneering experiment in multiple land use, as the park has the multiple purpose of integrating the protection of the local people with that of wild nature, the later being divided into two separate biogeographically systems. The vast plains in the west and the north are definitely a part of Serengeti ecosystem, whereas the centerpiece of the other part is the breathtaking Ngorongoro crater, one of the natural wonders of the World. Amazingly, the crater floor is natural sanctuary for almost all the large mammalian species essential to the East African plains.
Information on the Park:
- Established 1956.
- 8,292 sq.Km Conservation area; Crater is 304 sq.kms.
- 1,020m to 3,648m height above sea level. The Crater floor is 1,720m above sea level.
- Dry season from late May to October/November; Wet season from October/November to May.
- Best time to see the big migration (western & northern plains) is from November/December to May. Seasonal variation in wildlife in Ngorongoro Crater is not very significant.
What you will experience in Ngorongoro Conservation Area
- The entire Mammalian fauna essential to the plains can be found in the Ngorongoro Crater. The Crater shelters over 30,000 animals.
- Best chances to see the Black Rhino in Tanzania.
- Breeding of the major migratory animals (Wildebeest and Zebras) takes place on the North and West are of Ngorongoro.
- Superb scenery, extending from plains to volcanoes.
- Habitat is mainly Volcanoes, Mountain forests, tree & shrub Savanna, open grassy plains & highlands.
- Conservation area that protects local people (traditional pastoralism) and wildlife.
- Famous Archaeological sites of Oldupai Gorge and Laetoli.
- Very popular Park.
Serengeti is famous for its endless plains which stretches as far as the eyes can see. Is a home to large numbers of animals. All the big five animals can be seen in the Park. Its the only place on the earth where the natural-annual migration of wildbeast is expirienced. Serengeti has a beatiful landscape where sunrise and sunset are sites to see.
Principal habitats
- Tree and shrubs savannas, open grassy plains, rocky out-crop, riverine forest.
Why Serengeti
- A unique savanna ecosystem, with 2 million big mammals, comprising essentially all the plain species in East Africa.
- Big migration are outstand natural events.
- Great natural beauty.
- An extremely popular park.
