The best developed of Tanzania’s tourism routes is known as the
Northern Circuit though it remains quite unspoilt by
verexploitation. Here there’s the chance to see huge herds of
wildebeest or flocks of brilliant pink flamingos emerging from
the swirling mists of alkaline lakes, a sight, it is believed,
that gave birth to the legend of the phoenix or the “fire bird.”
The main base for exploring the Northern Circuit is the pretty
town of Arusha. The circuit includes many of the country’s most
famous national parks, such as Serengeti, Arusha, Tarangire and
Lake Manyara, as well as famous landmarks such as the Ngorongoro
Crater, the Olduvai Gorge and Africa’s highest mountain,Mount
Kilimanjaro.
ARUSHA NATIONAL PARK:
Just 32 km away from the town of Arusha is the Arusha National
Park which was described by Sir Julian Huxley as “a gem amongst
parks.”
It consists of three spectacular features, the Momela Lakes,
Mount Meru and the Ngurdoto Crater.
On clear days magnificent views of Mount Kilimanjaro can be seen
from almost any part of the park.
The vegetation and wildlife varies with the topography, which
ranges from forest to swamp. The park is famous for its 575
species of birdlife, both migrant and resident, and black and
white colobus monkey. Other animals frequently seen in the park
are baboon, elephant, buffalo, giraffe, hippo, hyena, zebra and
a wide range of antelope species. Leopard are ever present but,
as always, difficult to find. Recently added tourist attractions
include canoe safaris on the Momela lakes and walking safaris
around the rim of the Ngurudoto Crater.
Getting there: A
short drive from Arusha or Kilimanjaro International Airport.
LAKE MANYARA NATIONAL PARK:
Two famous spectacles in Lake Manyara National Park are the
tree-climbing lions, which spend most of the day spread out
along the branches of Acacia trees six to seven metres above the
ground, and tree-climbing pythons. Nestling at the base of the
Great Rift Valley escarpment the park is noted for its
incredible beauty. As visitors enter the gate they pass into the
lush forest, home to troops of baboons and blue monkeys.
Further along, the forest opens up into woodlands, grassland,
swamps and beyond, the soda lake itself, covering 200 sq km and
sanctuary to over 400 species of bird including flamingo,
pelican, storks, sacred ibis, cormorants and Egyptian geese.
The park is particularly noted for its huge herds of buffalo and
elephant. Also giraffe, hippo, reedbuck, warthog, wildebeest,
zebra and a great variety of smaller animals.
Getting there: A
two hour drive, or half hour flight, from Arusha.
MKOMAZI GAME RESERVE
Earmarked to become the next National Park, this game reserve
contains 90% of all botanic species found in Tanzania with one
third classified as unique in the world. The reserve is also
home to the Mkomazi Rhino Project. This involves the
re-introduction of four black rhino from South Africa which, it
is hoped, will breed before being relocated to traditional
natural habitats within Tanzania.
The Captive Breeding Programme for the African wild dog is
another project for the preservation of endangered species that
is based in Mkomazi.
Getting there: By
road from Arusha, Moshi or Tanga.
KILIMANJARO NATIONAL PARK
At 5,895m, Mount Kilimanjaro is the tallest free-standing
mountain in the world, so it can truly be regarded as the roof
of Africa. “As wide as all the world, great, high and
unbelievably white,” was Ernest Hemingway’s description. Now a
World Heritage site, its outstanding features are its three
major volcanic centres, Shira in the west, Mawenzi in the East
and the snowcapped Kibo in the centre. The forests of the
surrounding national park are inhabited by elusive elephant,
leopard, buffalo, bushbuck, the endangered Abbott’s duiker, and
numerous other small antelope, primates and rodents.
They are however difficult to see due to the dense vegetation.
Getting there: A
two hour drive from Arusha or one hour from Kilimanjaro
International Airport.
NGORONGORO CRATER
The Ngorongoro Crater, at 2,286 m. above sea level, is the
largest unbroken caldera in the world. Surrounded by very steep
walls rising 610 metres from the crater floor, this natural
amphitheatre measures 19.2 km in diameter and 304 sq km in area.
It is home to up to 30,000 animals, almost half being wildebeest
and zebra. Buffalo, elephant, hippo, hyena, jackal, lion,
ostrich, black rhino, warthog, bushbuck, eland, hartebeest,
waterbuck and huge herds of both Thomson’s and Grant’s gazelle
are easily seen on the crater floor while leopard can
occasionally be spotted in the trees of the surrounding forest.
Large herds of giraffe live on the rim of the crater and will be
seen on the drive to Olduvai Gorge and the Serengeti.
Countless flamingo form a pink blanket over the soda lakes while
more than 100 species of birds not found in the Serengeti But
many more fossils have been discovered here including those of
prehistoric elephants, giant horned sheep and enormous
ostriches. There is a small museum and a thatched observation
platform, overlooking the gorge, where visitors can listen to an
informative talk from the resident guide.
Getting there: A
four hour drive, or one hour flight, from Arusha. A two hour
drive from Manyara or Tarangire.
SERENGETI NATIONAL PARK
The Serengeti National Park is arguably the best known wildlife
sanctuary in the world.
“Serengeti” means “endless plains” in the Maasai language, and
within its boundaries are more than three million large mammals.
About 35 species of plains animals may be seen here including
the so-called “big seven” - buffalo, elephant, lion, leopard,
rhino, cheetah and African hunting dog. Unfortunately very few
of the latter remain in the Serengeti.
Originally exterminated as a threat to domestic stock they have
more recently become victims of canine distemper.
have been spotted. The crater, which has been declared a World
heritage site, lies within the Ngorongoro Conservation Area,
which covers more than 8,000 sq km. It is bounded by Lake Eyasi
in the southwest and the Gol Mountains in the north. Roughly in
the centre is the Olbalal Swamp and the arid Olduvai Gorge.
Getting there: A
four hour drive, or one hour flight, from Arusha. A two hour
drive from Manyara or Tarangire.
OLDUVAI GORGE
Located within the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, a short drive
off the main road between Ngorongoro and the Serengeti, Olduvai
Gorge is another of Tanzania’s eight World heritage sites. The
name Olduvai derives from Oldupai, which is theMasai word for
the type of wild sisal that grows in the gorge. It was here
that, in 1959, Dr LouisLeakey and his wife Mary discovered the
skull of first “nutcracker man” and then, a year later, the
remains of Homo habilis or “handy man” regarded as mankind’s
first step on the ladder of human evolution.
However, after being decimated by poaching, the black rhino
population of the Serengeti has developed well in recent years
thanks to constant surveillance and the shielding of the animals
from mass tourism. There are now 13 black rhinos in the Moru
Kopjes area but they may be difficult to see as visitors are
only allowed to drive through the area on certain roads. White
rhinoceros are not found in the Serengeti.
In May or early June, huge herds of wildebeest and zebra begin
their spectacular migration. In their wake follow the predators
- lion, leopard, cheetah, hyena and jackal - while vultures
circle overhead and some of Africa’s biggest crocodile lie in
wait.
Other animals frequently seen in the Serengeti include baboons,
caracal, civet, bat-eared fox, genet, giraffe, hippo, honey
badger, hyrax, ongoose, ostrich, serval, both Grant’s and
Thomson’s gazelle, vervet monkeys and some 20 types of antelope
including eland, hartebeest or kongoni, impala, kudu, reedbuck,
roan, topi, waterbuck and the much smaller dik dik, duiker,
klipspringer and oribi. There is, of course, also a profusion of
birdlife.
Over 500 species including bustards, cranes, eagles, herons,
owls, storks, vultures and the bizarre, long-legged secretary
birds.
Getting there: A
six hour drive, or one hour flight, from Arusha.
TARANGIRE NATIONAL PARK
Close to Arusha, 118 km away, Tarangire National Park gets its
name from the river that threads its way through the length of
the reserve.
It is famous for its dense wildlife population which is most
spectacular between June and September, the dry period.
During this time thousands of animals - elephant, buffalo,
giraffe, eland, hartebeest, kudu, wildebeest and the rarely seen
Oryx - migrate from the dry Maasai steppe to the Tarangire River
looking for water. Lion, leopard and other predators follow the
herds. Tarangire has the largest population of elephant of any
park in the northern circuit and is also home to 550 varieties
of bird.
Getting there: A
one and a half hour drive, or 30 minute flight, from Arusha.
