WHERE TO VISIT

Ngorongoro Crater, the largest intact volcanic crater, has one of the largest concentrations of wildlife in Africa.

 The crater was formed some eight million years ago when the cone of an active volcano, estimated to be larger than Kilimanjaro, collapsed. This formed a crater more than 2,000 ft. deep and 12 sq. miles in diameter. The volcanic nature of the soils and plentiful water supplies transformed the volcanic cone into a spectacular sanctuary, the Natural Amphitheater, to the many species of wild game and birds that inhabit the crater today. There are numerous habitats within the crater ranging from the Yellow-barked acacia forests of Lerai to the swamps around Ngoitokitok Springs to the pink flamingo mantle of the soda Lake Magadi. Each habitat supports a distinct ecosystem.

 An estimated 30,000 animals make Ngorongoro Crater the principal attraction on a Northern Tanzanian Safari.  This cross-section of wildlife is diverse and dispersed amongst an amazing array of ecosystems within the Natural Amphitheater. Ngorongoro Crater is home to one of the few remaining populations of Black Rhino in Tanzania and just about every other East African mammal.

 Frequent game sightings include "the Big Five": Lion, Elephant, Black Rhino, Buffalo, Leopard

 Another distinct phenomenon of the Ngorongoro Region is the successful co-existence of the Maasai Tribe with the wild animals. It is not uncommon to see Maasai Moran (young male warriors) walking their cattle herds to the waters of the crater, carrying a spea for defense against the animals. Within Ngorongoro Conservation Area, on the Naabi Plains between the Ngorongoro Crater and The Serengeti, lies Olduvai Gorge, popularly known as "The Cradle Of Mankind". It was here that Dr. Leakey and his wife Mary first discovered the remains of Zinjanthropus Bosei, a distant ancestor of man believed to be 1.8 million years old and Australopithecus Bosei, the 'Nutcracker Man', a species that became extinct about 1 million years ago. There were also fossilized footprints, remains of ancient tools and bones from various prehistoric species.

Arusha National Park

The closest national park to Arusha town – northern Tanzania’s safari capital – Arusha National Park is a multi-faceted jewel, often overlooked by safarigoers, despite offering the opportunity to explore a beguiling diversity of habitats within a few hours.

 The entrance gate leads into shadowy montane forest inhabited by inquisitive blue monkeys and colourful turacos and trogons – the only place on the northern safari circuit where the acrobatic black-and-white colobus monkey is easily seen. In the midst of the forest stands the spectacular Ngurdoto Crater, whose steep, rocky cliffs enclose a wide marshy floor dotted with herds of buffalo and warthog.

Further north, rolling grassy hills enclose the tranquil beauty of the Momela Lakes, each one a different hue of green or blue. Their shallows sometimes tinged pink with thousands of flamingos, the lakes support a rich selection of resident and migrant waterfowl, and shaggy waterbucks display their large lyre-shaped horns on the watery fringes. Giraffes glide across the grassy hills, between grazing zebra herds, while pairs of wide-eyed dik-dik dart into scrubby bush like overgrown hares on spindly legs.

 Although elephants are uncommon in Arusha National Park, and lions absent altogether, leopards and spotted hyenas may be seen slinking around in the early morning and late afternoon. It is also at dusk and dawn that the veil of cloud on the eastern horizon is most likely to clear, revealing the majestic snow-capped peaks of Kilimanjaro, only 50km (30 miles) distant.

 But it is Kilimanjaro’s unassuming cousin, Mount Meru - the fifth highest in Africa at 4,566 metres (14,990 feet) – that dominates the park’s horizon. Its peaks and eastern footslopes protected within the national park, Meru offers unparalleled views of its famous neighbour, while also forming a rewarding hiking destination in its own right.

 Passing first through wooded savannah where buffalos and giraffes are frequently encountered, the ascent of Meru leads into forests aflame with red-hot pokers and dripping with Spanish moss, before reaching high open heath spiked with giant lobelias. Everlasting flowers cling to the alpine desert, as delicately-hoofed klipspringers mark the hike’s progress. Astride the craggy summit, Kilimanjaro stands unveiled, blushing in the sunrise.

About Arusha National Park

 Size: 552 sq km 212 sq miles).

 Location: Northern Tanzania, northeast of Arusha town..

Getting there

 An easy 40-minute drive from Arusha. Approximately 60 km (35 miles) from Kilimanjaro International Airport. The lakes, forest and Ngurdoto Crater can all be visited in the course of a half-day outing at the beginning or end of an extended northern safari.

NOTE: Mountain Climbing Permits duration time is 12 HOURS.

What to do

 Forest walks, numerous picnic sites;

 three- or four-day Mt Meru climb - good acclimatisation for Kilimanjaro.

When to go

To climb Mt Meru, June-February although it may rain in November.

 Best views of Kilimanjaro December-February.

Accommodation

Two lodges, two rest houses, camp sites, two mountain huts inside the park; more lodges at Usa River outside the park and many hotels and hostels in Arusha town.

Kilimanjaro. The name itself is a mystery wreathed in clouds. It might mean Mountain of Light, Mountain of Greatness or Mountain of Caravans. Or it might not. The local people, the Wachagga, don't even have a name for the whole massif, only Kipoo (now known as Kibo) for the familiar snowy peak that stands imperious, overseer of the continent, the summit of Africa.

 Kilimanjaro, by any name, is a metaphor for the compelling beauty of East Africa. When you see it, you understand why. Not only is this the highest peak on the African continent; it is also the tallest free-standing mountain in the world, rising in breathtaking isolation from the surrounding coastal scrubland – elevation around 900 metres – to an imperious 5,895 metres (19,336 feet).

 Kilimanjaro is one of the world's most accessible high summits, a beacon for visitors from around the world. Most climbers reach the crater rim with little more than a walking stick, proper clothing and determination. And those who reach Uhuru Point, the actual summit, or Gillman's Point on the lip of the crater, will have earned their climbing certificates.

 And their memories.

 But there is so much more to Kili than her summit. The ascent of the slopes is a virtual climatic world tour, from the tropics to the Arctic.

 Even before you cross the national park boundary (at the 2,700m contour), the cultivated footslopes give way to lush montane forest, inhabited by elusive elephant, leopard, buffalo, the endangered Abbot’s duiker, and other small antelope and primates. Higher still lies the moorland zone, where a cover of giant heather is studded with otherworldly giant lobelias.

 Above 4,000m, a surreal alpine desert supports little life other than a few hardy mosses and lichen. Then, finally, the last vestigial vegetation gives way to a winter wonderland of ice and snow – and the magnificent beauty of the roof of the continent.

About Kilimanjaro National Park

 Size: 1668 sq km 641 sq miles).

 Location: Northern Tanzania, near the town of Moshi.

Getting there

 128 km (80 miles) from Arusha.

 About one hour’s drive from Kilimanjaro airport.

What to do

 Six usual trekking routes to the summit and other more-demanding mountaineering routes.

 Day or overnight hikes on the Shira plateau. Nature trails on the lower reaches.

 Trout fishing.

 Visit the beautiful Chala crater lake on the mountain’s southeastern slopes.

When to go

 Clearest and warmest conditions from December to February, but also dry (and colder) from July-September.

Accommodation

 Huts and campsites on the mountain.

 Several hotels and campsites outside the park in the village of Marangu and town of Moshi.

More info on accomodation

NOTE:

 Climb slowly to increase your acclimatisation time and maximise your chances of reaching the summit.

 To avoid altitude sickness, allow a minimum of five nights, preferably even more for the climb. Take your time and enjoy the beauty of the mountain.

NOTE 2:

 NEW RATES FOR PORTERS AND GUIDES

 (JUNE '08)

Porters

 USD 10 per day

Cooks

USD 15 per day

Guides

USD 20 per day

Mikumi National Park

Swirls of opaque mist hide the advancing dawn. The first shafts of sun colour the fluffy grass heads rippling across the plain in a russet halo. A herd of zebras, confident in their camouflage at this predatory hour, pose like ballerinas, heads aligned and stripes merging in flowing motion.

 Mikumi National Park abuts the northern border of Africa's biggest game reserve - the Selous – and is transected by the surfaced road between Dar es Salaam and Iringa. It is thus the most accessible part of a 75,000 square kilometre (47,000 square mile) tract of wilderness that stretches east almost as far as the Indian Ocean.

 The open horizons and abundant wildlife of the Mkata Floodplain, the popular centrepiece of Mikumi, draw frequent comparisons to the more famous Serengeti Plains.

 Lions survey their grassy kingdom – and the zebra, wildebeest, impala and buffalo herds that migrate across it – from the flattened tops of termite mounds, or sometimes, during the rains, from perches high in the trees. Giraffes forage in the isolated acacia stands that fringe the Mkata River, islets of shade favoured also by Mikumi's elephants.

 Criss-crossed by a good circuit of game-viewing roads, the Mkata Floodplain is perhaps the most reliable place in Tanzania for sightings of the powerful eland, the world’s largest antelope. The equally impressive greater kudu and sable antelope haunt the miombo-covered foothills of the mountains that rise from the park’s borders.

 More than 400 bird species have been recorded, with such colourful common residents as the lilac-breasted roller, yellow-throated longclaw and bateleur eagle joined by a host of European migrants during the rainy season. Hippos are the star attraction of the pair of pools situated 5km north of the main entrance gate, supported by an ever-changing cast of waterbirds.

About Mikumi National Park

 Size: 3,230 sq km (1,250 sq miles), the fourth-largest park in Tanzania, and part of a much larger ecosystem centred on the uniquely vast Selous Game Reserve.

 Location: 283 km (175 miles) west of Dar es Salaam, north of Selous, and en route to Ruaha, Udzungwa and (for the intrepid) Katavi. .

How to get there

 A good surfaced road connects Mikumi to Dar es Salaam via Morogoro, a roughly 4 hour drive.

 Also road connections to Udzungwa, Ruaha and (dry season only) Selous.

 Charter flight from Dar es Salaam, Arusha or Selous. Local buses run from Dar to park HQ where game drives can be arranged.

What to do

 Game drives and guided walks. Visit nearby Udzungwa or travel on to Selous or Ruaha.

When to go

 Accessible year round.

Accommodation

 Two lodges, three luxury tented camps, three campsites.

 Guest houses in Mikumi town on the park border. One lodge is proposed at Mahondo and one permanent tented camp at Lumaaga