Nyerere National Park is located in the southern part of Tanzania and is believed to be the largest national park in Africa. The park covers over 30893 square kilometers of land. Initially, the park was part of the Selous game reserve which was about 54000 square kilometers. The Nyerere National Park is about 230 kilometers away from Dar el Salam city. The national park got its status in November 2019. It was named after the president of Tanzania Julius Nyerere who was working towards the conservation of the wildlife in Tanzania.

History of Nyerere National Park

The park was formerly for photography safaris since it has a rich flora and fauna. In 1982, the park was named as a world UNESCO site for its rich flora and fauna. During colonial times, the reserve was initially for game hunting and also conservation when the British Empire took over from the Germans. The area was led by Fedrick Courteney Selous who was hunting for large and small mammals around Africa. He killed a lot of the wildlife and then he would export them back home to the museum for study purposes. Later he advocated for the conservation of these wildlife since they were reducing in number.

In 1917, Frederick was assassinated by the Germans on the river banks of the Rufiji River. In 1922, the reserve was named after Fedrick Courteney Selous as the Selous Game Reserve. More so, the park is made up of the savannah plains, riverine mashes, acacias, Boababs, and many others. River Rufiji is the main river in the park flowing up to the Indian Ocean.

What to see in the Nyerere National Park? (Attractions)

While in the Nyerere National Park, there is a variety of wildlife that travelers on their Tanzania safari have to see.

Wildlife

Nyerere National Park is home to a wide range of wildlife. The wildlife of the park combines with that of the Selous game reserve. The wildlife includes the large herds of elephants, buffaloes, rhinos, leopards, African dogs, hyenas, and many others. In the 1980’s, there was increased hunting of elephants for ivory and other wildlife which led to a decrease in the number of wildlife in the game reserve. Later on, the government increased its operations against the encroachment of these wildlife and this has led to their increase in number.

Bird species

The park is home to several bird species. The bird species in the park are over 440 species in number and this is a great place for travelers on their birding safaris to Tanzania. The bird species in the park include; the mangrove kingfisher, Livingstone flycatcher, Boehm’s bee-eater, African skimmer, pearl spotted owl, red-winged warbler, and many others. The birds live in the lagoons, riverine forests, and mashes.

River Rufiji

This is one of the largest rivers in the East African region. it flows through the northern part of the park to the Indian Ocean. The river Rufiji is one of the slow-flowing rivers and it forms several oxbow lakes, deltas, and lakes. All these features are harboring places for the wildlife in the park. Travelers on their Tanzania safari usually explore the park through a boat cruise.

What to do in the Nyerere National Park? (Activities)

While in the Nyerere National Park, there are a variety of activities that travelers can engage in while on their Tanzania safaris.

Boat safaris

While on the safari to the Nyerere National Park, the boat safari is one of the spectacular activities that the traveler in Tanzania can do to see the attractions of the park. The boat safari is done on the river Rufiji which is the largest river in the East African region and during the boat safari you will see a quite number of wildlife like crocodiles, hippos, elephants, elephants, and many others. During the boat safari, you will also visit many features. These were formed by the river depositions like the oxbow lakes, swamps, deltas, and many others.

Birding Tours  

The park is home to over 440 bird species. This makes it a good place for the birding safari to take place. During this safari, you will be required to have all the requirements. These include; binoculars, waterproof jackets, and bird albums. You will see birds like the mangrove kingfisher, Livingstone flycatcher, Boehm’s bee-eater, African skimmer, pearl spotted owl, red-winged warbler, and many others. During the birding safari, you need a quiet number of days to do the activity since the park is too big.

 Game drives

This is one of the primary activities in the park which is done by travelers to encounter the wildlife in the park. Game drives are done in the morning, full day and night. Morning game drives are usually done in the early morning hours like 0600hrs to track the wildlife that will start grazing and the predators that will be hunting. Full-day game drive starts in the morning up to evening while tracking the wildlife in the park. The night game drives usually start at 1800hrs and this kind of game drive helps to track the nocturnal wildlife in the park. The game drives in the park are usually done in the authorized tracks of the park to track the animals.

What is the best time to visit the Nyerere National Park?

Nyerere National Park is like other East African national parks which can be visited throughout the year. The best time to visit the Nyerere National Park is usually the dry season. The vegetation is dry and short for one to view the animals. Also during the dry season, the wildlife gathers at the river Rufiji, lakes, and swamps for water.

Where to stay while on a safari to the Nyerere National Park?

Nyerere National Park has a quite number of accommodation facilities that travelers on their Tanzania safari can choose from. The accommodation facilities in the park range from luxury to mid-range, and budget facilities. Luxury accommodation facilities include the Siwandu safari camp, Rufiji River camp, lake Manze camp, Sand River Selous, and many others.  Midrange accommodation facilities include the Selous Kinga Lodge, Selous Serena Camp, Siwandu Impala Camp, Selous Sun Lodge, and many others. Budget accommodation facilities include the Sable Mountain Lodge, Selous Kulinda camp, and many others.

How to access the Park?

The park can be accessed by both air and road transport. The nearest city to the Nyerere National Park is Dar el Salam city. By road, you will drive about 5 to 7 hours a day to the park from Dar el Salam city. By air, you book a domestic chartered flight at Julius Nyerere International Airport in Dar el Salam to the different airstrips in the Nyerere National Park. The flight lasts for 1 hour to the park. These airstrips include; Kiba Airstrip, Matambwe Airstrip, Beho Beho Airstrip, Siwandu Airstrip, Mumbai Airstrip, and Mtemere Airstrip. The park also has two main access points which include; Mtemere Gate and Matambwe Gate.

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Mountain Kilimanjaro is found in the northeastern part of Tanzania in the African continent. It is the highest mountain in Africa and a dormant volcano. The highest peak of the mountain is snow-capped and with the largest free-standing volcano. The mountain is made up of three peaks or volcanic cones which include; Mawenzi, Shira, and Kibo.

History of Mount Kilimanjaro

The Kibo peak is the highest peak on the mountain and the first group of people to reach the peak was in 1889. The mountain also consists of five vegetation zones with different flora and fauna. During colonial times, the mountain Kilimanjaro was turned into a game reserve by the German colonialists and then later the British took over until the country gained its independence. The game reserve was later gazette into a national park in 1973 including the whole mountain. In 1987, there were threats to the montane forests which were the buffer zones for wildlife at that time.

The World Heritage Organization played a greater role in extending the park to all the montane forests. In the same year 1987, the park was named the UNESCO Heritage Site. The mountain Kilimanjaro has seven hiking summits that offer the best thrilling adventure for travelers on their safari to mountain Kilimanjaro. The mountain hosts over 4.8 million indigenous tree species. There are over 25000 people annually who tend to hike the mountain.

What to do in the mountain Kilimanjaro? Activities

While on your Tanzania safari, there are a variety of activities that the travelers can engage in several safari activities. These include among others but are not limited to the following.

Hiking of the mountain

This is the primary activity that every traveler wishes to do when they visit the mountain. Though the activity is challenging, the travelers who tend to hike the mountain are usually given guidelines about the hiking. Then those who usually conquer to hike up to the Uruhu or Kibo peak celebrate upon reaching there. Usually, the hike involves the porters and the game rangers who usually ensure the safety of the clients during the hike.

Primate trekking

The Mountain Kilimanjaro is one of the places in Tanzania where travelers can easily see the primates in their natural habitats. The primates that are usually seen include baboons, blue monkeys, black-faced monkeys, and many others. These kinds of primates are usually so playful and usually take the traveler’s property who usually tracks them. This is among the key activities that travelers can do while on a visit to the Mountain Kilimanjaro.

Birding

The mountain is a birder haven since it is home to over 750 bird species. During the hiking of the mountain, the hikers will hear different sounds of the species in the forests. The bird species are usually tropical bird species and these species include; Narina trogon, silvery cheeked hornbill, trumpeter hornbill, African pygmy kingfisher, African bee-eater, and many others. Usually, birding in the mountain is difficult since the mountain is so large to conquer while birding.

Chala Crater Lake tour

The Chala crater lake is the only crater lake found within the Mountain Kilimanjaro at its edge and also one of the deepest lakes in Tanzania. The lake has green lousy waters since it has no outlets. The travelers on their Tanzania safari usually have scenic views of the lake and also camp at the crater rim. During the safari to the lake, you also do the swamp walk as you see different wildlife.

Game viewing

During the safari to the Mountain Kilimanjaro, the mountain is located within a savannah park. During the Safari to Tanzania, you will be able to explore the wildlife in the park through the wildlife game viewing. In the game viewing, you will see different wildlife like the big five in the park and other wildlife including giraffes, zebras, wildebeests, and many others. The game viewing will involve the use of the 4×4 safari van which will offer you a close encounter with the wildlife.

What is the best time to visit Hike Kilimanjaro?

The mountain is accessed throughout the year by travelers on their Tanzania safari. The best season is the dry season since the mountain has the best views and also the vegetation is short where you can easily track the wildlife within the area. The mountain can also be visited in the wet season since there is less traffic of the travelers in the mountain.

Where to stay in Mountain Kilimanjaro?

Usually, most of the travelers who visit Kilimanjaro come purposely for hiking and trekking to the Kibo peak. The accommodation option that travelers usually choose is camping. This is because, in the mountains, there are no lodges and hotels for travelers to rest in. Camping is done in designated places that the authorities will have organized for them. The other form of accommodation facilities are the huts that are on the other routes of the mountain and these huts are meant only for resting. Other facilities include hotels, lodges, and homestays.

These facilities are located within the park and in the other areas near the park. They include; Kibo Lodge, Kilimanjaro Mountain Resort, Kilima Moja Lodge, Marangu Hotel, and Aishi Machame Hotel.The homestays are usually in the communities around the mountain Kilimanjaro and these include the Marangu village homestay, Materuni village homestay, Machame village homestay, Mbahe village homestay, and many others.

How to access Mt. Kilimanjaro?

Mountain Kilimanjaro is accessed by both road and air transport to reach the starting point of the mountain. By air, you will use a domestic flight from either Kilimanjaro International Airport or Dar el Salam International Port to the park. Kilimanjaro International Airport is just 45 kilometers away from the mountain. By road, the mountain is accessed by the road through the seven routes and all the routes have easy access to the mountain.  These routes include; Rongai, Machame, Londorosi, Lemosho, Kilema, Mweka, and Umbwe.

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Zanzibar Island is located in the Indian Ocean in the United Republic of Tanzania. The island united with Tanzania in 1964. It is a group of islands also known as the Spice Islands. The island was initially called the Unguja, the largest populated island in the United Republic of Tanzania.The island is about 50 kilometers away from the coast or the mainland of Tanzania consisting of the two islands that are Unguja (Zanzibar) and Pemba island. The island’s development was due to the coming of the Arabs and Indian traders in the 17^th century.

Also, these traders constructed beautiful architecture within the island in the old town called Stone Town.  Stone Town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the buildings in this town are those of the Arabs and Indians who came for trade. The island is also known as a spice town, there are a lot of spices grown within the area, and much of these spices are displayed in their markets. In Zanzibar, the major industries are the spice industry and the tourism industry. The tourism industry in Zanzibar is marketed and promoted by the government rather than the private sector. This island has also contributed to the economic development of Tanzania because of its industries.

What to see in Zanzibar? (Attractions)

Stone town

This is the oldest city part of the island and was set up by the Arab traders 200 years ago. During the safari to the town, you will see old architecture of the Arab buildings that were constructed. The town is also regarded as the oldest Swahili town in East Africa with good looks, smell, and beauty. The town is made up of the Islamic region and while on your visit, you will always hear the Islamic call for prayer.

Giant tortoise sanctuary

The sanctuary is home to a large number of tortoises that were imported from the Seychelles in the 19^th century. While in the sanctuary, you will learn about the efforts made to protect the tortoise. The tortoise in this region ages up to 150 years and is about 200 kg in weight. This sanctuary was initially a prison that was built in 1883 to separate the dangerous prisoners from the mainland and also the people who were suffering from yellow fever. The prison is now a hotel operating within the sanctuary.

Jozani forest reserve

This forest reserve is located within the Jozani Chwaka National Park in the Chwaka bay. This forest is the largest in the area with indigenous tree species. The area in the forest is low-lying and it is always flooded. While on the safari to the forest, you will see over 40 bird species and red colobus monkeys that are only found in Zanzibar. The other wildlife you can see include bushbabies and duikers among others.

Spice plantations

On the safari to Zanzibar, you will have a tour of the tropical fruits and spices. The spice plantations were first set up by the Portuguese and the seedlings of these plantations were first imported from Goa and Brazil in the 16^th century. These spices led to an increase in trade on the island.

What to do in Zanzibar? (Activities)

City tour

The city tour in Zanzibar is done in the Stone Town, one of the oldest towns of Zanzibar with architectural buildings. On the city tour, you will also visit the malls and old mosques.  You will also see the markets that taste different spices.

Quad biking

While on your Zanzibar safari, you will do quad biking where the training of the quad bikes is free. Then later, you will go ahead with riding the bikes within Zanzibar. While on the quad biking, you will visit different villages cultural centers, and agricultural sites experiencing fresh fruits and vegetables. The activity will last for about 3 to 6 hours of the day. It can also be done either in the morning or the afternoon and also you can either choose to do it in a group or alone.

Nakupenda Beach tour

Nakupenda Beach is known for its white sands and clear water. The tour to the beach will require you to have the swimming costumes and gear. During the tour, you will swim into the underwater world and you will see a lot of the aquatic life and the coral reefs within the sea. You can also choose swimming, sunbathing on the beach. The activity can be done either in the morning or the afternoon.

Dolphin tour

The dolphin tour is done in Zanzibar within the sea. The travelers will swim with the dolphins in the clear waters. During the tour, you will also see the other aquatic animals. The activity is done in the morning hours and in the north of Zanzibar which is Mama Mia Beach. At the beach, there is a conservation area for the dolphins where a traveler can do his or her safari.

Accommodation facilities in Zanzibar

While in Zanzibar, there are a variety of accommodation facilities that travelers can choose to stay in on their Tanzania safari. The facilities are located around the island and these include; the Zanzibar Serena Hotel, Fairmont Zanzibar Hotel, Essque Zalu Hotel, Tembo Hotel, Uroa Hotel, Voi Kiwengwa Resort, the Sunset Resort, Zanzibar Rock Hotel many others. Most of these facilities are located on the shores of the sea, beaches, and other features which offer the best view for tourists.

What is the best time to visit Zanzibar?

Zanzibar is open to travelers throughout the year for their visits. The best time to visit the island is June to October. During this period, the weather is cool, and dry, with less rainfall and warm temperatures where which makes tourism activities go well. During other months, the island can be visited since there is less traffic for the traverse within the island. Book a Zanzibar Island Tour Now. 

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For travelers seeking the best wildlife safari in Tarangire National Park, they will have to explore the northern parts of Tanzania. The park covers the vast plains of the Manyara region and offers some of the best wildlife experiences. The name Tarangire comes from the River Tarangire found within this park. This river is the lifeline of wildlife in Tarangire National Park. More so, the park is famous for being home to large herds of elephants.

The park was established in 1970 and is among the oldest parks in Tanzania. It covers a total area of 2850 square kilometers of land near the Lake Manyara National Park. The park is also within the Tarangire ecosystem which focuses on the long distance of the great migration of the wildebeests and zebras. This wildlife usually gathers along the Tarangire River in the dry season of the year.

What to see in Tarangire National Park?

Wildlife species

The wildlife in the park includes the large herds of elephants which are the major attractions that are seen within the park. The other wildlife includes lions, buffaloes, zebras, wildebeests, warthogs, cheetahs, waterbucks, vervet monkeys, impalas, elands, baboons, banded Mongoose and many others. The park is also home to some reptiles like pythons, puffy deer, green snakes, black mambas, black spitting cobras, and many others. Travelers on the Tanzania safari usually enjoy the migration of wildlife like zebras, wildebeests, and elephants among others.

Birds species

The Tarangire National Park is home to a variety of bird species over 550 bird species are located within the park. These species live within the swamps, savanna plains, woodlands, and termite mounds. The bird species in the park are characterized by endemic species, migratory species, and resident species. The species in the park include; hoopoes, hornbills, hummer corps, yellow-collared love birds, and ostrich among others.

Baobab trees

The baobab trees are trees that are large and medium in size. These trees are found in Austria, Madagascar, the African mainland, and also in the Tarangire National Park. They have lived for over 600 years within the park with their different shapes away from other tree species containing over 330 to 1000 liters of water. Historically, they were considered to be moving trees where they used their roots to move. Then God punished them never to move again. Also, these trees are used by the elephants to sharpen their tusks, offer shade to them, and also food. The traveler on the Tanzania safari will have an opportunity to spot the large herds of elephants under these trees.

Swamp

The park has a long network of swamps and also it is home to some wildlife like Silale swamp lions, elephants, cape buffaloes, tree tree-climbing lions among others. Also during the visit to the wetland, you site different bird species.

What to do in the Tarangire National Park?

While on the Tanzania safari, there are a variety of activities that travelers have to engage in while in the Tarangire National Park.

Game viewing

This is the primary activity that is done in this park. It is done using the 4X4 safari van with a pop-up which allows you to have a close encounter with the wildlife. The game viewing can be done in the morning, full day, and night. The night game viewing is done by the travelers who have the equipment for the game drive to take place.

Nature walks or safari walks

The nature walks or the safari walks are done within and at the boundaries of the park. During the safari walks, you will move in a group or company of the game rangers. The rangers will ensure your safety while exploring and getting closer to the wildlife of the park, viewing the scenic views of the park and landscape features like the river valleys.

Birding

The park is a birding haven for travelers on their birding safari in Tanzania. The bird species in the park include the migratory, resident, and endemic bird species. The birding in the park is done under the guidance of the armed ranger who will ensure your safety while in the park. The guides will also direct you to the best spots for sitting the bird species while in the park.

Where to stay in the park?

Travelers on their Tanzania safari, have a variety of accommodation facilities that the travelers will choose from. These facilities usually range from luxury facilities to midrange facilities and budget facilities. Luxury facilities are facilities that offer high-end and opulence services for travelers who can enjoy their stay on the Tanzania safari. The facilities include; Tarangire tree tops, Mbali Mbali River camp, Trackers Safari Lodge, Tarangire Baobob camp, and many others.

The midrange facilities are facilities that offer intermediate, moderate, and medium-quality services to travelers on the Tanzania safari in Tanzania. The midrange facilities in the Tarangire National Park include; Tarangire Simba Camp, Sanctuary Swala Camp, Nomard Kuro, Nyikani Tarangire Camp, and many others.

The budget accommodation facilities are facilities that offer services to travelers who are on tight budgets during their Tanzania safari. These facilities include; a whistling tented camp, Ngare Lodge, and many others. The other budget option offered in the Tarangire National Park is camping for travelers on a tight budget.

How to get the Tarangire National Park?

The Tarangire National Park can be accessed by either road or air transport. While using air transport, you have a domestic flight from the Kilimanjaro International Airport to the Tarangire National Park. By road, the park is 160 kilometers away from Arusha and the travelers will take about 2 to 3 hours to access the park while in the northern part of Tanzania.

What is the best time to visit Tarangire National Park?

The Tarangire National Park can be visited at any time of the year. During the dry season of the year, travelers will encounter a lot of wildlife in the park since the vegetation is short and the wildlife is visible to be seen. Also during the dry season, you will experience the great migration that will take place around the park. Siting of more wildlife on the shores and banks of the river Tarangire since it is the only water source in the dry season.  In the wet season, the park is also visited. Here, the travelers will see the wildlife grazing within the park and also the predators hiding to hunt the prey.

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Lake Manyara National Park is located in Tanzania near the Arusha and Manyara region lying at the base of the Great Rift Valley. The lake is a soda lake and it covers three-quarters of the park. In 1981 it was considered a UNESCO site as a biosphere. The park was initially a sport hunting ground in the 1920s and in 1957 it was gazette as a national reserve. later on in the 1960s, it was gazette as a national park and extended to about 550 ha in the 1970s towards the south. The park is famous for its tree-climbing lions which are similar to those of Queen Elizabeth National Park in Uganda.

What to see in Lake Manyara National Park

While on your Tanzania safari to Lake Manyara National Park, a tourist has a variety of attractions. Below are some of the tourist attractions that you should expect on a safari to Lake Manyara National Park.

Wildlife

On a Tanzania safari to the Lake Manyara National Park, travelers have the opportunity to explore the beauty of Tanzania’s wildlife. These include; tree-climbing lions, large herds of elephants, buffaloes, antelopes, and many others. During a safari to Lake Manyara, a traveler will have the opportunity to see some of the big five animals. A game drive in Lake Manyara gives you a chance to discover the hidden treasures of Tanzania.

Karatu village  

This village is located in a valley between the Lake Manyara and the Ngorongoro Crater. During a Tanzania safari, travelers will immerse themselves in the real African lifestyle to know and understand the way of life of these people. During the visit to this village, you will participate in the local market for the purchase of locally made crafts.

Bird species

 The park is also a birding paradise for birders on a Tanzania safari since the park is home to over 400 bird species like pink flamingos, Cormorants, pelicans, African hawk eagles, and many other bird species. All these bird species offer an opportunity to a traveler who is on a Tanzania safari to enjoy his birding tours.

Hot springs

Since the park is located in the volcanic areas of the Great Rift Valley, the park has hot springs with a 60-degree boiling point. The water can be used for boiling eggs by travelers on their Tanzania safari. This boiling water is a result of the geothermal energy that makes it boil up.  

Rift valley escarpment

The park is gifted with the great escarpment of the Rift Valley which is 1600 meters above sea level and this escarpment offers the best views of the park during the Tanzania safari. Also, this volcanic future offers the best views of the Ngorongoro crater while at the Lake Manyara National Park.

What to do in the Lake Manyara National Park

While on your safari to Lake Manyara National Park, there are a variety of activities that a traveler can choose from ranging from the most exciting to the least exciting.

Boat Cruise safaris

While on your Tanzania safari, a boat ride on Lake Manyara is one of the bucket list activities. This activity is usually done in the rainy season since the volumes of water are high for one to cruise on the lake. In the dry season, it is not highly recommended for one to do this activity since the volumes of water are too low. It is highly recommended for one to book the activity in advance to ensure availability.

Safari game drives

Game driving in the Lake Manyara National Park is one of the most essential activities that one needs to do. It is done in three shifts. That is to say morning, afternoon, and evening game drive. A game drive is done in a 4×4 safari van that allows you to keep close to the wild. During this game drive, you will have the opportunity to see some of the big five animals. They include; lions, elephants, buffaloes, and many others on your safari to Tanzania.

Birding tours

Lake Manyara is one of the birding paradises since it is home to over 400 bird species. Here, the traveler on a Tanzania safari will enjoy the opportunity to search for the birds in their natural habitat. This activity is done throughout the year. It is mostly enjoyed in the wet season since migratory birds are nesting within the park‘s forests.

What is the best time to visit Lake Manyara National Park?

Like any other safari destination in Tanzania, Lake Manyara National Park is open for travelers any time of the year. The park is open on weekends and public holidays. Book your Tanzania Safari Now and embark on the journey of endless memories.

 Where to stay?

While on a Tanzania safari to Lake Manyara National Park, the travelers have a lot of accommodation facilities to choose from. They include high-end facilities, midrange, and budget facilities. These facilities offer a great confect while on your Tanzania safari.

Luxury facilities in the park include; Lake Manyara Sopa Lodge, Lake Manyara Serena Lodge, lake Manyara Kilimanjaro Lodge, Acacia Farm Lodge, and many others.

The Midrange accommodation facilities in the park include; Twigs Camp, Kirurumu Tented Lodge, Escarpment Lodge, Migunga Tented Camp, Lake Manyara Wildlife Tented Camp, and many others.

The budget facilities in Lake Manyara National Park include; Nsya Lodge, Jambo Lodge, Echo Bama rooms, and many others. During the Tanzania safari, travelers will have a variety of activities, attractions, routes, and facilities that will offer them comfort while on a safari to Tanzania in Lake Manyara National Park

How to get to Lake Manyara National Park?

The park can be accessed by either air or road during a Tanzania safari. By road, you can access the park through the northern circuit where through Bahati town in the Manyara region. The park is a two-hour drive from Arusha. By air, you can arrange a domestic flight from either Kilimanjaro International Airport or Julius Nyerere International Airport to the Park. The park has two gates and these gates include the northern gate and the southern gate.

Northern gate: This gate is found in the northern part of the park and is the main gate of the park which is quite developed it is usually used by most travelers who usually want to enjoy the activities within the park.

Southern gate: The gate is found in the southern sector of the park and it is so remote. It is rarely used by tourists because of its remoteness and poor roads.

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Ngorongoro Conservation Area is located in Tanzania and is a UNESCO World Heritage site, designated in 1979. It was established in 1959 and is part of the Serengeti National Park in the southern sector. The park is located in the highland craters of Tanzania, and the name originates from the crater within the park called the Ngorongoro Crater. The Ngorongoro Crater is among the seven wonders of the world. The area was established for a purpose, where it was to be used by the Masai semi-nomads who always moved from place to place in search of water and pastures for their animals. The Ngorongoro conservation area is a large and protected with large wildlife populations, breathtaking landscapes, the world’s largest caldera, and many others.

Attractions in the Ngorongoro

There are several attractions in the Ngorongoro conservation area, and these attractions include;

Ngorongoro Crater

This is a significant attraction in the Ngorongoro, which covers 264 kilometers. During a visit to this crater, tourists can have a side view and see animals at dawn. The crater also has lakes with soda water that attract water birds like flamingos and other birds and their predators.

Wildlife

The park is home to a variety of wildlife since it is vast, with a lot of water and swamps used by other animals for cooling. The conservation area is home to some Big Five animals, such as elephants, black rhinos, buffalo, and lions. Wildlife animals include wildebeest, antelopes, warthogs, jackals, and many others.

Bird species

The conservation area is considered a birding paradise because it is home to permanent and migratory birds. The migratory birds come from Europe and parts of Asia, where they usually migrate to Tanzania to breed in the rainy season in September and April.

Lake Magadi

This is a shallow lake with water containing sodium carbonate, and it is home to flamingos. The lake usually crystallizes during the dry season, leaving a thick crystalline layer used as a lick for animals like jackals, hyenas, elephants, and others to supplement their diets. These birds include European swallows, rollers, Caspian lapwings, Montagu’s harriers, and many others.

Olduvai Gorge Museum

This small museum is located in the Olduvai Gorge within the conservation area. Dr. Leaky considers it an archaeological site where he discovered the remains of early man in 1959. The place offers the best views of the animals within the park during a visit to both Ngorongoro and Serengeti National Park.

Activities that one can do in the Ngorongoro Conservation Area

The conservation area has a variety of attractions and activities that attract large numbers of tourists each year, and these activities include;

Game drive and game viewing

A game drive and game viewing in the conservation area provide a great view of the park while in the tour vans. Game drives usually start in the morning and the other in the afternoon. These offer a great view of the park. They involve driving into the crater. You will at least see some of the big five animals during each game drive.

Crater walks

During this walk, the tourists will walk along the edges of the crater while having great views of the vegetation, such as woodlands, open grass, and Acacia, as well as the view of the Masai community outside the park.

Cultural encounters

During your safari to Tanzania, the cultural encounters within the Ngorongoro Conservation Area are among the bucket list activities. You will encounter the

and the last bushmen of Africa through understanding their way of living, feeding, and economic activities.

Hot air balloon safaris

This is one of the highly recommended activities in the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. During this hot air balloon safari, a tourist will enjoy the crater’s great aerial view. A picnic bush breakfast is usually organized to mark a remarkable adventure on your hot air balloon safari. It is a perfect opportunity to see the park’s scenic views from the top.

Birding

The conservation area is considered a birder’s haven because it is home to both permanent and migratory birds, which makes it a good place for birding. Birding tours in this area allow travelers to discover the hidden treasure on a Tanzania birding safari.

Accommodation facilities in the Ngorongoro

The accommodation facilities in the conservation area usually range from mid-range, budget, and high-end facilities, and they include;

Lemale Ngorongoro tented camp. This camp is located in the ancient acacia forest on the edge of the Ngorongoro crater. The facility is luxurious. It is near the road to the Lemale crater in the park’s eastern region, which offers quick access to the crater.

Ngorongoro Sopa Lodge: This lodge is located at the highest point on the edge of the Ngorongoro crater. It offers unparalleled views of the caldera, where the tourists can view the sunset with one of the fine cultural setups.

What is the best time to visit the Ngorongoro Conservation Area?

Like any other safari destination in Tanzania, the Ngorongoro Conservation Area is open for tourists at any time of the year. However, most of the park’s safari activities can easily be done during the dry season, spanning June, July, August, September, December, January, and February. Could you talk to a Tanzania travel specialist now to plan your safari?

How to get there?

Either road or air can access this area. By road, it is 185 kilometers from Arusha, and it takes 2 to 4 hours to arrive at the park. You will board a domestic flight from Arusha to Lake Manyara airstrip by air. Usually, there are daily flights from Arusha to Manyara. Additionally, on how to access the Ngorongoro conservation area, the area has several gates from which you can access it. These gates include;

Lodoare Gate: This gate is in the southern part of the conservation area. It is the most popular gate used by tourists since it is the nearest gate to Arusha. It also has quick access to Lake Magadi, which hosts large flocks of flamingos and the hippo pool.

Naabi Hill Gate: This is another commonly used gate for tourists to access the Ngorongoro. It has access to both the Serengeti National Park and the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. While at this gate, you will see an endless view of the plains of the Ngorongoro Conservation Area and Serengeti National Park.

Lemala gate: This is a mini gate in the northern part of the conservation area. It has both the entry and exit points of the conservation area. It is one hour away from the Lodoare gate.

Seneto Gate: This is a mini gate in the western part of the conservation area. It takes an hour to reach Olduvai Gorge from the gate.

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The beautiful soils of Serengeti National Park age as fine wine as in the pre-historic Era they were used by the Masai for grazing and the present Serengeti was their precious endless plains.  The Park is blessed with a name that is derived from a Masai word called Serengeti which means a great open space where land is endless. The area was designated as a game reserve in 1930 and 1937 sport hunting was a free-to-do activity. The Park was established in 1951 including Ngorongoro Conservation Area which was later split off from the park in 1959. A safari in Tanzania is incomplete without a wildebeest migration experience in the Serengeti.  

The uniqueness of Serengeti National Park

Serengeti is among the first places to be announced as UNESCO sites. Serengeti National Park was named a World Heritage site in 1972 during the Stockholm conference and it was officiated in 1981. The park has an enormous number of grazers. As it was originally called endless plains by its original occupants, the plains in this park are filled with a brim to facilitate the lives of large herds of animals like gazelles, Zebras, and wildebeest among others. The Park is famous for the immense migration of land animals that happens in Africa. The greatest movement of wildebeests in the world happens in Tanzania as the animals are ready to face any risk coming from predators and crocodile attacks while crossing lakes and rivers from the dry plains to the greener areas of the western corridor.

Activities that can be done in Serengeti National Park

Game drives

As the rays of sunlight begin to calmly illuminate the earth, tourists are always up and ready to wow on the amazing views given off by the animals as they leave their nests to spend their day. As tourists navigate through the Savannah plains, tourists get to spot different animals like rhinos, a bloat of elephants, lions, leopards, giraffes, and antelopes among others.

Hot air balloon safaris

Visitors get to enjoy the aurora as they are high in the sky and survey the endless Savannah plains of Serengeti as they gaze in awe at the enormous animals that are watched in an aerial view. The central part of the park is called Seronera, the north and south offer clear views to tourists who love this activity and after they are done floating in the air, a sumptuous breakfast is always offered to the tourists as they continue to enjoy the ambiance of this park.

Birding

The Park was molded with endless plains and filled with charming chirping creatures called birds. With over 500 bird species in the park, tourists get hold of all kinds including native, migrant, and a lot more like secretary birds, grey-breasted spurfowl, Kori bustard, and woodpeckers among others.

Wildebeest migration experience

The greatest animal migration in the world equated to the great trek ensues in Serengeti and it offers a spectacular view of an enormous movement that raises both dust and earthquake as over 2 million wildebeests cross between the Serengeti and Mara ecosystems during the dry season. Making the journey more interesting, they travel along with their fellow grazers the zebras and gazelles as they courageously cross through rivers, eyes of predators preying on them to make it to the greener pastures.

Guided nature walks

The endless savannah plains cannot be toured and completed by travelers but they can embark on a trail that is led by an experienced guide as they are provided with in-depth details about the history of the park, catch site of a variety of wildlife, birds and they can all be sighted by visitors while on foot.

Popular attractions in Serengeti National Park

Birds

With over 500 bird species that inhabit the vast endless savannah plains, tourists get to spot a variety of forest life-givers that include the rare marabou storks, black crake, southern ground hornbill, Kori bustards, secretary birds, small finches, Masai ostrich among others.

Wildlife

The big five animals cannot be missed by tourists as they get to the park because if they fail to watch the animals during the day, the night is also too young for tourists to survey and enjoy the wilderness with nocturnal. While in the park, antelopes, elands, bushbucks, fringe-eared oryxes, and crested porcupines among others can be sighted and the climax of beauty is gotten at the sight of wildebeests and other grazers treading to greener posturers.

Vegetation in the park

The Serengeti plains have long served the indigenous of Tanzania and for that matter.  They are called endless because they contain woodlands, riverine forests, trees, and grasses among others. Grasses include red oat grasses, pan drop seeds, trees like yellow fever trees, and commiphoras.  All these excite tourists with their giant trees that are about 50 cm tall among others.

How to get to the Park?

Whether by road or air, the tourists can access the park depending on what is convenient for them. Road transport is the most used means and tourists usually embark on a safari drive that resumes from Arusha and before the end of eight hours tourists en route or get overnights in other wildlife sites.

By air, tourists fly into the park through either Kilimanjaro International Airport or Arusha Airport, and within 1-5 hours, they will have effortlessly landed in the park.

When to visit Serengeti National Park?

Visiting the park is an all-year-round activity but travelers who wish to witness amazing sceneries like the great migration should find their way to the park during the dry season.

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