The Serengeti is the jewel in the crown of Tanzania’s protected areas, which altogether make up some 14% of the country’s land area. The annual migration to permanent water holes of vast herds of herbivores (two million wildebeest & hundreds of thousands of gazelles and zebras), followed by their predators, is one of the most impressive natural events in the world. The biological diversity of the park is very high with at least four globally threatened or endangered animal species: black rhinoceros, elephant, wild dog, and cheetah. The combination of volcanic soils combined with the ecological impact of the migration results in a very productive ecosystem, sustaining the largest number of ungulates and the highest concentration of large predators in the world… in fact almost every living thing here is either hunter or hunted – and often both! The Serengeti National Park is also home to the Big Five, Today, they are five of the animals which people most want to see while on Safari. One hundred years ago, amid pith helmets, mosquito boots, and ‘darkest Africa’, the Big Five were the most sought after animals to hunt. They were the fiercest, the most dangerous animals; the animals that would hunt the hunter: Maasai lion: the Serengeti is believed to hold the largest population of lions in Africa, more than 3,000 lions live in this ecosystem. African leopard: these predators are present throughout the national park with the population of around 1,000. African bush elephant: the herds have recovered lately. Eastern black rhinoceros: very few individuals remain due to rampant poaching. African buffalo: still abundant and present in healthy numbers.
Ngorongoro conservation Areas, a World Heritage site, one of the world’s most unchanged wildlife sanctuaries and the only place on earth where mankind and wild animals co-exist in harmony.Ngorongoro is one of the world’s largest intact volcanic caldera,with a diameter of about 18 km and an area of 260 km2, and home to the highest density of big game in Africa, including all the Big Five and plenty of predators. Ngorongoro is justifiably one of the continent’s most famous safari destinations. And as wonderful as the views are from above, the real magic happens when you get down inside and drive among an unparalleled concentration of wildlife, including the highest density of both lions and overall predators in Africa. Walking safari When staying on the eastern or western rim of the Ngorongoro crater, a NCAA ranger/guide – escorted walking trip along the rim of the Ngorongoro Crater. The hike takes anywhere from 2 – 3 hrs.
Tarangire National Park, famous for its high density of elephants and baobab trees. The name of the park originates from the Tarangire river that crosses through the park, being the only source of water for wild animals during dry seasons. The dry season generates a local migration, thousands of animals migrate to the Tarangire National Park from Manyara National Park. Tarangire National Park has the second-highest concentration of wildlife of any Tanzanian national park (after Serengeti) and reportedly the largest concentration of elephants in the world. The number of elephants can reach 3000, and the species of birds to 550, what makes it a bird watchers’ paradise, all including a big range of diverse animals, and big herds surrounding the Tarangire river.
The park is a narrow strip running between the Gregory Rift wall to the west and Lake Manyara, an alkaline lake, to the east. The park is a lovely scenic park known for the flamingos that inhabit the lake, during the wet season they inhabit the edges of the lake in flocks of thousands. This park is also famous for the tree-climbing lions, why these lions habitually climb trees is still up for debate, scientists speculate that they may have developed the habit to escape a nasty biting fly that devastated the Ngorongoro Crater lion populations back in the 1960s, might also be related to the humid ground around the lake area in wet season, but viewing a lion relaxing in an acacia tree is a remarkable sight. Hipos and other big mammals can also be seen throughout the year.Night SafariExplore wildlife in the bush at night in Lake ManyaraA whole new world of animal species (nocturnal) awaits you on a night game drive. It gives you a different perspective of the park and wildlife. Lake Manyara is the ideal location for a night game drive because of its many ecosystems. It is said to have 11 different systems; the area is a melting pot for all types of animals and plants – with the lake, the rift valley cliffs and a ground water forest. The less seen animals are generally active at night! Porcupines, genets and civet cats are frequent visitors to the forest. Hippos are nocturnal animals and it is highly likely to see many of these beasts grazing on the side of the road. Lake Manyara is well known for a large number of Leopards these elusive cats are spotted on a regular basis. Lion sightings are more common and where lions are mostly sleeping in day time at night they are almost always active.
Arusha National Park, one of the most beautiful and topographically varied game reserves in Tanzania, where the acrobatic black and white colobus monkey can be easily seen. Arusha National Park has a broad variety of landscapes, ranging from open savannah through acacia scrubland to rainforest and to alpine conditions on the higher reaches of Mt. Meru. The Arusha National Park has three most significant features include the rugged Mount Meru, the fifth highest in Africa and Tanzania’s second highest peak at 4566 m. 14990 feet, the different coloured Momela Lakes, shallow alkaline lakes made up of seven lakes, All seven lakes are mainly fed by separate underground water sources and due to the varying mineral content of these underground sources, each lake supports a different type of algae growth, resulting in uniquely differently coloured lakes. These lakes are alkaline, means the water is not utilized by animals for drinking, but they do however attract a wide variety of African bird life. The third feature is the 3km wide Ngurdoto Crater. The crater provides a natural sanctuary to many African animals, including elephant, African buffalo, a variety of monkeys and baboons, as well as birds like hamerkop, spur-winged geese and herons.
Lake Natron is an alkaline lake where the alkalinity can reach a pH of greater than 12. The redish colour of the lake is characteristic of those where very high evaporation rates occur. As water evaporates during the dry season, salinity levels increase to the point that salt-loving microorganisms begin to thrive. The red accessory photosynthesizing pigment in the cyanobacteria produces the deep reds of the open water of the lake and the orange colors of the shallow parts of the lake. The alkali salt crust on the surface of the lake is also often colored red or pink by the salt-loving microorganisms that live there.Most animals find the lake’s high temperature (up to 60 °C) and its high salt content inhospitable. Nonetheless, the lake is the only regular breeding area in East Africa for the 2.5 million lesser flamingos, that feed on Spirulina (a blue-green algae with red pigments) and whose status of “near threatened” results from their dependence on this one location. Lake Natron is a safe breeding location because its caustic environment is a barrier against predators trying to reach their nests on seasonal islands. 75% of the world’s lesser flamingos are born on Lake Natron. Greater flamingos also breed on the mud flats.Because of its unique biodiversity, Tanzania named the Lake Natron Basin to the Ramsar List of Wetlands of International Importance on July 4, 2001. The lake is also the World Wildlife Fund East African halophytics ecoregion.
The Hadzabe, is an indigenous ethnic group in north-central Tanzania, living around Lake Eyasi in the central Rift Valley, is well known for its way of life, hunters gatherers, and the clicks in its language.As descendants of Tanzania’s aboriginal hunter-gatherer population, they have probably occupied their current territory for thousands of years, with relatively little modification many Hadza still pursue virtually the same way of life as their ancestors and living in huts built in the same style for as long as records have been kept. There is also seasonal migration between dry-season refuges, better hunting grounds while water is more abundant, and areas with large numbers of tubers or berry trees when they are in season.They The Hadza are organized into bands, called ‘camps’, of typically 20–30 people, a communal setting where they engage in cooperative child rearing. While men specialize in procuring meat, honey, and baobab fruit, women specialize in tubers, berries, and greens. Men carry axes, bows, poisoned and non-poisoned arrows and knives.
Maasai are a Nilotic ethnic group inhabiting central and southern Kenya and northern Tanzania. They are among the best known local populations due to their residence near the many game parks of the African Great Lakes, and their distinctive customs and dress. The Maasai speak the Maa language, arriving via the South Sudan they are pastoralists, and are famous for their fearsome reputations as warriors and cattle-rustlers. Maasai society is strongly patriarchal in nature, with elder men, sometimes joined by retired elders, deciding most major matters for each Maasai group. A full body of oral law covers many aspects of behavior where the formal execution is unknown, and normally payment in cattle will settle matters. Traditional Maasai lifestyle centers around their cattle which constitute their primary source of food. The measure of a man’s wealth is in terms of cattle and children. All of the Maasai’s needs for food are met by their cattle. They eat the meat, drink the milk daily, and drink the blood on occasion. The central unit of Maasai society is the age-set. Young boys are sent out with the calves and lambs as soon as they can walk. Girls are responsible for chores such as cooking and milking, skills which they learn from their mothers at an early age. Every 15 years or so, a new generation of Morans (warriors) will be initiated. This involves most boys between 12 and 25, who have reached puberty. One rite of passage from boyhood to the status of junior warrior is a circumcision ceremony performed without anesthetic, and boys must remain in black clothes for a period of 4–8 months. When a new generation of warriors is initiated, the existing Morans will graduate to become junior elders, who are responsible for political decisions until they in turn become senior elders. Young women also use to undergo female circumcision (female genital mutilation), now illegal in both Kenya and Tanzania. The Maasai are traditionally polygynous; this is thought to be a long-standing and practical adaptation to high infant and warrior mortality rates. The “Mountain of God”, Ol Doinyo Lengai, sacred to the maasai, is located in northernmost Tanzania and can be seen from Lake Natron.
Please remember to look at the weather forecast for your travel region, we would suggest that you pack accordingly or consult our travel planner.
While on safari, transfers between camps and lodges are usually facilitated by chartered flights in light aircraft. These flights often practice strict baggage restrictions. To ensure seamless boarding and departure adhering to the plane’s baggage limitations is strongly advised. Bags with wheels and a frame or hard base will not be accepted on these flights. The majority of chartered flights will only approve of soft-sided duffel bags. Please note that on some light aircraft transfers there are luggage restrictions of between 15kg (33lbs) and 20kg (44lbs) (in a soft bag with no wheels or frame). Please ensure you have all the details according to your itinerary to avoid leaving luggage behind or having to buy new.