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1. On
Safari in Northern Tanzania - Back to The Sixth Day of the Creation
Tanzania's
natural endowment as a wildlife safari destination is
unrivalled. Wild
animals roam in vast areas as God intended on that sixth day of the
creation. These areas are designated as national parks and
game
reserves and have a high reputation for being uncrowded and unspoilt.
The magnificent collection of game sanctuaries to the north of
the
country, near the border with Kenya, is referred to as The Northern
Circuit. This is the most popular and accessible route for a wildlife safari in Tanzania. I can positively say that this is one of the finest game
viewing areas anywhere in the
world. The game aside, the spectacularly
diverse cluster of eco-systems and habitats is a dazzling experience
for many a visitor.
The
stars of the Northern Circuit are
the Serengeti and Ngorongoro, very
dear to the hearts of nature lovers. But no less sparkling and indeed
complementing the two are the other members of
the circuit: Arusha,
Tarangire and Lake Manyara. In terms of wildlife, the abundance and
diversity of the wildlife here is difficult to imagine. On top
of the
heap are the highly regarded "big five": elephant, buffalo, rhino,
leopard and lion. And then a wild array of plain animals:
wildebeest,
zebra, eland, hartebeest, oryx, reedbuck, giraffe, Thompson gazelle,
and many more of the same genre. But do not forget the
merciless
predators: cheetah, wild dog, jackal, hyena and vultures. The Northern
Circuit is an ornithologist's paradise too, and over 500 species
of
birds are on record. On safari, you will be a witness of the shocking
and fascinating dance of life and death on daily play by this
combination
of animals.
The starting point for northern safaris
is usually Arusha town. The town sits near the base of Mount Meru and
is in sight of
mighty Kilimanjaro, Africa's highest mountain. From
Arusha, the nearest protected area to see wildlife is Arusha National
Park, just 32 km away. In
this park of 137 sq km area, you will see
baboon, colobus and vervet monkeys, duikers, elephant, buffalo,
giraffe, hippo, leopard, hyena, zebra and a
wide range of antelopes.
More than 400 species of birds have been recorded, including Eurasian
migrants, who visit between October and April. One of
the unique
attractions of the park is that walking safaris are allowed and you can
get off your vehicle for a nature walk. Due to its proximity to
Arusha,
the park is very popular for day trips.
Wildlife aside, Arusha
National Park is a treasure with a rich tapestry of habitats
including
grassland, montane forest, heath and alpine desert and soda and fresh
water lakes. Three spectacular features stand out: the Momela
Lakes,
Mount Meru, and Ngurdoto Crater. Mount Meru stands at 4,575 m and is
Africa's fourth highest mountain. It is however overshadowed by
nearby
Kilimanjaro, which rises above it by over 1300 m. It is regrettable
that the snobbish instinct of many climbers makes them to overlook
Mt
Meru. The mountain can be scaled in three to four days with overnight
accommodation in alpine huts.
The Ngorongoro Conservation Area,
a
UNESCO World Heritage Site and an International Biosphere Reserve, is
located in the Great Rift Valley, a monumental fracture of the earths
crust. The
area is filled with volcanoes, mountains, plains, lakes and
forests. Covering 8288 sq km, its main features are the Ngorongoro
Crater, the Empakai
crater, the Oldonyo Lengai Mountain and the
archeological site of Olduvai Gorge. Olduvai Gorge is the prehistoric
site where Dr. Louis Leakey
discovered the remains of Homo habilis
("Handy man") regarded by scientists as mankind's first step on the
path of human evolution. Be sure
to have a look at the remains of our
worthy predecessor, whose valiant industry spurred by necessity, got
him making simple stone
tools.
Unlike in the national parks, the
colorful Maasai people, their livestock and wildlife coexist within the
conservation area. The
Ngorongoro Crater is the largest Caldera in the
world that has its walls intact. The crater floor is a drop of 600 m
and covers an area of 260 sq km
with a diameter of 19 km. This
magnificent natural amphitheatre is a stunning attraction in its own
right and is one of the wonders of the natural
world. The crater
supports a year round resident population of a variety of wildlife. You
will have no trouble spotting lion, elephant, rhino, buffalo
and many
species of plain animals- wildebeest, zebra, reedbuck, Thompson gazelle
and many more. The crater floor is dotted with watering holes and
holds
almost 30,000 wild animals. Ngorongoro is four hours by road from
Arusha or one hour by air. And from either Lake Manyara or Tarangire
you
will be on the road for two hours.
Help and More Information for Tanzania!
Planning for your next Tanzania safari? Contact us
today and we will assist you in picking and booking the best hotel and
flight, and all
your other Tanzania travel arrangements.
