Destinations
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 safari goers, 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 colorful 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 water bucks 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 foot slopes protected within the national park, Meru offers unparalleled views of its famous neighbor, 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.
Lake Manyara National Park
Lake Manyara National Park between Lake Manyara and the Great Rift Valley, and covers an area of 325 km² including about 230 km² lake surface. It’s proximity to Arusha makes it a great place to start your safari.
The park is considered one of the best places for bird watching in Tanzania. The shallow alkaline lake and its surroundings gather an incredible number of birds. It is famously known as the seasonal home of the greater and lesser flamingos.
Lake Manyara National Park offers a wilderness experience in diverse habitats, from its Rift Valley soda lake to dense woodlands and steep mountainsides. The remarkable wildlife includes tree-climbing lions, vast elephant herds, giraffes, water bucks, monkeys, hippopotamus and more.
There are also interesting sites to visit such as the treetop walkway (canopy walk), hot springs, and a boardwalk on the lake.
Best time to visit: from December to March and June to October (dry seasons)
Activities/Visits/Excursions:
- Lake Manyara Treetop Walkway
- Bird watching
- Day and night game drives
- Canoeing
- Nature walks
- Visit Maasai bomas
Mto wa Mbu Town
Located at the entrance to Lake Manyara National Park, Mto wa Mbu Town is a growing town, home to more than 80 different tribes. The town is a local agricultural hub and is famous for its colorful local market that offers traditional crafts. Visitors to this fascinating town can taste the unique and famous red banana and local banana beer.
Activities/Visits/Excursions:
- Village tour
- Walk
- Bike
- Local lunch
- Tuk-tuk ride
Tarangire National Park
Tarangire National Park is considered one of the most scenic safari destinations in Africa. The diverse landscapes, granite ridges, woodlands, and grassland make the park unique.
Lion and other predators are frequently spotted and it is also famous for its massive population of elephants. The landscape is of particular interest too, due to the high number of scenic baobab trees.
The Tarangire National Park is known as a wonderful birding destination and also features large numbers of game, particularly during the dry season, when the Tarangire River is the only source of water in the area.
Best time to visit: July to October (dry season concentrating animals inside the park as Tarangire River is the only water source) + June, November/December
Activities/Visits/Excursions:
- Bushwalks
- Game drives
- Night game drives
- Hot air balloon trips
- Sightseeing
- Cultural visit
- Nature walk
Ngorongoro Conservation Area
The Ngorongoro Conservation Area is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is characterized by a highland plateau with volcanic mountains and craters, vast savannah, and forest. It is one of the top safari destinations in Africa.
Since the whole zone is classified as a “conservation area”, and not a national park, wildlife, humans and livestock cohabit together. Ground cultivation is prohibited, but the Maasai are allowed to bring their cattle down on the crater floor for water sources and minerals.
The Ngorongoro Conservation Area is home to the world’s largest intact caldera. This three million year old caldera is considered one of the natural wonders of the world.
The crater (19 km wide, its rim rising from 365 to 490 m, total superficy of 265 km²) is the largest unflooded, intact caldera in the world. Due to its immensity and singular beauty, as well as abundance and concentration of wildlife, it constitutes for many the Garden of Eden.
An estimated 25 000 large mammals are resident in this bowl of plenty, including lion, buffalo, zebra, Thomson’s gazelle, and elephant. Leopard are most often encountered in the bountiful Lerai Forest, while cheetah move in and out of the crater. It is also the home of the most endangered black rhino.
Best time to visit: all year round
Activities/Visits/Excursions:
- Ngorongoro Crater tour
- Empakaai Crater tou
- Olduvai Gorge Museum
- Shifting Sands
- Nature walks to Empakai or Olmoti
- Visit Maasai boma
- View wildlife
- Bird watching
- Game drives
- Lerai Forest
Serengeti National Park
The Serengeti National Park was proclaimed a national park in 1951, and designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1981. It is the only place in the world where you can witness millions of migrating wildebeest over the Acacia plains, and is the closest to an untouched African wilderness you will ever get.
The word Serengeti is derived from the Maasai language meaning ‘endless plain’ and consists of vast open plains dotted by kopjes. The park is so vast that you could never see it all in one trip. Each region offers different landscapes and wildlife highlights for your safari.
The Serengeti supports a magnificent diversity and abundance of animals, from the Big Five – lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo and black rhino – to giraffe, Grant’s gazelle, impala, and eland. Birders will be delighted by more than 500 species, which include kori bustard, secretary birds, Fischer’s lovebird, and so many more.
Activities/Visits/Excursions:
- Great Migration
- Hot air balloon
- Bush dinner
- Camp under the stars
- Serengeti Visitors Center
- Olduvai Gorge
- Grumeti River
- Seronera River Valley
- Retina Hippo Pool
- Moru Kopjes
- Visit the Maasai
Southern Serengeti
Short-grass plains dominate this area bordering the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. Lake Masek and Lake Lagaja, saline lakes, host lesser and greater flamingoes. Best to visit this area during the calving season of the migration i.e. from December to March.
Seronera Valley/Central + Eastern Serengeti
This area characterizes the typical African savannah with large umbrella thorn trees. There are plenty of resident animals here. We also find a restricted area dedicated to a cheetah conservation project.
Northern Serengeti
The Northern Serengeti offers a great game viewing year-round. However, from July to October you can witness the dramatic river crossings of the migration. A few rhinos have been reintroduced to the area, and though they are shy, you may be lucky enough to spot one.
Western Corridor
The Western Corridor offers good game viewing all year round. The area is known for its huge crocodiles lying in wait on the bank of the Grumeti River. June and July is a good time to see the migration heading up to the North.
The Great Migration
The Great Migration is the highlight of the Serengeti’s wildlife. This annual circular movement of millions of wildebeest, zebra and gazelle moving northwards into the neighboring Masai Mara National Reserve in Kenya and back into the plains of the Serengeti.
The Serengeti is a year-round safari destination, offering something new to see in each season.
June and July are the best months to see the Wildebeest in the western corridor, and August to September in the northern parts of the Serengeti. During this time, the weather is generally sunny with not much rain.
January to February is the calving season and the best time to see newborns, which lures predators. It’s very green during this time, with incredible bird watching opportunities.
April to May is the low season, so there will be fewer crowds.