|
|
| |
| Outdoor Adventure Information – Your Guide to Outdoor Fun | |
|
|
|
Tanzania Safari Top Five National Parks and Game Reserves
Ask about perfect wildlife destinations and a Tanzania safari will be at or near the top of the list every time. But what about the national parks and game reserves within the country itself? Which are the best to visit because they can't all be equally good. Well, the top five list below provides the answers to that. It's been set up by using objective travel diaries at the African Safari Journals website, my twenty years of safari experience, forums, travel magazines and general consensus within the safari industry... 1. Serengeti NP One of the best safari parks in Africa bar none. The wildlife viewing on a Tanzania safari here often borders on the spectacular aided by the fact that the vegetation is predominantly grassland which makes spotting animals from a distance considerably easier. The grassland is also able to sustain a multitude of herbivores like wildebeest, zebra and gazelle which in turn sustains a large population of predators to feed on them so it's no surprise that the Serengeti is often referred to as "big cat central". In the Masaai language Serengeti means "endless plain" which is very close to the truth. Two extraordinary events occur here that make it an even more remarkable place to take a tanzania safari. The annual wildebeest migration and the birth of hundreds of thousands of wildebeest foals. The migration occurs as the massive herds of up to a million individuals begin their search for better grazing by moving north. The exact timing is dependant on the seasonal rains but they travel across the Serengeti en masse roughly between April and August. In February - March, months before they begin their epic journey, the wildebeest give birth within a six week period to hundreds of thousands of calves, taking advantage of the sweet grazing available in the Serengeti at that time. They all foal at the same time to cause a glut of prey opportunities for the predators who make full use of the bonanza while they can. 2. Ngorongoro Conservation Area To call the Ngorongoro Crater amazing would be an understatement as it ranks as one of the wonders of the natural world because it is so unique. Formerly a mountain which stood as tall as Kilimanjaro it blew up in a volcanic upheaval causing the crater floor to sink and form the largest intact caldera in the world with walls 2200 metres high. Once it had cooled the rich pasture and permanent water on the crater floor began to attract wildlife and today around 30 000 individuals populate this garden of Eden forming the most densely crowded game area in the world. Here you will find a population of Tanzania's few remaining black rhinos and a healthy collection of predators like lion, cheetah and the odd leopard and of course the ubiquitous wildebeest, zebra and Thompson's gazelle. What you won't find are herds of elephant because they tend to prefer the forested highlands but the bulls do sometimes venture to the crater floor. Also absent are giraffe who like the acacia trees found higher up and impala, orynx and topi that favour the grassland plains of the Serengeti. Lake Magadi is an irresistible attraction to water birds like flamingos, avocets, stilts and plovers which throng the shallows of this soda lake. an excellent destination for any Tanzania safari. 3. Tarangire NP This park is all about solitude, peace, quiet and elephants. There are vast herds of the pachyderms here sometimes numbering up to six hundred and also some really big buffalo herds. There are less tourists on a Tanzania safari here because many of them stick to the Serengeti, Ngorongoro circuit to the north which is their loss because the Tarangire National Park is a gem if you visit at the right time. The dry season from June to September is the best for wildlife viewing because that is when thousands of animals congregate to drink the waters of the Tarangire river while they tend to disperse during the wet season because there is water elsewhere. The birdlife here is also exceptional with over 550 species recorded. Your chances of spotting python seem to more than even for some or other reason maybe because they have taken to climbing the trees in the area. Panoramic views of savannah grassland punctuated by acacia and baobab trees make this an extremely picturesque park. Avoid it during the months of April and May which is when the heavy rains fall. 4. Lake Manyara NP Ask anyone who has been on a Tanzania safari to Lake Manyara and they will probably tell you about the amazing tree climbing lions who choose to sleep off the heat of the day on a branch rather then on the ground like other lions. Also the amazing birdlife that can be found around this lake like cormorants, pelicans, storks, egyptian geese, flamingos and huge flocks of quelea. The well known environmental writer Duncan Butchart recommends that "if a first-time bird watcher to Africa visit only a single reserve in Tanzania, then this surely must be it". You will also find some rarer species here like the Olive baboon and Sykes monkey troops that lord it over the forest and also all the usual suspect like elephant, crocodile, hippo, buffalo, antelope and leopard. 5. Ruaha NP This park is one of Tanzania's best kept secrets and if the old tanzania safari hands could have their own way that's the way it would stay so that they could keep its seclusion and isolation all to themselves. But the secret is out and more and more people are visiting the countries second largest national park to immerse themselves in the varied landscape of wild fig and baobab trees and the excellent wildlife spotting opportunities most notably of packs of wild dog. Ruaha also has a number of fearsome lion prides capable of reducing a large male buffalo to a skeleton in a few hours and an impressive tally of antelope species: Grants gazelle and Lesser Kudu at the south of their ranges and sable, roan and greater kudu to name a few. Your chances of seeing elephant on a Tanzania safari here are excellent as there are more than 12 000 of them resident here and for the birders there are a high number of resident and migratory species available to see. The Top Three Tanzania safari companies list was compiled using trip reports and ranks the best operators available for a wildlife trip to Tanzania. You can pick up safari Tanzania tips, advice and recommendations in these trip reports written by people who have been on safari in Tanzania before.
MORE RESOURCES:
Google News |
|
|
|
RELATED ARTICLES
4 Steps to an Enjoyable Hike Some people have fought many years of their lives to preserve the rich heritage of the outdoors and nature we now enjoy. That dedication and effort has been rewarded by fantastic hiking opportunities in our local, state, and national park systems. 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. Ten African Safari Tips That You Must Know Before You Go 1. Take the early morning drives on safari even though that often means getting up while it's still dark. What You Need to Know About - Camping Vacations Camping is a delightful and adventurous way to spend your vacations. Camping basically means living in tents that are pitched on specific grounds. Lake Jipe straddling Tanzania and Kenya So unknown is this treasure of Lake Jipe not many Tanzanians know of its existence or location. Sandwiched between the Pare mountains and Kilimanjaro this small lake [30 km sq] straddles the border between Kenya and Tanzania. Its an Alien World in Every River When you look at a river, what do you see? A few flies on top? A fish or two?Look closer.Lay down on your chest at the side of the river and stare down into it. The American Picnic - Make Yours Memorable We love spending time outdoors and if you are expecting a large group; you need to be somewhere you can accommodate all of the people. A picnic can be anything you want it to be. Ultralight Backpacking Versus Traditional Backpacking Contrary to what many think, ultralight backpacking is not just about the freedom to hike more miles or to take your whole pack up the mountain with you. It is also about comfort and safety. Pigeon Forge Campgrounds Campgrounds are a perfect Pigeon Forge lodging option for visitors looking to be as close as possible to the great outdoors. Campgrounds in Pigeon Forge are located near the beautiful and majestic Great Smoky Mountains National Park and are still only minutes away from the outlet malls, dining, and music theatres that downtown Pigeon Forge has to offer. Highpointing: It's Not Just For Mountaineers Mount Sunflower, Kansas. Ebright Azimuth, Delaware. Book a Golf Package in Myrtle Beach for Golfing Fun and Great Times in the Sun Thousands of golfers flock to the Carolinas each spring and fall to enjoy some of the greatest golf courses in the country, and booking a golf package in Myrtle Beach is one of the best ways to experience what the area has to offer to devoted fans of the sport.Purchasing a golf package in Myrtle Beach not only provides visitors with great opportunities for golfing but can also make available the finest in first-class accommodations, great meals, and a chance to hear some of the area's best entertainment. Top Five Honeymoon Safari Destinations In Africa An African honeymoon safari is the perfect way to celebrate your marriage.The pampering that you get is second to none and the surroundings are as beautiful as you will get anywhere in the world. Malaria Prevention - Five Ways to Avoid Catching It on Safari Malaria is endemic to most of the areas in Africa where safari trips are still possible which means you will need to take malaria prevention precautions to protect yourself against catching the disease when you travel there.There are five things you can do to avoid catching malaria on a safari holiday. Driving in Greece - How Bad is it? Generally speaking, Greek drivers are not the best in Europe, but they are not the worst - those people know who they are!I have been in driving in Greece for a while now and have witnessed many examples of bad habits on the road, which have shocked my rapidly departing British sensibilities. It is not uncommon for drivers to hoot their horns at traffic lights, even when they are still on red and to fly through red lights. Trekking Poles And Walking Sticks Are walking sticks longer than trekking poles? What about hiking staffs and hiking sticks? Whatever you call them, and whatever their differences, they are supposed to help your knees more than anything. This they do very well, at least when you're going downhill. Ultralight Backpacks - The Lightest Why ultralight backpacks? Devotees of ultralight backpacking know you reduce your packweight most by concentrating on the "big three;" backpack, shelter, and sleeping bag. Forget those 6-pound backpacks, 9-pound tents and 5-pound sleeping bags. Spain´s Beaches - You´re Spoilt For Choice Spain offers the visitor over 4,000 kms of coastline where s/he can enjoy shining sun and sapphire seas in wonderful settings.And what a choice of sands! Golden sands, white sands, grainy sands, powdery sands, and even the black sands of the Canary Islands!Allergic to sand? No problem! Just plump for a resort with smooth, white pebbles! You´ll find a good selection!Already holidayed several times by the Mediterranean? Then why not try the fairy-tale fishing villages washed by the Cantabrian Sea or Atlantic Ocean?"Spanish beaches are the most environmentally healthy in Europe" says the Foundation for Environmental Education, which has awarded the much-coveted Blue Flag to 450 of the country´s beaches - more than any other participating contry!Leading the way within Spain itself is the Costa Blanca, which received 48 Blue Flag awards. Backcountry Safety - An Essential 10-Point Checklist The call of the wild can be seductive. The exquisite beauty of the wilderness, the incomparable solitude, the simplicity of life on the trail, and the rush of living a bit on the edge attract thousands of eager backcountry enthusiasts. Where to Find Some of the Best Beaches in the World We think that Cape Town has some of the best beaches in the world.You can choose beaches which are on the Indian Ocean, with warm water, or those on the colder Atlantic Ocean. Shark Attacks! How Common are They? Where do They Occur? Last week in Australia, one man's day at beach could have turned into a disaster: He was attacked by a seven-foot bronze whaler shark while surfing about 100 yards out from Sydney's Bronte Beach.Fortunately, the man, Simon Letch, stayed calm and "shoved the board at [the shark] like a barge pole.
|
| home | site map |
| © 2006 |
