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| Parks & Reserves |
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Visit : The Big Five or our Birds
Visit : Rubondo Park |
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:: Parks, Nothern Circuit; |
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1. The Serengeti National Park is arguably the best know wildlife sanctuary in the world."Serengeti" means "Endless plains" in Maasai language.Within its boundaries are more than 3 millions large mammals.About 35 species of plains animals can be seen here including the so-called "BIG FIVE" -Elephant, Rhino Lion,Leopard and buffalo.
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>> See the Big Five |
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>> See Iternaries |
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Various types of vegetation: grassy plains, savannah with acacias, wooded hills and mountains are the backdrop for an extraordinary concentration of animals which reaches its peak during the wildebeest migration. Almost 1.5 of 1000kms, searching for new pastures and watering-holes |
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Best time: for the migration from December to May in the south of the park from June to October to the west (Western Corridor) and to the north.
How to get there: from Arusha, 4 hour drive or 1 hour charter flight |
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Mountains; |
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| Mr Victor Mugyabuso |
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Managing Director |
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| Is a founder of VIC Consult Safaris.He currently lives in Mwanza: TZ |
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>> Contact Us |
The Big Five | Birds |
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| ...Serengeti Ballon Safaris; |
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Each day, at dawn on the Serengeti Plains, a fortunate few enjoy the Ultimate safaris experience. As the sun rises over Maasai kopjes so the hot air ballon, with its passengers.Floating silently over the game, and the stunning scenery, and then, on landing, celebrating with Champagne before sitting down to tradional ' Out of Africa' style breakfast in the bush. |
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This is probably the most beautiful ballon flight in the world. An experience not to be missed if travelling to Tanzania. The itinerary is designed to fit in with that of the client and his adventure can be booked as part of any safari which includes the Serengeti |
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To do: at dawn a balloon safari in the park. Two side trips: Lake Natron to the north, at the foot of Ol Donyo Lengai volcano (2 to 3 days roundtrip) with the possibility of undertaking and visiting Lake Victoria, the source of the Nile, to the west (2 to 3 days roundtrip). From Mwanza, the regional capital, a visit to the Rubondo National Park located on an island in the middle of the lake Victoria
Do not miss: the big cats on the kopjes (huge granite rocks) which dominate the plains. Hundreds of crocodiles in the Grumeti River. The Maasai paintings at Moru Kopjes. while watching the sunsent above the crater. |
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2. Ngorongoro Crater standing at 2286m above sea level, is the largest unbroken caldera in the world.Sorrounded by very steep walls rising 610m from the Crater floor, this natural amphitheatre measures about 16-19kms across in diameter and has an area 256sq.km. It is suct a captivating and breathtaking phenomenon. "It is one of the wonders of the world"
On the floor of this Garden of EDEN, which can be reached by 4WD vehicle, roam hundreds of thousands of animals. Elepahnts, Zebra, Buffallo, Wildbeest, Gazelle, Rhino, Velvet monkeys and he ever-hugry predators, including Cheetah, Hyena and black maned Lion can be observed in their natual habitats. More than a hundreds species ofbirds not found in the Serengeti have been spotted here. Ostriches, Kori bustards, secretary birds, crested Crances, Egrets, red billed Ox-peckers and the countless Flamingoes which form a pink over the soda lake.
Getting there: A four drive of one hour flight, from Arusha. A two hous drive from Manyara or Tarangire |
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3. Manyara
Nestling at the base of the Great Rift Valley escarpment, Lake Manyara nation Park is one of the most beautiful places in Africa.As you enter the gate, the park is dramatically marked off lush green vegetation constistiting of tall trees of the ground water forest which provided home for troops of Baboons and Blue Monkeys. Further down, the forest opens up into woodlands, grassland, swamps and beyond, the sodalake itself where over 3500 species of birds including the lovely Flaming(Lessr and Greater). Pelican, sacred Ibis, Grebe and Stock can be viewed ( The bird watchers paradise). At the sourthern end of the park are the hot sulphur spings (60 degree centigrade) called Majimoto
The most famous spectable in the park are the tree climbing Lions which spend most of the day spread out along branches of Acacia trees 6 to 7 m above the ground. The park is also noted for its numerous Buffalo, Elephant, Giraffe, Impala, Hipo and great variety of small animals which can be observed in the course of a single day. |
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4. Tarangire Nation park is located close to Arusha, 118 away., and gets its name from the river that threads its way through the length of the reserve.
It is famous for its dense wildlife population which is the most spectacular between June and September, the dry period. During this time thousands of animals - wildebeest, zebra, eland, elephant, hartbeest, buffalo and oryx migrate from the dry Maasai steppe tp the Tarangire River looking for water. Lion, Leopard and other predators follow the herds. The national park is also famous for tree climing Pythons and abundant birdlife.
Getting there: A one and half hour drive, or 30 minutes flight from Arusha. |
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5. Olduvai
Located within the Ngorongoro Conservation Area is the Olduvai George, 180km from Arusha.It was here that Dr. Louis Leakey discovered the remains of Homo hablis or "Handy Man" regarded asmankind's first step on the ladder of human evalution.Nearby is Laetoli, where the footprints of hominoids (said to be 3,5 million years old) were discovered by Mrs. Leakey in 1979. To the north is the Oldoinyo Lengai (Mountain of God), a living volcano. Around these sites if mans origin teem millions of wild animals.
But many more fossils have been discovered here including thoseof prehistoric elephants, giant horned sheep and enormous ostriches. Guides operate lecture tours of the sites |
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6. 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.
What to do
Forest walks, numerous picnic sites;
three- or four-day Mt Meru climb - good acclimatisation for Kilimanjaro.
The closest national park to Arusha town – northern Tanzania’s safari capital – Arusha National Park is a multi-faceted jewel, often overlooked by safarigoers, 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 colourful 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 waterbucks 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 footslopes protected within the national park, Meru offers unparalleled views of its famous neighbour, 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. |
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...Parks, Coastal Circuit; |
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1. Zanzibar (dreams of romance and mystery).
Zanzibar the name includes the main island, Unguja, and its sister island, Pemba has for centuries attracted seafarers and adventurers from around the word. This is where Arabia meets Africa.
Visit Zanzibar historic Stone Town, where the sultans once ruled. Relax on one of 25 dazzling white, palm fringed beaches, where the azure waters of the Indian Ocean beckon swimmers divers fishermen and waterspouts enthusiasts alike.
Breathe in the fragrant scents of cloves, vanilla, cardamom and nutmeg, and discover why Zanzibar is called "The spice Island." Explore the forests, and the ancient, archaeological sites. |
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Tour Excursion:
Spice tour:
Historical Town Tour:
Tour to the South(KIZIMKAZI): |
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Tour to the South(KIZIMKAZI): The trip from town take 1.5 hrs. On your way you might get a chance to see the famousRed Colobus Monkeys of the Jozani Forest. Kizimkazi fishing village is the home of several schools of the bottle-nosed dolphins.Here you are taken by boat into the sea to view the dolphins and if luck will be able to swim quite close to them as they are friendly and playful, Kizimkazi is also the site of a 12th Century Mosque, the earliest evidence of Islam in East Africa. |
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Other tours are East Coast Tour, Tour to the Jozani Forest Reserve, Tour to the North(Nungwi), Tour to the Prison of Island etc.
2. Mafia
Only 40-minute flight south of Dar es salaam is one of the most exciting big game fishing and diving areas in the world, Mafia Island. Sports fishermen flock here for superb catches, many of the fish are great fighters. They include marlin, sailfish, shark, tuna, kingfish, barracuda, snapper, horse mackerel, wahoo and huge rock cod. The main season is from September to March although fishing is possible all year round within the reef and channel |
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3. Bagamoyo
Some 75 km to the north of Dar es salaam, on the coast opposite Zanzibar, is the former capital of German East Africa, Bagamoyo. Possessing a good, natural harbor ideal for sailing vessels and dhows, it was once the centre of the notorious slave trade.
Its Name is derived from the word Bwagamoyo, which means "Here I throw down my heart" reflecting the desperation and despair of the 'broken hearted' captives whose voyage into the unknown began here. The present police station, near the beachfront, was the first stone building in Bagamoyo. Originally an Arab residence it was at one time the old prison where slaves were herded through underground tunnels to waiting dhows.
The city was also the starting point for the first European explorers on the way to search for the source of NILE.Livingstone, Stanley, Burton and Speke all passed through here.
Livingstone's body was laid to rest here before being take first to Zanzibar and the to England.
The Mission has a museum with a wonderful collection of photographs and mementoes relating to Livingstone and to German colonial times.
A house where Henry Morton Stanley lived a century ago can be seen in solitary splendour near the beach. | |
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...Parks, Southern Circuit; |
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1. Mikumi
Situated some 300km south-west of Dar es salaam, Mikumi Natinal Park offers a wide variety of wildlife in its 3230sq.km. Baboon, Buffalo, Colobus, Monkey, African hunting dog, Eland, Elephant, Giraffe, hartebeest, Hippo, Leopard, Lion, Impala, Sable, Antelope, Warthog, Waterbuck, Wildbeest, Zebra and greater Kudu can be seen here.
Over 300 species of birds have been observed in the park, some of which are Eurasian migrants, that are present from October to April. Also reptiles including crocodile, monitor lizard and python are residents in Mikumi |
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2. Selous
The Selous, occupying an enormous land area of 55000sq.km., is the largest Game Reserve in Africa.The reserve is one of Africas greatest wilderness, where the forest and bush are untamed and the animals unmolested by man. The Rufiji river system which flows through the reserve., flooding it during the rain season, further limits human trespass into this animal kingdom which boasts of over a million wild animals including some of the biggest population of Elephants in the world.
Other species commonly seen are Lions, Wild dogs, Buffaloes, Bushbucks, Impalas, Warthogs, Leopards, Hartebeest, Rhinos, Sable Antelopes, Reddbuck, Watebucks, Giraffe, Eland, Baboons, Zebra, Greater Kudu and the counterless Hippos and Crocodiles which flock the Rufiji River (the greatest in East Africa)
Walking Safaris accompanied by an armed ranger can be organised together with game drives and boat trips. The Selous is inaccessible during the rainy season i.e from March to May due to floods and the best time to visit the reserve is from JUNE TO OCTOBER. |
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3. Ruaha
Covering 13,000 sq.km., this relatively new and undisturbed park is one of Tanzanians largest Elephant sanctuaries. Its name derived from the great Ruaha river which flows along its entire eastern border creating spectacular gorges and scenery. Hippo, Crodile and fish inhabit the river.
The park is rich in all forms of wildlife except some of the typical plains animals such as Thomsons gazelle, Wildebeest and Topi whose range does not extend into this area.On the other hand, both Grants gazelle adn ostric are found in the park as well as the rare greater and lesser kudu, the loan adn sable antelopes. The birdlife is very interesting and varied and over 370 species have been recorded here, some of which are not found in other parks especially those of northern Tanzania |
4. Udzungwa
The Udzungwa Mountains are almost unearthly.Burgeoning with rampant , verdant growth.It is at once vivid detail and larger than life: a new variety of the tiny African violet discovered in the shelter of 30m high trees. It isa hothouse nurturing species found nowhere else on earth, a secret bank account of precious genetic stock.
Of its six types of primate, two are endemic - the Iringa red colobus monkey and the Sanje Crested Mangabey, not detected until 1979.Four previous unknown birds, including the rufous-winged sunbird and new species of the partidge-like francolin, make this Tanzania's richest forest bird habitat and among the three most important bird conservation areas on the continent.
One of East Africa's great forests, undoubtedly this undisturbed habitat is yet to reveal all its treasure, waiting for further scientific exporation to catalogue its wealth.
A link in the chain of Africa's eastern arc mountains, Udzungwa is made of hiking and climbing with trails through the rainforest and escarpment. The plateau is a natural penthouse, with views of sugar plantations against a patchwork of grassland and mountain forest extending over 100km. But the centrepiece is the Sanje River where it reinvents itself as a spectacular waterfall, plunging 179m through the forest to land in a spray of mist in the valley below. |
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Getting there: Drive from Dar es salaam or Mikumi National Park.
To do: From a 2 hour hike tothe waterfall to camping safaris. Combine with nearby Mikumi of en route to Ruaha.
Best time: Possible year round although slippery in the wet. The dry season is June-October before the short rains but be prepared for rain anytime.
Accomodation: Camping inside the park. Bring all food and supplies. Accommodation just outsite the park entrance. |
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| 5. Rubondo Island National Park |
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Rubondo Island is tucked in the southwest corner of Lake Victoria, the world's second-largest lake, an inland sea sprawling between Tanzania, Uganda and Kenya. With nine smaller islands under its wing, Rubondo protects precious fish breeding grounds.
Tasty tilapia form the staple diet of in the island’s rocky coves, while rapacious Nile perch, some weighing more than 100kg, tempt recreational game fishermen seeking world record catches.
Rubondo is more than a water wonderland. Deserted sandy beaches nestle against a cloak of virgin forest, where dappled bushbuck move fleet yet silent through a maze of tamarinds, wild palms, and sycamore figs strung with a cage of trailing taproots.
Birds are everywhere.
90% of the park is humid forest; the remainder ranges from open grassland to lakeside papyrus beds. A number of indigenous mammal species - hippo, vervet monkey, genet and mongoose - share their protected habitat with introduced species such as chimpanzee, black-and-white colobus, elephant and giraffe, all of which benefit from Rubondo's inaccessibility. |
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About Rubondo Island National Park
Size: 457 sq km (176 sq miles).
Location: Northwest Tanzania, 150 km (95 miles) west of Mwanza.
Getting there: Scheduled flights from Arusha, Lake Manyara, Serengeti and Mwanza in peak season, charter flights only in low season.
By road from Mwanza and then boat transfer. Contact the Park for transport details.
What to do : Scheduled flights from Arusha, Lake Manyara, Serengeti and Mwanza in peak season, charter flights only in low season.
By road from Mwanza and then boat transfer. Contact the Park for transport details.
When to go:
Dry season, June-August. Wildflowers and butterflies
Wet season November-March. December- February best for migratory birds.
Accommodation :One luxury tented camp, park bandas and campsite. Hostel for school groups. |
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