May 22nd, 2006
Wild Animals on Show in Tanzania
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.
Tanzania’s Northern Circuit
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 wildlife safari route 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.
Arusha
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 137sq 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 4,575m and is Africa’s fourth highest mountain. It is however overshadowed by nearby Kilimanjaro, which rises above it by over 1,300m. It is regrettable that the snobbish instinct of many climbers makes them 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 — that monumental fracture of the earth’s crust.
The area is filled with volcanoes, mountains, plains, lakes and forests. Covering 8,288sq km, its main features are the Ngorongoro Crater, the Empakai crater, the Oldonyo Lengai Mountain and the archaeological 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 colourful Maasai people, their livestock and wildlife co-exist within the conservation area.
Ngorongoro Crater
The Ngorongoro Crater is the largest caldera in the world that has its walls intact. The crater floor is a drop of 600m and covers an area of 260sq km with a diameter of 19km. 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.
Lake Manyara National Park
Lake Manyara National Park spreads between the cliff of the Great Rift Valley and Lake Manyara, a shallow soda lake. The park covers 330sq. km, 70% of which is occupied by the lake. The varied ecosystem consists of ground water forests, acacia woodland and open grassland along the lakeshore and sustains a wealth of wildlife, including the Big Five: lion, elephant, leopard, rhino and buffalo. Other animals to be seen in the park include baboons, impala, giraffe, zebra, wildebeest, ostrich and hippo.
Lake Manyara is famous for the elusive tree-climbing lions, which can occasionally be seen along the branches of the acacia trees. It is also an ornithologist’s paradise and is host to over 400 species of birds. The water birds hovering around the lake include pelicans, spoonbills, Egyptian geese and hammerkops. In addition, migratory flamingos arrive in hundreds of thousands creating a spectacular sight over the soda lake.
You will arrive at Lake Manyara after driving from Arusha for two hours or flying for just half an hour.
Tarangire National Park
Tarangire National Park is a one and half hour drive from Arusha making it very popular for day trips.
Tarangire is a park of giant baobab trees, rolling savannah and acacia parkland. It is famous for its dense wildlife population, which is most spectacular in the dry season between June and September. It is during this period that thousands of animals: wildebeest, zebra, eland, hartebeest, waterbuck, giraffe, impala, gerenuk, buffalo and oryx migrate from the dry Maasai steppe to the Tarangire River, in search of water.
The predators: lion, leopard and others — as is the custom in the savannah — follow closely by. If lucky, you will spot the peculiar tree-climbing python, kudu and roan antelope; a rare experience in the northern safari circuit. Birds are also abundant here and over 550 species have been recorded.