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Tanzania National Parks and Game Reserves
Lake Manyara National Park
– Ngorongoro Crater – Serengeti
National Park – Tarangire National
Park – Arusha National Park –
The Olduvai Gorge – Selous
Game Reserve – Ruaha National Park
– Mikumi National Park – Gombe
Stream National Park – Mahale Mountains
National Park
Lake Manyara National Park
Although it is Tanzania's smallest park, Lake Manyara National
Park is one of the most diverse reserves in the country. The beautiful
Lake Manyara covers two thirds of the park, while the rest consists
of steep mountainside, swamps, dense woodlands, open grassy areas
and hot springs.
Lake Manyara is one of the many alkaline lakes of the Great Rift
Valley. It was formed abut three million years ago and is quite
shallow, with an average depth of about three metres. The lake attracts
hundreds of birds species.
In high vegetation near the park entrance, baboons and black monkeys
chatter between cicada shrills. More than 350 species of birdlife
are found in Lake Manyara National Park – including pelicans,
Egyptian geese, ducks, waders, herons, storks, grebes, ibises, kingfishers
and the flamingoes. The extraordinary birdlife has made this place
world-renowned among ornithologists.
The park is also famed for its unique tree-climbing lions. The
rare sight of the 'king of the beasts' sprawled in the bough of
a tree is unforgettable.
The wall of the Great Rift Valley forms a stunning backdrop, before
which lies the ground water forest, areas of open grassland near
the lake foreshore, and the Soda Lake.
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Ngorongoro Crater
Ngorongoro Crater is located west of the Great Rift Valley which
runs from the Red Sea to Lake Nyasa in southern Tanzania. Ngorongoro
was an active volcano some eight million years ago, whose cone collapsed,
leaving a crater. It is the largest unbroken caldera in the world
and the second largest extinct crater in the world. Today it shelters
the most beautiful wildlife haven left on earth and has a spectacular
concentration of wildlife and stunning views.
The crater is oval in shape, is 300 sq. km in area and 610 m deep.
There are 25,000 larger animals within the crater itself. This is
undoubtedly the best place to see black rhino in Tanzania as well
as prides of lion that include the magnificent black-maned males.
All of the big five can be seen – elephant, rhino, lion, leopard
and buffalo. Other game include cheetah, hyena, zebra, warthog,
impala, hartebeest, eland and lots of other members of the antelope
family, and smaller mammals of all sorts.
Birdlife includes Kori bustard, secretary bird, crested crane,
maribou stock, Goliath heron, beautiful fish eagles and thousands
of colourful flamingoes. More than a 100 species of bird not found
in the Serengeti have been found in Ngorongoro Crater.
The rim of Ngorongoro Crater is wooded with mountain forest vegetation
blooming in acres of flowers, e.g. pink, blue and white lupins,
candle white lilies and blue hyacinth.
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Serengeti National Park
The Serengeti National Park is as big as Northern Ireland, and
the most popular wildlife sanctuary in the world. It has been a
protected area since the 1940's, and was accorded National Park
status in 1951. In 1981, the Serengeti National Park was inscribed
on to the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
The park is fantastic in its natural beauty and unequalled in its
scientific value. The plains of the Serengeti are mainly crystalline
rocks overlaid by volcanic ash with numerous granitic rock outcrops
(kopjes). In the north and along the western corridor are mountain
ranges of mainly volcanic origin. Two rivers flowing west usually
contain water and there are a number of lakes, marshes, and waterholes.
This vast expanse of land is known to contain about 4 million different
types of animal. These include large herds of antelope of all sorts,
including patterson's eland, klipspringer, dikdik, impala, gazelle,
water-, bush- and reed buck, topi, kongoni, grey bush duiker, cotton's
oribi, roan antelope and wildebeest. You can also see lion, leopard,
cheetah, hyena, bat eared fox, hunting dog, jackal, giraffe, zebra,
buffalo, rhino, elephant and hippopotamus. Smaller mammals include
the spring hare, porcupine, warthog, hyrax, baboon, vervet monkey,
colobus monkey, patas monkey and mongoose.
The Serengeti is home to nearly 500 species of bird, including
vultures, storks, flamingoes, martial and fish eagles and ostrich.
Reptiles include crocodiles and a number of species of snake and
lizard.
The following statistics of wildlife population is a small indication
of the immensity of the Serengeti: 700,000 thompson gazelles, 65,000
topi, 50,000 grant gazelles, 1,500,000 wildebeest, 200,000 zebras,
2,000 lions, 800 leopards, 4,000 hyenas, 200 wild dogs, 500 cheetahs,
500 species of birds, more than 30 species of large herbivores ...
the list goes on.
The Serengeti's low growing vegetation means that game viewing
is relatively easy. It varies from open grass plains in the south,
to savannah with scattered acacia trees in the centre, hilly wooded
grassland in the north, to extensive woodland and black clay plains
in the west. There are many small rivers, lakes and swamps scattered
about.
The Annual Migration
In May and early June you can witness the annual migration, one
of the most unique and remarkable scenes as millions of animals
go in search of water and forage as the seasons change. At this
time of year thousands of wildebeest, giraffe, zebra, gazelle and
buffalo migrate from the central plains westwards or northwards
in search of water and pasture.
One column turns to the north while another turns to the west,
later turning eastwards to join the northern column. Together the
whole herd then returns to the central plains, completing the circle.
Over 1000 kms are thus covered. As the herds move to new grazing
ground, they are followed by predators such as lions, hyenas, jackals
and hunting wild-dogs waiting for weak prey while vultures soar
overhead waiting for their share of the kill.
The migration involves between 500,000 – 1,000,000 of the
animals out of the 4,000,000 found in Serengeti.
When to visit the Serengeti National Park
The best time for visiting the Serengeti is between December and
May. At these times the animals are gathered on the short grass
plains south of the park around the Ndutu and Naabi Gates, dispersed
and moving back and forth in search of water and fresh grass until
the end of the long rains. Calving takes place in February/March,
when 90% of female wildebeest give birth, flooding the plains with
thousands of young ones. In May, when the plains begin to dry up,
the wildebeest, together with other animals, begin the long trek
westwards or northwards once again.
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Tarangire National Park
The Tarangire National Park is situated on the south of the large
open grass plains of southern Masailand. The name Tarangire is derived
from the Tarangire River which provides permanent water for the
wildlife.
In the dry season, Tarangire has a high concentration of wildlife,
second only to Ngorongoro Crater. Animals found in Tarangire, include
lion, leopard, oryx, gnu and greater and lesser kudu. Also included
are wildebeest, zebra, Thompson's gazelle, Grant's gazelle, buffalo,
elephant, impala, and eland.
Over 300 species of birds are recorded in the park. Some Eurasian
migrants are found, which are present from October – April.
Tarangire is an ornithologists paradise rich in birds of prey and
an incredible diversity of fauna.
The principal features of the vegetation are the grasslands and
flood plains. These consist of open grassland, acacia trees and
rich woodland. The park is symbolised by the Baobab tree which can
be found dotted throughout the park, growing in open acacia woodland.
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Arusha National Park
Arusha National Park is a relatively small park, covering an area
of 137 sq. km (52.9 sq. miles). Lying between the peaks of Kilimanjaro
and Meru, Arusha is an area of outstanding beauty. The Park has
a wide range of habitat, from a string of crater lakes with many
water birds, through to the highland montane forest and on up to
the imposing summit of Mt. Meru. The interesting geology of the
area is reflected in the impressive view of the ash cone and cliff
face leading to the summit of Mt. Meru.
Three distinct areas are to be found within Arusha National Park:
Ngurdoto Crater, the Momela Lakes and the rugged Mt. Meru. Altitudes
range from 1,500 m (4,921 ft) above sea level at Momela, to over
4,500 m (14,764 ft) at the summit of Mt Meru.
Main features include the Ngurdoto Crater, an extinct volcano often
refered to as a mini Ngorongoro and which is 20 km across and 100
m deep. And the Momella Lakes, 10 km north of Ngurdoto Crater, which
were formed about 1/4 million years ago,
perhaps when Mt. Meru exploded and spewed volcanic debris and liquid
mud over the surrounding area.
The vegetation within the Park is correlated to the altitude and
geology of the area. Ngurdoto Crater is surrounded by forest whilst
the crater floor is a swampy. The Momela Lakes, like many in the
Rift Valley, are alkaline, and Mt. Meru is a mixture of lush forest
and bare rock.
The forests contain a wealth of birds and other animals, like the
beautiful bushbuck easily glimpsed in the glades between the ancient
cedar trees, or the black and white colobus monkeys climbing along
their branches. Other animals found in the park include buffalo,
hippo, reedbuck, waterbuck, elephant, giraffe, baboon, bushpig,
sykes monkey, vervet monkey, mongoose and warthog. Birdlife includes
grebe, african pochard, ibis, heron and egret.
Both Mount Kilimanjaro and Mount Meru can be seen from the park
when the weather is fine.
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The Olduvai Gorge
Olduvai Gorge is an archaeological site located in the eastern
Serengeti Plains. The gorge is a steep sided ravine roughly 30 miles
long and 295 ft deep. The area is sometimes refered to as the 'Cradle
of Mankind' and exposed deposits show many fossils, hominid remains
and items belonging to one of the oldest stone tool technologies.
The objects recovered date from 15,000 to over 2 million years ago.
In 1959 the skull of zinjanthropus was discovered by Dr. Leakey
at the Olduvai Gorge. Zinjanthropus is believed to have lived 1.8
million years ago. In the 1970's the foot-prints of animals and
early hominids dating back 3.5 million years were found by Mary
Leakey at Laetoli, some 45 kms south of Olduvai Gorge. In 1974 fossils
of hominid teeth were discovered, dating back 2.4 million years.
Engaruka Site, discovered not very far from Olduvai, is believed
to be an ancient settlement of a later civilisation. Between half
a million and a million years ago 'Homo Erectus', who stood upright,
wandered around making use of hand axes and many such tools have
been found at Olduvai.
Skeletal remains of hominids on the oldest bed of the gorge are
assigned to the Homo Habilis an Australopithecus Boisei families.
Campsites and what is believed to be a butchery site have also been
excavated.
Conditions for the preservation of sites in the Olduvai Gorge are
mainly due to ash falls from nearby volcanoes. Debris found include
various tools and animal bones and teeth, mainly from fair sized
antelopes. A loosely built circle of lava blocks has also been found,
suggesting that crude shelters were built here.
The latest of the archaeological beds is the Naisiusiu which lays
in the bottom of the Gorge at what is now the present depth. It
contains one site that has microlithic tools and one complete Homo
Sapien skeleton, both of which date to 17,000 years ago. More than
150 different species of extinct mammals have been identified from
the fossils, as well as many birds, reptiles, amphibians and fish.
An on-site museum explains the archeological significance of the
discoveries.
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Selous Game Reserve
In the south of Tanzania, stretching inland from the coast, lies
Africa's largest wildlife sanctuary; the Selous Game Reserve. Bigger
than Denmark, it lies south of Mikumi, covers 6% of Tanzania's total
area and is 4 times the size of Serengeti. The vastness of the reserve
and its general inaccessibility have turned the Selous into a magnificent
refuge for animals, birds, insects and reptiles.
Selous Game Reserve contains the greatest concentration of big
game left on earth and is internationally famous for its animals
– including elephant, buffalo, rhino, sable antelope, hippo
and lion. There are also over 400 species of birdlife which includes
the fisheagle, secretary bird, kingfisher, sunbird, hornbill, billstork
and hammerkop.
The best time to visit is from June to October when the weather
is cool and dry, the vegetation lush and the animals easy to see.
Woodland dominates the vegitation, particularly the dry and sparse
deciduous type known as 'miombo' but Selous is also a land of marshes,
green savannah, grassland, acacia, ebony, baobab and shrubs. Selous
has the finest virgin bush, unspoilt by time. Although it remains
one of the least scientifically researched areas in Africa, some
1700 botanical species have been identified.
Selous Game Reserve is only 40 minutes away by air and 6 hours
away by road from Dar Es Salaam. Facilities include boat safaris
along the Rufiji River, walking safaris and game viewing in 4 wheel
drive vehicles.
As little development has taken place in Selous, visitors can experience
the solitude of this game reserve in its most pristine form. Selous
was designated a World Heritage Site by the United Nations in 1982
due to its unique ecological importance. The tranquillity one experiences
at the Selous, the wildness of the atmosphere has no parallel anywhere
on earth.
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Ruaha National Park
Ruaha National Park, the second largest national park in the country,
is one of the least explored parks in Tanzania. The park is known
for its concentration of greater and lesser kudu, its roan and sable
antelope and for being the largest elephant sanctuary. The name
Ruaha derives from the great Ruaha River which flows along its entire
eastern border creating spectacular gorges and scenery.
Hippo, crocodile, turtle and fish inhabit the river; elephants
are often to be seen on the banks and lion, giraffe and other animals
can also be found. The special attraction of Ruaha, besides its
spectacular scenery, is its unspoilt wilderness. This park is relatively
unknown and only recently developed for tourism, it is therefore
less frequented by tourists.
More than 400 species of birds have been recorded. Its geographical
location means that it is visited by both northern and southern
migrants and it also has a great variety of resident bird species.
The best time for keen bird watchers is between January to April.
The terrain within most of the park is a well wooded, undulating
plateau at an average altitude of 915 m. Mountains in the south
and west rise up to 1600 m and 1900 m above sea level. Miombo woodland
forms the dominant vegetation, changing to combritum/commiphora
to the east.
The best months for game viewing are June to December.
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Mikumi National Park
Mikumi forms the northern border of the Selous Game Reserve, and
is one of the most accessible of the Tanzanian National Parks. Mikumi
is rich in wildlife and contains buffalo, elephant and lion. Also
found are wildebeest, zebra, impala, warthog, hippo, and giraffe.
Most of the animals can be seen at all seasons. Elephants can be
seen throughout the area and buffaloes totaling some 3,000 are to
be found on the treeless grassland.
Vegetation is made up of the Mkate River floor plain – with
its hard ridges, swamps and black clay grassland, the miombo woodlands
which lie on hills to the east and west, and the rivers with their
fringe of tall trees and dense thickets. The TAZARA (Tanzania–Zambia)
railway line marks the boundary of Mikumi with Selous to the south.
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Gombe Stream National Park
Situated 16 kms north of Kigoma town, in western Tanzania, Gombe
is a narrow mountainous strip of the country bounded to the east
by the crest of the rift valley escarpment and by Lake Tanganyika
to the west.
The beauty of Gombe Stream National Park is unique; it is a park
without roads, where you can walk and experience nature in pristine
condition, with all your senses. Due to its altitude, the park's
vegetation varies from evergreen forest, to open woodland and grassland.
Common mammals found are forest species, mostly primates. These
include chimpanzee, baboon, blue monkey, red tailed monkey and red
colobus monkey. The park is a fragile remnant of Chimpanzee habitat.
Jane Goodall brought the Chimps of Gombe to world fame through the
research projects she based here, and various projects still continue
to operate. Chimpanzees are amusing and intelligent animals and
it is fascinating to observe them in their natural habitat.
Herbivores and carnivores are a rarity in the forests, making Gombe
a heaven for walking safaris.
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Mahale Mountains National Park
Mahale National Park lies 120 km south of Kigoma on a peninsula
that cuts out into Lake Tanganyika. The park is dominated by the
Mahale Mountain chain running from north-east across the middle
of the park, the highest peak being 2462 m above sea level.
Like Gombe, the Mahale Mountains National Park is home to some
of the last remaining wild chimpanzees in Africa. Between 700–1,000
of these fascinating animals roam the valleys and hills of Mahale.
The park vegetation is mainly Miombo woodlands with narrow strips
of riverine forest. The park provides habitat for a variety of primates
including the yellow baboon, the vervet monkey and the red and blue
colobus monkey, as well as over 200 species of birds.
Thick forest, crystal clear waters and deserted sandy beaches make
Mahale one of the most beautiful National Parks in Tanzania.
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