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to the vast Serengeti plains where the onset of the wildebeest
migration is, and the snow-capped highest peak in Africa,
the legendary Mt. Kilimanjaro. Tanzania is situated south
of the Equator over an area half the size of Western Europe,
and is East Africa's largest nation. From the shimmering lakes
of the interior to the blue waters of the Indian Ocean, and
from the northern mountains to the southern Ruvuma River,
the country contains some of the largest, most scenic and
charming wilderness areas in the world.
Northern
Tanzania remains one of the last strongholds of nature, from
the great wildebeest migrations of the Serengeti, to the amazing
concentration of wildlife that live in the Ngorongoro Crater.
Within
Tanzania's borders lie 52,000 square kilometers (20,000 square
miles) of water. Down the western side is Lake Tanganyika,
Africa's longest and deepest freshwater lake and the second
deepest in the world and to the north lies Lake Victoria.
Tanzania's
people are as diverse as the country they inhabit, with more
than 120 tribes existing, all differing in culture, social
organization and language.
Rising
from the surrounding plains like a mirage are the snow capped
peaks of Mount Kilimanjaro, which continue to attract explorers,
scientists, adventurers, climbers and tourists from around
the world. Consisting of three volcanoes in one, Kilimanjaro
is the highest mountain in Africa at 5,896 metres (19,340ft)
and the tallest freestanding mountain in the world.
TANZANIA, NGORONGORO CONSERVATION AREA
A
UNESCO protected ‘’World Heritage Site’’, the Ngorongoro Conservation
Area is situated some 190 kms west of Arusha, between Lake
Manyara and Serengeti National Parks. Covering approximately
8,288 square km, the Ngorongoro Conservation Area consists
of the Ngorongoro Crater itself, the Olduvai Gorge, the Empakai
crater and the Oldonyo Lengai Mountain. The Ngorongoro Conservation
Area is a pioneering experiment in multi-purpose land use
where the diverse interests of wild animals, plants and people
are being integrated. Wild animals are protected as in the
National parks. The craters of Ngorongoro and Empakai are
reserved exclusively for wildlife, while the rest of the Conservation
Area is shared by wildlife, people and livestock. The Ngorongoro
Crater, which is the central attraction in the area, is the
largest Caldera in the world that has its walls intact. The
Ngorongoro Crater floor lies 610 metres below the rim and
has an area of 265 sq. km, with a diameter of 16 km to 19
km. The sight of the Ngorongoro Crater is simply stunning.
“There is nothing with which to compare. It is one of the
wonders of the world…” once wrote Professor Bernard Grzimek.
The crater floor is covered with plains animals, including
wildebeest, zebra, gazelles, elands, rhino, and a large predator
population of lions, hyena and jackal which can all be viewed
at close quarters. Cheetah and leopard can also be seen here.
The crater rim is about 2286 metres high and is chilly during
the evenings.
TANZANIA, NDUTU
Ndutu area is located directly in the path of the Wildebeests
migration. From January to April, the southeastern plains
of the Serengeti ecosystem and the open woodlands around Lakes
Ndutu and Lagaja become the centre of activity of the migratory
animals which can be seen in the thousands.
TANZANIA, OLDUVAI GORGE
The Olduvai Gorge, also known as ‘’THE CRADLE OF MANKIND’’
is the site where in 1959, Dr. Louis LEAKEY discovered the
Zinj Skull. Zinjanthropus is believed to have lived 1.7 millions
ago. According to Dr. Leakey, Homo Habilis, the Nutcracker
man, had a brain and hands capable of making tools.
TANZANIA, SERENGETI NATIONAL PARK
Covering an area of 14,763 sq. km, Serengeti National Park
is the largest National Park in Tanzania. The park is located
some 320 km to the northwest of Arusha, lying on a high plateau
between the Ngorongoro highlands and the Kenya / Tanzania
border, and extending almost to Lake Victoria to the west.
The Serengeti, derived from the Masai word “siringet” meaning
endless plains, these vast plains are the origins of the greatest
wildlife spectacle on earth, the migration of over 1 million
wildebeest to the Masai Mara plains in Kenya. Pursued by hungry
predators, this becomes a struggle of life and death that
only the Serengeti and Masai Mara are honoured to host. The
principal features of the Serengeti are the short and long
grass plains in the south and east, the acacia Savannah in
the central areas, the hilly and densely wooded areas in the
north and the extensive woodland in the west. There is a variety
of scenery, which include the plains, lakes, hills and the
rock outcrops called kopjes. The main game drive areas in
the Serengeti are the Seronera Valley, the Western Corridor,
and Lobo. In the Seronera Valley, animals that can be seen
are lions, buffaloes, impalas, hippos, water-bucks, elephants,
cheetahs and the leopard. From December, when the long rains
start, to May, eastern Serengeti plains provide the best opportunities
for game viewing as hundreds of thousands of the migratory
animals are concentrated in this part attracted by the short
palatable grass. Between May and June, when drought sets in,
Serengeti is the site of one of the most breathtaking events
in the animal kingdom - the migration of thousands of wildebeest
heading southwest, north or west in search of water and greener
pastures. The Lobo area remains rich in wildlife during the
dry months of July to October when most of the game has moved
from the grass plains in the south. This is also true of the
Western Corridor towards Lake Victoria when the migration
usually arrives between June and July. Serengeti provides
sanctuary to the highest concentration of plains animals in
the world. Survey estimates indicate an animal population
of about 4 million including 3,000 lions, 1,600,000 wildebeests,
500,000 zebras. There are over 400 species of birds in the
Serengeti.
TANZANIA, ZANZIBAR
The legendary island of spices, fragrances, flowers and fruits,
set like a jewel in the tranquil coral waters of the Indian
ocean, Zanzibar is also the birthplace of the fascinating
Swahili culture with its elegant architecture, full of balconies,
courtyards, hand-carved doors and mosques. The different races
that had settled in Zanzibar over centuries have left an impact
on the people and the architecture. The narrow streets, the
House of Wonders, are just some vivid reminders
of the Island’s long and coloured history. Different excursions
are arranged while in Zanzibar taking visitors to spices plantations,
the old slave cave, the prison island, ruins of what was the
palace of the Sultan Said, the old slave market and many other
historical places. |