Free Reprint Articles

Posts Tagged ‘tanzania safari’

A simple overview of this grand and interesting list of the world heritage sites will start with Mount Kilimanjaro National Park. It is found to the North of Tanzania close to Moshi, 128 km (80 miles) away from Arusha which actually translates to an one hour’s drive from the Kilimanjaro airport. It should be well noted that Mount Kilimanjaro has the highest peak in the the whole of the contient of Africa making it a favourite tourist site since1977 when it was opened to public. Kilimanjaro is a result of volcanic movement along the Rift Valley that occurred over a million years ago. Three points - Shira, Kibo and Mawenzi were formed a little bit after Mt. Kilimanjaro, 750,000 years ago. Uhuru Peak earns the title of being the highest point on Kibo, which is among the Seven Summits of the world. The Seven Summits basically a comprehensive list of highest mountains on each continent in the world.

Mountain climbing is the major motivation for visiting this park, and getting to the summit of this snow-capped mountain is a great achievement for mountain climbing enthusiasts the world over. The trek up the mountain takes a week or so to complete safely.

Ngorongoro Conservation Area supports a wide variety of wild animals that dwell in the large Ngorongoro crater. The Empakaai carter is a short distance away, filled by a deep lake, and the active volcano of Oldonyo Lenga can be seen. The Olduvai Gorge is another landmark worth mentioning where excavations leading to the discovery of Homo habilis were carried out. It is in close proximity to the Ngorongoro conservation area. The Laitoli Site, also lies within the area and is one of the main localities of early hominid footprints, dating back 3.6 million years.

The Serengeti National Park borders Kenya’s Masai Mara Game Park. The Serengeti is characterized by its expansive plains which are dotted by acacia trees. The national park is supports complicated ecosystems.The sheer magnitude and scale of life that the plains support is simply amazing. Lion prides saunter in the long grasses in search of unsuspecting prey, elephants feeding on acacia bark, giraffes, gazelles, monkeys and eland.

Serengeti National Park is renowned for the Great Wildebeest Migration when more than a million animals make the seasonal journey to fresh pasture to the north, then the south, after the biannual rains.

The Konoa Rock Art Site is located on the eastern slopes of the Masai escarpment bordering the Great Rift Valley are natural rock shelters, overhanging slabs of sedimentary rocks fragmented by rift faults, whose vertical planes have been used as natural canvas for rock paintings dating two cebturies ago. The spectacular collection of images from over 150 shelters over 2,336 km2, many with high artistic value, displays sequences that provide a unique progressive slideshow to the changing socio-economic base of the area from hunter-gatherer to agro-pastoralist, and the beliefs and ideas associated with the different societies. Some of the shelters are still used for rituals by those communities which live nearby, reflecting their beliefs, rituals and cosmological traditions.

Zanzibar was one of the most important Swahili trading towns in the Indian Ocean. Zanzibar Stone Town is the cultural heart of Zanzibar and little has changed in the last 200 years. The narrow streets and winding alleyways are lined with grand houses originally build by Arab. According to UNESCO, Zanzibar has great symbolic importance in the suppression of slavery, since it was one of the main slave-trading ports in East Africa and also the base from which its opponents such as David Livingstone conducted their campaign.

The sixth site we shall take a look at is the ever alluring Kilwa Kisiwani which was granted the status of a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1981. This is an archaeological site situated on an island off the Swahili coast of Tanzania. It was a large trade center that flourished between about AD 1100-1853, primarily dues to its strategic location between the Arabian Peninsula, the Far East and the Indian subcontinent.

Selous Game Reserve is the flag post of the southern safari circuit. The reserve is named after Sir. Fredrick Courtney Selous, a reknown explorer and naturalist. He died during the First World War in Tanzania. Located 500 km to the southwest of Dar es Salaam, the reserve occupies a vast 55,000 sq km, larger than the country of Switzerland. It is the largest reserve on the continent of Africa.

The Selous was designated a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1982 due to the significance of both its flora and fauna. This immense wilderness has a diversity of habitats including savanna woodlands, swamps, open grasslands and forests.

Over 2,100 species of tress and plants have been recorded. The mighty Rufiji River is the lifeblood of the reserve and its numerous tributaries and oxbow lakes are ideal for boat safaris. The wildlife to see here includes buffalo, hippo, black rhino, lion and wild dog. Elephants in particular are numerous and are estimated to number over 60,000.

Other inhabitants of Selous are bush back, waterbuck, reedbuck, impala, eland, giraffe, baboon, zebra, and greater kudu. Birders will also find a trip to Selous worthwhile - over 420 species are on record. In the very large game sanctuaries of the south - Ruaha and Selous in particular, game is scattered and a slow pace is advised, with at least 3-4 days in each. Photographic safaris can be very rewarding here. Most visitors take the time to visit to Stiegler’s Gorge, which also happens to be a spot favoured by leopards.

Located on a massive harbor on the eastern coast of Indian Ocean, Dar es Salaam in Tanzania boasts an atmosphere of tranquility with enchanting beaches and lively neighborhoods. The city’s bustling harbor is the main port in Tanzania, and is home to the main international airport in Tanzania; Julius Nyerere International Airport - located about 13km from the city centre.

Visitors interested in visiting this lovely and breathtaking country require to be vaccinated to facilitate safe travel within the country. The visitors who travel to Tanzania from Yellow fever prone areas are required to obtain Yellow Fever international Certificate of Vaccination. Though visitors from non endemic regions like Europe, North America, Australia and New Zealand are exempted. To the North western region of Tanzania is a high risk area for yellow fever. Malaria is a common ailment in Tanzania and visitors intending to pay a visit to this majestic country are advised to take anti malarial medication at least two weeks before they travel. Vaccination against hepatitis A, Polio and Typhoid are also recommended.

Visitors are strongly advised to take anti malaria medication commencing two weeks before travel asmalaria is common in Tanzania. Vaccinations against hepatitis A, polio and typhoid are also recommended. In addition, all visitors are required to have a visa except citizens of some African and commonwealth countries. It is advisable to obtain visa’s in advance from Tanzania Embassies and High Commissions as some airlines may require it before allowing you to board. For citizens of a few selected countries, visas can also be issued on arrival at Dar es Salaam, Zanzibar and Kilimanjaro international airports and at the Namanga Gate on the Kenya /Tanzania border.

The regional Hubs of Johannesburg, Nairobi & Addis Ababa can be used to access Dar es Salaam. Airports such as Kilimanjaro international airport and Dodoma airport in Tanzania can be used to connect flights to Dar es Salaam. To cater for visitors travelling from Tanzania from Kenya there is a ferry service provided.

Visitors to Dar es Salaam are advised that taxis moving passengers around the city have no meters and charge a standard fee per journey inside the city centre. As for ferries to Zanzibar, there is a choice of 4 boats- a hydrofoil, a catamaran and 2 ordinary ferry boats. Yellow fever vaccination certification is a must before boarding for Zanzibar. A port charge of USD 5 is added to the boat fare.

Dar es Salaam has warm temperatures and visitors are advised to bring along light clothing. Temperatures fluctuate between mid 30C, with the month of October through March being the hottest season. It can get somewhat chilly in the mornings and evenings hence some warm wear like sweaters is recommended. If you are venturing into the highlands the ladies could comfortably dress in slacks or blouses and short sleeved blouses while for their male compatriot’s short sleeved shirts, shorts and trousers would do just fine.

Dar es Salaam has fair share of historical landmarks like the St. Joseph’s Cathedral, the White Father’s Mission House, the Botanical Gardens, the old State House and the National Museum that add to the value and pique visitor’s interest to visit the city centre. There is a Lutheran Church flaunted as the oldest building existing in the city, which only seems to showcase the rich Christian heritage of Tanzania that dates back 18th century when the first missionaries came to Tanzania.

Nearly all visitors to Dar es Salaam end up taking a southern Tanzania tour to Mikumi, Udzungwa, Ruaha and Selous game reserves - one of the seven UNESCO World Heritage sites in the country.

While on safari in Dar es Salaam, you, like many other travelers, may also find it worthy visit other Tanzania tour destinations like Selous game reserve and Mikumi, Udzungwa and Ruaha national parks, which fall in the country’s southern safari circuit. Mikumi National park for example is just a few hours’ drive away. It also takes two hours to Zanzibar by ferry, and an even shorter time by flight. You can arrange day trips from Dar to nearby islands through some Dar es Salaam hotels including White Sands and Bahari Beach hotels.

Mikumi national park occupies 3,230 sq km and hosts a great diversity of African wildlife. Animal species found there include lion, buffalo, elephant, giraffe, zebra, warthog, and several antelope species. The park is also home to hippos, monitor lizards, and crocodiles and a good number of the endangered wild dogs. During the wet season, up to 300 bird species gather in Mikumi, many of which are migratory birds for Europe and Asia. The most dominant feature of Mikumi national park is its flood plain, which borders Uluguru mountains and Lumango hills range. Mikumi lies on the Northern border of Selous game reserve, forming a vast ecosystem of wilderness covering 75,000 sq. km. The plains of Mikumi are covered by grassland while miombo woodlands are found on the higher grounds.

Mikumi is generally accessible all year round, unlike many other southern circuit safari destinations. It takes four hours to Mikumi by road, and one hour by flight from Dar es Salaam. For budget travelers, It is possible to take a bus ride to the park’s gate then arrange game drives from there. At the few luxury lodges and tented camps and the three campsites in Mikumi , limited accommodation is available. Should you find yourself in Dar es Salaam on a weekend, Mikumi is a perfect destination for seeing African wildlife.

65 km southwest of Mikumi, and 348 km west of Dar lies the 1,990 sq. km. Udzungwa Mountains National park. Udzungwa mountains are found southeast of Kilimanjaro and are part of the Eastern Arc Mountains. This unique Tanzania national park was created purely for purposes of plant species conservation. Many rare plants inhabit the mountain forest in Udzungwa. Animal life in the forests consists of six primate species, including the Iringa red colobus monkey and the Sanje crested Mangabey both of which are endemic here. Lions, elephants, buffaloes and hunting dogs are found on the plateau area, though in smaller numbers than in other parks and game reserves in Tanzania. The park is an important conservation area for bird species, with more than four previously unknown species discovered by scientists recently. The dry season from June through October is the best time to visit Udzungwa. During the wet season, hiking routes get unpleasantly slippery.

The Ruaha National Park is rightly named after its lifeblood- the Great Ruaha River. Occupying 12,950 sq km, it is Tanzanias second largest national park and the world’s biggest elephant sanctuary. Home to numerous crocodiles and hippo, the Great Ruaha draws many thirsty water buck, leopard, buffalo, reed buck, wild dogs, lion and hyena to its banks. Plain animals such as zebra, greater and lesser kudu, sable and roan antelope, impala and giraffe are found on the plains stretching from the rivers edge. The topography is agreeable to hiking and walking safaris are allowed. In wet season months of March to April and October to November the bird population peaks and the park has over 370 bird species, including some Eurasian migrants.

The flora is very diverse and over 1650 plant species flourish here. The Ruaha has the unique distinction of having plant and animal life found in both eastern and southern Africa. The climate here is hot and dry and temperatures can reach 40 degrees Celsius in October. The Ruaha is located 128 km west of the central Tanzania town of Iringa. It was previously inaccessible, but there is now year round road access. From Dar, road travel is a backbreaking 10 hours while a charter flight takes 1 ” hours. The best time for a safari is over the dry season- May to December. Then, the Ruaha River is magnetic to the animals and right at the banks, the drama of their daily life is on display- feeding, fighting, courting and mating. The accommodation is currently limited, but there is a luxury lodge, and a few self-catering chalets and campsites.

Selous Game Reserve is the star of the southern safari circuit. The reserve is named after the intrepid Fredrick Courtney Selous, a celebrated Victoria era explorer and naturalist. He met his end here in a sideshow of the First World War. The Great War had spilled over from Europe as the Germans then ruled parts of todays Tanzania. Located 500 km to the southwest of Dar, the reserve occupies a staggering 55,000 sq km ” larger than Switzerland- and is the largest of its kind in Africa. The Selous was designated a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1982 due to the significance of both its flora and fauna. This immense wilderness has a diversity of habitats including savanna woodlands, swamps, open grasslands and forests.

There over 2,100 plant and tree species in Selous. Rufiji river is the lifeblood of the game reserve and has many oxbow lakes and tributaries suitable for boating safaris. Lions, elephants, black rhinos, buffaloes, hippos, wild dogs, elands, impala, water bucks, giraffes, zebras, greater kudu, baboons, and bush bucks are just some of the wild animals found in Selous. Birdwatchers also have an exciting tour in Selous, with over 420 bird species. Just like in Ruaha, game animals in Selous are widely scattered due to the large size of the reserve. The best game watching experience is attained by taking a slow pace, preferably 3-4 days. Visitors can enjoy a rewarding photographic safari in Selous, with Stiegler’s gorge being a favorite spot also favored by leopards.

From Dar, you arrive after a 1-” hour charter flight or by traveling for 7 hours by road. Travel by road is not advised, except for the most adventurous souls. Selous is near the coast and is just a few hundred feet above sea level. The climate is hot and humid, particularly between October and March. Part of the reserve is closed in the wet season between March and May. The best time to visit is over the dry season period of June to October. Then on safari you can walk, boat and ride a 4WD vehicle. Accommodation is limited to just a few luxury tented and no-frills camps.

Sadani game reserve is yet another Tanzania safari destination worth visiting. Situated in the North Coast, about 50km from Bagamoyo, the reserve gives the visitor a unique beach and bush experience. African game found there include elephants, buffaloes, giraffes, leopards, and zebras. To get to Sadani however, you have to make your own special transport arrangements.

Getting to Dar es Salaam, and Tanzania in general, requires visitors from yellow fever infected areas to obtain yellow fever international certificate of vaccination. Exemptions are made for visitors arriving from non-endemic areas such as Europe, North America, Australia and New Zealand. The northwestern forest region of Tanzania is considered a high-risk area for yellow fever. Visitors are strongly advised to take anti malaria medication commencing two weeks before travel as malaria is common in Tanzania. Vaccinations against hepatitis A, polio and typhoid are also recommended. In addition, all visitors are required to have a visa except citizens of some African and commonwealth countries. It is advisable to obtain visas in advance from Tanzania Embassies and High Commissions as some airlines may require it before allowing you to board. Visa can also be issued on arrival at Dar es Salaam, Zanzibar and Kilimanjaro international airports and at the Namanga Gate on the Kenya /Tanzania border.

It is easy to get to Dar es Salaam through the top travel hubs in Africa e.g Nairobi, Johannesburg and Addis Ababa. Within Tanzania, there are many domestic flights connecting Dar and other Tanzania airports like Dodoma airport and Kilimanjaro international airport. From Mombasa in Kenya, there are ferry services by sea to Dar es Salaam. Traveling within Dar city itself is easy by use of Taxis. Per every journey within the city center, the taxis charge a standard Tsh 2000. Visitors can also get to Zanzibar by ferry, with four choices available: a catamaran, a hydrofoil, and 2 ordinary boats. Before boarding the ferry for Zanzibar, you will have to produce the yellow fever vaccination certificate. You will also pay an additional US$5 for port charges, apart from just the boat fare.

And like the rest of Tanzania, Dar es salaam never really gets cold and light clothing is recommended. Average daily temperatures hover in the 30 degrees celsius range with October to March being the hottest period. Warmer clothing such as sweaters is however necessary to get you through the evenings and early mornings if you are heading for the highlands. Short sleeve shirts, shorts and trouser for men are sufficient and so are short sleeve blouses, slacks and skirts for the ladies. Nudity is totally unacceptable in the whole country.