Tanzanian Tourism History
During the colonial period, most tourists visiting Tanzania were big-game hunters. Since World War II, increasing numbers of tourists have come to see Tanzania’s flora and fauna. In the years following independence, the Tanzanian government made little effort to encourage foreign tourism. This policy was changed in 1977, and the Tanzania Tourist Corporation (TTC) launched a campaign to attract foreigners. As part of the plan, two major tourist regions with hotels and lodges were established. The northern region is the more popular, comprising Mount Kilimanjaro, Serengeti National Park, Selous Game Reserve, Ngorongoro Conservation Area, Lake Manyara National Park, and some 20 lesser parks and reserves. In these areas, tourists can enjoy hunting, fishing, game viewing, photography, etc. The coastal tourist region includes Dar es Salaam, Mafia Island, Zanzibar, Mikumi National Park, and the Tanzanian coastline. The Kilimanjaro International Airport, located between Moshi and Arusha, links these points of attraction. Other tourist attractions include the Rift Valley, Lake Victoria, and Lake Tanganyika.
In 1994, the Tanzania Tourist Board replaced the TTC and was given the mandate to make Tanzania a more attractive and competitive tourist destination. The Tanzanian government’s decision to open tourism to private companies and investors has also helped to revive existing tourist facilities and to attract international hotel chains. These changes are expected to increase the income from tourism by 500 million US Dollars.
Tanzania has 3 categories of Destination
- Nothern Region
- Southern Region
- Western Region
- Nothern Region
Lake Manyara Natinal Park
Lake Manyara National Park is located beneath the cliffs of the Manyara Escarpment. It offers varied ecosystems, incredible birdlife. Stretching for 50km along the base of the rusty gold 600-meter high Rift Valley escarpment. Lake Manyara National Park contains groundwater forests, bush plains, baobab-strewn cliffs, as well as hot springs.
The alkaline soda of Lake Manyara is home to an incredible array of birdlife that thrives on its brackish waters. Highlights include thousands of pink-hued flamingos on their perpetual migration, as well as other large water birds. Therefore you can see pink flamingos stoop and graze by the thousands of colorful specks against the grey minerals. Also, Yellow-billed storks swoop and corkscrew on thermal winds rising up from the escarpment.
Lake Manyara’s famous tree-climbing lions are another reason to pay a visit to this park. The only kind of their species in the world. makes the ancient mahogany and elegant acacias their home during the rainy season. In addition to the lions, the national park is also home to the largest concentration of baboons. Let us host you if you need to know more
Kilimanjaro National Park
The highest mountain in Africa, snow caped and world’s highest free standing volcano. It comprises of two dormant volcanoes (Kibo 5,895m a.m.s.l and Mawenzi 5,149m a.m.s.l) and one extinct volcano (Shira 3,962m a.m.s.l) respectively. The origin of the word is not well known but it said to be a combination of the Swahili word Kilima meaning “Mountain” and the KiChagga word Njaro, loosely translated as “Whiteness” giving the name “White Mountain”.
Its size is 1,712Km2 and was declared as a National Park in 1973, officially opened for tourism in 1977, declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1987 and Natural Wonder of Africa in 2013. Climbing to the top which is far up into the sky it’s a life time experience that no one can forget.
Climate
There are two rainy seasons in a year. The wet season is from March to May during which it rains around the mountain base and snow accumulates on its peak.
The dry season is from late June through September during which the nights are cool and the days completely clear.
The park is located at an altitude between 1700 m to 5895 meter with annual average rainfall ranging from 828 mm at alpine desert to 2500 mm at Montane forest.
Getting there
The park can be accessed by road or flight via Kilimanjaro International Airport – about 45km to the west. The Park Headquarters and one of the ascending gates are at Marangu, about 41Km from Moshi town and 86km from Kilimanjaro International Airport. The other seven gates of Rongai, Machame, Londorosi, Lemosho, Kilema, Mweka and Umbwe are located around the mountain base and can be reached by road.
Park Attractions
The Park is endowed with a diverse variety of attractions ranging from terrestrial wilderness to permanent glaciers on the mountain peaks.
Three peaks
Kibo, the highest peak (5,895m) on Mount Kilimanjaro, is covered by snow throughout the year despite being close to the equator. Conquering this peak is an adventure of a lifetime.
Mawenzi Peak
Is the second highest peak which forms mount Kilimanjaro 5,149m. It is rugged and maintain the features of glaciation
Shira peak
With an altitude of 3,962m, is the oldest peak that collapsed and forms a Shira plateau with outstanding scenic beauty on the mountain with several kinds of migratory large mammals such as buffaloes, elephants and especially elands.
Mkomazi National Park
The Park finds itself in a beautiful setting with both the Pare and Usambara mountains towering above its boundaries. Depending on the weather, Mount Kilimanjaro can also be seen from the park. To the south the pare and usambara mountains form a dramatic backdrop and to the north, Kenya’s vast Tsavo National Park shares a border with Mkomazi, making common ground for migratory herds of elephant, oryx and zebra during the wet season. Together with Tsavo, it forms one of the largest and most important protected ecosystems on earth.
Mkomazi derives its name from Pare-ethnic language; “Mko and Mazi”. “Mko” means a traditional tiny wooden spoon used by the Pare people for eating and “Mazi” means water. This implies that the water in the Park is hardly enough to fill up the wooden spoon. It covers an area of 3,245sq km.
Climate
The climate in Mkomazi is usually dry and warm to hot. The warmest months are October to April and coldest months are May to September. It also experiences two wet seasons, the long rains which are from March to May and short rains are from November to December. Mean annual rainfall ranges from 570 mm in the lowlands to 1,910 mm in the highlands.
Getting there
The Park can be accessed by road and air.
Road: The Park is 120km from Moshi. Same to the nearest entry gate is 6km on a graveled road. The Park is also easily accessible on special arrangement through Njiro, Kivingo and Umba gates
Air: Chartered flights are available to Kisima airstrip in the center of the park near the rhino sanctuary
Park Attractions
The animals of Mkomazi are typical of the arid area. Giraffe, oryx, generuk, hartebeest lesser kudu, eland, impala and grants gazelle share the park with elephants, buffalo and numerous predators including lions, leopards and cheetah.
Serengeti National Park,
Serengeti National Park is one of the best-known wildlife sanctuary in the world, unequally for its natural beauty and value. Therefore, this is the greatest concentration of plains game in Africa.
The Serengeti National Park in Tanzania was established in 1952. A home to the greatest wildlife spectacle on earth the great migration of wildebeest and zebra. Therefore, the resident population of lions, cheetah, elephants, giraffes, and birds, also impressive. There’s a wide variety of accommodation available, from luxury lodges to mobile camps. The park covers 5,700 sq miles. larger than Connecticut, with at most a couple of hundred vehicles driving around.
The Park divides into 3 sections. The popular southern/central part (Seronera Valley). Therefore, Maasai calls the “serengit”, the land of endless plains. Also, classic savannah, dots with acacias and fills with wildlife. The western corridor marks by the Grumeti River, forests as well as dense bushes. The north, Lobo area, which meets up with Kenya’s Masai Mara Reserve.
Story of Wildebeests Migration in Serengeti
Consists of roughly two million wildebeest, starts in the south of the Serengeti, with the birth of half a million calves between January and March. A favorite season for many of the seasoned Serengeti guides: the air during these months is full of new life and action.
Why do wildebeest migrate?
The 800 kilometer trek of the immense wildebeest herd is the largest mammal migration on earth. The timing of the migration coincides with greening of nutritious grasses on the short-grass plains during the wet season. These areas are safer because predators can be easily spotted making it an ideal place for calving. However, the plains dry and the wildebeest are forced to move in search of greener pastures in the western corridor. The northern extension of the ecosystem has the highest rainfall, but the grasses are least nutritious. This is the dry season retreat for the wildebeest, at least until the south becomes green again. The result is a clockwise movement from the south, west, north, and back to the south.
The Great Migration in short
A better representation of the circle of life probably cannot be found anywhere else in the world. The journey starts in Southern Serengeti when wildebeest calves are being born. Predators like lions and hyenas are constantly hunting for babies, and thousands and thousands of calves are born within a couple weeks of each other – a feast for the eyes of true wildlife enthusiasts.
When the drought comes in May, the herd moves north, towards the Masai Mara in Kenya, chopping down the high green grass, quickly followed by the gazelles and zebras. The migration is not without risk, crossing rivers means facing about 3,000 crocodiles, patiently waiting for a kill. Not to mention the famous Serengeti lion population. Despite the abundance of hoofed meat in this area, life is not easy for these big cats in this unforgiving landscape. But seeing a group of lions collaborating to hunt down a wildebeest is an unforgettable sight.
Then, with the beginning of the short rains in late October, the migration makes its way back into the Serengeti from Masai Mara. By December, the herds trek past Seronera – a small settlement in central Serengeti where the official Serengeti Visitors’ Centre is located – to return to their calving grounds again, and the circle is complete.
The Great Migration in detail
When planning your Serengeti safari you probably want to include seeing the Great Migration. So how do you ensure to be there when it happens? The long and short of it is that you can’t. It is important to realize that the decision of when to visit the Serengeti always involves an element of risk. We have detailed the Great Migration below, and this is what usually happens, but keep in mind that there are no guarantees.
The annual migration of two million ungulates, wildebeest but also enormous groups of zebra and Thomson’s gazelle, Grant’s gazelle and eland, through Serengeti National Park is the greatest wildlife spectacle of its type in Africa, and perhaps the world. Although variations occur from year to year, the Serengeti migration follows a reasonably predictable annual cycle, dictated by local rainfall patterns. The Great Migration cycle breaks up into the following periods:
December-April
We can find the main calving grounds in the area southeast of Seronera, atypical Serengeti plains stretch all the way to the Ndutu area near Ngorongoro. Triggering their move to this area are the short rains in November and December. The wildebeest stick around this area until the end of the long rains, end of April, early May. The delightful news is that this section of Serengeti National Park is easily accessible and that in this period the landscape becomes lush. February is usually calving season in the Ndutu area and the southeastern plains: the very best time to visit this area. As wildebeest, zebra and other ungulates are so many, and give birth to so many calves, the spectacle works as a magnet for predators. As early as March or April the herd may move again in search of greener pastures. Seeing the actual migration in this period is more difficult, but chances are that you will encounter very large herds on the move.
May-July
This is the period that the wildebeest, after having feasted on the short green grasses of the southeastern Serengeti and after having giving birth to their offspring, start getting ready for their 800 kilometer long trek. The actual starting date may be anytime between late April and early June. This is the time to you may have the privilege to see one of the greatest natural phenomena in the world. More than a million marching animals in a column up to 40 kilometers long. During the migration, the herd will move towards the Western Corridor, where they will face the first major obstacle, crossing the Grumeti River. Many animals don’t survive the crossing as they are being awaited by the area’s population of oversized crocodiles ready to feast. The herd may congregate on the southern bank of the river and stay there for up to two weeks before crossing the river.
August-September
When the Grumeti River obstacle has been taken, the herd moves further north and starts crossing the next big hurdle, the Mara River, in July or August. The Mara River crossing is where so many iconic Great Migration photos have been taken. After this crossing the herd flocks to the northwest plains and Masai Mara National Reserve in Kenya. The August – September period is considered being a bad time to visit Serengeti National Park and see the Great Migration as the herd moves into the Masai Mara in Kenya. However, migration patterns show that about half of the herd stays on the Tanzanian side, in the Mara Serengeti area. In this period, smaller herds of wildebeest (well consider small… herds may count up to between 500 and thousands of individuals) frequently cross the Mara River, back and forth, for no apparent reason. This is an excellent time to stay at one of the Serengeti Mara camps.
October-November
Crossing the Mara River northbound means that, at one point, the herd needs to cross the river one more time before commencing the trek back in a southerly direction. This usually happens in October, but sometimes earlier. In this period the herd will cross the northern plains and Lobo area. This section of Serengeti National Park is little-visited, so if you are looking to see the migration in relative quietness, this would be the time. The wildebeest return to the short- grass plains and calving ground around Ndutu in late November. And from here, the Great Migration starts all over again.
Note
As mentioned earlier, the timings outlined on this page concern guidelines as exceptions occur frequently. In November 2013, the wildebeest already started trekking back to the southern Serengeti short-grass plains when suddenly it started raining north of the Mara River. Nature is as nature does and the herd turned around, back into the Masai Mara in Kenya. The herd stayed there for about three weeks before resuming their southbound journey. A year later, in 2014, freak rains in the southern Serengeti caused much of the herd to remain behind and not make the northbound journey towards the Western Corridor up to July.
When to visit?
It is a matter of choice whether you would like to plan your Serengeti safari around the Great Migration. We have mentioned earlier that the Serengeti is a year-round destination as it covers a vast area and offers unparalleled wildlife viewing. Chances that you will be at the exact spot of the Great Migration herd crossing a river (either at the Grumeti or Mara River) are very slim. Also, the timing of herd movements cannot be guaranteed. However, if you choose the right part of the Serengeti: the southeast and Ndutu from December through to May, the Western Corridor from May to July, the Serengeti Mara area from July through to October, and the northern Serengeti and Lobo area in October and November, large herds of wildebeest and their entourage should be easily located.
Tarangire National Park
Tarangire extends to you a very cordial welcome. We are thrilled to have you here and we appreciate for trusting us. Whether you are visiting here for a day trip or having an overnight, Tarangire has something for everyone.
The park is impressively splendid for its famous concentration of wild animals especially the elephants and it is also one of the finest birding destinations in East Africa.
The name of the park originates from the Tarangire River that crosses the park and covers an area of 2850 km2 .
Climate
Tarangire has a bimodal rainfall with short rains starting from November to December, long rains from March to May and dry season from June to October and January to February.
The park is located at an altitude between 900m and 1250meters with annual average rainfall ranging from 650 to 700mm.
Getting there
The Park can be accessed by road or air
Road: The park is 121km through a tarmac road from Arusha city.
Air: The park can be reached by flight from Kilimanjaro International Airport which is 46km from Arusha. Charted flights are also available from Arusha to Kuro Airstrip located inside the park
Attractions
The Park has remarkable attractions with large groups of Elephants, spectacular natural beauty of savanna landscape and magnificent majestic Baobabs. Over 550 different bird species have been recorded in the park, of which several are threatened or endemic.
Wildlife
Tarangire is noted as a safari destination for its large concentration of wildlife population. Animals like elephants, eland, giraffe, lions, buffalo, cheetah, leopards and zebra are easily spotted when you are in a safari vehicle.
Ngorongoro Conservation Area Authority
Ngorongoro Conservation Area Authority has extraordinary features. Therefore, Ngorongoro Conservation Area Authority has the largest unfloods and unbroken caldera in the world. About 20kms across, 600 meters deep, and 300 sq. km in area. However, Ngorongoro Crater is a breathtaking natural wonder. This is also, Africa’s most famous sites and have the highest density of wildlife in Africa. Sometimes describes as one of the ‘eighth wonders of the world’. moreover, guarantees great wildlife viewing in a genuinely mind-blowing environment.
The crater floor consists of a number of different habitats that include grassland, swamps, forests, and Lake Makat (Maasai for ‘salt’). It is also the most likely area in Tanzania to see the Black Rhino. Your chances of encountering leopards here are also good and fabulous black-maned lions. Many flamingos are also attracted to the soda waters of Lake Magadi.
Ngorongoro Crater also offers cultural experiences in Maasai village trips. Therefore, this is a part of the reason behind the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. So, it preserves the environment for the Maasai people who divert from the Serengeti Plains. Essentially, nomadic people, build temporary villages in circular homesteads called bomas. There are possibilities to visit a couple of these now, as the indigenous people have opened up for tourists. These people have a great history as warriors. Also, they are no longer allows to build villages inside the park, they continue to herd their cattle. Moreover, they graze and drink, regardless of the predators nearby.
- Southern Region
Ruaha National Park
One of the country’s most outstanding wilderness area. It is the second largest National Park, covering an area of 20,226 sq.km located in south-central Tanzania. During the dry season, when game viewing is at its best, animals are drawn to the Great Ruaha River and other water sources. The name Ruaha was derived from the hehe word called ”Luhava” meaning the great river.
Climate
Ruaha National Park enjoys only one rainy season, usually from the end of November to May with annual average rainfall ranging from 500 to 800mm. The park is located at an altitude between 750 and 1868 meters.
Getting there
The park is accessible by road and air.
Road. From Iringa town it is 108km to the main gate (Y-Junction), 625Km from Dar es Salaam and 480Km from Mbeya City.
Air. Daily flights from Dar es Salaam and Arusha is the easiest way to Ruaha. Airstrips are located at Msembe and Jongomero. Coastal Aviation, Auric Air and Safari Link all have scheduled flights to Ruaha.
Park Attractions
Not only does Ruaha enjoy abundant wildlife, but the magnificent and constantly changing landscapes add a magical touch to the whole experience. Baobabs dot the rocky hillsides, the cool green shade along the River, the open grassy plains, all make a wonderful and exciting trip.
Mikumi National Park
As accessible as it is, Mikumi is the most appealing Park to a safari. This Park will give a true taste of an African safari while preserving your precious time.
The Park has a variety of wildlife that can be easly seen. Its closeness to Dar makes it an ideal place for weekend visitors who don’t have to spend a long time on an extended safari itinerary.
The park derives its name from a palm tree called Borassus palm which once grew there and covers an area of 3,230km2
Climate
The Park experiences bi-modal rainfall season with short rains starting from October to early November and long rains from March to May and dry season is from late June to September.
It is located at an altitude between200m and 800meters
Getting there
The Park can be accessed by road or air
Road – The park is 283km from Dar es salaam and 118 from Morogoro town.
Air – Scheduled flights from all the main centers in Tanzania but often routing via Dar-es-salaam.
Park attractions
The Park harbors fascinating attractions most notably the Hippo pools that provide close access to the mud loving beasts and bird watching. Zebra, wildebeest, impala and buffalo are found on the grassy plains.
Western Region
Gombe National Park
There are truly wild places in Tanzania, Gombe National Park is one of them. The nature value of Gombe was noticed in 1943 when it was designated as a game reserve. Gombe gained its popularity after the pioneering research activities of Dr Jane Goodall in 1960 which is believed to be the longest running study of primates in the world. Conservation status was upgraded to that of a National Park in 1968 and opened for tourism in 1978 after chimpanzee habituated to human visitors. It is located 16 km north of Kigoma town on the shores of the world’s second deepest Lake Tanganyika in western Tanzania with an area of 56 square kilometers.
How to get there
Drive, schedule or charter a flight from Dar es salaam, Mwanza or Arusha or take a slow or fast train from Dar es salaam or ferry along the shore of Lake Tanganyika from Burundi or Zambia to Kigoma. To reach Gombe you must travel by boat from Kigoma. Depending on your budget, there’s an option of speed boat, which takes much less time- or passenger’s boat, which takes longer about 4hrs. Boat ride is an amazing trip.
Park Attractions
Gombe wilderness worth a year round visit; enabling you to cruise along part of the historical inquisitiveness way back in the 19th century when Livingstone and Stanley searched the source of River Nile. Rainy season is the best chimpanzee sporting while the green vegetation blooms providing an astonishing scenic view and waterfalls are at the best (November to Mid- May) while dry season provides a chance for best photo taking , short and long hike(May to October).
Kitulo National Park
The history of the park goes back to 1870, when Fredrick Elton, an Explorer visited the area. In 1960’s a large area was taken by United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization for Wheat and Sheep Schemes. Since neither wheat nor sheep thrived in the area, in 1972 the area was turned to a diary farm, which remains active to date.
As a result of concerns from conservation bodies and various stakeholders, part of the farm, Livingstone and Nhumbe Forest Reserves were declared as Kitulo National Park on 16th of September 2005.
Climate
The climate is influenced by altitude, Lake Nyasa and is largely temperate. The maximum daily temperature varies from 14.5°c to 18°c and minimum ambient temperature ranges from 7°c to 8°c between December and April, and can go as low as 0.5˚c during June to August ,during this period frost occurs. The average annual rainfall is 1600mm ranging from 1500 – 1700mm. The rain season begins from October to May.
How to get there
The park can be accessed from Mbeya town, which is about 110 Km away via Chimala road and 70 Km via Isyonje road. It is about 90 Km from Songwe Airport. The park can only be reached by road.
By Air: Through Songwe Airport; 90 kms via Isyonje and 125 via Chimala small town to Kitulo.
By Road: Mbeya city-Isyonje- Kitulo is 70 kms: Mbeya city-Chimala-Kitulo is 103 kms: Njombe town-Ikonda-makete-Kitulo 165 kms.
By Railway: Through railway transport Tanzania-Zambia (TAZARA), Iyunga and Makambako stations
Songwe airport is an airport in the southern highlands region of Tanzania serving the city of Mbeya and the nearby regions. It is able to accommodate commercial jet traffic. The services of domestic flights are provided by Air Tanzania, Precision air, Fast jet and Tropical air.
Park Attractions inside the Park
These are places of interest inside the park, where tourists can visit, typically for its inherent or exhibited natural or cultural value, historical significance, natural or built beauty, offering leisure, adventure and amusement.
The Park has vast expanses of rolling upland grassland, rounded hills stretching away to the horizon, waterfalls, rivers and crater lake.
Kitulo Plateau
The plateau is characterized by three main vegetation types:
- Well drained grassland on volcanic soils with species like Aster transaniesis, Kniphofia Grantii and other more.
- Seasonally or permanently in undated bogs with species such as Lobelia and Gladiolus.
- Rocky ridges and associated talus slopes on soil derived from metamorphic rocks with species like Moraea callista and Romulea companuloides.
Flowers
The park is one of the great flowers gardens of the world with over 40 species of ground orchids alone. Flowers come out in their thousands making unparalleled carpet of color especially from late November to April.
Physical Features and Vegetation
Kitulo National Park is floristically reached with at over 350 species of vascular plants documented so far from the plateau. Kitulo highlands appear to be a major geographical ground for species typical of Eastern and Southern Africa region and so extremely rich in endemic and rare species not protected elsewhere in Tanzania.