Southern circuit destination.
Arusha National Park
Arusha National Park is a jewel of many facets and the closest national park to Arusha town. This is a treasure, a rich tapestry of habitats, teeming with animals and birds. The park has three distinct zones that contribute to its variety and beauty: the lush swamps of Ngurdoto Crater; the tranquil beauty of the Momella lakes, and the chilly rocky alpine heights of Mount Meru rising 14,990 feet. Tarangire National Park
Tarangire is located about 65 miles southwest of Arusha. It extends over 2600 km of wilderness in the Rift Valley and is part of the broader migratory system. This is one of the best places in Africa to see elephants with herds including as many as 500 animals. This is a year-round park but in the dry season it becomes a refuge for many migratory animals. The game viewing is excellent as the animals cluster around the rapidly shrinking water reserves. Lake Manyara National Park
Cradled in the glory of its surroundings below the sheer majesty of the Rift Valley wall, Lake Manyara lies serene, spreading in a heat haze backed by a thin green band of forest and the sheer 600 metre red and brown cliffs of the escarpment. Hippo wallow near the lake‘s borders of sedge. The park hosts 400 varieties of birds, including thousands of red-billed quelea flitting over the water like swarms of giant insects; pelicans, cormorants, and pink streaks of thousands of flamingo on their perpetual migration. Ngorongoro Conservation Area
Nearly three million years ago Ngorongoro towered alongside Mt. Kilimanjaro as one of the highest peaks in Africa. Today, Ngorongoro’s caldera shelters the most beautiful wildlife haven on earth. The rich pasture and permanent water of the Crater floor supports a resident population of some 20,000 to 25,000 large mammals. They are not confined by the Crater walls, and can leave freely; they stay because conditions are favorable. The bird life depends on the season because there are resident birds and migrant birds. Serengeti National Park
The park covers 14,763 sq km of endless rolling plains, which reach up to the Kenyan border and extend almost to Lake Victoria. The park is teeming with stunning wildlife – it is thought that over 3 million large mammals roam the plains. From the end of November to June you can witness the annual migration of millions of zebra and wildebeest in search of water and forage as the seasons change. The wildlife in Serengeti includes large herds of antelope of all sorts including; Patterson’s eland, klipspringer, dik dik, impala, zebra, gazelles, water buck and reed buck, topi, kongoni, cotton’s orbi, grey bush duiker, roan antelope, buffalo, and wildebeest. Plus: lion, leopard, cheetah, hyena, bat-eared fox, hunting dog and jackal. Smaller mammals: spring hare, porcupine, warthog, hyraxes, baboon, velvet monkey, colobus monkey, patas monkey, and mongoose. Larger mammals: giraffe, rhino, elephant, and hippopotamus. We also find nearly 500 species of birds, including vultures, storks, flamingos, martial and fish eagles, and ostrich. Reptiles: crocodiles and a number of species of snakes and lizards. |