Tanzania

East Africa, west of Rwanda, north of Mozambique, south of Kenya and Uganda and west the Indian Ocean with a coastline of 1424 Kms.

236,040 sq. Km (199,710 sq km - land; 36,330 sq km - water)

tropical; generally rainy with two dry seasons (December to February, June to August); semiarid in northeast.

Dodoma

37,000,000; majority of rural.
Language: Swahili and English.

Valid passport mandatory. Visas can be bought upon arrival.
Main tourist attractions: Gombe Stream National Park, Lake Manyara National Park, Mikumi National Park, Mt. Kilimanjaro National Park, Ahale Mountains National Park, Ngorongoro Crater, Ruaha National Park, Saadani National Park, Serengeti National Park, Tarangire National Park and numerous coastal beaches.

Arusha

Lying at an altitude of 1,380m, west of Mt. Kilimanjaro and at the foot of Mt. Meru, Arusha is ideally located as our Tanzanian base. All of the highlights of the northern circuits are easily accessed including Lake Manyara, Ngorongo, Tarangire and the world famous Serengeti.


Tanzania's capital Dar es Salaam translates to 'haven of peace' in English and is a natural sheltered harbour located right on the Indian Ocean coast, at the head of the Kizinga River. The city was named and initially laid out by Zanzibar Sultan Majid from 1865 but it is the German East African Company's substantial development since 1891, of principal buildings, a railway and the botanical gardens that survive. It is the commercial, cultural and administrative centre for the country and has a good selection of hotels with shopping malls and bars for the visitor.
Africa's highest mountain stands a proud 5,896m and is surrounded by a national park of 756 sq. km. All routes lead to the summit circuit and twin peaks Kibo and Mawenzi (5,149 m), which are connected by an 11 km saddle. The collapsed peak Shira (3,962 m) has become a crater. Many attempt the climb but only 20-50% completes the top.

Mt. Kilimanjaro,
Africa's highest peak is a prize sought after by many, and we can organise climbs of various duration. Over the years entrants have even included people disabled in different ways, whose charities have sponsored climbs. For the able-bodied however it remains a challenge, only 20% make the peak. Full details on request.Africa's highest mountain stands a proud 5,896m and is surrounded by a national park of 756 sq. km. All routes lead to the summit circuit and twin peaks Kibo and Mawenzi (5,149 m), which are connected by an 11 km saddle. The collapsed peak Shira (3,962 m) has become a crater. Many attempt the climb but only 20-50% completes the top.Mount Kilimanjaro is located at the north/eastern tip of Tanzania. For the adventurous, a climb of Mount Kilimanjaro is a must taking you through the mists of equatorial jungle to reach the snows and breath-taking views from the summit.
Activities
The upward track wends through forests that vary constantly with the altitude and finally opens out into open moorland below rocky, snow covered Kibo plateau. It has 3 volcanic centres, Shira, Kibo, and Mawenzi. 5, 7 & 8 day climbs are easily arranged from Moshi or Arusha, and is the perfect start to your trip in Tanzania.
When to Climb
It can be climbed at any time during the year. However, Christmas and New Year are usually fully booked and April, May and November is the rainy season.
Safety
Please check with your doctor to ensure you are fully aware of the dangers of climbing at this high altitude.

The Serengeti

by the wandering Masai, is a fitting title for these 14,763 sq km, that support 3 million mammals, upwards of 2 million of whom annually migrate in concentrated herds north across the Mara River. This 'the last great spectacle of nature' has a cast that includes around 1.3M Wildebeest, 0.3M Thompson's Gazelle and 0.2M Zebra. It begins in June with the return leg in October/November. The Serengeti centres on acacia savannah, with dry grasslands to the south, western corridor of wooded highland that
fronts Lake Victoria and north, the wooded grasslands along the Grumeti and Mara Rivers. Around 3,000 Lions and upwards of 500 Cheetah inhabits this enormous sanctuary.
The park covers 14,763 sq km of endless rolling plains , which reach up to the Kenyan border and extends almost to Lake Victoria. The park is teaming with stunning wildlife - it is thought that over 3 million large mammals roam the plains. In May or early June you can witness the annual migration of millions of zebra and wildebeest in search of water and forage as the seasons change.
Activites and Special Interests
Bird watching, photography, walking safaris, and ballooning with Serengeti Balloon Safaris.
Wildlife
Large herds of antelope of all sorts including: Patterson's eland, Klipspringer, Dikdik, impala, Zebra, gazelles, water, bush and reed buck, topi, kongoni, cotton's oribi, 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, vervet monkey, colobus monkey, patas monkey, and mongooses. Larger mammals: giraffe, rhino, elephant, hippopotamus. Nearly 500 species of bird, including vultures, storks, flamingoes, martial and fish eagles, ostrich. Reptiles: crocodiles, a number of species of snakes and lizards
Accommodation
There are a number of lodges and camps to stay at in the Serengeti. Lodges: Seronera Wildlife Lodge, Lobo Wildlife Lodge, Ndutu Safari Lodge (near Olduvai Gorge) Serengeti Serena Lodge, and Serengeti Sopa Lodge. Camps: Kijesereshi Tented lodge just outside the camp south of Nsabaaka Gate (north west of the Park) and Migration camp around the Lobo area. There are public camp sites (very basic some without even water), 6 special camp sites and 12 wilderness camp sites.
Ngorongoro lies just 60 kms NW of Lake Manyara, 190 km W of Arusha and 145 km SE of The Serengeti. At the heart of this huge and diverse conservation area (8,288 sq km) lies the incomparable crater, once a young volcano that eventually collapsed leaving a perfect calder 18 kms across and 1 km deep - the largest in the world.
At the craters edge isa fantastic panorama. You enter by descending the thickly wooded rim, a mixture of Strangler Fig, Red Thorn Acacias and Rub Vines, attracting a variety of birdlife, on to the crater floor with its prominent soda lake, Magadi. The stage is set which includes Seneto Springs, Gorigor Swaps, Terai Forest and the Gol Mountains. This microcosm supports some 30,000 large mammals, including Plains Game, Lion, Leopard and Buffalo. Clambering in the trees are Olive Baboons, Blue Monkeys and Bushbabies. Olduvai is famed for its fossil finds - about 150 species of prehistoric mammals including the Leakey's discovery of 400 fragments of a skull. Discovery here began by accident back in 1911. Olduvai gains its name from the Masai word for the wild sisal that is prolific here.
At the craters edge isa fantastic panorama. You enter by descending the thickly wooded rim, a mixture of Strangler Fig, Red Thorn Acacias and Rub Vines, attracting a variety of birdlife, on to the crater floor with its prominent soda lake, Magadi. The stage is set which includes Seneto Springs, Gorigor Swaps, Terai Forest and the Gol Mountains. This microcosm supports some 30,000 large mammals, including Plains Game, Lion, Leopard and Buffalo. Clambering in the trees are Olive Baboons, Blue Monkeys and Bushbabies. Olduvai is famed for its fossil finds - about 150 species of prehistoric mammals including the Leakey's discovery of 400 fragments of a skull. Discovery here began by accident back in 1911. Olduvai gains its name from the Masai word for the wild sisal that is prolific here.
At the heart of the crater's ten mile wide grassland plain lies a soda lake that often attracts vast numbers of flamingo and other water birds. Visitors to Ngorongoro will seldom leave without seeing rhino, elephant, buffalo, lion, cheetah, zebra and many species of antelope and even an occasional leopard. The roads in and out of the crater are an adventure in themselves and require four-wheel drive vehicles. Lodges are on the crater rim only. This was once the home of the Masai tribe and they still take their herds of cattle into the crater at certain times.

The Ngorongoro Crater Trek

Once you are in need of this wonderful trekking trail in Tanzania, one must travel to Ngorongoro conservation area through Loduare Gate, up to heroes point and then turn right while scaling to Ngorongoro. The road will lead
you to a Sopa Lodge junction, drive straight up to North - East crater out let - Drive straight following Nainokanoka village where the ranger post is situated.

Close to Tarangire, 130 km W of Arusha, Manyara offers 325 sq km of incredible beauty set in diverse terrain, which includes open grasslands, forests and the dominant red western rift escarpment that provides a stunning backdrop to the Lake itself. In Manyara can be found resident Baboons, also Elephants, Hippo and 'PlainsGame'. This wonderland includes something unique - The tree climbing Lions. The lake wonderland includes something unique - The tree climbing Lions. The lake attracts migratory Flamingos and over 300 different species of birdlife.

Part of a far larger migratory ecosystem (that includes Lake Manyara) and dependant on the Tarangire River that flows through its centre, this National Park covers an area of 2,600 sq km and is about 120 km from Arusha.

Larger mammals vacate Tarangire in a mass exodus during the annual October from the Masai Mara.

Lake Manyara National Park

has a wonderful mosaic of different habitats, which attracts a whole host of animals including a high density of elephants. Look out for monkeys, antelopes, zebras and hippos too. There are also lions and some have developed the unusual behaviour of climbing trees for their afternoon snooze. However, they have not mastered the art of dragging their kill high into the branches, as the leopard is so adept at doing.

Birdlife is fascinating at Lake Manyara and numbers are at their peak during the rainy season when seed-eaters, insect-eaters and waterbirds thrive. Nomadic quelea (finch-like birds), gather in breeding flocks of many thousands and fly across Lake Manyara National Park in vast twittering clouds. Pelicans, storks, geese, herons and cormorants share their waterworld with migrant flamingoes, who come and feed on the algae rich water and turn the crystalline edges of the soda lake a vibrant pink.

Waterfalls spill over the escarpment wall and fill rivers, some of which can be canoed down for a great safari adventure. In the south of the park hot springs bubble to the surface but are too hot for a dip.

The mixture of different habitats, animals and birdlife in Lake Manyara National Park, is unlike anything else you are likely to see. Another bonus is that Lake Manyara is only a 2-hour drive or half an hour light aircraft flight, west of Arusha - the gateway to the Northern Safari Circuit.

LOCATION: 300 km from the capital city.

Remote Ruaha, covering some 12,950 sq km, 625 kms from Dar es Salaam, derives its name from the mighty Ruaha river that forms part of its South-eastern boundary. Ruaha can only be visited in the dry season July-December. The park's altitude (750m - 1,900m) creates four different flora zones: river valleys, savannahs, moimba woodland and undulating bus country. Over 400 species of birdlife have been sighted and its proliferation of large mammals includes

Elephant, Giraffe, Buffalo, Zebra, numerous 'Plains Gam' Antelope, the occasional Leopard and Cheetah. The river is rich in Hippo and Crocodile. Since the only lodge is unfenced, game roams freely there at night.

Oliver's Camp

is situated on the border to Tarangire National Park, about a two hour drive from the parks main gate. The design has been kept as environmentally friendly as possible and the tents have been sited amongst the natural features of this landscape. The Base Camp stays in this area for up to six-month as it is very comfortable. Large twin-bedded tents are individually sited and furnished with wooden beds, coffee tables, chairs, camp-style wardrobes, wash basins and a toilet-shower extension all under a twenty six by twelve foot spread of canvas which includes two covered verandahs. Freshly prepared food is served in the dining tent and cold drinks are available. Camp lighting is subtle, electric twelve volt inside and hurricane lamps outside.

LOCATION 300 km from the capital city of Nairobi.

At twice the size of Denmark, Selous

(55,000 sq km) is the second largest 'park' in the world, said to be home to over one million mammals. Of this vast wilderness only the Beho Beho region, north of the Rufiji River is open to tourists. The best time is July-ctober, though precaution needs to be taken since the area is infested with the Tsetse.

Selous is renown for its large numbers of Elephant and Rhino, which declined drastically in the 1980's as a result of poaching, yet now herds of Elephants are again on the increase. Some 400 species of birdlife have been recorded including the elusive Eleonora's Falcon. The real showpiece of the park has to be the Rufiji which flows through its heart and offers (time and again) the spectacle of large numbers of Hippo's gallivanting about, whilst Crocodiles bask like disguarded rough boulders on its banks.

The Rufiji and its dependant's create the largest river catchment in East Africa. Highlights include Stiegler's Gorge about 100 m high, providing a dramatic river bottleneck and 20 km downstream the 5 swampy Lakes that this river system feeds before leaving the reserve. Here a variety of 'Plains Game' including the rare Sable Antelope, Greater Kudu and Waterbuck refresh themselves. Hot Sulphur Springs bubble up at Maji Moto, near Beho Beho - some just cool enough to swim in! Walking safaris are organised in this reserve, but expect the wildlife to be shy. Hunting Dog, Spotted Hyena, Lion and Leopard have been sighted along with Buffalo and Elephant.

The largest game reserve in Africa - 4 times the size of the Serengeti . It possesses a diverse landscape from hot volcanic springs, sporadic lakes, channels from the Great Rhaha and Rufiji rivers. Walking is permitted (with an armed ranger) which with over 350 species of bird and 2,000 species of plants to see makes this the most heavenly sanctuary to explore.

Activites and Special Interests
Take a cable car across Stieglers Gorge (100 metres deep and 100 metres wide); bird watching; photography; walking safaris; and fishing Tiger Fish and Vandu (in the rivers of the Kilombero Game Controlled Area to the west of the reserve).

Wildlife
Selous is famous for its elephant, hippopotamus and rhino (although now few remain). The park has a broad range of game: buffalo - the largest population in Africa; Nyasaland gnu; brindled gnu; hartebeest; Greater Kudu; sable antelope; eland; reedbuck; bushbuck; waterbuck; warthog; zebras; giraffe; and wildebeest. Also: lion, leopard, the spotted hyeana and hunting dog are in abundance; cheetah are rare; there are over 350 species of bird and reptiles such as crocodiles and various snakes and lizards.

Accommodation
Mainly based in the north of the reserve. Stay in the either the Island Mbuyini luxury tented camp, Richard Bonhams, the Sand River Selous, the Mbuyu camp, or the Rufiji River Camp. Game drives by vehicle, boat trips, and long and short walking safaris into the reserve may be made from these camps and lodges.

Zanzibar

has a potent mix of history, legends and unique cultures. Visually stunning with exceptional natural beaches and the haunting architecture of Zanzibar town, the island has lured travellers to its shores for centuries. Its past was dominated by merchants, rulers, explorers, scholars - today tourism is playing a key role. Zanzibar provides the perfect compliment to an East African safari.
Famous for being a major producer of cloves, and infamous as being a slave market and entry-port, the old stone town of Zanzibar has a fascinating labyrinth of narrow winding streets lined with whitewashed, coral-rag houses with overhanging balconies and magnificently carved brass studded doors, shops, bazaars, mosques, courtyards, squares etc.
Outside town there are more ruined palaces, Shirazi remains, Persian baths, and magnificent palm fringed beaches with warm clear water, ideal for swimming and snorkelling.

PEMBA

Also known as the Spice Island for its 200 years of clove production, hilly Pemba lies 40 km north of Zanzibar. Its capital Chake Chake is strategically located on a hill overlooking a creek.
_Spice production from some 3 million clove tees pervades both the economy and atmosphere as cloves are laid out to dry in the sun and its characteristic aroma hangs in the air.
There are two historical monuments to its past. About 20 km to the west is the 8th century ruins of Ras Mkumbuu, with its Persian influence. The second lies 10 km to the south east of Chake Chake, the 15th century settlement of Pujini, destroyed later by the Portuguese along with the palace of Mkame Ndume the settlement builder.

MAFIA ISLAND

Mafia Island lies 140 km to the south of Zanzibar, at the mouth of the Rufiji River. Mafia Island used to be an important settlement from the 12th to 14th centuries, but these days is better known for its excellent diving and also deep-sea fishing.
In addition Mafia is an important breeding ground for giant turtles which come up onto the white coral sands to lay their eggs.

ZANZIBAR EXCURSIONS

Zanzibar City Centre - Half Day
The half-day city tour visits Zanzibar's colourful market, which exudes a heady smell of herbs and spices. Other sites visited include the Anglican Cathedral, which stands in silent testimony on the site of one of the last open slave markets in the world, the residence of the late Sultan of Zanzibar; 'Tip Tip House'.
The Old Fort and the House of Wonders - all locations rich in antiquity and full of intrigue from the days of long ago. The tour ends with a romantic stroll along the narrow lanes of the Old Stone Town.

Spice Tour - 4 Hours

The spice tour is guaranteed to sharpen your senses. Drive through the countryside to visit spice plantations - with an opportunity to pick, smell and savour exotic fruits and spices.
Prison Island - Full Day

Changuu Island is a historical island once used for the detention of recalcitrant salves. Today Giant Tortoises, some over 100 years old, act as unlikely vigilantes over the island. The beach is superb and the crystal clear sea excellent for swimming, snorkelling, fishing and diving. This trip is perfect to while away a complete day.

JOZANI FOREST - 4 HOURS

_Jozani is the only remaining natural forest on Ungunja Island. Covering an area of 10 sq km it consists of high forest, swamp forest and evergreen forest. It provides an important refuge for the remaining Ungula fauna such as the rare Red Colobus Monkeys, small Zanzibar Leopard and two antelope species - the Zanzibar Duicker and Sunni.