National parks
SERENGETI NATIONAL PARK
Located in the north of Tanzania, on the border with Kenya, the Serengeti National Park, a World Heritage Site, is the largest and most beautiful of the country's national parks.UNESCOis the oldest park in Africa, but also the most famous for its exceptional beauty, its endless plains, its emblematic African landscapes and the extraordinary richness of its wildlife.
Some 4 million animals live there in total freedom, including over 550 species of birds.
The name Serengeti comes from the Maasai language and means "endless land". The Serengeti covers almost 15,000 km² and is the second largest national park in Africa.
The park is world-renowned for its seasonal migrations of millions of herbivores, counting wildebeest, zebra and thompson gazelle as far as the eye can see, always pursued at a snail's pace by predators.
A breathtaking spectacle and awe, not to be missed.
A minimum of two days in the Serengeti is required to fully enjoy this park. Ideally combined with Tanrangire Park, Lake Manyara and the Ngorongoro Crater.
NGORONGORO CRATER
The Ngorongoro Crater, located in the Ngorongoro Conservation Area at an altitude of 2200 metres, is considered one of the most impressive natural wonders on the African continent. Part of UNESCO's World Natural Heritage, it is nicknamed the "Garden of Eden", as it boasts the highest density of wildlife in Africa. The crater has a diameter of 20 kilometers and is bounded by a wall 400 to 600 metres high. Some 30,000 wild animals roam freely here. The lush landscape offers ample grazing, swamps, lakes and tropical forests.
The view of the caldera is already breathtaking, and a stay in the midst of this unique nature is indescribable.
nature is indescribable.
The Ngorongoro Crater is on the way to the Serengeti, making it an ideal combination.
A two-day Tarangire NP - Ngorongoro Crater tour is also particularly interesting, and if a third day is available, a visit to Lake Manyara is a must.
TARANGIRE NATIONAL PARK
Tarangire National Park is a magnificent destination. It is home to an abundance of wildlife, most evident in the dry season, when the animals come to quench their thirst in the Tarangire riverbed. The park represents one of the most beautiful landscapes in East Africa: an acacia-covered savannah, aerated by the sparse vegetation of impressively tall baobabs, alternating hills and plains, marshes, swamps, rivers, red termite mounds... It is famous for the thousands of elephants that call it home.
It is also home to some 300 species of bird, zebra, various species of antelope, deer, gazelle, buffalo, lion, giraffe, leopard, cheetah, desert lynx, honey badger, jackal, wild dog, phyton and lizard....
At 2,600 km², Tarangire National Park is the sixth-largest national park in East Africa, and home to the second-highest density of wildlife after the Ngorongoro Crater.
Due to its proximity to Arusha, Tarangire National Park can be booked as a day trip. A day trip to the Ngorongoro Crater and/or the Serengeti is also recommended due to its distinctive landscape. Lake Manyara is also in the immediate vicinity.
lake manyara national park
Lake Manyara National Park is famous for the lions that climb and rest in the trees, and for the large population of flamingos on the shores of soda-rich Lake Manyara.
What characterizes the park is the abundance of different landscapes in a small area, providing a habitat for a wide variety of flora and fauna. Although the lake predominates, there is also dense rainforest, swamps, grasslands and savannah dotted with acacia trees. Numerous elephants, buffalo, wildebeest, giraffe, impala and zebra live around Lake Manyara, hippos frolic in the water and, in addition to the easily visible flamingos, pelicans, cormorants and storks, some 400 species of birds call the area home, including 40 birds of prey. Large groups of monkeys populate the treetops of the unspoilt mixed rainforest, and are easy to spot thanks to their eagerness to move. It takes a little more luck to spot the now rare lions resting in the acacia treetops.
The park can be visited in a day from Arusha, with a guided tour of the lively town of Mto Wa Mbu. It can also be the starting point for a safari to the Ngorongoro Crater and the Serengeti. Tarangire National Park is also in the immediate vicinity.
ARUSHA NATIONAL PARK
Arusha National Park, located in northern Tanzania, is the smallest of the parks, but offers magnificent scenery to explore on foot or by canoe, with its many lakes, forests, waterfalls, plains and craters. Because of its proximity to the city of Arusha, a day trip here is well worthwhile.
Arusha National Park is home to Mount Meru, Tanzania's second-highest peak, a 4,566-metre volcano. Its ascent through rainforest, cloud forest and misty forest is ideal for acclimatizing to the altitude in view of Kilimanjaro, which can be seen from here on a clear day. In the dense forests, with a bit of luck, you can spot the rare black-and-white colobus monkey, also known as the mute monkey.
In addition to some 400 species of birds (including pink flamingos, ducks, ibis, Egyptian geese, pelicans, crowned eagles, multicolored turakos, kites and rhinoceroses), there are Maasai giraffes, buffalo, warthogs, zebras, antelopes, hippos, elephants and leopards.
NATRON LAKE
Passing zebras, lone Maasai herders and their herds of cows, the route crosses the vast expanses of Maasai land in increasing heat and drought, accompanied by the Maasai's sacred mountain, Ol Doinyo Lengai, an active volcano, to Lake Natron, known for its population of Lesser Flamingos.
It's incredible what kind of life it supports! The lake is highly alkaline (PH 9-12), only three meters deep, reaches over 40°C, has no drainage, resulting in high concentrations of salt and soda, yet algae and salt crabs thrive here, and even a small species of cichlid at the mouths of the few streams. Storks, greater flamingos, pelicans and other waterfowl live by the thousands at the mouths of the streams, while the rest of the lake, which stretches into Kenya, belongs solely to the two million or so Lesser Flamingos, which can live off algae and saltwater crayfish. Depending on the water level, the crabs give the lake an intense pink color, visible even on satellite photos.
If we approach the bird colonies on the shore discreetly, a carpet of dry saltwater fish can sometimes be found at our feet. Irregular rainfall and high temperatures cause the lake level to fluctuate, some parts drying out with the fish, and soda crusts forming, which are collected and sold by the local Masai.
Fossilized footprints dating back 120,000 years can be found near the lake. Giraffes feed on acacias, women bring in reeds to cover their roofs. It's another world, another time, a slower time.
The pools near the waterfall of the life-giving stream flowing down from the mountains provide wonderful refreshment.
The Empakai trek ends at Lake Natron, and there are some worthwhile day hikes in the surrounding highlands. The climb to the active volcano Ol Doinyo Lengai (2,960 m) is rewarded with grandiose views, as is the view into the crater. Our NGO "Eramatare" is on the way and can be visited on request. It is also possible to stay in the Massai boma of Kaira's family.
Not to be missed
zanzibar
Best time on Safari
All year round.
However, April-May is the rainy season. In November there are light rains.
However, April-May is the rainy season. In November there are light rains.
In the northern Serengeti ( Kogatende ) :
From July to early September, by road
4 days are needed to enjoy this great migration. Thousands of wildebeests and zebras cross the Mara River (which separates Kenya and Tanzania). This spectacle, unique in the world, is very impressive, with crocodiles waiting for them as they cross the river, and felines never far away.
In the southern Serengeti ( NDUTU)
Birth period: From late December to early March, 2 days are enough to enjoy this great migration.
Distances
Kilimanjaro Airport - Arusha: 1h15 - 50km
Kilimanjaro Airport - Moshi: 1h15 - 50 km
Arusha Kilimanjaro:
2h30 - 100 km
Arusha - Lake Manyara :
2h - 115 km
Arusha - Tarangire :
2h15 - 135 km
Tarangire - Manyara :
50 minutes - 60 km
Manyara - Ngorongoro :
1 hour - 50 km
Ngorongoro - Ndutu:
2 hours 30 - 100 km
Ngorongoro - Central Serengeti: 3H30 - 135 km
Central Serengeti - Northern Serengeti:
4h - 90 km
Lake Manyara - Lake Natron:
3h -100km
Lake Natron - Northern Serengeti:
4h30 - 150 km
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