Tanzania Vacations: Enjoy Wildlife Safaris in the Top Five National Parks

Article Written By: Andrew Muigai

Tanzania is one of the greatest travel destinations in Africa especially for wildlife safaris. The country's game parks host a rich variety of wild animals offering you one of the best game-watching experiences in the African wild. Five of these national parks stand out from the rest.

Located 128 km from Iringa, Ruaha national park is named after the great Ruaha river, which attracts many thirsty animals to its banks, among them lions, leopards, hyenas, water bucks, and reed bucks. The river also hosts several hippos and crocodiles. Other animals found in Ruaha include zebras, wild dogs, giraffes, lesser and greater kudu, impala, and several antelope species. Ruaha national park is unique in that it combines Southern Africa and Eastern Africa flora and fauna.

Ruaha has a landscape suited for walking safaris and hiking. Bird population in the park reaches its peak during the rainy seasons March to April and October to November, with over 350 bird species that include migratory birds from Europe and Asia. Generally, the park has a hot and dry climate, with temperatures getting to 40 degrees Celsius in October. Until very recently, Ruaha was totally inaccessible. Today however, you can go their by either road or flight. By road from Dar es Salaam, it takes 10 hours, while by flight, you'll take one and a half hours. The dry season from May to December is usually the best time to visit this amazing national park.

Lake Manyara National park is home to an unrivaled abundance of bird species, making it the greatest birding destination in Tanzania. The park hosts many resident and migratory birds. It is also one of the best places for viewing leopards, which can be spotted in the lush green vegetation. At the grassy shores of Lake Manyara, you can also spot the famous tree-climbing lions. This national park is situated between the walls of the great rift valley - which rise up to 610 meters above from the floor - and Lake Manyara.

The periods between December and February and between August and September constitute the best times for going on safari in Lake Manyara national park. However, it is still possible to see animals throughout the year. Most parts of the park are easily accessible, making it possible for you to see all its major attractions in two hours. Lake Manyara National park has three habitats: groundwater green forests, acacia woodlands, and open floodplains.

Tarangire National park has a high wildlife concentration especially during the dry seasons, with a large population of elephants. Over 570 bird species are also present in the park, making it an ideal destination for birdwatching safaris.

Visitors who want to take game drives around Tarangire should do so during the dry season from June to September. This is the best time to view wildlife as animals tend to congregate while drinking the waters of River Tarangire. In addition the vegetation is not so dense, unlike the case during wet season. While at Tarangire chances of spotting python seem to more than even for some or other reason maybe because they have taken to climbing the trees in the area.

Ngorongoro Conservation Area

Ngorongoro conservation area joins up with the Serengeti plains, an area through which the wildebeest horde during their great migration between Masia Mara in Kenya and Serengeti.

The main focal point of the conservation area is the 264 sq km Ngorongoro crater. Every year, more than 350,000 tourists visit the crater, whose floor is home to many different animals. Wildlife watching in the crater remains a richly rewarding experience, which is perhaps why Ngorongoro conservation area is one of the most popular destinations for an African safari in Tanzania.

Great herds of gazelle, antelope and zebra can be seen grazing along the river beds as well as large herds of elephants moving from one corner of the park to the other. It is also possible to see prides of lions sleeping lazily under the shady trees or at least hear a lion's roar echoing off the walls of the crater. This is an exciting, though at times, shocking experience. Birdwatchers will also enjoy visiting Ngorongoro. Lake Ndutu in the area is home to a thriving population of birds. Some of the bird species you will see here include stocks, ducks and flamingos among may more.

Serengeti National Park is part of the same ecosystem with Masai Mara game reserve in Kenya. This vast plain is the home of over 30 large mammal species and about 500 bird species.

The world's longest and largest overland mammal migration takes place in the Serengeti plains. Dubbed the "great wildebeest migration", the event is recognized as the most spectacular wildlife show in the world, and is ranked alongside the Ngorongoro crater and the mighty Victoria falls among the ten natural wonders in world travel.

It is almost impossible to accurately predict the dates for the migration from Serengeti to Masai Mara, though generally it takes place between July and August. The reverse journey occurs around October. The event involves nearly 2 million herbivores moving from Serengeti to the Mara then later back to Serengeti in search of green pasture. One of the most dramatic moments of the migration is when the animals cross the Mara river.

Serengeti is reached by both road and air. The road trip from Arusha, situated some 320km from the park, takes approximately 8 hours. International visitors to Serengeti are served by the Kilimanjaro International Airport in Arusha. From there, the visitors can travel by road to the park or take either scheduled or charter flights to Serengeti airstrips like Kirawira or Seronera.

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