Kenya National Parks & Game Reserves

Kenya National Parks & Game Reserves

Aberdare National Park

This fairy park comprises of cascading waterfalls, bamboo forests and sub-alpine plants. The thick forest area is rich in wildlife: bongo, impala, waterbuck, elephant and the spectacular colobus monkeys all have their home here. Typically, visitors to this park will have lunch at a nearby base hotel before proceeding for an overnight stay at one of the treehotels. Built on high elevation overlooking a floodlit waterhole and salt lick, the treehotel provides an undisputed 'royal box' above this pageant of African wildlife. [IPS]

Accommodations: 

IPS Notes: Only an overnight bag is permitted at the treehotel; the remainder of your luggage is placed in storage at the base hotel. Some rooms have shared bathrooms. Minimum ages for children range from 7 to 10 years -- check when booking.

Amboseli National Park

The Amboseli National Park is one of the regions most photogenic parks. Mount Kilimanjaro, Africa's highest mountain at over 19,300 feet, dominates the park. By comparison, the mountain's second tallest peak, Mawenzi at just under 16,900 feet, is higher than most peaks in the lower United States. Amboseli is also home to large herds of elephant which is intriguing since the vegetation in most of the park is delicate and sparse. Human and wildlife here is sustained by the melted snows of Kilimanjaro feeding the marshlands and swamp grounds through subterranean springs. Due to the daytime heat, reflection off the light soil, and evaporation across the plains, game-viewing drives can be quite tricky and it is sometimes difficult to distinguish between real wildlife and mirages. [IPS]

Accommodations: 

Central Island National Park

Now designated as a 'World Heritage Site', this island is reached by approx. 20-40 minute boat ride from the western shores of Lake Turkana. The island was formed as a result of volcanic activity and encompasses three crater lakes which over the years have been home to different forms of life as their names suggest: Crocodile Lake, Flamingo Lake and Tilapia Lake. [IPS]

Accommodations: 

* the above facilities will shortly be placed under the management of Ivory Safaris Tours (1975) Ltd.

Karen

On the outskirts of Nairobi, this area is named after Karen Blixen, author of 'Out of Africa'. Visits typically encompass the Karen Blixen Museum furnished mostly with her original items; a stop at the Utamaduni craft shopping place, a ceramic jewelry workshop and finally a stop a the Giraffe Manor. At this research center, visitors are permitted to feed the giraffes and enjoy an informal chat with the caretakers. [IPS]

Lake Baringo and Lake Bogoria National Reserve

Both lakes are situated within close proximity in the Rift Valley and offer an extraordinary variety of birdlife. Lake Bogoria's shoreline is dotted with steam jets, boiling geysers and fumaroles- a clear reminder of the earth's underground activities. Lesser pink flamingoes inhabit the lake fringes along with the rare Greater Kudu. Lake Baringo also nestles close to the Rift Valley's eastern wall and is home to crocodiles and hippopotami. [IPS]

Accommodations: 

Lake Nakuru National Park

Popularly known as the 'Home of a million Flamingoes', the Kenya Wildlife rangers keep close vigil over its rhino population, most of whom were translocated from other game parks. The lake drains water by evaporation alone, which maintains its alkalinity and accounts for a delicately balanced ecosystem supporting one of the greatest ornithological spectacles on earth. The bird population varies according to water levels. [IPS]

Accommodations: 

Lake Naivasha

Situated in the shadow of Mount Longonot, this 'sunshine' lake is a favorite stopover enroute to the Masai Mara. The lake has been described as a 'bewilderment of birds' with a population of up to 400 different species. At nearby Hell's Gate, the rare Lammergeyer, Nyanza swift and Verreaux's eagle may be spotted. [IPS]

Accommodations: 

Lamu

Lamu Island represents the cradle of Swahili culture in Kenya: this tiny enclave boasts the purest Swahili spoken along the coastline. The Muslim tradition demands the discreet dress code for visitors and it is likely that the muezzin call to prayers will awaken you briefly in the early morning hours. Explore the town's historic past where Lamu's carved doors rival those of Zanzibar, and transport is by donkey cart or dhow. [IPS]

Accommodations: 

Masai Mara National Reserve

The Maasai Mara is the Jewel in Kenya's wildlife scenario, and offers the possibility of seeing "the big five" and many other species of game. The Reserve is most famous for it Animal Migration where annually herds of wildebeest, zebra and gazelle become part of a massive movement of wildlife from one part of the Mara/Serengeti eco system, to another. This northern extension of the Serengeti is bisected by the Mara river, bordered by luxurious riverine forest. The region's choice of accommodation includes lodges as well as renowned luxury tented camps. [IPS]

Accommodations: 

Mombasa

Kenya's second largest town of Mombasa is situated on an island, and has a recorded history stretching back nearly 2000 years and was mentioned in the Periplus of the Erythraean Sea, a pilot's guide to the Indian Ocean written by one Diogenes, a Greek living in Egypt in the end of the first century AD. Fringing the dhow harbor is Old Town, a maze of narrow streets and pedestrian lanes with quaint shuttered houses and open fronted shops. The smell of spices is always present. Dominating the entrance to the harbor is Fort Jesus, open to visitors, which houses an interesting museum displaying antiquities from the length of the Kenya coast. There are two major beaches North and South of Mombasa Island which feature vast uninterrupted stretches of powder white sand, lapped by the azure Indian Ocean and protected by a coral reef. [IPS]

Mount Kenya National Park

The Kikuyu, Kenya's largest tribal group, believe Mount Kenya's snowy peaks to be the home of their traditional God, Ngai. Climbing Mount Kenya's 17058 feet from a base hotel is an accomplishment for both world class mountain climbers and novice rock scramblers. Alternatively, a leading hotel of the world the Mount Kenya Safari Club, offers every imaginable luxury within close proximity of the magnificent mountain. A heated swimming pool, horseback riding trails, a par-3 nine hole golf course and 300 acres visited by numerous bird species, are just some of the entertainment possibilities offered. [IPS]

Accommodations: 

More about Mount Kenya (safety precautions, warning notices and ecosystem information)

Mount Elgon and Saiwa Swamp National Parks

The upper slopes of Mount Elgon, whose peaks reach into Uganda, are covered with afro-alpine vegetation which typifies equatorial mountains. The Kitum caves situated on its slopes, have gradually been 'burrowed' by processions of forest elephants who follow a narrow trail at nights in search of mineral deposits. [IPS]

Saiwa Swamp, Kenya's smallest park, was established primarily for the protection of the shy Sitatunga (an equatic antelope with splayed feet), as well as the for blue and colobus monkey. [IPS]

Accommodations: 

Nairobi City

The cosmopolitan nature of Nairobi may come as a surprise when you first arrive in Africa. The city sports unique shopping opportunities, restaurants and hotel accommodations. Visitors are advised to exercise caution when exploring the city, and to make use of taxi services at night. A city tour typically includes a drive along the city center's interesting buildings and historical sites as well as the fashionable Muthaiga suburb. You may also have an opportunity to explore the Nairobi National Museum and its snake park. [IPS]

Accommodations: 

Nairobi National Park

Only a few minutes drive from Nairobi, this park is as wild and eventful as any of the other game sanctuaries in Kenya. Though elephant are absent, the predatorial lion and cheetah live in search of zebra, wildebeest and plains game. The park covers an area of 44 sq. miles and a visit to the Animal Orphanage is sometimes included in the half day tour. [IPS]

Ol Pejeta Private Game Sanctuary

Formerly a billionaire's holiday home, this private reserve offers game viewing on the Laikipia plains within view of Mount Kenya. Game includes rhino, elephant, an astounding variety of plains game, and a chimpanzee sanctuary. [IPS]

Accommodations: 

Samburu, Buffalo Springs and Shaba Reserves

Along this triple sanctuary, wildlife concentrates conveniently on the gallery forest of the Uaso Nyiro River. The rare gerenuk and Grevy zebra inhabit this park along with oryx who bear an uncanny resemblance to the legendary unicorn. The reticulated giraffe displays its magnificent cost of distinct patterns which set it apart from the Masai giraffe. The abundance and variety of game make this park the northern rival to the Masai Mara. [IPS]

Accommodations: 

Shimba Hills National Reserve

Minutes from Kenya's Indian Ocean, Shimba is the only place in Kenya where the sable antelope can be found. Elephant, buffalo, genet, civet and serval cat can also be spotted. [IPS]

Accommodations: 

Sibiloi National Park and Koobi Fora

Situated on Turkana's windblown eastern shores, Sibiloi's wide variety of game include northern species such as the Somali ostrich, gerenuk and oryx. The park's borders extend one kilometer into the lake, embracing some of the Turkana's resident population of Nile crocodile and hippo. [IPS]

Koobi Fora is known as the 'Cradle of Mankind'- it is here that the Homo Erectus (judged to be approx. 1.6 million years old) was discovered by a team headed by Dr. Richard Leakey. The skull of Homo Habilis, coded as KNM-Er 1470 found in 1972, is close to 2.2 million years old whilst the skull of Australopithecus Bosei, KNM-Er 406 is judged to be about 2.6 million years old. There is a field museum to display these findings, and a tour of the excavation sites is led by a local guide. [IPS]

Expeditions are organized for these destinations from the Lake Turkana Lodge on the western shores.

Accommodations: 

Tsavo National Park

The combined area of Tsavo East and West form one of the world's largest game reserves- 13,000 sq. km. Practically all of Kenya's wildlife is represented in the two Tsavos, with generous portions of elephant herds which not so long ago, were threatened with extinction. [IPS]

Accommodations: 

Tanzania National Parks & Game Reserves

Aberdare National Park

This fairy park comprises of cascading waterfalls, bamboo forests and sub-alpine plants. The thick forest area is rich in wildlife: bongo, impala, waterbuck, elephant and the spectacular colobus monkeys all have their home here. Typically, visitors to this park will have lunch at a nearby base hotel before proceeding for an overnight stay at one of the treehotels. Built on high elevation overlooking a floodlit waterhole and salt lick, the treehotel provides an undisputed 'royal box' above this pageant of African wildlife. [IPS]

Accommodations: 

IPS Notes: Only an overnight bag is permitted at the treehotel; the remainder of your luggage is placed in storage at the base hotel. Some rooms have shared bathrooms. Minimum ages for children range from 7 to 10 years -- check when booking.

Amboseli National Park

The Amboseli National Park is one of the regions most photogenic parks. Mount Kilimanjaro, Africa's highest mountain at over 19,300 feet, dominates the park. By comparison, the mountain's second tallest peak, Mawenzi at just under 16,900 feet, is higher than most peaks in the lower United States. Amboseli is also home to large herds of elephant which is intriguing since the vegetation in most of the park is delicate and sparse. Human and wildlife here is sustained by the melted snows of Kilimanjaro feeding the marshlands and swamp grounds through subterranean springs. Due to the daytime heat, reflection off the light soil, and evaporation across the plains, game-viewing drives can be quite tricky and it is sometimes difficult to distinguish between real wildlife and mirages. [IPS]

Accommodations: 

Central Island National Park

Now designated as a 'World Heritage Site', this island is reached by approx. 20-40 minute boat ride from the western shores of Lake Turkana. The island was formed as a result of volcanic activity and encompasses three crater lakes which over the years have been home to different forms of life as their names suggest: Crocodile Lake, Flamingo Lake and Tilapia Lake. [IPS]

Accommodations: 

* the above facilities will shortly be placed under the management of Ivory Safaris Tours (1975) Ltd.

Karen

On the outskirts of Nairobi, this area is named after Karen Blixen, author of 'Out of Africa'. Visits typically encompass the Karen Blixen Museum furnished mostly with her original items; a stop at the Utamaduni craft shopping place, a ceramic jewelry workshop and finally a stop a the Giraffe Manor. At this research center, visitors are permitted to feed the giraffes and enjoy an informal chat with the caretakers. [IPS]

Lake Baringo and Lake Bogoria National Reserve

Both lakes are situated within close proximity in the Rift Valley and offer an extraordinary variety of birdlife. Lake Bogoria's shoreline is dotted with steam jets, boiling geysers and fumaroles- a clear reminder of the earth's underground activities. Lesser pink flamingoes inhabit the lake fringes along with the rare Greater Kudu. Lake Baringo also nestles close to the Rift Valley's eastern wall and is home to crocodiles and hippopotami. [IPS]

Accommodations: 

Lake Nakuru National Park

Popularly known as the 'Home of a million Flamingoes', the Kenya Wildlife rangers keep close vigil over its rhino population, most of whom were translocated from other game parks. The lake drains water by evaporation alone, which maintains its alkalinity and accounts for a delicately balanced ecosystem supporting one of the greatest ornithological spectacles on earth. The bird population varies according to water levels. [IPS]

Accommodations: 

Lake Naivasha

Situated in the shadow of Mount Longonot, this 'sunshine' lake is a favorite stopover enroute to the Masai Mara. The lake has been described as a 'bewilderment of birds' with a population of up to 400 different species. At nearby Hell's Gate, the rare Lammergeyer, Nyanza swift and Verreaux's eagle may be spotted. [IPS]

Accommodations: 

Lamu

Lamu Island represents the cradle of Swahili culture in Kenya: this tiny enclave boasts the purest Swahili spoken along the coastline. The Muslim tradition demands the discreet dress code for visitors and it is likely that the muezzin call to prayers will awaken you briefly in the early morning hours. Explore the town's historic past where Lamu's carved doors rival those of Zanzibar, and transport is by donkey cart or dhow. [IPS]

Accommodations: 

Masai Mara National Reserve

The Maasai Mara is the Jewel in Kenya's wildlife scenario, and offers the possibility of seeing "the big five" and many other species of game. The Reserve is most famous for it Animal Migration where annually herds of wildebeest, zebra and gazelle become part of a massive movement of wildlife from one part of the Mara/Serengeti eco system, to another. This northern extension of the Serengeti is bisected by the Mara river, bordered by luxurious riverine forest. The region's choice of accommodation includes lodges as well as renowned luxury tented camps. [IPS]

Accommodations: 

Mombasa

Kenya's second largest town of Mombasa is situated on an island, and has a recorded history stretching back nearly 2000 years and was mentioned in the Periplus of the Erythraean Sea, a pilot's guide to the Indian Ocean written by one Diogenes, a Greek living in Egypt in the end of the first century AD. Fringing the dhow harbor is Old Town, a maze of narrow streets and pedestrian lanes with quaint shuttered houses and open fronted shops. The smell of spices is always present. Dominating the entrance to the harbor is Fort Jesus, open to visitors, which houses an interesting museum displaying antiquities from the length of the Kenya coast. There are two major beaches North and South of Mombasa Island which feature vast uninterrupted stretches of powder white sand, lapped by the azure Indian Ocean and protected by a coral reef. [IPS]

Mount Kenya National Park

The Kikuyu, Kenya's largest tribal group, believe Mount Kenya's snowy peaks to be the home of their traditional God, Ngai. Climbing Mount Kenya's 17058 feet from a base hotel is an accomplishment for both world class mountain climbers and novice rock scramblers. Alternatively, a leading hotel of the world the Mount Kenya Safari Club, offers every imaginable luxury within close proximity of the magnificent mountain. A heated swimming pool, horseback riding trails, a par-3 nine hole golf course and 300 acres visited by numerous bird species, are just some of the entertainment possibilities offered. [IPS]

Accommodations: 

More about Mount Kenya (safety precautions, warning notices and ecosystem information)

Mount Elgon and Saiwa Swamp National Parks

The upper slopes of Mount Elgon, whose peaks reach into Uganda, are covered with afro-alpine vegetation which typifies equatorial mountains. The Kitum caves situated on its slopes, have gradually been 'burrowed' by processions of forest elephants who follow a narrow trail at nights in search of mineral deposits. [IPS]

Saiwa Swamp, Kenya's smallest park, was established primarily for the protection of the shy Sitatunga (an equatic antelope with splayed feet), as well as the for blue and colobus monkey. [IPS]

Accommodations: 

Nairobi City

The cosmopolitan nature of Nairobi may come as a surprise when you first arrive in Africa. The city sports unique shopping opportunities, restaurants and hotel accommodations. Visitors are advised to exercise caution when exploring the city, and to make use of taxi services at night. A city tour typically includes a drive along the city center's interesting buildings and historical sites as well as the fashionable Muthaiga suburb. You may also have an opportunity to explore the Nairobi National Museum and its snake park. [IPS]

Accommodations: 

Nairobi National Park

Only a few minutes drive from Nairobi, this park is as wild and eventful as any of the other game sanctuaries in Kenya. Though elephant are absent, the predatorial lion and cheetah live in search of zebra, wildebeest and plains game. The park covers an area of 44 sq. miles and a visit to the Animal Orphanage is sometimes included in the half day tour. [IPS]

Ol Pejeta Private Game Sanctuary

Formerly a billionaire's holiday home, this private reserve offers game viewing on the Laikipia plains within view of Mount Kenya. Game includes rhino, elephant, an astounding variety of plains game, and a chimpanzee sanctuary. [IPS]

Accommodations: 

Samburu, Buffalo Springs and Shaba Reserves

Along this triple sanctuary, wildlife concentrates conveniently on the gallery forest of the Uaso Nyiro River. The rare gerenuk and Grevy zebra inhabit this park along with oryx who bear an uncanny resemblance to the legendary unicorn. The reticulated giraffe displays its magnificent cost of distinct patterns which set it apart from the Masai giraffe. The abundance and variety of game make this park the northern rival to the Masai Mara. [IPS]

Accommodations: 

Shimba Hills National Reserve

Minutes from Kenya's Indian Ocean, Shimba is the only place in Kenya where the sable antelope can be found. Elephant, buffalo, genet, civet and serval cat can also be spotted. [IPS]

Accommodations: 

Sibiloi National Park and Koobi Fora

Situated on Turkana's windblown eastern shores, Sibiloi's wide variety of game include northern species such as the Somali ostrich, gerenuk and oryx. The park's borders extend one kilometer into the lake, embracing some of the Turkana's resident population of Nile crocodile and hippo. [IPS]

Koobi Fora is known as the 'Cradle of Mankind'- it is here that the Homo Erectus (judged to be approx. 1.6 million years old) was discovered by a team headed by Dr. Richard Leakey. The skull of Homo Habilis, coded as KNM-Er 1470 found in 1972, is close to 2.2 million years old whilst the skull of Australopithecus Bosei, KNM-Er 406 is judged to be about 2.6 million years old. There is a field museum to display these findings, and a tour of the excavation sites is led by a local guide. [IPS]

Expeditions are organized for these destinations from the Lake Turkana Lodge on the western shores.

Accommodations: 

Tsavo National Park

The combined area of Tsavo East and West form one of the world's largest game reserves- 13,000 sq. km. Practically all of Kenya's wildlife is represented in the two Tsavos, with generous portions of elephant herds which not so long ago, were threatened with extinction. [IPS]

Accommodations: 

Tanzania National Parks & Game Reserves

Kenya National Parks & Game Reserves

Arusha National Park

This park has three distinct zones: Ngurdoto Crater (often called the 'mini-Ngorongoro'); the shallow alkaline Momella Lakes fed by underground streams (upon which rest thousands of lesser and greater flamingoes, and many migrant birds can be seen between May and October); and the densely forested slopes of Mount Meru (one of the rewarding mountains to climb in Africa and where, among other animal species, live blue monkeys and beautiful black and white colobus monkeys). Other attractions in the park include the elephant, giraffe, buffalo, zebra, hippo, various antelopes, leopard and hyena. The park is 21 km from Arusha on the main Arusha to Moshi road. A network of gravel roads and tracks navigable by two wheel-drive vehicle link the park's main features and viewing points. Nevertheless, a few roads require 4WD vehicles. [IPS]

Accommodations: 

in Arusha town: 

Gombe Stream National Park

Located a few kilometers north of Kigoma , on the western part of Tanzania, is the smallest but one of the best known of Tanzania's National Park’s made famous for its primates and the research center of world renowned Dr. Jane Goodall. Gombe Stream consists of a narrow mountainous strip of country stretching along the eastern shore of Lake Tanganyika and running inland about 5 km to the peaks of the mountain range forming the rift escarpment. The thick gallery forests of the valley and lower slopes, and the open deciduous woodland on the upper slopes.are the few places where chimpanzees can still be found in their natural habitat. Since 1960, Dr. Jane Goodall and colleagues have studied the primates here. Other primates which may be seen in the park include: Baboon, Red Colobus Monkey, and Blue Monkey. and the birdlife include the African and the trumpeter hornbills, Ross's turaco, pied and giant kingfishers, and the crowned eagle. Access to the park is only by water vessel from either Kigoma or Ujiji. [IPS]

Accommodations: 

Katavi National Park

This remote and difficult park to reach (strictly recommended for those of an adventurous spirit) lies on a high flood plain surrounding Lake Kitavi, to the south of the Mahale Mountains. The main vegetation found here is the Miombo woodland. It has a wide variety of wildlife (crocodile, hippo, leopard, lion, roan and sable antelopes, southern reedbuck, topi, eland, elephant, and one of the largest herds of buffalo, with as many as 1,600 animals) and offers excellent game viewing with a real wilderness atmosphere. The diverse woodland, acacia bush, lakes and swamps have attracted over 400 species of birds, including large flocks of pelicans. Other attractions are Lakes Katavi and Chada, which are joined by the River Katuma. The best months to visit are July to October. [IPS]

Accommodations: 

Lake Manyara National Park

This relatively small park is divided into five distinct vegetation zones: ground-water forest, marshland and reed beds, open grasslands and acacia woodland. In a single day, a visitor may see elephant, buffalo, zebra, hippo and the curious lions which have a habit of resting in trees. Sheltering under the massive escarpment of the Great Rift Valley, and covering an area of 325 sq. km, this park is a flash of green amid an otherwise parched landscape. A line of springs support the lush vegetation of a groundwater forest, where blue monkeys, baboons and the curious-looking silvery-cheeked hornbill live, among the more than 350 bird species, the most profuse being the flamingo. [IPS]

Accommodations: 

Lake Nyasa

Also known as Lake Malawi, Lake Nyasa is the most southerly of the Rift Valley lakes and is also, biologically, the most diverse. For example, the lake contains 30 per cent of the world's cichild species - colorful fish easily observed in the clear water. [IPS]

Lake Tanganyika

The lake is the longest fresh water lake in the world (677km), and the second deepest (1433m), with over 250 species of fish. Its great age, isolation and stability have made it a marvelous evolutionary storehouse. Nearly all of the lake's cichlids are unique as are some species of crabs, mollusks and crustaceans. All these make it a truly remarkable biological habitat. [IPS]

Lake Victoria

Africa's largest and the world's second largest freshwater lake, this lake supports fishing communities along its shores as well as commercial operations. [IPS]

Mahale Mountains National Park

Located at Ujiji on the shores of Lake Tanganyika, where Stanley is reputed to have met Livingstone and given the famous greeting "Dr. Livingstone, I presume". The Mahale Mountains, like Gombe, are one of the last natural home to chimpanzees and are rich in birdlife. The park is a unique ecological zone with lowland forest, Miombo and open woodlands, moist and dry Savannah grasslands. Wildlife in the park includes primates, kudu, eland, roan and sable antelopes, giraffe, buffalo, elephant, lion and leopard. Access is by boat or plane, both of which are available for charter. There are no roads and all game viewing is done on foot. It is virtually the only Tanzanian park where you can walk around. [IPS]

Accommodations: 

Mikumi National Park

Located astride the main Dar to Mbeya highway, to the north of Selous Game Reserve and only 283 km from Dar-es-Salaam, the park is an important educational center for students of ecology and conservation, having been established to protect the environment and resident animals. The Mikumi flood plain is the main feature of the park along with the bordering mountain ranges. It has a landing strip and is home to, among others, the buffalo, zebra, giraffe, lion, wild dogs, python, monitor lizard, hartebeest, wildebeest, elephant hippo, impala, warthog, eland and antelope. Birds include the hammerkop, saddle-bill stork, and the malachite kingfisher. The vegetation is made up of woodland, grassland and swamp. There are two water holes, Mkata and Chamgore. [IPS]

Accommodations: 

Mount Kilimanjaro

The snow-covered splendor of the highest mountain in Africa is visible on a clear day from more than 250 kms away. Kilimanjaro rises from the vast open plains. First mentioned by Ptolemeus (a 2nd Century Greek philosopher and geographer), the largest mountain in Africa and highest free standing mountain in the world, has proved a magnet to climbers, naturalists, travelers and explorers over the centuries. Only three degrees from the equator, the Victorians believed Kilimanjaro's snow to be a flight of fancy for many years. Mount Kilimanjaro is the highest mountain in Africa and stands at 5,895 meters, three degrees south of the equator. The mountain, a dormant volcano, has two peaks - Kibo and Mawezi, which are surrounded by dense forests full of dazzling variety of flora and fauna. [IPS]

Accommodations: 

Ngorongoro Crater / Ngorongoro Conservation Area

This vast protected area stretches from Lake Natron (the breeding ground for East Africa's flamingos) in the northeast, to Lake Enyasi in the south, and Lake Manyara to the east. Eight million years ago, the Ngorongoro Crater was an active volcano but its cone collapsed, forming the crater that is 610 meters deep, 20 kilometers in diameter, and covers an area of 311 sq. km. Spectacular as it is, the crater accounts for just a tenth of the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. The crater is home to many species of wild game and birds. With the exception of impala and topi (due to fierce competition with the wildebeest) and the giraffe (because there is not much to eat at tree level), almost every species of African plains mammal lives in the crater, including the endangered black rhino, and the densest population of predators in Africa. A strange thing is that the crater elephants are mainly bulls. The birdlife, which includes the flamingo, is mainly seasonal, and is also affected by the ratio of soda to fresh water in Lake Magadi on the crater floor. Views from the rim of the crater are sensational. On the crater floor, grassland blends into swamps, lakes, rivers, woodland and mountains. You can descend to the floor of the crater in a four-wheel drive vehicle. Only 4WD vehicles are allowed into the crater and game rangers are compulsory for all. [IPS]

Accommodations: 

Olduvai Gorge

Olduvai, more accurately called Oldupai after the wild sisal in the area, is situated near the Ngorongoro Crater and is the site of some of the most important finds of early hominid fossils of all time (made famous by the work of the Leakey family) - The "Nutcracker Man" or Australophithecus boisei who lived 1.8 million years ago. There is a small informative museum located at the visitor center. The gorge is a treasure trove of archeological sites filled with fossils, settlement remains and stone artefacts. Lecture tours are offered. [IPS]

Accommodations: 

Ruaha National Park

At 13,000 sq. km, it is the second largest Tanzanian park and the world's largest elephant sanctuary. The park represents a transition zone where eastern and southern African species of fauna and flora overlap. It is the northernmost example of Miombo woodland, common in central Africa, and the most southerly protected area in which Grant's gazelle, lesser kudu and striped hyena are found. To be able to see both greater and lesser kudu and roan and sable antelope in the same park is one of the special attractions of Ruaha. In the dry season, the river is an excellent place for observing large numbers of game including lions, leopards, hunting dogs, giraffe, waterbuck, eland and warthogs. Thousands of birds flock to Ruaha on their annual migration from Europe to Asia, and 465 bird species have been sighted in the park. The park's residents include kingfishers, plovers, hornbills, green wood hoopoes, bee-eaters, sunbirds and egrets. [IPS]

Accommodations: 

Selous Game Reserve

The pristine reserve, a World Heritage Site since 1982, comprises an area of 55,000 sq. km, covering about six per cent of Tanzania's land surface. Larger than Switzerland, it is the world's largest game reserve and second only to the Serengeti in its concentration of wildlife. It is also the sanctuary of the biggest elephant herd in the world, about 32,000 elephants live in the reserve - 70 per cent of those in Tanzania. The reserve is difficult to describe without the use of superlatives.

Named after British hunter and writer Frederick Courteney Selous who was killed during the First World War in the Beho Beho region (of the reserve), the reserve is part of the 75,000 square kilometer Selous ecosystem, which includes Mikumi National Park, the Kilombero Game Controlled Areas . Nature experiences include a boat safari on the mighty Rufiji, walk on the wild side and ornithology (over 350 species). [IPS]

Accommodations: 

Serengeti National Park

Covering an area of 14,763 square kilometers, equal in size to Northern Ireland, the world famous Serengeti National Park is Tanzania's oldest park, and one of the world's last great wildlife refuges. It is contiguous with Kenya's Masai Mara Game Reserve and stretches as far as Lake Victoria to the West. Its name comes from the Masai word Siringet, meaning 'endless plains'. The Serengeti ecosystem supports the greatest remaining concentration of plains game in Africa, including more than three million large mammals. It is the sanctuary of an estimated four million different animals and birds. The animals roam the park freely and in the spectacular migrations, huge herds of wild animals move to other areas of the park in search of greener grazing grounds (requiring over 4,000 tons of grass each day) and water. [IPS]

Accommodations: 

Tarangire National Park

The park's permanent water supply ensures a huge and varied animal population, especially during the dry season when it rivals that of the Serengeti. The animals include large herds of elephants, rhino, buffalo, zebra, lesser and greater kudu, eland, wildebeest, hartebeest, Gerenuk, impala and fringe-eared oryx. This attractive park, with its statuesque baobab trees, is the main refuge for wildlife from the surrounding part of the Great Rift Valley during the dry season. It is also an excellent place for birdwatching. The best birdwatching months are October to May. [IPS]

Accommodations: 

Udzungwa Mountains National Park

Udzungwa is one of Tanzania's largest park's but accessibility is severely limited-game drives are not possible, and therefore only trekking expeditions can be organized into the wilderness.

The park hosts six species of primate, two of them are of endemic forms - the Red Colobus Monkey and the Sanje Crested Mangabey, discovered in 1979. The large resident populations of Elephant, Buffalo, Lion, Leopard, Wild Dog and Sable Antelope reside primarily on the side of the mountain range which is presently inaccessible. Other attractions of this park include the spectacular mountain scenery with rain forest, wooded grasslands, rock faces, rivers and waterfalls; the falls on the Sanje River which drops some 170 m through the forest and into the valley below; and the mountain plateau with views of over 100 km, much of it across a mosaic of mountain forest and grassland. [IPS]

Zanzibar Island ("Unguja")

Zanzibar is located about 35 kilometers off the coast of Tanzania. It comprises the 1,464 square kilometer main island of Unguja (also known as Zanzibar); the island of Pemba (868 - square kilometers), which is located about 50 kilometers north of Unguja and famed for its deep-sea fishing and scuba-diving; and a number of smaller islands. Set as a jewel in the Indian Ocean just off the coast of Tanzania, Zanzibar has evoked the magic of "A Thousand and One Nights" for over two centuries. This exotic spice island combines mesmerizing beauty with the outstanding hospitality of its colorful people. The generally laid-back pace of this island has ensured that its rich tradition of spice trading is still evident, as is the historical structures, ancient ruins and crumbled palaces of past Sultans. Kiswahili is the main language and more than 90 percent of the population is Muslim. Visitors are advised to dress modestly in public places. [IPS]

Zanzibar is warm almost all the year round with heavy rains from March to May and lesser rains during October and November. February is the hottest month with a maximum average temperature of 29 degrees Celsius, while in August the temperature falls to 21 degrees Celsius.

The city of Zanzibar consists of two distinct areas - Stone Town and Ngambo. In Stone Town shadows play with shafts of sunlight. Here and there, one will catch a glimpse of ornate latticework on a balcony or admire the intricacy of a carved door in sun warmed wood. A narrow staircase winds its way into a cool interior, children's voices echo in a hidden courtyard, old men chat next to the colored, crumbling stone walls and tantalizing scents of spices wreathe doorways and dark corners. A walk through the narrow, twisting streets of stone town plunges you into the past. The houses are over 150 years old and are constructed from the island's coral stone. Built by Arab and Indian merchants, in the 19th century, this is the only functioning historical city in East Africa.

A spice tour is a specialty of Zanzibar and involves a walk in the western and central regions of the island through plantations, private gardens and forests. There are more than 50 different spices and fruit - cinnamon, pepper, ginger, tamarind, coffee, ylang-ylang, coco, and sugarcane. Coconuts are another main produce of the archipelago. [IPS]

Hotel accommodations span the range of exclusive private island resort to comfortable small guest houses.

Accommodations: 

Tanzania National Parks & Game Reserves

Arusha National Park

This park has three distinct zones: Ngurdoto Crater (often called the 'mini-Ngorongoro'); the shallow alkaline Momella Lakes fed by underground streams (upon which rest thousands of lesser and greater flamingoes, and many migrant birds can be seen between May and October); and the densely forested slopes of Mount Meru (one of the rewarding mountains to climb in Africa and where, among other animal species, live blue monkeys and beautiful black and white colobus monkeys). Other attractions in the park include the elephant, giraffe, buffalo, zebra, hippo, various antelopes, leopard and hyena. The park is 21 km from Arusha on the main Arusha to Moshi road. A network of gravel roads and tracks navigable by two wheel-drive vehicle link the park's main features and viewing points. Nevertheless, a few roads require 4WD vehicles. [IPS]

Accommodations: 

in Arusha town: 

Gombe Stream National Park

Located a few kilometers north of Kigoma , on the western part of Tanzania, is the smallest but one of the best known of Tanzania's National Park’s made famous for its primates and the research center of world renowned Dr. Jane Goodall. Gombe Stream consists of a narrow mountainous strip of country stretching along the eastern shore of Lake Tanganyika and running inland about 5 km to the peaks of the mountain range forming the rift escarpment. The thick gallery forests of the valley and lower slopes, and the open deciduous woodland on the upper slopes.are the few places where chimpanzees can still be found in their natural habitat. Since 1960, Dr. Jane Goodall and colleagues have studied the primates here. Other primates which may be seen in the park include: Baboon, Red Colobus Monkey, and Blue Monkey. and the birdlife include the African and the trumpeter hornbills, Ross's turaco, pied and giant kingfishers, and the crowned eagle. Access to the park is only by water vessel from either Kigoma or Ujiji. [IPS]

Accommodations: 

Katavi National Park

This remote and difficult park to reach (strictly recommended for those of an adventurous spirit) lies on a high flood plain surrounding Lake Kitavi, to the south of the Mahale Mountains. The main vegetation found here is the Miombo woodland. It has a wide variety of wildlife (crocodile, hippo, leopard, lion, roan and sable antelopes, southern reedbuck, topi, eland, elephant, and one of the largest herds of buffalo, with as many as 1,600 animals) and offers excellent game viewing with a real wilderness atmosphere. The diverse woodland, acacia bush, lakes and swamps have attracted over 400 species of birds, including large flocks of pelicans. Other attractions are Lakes Katavi and Chada, which are joined by the River Katuma. The best months to visit are July to October. [IPS]

Accommodations: 

Lake Manyara National Park

This relatively small park is divided into five distinct vegetation zones: ground-water forest, marshland and reed beds, open grasslands and acacia woodland. In a single day, a visitor may see elephant, buffalo, zebra, hippo and the curious lions which have a habit of resting in trees. Sheltering under the massive escarpment of the Great Rift Valley, and covering an area of 325 sq. km, this park is a flash of green amid an otherwise parched landscape. A line of springs support the lush vegetation of a groundwater forest, where blue monkeys, baboons and the curious-looking silvery-cheeked hornbill live, among the more than 350 bird species, the most profuse being the flamingo. [IPS]

Accommodations: 

Lake Nyasa

Also known as Lake Malawi, Lake Nyasa is the most southerly of the Rift Valley lakes and is also, biologically, the most diverse. For example, the lake contains 30 per cent of the world's cichild species - colorful fish easily observed in the clear water. [IPS]

Lake Tanganyika

The lake is the longest fresh water lake in the world (677km), and the second deepest (1433m), with over 250 species of fish. Its great age, isolation and stability have made it a marvelous evolutionary storehouse. Nearly all of the lake's cichlids are unique as are some species of crabs, mollusks and crustaceans. All these make it a truly remarkable biological habitat. [IPS]

Lake Victoria

Africa's largest and the world's second largest freshwater lake, this lake supports fishing communities along its shores as well as commercial operations. [IPS]

Mahale Mountains National Park

Located at Ujiji on the shores of Lake Tanganyika, where Stanley is reputed to have met Livingstone and given the famous greeting "Dr. Livingstone, I presume". The Mahale Mountains, like Gombe, are one of the last natural home to chimpanzees and are rich in birdlife. The park is a unique ecological zone with lowland forest, Miombo and open woodlands, moist and dry Savannah grasslands. Wildlife in the park includes primates, kudu, eland, roan and sable antelopes, giraffe, buffalo, elephant, lion and leopard. Access is by boat or plane, both of which are available for charter. There are no roads and all game viewing is done on foot. It is virtually the only Tanzanian park where you can walk around. [IPS]

Accommodations: 

Mikumi National Park

Located astride the main Dar to Mbeya highway, to the north of Selous Game Reserve and only 283 km from Dar-es-Salaam, the park is an important educational center for students of ecology and conservation, having been established to protect the environment and resident animals. The Mikumi flood plain is the main feature of the park along with the bordering mountain ranges. It has a landing strip and is home to, among others, the buffalo, zebra, giraffe, lion, wild dogs, python, monitor lizard, hartebeest, wildebeest, elephant hippo, impala, warthog, eland and antelope. Birds include the hammerkop, saddle-bill stork, and the malachite kingfisher. The vegetation is made up of woodland, grassland and swamp. There are two water holes, Mkata and Chamgore. [IPS]

Accommodations: 

Mount Kilimanjaro

The snow-covered splendor of the highest mountain in Africa is visible on a clear day from more than 250 kms away. Kilimanjaro rises from the vast open plains. First mentioned by Ptolemeus (a 2nd Century Greek philosopher and geographer), the largest mountain in Africa and highest free standing mountain in the world, has proved a magnet to climbers, naturalists, travelers and explorers over the centuries. Only three degrees from the equator, the Victorians believed Kilimanjaro's snow to be a flight of fancy for many years. Mount Kilimanjaro is the highest mountain in Africa and stands at 5,895 meters, three degrees south of the equator. The mountain, a dormant volcano, has two peaks - Kibo and Mawezi, which are surrounded by dense forests full of dazzling variety of flora and fauna. [IPS]

Accommodations: 

Ngorongoro Crater / Ngorongoro Conservation Area

This vast protected area stretches from Lake Natron (the breeding ground for East Africa's flamingos) in the northeast, to Lake Enyasi in the south, and Lake Manyara to the east. Eight million years ago, the Ngorongoro Crater was an active volcano but its cone collapsed, forming the crater that is 610 meters deep, 20 kilometers in diameter, and covers an area of 311 sq. km. Spectacular as it is, the crater accounts for just a tenth of the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. The crater is home to many species of wild game and birds. With the exception of impala and topi (due to fierce competition with the wildebeest) and the giraffe (because there is not much to eat at tree level), almost every species of African plains mammal lives in the crater, including the endangered black rhino, and the densest population of predators in Africa. A strange thing is that the crater elephants are mainly bulls. The birdlife, which includes the flamingo, is mainly seasonal, and is also affected by the ratio of soda to fresh water in Lake Magadi on the crater floor. Views from the rim of the crater are sensational. On the crater floor, grassland blends into swamps, lakes, rivers, woodland and mountains. You can descend to the floor of the crater in a four-wheel drive vehicle. Only 4WD vehicles are allowed into the crater and game rangers are compulsory for all. [IPS]

Accommodations: 

Olduvai Gorge

Olduvai, more accurately called Oldupai after the wild sisal in the area, is situated near the Ngorongoro Crater and is the site of some of the most important finds of early hominid fossils of all time (made famous by the work of the Leakey family) - The "Nutcracker Man" or Australophithecus boisei who lived 1.8 million years ago. There is a small informative museum located at the visitor center. The gorge is a treasure trove of archeological sites filled with fossils, settlement remains and stone artefacts. Lecture tours are offered. [IPS]

Accommodations: 

Ruaha National Park

At 13,000 sq. km, it is the second largest Tanzanian park and the world's largest elephant sanctuary. The park represents a transition zone where eastern and southern African species of fauna and flora overlap. It is the northernmost example of Miombo woodland, common in central Africa, and the most southerly protected area in which Grant's gazelle, lesser kudu and striped hyena are found. To be able to see both greater and lesser kudu and roan and sable antelope in the same park is one of the special attractions of Ruaha. In the dry season, the river is an excellent place for observing large numbers of game including lions, leopards, hunting dogs, giraffe, waterbuck, eland and warthogs. Thousands of birds flock to Ruaha on their annual migration from Europe to Asia, and 465 bird species have been sighted in the park. The park's residents include kingfishers, plovers, hornbills, green wood hoopoes, bee-eaters, sunbirds and egrets. [IPS]

Accommodations: 

Selous Game Reserve

The pristine reserve, a World Heritage Site since 1982, comprises an area of 55,000 sq. km, covering about six per cent of Tanzania's land surface. Larger than Switzerland, it is the world's largest game reserve and second only to the Serengeti in its concentration of wildlife. It is also the sanctuary of the biggest elephant herd in the world, about 32,000 elephants live in the reserve - 70 per cent of those in Tanzania. The reserve is difficult to describe without the use of superlatives.

Named after British hunter and writer Frederick Courteney Selous who was killed during the First World War in the Beho Beho region (of the reserve), the reserve is part of the 75,000 square kilometer Selous ecosystem, which includes Mikumi National Park, the Kilombero Game Controlled Areas . Nature experiences include a boat safari on the mighty Rufiji, walk on the wild side and ornithology (over 350 species). [IPS]

Accommodations: 

Serengeti National Park

Covering an area of 14,763 square kilometers, equal in size to Northern Ireland, the world famous Serengeti National Park is Tanzania's oldest park, and one of the world's last great wildlife refuges. It is contiguous with Kenya's Masai Mara Game Reserve and stretches as far as Lake Victoria to the West. Its name comes from the Masai word Siringet, meaning 'endless plains'. The Serengeti ecosystem supports the greatest remaining concentration of plains game in Africa, including more than three million large mammals. It is the sanctuary of an estimated four million different animals and birds. The animals roam the park freely and in the spectacular migrations, huge herds of wild animals move to other areas of the park in search of greener grazing grounds (requiring over 4,000 tons of grass each day) and water. [IPS]

Accommodations: 

Tarangire National Park

The park's permanent water supply ensures a huge and varied animal population, especially during the dry season when it rivals that of the Serengeti. The animals include large herds of elephants, rhino, buffalo, zebra, lesser and greater kudu, eland, wildebeest, hartebeest, Gerenuk, impala and fringe-eared oryx. This attractive park, with its statuesque baobab trees, is the main refuge for wildlife from the surrounding part of the Great Rift Valley during the dry season. It is also an excellent place for birdwatching. The best birdwatching months are October to May. [IPS]

Accommodations: 

Udzungwa Mountains National Park

Udzungwa is one of Tanzania's largest park's but accessibility is severely limited-game drives are not possible, and therefore only trekking expeditions can be organized into the wilderness.

The park hosts six species of primate, two of them are of endemic forms - the Red Colobus Monkey and the Sanje Crested Mangabey, discovered in 1979. The large resident populations of Elephant, Buffalo, Lion, Leopard, Wild Dog and Sable Antelope reside primarily on the side of the mountain range which is presently inaccessible. Other attractions of this park include the spectacular mountain scenery with rain forest, wooded grasslands, rock faces, rivers and waterfalls; the falls on the Sanje River which drops some 170 m through the forest and into the valley below; and the mountain plateau with views of over 100 km, much of it across a mosaic of mountain forest and grassland. [IPS]

Zanzibar Island ("Unguja")

Zanzibar is located about 35 kilometers off the coast of Tanzania. It comprises the 1,464 square kilometer main island of Unguja (also known as Zanzibar); the island of Pemba (868 - square kilometers), which is located about 50 kilometers north of Unguja and famed for its deep-sea fishing and scuba-diving; and a number of smaller islands. Set as a jewel in the Indian Ocean just off the coast of Tanzania, Zanzibar has evoked the magic of "A Thousand and One Nights" for over two centuries. This exotic spice island combines mesmerizing beauty with the outstanding hospitality of its colorful people. The generally laid-back pace of this island has ensured that its rich tradition of spice trading is still evident, as is the historical structures, ancient ruins and crumbled palaces of past Sultans. Kiswahili is the main language and more than 90 percent of the population is Muslim. Visitors are advised to dress modestly in public places. [IPS]

Zanzibar is warm almost all the year round with heavy rains from March to May and lesser rains during October and November. February is the hottest month with a maximum average temperature of 29 degrees Celsius, while in August the temperature falls to 21 degrees Celsius.

The city of Zanzibar consists of two distinct areas - Stone Town and Ngambo. In Stone Town shadows play with shafts of sunlight. Here and there, one will catch a glimpse of ornate latticework on a balcony or admire the intricacy of a carved door in sun warmed wood. A narrow staircase winds its way into a cool interior, children's voices echo in a hidden courtyard, old men chat next to the colored, crumbling stone walls and tantalizing scents of spices wreathe doorways and dark corners. A walk through the narrow, twisting streets of stone town plunges you into the past. The houses are over 150 years old and are constructed from the island's coral stone. Built by Arab and Indian merchants, in the 19th century, this is the only functioning historical city in East Africa.

A spice tour is a specialty of Zanzibar and involves a walk in the western and central regions of the island through plantations, private gardens and forests. There are more than 50 different spices and fruit - cinnamon, pepper, ginger, tamarind, coffee, ylang-ylang, coco, and sugarcane. Coconuts are another main produce of the archipelago. [IPS]

Hotel accommodations span the range of exclusive private island resort to comfortable small guest houses.

Accommodations: 

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