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Lion zebra kill in Maswa Game Reserve |
Arusha National Park
Less than 20 miles from Arusha, the park consists of Mount Meru and its thickly forested slopes. On clear days the views from Mount Meru eastwards towards Mount Kilimanjaro are spectacular. For those not inclined to climb the mountain, Arusha National Park makes a superb day safari whilst staying in Arusha.
Katavi National Park
The remote 864 sq. mile Katavi National Park in the south west of Tanzania has approximately 100 visitors a year, few such beautiful places in the world can be so little visited. The grassland plains support high concentrations of elephant and buffalo as well as large herds of gazelle, giraffe, roan antelope and zebra.
Kigosi Game Reserve
Part of the Malagarasi wetlands ecosystem, Kigosi Game Reserve is an important breeding area for rare water birds including the wattled crane and shoebill stork. The area consists of Miombo woodland in the north and grassy swamps in the south. The swamps are speckled by islands where game such as the elusive Sitatunga antelope often concentrate.
Lake Manyara National Park
Part of the same ecosystem as Tarangire National Park, Lake Manyara lies at the foot of the western wall of the Great Rift Valley. Much of the park consists of the lake, covered by large flocks of water birds including flamingoes, pelicans and storks, but its shores support many other species including elephant, hippo, tree climbing lion, and huge troops of baboon.
Mahale Mountains National Park
Half way along the eastern shores of Lake Tanganyika, the longest and second deepest lake in the world and just south of the site of Stanley and Livingstone's dramatic meeting, lies the 615 sq. mile Mahale Mountains National Park. Mahale is home to many species of primates including over 1,000 chimpanzees and significant populations of black and white, and red colobus monkeys.
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Hippo in Lake Manyara National Park |
Bordering the south west of Serengeti National Park, Maswa is an extension of the Serengeti ecosystem. The reserve is interspersed with river valley thickets, acacia parkland, open plains and rock kopjes, making it an ideal and varied walking area.
Mkomazi Game Reserve
Southeast of Mount Kilimanjaro and adjacent to Kenya's Tsavo National Park, the 1,269 sq. mile reserve is a continuing conservation success story. Neglected until the George Adamson Wildlife Preservation Trust stepped in to assist with management, the rehabilitation projects, including a rhino sanctuary, have brought about a steady increase in animal populations.
Mikumi National Park
Bordering the northern Selous Game Reserve this 1,225 sq. mile park is surrounded by dramatic mountains and is home to a wide variety of wildlife including the rare African hunting dog, eland, colobus monkey, greater kudu, sable antelope and the blue wildebeest, a species not found further north.
Monduli
Just north of Arusha, Monduli Mountain overlooks the floor of the Great Rift Valley, speckled with extinct volcanoes. Leopard and buffalo live in the forests and the plains below are rich in plains game. The area is home to the Masai who live here in their traditional manner. The Friedkin Conservation Fund supports many projects in this area, allowing our safaris to experience this unique way of life.
Ngorongoro Conservation Area
The 3,192 sq. miles of the Ngorongoro Conservation Area is a microcosm of East Africa, combining volcanoes, archaeological sites, mountains, forests, and grass plains populated by a vast profusion of wildlife. The jewel in the crown is the World Heritage Site of the Ngorongoro Crater, a 100 sq. miles Garden of Eden, a perfect caldera dramatically set at the base of 2,000 ft. walls. The views from the top are spectacular and this is one of the best places in East Africa for viewing lion and black rhino.
Ugalla Game Reserve
Ugalla is in the central west of the country, a large reserve of 1,927 sq. miles situated on the Ugalla and Wala rivers. This area was part of the trade and slaving caravan routes to Lake Tanganyika. The open flood plain alongside the river varies from a mile to up to six miles across and provides year round water for elephant and other game.
Ruaha National Park
Situated in the center of Tanzania, the 3,931 sq. mile Ruaha is the second largest of Tanzania's national parks. Both Southern and Eastern African flora and fauna mix here. Ruaha's remoteness has kept its visitors to a minimum, you will seldom see another vehicle in the park, allowing you to experience its dramatic scenery, unique ecosystem and impressive numbers of animals undisturbed.
Selous Game Reserve
In the south of the country, created a World Heritage Site in 1982, the 19,293 sq. mile Selous is the largest wildlife reserve in the world and contains the greatest population of elephants in Africa. The Rufiji River runs through the reserve, allowing game viewing by boat as well by vehicle and on foot, and supporting a huge population of hippo and crocodile. Very few people visit the Selous, it is still a remote and pristine wilderness and well worth the extra expense of getting there.
Serengeti National Park
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Cape Buffalo in Tarangire National Park |
Tarangire National Park
Southwest of Arusha, Tarangire is 1,000 sq. miles of rolling hills, riverine forest, acacia woodland and distinctive baobab trees. Game viewing in the dry season is particularly good as the Tarangire River is the only permanent water in Southern Masailand, attracting great numbers of animals. The park is best known for its large herds of elephant.
