Tanzania Safari, Selous? Ruaha? Mikumi? Saadani?

by Otto
(Dar es salaam,Tanzania)

TANZNIA PARKS AND RESERVES

Some of the world's spectacular attractions are found in Tanznia. From its unique protected areas to wonders of nature,Tanzania is a tourist dream of afrika..

MIKUMI NATIONAL PARK
Set between the Uluguru Mountains to the north and the lumango mountains to the south- east. Mikumi offers over 3,000sq km of terrain teeming with wildlife and 300 species of birdlife many of which are Eurasia. Here you can see buffaloes, giraffes, zebra?s lion?s leopards sable antelope hippos and crocodiles -plus a special treat -the Mikumi is also an important centre for the study of primates such as the yellow baboon. The park is 330 km from Dar es Salaam on the highway to Zambia.



SELOUS GAME RESERVE
The largest game reserve in Africa, selous covers 55,000 sq km of landmass (an area exceeding the size of Switzerland) Apart from its abundant wildlife, selous also has a rich variety of birdlife and remaining habitat of black rhino.

Selous? tangible assets include the Rufiji River one of Africa?s truly mesmerizing waterways sand banks lined with outsized crocodiles palm fringed banks massed with thirsty herds of elephants and buffalo water teeming with grunting hippos and a veritable showcase for Africa?s rich aquatic avifauna . On dry land leopard and cheetah can be spotted with a good chance of tunning into wild dogs.-25 percent of the continent?s population is found here.Which makes the reserve to be the best

A key feature of the selous is the range of activities offered to tourists. Motor boat trips offer a thrilling hippo?s eye perspective on the great river while foot safaris led by armed rangers, routinely involve encounters with the pachydermal kind.

From its source in the highlands, the Rufiji winds some 250 km through the reserve to the delta where if flow into the Indian ocean .The delta is home to a multitude of birdlife as well as being both a fresh and sea water marine ecosystem.



UDZUGWA MOUNTAINS NATIONAL PARK
?Africani galapagos?
One of Tanzania?s newest national parks, udzungwa is of particular interest for is 10 or so species of primates among which are the rare Iringa red colobus and the Sanje crested taxa mangabey as well as the bizarre giant elephant shrew and numerous localized birds. Like the Usambaras in the north the udzungwa?s relative isolation and constant climate over millions of years has given rise to a range of endemic flora and fauna sometimes dubbed the African Galapagos. It also indicates the paucity of research that took place there until the 1990?s Despite its carrying altitude (200m -2,500m) the forest cover is almost continuous, forming one of the world?s key biodiversity hot spots an added extra for the adventurous visitor.



RUAHA NATIONAL PARK
"the dream of Africa"
If it elephants you are looking for, head for Ruaha. Tanzania?s recently-largest national Park, Ruaha is at the centre of an ecosystem that covers more than 15000 sq km and is home to the country?s largest elephant population (estimated at some 10,000) it has a mood of its own -a rugged, remote almost spiritual quality embodied by bulbous silhouettes of ancient baobabs that haunt its semi - arid plains and rocky slopes. This vast and magnificent plateau, at mainly 900m - 1,100m high is also home to kudus, gazelles, ostriches, and roan and sable antelopes - white the banks of the Great Ruaha River to the east provide a perfect habitat for crocodiles hippos and a wide array of birdlife.



KATAVI NATIONAL PARK - the great an known
No list of this sort would be complete without a ?best kept secret? and katavi is precisely that. Tanzania?s third largest National park covering 4,500 sq km, remains one of the few viable savannah reserves anywhere on the continent. Your could drive around for days without encountering another tourist. Big five devotees have much to look forward to, lion and elephant sightings match those anywhere ; thousand strong herds of buffalo mass on the plains, while leopard are frequent in the woodland. An unexpected highlight is the ponds of up to 200 hippos that jostle for wallowing space in practically any stretch of water deep enough to wet a knee in.



MAHALE NATIONAL PARK
This lovely national Park could be described as a tropical beach nirvana. Scenically, Mahale might have been transplanted from some uninhabited Indian Ocean island, with its white sandy beaches lapped by with its white sandy beaches lapped by the transparent waters of lake Tanganyika (the world?s longest , second deepest and reputedly least polluted fresh water body)and rising to forested peaks 2,000m above shore. With an area of 1,600km Mahale mountain slopes harbour a diverse forest fauna and flora including readily observed troops of red colobus, red-tailed and blue monkey and a population of eight hundred chimpanzees,
Furthermore, there is always a lake nearby for refreshing dip and home to an estimated one thousand colourful cichlid and other fish



SAADANI NATIONAL PARK-were the bush meets the beach
The Saadani National Park is probably the only park in Africa that harbours both marine and terrestrial habitats;? were the bush meets the beach and river? being the catch phase. It has an abundance of marine and terrestrial animals, the animal stock is good. Hippo crocodiles, Roosevelt sable antelope, girraffe, elephants and lions are in attendance,
The Green sea turtle, which is in CITES as an endangered species, has it breeding and nest grounds in the park.
Over local and migratory birds found in the park, living on the coastal forests and mangrove swamps of the Wami River estuary. The endless India ocean beaches are clean and unaltered by human activities. The Wami River which crosses through the park, to the delta where it flows into the Indian Ocean makes the park to be the best for birdlife, sea and fresh water birds. And also crocs hippos seen in the boat cruising
The Saadani village which is at meddle of the pack is also of the historical significance. Being on ancient trade route, there are rich and diversified historical remains. The coastal way of life can also be observed in the customs and social life of human inhabitants of Saadani



GOMBE STREAM NATIONAL PARK-the chimpanzee centre.
Tanzania?s smallest national park Gombe stream is a world centre of study on chimpanzees, and the location of the longest running wildlife observation programme on the planet. Started in 1960 by British naturalist Jane Goodall, the chimpanzee study is now in its sixth generation. As an added bonus Gombe Stream?s small size permits an easy and comprehensive visit, so don?t miss the opportunity to get out walking with every chance of meeting a couple of chimps on your way.



USAMBARAS MONTAINS & AMANI NATURE RESERVE.
Cool and green, the usambaras are a double mountain range that form part of the geologically ancient Eastern Arc chain. While fairly densely populated, their isolation and climatic stability have given them a degree of biodiversity unequalled on the rest of the continent. Not -to - be - missed attractions include the famous African violet and the wild date palm, or among the endemic fauna, the rare usambara eagle owl Kenricks starling and the usambara warbler. The region can be visited in comfort all year round with July - October being the driest period.

If you?re looking for peace and quiet , however you?ll appreciate the Amani Nature Reserve a haven of sub- tropical tranquility. Situated in the heart of the Usambaras, Amani was previously known for its famous botanical gardens and it today one of the

frelatively undiscovered jewels of Tanzanian nature.