With an amazingly large number of animal parks, white sand beaches, a beguiling island and very hospitable people, Tanzania is definitely a top destination for those that seek to have an unforgettable travel experience. The Solid standing mountains surrounded by dense tropical forests, bird havens and ancient sites are all the more a compelling reason to take up your vacation in this expansive East African country.
Serengeti National Park is to Tanzania what Maasai Mara is to Kenya and the Kruger National Park to South Africa. It covers a good 14,763 sq km (5678 sq miles) reaching up to the Kenyan border. Serengeti is claimed by many to be the best national park in Africa and I guess it's as a result of the 35 species of plain-dwelling animals, including wildebeests, zebras, gazelles, cheetahs and lions, which feature in the spectacular Serengeti migration between November and May.
The Serengeti Wildebeest Migration was rightly given a place among the Seven Wonders of World given that this annual event happens no where else in the world . During the migration, thousands and thousands of these African animals start their journey all at once in search of an appropriate mating zone; for territorial conquest and also grazing land. This spectacular event also features prey-stalking predators both in dryland and across the Lakes and chances of survival, needless to say, only favor the strongest.
The Ngogongoro Conservation Area , rising high above the plains of Serengeti, spans from Lake Natron to Lake Enaysi to Lake Manyara. Resting in this Conservation Area is the active volcanic Mountain-Ol Doinyo Lengai, that in the beautiful Maasai language means Mountain of God and that whose last eruption was in 1983. The Ngorongoro crater is six hundred and ten metres deep, twenty kilometers in diameter and covers an area of three hundred and eleven square kilometers. Save for the Impala, the Topi and the Giraffe, this crater shelters the majority of plain dwelling mammals and it goes without saying that there is nowhere else in Africa that you will find as many predators concentrated in one area as in the Ngorongoro Crater. Should you decide to take a hike in this area, the sighting of the endangered Black Rhino should be most rewarding not to mention birdlife that includes flamingoes that are attracted to the area by the soda-containing crater floor.
There are so many other parks that we'll have to summarize to give space to other great wonders in Tanzania but we have to cover the Selous Game Reserve first. This park is so big it out-sizes Switzerland and takes up to one sixth of Tanzania's total surface area to make it one of the biggest parks in the world. This UNESCO World Heritage Site has a high concentration of elephants and lots of stalking lions and other game.
Other parks include Lake Manyara, Arusha National Park,Mikumi National Park, Tarangire, Ruaha, Katavi, Mahale Mountains, Rubondo Island and Udzungura Mountains and Gombe National Parks. There are Marine Parks at Kilwa Reserve, Latham Island Reserve, Rufigi Delta and Tanga Coral Gardens. Proposed National Parks include Kizulo Plateau and Saadani. Now, this is definitely a very large selection option for you so knock yourself out and make the best out of your trip.
Tanzania is also home to Africa's highest mountain, Mount Kilimanjaro, whose climbing is no mundane task. With thousands of tourists having traveled from far off places to come and conquer this African giant, the enchanting snowy peak of Kilimanjaro will by all means allure you to reach the top where a captivating bird's eye view over an Africa lying in Magnificence will be awaiting you.
Spanning across over fifty Kilometres and with a depth of a hundred metres is the Olduvai Gorge which is a historical canyon that was the discovery site of three species of hominid fossils that date back to as early as over three million years ago. The way Olduvai came up was as a result of a river eroding rock in the area following which layers of volcanic soil were exposed and it here that Dr. Louis and Mary Leakey made the discovery of hominid fossils. Also standing in the Olduvai Gorge is a museum that has many ancient discoveries.
It is in Tanzania that you will find Lake Tanganyika which is the world's longest and second deepest fresh-water body. It is around this Lake that traditional dhow fishing boats are built and this lake is also the gateway to Gombe National Park and Mahale Mountains National Park. You should be on the look out for a pleasantly mesmerizing feeling that comes with being around the grandeur of this Lake.
Lastly, for the little space assigned this article, you have to visit Zanzibar. It is probably one of Africa's most famous and amazing Islands. It's one of the tropical islands in the Indian Ocean known for its striking beaches and laid-back island culture. Palm trees gently sway in the breeze pointing you to traditional dhow boats that tempt you to explore this mysteriously charming paradise. Zanzibar was built on its fishing and spice trade and this remains the case to date. The strong Arabic influence is not only reflected in its people but in the island architecture particularly in historically significant Stone Town. Zanzibar is the kind of place that doesn't need much talking about because it simply speaks for itself.
Finally, in one sentence: Africa is blessed with many wonderful destinations, yet few of this beat Tanzania which you should seriously think of as you choose your next destination. - 31363
Serengeti National Park is to Tanzania what Maasai Mara is to Kenya and the Kruger National Park to South Africa. It covers a good 14,763 sq km (5678 sq miles) reaching up to the Kenyan border. Serengeti is claimed by many to be the best national park in Africa and I guess it's as a result of the 35 species of plain-dwelling animals, including wildebeests, zebras, gazelles, cheetahs and lions, which feature in the spectacular Serengeti migration between November and May.
The Serengeti Wildebeest Migration was rightly given a place among the Seven Wonders of World given that this annual event happens no where else in the world . During the migration, thousands and thousands of these African animals start their journey all at once in search of an appropriate mating zone; for territorial conquest and also grazing land. This spectacular event also features prey-stalking predators both in dryland and across the Lakes and chances of survival, needless to say, only favor the strongest.
The Ngogongoro Conservation Area , rising high above the plains of Serengeti, spans from Lake Natron to Lake Enaysi to Lake Manyara. Resting in this Conservation Area is the active volcanic Mountain-Ol Doinyo Lengai, that in the beautiful Maasai language means Mountain of God and that whose last eruption was in 1983. The Ngorongoro crater is six hundred and ten metres deep, twenty kilometers in diameter and covers an area of three hundred and eleven square kilometers. Save for the Impala, the Topi and the Giraffe, this crater shelters the majority of plain dwelling mammals and it goes without saying that there is nowhere else in Africa that you will find as many predators concentrated in one area as in the Ngorongoro Crater. Should you decide to take a hike in this area, the sighting of the endangered Black Rhino should be most rewarding not to mention birdlife that includes flamingoes that are attracted to the area by the soda-containing crater floor.
There are so many other parks that we'll have to summarize to give space to other great wonders in Tanzania but we have to cover the Selous Game Reserve first. This park is so big it out-sizes Switzerland and takes up to one sixth of Tanzania's total surface area to make it one of the biggest parks in the world. This UNESCO World Heritage Site has a high concentration of elephants and lots of stalking lions and other game.
Other parks include Lake Manyara, Arusha National Park,Mikumi National Park, Tarangire, Ruaha, Katavi, Mahale Mountains, Rubondo Island and Udzungura Mountains and Gombe National Parks. There are Marine Parks at Kilwa Reserve, Latham Island Reserve, Rufigi Delta and Tanga Coral Gardens. Proposed National Parks include Kizulo Plateau and Saadani. Now, this is definitely a very large selection option for you so knock yourself out and make the best out of your trip.
Tanzania is also home to Africa's highest mountain, Mount Kilimanjaro, whose climbing is no mundane task. With thousands of tourists having traveled from far off places to come and conquer this African giant, the enchanting snowy peak of Kilimanjaro will by all means allure you to reach the top where a captivating bird's eye view over an Africa lying in Magnificence will be awaiting you.
Spanning across over fifty Kilometres and with a depth of a hundred metres is the Olduvai Gorge which is a historical canyon that was the discovery site of three species of hominid fossils that date back to as early as over three million years ago. The way Olduvai came up was as a result of a river eroding rock in the area following which layers of volcanic soil were exposed and it here that Dr. Louis and Mary Leakey made the discovery of hominid fossils. Also standing in the Olduvai Gorge is a museum that has many ancient discoveries.
It is in Tanzania that you will find Lake Tanganyika which is the world's longest and second deepest fresh-water body. It is around this Lake that traditional dhow fishing boats are built and this lake is also the gateway to Gombe National Park and Mahale Mountains National Park. You should be on the look out for a pleasantly mesmerizing feeling that comes with being around the grandeur of this Lake.
Lastly, for the little space assigned this article, you have to visit Zanzibar. It is probably one of Africa's most famous and amazing Islands. It's one of the tropical islands in the Indian Ocean known for its striking beaches and laid-back island culture. Palm trees gently sway in the breeze pointing you to traditional dhow boats that tempt you to explore this mysteriously charming paradise. Zanzibar was built on its fishing and spice trade and this remains the case to date. The strong Arabic influence is not only reflected in its people but in the island architecture particularly in historically significant Stone Town. Zanzibar is the kind of place that doesn't need much talking about because it simply speaks for itself.
Finally, in one sentence: Africa is blessed with many wonderful destinations, yet few of this beat Tanzania which you should seriously think of as you choose your next destination. - 31363
About the Author:
Visit the author's travel website www.africapoint.com for useful resources regarding Tanzania Vacations including Tanzania Hotels and Flights. Africapoint is an online travel agency that also organizes tours safaris in Tanzania and a number of other Countries in Africa.
