Tanzania has more land devoted to national
parks and game reserves than any other wildlife destination
in the world. Everything from pristine coral reefs to the Crater
Highlands, remote game reserves and the famous national parks
are protected by government law and placed in trust for future
generations to marvel at in wonder and awe. In addition to a
listing of the main attractions of Tanzania, we have included
many parks that are largely neglected in favour of the big names
like Serengeti and Ngorongoro.
It is our hope that in writing up these lesser-known locations,
visitors may be tempted to include them on their itineraries
and encourage tourism to other equally beautiful, parts of the
country.
Most hunting reserves have been omitted
due to restricted access for safari vehicles and wildlife tourists.
Tanzania has incredible biodiversity, so wildlife populations
and bird species often vary according to the season and region.
A visit to one of the smaller game reserves for a short hiking
trip or a day excursion is well worth the effort of an extended
itinerary. Off the beaten track, the sights and sounds of Africa
truly come alive.
There are two seasons of rain
in Tanzania: the long rains run from late March until June and
the short rains from November until January. The long rains
fall in heavy downpours, often accompanied by violent storms.
The short rains tend to be much less severe.
Dar es Salaam is the largest town in Tanzania
and is located on the Indian Ocean coast. It has one of the
largest natural harbours in the world. The city itself is full
of life with an international airport and is a convenient point
from which to start a safari to the southern circuit or to visit
the islands of Pemba, Zanzibar or Mafia. Some of Tanzania's
best beaches are also to be found just south of Dar.
Arusha is a small African town nestled in the shadow of Mount
Meru with commanding views of the mighty Kilimanjaro. Although
Dar es Salaam is larger, Arusha tends to be visited more by
tourists as it is the gateway to the northern circuit. It is
likely to be the start of your safari to the famous parks of
northern Tanzania.
Mount Kilimanjaro is located at the north/eastern
tip of Tanzania. For the adventurous, a climb of Mount Kilimanjaro
is a must taking you through the mists of equatorial jungle
to reach the snows and breath-taking views from the summit.
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