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The best developed of Tanzania’s tourism routes
The best developed of Tanzania’s
tourism routes is known as the
Northern Circuit though it
remains quite unspoilt by overexploitation.
Here there’s the chance
to see huge herds of wildebeest or
flocks of brilliant pink flamingos
emerging from the swirling mists of
alkaline lakes, a sight, it is believed,
that gave birth to the legend of the
phoenix or the “fire bird.”
The main base for exploring the
Northern Circuit is the pretty town
of Arusha. The circuit includes many
of the country’s most famous
national parks, such as Serengeti,
Arusha, Tarangire and Lake
Manyara, as well as famous
landmarks such as the Ngorongoro
Crater, the Olduvai Gorge and
Africa’s highest mountain, Mount
Kilimanjaro.
ARUSHA
NATIONAL PARK
Just 32 km away from the town of
Arusha is the Arusha National Park
which was described by Sir Julian
Huxley as “a gem amongst parks.”
It consists of three spectacular
features, the Momela Lakes, Mount
Meru and the Ngurdoto Crater.
On clear days magnificent views
of Mount Kilimanjaro can be seen
from almost any part of the park.
The vegetation and wildlife varies
with the topography, which ranges
from forest to swamp. The park is
famous for its 575 species of
birdlife, both migrant and resident,
and black and white colobus
monkey. Other animals frequently
seen in the park are baboon,
elephant, buffalo, giraffe, hippo,
hyena, zebra and a wide range of
antelope species. Leopard are everpresent
but, as always, difficult to
find. Recently added tourist
attractions include canoe safaris on
the Momela lakes and walking
safaris around the rim of the
Ngurudoto Crater.
Getting there: A short drive
from Arusha or Kilimanjaro
International Airport.
KILIMANJARO
NATIONAL PARK
At 5,895m, Mount Kilimanjaro is
the tallest free-standing mountain in
the world, so it can truly be
regarded as the roof of Africa. “As
wide as all the world, great, high
and unbelievably white,” was Ernest
Hemingway’s description. Now a
World Heritage site, its outstanding
features are its three major volcanic
centres, Shira in the west, Mawenzi
in the East and the snowcapped
Kibo in the centre. The forests of the
surrounding national park are
inhabited by elusive elephant,
leopard, buffalo, bushbuck, the
endangered Abbott’s duiker, and
numerous other small antelope,
primates and rodents. They are
however difficult to see due to the
dense vegetation.
Getting there: A two hour
drive from Arusha or one
hour from Kilimanjaro
International Airport.
LAKE MANYARA
NATIONAL PARK
Two famous spectacles in Lake
Manyara National Park are the
tree-climbing lions, which spend
most of the day spread out along
the branches of Acacia trees six to
seven metres above the ground, and
tree-climbing pythons. Nestling at
the base of the Great Rift Valley
escarpment the park is noted for its
incredible beauty. As visitors enter
the gate they pass into the lush
forest, home to troops of baboons
and blue monkeys.
Further along, the forest opens up
into woodlands, grassland, swamps
and beyond, the soda lake itself,
covering 200 sq km and sanctuary
to over 400 species of bird
including flamingo, pelican, storks,
sacred ibis, cormorants and
Egyptian geese.
The park is particularly noted for
its huge herds of buffalo and
elephant. Also giraffe, hippo,
reedbuck, warthog, wildebeest,
zebra and a great variety of smaller
animals.
Getting there: A two hour
drive, or half hour flight, from
Arusha.
MKOMAZI GAME
RESERVE
Earmarked to become the next
National Park, this game reserve
contains 90% of all botanic species
found in Tanzania with one third
classified as unique in the world.
The reserve is also home to the
Mkomazi Rhino Project. This
involves the re-introduction of four
black rhino from South Africa
which, it is hoped, will breed before
being relocated to traditional
natural habitats within Tanzania.
The Captive Breeding Programme
for the African wild dog is another
project for the preservation of
endangered species that is based in
Mkomazi.
Getting there: By road from
Arush, Moshi or Tanga.
The Northern Circuit
11 CONTENTS
tourism routes is known as the
Northern Circuit though it
remains quite unspoilt by overexploitation.
Here there’s the chance
to see huge herds of wildebeest or
flocks of brilliant pink flamingos
emerging from the swirling mists of
alkaline lakes, a sight, it is believed,
that gave birth to the legend of the
phoenix or the “fire bird.”
The main base for exploring the
Northern Circuit is the pretty town
of Arusha. The circuit includes many
of the country’s most famous
national parks, such as Serengeti,
Arusha, Tarangire and Lake
Manyara, as well as famous
landmarks such as the Ngorongoro
Crater, the Olduvai Gorge and
Africa’s highest mountain, Mount
Kilimanjaro.
ARUSHA
NATIONAL PARK
Just 32 km away from the town of
Arusha is the Arusha National Park
which was described by Sir Julian
Huxley as “a gem amongst parks.”
It consists of three spectacular
features, the Momela Lakes, Mount
Meru and the Ngurdoto Crater.
On clear days magnificent views
of Mount Kilimanjaro can be seen
from almost any part of the park.
The vegetation and wildlife varies
with the topography, which ranges
from forest to swamp. The park is
famous for its 575 species of
birdlife, both migrant and resident,
and black and white colobus
monkey. Other animals frequently
seen in the park are baboon,
elephant, buffalo, giraffe, hippo,
hyena, zebra and a wide range of
antelope species. Leopard are everpresent
but, as always, difficult to
find. Recently added tourist
attractions include canoe safaris on
the Momela lakes and walking
safaris around the rim of the
Ngurudoto Crater.
Getting there: A short drive
from Arusha or Kilimanjaro
International Airport.
KILIMANJARO
NATIONAL PARK
At 5,895m, Mount Kilimanjaro is
the tallest free-standing mountain in
the world, so it can truly be
regarded as the roof of Africa. “As
wide as all the world, great, high
and unbelievably white,” was Ernest
Hemingway’s description. Now a
World Heritage site, its outstanding
features are its three major volcanic
centres, Shira in the west, Mawenzi
in the East and the snowcapped
Kibo in the centre. The forests of the
surrounding national park are
inhabited by elusive elephant,
leopard, buffalo, bushbuck, the
endangered Abbott’s duiker, and
numerous other small antelope,
primates and rodents. They are
however difficult to see due to the
dense vegetation.
Getting there: A two hour
drive from Arusha or one
hour from Kilimanjaro
International Airport.
LAKE MANYARA
NATIONAL PARK
Two famous spectacles in Lake
Manyara National Park are the
tree-climbing lions, which spend
most of the day spread out along
the branches of Acacia trees six to
seven metres above the ground, and
tree-climbing pythons. Nestling at
the base of the Great Rift Valley
escarpment the park is noted for its
incredible beauty. As visitors enter
the gate they pass into the lush
forest, home to troops of baboons
and blue monkeys.
Further along, the forest opens up
into woodlands, grassland, swamps
and beyond, the soda lake itself,
covering 200 sq km and sanctuary
to over 400 species of bird
including flamingo, pelican, storks,
sacred ibis, cormorants and
Egyptian geese.
The park is particularly noted for
its huge herds of buffalo and
elephant. Also giraffe, hippo,
reedbuck, warthog, wildebeest,
zebra and a great variety of smaller
animals.
Getting there: A two hour
drive, or half hour flight, from
Arusha.
MKOMAZI GAME
RESERVE
Earmarked to become the next
National Park, this game reserve
contains 90% of all botanic species
found in Tanzania with one third
classified as unique in the world.
The reserve is also home to the
Mkomazi Rhino Project. This
involves the re-introduction of four
black rhino from South Africa
which, it is hoped, will breed before
being relocated to traditional
natural habitats within Tanzania.
The Captive Breeding Programme
for the African wild dog is another
project for the preservation of
endangered species that is based in
Mkomazi.
Getting there: By road from
Arush, Moshi or Tanga.
The Northern Circuit
11 CONTENTS
Sunday, April 6, 2008
Wednesday, September 26, 2007
Sunday, September 23, 2007
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