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Arusha
Just half an hour from town, this relatively small park covers an area of 137 sq km. It consists of three 'zones': Ngurdoto Crater, the Momella Lakes and Mount Meru. Altitudes range from 1,500m to 4,615m at the summit of Meru. Vegetation varies from a primeval forest on the crater slopes to swampy edges on the floor. In the forest, duikers, bushbuck, buffalo and black and white colobus monkeys can be spotted. Around the lakes, thousands of flamingo and other aquatic birds are found as well as reedbuck, waterbuck, hippo and giraffe. Gentle walking safaris and canoeing trips are great options here.
Gombe Stream
Gombe extends over 52 sq km of rich riparian forest and thick brachystegia, that tumbles over craggy hills into the deep crystal waters of Lake Tanganyika. Made famous by the primatologist Jane Goodall, the park is approximately two hours by boat from Kigoma. Accommodation here is not luxurious, however, there is a small rest camp and tented camp to choose from. Nothing can prepare you for an encounter with chimpanzees, whether it's on the beach or deep within the forest, it's awesome.
Katavi
Remote and wild, Katavi covers 4,500 sq km, making it Tanzania's third largest park, although probably the least visited. It is closed at certain times of the year, since it sits on a watery flood plain that includes vast miombo and acacia woodlands, rivers, swamps, palm groves and lakes. There is a high concentration of hippo, crocodile, buffalo, impala, eland, topi and zebra, while lion and leopard are never far away. Camps are small and intimate, with guides very knowledgeable and open vehicles and walking safaris the norm.
Kitulo National Park
Known as the Serengeti of Flowers, Kitulo Plateau lies at over 2,600m and comprises 273 sq km of Afromontane and Afroalpine grassland.With a wealth of endemic flowering plants, Kitulo is heralded as a botanists' paradise, with spectacular blooms and many orchids.
Lake Manyara
From whichever direction you approach Manyara, the first view is spectacular. From the east, the Rift Valley wall rises several hundred metres to form an impressive backdrop to the lake. From the west, if one is perched at the top of the escarpment, the park lies far below, with a long green strip of water that glistens in the sunlight. The vegetation around the lake's shores is surprisingly varied and comprises mostly forest, acacia woodland and open grassland. The park covers an area of 330 sq km of which about 230 sq km is the lake itself. You can always find hippo in the Simba River, elephant in the forests and a resident herd of Cape buffalo on the open plains at Mahali Pa Nyati, which means, 'the place of the buffalo' in Swahili. In addition, there are approximately 400 species of birds and with some luck you might see tree-climbing lions. Canoeing safaris are also available here.
Lake Victoria
Being the world's second-largest freshwater lake, Lake Victoria covers an area of nearly 70,000 sq km and is one of the chief sources of the Nile. Bordering Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda, life around the lake's shores has not changed for centuries. The cultures are fascinating, the people beautiful and the scenery spectacular.
Mahale
Quite simply, one of the most stunning locations in Africa. With the crystal clear waters of Lake Tanganyika lapping its golden beaches, the park covers around 1,600 sq km of forest and is about 128km from Kigoma. From the lake, the park rises into a spectacular mountain range, with Nkungwe Peak set at 2,462m. With no roads here and only a few places to stay, access is by boat or charter flight. Mahale can now easily be combined with flights from Rubondo, Serengeti, Arusha, Dar es Salaam, Katavi, Selous and Ruaha. The park is open all year round, but the chimps tend to migrate further into the mountains during the rains from around February to April.
Mikumi
Covering an area of 3,230 sq km, Mikumi can be seen as an extension of the enormous Selous, just to the south. The surrounding Uluguru and Rubeho Mountains form a striking backdrop to the park but it is the Mkata flood-plain which attracts the wildlife. Here, roaming herds of elephant, wildebeest, buffalo, impala, eland and Lichtenstein's hartebeest are found in large numbers. For the lucky visitor, good spots will also include lion, greater kudu, sable and occasionally Cape hunting dog.
Mount Kilimanjaro
Rising in absolute isolation to 5,895m, Uhuru Peak is the highest point in Africa. Snow-capped, mysterious and often wreathed in cloud, it is one of the world's most accessible high summits. No other mountain can boast lower slopes that are inhabited by elephant, buffalo, leopard and a wide variety of antelope. The mountain attracts thousands of visitors each year, most of them inspired to conquer the summit. There are several routes to reach the summit, the gentlest being the Rongai and Marangu routes. Accommodation on the mountain is in a mixture of huts and high-altitude tents with base hotels in the foothills.
Ngorongoro Crater
As one of the wonders of the world, it is difficult to give a fair description to the enormity and beauty of the Crater. There is no ready comparison, except perhaps the Garden of Eden. A steep wall of thick forest surrounds the circumference, which looks into a natural amphitheatre, 260 sq km in size. Here, a complete eco-system unfolds, consisting of grasslands, swamps, lakes, rivers, woodlands, forest and an arid area of shifting dunes. Thus the Crater is able to sustain a vast resident population of game, including elephant, buffalo, hippo, wildebeest, gazelle, monkeys, black rhino, leopard and a huge concentration of lion and hyena. The surrounding conservation area is also home to the legendary Maasai tribe. These unique people are seen high on the Crater rim, where young warriors (or children) tend the cattle, armed with nothing but a short spear.
Olduvai Gorge
The Gorge acquired its name from the Sansevieria bush that grows profusely in the area, named Olduvai by the Maasai. The Gorge is about 50km long and in some places around 90m deep and is found between the Crater and the Serengeti. It was first discovered by a German entomologist named Professor Kattwinkel, who instigated an expedition just before the First World War. Later, the exploration was continued by Dr Louis Leakey and his wife, who in 1959 found humanoid remains of Zinjanthropus, later renamed Australapithicus Boisei, an early form of man. There is a simple museum on the site overlooking the Gorge.
Ruaha
At 13,000 sq km, Ruaha is not much smaller than the Serengeti. However, only a fraction has been developed for tourism. For those seeking adventure, this park should be on the list. Its landscape is fascinating and the wilderness vast. Here, rocky outcrops, steep gorges, wooded forests and miombo woodlands all centre around the flood plains of the great sandy Ruaha River. This captivating river is lined with tamarind, winterthorn and palm trees, making it a great haunt for hippo, kudu, lion, leopard and elephant. Guided walking safaris and fly-camping are a great attraction in this park.
Rubondo Island
A short flight from the Serengeti, Rubondo is tucked away in a quiet corner of Lake Victoria and cloaked by virgin forest. With many beautiful sandy beaches, Rubondo is a tropical retreat without the crowds, suited perfectly to those who enjoy walking, birds and wildlife. The swamps protect sitatunga, while waters harbour tilapia and the much sought-after Nile perch. Indigenous wildlife includes elephant, giraffe, hippo and crocodiles, a plethora of birds as well as a small chimpanzee project.
Saadani
Located north of Bagamoyo, 100km from Dar es Salaam, Saadani is just under 1,000 sq km and is the only park in Tanzania combining beautiful beaches and the chance to see lion, elephant, leopard, kudu, eland, buffalo and other big-game.
Selous
This must be the largest unspoilt game reserve in Africa. The reserve is named after the late Captain Frederick Courteney Selous, a famous elephant hunter who was killed by a German sniper in 1917. General accessibility to the 55,000 sq km reserve used to be difficult, however, there are now flights, a limited train service from Dar es Salaam and a convenient dirt road linking the park with other southern Tanzanian attractions. The reserve is immense, remote and wild and no human habitation is allowed within its boundaries, apart from within camps and lodges. Today it boasts some of Africa's finest virgin bush, unchanged through centuries and inhabited by three quarters of a million wild animals. The river systems and gorges are fascinating, as are the swamps, woodlands and savannahs, all home to hippo, crocodile, elephant, buffalo, wildebeest, zebras, giraffe, waterbuck, baboon, leopards, lion, wild dog, eland, sable and roan, to mention just a few of the species. The bird-life is also extremely rich. There are a number of camps in the northern sector of the park, offering a mix of rustic and exotic accommodation. Game drives are by open four-wheel drive vehicle or by boat, a wonderfully peaceful way to view game. For a real highlight, choose a safari that offers escorted walking and fly-camping trips.
Serengeti
In the local vernacular, Serengeti means 'the endless plains that go up to the sky'. And they do just that. It is therefore easy to understand why this is the most popular and spectacular of all game parks in East Africa. Covering 14,765 sq km, one of the striking features of this park is the series of large granite outcrops that dominate the vast plains, making it very different to the Masai Mara. Life in the park centres on the triangular trek of several million hooves. This movement never stops, as the animals constantly seek out new grazing pastures. Every year, after the south's short November rains, wildebeest, zebra, gazelle, eland, topi and hartebeest gather in their thousands on the Serengeti's southern plains and the Ngorongoro Highlands. Then, around April, they head towards the western corridor of the Serengeti, where many overflow into the Masai Mara around July/August. They remain here until late October/November, when Tanzania's new rains prompt the move south again, towards Lake Ndutu and Lagaja. This yearly phenomenon also affects the lives of hundreds of thousands of other species, who rely on the migratory herds for their survival. These include predators, gazelles, birds and lowly insects, not to mention the grasses and trees that are fertilised by droppings. Another of the highlights here, is the early morning balloon safari.
Tarangire
South of Lake Manyara and just over 100km from Arusha, this is a delightful, untamed gem of a park. Covering 2,600 sq km, it abounds with game and the numerous wide-bowed baobab trees create a lasting impression. Tarangire is at its finest during the dry seasons, from between June to October and December to March. This is when the Tarangire River and the various swamps attract the highest concentrations of game, providing a lifeline to thousands of species. This area is best for oryx, kudu, wildebeest, zebra, elephant and eland but leopards and massive pythons are also found here.
Udzungwa Mountains
Covering some 1,900 sq km including grasslands and woodlands, the most alluring part of Udzungwa is the primeval forest. This is a hothouse filled with fungus, lichens, moss and ferns, all covered by a tree canopy that reaches heights of 50m. There are many primates here and it is Tanzania's richest forest habitat for birds. Hiking up to the waterfalls is extremely popular, as the scenery from here is dramatic.
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