Tanzania's Northern Circuit (Lake Manyara, Ngorongoro Crater, Tarangire and Serengeti) is renowned for some of the finest wildlife viewing throughout Africa and safaris here, are memorably rewarding. With the Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater and extensive parks and game reserves adjoining, this region has a natural abundance of wildlife and protects the annual migration of millions of animals across these northern reaches.
Serengeti National Park Serengeti, the largest national park in Tanzania, covers 14,763 sq. KM at an altitude of 1,737 m. It is true to it’s Maasai name, “Siringet” , meaning endless plains. Home to countless numbers of a wide variety of animals and birds, you will encounter lions, cheetah, perhaps even leopards. Feast your eyes on herds of wildebeest, zebra, variety of gazelles, impala and other species of antelopes. Buffalos, hippos, elephants and giraffe are among the other well-represented species. In addition, numerous smaller mammals and birds abound. The famed migration of wildebeest and zebra, with as many as 1.5 million individuals on the move can be seen between November and June.
Accommodations:Grumeti River Camp, Kirawira Serena Camp, Kijireshi Tented Camp, Klein's Camp, Lobo Wildlife Lodge, Migration Camp, Serengeti Serena Safari Lodge, Serengeti Sopa Lodge, Seronera Wildlife Lodge, Bilila Lodge, Mbalangeti Tented Camp to mention but a few.
Ngorongoro Crater / Ngorongoro Conservation Area The Ngorongoro Crater was an active volcano but its cone collapsed, forming the crater that is 610 meters deep, 20 kilometers in diameter, and covers an area of 311 sq. km. Spectacular as it is, the crater accounts for just a tenth of the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. The crater is home to many species of wild game and birds. With the exception of impala the topi (due to fierce competition with the wildebeest) and the giraffe (because there is not much to eat at tree level), almost every species of African plains mammal lives in the crater, including the endangered black rhino, and the densest population of predators in Africa. A strange fact is that the crater elephants are mainly bulls. The birdlife, which includes the flamingo, is mainly seasonal and is also affected by the ratio of soda to fresh water in Lake Magadi on the crater floor. Views from the rim of the crater are sensational. On the crater floor, grassland blends into swamps, lakes, rivers, woodland and mountains. You can descend to the bottom of the crater in a four-wheel drive vehicle. Only 4WD vehicles are allowed into the crater and game rangers are compulsory for all.
Olduvai, more accurately called Oldupai after the wild sisal in the area, is situated near the Ngorongoro Crater and is the site of some of the most important finds of early hominid fossils of all time (made famous by the work of the Leakey family) - The "Nutcracker Man" or Australophithecus boisei who lived 1.8 million years ago. There is a small informative museum located at the visitor center. The gorge is a treasure trove of archeological sites filled with fossils, settlement remains and stone artefacts. Lecture tours are offered.
Lake Manyara National Park This relatively small park is divided into five distinct vegetation zones: ground-water forest, marshland and reed beds, open grasslands and acacia woodland. In a single day, a visitor may see elephants, buffalos, zebras, hippos and the curious lions which have a habit of resting on trees. Sheltering under the massive escarpment of the Great Rift Valley and covering an area of 325 sq. km this park is a flash of green amid an otherwise parched landscape. A line of springs support the lush vegetation of a groundwater forest, where blue monkeys, baboons and the curious-looking silvery-cheeked hornbill live, amongst more than 350 bird species of which the most profuse being the flamingo.
Tarangire National Park The park's permanent water supply ensures a huge and varied animal population, especially during the dry season when it rivals that of the Serengeti. The animals include large herds of elephants, rhino, buffalo, zebra, lesser and greater kudu, eland, wildebeest, hartebeest, Gerenuk, impala and fringe-eared oryx. This attractive park, with its statuesque baobab trees, is the main refuge for wildlife from the surrounding part of the Great Rift Valley during the dry season. It is also an excellent place for birdwatching. The best birdwatching months are October to May. [IPS]
Arusha National Park This park has three distinct zones: Ngurdoto Crater (often called the 'mini-Ngorongoro'); the shallow alkaline Momella Lakes fed by underground streams (upon which rest thousands of lesser and greater flamingoes and many migrant birds can be seen between May and October); and the densely forested slopes of Mount Meru (one of the rewarding mountains to climb in Africa and where, among other animal species, live blue monkeys and beautiful black and white colobus monkeys). Other attractions in the park include the elephant, giraffe, buffalo, zebra, hippo, various antelopes, leopard and hyena. The park is 21 km from Arusha on the main Arusha to Moshi road. A network of gravel roads and tracks navigable by two wheel-drive vehicle link the park's main features and viewing points. Nevertheless, a few roads require 4WD vehicles.
Lake Victoria Africa's largest and the world's second largest freshwater lake, this lake supports fishing communities along its shores as well as commercial operations.
Mount Kilimanjaro The snow-covered splendor of the highest mountain in Africa is visible on a clear day from more than 250 kms away. Kilimanjaro rises from the vast open plains. First mentioned by Ptolemeus (a 2nd Century Greek philosopher and geographer), the largest mountain in Africa and highest free standing mountain is an attraction of great interest to climbers, naturalists, travelers and explorers over the centuries. Mount Kilimanjaro is the highest mountain in Africa and stands at 5,895 meters, three degrees south of the equator. The mountain, a dormant volcano, has two peaks - Kibo and Mawezi which are surrounded by dense forests full of dazzling variety of flora and fauna.
ican Greenland Safaris is a newly formed company based in Arusha (Tanzania), managed and operated by an experienced tour guide with over a decade of experience representing quality and services.
We are Tanzania specialists and our well trained tour guides will guarantee you of having the most memorable experience with tailor-made safaris throughout this ancient world, where traditions, wildlife and spectacular landscapes are one unique pulsing heart …
Tanzania is an extraordinary country. The diversity of flora and fauna, the dramatic beauty of the mountains, savannas, lush rainforests and tropical paradise islands is without compare. Tanzania has more than 25% of its territory under protection and this long term conservation policy enables us to say with pride that Tanzania is the “African Safari” capital.
