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TOP SAFARI RESORTS!
TANZANIA SAFARI HIGHLIGHTS
Tanzania is home to the tallest mountain in the world, Mt. Kilimanjaro but also offers wonderful big cat viewing (lion, leopard and cheetah), especially in the renowned Serengeti National Park and Ngorongoro Crater. Stewart White, an American hunter and explorer in 1913 set out to explore the land south of Nairobi wrote, "Then I saw the green trees of the river, walked two miles more and found myself in paradise." He'd wandered into the Serengeti, known by the Masai people as simply "Siringitu" – "the place where the land moves on forever." Held on a high plateau between the volcanic crater of Ngorongoro in northern Tanzania and the Masai Mara Reserve, it is perhaps the quintessential African safari destination. Lions, cheetahs and buffalo can be seen on the savanna in the south of the park, elephants and giraffe in the woodland to the north, and huge Nile crocodiles and eagles in the swamps around the Grumeti River.
The main wildlife highlight in Tanzania is the annual wildebeest and zebra migration which can be seen in the Serengeti year round. The herds tend to settle on the short grass plains of the southern Serengeti in December, after the November short rains have created fresh grass and filled seasonal drinking spots. The wildebeest calve in late January/early February on the open plains. Between late April and June they drift westwards and north through the central and western Serengeti, before arriving in the northern Serengeti in late July. Many wildebeest will spend August to October across the border in Kenya’s Masai Mara. In November the herds start to move south through the park to reach the southern plains. River crossings, when the herds ‘swim the gauntlet’ across the croc-filled Mara and Grumeti rivers, can be seen from June to early November. Other regions such as the Tarangire, Ruaha and Katavi are also excellent for lion and leopard (cheetah are harder to find outside the Serengeti and Ngorongoro eco-system).
Birding in Tanzania is superb, with over 1100 species found through a variety of different habitats. Specialist regions such as the Usambaro and Udzungwa Mountains, Mikumi and Lake Natron can be considered in addition to all the key safari regions. Migrant species are most likely to be seen from September to March. Greater and lesser flamingo populations migrate between the Rift Valley lakes throughout the year, but not to a set pattern, though Lake Natron is home to one of the world’s most important lesser flamingo breeding grounds.
The best ‘wild’ chimpanzee viewing in Africa can be enjoyed in western Tanzania where the forested mountains of Gombe Stream and Mahale Mountains national parks tumble down to the shores of Lake Tanganyika. In addition to chimpanzee viewing, other primates include red-tailed monkey, red colobus, black and white colobus and blue monkey.
Elephant viewing is excellent in Lake Manyara, Selous, and Ruaha, though the stand out park is Tarangire, particularly during the dry months from June through to October. Towards the end of the dry season (October), spectacular elephant viewing can also be enjoyed on the open plains of Katavi, with elephants usually coming together in huge numbers.
Whilst rhino are found in a few areas, the best place to see them is in the Ngorongoro Crater, where there is a good population of black rhino.
&Beyond Ngorongoro Crater Lodge
Guests can be forgiven for losing track of which era, or even continent, they are experiencing at &Beyond Ngorongoro Crater Lodge. Nowhere else on earth can you wake up among all the trappings of an elegant baroque chateau – brocade sofas, gilt mirrors, beaded chandeliers and panelled walls – and be instantly transported into one of the most famous African landscapes with just one glance out the window of the lodge. In this place of dramatic contrasts, where Versailles meets Maasai, anything is possible and the natural luxury of the breathtakingly beautiful setting ensures the dramatic interior of your suite blends perfectly with its stilted thatch architecture.
&Beyond Ngorongoro Crater Lodge has been called the game lodge at the top of the world and, between the natural riches of the Crater spread out at its feet and the amazing architecture, it’s easy to believe that you have entered a realm of pure fantasy.
Credit: andBeyond Ngorongoro Crater Lodge
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andBeyond Ngorongoro Crater Lodge
Contact: +27 11-809-4300 (South Africa)
Location: Ngorongoro, Tanzania
Cultural tour of Mto Wa Mbu town
Bustling with a variety of cultures from around Tanzania, the little town of Mto Wa Mbu lies at the entrance to Lake Manyara National Park. A local agricultural hub, the town is famous for its crops of rice and the distinctive red bananas that Tanzania is known for. A half-day tour of the town in the company of a local guide gives travellers the opportunity to interact with local farmers, as well as artisans, craftsmen and painters. A sampling of the local banana beer adds a unique taste of local flavour.
This cross-cultural melting pot is home to approximately 120 tribes. A bustling, thriving village, it is fascinating to hear the colourful blend of languages and witness first-hand the unique customs. Cultural diversity is seen in the various entrepreneurial ways including a farmer from Kigoma producing palm oil from palm trees that he purchased from the shores of Lake Tanganyika, and the Rangi creating colourful, beautiful mats and baskets using papyrus from the lakes and rivers.
Bicycle ride through Mayoka village
Guests at &Beyond Lake Manyara Tree Lodge can enjoy a scenic guided bike ride through the Mayoka community. Drive to Mayoka to collect your bicycle and begin. Cycle through this bustling village and interact with the friendly people, including the nomadic Mang’ati tribe, adorned with traditional animal skin cloaks, skirts and colourful beads. A picturesque bike ride brings you to the lakeshore, where you can admire bright pink flocks of flamingos. If the birds are close enough, put on some gumboots and walk out to observe and photograph them. All proceeds go directly to the Mayoka community.
Lake Manyara is mostly well-known for its huge flocks of flamingos and its tree-climbing lions, but there’s much more that makes it well worth a visit. Not far from the Ngorongoro Crater on the shores of Lake Manyara, is a belt of precious wilderness reserve some 100 km long that provides sanctuary for an abundance of pink flamingos which feed in the shallows of the lake, as well as tree-climbing lions, giant elephants, gentle giraffes, proud buffalos and herds of graceful antelope
Children's Activities
Mini Rangers' Course: Our exciting Mini Rangers’ Course opens up a whole new world to young explorers. This programme includes: tracking animals; a cosmic safari (astronomy); learning bush survival techniques; flower-pressing (in summer); frogging; butterfly capture and release; game, tree and bird-spotting competitions; nature quizzes and a Ranger’s test. Upon completion of the course, these proud achievers are awarded a certificate to recognize their new-found knowledge and accomplishments.
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Archery
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Baking with chefs (pizza/cookie making)
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Arts and crafts
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Board games
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Astronomy and stargazing
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Bush walks around camp
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Mountain biking for older children
Without a doubt this is the most authentic “roughing-it in great style” experience the Serengeti has to offer. A private use camp on the plains of the Serengeti, it is a return to the simplicity and authenticity of safari life but with a thoroughly modern sensibility and freshness about it.
It’s camping but without having to forfeit the creature comforts or attentive service that are intrinsic to a Singita experience. Singita Explore is particularly appealing to those in search of an opportunity to connect up-close with the earth and wildlife in a way they have never done before.
With a private guide, chef, camp host and camp staff, activities can be arranged on a whim, game drives may be as long or as short as you choose and intimate experiences await.
Credit: andBeyond Matetsi River Lodge
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Contact: Tel: +27 (0)21 683 3424
website: https://singita.com/lodge/singita-explore/
Location: Grumeti - Tanzania
Best Time to Go on Safari
East Africa is equatorial so the climate is fairly constant and it is a year-round destination. Tanzania has a light rain season from November to March. This period is known as the ‘short rains’, often no more than a quick downpour each day, followed by clear sunshine.
From December to March the weather becomes increasingly warmer with the ‘long rains’ occurring between April and May.
Health & Travel
The lodge is in a malarial zone so it is essential to consider taking appropriate prophylactics.
We recommend that you adhere to the advice of your doctor regarding prophylactics. Insect repellent (spray or wipes), is provided in your suite and on game drive vehicles.
Vaccinations: Guests are strongly advised to check the latest information with regard to vaccinations for Travel to Tanzania with their local travel clinic or travel agent.
WHITE WATER RAFTING
With names like Judgement Day, The Terminator and Stairway to Heaven, the rapids on the mighty Zambezi River are guaranteed to offer one of the greatest white water rafting experiences on the planet. Just downriver of the plunging torrent of the Victoria Falls, the rushing waters of the Zambezi are compressed between the rocky walls of Batoka Gorge, resulting in some of the best white water action in the world. Descend deep into the craggy canyon and hang on for a wild ride as you set off on a fully guided river rafting adventure in the domain of the river god Nyaminyami.
THE CAMP
&Beyond Serengeti Under Canvas is a luxurious semi-permanent tented camp that moves around the Serengeti bringing guests within range of the massive herds of the Great Migration.
Using only private campsites, these mobile camps are entirely intimate and exclusive, featuring just nine spacious safari tents at each of its two campsites.
The guest areas include a dedicated sitting and dining tent, which provides deep sofas from which to contemplate the vastness and peace of the surrounding landscape. Custom made Indian rugs and polished brass samovars add a touch of elegance and romance.
Relax under the dark velvet night sky and sample hearty cuisine served on sparkling crystal and silver that reflects the twinkling light of millions of shining stars. Cluster around a roaring campfire to share stories of the day’s magic and listen to the African night come alive. anzania’s most spectacular treasures lie spread before you on this exceptional luxury Tanzania Safari adventure.
Credit: andBeyond Serengeti Under Canvas
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Contact: +27 11-809-4300 (South Africa)
Location: Serengeti, Tanzania
Dar es Salaam
Despite its name, which means “abode of peace” in Arabic, Dar es Salaam is Tanzania’s largest and busiest city. It is the country’s most important business and commercial hub and is situated right on the Indian Ocean. Dar es Salaam is the main port of call for most visitors, as it is an ideal location from which to access both the wilderness areas and the beaches of Tanzania and Zanzibar.
The Ngorongoro Crater
The Ngorongoro Crater in Northern Tanzania, once a gigantic volcano, is the largest intact caldera in the world. Some maintain that before it erupted, it would have been higher than Mt Kilimanjaro, the highest peak in Africa. Today, long since having collapsed and eroded, it is an extensive highland area with the famous 600 m deep Ngorongoro Crater as its focal point. Nearly three million years old, the ancient caldera shelters one of the most beautiful wildlife havens on earth.
Arusha
The attractive little town of Arusha is situated beneath the towering peaks of Mount Meru and Mount Kilimanjaro. Renowned as the safari capital of Tanzania, it offers a plethora of attractions and adventures. The town has numerous first-class restaurants, bars and markets, and is the ideal place to spend a few relaxing days before embarking on a safari or attempting to scale Kilimanjaro. Highlights include the Arusha National Park in Ngurdoto Crater, the National Natural History Museum and the ancient Laetoli Footprint, set in volcanic ash, as well as the beautiful coffee plantations that dot the landscape.
