ECOTOURISM IN TANZANIA
Ecotourism in Tanzania : Tanzania is one of the best destinations for eco-tourism in the world. The reason behind that is its high number of natural areas including the mysterious Mount Kilimanjaro and the Ngorongoro Crater, the world’s largest intact ancient caldera. Other destinations for ecotourism include Africa’s cerebrated national park, the Serengeti along with other parks such as Gombe National Park, Lake Manyara National Park, Katavi National Park, and Tarangire National Park. Another factor putting Tanzania on the list of many eco-tourists is that about 25% of her land is protected for wildlife conservation. Protected areas include the Usambara Mountains, Ngorongoro Empakai and Olmoti, Gombe Chimpanzee, Burgi Chato National Park, Serengeti Ndutu, and Udzungwa National Park. Ecotourism is a vibrant growing form of tourism aimed at ensuring that the environment is conserved and the local communities surrounding the protected areas are benefiting. The idea is simply that your trip contributes to the well-being of the environment and the local community. In Tanzania, ecotourism zones are divided into Northern, Southern, and Western circuits. The northern circuit consists of West Kilimanjaro, Lemosho, Lushoto, Usambara, Ngorongoro, and Serengeti. The southern circuit consists of Ruaha National Park, Katavi, Udzungwa, and Nyerere National park. And the Western circuit involves Burigi Chato, Gombe and Rubondo. You have every reason to visit Tanzania. Now, let’s see some activities you will enjoy in Tanzania’s protected areas and national parks as an eco-tourist.
Eco trekking Mount Kilimanjaro to the summit eco-friendly routes. These include the Lemosho route, Rongai route, Shira trail, and Northern Circuit route. These routes are less crowded and are more private. Lemosho route is a top-rated choice by most eco-tourist because it is more private and gives a superb natural beauty. You will enjoy the best appearance of the Shira peak with the Lemosho route. Both Lemosho and Northern Circuit routes have their initial starting point at Londrosi gate. There are two trips via the Lemosho route. They vary in the days taken to reach the summit and cost. The first trip is Private Lemosho Climbing which takes about eight days. This is expensive but it rewards more since you will have to witness the beautifulness of nature along the route with your private tour guide. The second one is the Lemosho route Kilimanjaro climbing which takes about seven days. This is less costly than the first. It is also not private. Other routes such as the Northern Circuit route, 9 days Kilimanjaro Expeditions, Rongai route, and sometimes the Machame route also offers trekkers to trek the Mount Kilimanjaro privately and experience real ecotourism.
In the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, you will enjoy the tremendous scene of the Ngorongoro Crater one of the World’s Wonders (Eighth World Wonders). It is said that the Ngorongoro volcano was one of the tallest mountains in the world before it exploded and collapsed about 2.5 million years ago. The floor of this caldera is inhabited by wild animals supported by its huge vegetation covering and water sources. It is in the area; you will come into contact with the Big Five animals one of which is the most endangered black rhino. Nature walks would reward a superb scene of over 500 bird species and other rodents. You will also go to Ngorongoro Empakai and witness some of the soda lakes available in the Crater.
Ngorongoro is also inhabited by the world’s famous Maasai tribe. Visiting this community improves their welfare. They are very social and creative. Most of them make handicrafts and arts that may interest you. Have you had an art collection from the Maasai? It is your chance now.
In the Serengeti, you will enjoy being part of the Great Migration, one of the spectacular events in the world. Over 2 million years, 0.2 million zebras and 0.7 million Thomson’s gazelles migrate from the Southern Serengeti (Seronera and Ndutu) to the northern Maasai Mara. Activities that you will enjoy as an eco-tourist at Serengeti include nature walks, birding, and camping in tented camps. Nature walks allow you to encounter various animal and plant species. Serengeti has hotspots good for birdwatching. Several endemic bird species that are found in Serengeti include the Ashy starling and Rufous-tailed weaver. The tented camps enable you to have a wonderful night in the wilderness with the sounds of birds and lion roar being your night songs.
In Lake Manyara National Park, you have a chance to visit the neighboring communities in the Mto wa Mbu village to learn more about their culture. This village is inhabited by the Maasai community whose cultural activities make them be honored as “world’s classic tribe”. They make and sell artifacts, handicrafts, and other cultural-related products. You can buy the product at a reasonable price, thus making the community benefit directly from your trip to their village.
Other attractions apart from cultural attractions include the hills, water springs, canoeing through the soda lake, Lake Manyara. Other activities for an eco-tourist apart from village tours to do are camping, biking, walking safaris, drinking local brew, and visiting the local market. Birding is superb at Lake Manyara as you will encounter the pink flamingos on the shore of the lake. These birds make the lake appears pink at a far look. Canoeing is so sweet since you will come into contact with dozens of aquatic species. You will also learn fishing if you want to. There are the best campsites both inside and outside the park. Walking safaris give you a chance to spot the interesting lion species, tree-climbing lions as well as encountering the largest herds of African elephants.
If you are interested in exploring various primates, Gombe National Park is a good place for you. Jane Goodall spent almost a decade studying the most endangered chimpanzees. This park is very close to Lake Tanganyika, one of the deepest lakes in the world. You have a choice to explore the uniqueness and intelligence exhibited by chimpanzees whiling causing no harm to their habitats. You will be instructed by a tour guide on how to approach the chimpanzees without causing panic among them.
Climb Mount Meru to the summit using a less crowded route. This always takes three to four. There are three campsites in the route where you will relax while enjoying other animal species such as birds and baboons. The open grasslands such as Uwanja wa Mbogo and Mini Serengeti are beautiful destinations during your hiking safaris to view the largest herds of Cape buffaloes and wildebeest respectively. You will also visit natural areas such as Tululusia waterfalls and seven series of lakes; Momella lakes one of which, the small Momella supports canoeing. While talking about natural places at Arusha National Park, I can’t forget the Ngurdoto Crater. This is a swampy caldera surrounded by the Ngurdoto forest. Within the Ngurdoto Crater’s floor, you will spot many animal species like buffalo, warthogs, and elephants while in the Ngurdoto forest there is a huge concentration of baboons. Another natural attraction in this is Lake Long, the only freshwater lake in the Arusha National Park.
Other eco-tourism destinations in Tanzania include the Tarangire National Park and Katavi National Park. In the Tarangire, reside a huge population of birds making it a superb place for birdwatchers and ornithologists. Baobab trees are also densely found in this park and are home to about 550 species of birds. In the Katavi National Park, nature walks give you an interesting image of the largest herds of buffalo and hippos (always abundant close to seasonal lakes and the Katuma river). Historical sites like the Kabora-Iyonge Slave Route make Katavi a good option for historians.
Tanzania has a lot to offer to an eco-tourist when it comes to natural tour sites and cultural tourism. This country has dedicated about 25% of its land to be protected. With about 120 ethnic groups, Tanzania offers you a cute image of cultural diversity in any place you visit. Therefore, when comparing various ecotourism destinations in the world, Tanzania will come among the top-rated destinations. I haven’t talked about many beautiful places for you to go, just to cut the story short. It is your turn now to explore them. Plan a visit for Ecotourism in Tanzania. You are welcome.
