Northern Tanzania safaris
Northern Tanzania safaris: The northern part of Tanzania is considered one of the best safari regions of the country with a variety of destinations to visit such as Serengeti national park, Ngorongoro conservation area, Lake Manyara national park, Tarangire national park, Mount Kilimanjaro, Arusha among others.
Tourists visit the northern part of Tanzania annually to engage in wildlife viewing at the different national parks in this part of the country which include the following;
Serengeti national park safaris
Serengeti national park is the oldest national park of Tanzania which is visited by tourists for its unique attractions such as the big 5 as well as many other wildlife species.
This national park is also famous for the annual wildebeest migration where herds of over 1.5 wildebeests can be seen in the open savannah plains of Serengeti national park. the wildebeest migration follows a clockwise movement of the herds of wildebeests across the Mara-Serengeti ecosystem.
During the wildebeest migration across Serengeti national park, predators such as lions and leopards which prey on the wildebeests can also be seen. Other wildlife species of Serengeti national park which are spotted during a safari include zebras, gazelles, hippos, giraffes, antelopes, impalas, waterbucks, hartebeests, kudu, hyenas and many others.
Serengeti national park safaris also involve engaging in activities such as game drives in the morning, afternoon or evening as well as guided nature walks in the wilderness of the national park. Bird watching and hot air balloon safaris also take place during a safari to this national park.
The national park which is part of the northern tourist circuit of Tanzania consists of the northern Serengeti, Serengeti plains and the western Serengeti which are the different parts of the national park where wildlife viewing activities are carried out during a safari.
Ngorongoro crater safaris
Safaris in the northern part of Tanzania also take place in the Ngorongoro conservation area where the world’s largest inactive caldera can be seen. The Ngorongoro crater is a major attraction at the destination and various wildlife species can be spotted around the crater floor.
The Ngorongoro crater was formed as a result of collapse of a volcano over 2 million years ago. At this destination during a safari, tourists enjoy seeing the endangered black rhinos as well as many lions, leopards, buffalos, zebras, wildebeests, hippos, antelopes, waterbucks, hyenas, warthogs and many other wildlife species.
This wildlife viewing destination also has beautiful views and it consists of grassy plains, an alkaline lake which is called Lake Magadi, forests and is also surrounded by highlands. During safaris around the Ngorongoro crater tourists descend 600 meters into the crater where wildlife and bird species such as flamingos can be spotted along the shores of Lake Magadi.
Safari activities which are carried out around the Ngorongoro crater include game drives, guided nature walks and bird watching safaris. The Maasai also live in the Ngorongoro conservation area along with the wildlife species and can be seen as they graze their livestock in the grassy plains.
Visits to the Maasai homesteads are also part of the safari experience at the Ngorongoro conservation area. During these community visits, tourists interact with the Maasai, see local art and other handmade crafts of the Maasai and also enjoy traditional dance performances by the Maasai.
Lake Manyara national park safaris
Another destination of the northern tourist circuit is Lake Manyara national park which is located in the rift valley. This national park is also home to wildlife species such as the tree climbing lions.
Wildlife species which can be spotted during Lake Manyara national park safaris include elephants, buffalos, baboons, waterbucks, antelopes, gazelles, klipspringers among others. Lake Manyara national park is smaller in size compared to other national parks in the northern part of Tanzania and it covers about 325 square kilometers.
Tourists during Lake Manyara safaris explore the diverse habitat of the national park which is made up of Lake Manyara a major attraction at the destination as well as forests, woodlands, savannah plains where wildlife species can be seen.
Among the activities which are carried out while on safaris to Lake Manyara national park include guided nature walks along the treetop walkway, game drives, canoeing and bird watching.
Tarangire national park safaris
Tarangire national park is another safari destination in the northern part of Tanzania. This national park is famous for its many elephants which can be seen during a safari.
A variety of wildlife species can be spotted during a safari around Tarangire national park and they include lions, leopards, kudu, generuks, impalas, gazelles, elands and cheetahs among others. This national park is also a good birding location of Tanzania with over 600 bird species.
Tarangire national park is also made up of swamps, grassland, baobab trees which can be seen during a safari around the destination which is crossed by Tarangire river. Activities which are carried out during a safari around the national park include game drives, hot air balloon safari experience, and bird watching and guided nature walks.
Arusha
Arusha is a town of Tanzania where safaris to the wildlife viewing destinations of the northern part of Tanzania start from.
Flights to and from Arusha can be taken from Arusha airport and also Kilimanjaro international airport which offers domestic and scheduled flights to the different destinations in the northern part of Tanzania and other destinations in the country such as Serengeti national park, Tarangire national park, Lake Manyara national park. There are also international flights from Kilimanjaro international airport.
Day trips around Arusha town can also be carried out during a safari as well as visits to Arusha national park and cultural visits to the local communities. There are also various accommodation facilities around Arusha which provided comfortable and safe lodging facilities during a safari around Tanzania.
Mount Kilimanjaro
Mount Kilimanjaro is another safari destination of Tanzania which is also the highest mountain in Africa at 5895 meters and it is located in the northern part of Tanzania.
The mountain is a popular hiking destination during safaris in Tanzania and the different hiking routes of Mount Kilimanjaro include Marangu route, Machame route, Lemosho route, Rongai route, Shira route and Umwe route.
The closest town to the mountain which is also the starting point for hikes on Mount Kilimanjaro is Moshi town and the locals who live along the slopes and at the foothills of Mount Kilimanjaro include the Chagga people who practice agriculture.
