TANZANIA

Map of Tanzania

  • Eight day wildlife safari organized through Travel Connections Ltd (safariafrika.com) by Felix Koskei.
  • Accompanied by my wife, her sister and a friend.

Adventure K1.     Arusha National Park

We flew from Kilimanjaro International Airport to Arusha, Tanzania's premier 'Safari Town' and were drive to the Serena Mountain Village Hotel (3.386925oS 36.682995oE) in Arusha National Park. The hotel is located in the depths of a tree-shaded coffee plantation, wreathed in multi-coloured tresses of tumbling bougainvillea, cooled by mountain streams and strung like a necklace around the shores of an idyllic wooded lake. You can explore the lake by canoe or follow the nature trail that loops around the lake and into the groves of neighbouring coffee estates.

   
Arusha lodge     Arusha lodge

Adventure K2.     Tarangire National Park

After breakfast we drove to Tarangire National Park and the Tarangire Serena Lodge (3.386925oS 36.682995oE). Tarangire comes from Tarangire River which rises in the Kondoa Highlands of Central Tanzania and makes its way northwards through the length of the park. Before becoming a national park, Tarangire was originally a popular hunting area. Today, it is regarded as one of the best wildlife areas remaining in Tanzania. The principal features of the park include the lake, swamps, rivers and rock outcrops. It is surrounded by hills.

The major attractions in Tarangire National Park include the vegetation zones of which the Acacia Tortillis parkland is the most attractive. The park is also famous for having many species of birds. The other attraction is the tree climbing python, a rare occurrence in other parks.

   
Tarangire Serena Lodge    Lion lunch

Adventure K3.     Masai Village

As we approached Ngorongoro crater, we made a side trip to visit a Masai village near the crater rim. We were greeted by the village chiefs who performed a Masai welcome dance and persuaded me to join in. We proceeded through the gate in the flimsy fence (intended to keep lions at bay) and were greeted by the rest of the village warriors in traditional dress as well as spears. We were then introduced to the village women in their traditional cloaks and jewelry. Next we were invited to enter one of their mud and wattle dwellings though it was hard to see inside.

   
Masai welcome     Masai women

The final stop was at the village school where the children were packed into a set of benches, one for the boys and the other for the girls. We were invited to join in the schooling, teaching English letters to the kids. Then to Ngorongoro Serena Lodge for the night.

Adventure K4.     Ngorongoro Crater

Ngorongoro Crater and the surrounding landscape are part of a vast conservation area inhabited by the masai tribe, as well as an extra-ordinary variety of big game and birdlife. Ngorongoro Serena Lodge provides great views of the crater floor where countless animals make their home. The following day we drove down into the crater for a full day of game viewing in the crater floor.

   
Ngorongoro Crater     Lion pair

Ngorongoro crater is one of the most outstanding natural features in the world and was declared a World Heritage Site in 1978. Stunningly beautiful, the 18 km wide and 600 m deep caldera is teeming with wildlife and one of the best places to see black rhino.

Adventure K5.     Olduvai Gorge

After breakfast we took a picnic lunch and departed on a whole day game drive from Ngorongoro Crater to Serengeti National Park. Along the way we visited the famous Olduvai Gorge (2.9963oS 35.3521oE), the 'birthplace of man', where Louis Leaky made his remarkable discoveries of our ancient ancesters.

   
Olduvai gorge     Olduvai gorge

Adventure K6.     Serengeti National Park

Serengeti is the most famous of Tanzania's national parks and is one of the world's last great wildlife refuges. On the seemingly endless and almost treeless plains, there are an estimated three million large animals in constant search of food and water. Most take part in a seasonal migration that is unparallel in nature. Driven by the rains, over one million wildebeest and a few hundred thousand zebra and gazelles move to fresh grazing lands, in columns of several kilometers length and crossing crocodile infested rivers without regard to losses.

Serengeti Serena Lodge is set high on a hill with breathtaking vistas of a landscape teeming with game. The lodge design is simple but stunning. Inspired by a traditional African village, separate rondavel 'huts' house the luxury guest rooms.

   
Serengeti Lodge     Lion on watch

Last updated 3/18/13.
Christopher E. Brennen