National parks of Tanzania. Project On the topic “Creation of a national park Geography project creation of a national park

We have already listed the most significant parks in the country, now we will tell you about them in more detail: about prices, time, distance and opportunities to save.

So, let's go!

"Serengeti"

Let's start with the largest, most famous and expensive park in the country - the Serengeti. Its area is 14,763 (!) square kilometers, and the number of animals living on the territory is simply off the charts. Here you will see all representatives of the Big Five of Africa (lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo, rhinoceros), and it is almost guaranteed, unlike other parks. In general, the name of this place comes from the Maasai word siringet, which means “endless plain.” This is exactly what you will feel when you find yourself in its open spaces: wild world, untouched by human civilization.

The entrance price to the park is small, only 50-60 USD, but you are unlikely to be able to go there for less than 500 USD. We'll tell you why: none national park Tanzania you They won’t let you in without a car and a guide, and the car must be a safari jeep, and the guide must be a certified Tanzanian. Both cost money: the most budget “set” will cost you 300 USD per day.

How to get there

The problem with the Serengeti lies in its size and distance from regional center, cities.

The drive from there to the entrance to the park is already 300 km, half of which is off-road, plus the road back, so not a single adequate guide will take you to the Serengeti for a day or even two. To see at least a quarter of the park, you will need at least one full day, so three days is the minimum period for which you will need to rent a car and a guide.

Cost of visit

Next, the price of gasoline: at the best scenario for three days you can meet 80 USD, but most likely this amount will increase to 100 USD. Add in food (even if you eat like Thumbelina, you will never eat less than 60 USD in three days) and accommodation: the cheapest camping spot in the park with your own tent will cost you 30 USD per night.

And now the most interesting thing: 50-60 USD is the price for entering the park for ONE DAY. Multiply this amount by three and... add another 100 USD. It turns out that in order to get to the national park, you MUST pass through the Ngorongoro Nature Reserve, and the entrance ticket there costs 50 USD. True, on the way back you will have to pay the same amount again - you still pass through the park, no matter which direction! “No, you can’t take another road, they don’t exist,” any guide will definitely tell you.

We calculate: 300*3 + 80 + 60 + 30*3 + 60*3 + 100 = 1,410 USD for one and a half days in the national park. How do you like this? But don’t be discouraged, now we’ll tell you how you can save money.

Lifehacks

If you're not on Facebook yet, it's worth doing. There are several groups in which travelers from all over the world are looking for safari company. This is done solely to reduce the cost of a car, guide and gasoline, dividing the amount between all participants. Maximum quantity There can be five or six passengers in a safari jeep, depending on the make of the car and the number of driver-guides. Let's imagine that you are very lucky and find five more safari companions. We divide the rental car + guide and gasoline by five, add the price for camping, food and entrance to the parks. What happens: 196 + 430 = 632 USD. That's better, isn't it?

The main problem in this situation will be finding travel companions:

  • firstly, for this you need to have at least basic English,
  • and secondly, it is simply physically difficult to organize 5 foreigners in a country unfamiliar to you.

But this system has been in effect for several years now, it’s a proven method, which means everything is real.


There is another way, but it is more suitable for backpackers who have a lot of free time and some skills. In Tanzania, many travel companies and private guides need websites, but only a few know how to make them, and they charge exorbitant amounts of money for their work. So here's what you can do: find a tour company or guide with a car and offer your FREE services in creating a website, and in return ask to take you to the park for a few days. The method is effective, since many companies and private individuals find it much cheaper to take you to the Serengeti for a couple of days than to pay for the creation of a website: we learned the information from one guide who happily agreed to our offer. You just need to know English well and be able to work on platforms like Wordpress.

Accommodation

If you are a lucky person whose budget is unlimited, we can please you: in the park there are many lodges(luxury hotels that are as close to nature as possible), where you can rent a luxurious room for an unlimited period.

Their prices start from 300 USD per night, and they can offer you very comfortable conditions: Internet, hot shower, swimming pool, restaurant. It is best to look for them and book in advance, after comparing prices, as they are popular among European and American tourists.

The second most affordable option is private campsites. Most often these are large tents equipped with all the necessary amenities. Prices start from 150 USD, and a place in them can also be reserved online.

And finally the most budget option residence - public campsites. The most popular are Seronera Public Campsite and Simba Campsite. The cost of one night there is 30 USD. You can pitch your own tent, but we do not recommend this as the campsites do not have fences and animals roam right in the middle of the camp. No, they won’t attack you, but if an elephant steps on your tent, nothing pleasant will come of it. Our advice: rent a safari jeep with an awning on the roof. Yes, you will have to pay about 50 USD extra to the travel company, but this is a completely justified security measure. There are toilets and showers on the campsite, but with cold water. There is no electricity, so make sure you have additional lighting. It is not recommended to leave the tent after dark, and you won’t want to :). After sunset, the nature around you will be filled with the voices of wild animals, and predators will begin their night hunt. But believe us, such an overnight stay will be remembered for a lifetime!

"Tarangire"

In addition to the Serengeti, Tanzania has many more reserves of different price ranges and sizes. The price for entry to them is approximately the same and ranges from 40 to 60 USD, but if you can’t get to the huge Serengeti for less than three days, then, for example, one day is enough to visit Tarangire Park. Its area is 2,850 square kilometers, and it is famous for the largest population of elephants in all of Tanzania. In addition to these giants, Tarangire is home to a huge number of ungulates, lions (but it is difficult to see them) and more than 550 species of birds.

How to get there

It is located much closer to the city than the previous one, about 130 km from Arusha. You will get there in a safari jeep with a guide, so about the departure time and route planning: be prepared to wake up early in the morning, as the guide will pick you up at 7-8 in the morning. In general, when booking a tour, all information about the trip will be presented in detail, and your accompanying person will be able to answer any questions that arise. In our case this was exactly the case.

Regarding food: you will be asked to buy a lunch box (chicken or meat, rice, juice, banana, meat pie) for 5 USD, plus you can take whatever you want with you. You will be able to have lunch upon arrival at the national. park, so don't forget to have breakfast. And, of course, no one will forbid you to have a snack right in the car.

Cost of visit

Entry costs 53 USD per person. Renting a guide and a car will cost the same 300 USD per day, and if you do not spend the night in the park, taking into account food and gasoline, you will spend about 250 USD in total if you travel together. Again, if you find travel companions, the price can be greatly reduced.

In case you still want to stay in the park for the night, you can find many accommodation options in lodges from 150 USD. But keep in mind that you will have to pay again for the second day of your stay in the park, so we advise you not to stay overnight in its territory, especially since one day is enough for a full-fledged safari.

Lake Natron

Another park we would like to talk about is Lake Natron. The park is not called the lake itself, but the area surrounding it: a sun-scorched savanna inhabited by Maasai tribes, whose way of life has not changed for many centuries, is part of the Great Rift Valley.


The lake itself is interesting because it is covered with a crust of salt and, thanks to special microorganisms, is colored several times a year. pink.


It is also considered one of the largest flamingo habitats in Africa, which also attracts tourists from all parts of the world and at any time of the year.

How to get there

Getting to the lake is difficult, since 100 km of the route passes through the savannah, and this is completely off-road, dusty and shaking. The nearest tourist city is, so you will depart from there.

But the reward for long haul you will have a magnificent view of the valley: of the Maasai settlements grazing their skinny cattle, of the great East African Rift, of strolling zebras and antelopes - this is where you can see real Africa!

Cost of visit

On the road through the savannah, three checkpoints will await you, at each of which you will have to pay for entry: in the first two, 10 USD each, and in the last one, near the lake, 15 USD. In addition, you will no longer have to pay for the visit. In principle, a day may be enough to go to the lake and return, but it is unlikely that after such a difficult road you will want to get back into the car.

By the way, you can enter the park without a guide, which will greatly reduce costs, but a safari jeep and an offline map are required here. As for us, we hitchhiked to the lake and spent the night in a tent right in the middle of the savannah. The one way journey took two days. The route was laid out using maps.me maps, since Google maps simply do not find the road leading to the lake. The landscapes that we encountered along the way literally made us freeze with delight: the endless, sun-scorched expanses of the Masai lands, giant thick baobab trees, the amazing grandeur of the Great Rift Rift and representatives of one of the most ancient tribes on Earth. Sleeping in a tent was a little creepy, because hyenas were running next to us, and the corpses of half-eaten gazelles evoked all sorts of creepy thoughts. But absolutely nothing terrible happened to us: predators try to stay away from Masai villages, so it’s quite safe to spend the night near settlements. The main problem is the locals themselves: it’s not every day that they see white people spending the night in a tent, and, as curious people, they will definitely come to get to know you, which means that you can forget about relaxation. By the way, we did not pay a single cent for passage through the villages, explaining to the money collectors that we were not rich tourists, but travelers who barely had enough money for food. And they understood us.

Accommodation

Near the lake there are many campsites and loggias, making it an ideal place for have a relaxing holiday in the heart of Africa. Prices start from 200 USD, and for this money you will get all the necessary amenities: water, electricity, shower, bed.

If finances do not allow this type of accommodation, then Lake Natron is one of the few places where you can pitch a tent outside the campsite. The most that can disturb you is a herd of zebras coming to a watering hole. As a last resort, you can spend the night in the car. You can replenish supplies of food and water in any of the villages in which you will pay for travel.

Finally

As you can already see, a holiday in Tanzania is not a cheap pleasure. In this country, literally everything is tailored to suit the tourist, and the color of your skin will invariably give you away as one. But the screaming beauty of nature, the world of wild animals and the ancient land that has preserved its pristine nature are worth it. Without seeing all this, you will never be able to say that you have seen the world.

– the country is not very large: it ranks 30th in the world, and 13th in Africa. However, here, perhaps more than anywhere else, they pay great attention ecology and preservation of nature in its original form. National parks Tanzania - and there are as many as 15 of them here! – attracted to the country greatest number tourists - the state is considered one of the best for ecotourism in the world. They are managed by the Tanzania National Parks Service, which employs more than 1,600 people.

The oldest parks

In 1960 it was opened, famous for its crater lakes, large forests and alpine meadows. More than 200 species of mammals, about 120 reptiles and more than four hundred species of birds live here. The same year became the year of foundation and one of the most famous reserves world -, most of which, especially in the rainy season, is occupied by the same name. This park is famous for its abundance of birds, including pink flamingos, as well as unique lions that climb trees.

B can also be considered one of the oldest - it received the status of a national park in 1964. Its main attraction is the flooded meadows of Mkata, the flora of which is very rich and interesting. Elands, the world's largest antelope, live here. In the same year, it began its work, which is a transit territory through which representatives of the fauna of the southern and eastern parts of the country migrate. It is home to the largest population of elephants in East Africa. In 1968, it opened, which is by far the smallest in the country (its area is only 52 sq. km). The park is home to large number various species of primates; There are about a hundred chimpanzees alone here. The park is hosting a research project on these primates.

1970s – 1990s

Over the next 30 years, Tanzanian parks such as and Rubondo Island were created. Katavi Park ranks third in area (it is 4471 sq. km); This area contains swamps, seasonal lakes, as well as meadows and forests. Tarangire attracts visitors not only with its wide variety of animals and birds, but also with its ancient rock paintings. The snow cap of Mount Kilimanjaro - the heart of the reserve - is business card Tanzania; About 10 thousand tourists annually strive to conquer the top of this highest mountain in Africa.

The Mahali Mountains, like Gombe Stream, are home to large numbers of chimpanzees, colobus monkeys and other primates that live in rainforests; Antelope live in the miombo dry forests, which occupy about 75% of the park's area. Rubondo Island National Park occupies Rubondo Island and several other smaller islands; This favorite place relaxation for fishing connoisseurs. Most of the reserve is occupied rain forests, where many orchids grow. The most exotic inhabitants of the reserve are the sitatunga aquatic antelope. Udzungwa Mountains - habitat rare birds, many of which are endangered, and six species of primates, two of which are endemic.

"Young" parks

In the 21st century, several national parks: In 2002, Kitulo Park began its work, bearing the title “Garden of God” due to the wide variety of plant life: more than 30 species of endemic Tanzanian plants and several species of endemics of the local area grow here, as well as 45 species of orchids and many other plants. Saadani Park, opened in 2005, is the only park on the coast. It is famous for its mangrove forests. In 2008, on the border with Kenya, a

Before I begin the story of my trip to the national parks of Tanzania, I want to say that based on the impressions I experienced, I came to the conclusion that every person should visit the national parks of Tanzania at least twice - once as a child with his parents, and the second time as a a parent with his children.

So, I'll start in order:

In Tanzania, I stayed in Moshi (Kilimanjaro Airport). This city is located right at the foot of the high mountain in Africa Kilimanjaro (5895 m). Therefore, if your plans, in addition to visiting parks, are to conquer the top of this mountain, then Moshi is the city where it is optimal to start your journey.

Tarangire National Park.

The first point of my trip was Tarangire National Park, which is located in the north of the country, about 120 km from the city of Arusha. This park makes an indelible impression not only with its rich flora, but also with the variety of animals and birds. The first thing that tourists encounter on their way are huge baobab trees towering above the tall grass.

Here you can see wildebeest, zebra, Thomson's gazelle, buffalo, eland and cow antelope. This park has one of the largest populations of elephants in Tanzania - about 6000. By the way, elephants produce very vivid impression, because you can observe them from a very short distance (from about 3 - 5 meters). Tarangire is home to about 300 species of birds. This is one of the few places in Africa where the tsetse fly is found. They have survived after many years of human struggle against them. By the way, the tsetse fly is similar to our gadflies and also bites unpleasantly, but I will say that meeting it or being bitten by it is the exception rather than the rule...

After visiting Tarangire Park, my driver-guide took me to the lodges for the night. Lodges are a uniquely African invention for travelers. Lodges are usually located in the territories of national parks and reserves in Africa, where safaris and trekking are traditionally held. Lodges are special places for tourists to stay, equipped in the wildlife. Sometimes they are called ethno-hotels.

Conditions in the lodge are usually comfortable, and meals are provided on site. From an architectural point of view, this is a permanent building where all services, bars, restaurants, and a veranda for observing animals are concentrated. Guest rooms are usually located in separate bungalows. Lodges have been created specifically so that travelers can enjoy magnificent scenery and wildlife. Upon arrival, I was greeted by a whole delegation consisting of managers and service staff of this lodge. At the entrance I was offered a wet towel and soft drink... Honestly, it’s nice when you are expected and kindly greeted like a good old friend... I later jokingly said that everything was good, but there weren’t enough singing gypsies...)) In order not to dwell on the topic of the lodge any longer, I want to say that it is very comfortable hotel rooms and, depending on the cost of accommodation, you can have not only a toilet and shower, but also a jacuzzi... I also stayed in such rooms. The cost of such a room is about $500 per day (the average room costs about $200). But I admit, when you go on a safari, this additional comfort makes the trip more enjoyable...

The buffet is fully adapted to European cuisine. In the evening, an armed ranger accompanied me from my room to the restaurant and back. This safety element is not optional, but mandatory for every visitor and is aimed at protecting visitors from wild animals... Moreover, in Africa the Sun rises at about 6.00 in the morning, and at 18.30 it’s already so dark, it’s hard to take into account. that all lighting in the lodge and water heating are realized through solar panels, then the light bulbs along the paths are very dim and illuminate only a small section of the path under your feet... Therefore, an accompanying person with a flashlight is definitely not superfluous here...)) And in conclusion of everyday moments, I want to warn that a safari in the parks is not only an unforgettable experience, but also a good layer of dust after each day of safari. Therefore, depending on the number of days of the safari, an additional 2 to 5 sets of outerwear (T-shirts, shirts) will definitely not hurt. If you are lucky with a travel company like me, then I had a refrigerator in my car, in which there was always chilled food. drinking water and a lunch box not tired of the Sun. And one more thing, some tourists, in order to save their money, stay overnight in tents specially designated for this purpose. If in Russia this is even exciting, then in Africa it can be the reason for ruining your holiday... I’ll explain why... Firstly, you will have to carry all these tents on the roof of your jeep, which, by the way, opens and makes it possible for better review terrain. But if there are things there, the view will only be through the car windows. Secondly, you will have to take with you a specially trained Tanzanian cook who will prepare breakfast, lunch and dinner for you, and this is at least time that you take away from yourself, as well as additional space in your luggage for food for the entire duration of the safari ...

Lake Manyara National Park.

The park is located 125 km west of the city of Arusha. The height of the park above sea level ranges from 960 to 1478 meters. The park is a narrow strip between the alkaline Lake Manyara in the east and the Gregory Rift in the west.

The main attraction of the park is Lake Manyara, coastal zone which literally abounds with pink flamingos and other birds. This satiety is formed not only by the birds themselves, but also by their reflections from the surface of the water. The spectacle seen cannot be expressed in words, and the proverb about “it’s better to see once than to hear a hundred times” applies precisely to this case...

Almost all parks are dotted with termite mounds ranging in height from one to three meters.

Rich and varied and fauna. The park is inhabited by numerous herds of elephants, giraffes, hippos, buffalos and many other animals. Another attraction of the park is the hot springs... Without exaggeration, I will say, because... I checked it myself - hot water flows straight from the underground bins...

I haven’t experimented myself, but I think I’ll cook chicken egg, putting it in this source will not take much time... By the way, looking ahead, I will say after visiting the parks I was lucky enough to visit one of the lakes, which is heated by underground hot springs. Not only is the water very clear with a turquoise tint, but it also has comfortable temperature+27 - +29 degrees. This suggests that although the volcanoes in Tanzania are silent, their breathing is everywhere here.

One more point that I would like to dwell on... For some reason, it is generally accepted that it is better not to visit parks during the rainy season... I will say differently, the best time to visit parks is during the rainy season... Firstly, such rains as we are used to seeing in Russia, which can rain like crazy for weeks, are not here. Over the course of two weeks, I saw rain twice, the duration of which was approximately 10 - 15 minutes. The rest of the time the sun was shining. But meanwhile, in the parks, instead of the faded yellow grass, fresh greenery of various shades appears, and numerous bushes and trees begin to bloom.

Secondly, during the rainy season there are not many tourists, therefore, the animals come closer to the roads on which safari vehicles can travel, and there are also no problems with cheaper rooms in the lodges...

Ngorongoro Biosphere Reserve.

Ngorongoro is a huge crater in Tanzania on the edge of the Serengeti savanna, which arose as a caldera as a result of the collapse of a large volcano about 2.5 million years ago. Located northeast of the lake Eyasi and northwest of Lake Manyara.

The depth of the crater is 610 m. Its edges rise 2286 m above sea level. The diameter of the Ngorongoro crater is from 17 to 21 km, its total area has approximately 265 km². At the bottom of the crater is Lake Magadi, famous for its flamingo population. The Ngorongoro Crater is unique in that over the years it has formed its own habitat for many species of animals that do not have the opportunity to get out.

The crater is home to about 25 thousand animals and has the highest density of predators in all of Africa. Especially common in Ngorongoro are zebras, buffalos and various types antelopes such as wildebeest, elands and gazelles. They are hunted by lions and leopards living in the crater. In addition to them, Ngorongoro is also home to black rhinoceroses, elephants and, which is unusual for these latitudes, hippopotamuses.

Large migratory flows of animals from the Serengeti often pass through the Ngorongoro Crater.

The mountain range encircling this park reminded me very much of the motifs in Vladimir Obruchev’s book “Sannikov’s Land”. This is one of the few places on the planet where you can see a live rhinoceros. I’ll say right away that this is very rare, but there are always chances, because... Rhinoceroses try to stay away from people and often just sleep. Ngorongoro is perhaps one of the few parks where animals are not afraid of humans at all and come so close that in some cases the photographer can do without a telephoto camera.

This is the place where you can see with your own eyes the direct process of lions hunting buffalos, zebras or antelopes.

The relief of the crater is one large steppe, along which the whirlwinds of tornadoes glide. The wetland is constantly floating and this floating is visible even to the naked eye. A very strong impression is left by the huge rounded stone boulders that are scattered not only throughout the crater itself, but also throughout the Serengeti Park. Looking at them, you understand how powerful the volcano was, throwing out these multi-ton boulders from its depths over vast distances.

Serengeti National Park.

The Serengeti ecosystem is one of the oldest and best preserved on Earth. More than 80 percent of the Serengeti is occupied by protected areas - Serengeti National Park, Ngorongoro Nature Reserve in Tanzania, Masai Mara Nature Reserve in Kenya, etc. The Serengeti lies at an altitude of 920 to 1850 m above sea level and its landscape varies from grassy plains in the south to savannas in the center and extensive wooded areas to the west.

The Serengeti is home to more than 4.5 million wild ungulates (antelope, zebra, buffalo, rhinoceroses, giraffes, hippos), as well as elephants, lions, cheetahs, leopards, hyenas, etc.

The great migration of animals made the strongest impression on me. In particular, I observed the wildebeest migration. You can imagine how, from horizon to horizon, a column of thousands of herds of these animals makes the transition from the Serengeti Park (Tanzania) to Kenya.

They look for new pastures and places for watering during the dry season, and for this they travel long distances, risking their lives. For myself, I called the Serengeti Park an animal kindergarten... Apparently, this place is very favorable for feeding the young of various animals. Whole colonies of hippopotamuses, lions and wild boars(pumbaa).

This is a place where giraffes and elephants are in great abundance, not to mention monkeys, antelopes and zebras, of which there are simply huge numbers in every park. Of all the parks, this is perhaps the only one in which yellow changes to green. At the same time, different shades of green give the landscapes unusually beautiful views.

Oldoinyo-Lengai stratovolcano.

Ol Doinyo Lengai is a stratovolcano in northern Tanzania. One of the youngest and perhaps the most active volcano in East Africa. It has a unique lava composition. In the language of the local Maasai tribe, the name of the volcano means “Mountain of God.”

It is located near Lake Natron and is part of the Great Rift Valley volcanic system in East Africa. Height above sea level – 2962m.

Already at the entrance to this volcano, the terrain changes right before your eyes. Straight steppe roads give way to mountain serpentines.

The air temperature begins to rise due to the proximity of the volcano. I would like to note that the extreme activity of this volcano was recorded in 2013. In the foothills of this volcano lies a valley with Lake Natron, which is also a habitat for pink flamingos. Despite the activity of this volcano, this valley is inhabited by large number Maasai people. The Maasai are a semi-nomadic African indigenous people who have almost completely preserved their traditional way of life. Due to the popularity of ethnic tourism, the Maasai have become one of the attractions of Tanzania.

Many tourists get acquainted with the life of these tribes with great interest. The Masai, spoiled by the attention of strangers, also take advantage of this and if you want to photograph them, then be prepared to pay $1 for photographing one Masai. The number of pictures is unlimited. In the Oldoinyo-Lengai region, everything is much simpler. The local manager of the lodge negotiates with the head of the Masai tribe, pays him $15-20 and you are taken to one of the settlements (about 30 people) where you can photograph anyone and as much as you like. These are not decorative settlements, but real ones. When leaving the valley, there will be three checkpoints on your way where you will need to pay government tax. It is $15, but if your driver-guide knows how to bargain, then there is a chance to save and pay a lower amount. This is par for the course in Tanzania.

In concluding my story, I cannot keep silent about tanzanites. The mineral is mined only in the Arusha province in northern Tanzania. Tanzanite occurs in blue, purple and yellow-brown colors, the latter after heat treatment also become blue-violet in color and are used in jewelry.

By the stones good quality color ultramarine or sapphire blue. When exposed to electric light, it takes on an amethyst-violet hue. When heated to 400-500 C, brownish and yellowish shades disappear and the blue of the stone deepens.

And finally, I will say that tanzanites have not only a very beautiful dark blue color, but also the same nice price…)) The average cost of one carat of tanzanite ranges from $400 to $500. Here the price depends on the color, size and cut of the stone, as well as on your bargaining ability. And you definitely have to bargain...)) The stones range in size from approximately one to four carats. If you want to buy a nugget, the price varies from $25 to $100.

If you still decide to photograph people in Tanzania, it is better to ask them about it. Their native language is Swahili, but many speak English well. In Swahili, “I want to take a picture of you” would be: “MimI naOmba kuIga pIche.” The staff at the lodge are happy to ask about Russian words. So I taught them a new word “crackers”, which is very appropriate to their very delicious puree soups. Of course, some Russian-speaking tourists also leave their linguistic mark in Tanzania, so “move your buns” - this is one of the “masterpieces” of the Russian language manifestation that my sons heard...))

Parks of Tanzania: national parks, reserves, nature protection zones Tanzania, natural parks.

Any UNESCO

    the very best

    Kilimanjaro

    “The crown of Tanzania” is Mount Kilimanjaro (from Swahili - “the mountain that sparkles”). It is impossible not to recognize it - rising directly above the flat plains, covered at the top with snow hat, it became a real symbol of the country.

    the very best

    Ruaha

    Ruaha National Park

    Today it is one of the most popular and visited nature reserves in the country. In addition, Ruaha is the second largest national park in Tanzania. It got its name from the Great River Ruaha, flowing among the mountain gorges along its eastern border, and flows into the Rufiji River.

    the very best

    Tanganyika

    Lake Tanganyika lies within the boundaries of the East African Rift - one of the greatest geological phenomena on Earth. This lake is the second deepest lake in the world after Baikal (1470 m). And just like Baikal, it differs exclusively clear water, allowing you to see the bottom at a depth of up to 33 meters.

  • National parks of Tanzania - Serengeti , Kilimanjaro , Ruaha , Tarangire and others - centers of ecotourism recognized throughout the world. Numerous reserves, the most famous of which are Selous , Ngorongoro and Rungwa, save unique species flora and fauna equatorial Africa. Selous Reserve, Ruaa and Mikumi Parks make Tanzania a hub for numerous safaris and air tours, as well as film set for hundreds of films. In total, Tanzania has 12 national parks, the Ngorongoro Game Reserve, 13 game reserves, 38 protected areas and about 120 national cultural sites.

    National Park Arusha, one of the smallest in Tanzania, is located just 32 km from the city. Its main must-sees are Lake Momela, Mount Meru and the Ngurdoto Crater. About 400 species of birds nest in the park, both local and migratory, and among the animals you can meet here, you can meet baboons, elephants, buffaloes, giraffes, hippos, leopards, hyenas, zebras and many species of antelope.

    IN Serengeti you can see 35 species large mammals, including the so-called “big five” - elephant, rhinoceros, lion, leopard and buffalo. Reserve Ngorongoro included in the UNESCO list of “Natural Heritage of the World”. It is bounded in the southwest by Lake Eyasi and in the north by the Gol Mountains. The park is home to gazelles, buffalos, elands, warthogs, lions, hyenas, cheetahs and leopards. In the reserve you can observe more than 100 species of birds that do not live in the Serengeti.

    National Park Tarangire located on the eastern shore of Lake Maniara and covers an area of ​​2600 sq. km. Tarangire is famous for its abundance of wild animals. Lakes National Park Manyara is located between the alkaline lake of the same name and the rocks of the Great African Rift. The most entertaining sight in the park is lions climbing trees.

    Mountain Kilimanjaro- the highest single mountain in the world, which is also a dormant but not extinct volcano. Climbing Kilimanjaro can be done throughout the year, but is best done from August to October and January to March. The main attractions of this peak are the volcanic centers of Shira in the west, Mawenzi in the east and snow-white Kibo in the center.

    In total, Tanzania has 12 national parks, the Ngorongoro Nature Reserve, 13 game reserves, 38 protected areas and about 120 national cultural sites.

    South Tanzania

    Southern Tanzania has the most pristine nature reserves and reserves of Africa. The most famous among them are the Selous Reserve and the Ruaha National Park.

    Selous- the largest protected wild territory in Africa with the largest elephant population in Tanzania. Lions, impalas, giraffes, antelopes, baboons, zebras, buffaloes, hippos and wild dogs are also common here. The nature in the reserve is very diverse: from savannas to forests, from meadows to rocks, cut by the Rufizhi River and its tributaries Kilambero and Luwegu. There are predatory animals in the Kilombero River tiger fish and the amazing Vandu catfish with primitive lungs, allowing them to move from one body of water to another directly over land. The park offers walking and driving safaris, as well as boat trips. Best time for them it is the dry season from June to October, when thirst drives wild animals from secluded places to the rivers.

    Ruaha- a relatively inaccessible wild park, which more than compensates for the travel difficulties of travelers who reach it with the amazing diversity of its plant and animal life. Big river Ruachah protects and nourishes evergreen forests and swamps, it is thanks to her that a huge population of elephants lives in the park.

    Mahale Mountains National Park

    In Western Tanzania, on the shores of a lake Tanganyika There are two reserves: Mahale Mountains National Park and Gombe Park, known for large populations of chimpanzees and almost the same number of scientists studying their behavior in the natural environment.

    The small Mahale Mountains National Park is located 120 kilometers south of the city of Kigoma, on a peninsula in the eastern part of Lake Tanganyika. In the center of the reserve there is a mountain range, the height of which reaches 2462 m above sea level. Among the representatives of the fauna here, it is worth highlighting the huge, about a thousand individuals, population of chimpanzees. In the north, tourists have every chance of meeting elephants, buffalos and other animals, and in the southern part of the park there are many species of antelope, lions and giraffes. In the park you can take a walking safari through the mountains and along the shores of Lake Tanganyika.

    Northern Circle

    The Northern Circle is the most developed, but at the same time the wildest. Its route covers many parks and reserves in Northern Tanzania, the most famous of which are the Ngorongoro Game Reserve, Mount Kilimanjaro, Serengeti, Tarangire, Arusha and Lake Maniara parks. The Serengeti ecosystem consists of a park Masai Mara V Kenya and the western part of Ngorongoro Park, the Serengeti National Park proper and Maswa Park in Tanzania. The animal migration goes in a circle, starting in the Masai Mara and then clockwise to the southeast.

    A specific route through objects should be chosen based on the movement of the rain area: animals move after the moisture. Wild boars, zebras, gazelles and some species of antelope migrate over long distances. They are followed by predators - lions and hyenas. Giraffes and elephants travel significantly shorter distances.



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