| Tanzania is one of Africa's top wildlife | | | | some Eurasian migrants. The flora is very |
| safari destinations. Wildlife lovers have a | | | | diverse and over 1650 plant species flourish |
| choice of two very different safari routes- | | | | here. The Ruaha has the unique distinction of |
| referred to as the northern and southern | | | | having plant and animal life found in both |
| circuits. The contrast is most obvious in the | | | | eastern and southern Africa. The climate here |
| topography, habitat and climate. On the | | | | is hot and dry and temperatures can reach |
| color="#0000FF">northern Tanzania safari | | | | 40°C in October. The Ruaha is located 128 |
| circuit, which I have talked about in another | | | | km west of the central Tanzania town of |
| article, you visit such renowned wildlife | | | | Iringa. It was previously inaccessible, but |
| havens as Serengeti, Ngorongoro, Tarangire | | | | there is now year round road access. From |
| and Lake Manyara. The southern safari route | | | | Dar, road travel is a backbreaking 10 hours |
| is anchored on Dar es Salaam, and covers | | | | while a charter flight takes 1 ½ hours. |
| Ruaha, Mikumi, Udzungwa Mountains National | | | | The best timefor a safari is over the dry |
| Parks and the Selous Game Reserve. | | | | season-May to December. Then, the Ruaha River |
| | | | is magnetic to the animals and right at the |
| The southern circuit is more discreet, less | | | | banks, the drama of their daily life is on |
| accessible and has fewer visitors. Adventure | | | | display- feeding, fighting, courting and |
| lovers and those who seek closer contact with | | | | mating. The accommodation is currently |
| some of Africa's most complex ecosystems will | | | | limited, but there is a luxury lodge, and a |
| be rewarded. Here you can view game in a | | | | few self-catering chalets and campsites. |
| variety of new ways- walking, riding and | | | | |
| boating. If you have not had the privilege of | | | | Selous Game Reserve is the star of the |
| getting up close to wild animals in their | | | | southern safari circuit. The reserve is named |
| natural habitat, it is an exciting and | | | | after the intrepid Fredrick Courtney Selous, |
| refreshing experience. For this encounter, | | | | a celebrated Victoria era explorer and |
| the park authorities require that an armed | | | | aturalist. He met his end here in a sideshow |
| ranger escort you. It is therefore not as | | | | of the First World War. The Great War had |
| dangerous as it may first appear. | | | | spilled over from Europe as the Germans then |
| | | | ruled parts of today's Tanzania. Located 500 |
| Mikumi National Park is the most accessible | | | | km to the southwest of Dar, the reserve |
| of the southerngame sanctuaries. It is 283 km | | | | occupies a staggering 55,000 sq km - larger |
| to the west of Dar es Salaam - Tanzania's | | | | than Switzerland- and is the largest of its |
| coastal commercial capital. Occupying 3,230 | | | | kind in Africa. |
| sq km, it carries a variety of wildlife | | | | |
| including elephants, lion, giraffe, impala, | | | | The Selous was designated a World Heritage |
| warthog, zebra, buffalo, wildebeest, | | | | Site by UNESCO in 1982 due to the |
| hartebeest and eland. Wild dogs- considered | | | | significance of both its flora and fauna. |
| an endangered carnivore species -are found | | | | This immense wilderness has a diversity of |
| here in good numbers. Other resident animals | | | | habitats including savanna woodlands, swamps, |
| are crocodiles, hippos, and monitor lizards. | | | | open grasslands and forests. Over 2,100 |
| Birds are most plentiful in the wet season | | | | species of tress and plants have been |
| when up to 300 species gathers here. Many of | | | | recorded. The mighty Rufiji River is the |
| these are Eurasian migrants, exercising to | | | | lifeblood of the reserve and its numerous |
| the full, the freedom that comes with wings. | | | | tributaries and oxbow lakes are ideal for |
| | | | boat safaris. The wildlife to see here |
| The Mikumi flood plain is the dominant | | | | includes buffalo, hippo,black rhino, lion and |
| feature of the park,which is bordered on one | | | | wild dog. Elephants in particular are |
| side by the Uluguru Mountains and on another | | | | numerous and are estimated to number over |
| by the Lumango range. Mikumi forms the | | | | 60,000. |
| northern border of the Selous Game Reserve | | | | |
| and is part of a vast wilderness ecosystem | | | | Other inhabitants of Selous are bush back, |
| covering 75,000 sq km. Open grasslands | | | | waterbuck, reedbuck, impala, eland, giraffe, |
| stretch on the plains, while the miombo | | | | baboon, zebra, and greater kudu. Birders will |
| woodlands cover higher ground. | | | | also find a trip to Selous worthwhile - over |
| | | | 420 species are on record. In the very large |
| The park is accessible year round- unlike | | | | game sanctuaries of the south - Ruaha and |
| some of thesanctuaries in the southern | | | | Selous in particular, game is scattered and a |
| circuit. To get to Mikuni from Dar, you spend | | | | slow pace is advised, with at least 3-4 days |
| 4 hours on road or 1 hour by air. Budget | | | | in each. Photographic safaris can be very |
| travelers take a bus ride to park gate, from | | | | rewarding here. Most visitors take the time |
| where game drives are organised. There is | | | | to visit to Stiegler's Gorge, which also |
| limited accommodation at a few luxury lodges | | | | happens to be a spot favoured by leopards. |
| and tented camps and at 3 campsites. If you | | | | |
| find yourself in Dar on a weekend, this is | | | | From Dar, you arrive after a 1-½ hour |
| where you head to see wildlife. | | | | charter flight or bytraveling for 7 hours by |
| | | | road. Travel by road is not advised, except |
| The 1,990 sq km Udzungwa Mountains National | | | | for the most adventurous souls. Selous is |
| Park is 348 km west of Dar and 65 km | | | | near the coast and is just a few hundred feet |
| southwest of Mikumi. The mountains are part | | | | above sea level. The climate is hot and |
| of the Eastern Arc Mountains that fall | | | | humid, particularly between October and |
| southeast of Kilimanjaro. The park is unique | | | | March. Part of the reserve is closed in the |
| in Tanzania, having been created primarily to | | | | wet season between March and May. The best |
| conserve plant life. The pristine mountain | | | | time to visit is over the dry season period |
| forest habitat hosts numerous rare plants. | | | | of June to October. Then on safari you can |
| There are six primate species, out of which | | | | walk, boat and ride a 4WD vehicle. |
| two species are endemic - the Iringa red | | | | Accommodation is limited to just a few luxury |
| colobus monkey and the Sanje Crested | | | | tented and no-frills camps. |
| Mangabey. At the plateau area, you find | | | | |
| elephants, lions, hunting dogs and buffalos, | | | | The typical southern safari will usually |
| though not in as large numbers as in some of | | | | combine Mikumi, Ruaha and Selous. After the |
| the other Tanzania parks. Birds also do well | | | | safari, a stay in Zanzibar rounds off an |
| here, and indeed the park ranks is one of | | | | unbeatable holiday experience. It is |
| Africa's most important bird conservation | | | | generally recommended you take an escorted |
| areas. Scientists have in recent times come | | | | color="#0000FF">southern Tanzania safari |
| across at least four previously unknown bird | | | | packagethat includes transport, guide, park |
| species. The best time to visit is over the | | | | fees and accommodation. Particularly in the |
| dry season between June and October. The | | | | large sanctuaries of the southern circuit, |
| hiking trails over the wet season are | | | | tour guides bring valuable useful local |
| slippery, which can be quite a nuisance. | | | | knowledge - where to find the animals, and |
| | | | how to get where you are going. |
| The Ruaha National Park is rightly named | | | | |
| after its lifeblood- the Great Ruaha River. | | | | On safari, avoid bright colours as this may |
| Occupying 12,950 sq km, it is Tanzania's | | | | get you in trouble with wild animals. If you |
| second largest national park and its biggest | | | | are wise you will pack brown, beige and khaki |
| elephant sanctuary. Home to numerous | | | | clothing. It rarely gets really cold on the |
| crocodiles and hippo, the Great Ruaha draws | | | | southern circuit and short sleeve shirts, |
| many thirsty waterbuck, leopard, buffalo, | | | | shorts and trouser for men are adequate. For |
| reedbuck, wild dogs, lion and hyena to its | | | | ladies, short sleeve blouses, slacks and |
| banks. Plain animals such as zebra, greater | | | | skirts are ideal. But carry a jacket or |
| and lesser kudu, sable and roan antelope, | | | | sweater for possible chills in the evening |
| impala and giraffe are found on the plains | | | | and early mornings. Sunglasses will shield |
| stretching from the rivers edge. | | | | you from the at times harsh tropical glare; |
| | | | and a hat can save you from sunstroke. Bring |
| The topography is agreeable to hiking and | | | | along a sensible pair of shoes that will |
| walking safaris are allowed. In wet season | | | | allow you to walk comfortably in the bush. |
| months of March to April and October to | | | | Binoculars will come in very handy for |
| November the bird population peaks and the | | | | spotting animals. |
| park has over 370 bird species, including | | | | |