Tanzania - Mount Kilimanjaro, Mount Meru and Safari Information

Tanzania Wildlife Adventures and Kilimanjaro Climb Information

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Tanzania is a country of about 365,000 square miles (945,000 square kilometres). It is bordered to the north by Kenya and Uganda; to the west by Rwanda, Burundi, and Zaire; and to the south by Zambia, Malawi, and Mozambique. Tanzania has claimed a portion of Lake Nyasa, but the disputed border with Malawi is most often shown as the eastern shore of the lake. Tanzania is complex geologically, including a narrow coastal zone, lake plains and plateau's exceeding 3,000 feet (900 meters), and mountains created as part of the East African Rift Valley. Mount Kilimanjaro at 19,340 feet (5,895 meters) in height is Africa's highest mountain. Lake Tanganyika is the world's second deepest lake.

The climate is dominated by the effect of altitude on otherwise equatorial warmth. Only in the Southern Highlands is frost a risk at high altitudes. Two rainy seasons occur in the north, with a single peak of rain in the south, both caused by monsoonal wind changes that occur as the sun passes northward and southward. Rainfall totals range from less than 20 inches (50 centimetres) in the arid, tsetse fly-infested central regions to more than 50 inches (127 centimetres) in the more well-watered lake and highland areas. Rainfall on the windward side of mountains sometimes exceeds 100 inches (250 centimetres). The pattern of rainfall and elevation leads to four climatic zones--the hot, humid coastal zone; the hot, arid interior; the warm, moist lake regions; and the cooler subtropical highlands. Ecological conditions range from highland forests through the widespread miombo (an East African name for a sparse, open woodland of trees that lose their leaves) to wooded grassland. Except for natural reserves, the highland and miombo areas have been strongly modified by cutting for agriculture and firewood collection. The grasslands, as well as national parks, host a wide variety of animal life.

A SAFARI WITH DIFFERENCE

With our Safaris you can follow in the footsteps of the early explorers. and rediscover the source of the Nile, track gorillas in the tropical forests that cover the slopes of extinct volcanoes. These safaris are designed for those in search of a real adventure who enjoy the unpredictable and who want to get away from the well beaten tourist track. We do a lot of camping by streams or riverbeds, in forest, on mountain slopes or on the edge of national parks. The crisp, clear, star filled African night can only be fully appreciated from a campsite deep in the bush, not a modern sound or artificial glow of a nearby town interfering with the feel of nature. Because of the nature of these tours, you are expected to help with the camp chores and the setting up of tents. The camp sites lack the sophistication of those in Western countries and we can’t guarantee a shower every day, or that you won’t get dusty. But your meals will be prepared by our expert safari cooks over wood fires, and you will share the freedom of the open skies each night. Those who join us come from all walks of life and from all nationalities. Age is not important - but we need your sense of humour, your willingness to participate and a spirit of adventure. These will transform the rough journeys into memories of a lifetime.

LAKE MANYARA NATIONAL PARK

Nestling at the base of the Great Rift valley escarpment, Lake Manyara NP is one of the most beautiful places in Africa. Over 350 species of birds including the lovely flamingo (lesser and greater), pelican, sacred ibis, grebe and stork can be viewed. The most famous spectacle in the park are the tree-climbing lions which spend most of the day spread out the long branches of Acacia trees. The park is also noted for its numerous buffalo, elephant, giraffe, impala, hippo and a great variety of smaller animals which can be observed in the course of a single day.

TARANGIRE NATIONAL PARK

Situated 120km from Arusha and south -east of Lake Manyara National Park, Tarangire is famous for its dense wildlife population, which is most spectacular between June and December. During this time of the year thousands of animals migrate from dry Masai steppes to the Tarangire River looking for water.

OLDUVAI GORGE

Between the great wildlife sanctuaries of Ngorongoro and Serengeti lies Olduvai Gorge - the "Cradle of Mankind". Under the direction of Dr. Leakey, the gorge has yielded abundant fossil material dating back at least two million years and possibly much longer.

THE NGORONGORO CRATER

The Crater standing at 2236m above sea level is the the largest unbroken caldera in the world. On the floor of this Garden of Eden, which can be reached by 4 wheel drive, roam hundreds of thousands of plains animals. Elephants, buffalo, zebra wildebeest, gazelle, rhino, vervet monkey and the ever hungry predators, including cheetah, hyenas and black maned lion can be observed at close quarters in their natural habitats. More than a hundred species of birds not found in the Serengeti have been spotted here.

SERENGETI NATIONAL PARK

Serengeti National Park is undoubtedly the best known wildlife sanctuary in the world. Within its boundaries are more than 3 million large mammals living in total freedom on the endless plains. About 35 species of plains animals can be observed here including the "big five" - elephant, rhino, lion, leopard, buffalo and huge herds of wildebeest. Other common species found include hippo, giraffe, eland, impala, waterbuck, klipspringer, baboon, monkey-vervet and patas, warthog, kongoni, topi and a rich selection of birdlife, nearly 500 species of birds have been recorded in the park.

FACT FILE

VISAS for Kenya are required for British passport holders. They can be obtained from Kenya House, 45 Portland Place, London WlN 4AS. Tel: 44 020 7636 2371. Two passport photos are required. Please allow 2 - 3 weeks for processing.

For Tanzania visas are required and are available from the Visa Section, TANZANIA HIGH COMMISSION LONDON, 3 STRATFORD PLACE, LONDON W1C 1AS, Tel: 0207 569 1470

HEALTH CERTIFICATES are recommended for Cholera, Typhoid and Malaria. Yellow Fever is required for Rwanda and Tanzania if arriving within six days after leaving or transiting an endemic area.

For your holiday in Kenya and Tanzania, we strongly recommend you join the Flying Doctors’ Society of Africa which entitles you to free evacuation to a medical centre.

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