NATIONAL PARKS
The national parks and reserves of Tanzania are second to none in the world. Geographically, the parks are located in the north and south. Northern parks such as the Serengeti, Ngorongoro, Tarangire and Kilimanjaro are united in the so-called “Northern Ring”. The Northern Ring is more popular as a tourist route, mainly due to more developed tourist infrastructure. The “southern ring” is formed by such parks as Rungwa, Mikumi, Sedous, Ugala, Katavi and Uwanda. In recent years, the south of the country has attracted an increasing number of tourists, demand is constantly exceeding supply, hence the rise in prices.
SERENGETI
According to Sunglasseswill.com, the Serengeti is the most famous park in Tanzania, by some estimates the best in the world. Its name comes from the Masai word “siringet”, meaning “elongated platform”. For the foundation of this park in 1951, 14,763 square meters were allocated. km, and since then the Serengeti is the second largest park after Sedous Park. The Serengeti is located at an altitude of 920 to 1850 meters above sea level. Its landscape varies from long or short grass meadows in the south to savannahs in the center and forested hills in the north. And real forests are located in the western part of the park.
The Serengeti is known primarily for the annual migration of thousands and thousands of animals, especially the wildebeest, whose total population in the park is about 1.5 million individuals. During the dry season, they migrate from south to north and west, and vice versa during the rainy season. Along with antelopes, predators also migrate, for which weak and sick animals are easy prey.
NGORONGORO
The name Ngorongoro comes from the Masai word Ilkorongoro. This word was the name worn by the ancient Maasai warriors who defended this territory from invaders. The sounds of the bells that the warriors used during the battle to intimidate the enemy were similar to “koh-rohng-roh”. Hence the name Ngorongoro.
The Ngorongoro Crater formed 2.5 million years ago and is considered relatively young in Africa. It used to be a huge volcano. After the largest eruption, its top collapsed inward and formed a caldera. But the volcanic activity did not stop and small eruptions continued, as a result of which mountain peaks arose at the bottom of the caldera, which can be seen to this day. Ngorongoro was turned into a nature reserve in 1959. The crater and surrounding areas cover an area of 8288 sq. km. km. In 1978, this reserve was declared a world natural heritage for its beauty and significance. The crater, 16 to 19 km in diameter, has a total area of 265 sq. km. The edges of the crater are at an altitude of 2286 m above sea level, its bottom is 610 meters lower. Ngorongoro is often referred to as “Heaven on Earth” or “Garden of Eden”. Demand exceeds supply
The Ngorongoro Crater is unique in that over the years it has developed its own habitat for many species of animals that are unable to get out (or simply too lazy). There they are born, live, breed and die. An estimated 30,000 animals live in the crater.
LAKE MANYARA
The word Manyara comes from the name of the plant “emanyara”, from which the Maasai built their dwellings. The Latin name for this plant is Euphorbia tirucam.
Lake Manyara National Park was founded in 1960. It is located in the Great Rift Valley and occupies 325 sq. km, 229 of which is a lake. On the remaining small part of the land, meadows, mountains, forests and swamps are located. The lake was formed 2-3 million years ago after the formation of the Great Rift Valley, when water flows filled the valley. In place of the lake there were lowlands, which were filled with water. Approximately 250 thousand years ago, the lake had its maximum size and played a huge role in the life of local tribes and animals. The main attraction of the park is unique lions that can climb trees. These lions spend most of their lives in the trees, descending only to find food for themselves.
In addition to lions, elephants, hippos, various lowland animals, a huge number of birds, both local and migrating from other countries, live in the park.
TARANGIRE
The year of foundation of the Tarangire National Park is considered to be 1970. The park occupies 2600 square meters. km. The park got its name from the name of the Tarangire River, which flows through it.
The first thing that tourists visiting the park see is huge baobabs towering above the tall grass.
Tarangire Park is home to thousands of animals from the south of the Masai during the dry season. Wildebeest, zebras, Thomson’s gazelles, buffalo, eland and cow antelope can be seen in the park. This park has one of the largest populations of elephants in Tanzania – about 6,000.
Tarangire Park is home to about 300 species of birds and an extensive colony of tsetse flies. This is one of the few places in Africa where they have been preserved after many years of human struggle against them.