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Come with us to visit four of the most spectacular National Parks of Tanzania! |
Ngorongoro, the Mystery! |
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We got our first sight of Ngorongoro Caldera after a short drive from the Gate of the National Park, on top of the crater rim. It was just spectacular! Imagine a huge crater surrounded by steep 600m walls of dense jungle. In its center; a salted lake where you can see birds flying and many water streams leading to it which scar the flat surface of the grassland. Out far, small dark dots moving around on which you are straining your eyes to attempt to recognize familiar shapes and above, fast-moving low clouds which will never brake.
Once down in the crater, the jeep's roof open, the experience becomes completely mesmerizing! Thousands of animals share the beautiful landscapes and in some areas, vulnerable species stick together to unite each specie's defense mechanism against predators. An approaching pride of Lion could be detected either by the tall Zebras eyesight, or by the low warthog with very good smell, or simply discouraged by the presence of too many buffaloes!
The variety of animals within the crater is unbelievable, all playing a part in the Ngorongoro's unique and preserved ecosystem. Very quickly, visitors get accustomed to the thousands of Gazelles (Thomson Gazelle on the left, Grant Gazelle on the right), the peaceful but alert Zebras and the imposing Wildebeest
The buffalo and the Black Rhino are part of the safari's legendary "Big Fives" The Ngorongoro is home to many buffaloes (below left), and a few Rhinos (below right). However, the latter is very hard to spot, and the strict park regulation forbidding drives out of dirt-paths only allowed me this remote shot.. Hyenas however are easier to spot, and are a sign that Lions are probably not too far!
We also spotted the formidable Secretary Bird (below left), a bird of prey which uses its strong legs to kill mice, snakes and even hares! and the rare Kori Bustard (below right); the largest flying bird of Africa.
Amongst the most remarkable animals we spotted were the Golden Jackal with its beautiful fur, and dozens of huge ostriches which don't have any predators (even feared by Lions!) due to their speed and formidable kicking power! And last but not least, we did spot Lions, beautifully camouflaged in the tall grasses, and fixed by wildebeest worried stare (See gallery for more pictures!)
Our first night of Safari was spent at the Simba Camp, a large plateau within the Ngorongoro National Park which is regularly visited by wild animals! Good night!
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Serengeti National Park |
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Ngorongoro Caldera |
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Serengeti National Park |
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Manyara Lake |
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Tarangire National Park |
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Serengeti, the Legend! |
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Serengeti National Park's is an absolute wonder, and a legend as far as Safari goes by the complexity of the ecosystem that thrives within, and the remarkable wildebeest migration. The south of the park is made of huge savanna landscapes with some Kopje (Ancient Rock formations) which provide lookouts for Lions. As we drive north, wildlife intensifies as there are more trees and grass.
It has been really hard to choose photographs to put on this page! We saw this family of Lions barely 3meters away from our Jeep! Do visit the Gallery for more pictures!!
Managed to catch a Cheetah, sitting on top of a termite nest to be able to see above the high grass and identify potential preys. The park also has hundreds of majestic elephants, always in large groups protecting their youngs!
Spot the spotted Hyena!
Learned that one of the defense mechanism of Masai Giraffes is actually these tick birds which are always feeding from ticks or insects on the Giraffe, and which fly away when threat is near!
Each big cat has its own strategy to be able to spot preys above the high grasses. While lions roam in Cool and wide Kopjes and Cheetahs squeeze on narrow termite nests, Leopards make trees their own, and actually lift huge preys such as Wildebeest up the trees to keep out of nuisances such as Hyenas or Lions!
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The Bird Paradise |
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Manyara Lake is located right next to the huge rift valley cliffs, and the huge lake provides shelter and plenty of fish to millions of migratory birds, offering truly unique sights! Birds are absolutely everywhere, flying in groups, catching fishes and getting strong before their long migration journey! The first star of the lake is the Great White Pelican!
Second star of the lake is the Yellow-billed stork, which are just swarming, everywhere! The spectacle is not in the air only, and we spotted an African jacana, purple swamphens, a malachite Kingfisher and a little yellow & green bee-eater!
The third main star of the lake is without doubt the Lesser & Greater Flamingos which thrive on the southern part of the lake. The unmistakable color and shape of this bird above the shallow waters is just stunning! Next to them, we spotted some imposing Marabou storks, largest Wading birds of East Africa, a scavenger birds that eats pelican and flamingos! Also spotted some African Spoonbills with their spatula beaks, and majestic yellow-billed storks.
The amazing spectacle also extended to the park savane/forest where we spotted this martial eagle up in the trees, this yellow-billed stork casually strolling beside zebras, banded mongooses on the lookout, hundreds of baboons, dozens of large buffaloes cooling in the water, majestic elephants zig-zagging between trees, and even Lions! Chilling on top of trees (Spot them if you can!)
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Tarangire National Park |
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Ngorongoro Caldera |
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Serengeti National Park |
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Manyara Lake |
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Tarangire National Park |
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Baobabs and Elephants |
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It is quite amazing to realize how the parks are so very different. After 3 parks, we felt that this forth trip would be similar to what we saw before however, the landscape was completely different, and the water sources were as busy as large airports, with different animals waiting for their turn in some kind of organized holding pattern, each of them looking out for predators.
Our last destination, after 6 days of trek to the summit of Kilimanjaro, 5 amazing days soaring in four amazing National Parks, we headed to an island which had always triggered our curiosity: The spice Island of Zanzibar! With only a few days left, we chose to remain in the north of the island to enjoy the stunning seaside and watching graceful Dhow's sail on the pristine waters!
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Continue your visit on The Travelarium, and access all the pictures and videos in the Gallery
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