|
Fiery sunsets over flat-topped Acacia trees and majestic elephants fanning themselves on the open, grassy plains are images of Africa that are alive and well. Most travelers considering a safari, however, first think of Kenya and the Serengeti plains. Tanzania, whose borders encompass a good portion of the Serengeti, is usually overlooked, but provides an equally impressive if not less touristy safari for any traveler.
The Tanzanian safaris are mainly divided between the north and south of the country. The Northern circuit is more popular as it includes the famous Serengeti plains. The Serengeti National Park is chock full of crocodiles, lions, elephants and several species of antelope. The most spectacular event of the year occurs in this park when herds of wildebeest make their annual migration to the northern stretches of the Serengeti in Kenya. More than 2 million wildebeest, along with zebras, antelopes and gazelles, make the wild dash to northern, greener pastures. This concentration of animals represents the last big feast for the game park’s large predators like lions and cheetahs, and tourists are sure to see a lot of action. Other northern parks include Arusha National Park known as the ‘little Serengeti’. This park allows travelers a more close up view of giraffes, buffaloes, and zebras grazing in the open plains. For those wishing to see the wildlife not obscured by heavy Land Rover traffic, the Tarangire Park is a must see. The abundant wildlife includes leopards, a myriad of bird species, and elephants shaded by the massive Baobab trees.
The Southern safari circuit in Tanzania is less well known, but offers many of the same animal viewing opportunities. The Selous Game Reserve has elephants, buffaloes, and the peculiar tree-climbing lions, but all in less concentration than the larger Serengeti plains. Visitors are almost guaranteed a good sighting, and the bird watching is top-notch. The nearby Lake Manyara is home to a healthy flock of bright pink flamingos. For those wishing to alternate between animal gazing and people watching, the town of Mtu-wa-Mbu is home to various ethnic groups of Tanzanian. The markets are full of Maasai baubles, arts and crafts, and cultural tours are available.
Whether doing the northern or southern circuit, or perhaps both, safari organizers will be sure to cater to a traveler’s every need. For those hoping to rough-it in the wilderness, companies will arrange independent backpacking tours. For those wanting more stately accommodations, fully equipped huts and Land Rovers are available. More adventurous travelers can even tour the parks by camel. Bird-watching tours, Maasai cultural excursions, mountain climbing adventures, and shopping expeditions can all be worked into a personal safari schedule.
Travelers would be wise to arrange their safaris with a reputable safari organization either outside or inside the country. Safari staging towns, such as Arusha, are feeding grounds for hustlers. Travelers should be wary of any locals approaching them with too-good-to-be-true deals on safari trips. If the visitor is lucky, the hustler will simply take their money and run. More unfortunate travelers could find themselves abandoned and penniless in some strange park, all their possessions stolen.
Most safari-goers gauge the success of the their trip on being able to spot the ‘big five’. The term originates from the by-gone hunting era where the best hunters aimed to bag the five most prized animals – elephant, leopard, lion, rhino and buffalo. These animals are abundant in all of Tanzania’s parks, but are adept at camouflage. Many, such as the lion and leopards, are primarily nocturnal and daytime safari enthusiasts could easily miss them (although night safaris are available in some areas). Don’t be disappointed if the tour produces only occasional glimpses of the ‘big-five’. The beauty of the region is the abundance of the wildlife and all its species, and sometimes spotting a personable giraffe up-close can make the sauntering lioness in the distance pale in comparison. Also do not blame the safari guide for a lack of variety. The national parks are wild game parks not petting zoos. The animals are not trained to hunt on command, nor are they in any way encouraged to approach the Land Rovers. The experience is seeing nature in its purest form – whether that is an explosive chase by a cheetah, or simply two baboons grooming each other. Blaming the guide will not endear him to aid visitors in their search for the parks’ famous animals. On the contrary, he’ll be less inclined to point out the animals his trained eye is sure to spot.
Finally, tourists should plan for their safari adventure during the tourist season of January to April. Although it might be tempting to arrive off-season to avoid the crowds, the viewing potential is drastically reduced. The dry season, which starts after the April migration in the Serengeti, will have all the prey animals on holiday in Kenya, meaning little action from predators who rest to preserve their energy until the new rains come and bring back the food. The heavy rainy season makes the dirt roads impassable and weeks of rain can render your safari a literal wash out. Successful safari adventures take careful planning on the part of tourists, but travelers will be rewarded with days of great viewing and African nights under a blanket of stars with the heckling hyenas in the shadows.
|
| |
