Tours
Everything You Need to Know About Tarangire National Park
Often described as Tanzania's most underrated national park, Tarangire is one of Africa's little-known gems and a must for any northern circuit itinerary.Boasting a variety of wildlife as diverse as its landscape, Tarangire is also the park that can boast being home to Tanzania's largest population of African elephants. With four of the Big Five also residing within the park, it is a great spot for a day trip from Arusha or as an addition to a Serengeti/Ngorongoro centreed itinerary.Named for the Tarangire River which flows through it, the park is an excellent choice during the dry season when animals are forced to move closer and closer to the river in search of water. Set against a backdrop of majestic baobab trees and twisted acacia, it makes for a beautiful experience.Everything You Need to Know About Arusha National Park
Located just a short drive from Arusha and Moshi, the Arusha National Park is Tanzania's most accessible national park and the perfect place for a day trip or as the first or last stop on a longer itinerary. At just 552 square kilometres, it's a small park with a lot to see.With diverse wildlife that includes herbivores such as elephants, hippos, buffalo, zebra, and even the occasional wildebeest, Arusha National Park is also a perfect place to get out and stretch your legs - with both walking safaris and canoe safaris available within the park.Arusha National Park is also home to the world's largest population of giraffes, making it a great place to visit for fans of these long-necked, beautiful animals.Nature Trails in Arusha National Park
Walking Safaris and Day Hikes On Arusha National Park Safari
Arusha National Park has it all when it comes to hiking and trekking! On safari to Arusha National Park there are more than enough oppurtunities to add a little activity to usual game drive from safari vehicle.
Following are the existing nature trails that are worth a visit during safari to Arusha National Park.
Momella Gate to Itikoni and descend back to Momella gate. Hike duration is 4 hours.
Kitoto View Point to Njeku View Point then descend through Meru Crater back to Kitoto View Point:Hike duration is 4 hours.
Momella Gate to Tululusia Waterfall and back to Momellla gate. Hike duration 1.5 hours Tululusia Waterfall is beautiful small waterfall with height of 28 meters!
Ngurdoto Crater Rim walking trails:
Laitong to Buffalo 5 hours
Buffalo to Kaitong 6 hours
Your Guide to Additional Things to Do on Tanzanian Safari
Safari Add Ons In Tanzania Safari add ons are activities that you can add to all our itineraries. There is much more than just safari from the vehicle. There are interesting and exciting activities for curious, active guests that want to upgrade safari with additional exciting activities from ballooning to hiking and more. When you are booking a safari in Tanzania, you probably know there is much more to do besides game drives. Since we have lots of questions from our clients, we have created a simple review of things you can do in each Tanzanian main National park.How to Get Most of Your Safari in Tanzania and Kenya?
Everybody wants to have an unforgettable experience when it comes to safaris in Africa. Booking a safari is first step to do so, but many people don’t know or don’t think of all possibilities! To truly enjoy and experience African landscape and wildlife from all possible angles, we have compiled ideas to consider when planning safari to Tanzania and Kenya.
Chose mobile tented camps.
If you are after specific event then make sure you will book your safari in right season and time of the year. Although safaris are without a doubt exciting all year there are certain times of the year that can deliver much more.
Great Migration is one of them. If you are after great migration in full swing, we recommend booking your safari stay in mobile camps.
Mobile camps have the best locations, primarily focused on superb viewing areas. They are usually found in more remote areas, which means less tourists and big chance to witness animals from the comfort of your safari tent verandah!
Book a lodge with elephant waterhole.
Alternative option for those who want to be close to animals and great views of wildlife is to book a lodge that has on site waterholes, one of them is Four season Serengeti Lodge and some lodges in Tarangire, while in Kenya you have properties where giraffes wander around in the backyard gardens! Contact us for more advice!
You can save on a night.
Look for offers we regularly publish, often times we have special deals for booking two nights and get on for free and similar. If you are lucky, you can get even more than a night for free. Some offers like recent; include many activities that are usually available for additional cost, for free. So, be flexible and you may end up with free night and additional freebies like free night game drive, free walking safari or free bush romantic dinner. Subscribe to our newsletter and be the first to know about safari deals!
Go for hikes and trekking’s or walks.
To truly feel the nature, it is worth to book a walking tour during safari – available are short walks to several trekkings in Ngorongoro, which, will reveal an amazing scenes and panoramas not visible from safari vehicle.
Go for hot air balloon ride!
Fly over the plains in hot air balloon safari, available in Tanzania in Serengeti and Tarangire as well in Kenya (Masai Mara). This flight takes place in early morning hours before the breakfast at sunrise. To observe the wildlife from the air is real privilege!
Spend a night in Masai village and get an insight of daily routine and life. Or include a trip to Hadzabe tribe on Lake Eyasi region,where you spend a fair amount of time to learn hunting with spears, and how to make fire.
As you see there are exciting possibilities to enhance your safari. Once you are done with decision where to go and where to stay, all you have to do is bring you camera, for the rest Shadows of Africa takes care of.
Mount Lemargut Trekking
Mount Lemagrut is on the western part of Ngorongoro Crater and is one of 9 craters in the Ngorongoro conservation area. It is relatively easy trek and it offers gret views over Serengeti plains.
Mount Lemargut 3155m Trekking
A trek in these areas is guaranteed to give you an amazing experience.
Safari for the adventurous trekkers to Tanzania
On the western part of Ngorongoro Crater lies Mt Lemagrut.
It takes under an hour to drive to the lower slopes and about 4 hours trek to the top. On a clear day, there is amazing view over the Serengeti plains, Lake Eyasi and the Ngorongoro Crater.
On a hike is the best to wear trekking boots because the ground is covered with short thorny bush. The thorns can easily poke right through light shoes.
While you are walking you will encounter some buffaloes and lion on the way so armed ranger from The Ngorongoro Conservation Area Authority must lead the trek. The trekking takes about 4 hrs up and down. This trek can be part of your safari to the Ngorongoro Crater area.
This is best done as an add-on trip to a regular lodge or camping safari.
Olmoti Crater Trekking
While it is not possible to hike within Ngorongoro Crater itself, nearby Olmoti Crater offers spectacular hiking amidst its many streams and waterfalls.Great Migration In Masai Mara
Undoubtedly Masai Mara, located in the South West of Kenya is one of the best holiday destinations in the World. A true Kenyan safari is not complete without a visit to the Masai Mara Game Reserve, which is an adventure like no other. It is home to the Big 5 and thousands of bird species and other wildlife.
But what makes Masai Mara more adventurous is the spectacular wildebeest Migration between July and October every year, an event that already dubbed as the 8th Wonder of the World.
Millions of wildebeests accompanied by zebras and other types of antelopes migrate from Serengeti National Park in Tanzania to Masai Mara in Kenya, crossing the Mara River, which is inhabited by some of the largest world’s crocodiles. Why do the animals migrate? It is purely in search of water and pastures when supplies of pastures dwindle in the Serengeti.
The migration follows a cycle calendar every year BUT timings may vary. In between January and March, it is the calving season in the Serengeti in the short grass. There are plenty of pastures and all expectant mothers congregate to give birth. The calves are born in labor duration of 30 minutes and a few minutes after birth they are ready to walk and join their mothers. They have to feed properly in anticipation of journey before them.
After this, the wildebeest migration starts when the rains are over in the Serenegeti because it is dry. As the Serenegeti is drying up the Masai Mara side is flourishing. Since the wildebeest herds are in millions they quickly deplete grazing pastures very fasts whereas their water needs are great. They have to keep on moving and in fact the whole reason for wildebeest migration. The migration journey to Masai Mara is a hard one. Many animals collapse and die on the way as they are weak due to lack of enough food and water, while others fall to predators.
By around June and July climaxing in August and September the great phenomenon takes place in Masai Mara . Millions of the wildebeests have already arrived in Mara a plain where there is much lush grass pastures. The wildebeests try to close the Mara River to access the plains that have plenty of pastures. At this time the Mara River is swollen because of heavy rains on the Mau Escarpments and crossing becomes a dangerous affair for the weak wildebeests and they end up drowning and also because of the great stampede resulting from crossing at one point.
But what makes the Migration drama more thrilling is the presence of predators. From the Mara River crocodiles that pounce on the wildebeests in the waters to lions and hyenas that take advantage of the drowning and injured animals on the shores, it is a feast carnival for the predators. This drama makes the crossing a spectacular event. Just what the cameras have been waiting for.
Animals feed in Mara plains in October and start heading back to Serengeti in November for another calving season. During migration over 200,000 animals perish under the harsh conditions. But as soon as they get back to Serengeti, there are approximately 500,000 new births and ready to start the cycle again.
This cycle repeats itself every year BUT being a natural occurrence there is no precise timing and directions because of conditions influencing grass growth.
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