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 centred 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.
The setting for the earliest Tarzan films, verdant Lake Manyara National Park was once described as Ernest Hemingway as "The loveliest (place) I have seen in Africa".
Lake Manyara National Park is an unspoiled paradise of ground water forest fed by underground springs and teeming with wildlife such as elephants, hippos, giraffes, buffaloes, antelopes, and some of the largest baboon troupes in Africa.
But it's most iconic attraction is undoubtedly its tree-climbing lions, and people flock from all over the world to see these iconic predators lounging in the trees.
Set in the Arusha Region, Ndutu is situated in the northern part of the Ngorongoro Conservation Area within the magnificent Serengeti. The surrounding landscapes are covered in sweeping grasslands which provide the perfect habitat for the migratory route for hundreds of thousands of wildebeest, antelope and zebra. Visitors can look forward to exploring the forest around Lake Ndutu, spotting an array of wildlife, and visiting the fascinating archaeological site at the Olduvai Gorge. Don’t miss the opportunity to jump on a game drive to view the spectacular herds of the annual Great Migration, enjoy a scenic hot air balloon ride over the plains and take a guided tour with the local Maasai and learn about culture and traditions. Other commonly spotted species include: leopard, lion, cheetah, caracal, serval, African wildcat, and a variety of prolific birdlife.
About Ngorongoro Conservation Area
Tanzania's biggest tourist attraction isn't Zanzibar, nor is it the sprawling plains of the Serengeti. The stunning Ngorongoro Conservation Area takes out that honour, and it's with good reason. Exploring this verdant lost world is among the most memorable experiences a traveler is every likely to have.
Key to Ngorongoro's enduring appeal is that sheer variety of experiences that can be had within the reserve. It's far more than just a simple game-viewing destination (although in this area it excels), with a variety of day trips and excursions such as guided hikes, cultural visits, and archaeological sites available to offer a more intimate experience.
As a conservation area rather than a national park, Ngorongoro is unique in that it is a park in which people and Africa's animals live side by side. The local Masai tribes live in harmony with the animals that call the park home, and opportunities to interact with Africa's most famous tribe abound as a result.
Ngorongoro Conservation Area Fact File
Location: Between Lake Manyara National Park and Serengeti National Park.
To Do: Game Drives, Oldupai Gorge Historic Site, Empakai Crater hike, Ol Doinyo Lengai hike, Olmoti Crater hike, and Masai cultural visits.
Known For: Black rhinoceros, stunning views, Masai villages, and the starting point of the Great Wildebeest Migration.
Best Time to Visit
Ngorongoro is unique in that it offers stellar game-viewing opportunities throughout the year. There is no 'off season' in the Ngorongoro Conservation Area.
The Ngorongoro Crater is game viewing gone crazy and it is not surprising that with is one of Tanzania’s major tourist drawcards. Within the crater rim a daily wildlife drama is played out as large herds of zebra and wildebeest graze nearby lions, leopards, elephants and black rhinos. Outside of the crater a similar drama continues in a more spread out manner with Masai herdsmen thrown into the mix.
