Tanzania Game Parks (Northern Circuit) 

Serengeti National Park
This is the largest of all Tanzanian National Parks with an area of 14,763km2. One of the most breathtaking events in the Animals Kingdom do the attendant predators follow the Migration of Hundreds of thousand of Millions of Wildebeest, Zebra and gazelles, which takes place here every year. The Serengeti was accepted by the world heritage convention world heritage stand biosphere reserve in 1981. The Park's terrain varies from the vast treeless central and southern Serengeti to plains and savannah type stretches with acacia trees, magnificent small swamps, and Lakes. 

These features give the park a fascinating variety of habitat. Serengeti National Park has about 35 species of plain Animals, a wonderful selection of bird life survey estimates indicate the Animal population includes more than 3,000 lions, 1,600,000 wildebeests and 500,000 Zebras and more than 400 species of birds.

Ngorongoro Conservation Area
Called the natural zoo or the eighth wonder of the world, Ngorongoro is the largest intact calderas in the world. Very steep walls rising 610 meters from the crater floor surround it. The crater it self covers and area of 265 km and the whole park covers an area of 8,2885qkm.

It is a home up to 25,000 larger mammals almost half of them Zebras and wildebeests. There are also gazelles, buffaloes, elands; heart beests warthogs, and others. Carnivores here are hyenas, jackals, foxes cheetah, leopards and Black mane lions 100 species of Birds not found in Serengeti have been spotted here. Countless Flamingoes from a pink blanket over the soda lake. This crater has been declared a world Heritage site. Within Ngorongoro where Olduvai Gorge is located. A home of man. And to the North is Loony Langue Mountain a gray forbidding perfect come that is a still an active Volcano.

Lake Manyara National Park
Arboreal Lions - Faceted 125 km west of Arusha town under the wall of Great Rift Valley. This park attained its status in 1960. It is 335 sq km in size of which 200 is covered by Lake Manyara it self. The park is famous for its tree-climbing Lions, which are occasionally seen on branches of acacia trees. Other Animals found here are. Hippos, elephants Leopards, Impalas, primates especially Olive Baboons, Vervet Monkey and the Sykes or Blue Monkeys, Millions of Birds including Pelican sand Flamingoes. Manyara has the Tanzania highest population of Elephant per square Kilometer

Tarangire National Park
Tarangire National Park is also in Northern Circuit, 115 km from the Tourist town Arusha. This park is accessible by car. Have an Area of 2,600 square kilometers, the park is named after the Tarangire River, which crosses it lengthwise giving support to a large Wildlife population during the dry season.

During this season between June and October, thousands of animals duding Wildebeest, Zebras, Elephants, Buffaloes. Hartebeest, Migrate from the dry Maasai steppe to Tarangire River. The park is famous for Tress climbing Pythons, which coil them selves on acacia branches. It is the Park where you can find in abundance the Longest living creature in the world the Baobab trees. 

Arusha National Park
Known as Ngurdoto National Park until 1967. It covers an area of 137 sq kms The Park is Located near Mt Meru which looms over nearby Arusha town and has a Spectacular View of Mt Kilimanjaro to the East.
The Park and the Town derive their names from the Waarusha people who live in this area.

The Ngurdoto Crater, Mommella Lakes, the highland Montane forest and the rugged Mt Meru (about + 4565) Meters Above sea level is the distinct ire features of the park. Also this Park is well known for the [possession of the Rare treat species of Black and white colobus monkeys Bush bucks Buffalos, forest Duikers, Hippos, Elephant and giraffes.

Kilimanjaro National Park
With an area of 756 square kilometer, kilimanjaro N. Park gazetted in 1973 exists to preserve the mountain' s outstanding scenic features and its fauna and flora. At an altitude of 5895 above sea level, kilimanjaro is the highest in Africa the highest freestanding mountain in the world and of the largest volcanoes ever to burst through the earth' s crust.

The outstanding features are three major volcanic centers shira in the west 4269 meters. Mawenzi in East 5280 meters and the snow-capped kibo in the middle 5895 meters. The Park Forest has the significant number of Animals, mammals and birds and insects inhabit the area. Mammals include, Buffaloes, elephants, elands, dunkers, leopards, and baboons, blue Monkeys.

The ascent and descent takes five to six days and can be climbed by any normally fit person with the assistance of a guide and porters.The mountain has six hiking access routes through the Kilimanjaro Forest Reserve Marangu, Mwika, Umbwe, Machame, Shira and Rongai.

Rubondo Island National Park
Walking, Boat Excursions, Bird Watching, Fishing, Relaxing ...
Rubondo Island, in the southwest of Lake Victoria, is Tanzania' s tenth National Park and the only one in Lake Victoria. The 240 square km island provides a unforgettable experience for visitors, including the main island and 11 smaller islets, combining the breathtaking natural beauty of a forest refuge with the relaxing tranquility of sandylake-shore beaches. The Island is some 28 km in length along the north-south axis and between 3 and 10 km wide. Lake Victoria covers 68,000 square kilometres and is the largest lake in Africa and the second largest in the world - comparatively it is twice the size of The Netherlands.

Rubondo Island boasts a unique diversity of flora and fauna. Only here can the visitor be sure of seeing Sitatunga and have the chance of observing small gangs of chimpanzees. Other mammals frequently seen include hippos, otters, bushbucks and vervet monkeys. Rarer sightings are genet, colobus, marsh mongoose and suni antelope (dikdik). Rubondo is a paradise for bird-lovers, with nearly 430 species documented on the island. The diversity of habitats, from open woodland to papyrus swamps and evergreen forest, together with its geographical location in the heart of Africa, attracts numerous resident and migrant species. The islan dhas an abundance of herons, storks,egrets, ibises, cormorants, kingfishers, flycatchers, bee-eaters, hornbills and birds of prey, including the highest density of fish eagles anywhere in the world.

The wide variety of invertebrates and diversity of plants species makes Rubondo a fascinating place for naturalists. Fabulous butterflies create a kalei-doscope of colour in the forest together with thespectacular seasonal displays of orchids, fireball lilies and red coral trees. Visitors have the freedom to explore the forest and lake shores by foot or boat allowing each person to discover his or her own magic of Rubondo and to leave with a uniquely personal experience of the island.

Gombe Stream National Park
GOMBE STREAM: Close to the shores of Lake Tanganyika some 16 km from Kigoma town lies Gombe National Park one with unique features and attractions. It stands out as a park without roads where you have to walk and experience nature in its original form. It is ideal for visitors who want to view wildlife without distracting them with the sounds of engines.

The park vegetation varies from evergreen forests of tall trees to open woodlands and grasslands. Common mammals found in the park are Forest Primates. These include chimpanzees, baboons, blue monkeys, red tailed monkeys and red colobus monkeys.

ACCEBILITY AND VISITOR’S FACILITIES:
By rail, air and in dry season by road. There is a hotel and campsite within the park and good hotels in Kigoma town.

Best Time to Visit
All year round by the right means of transportation

Mahale Mountains National Park
The other sanctuary of the chimpanzees is the Mahale Mountains National Park, which is reached by boat from Kigoma. Covering an area of 1577 sq. kms. Its western boundary is the shores of Lake Tanganyika. The chimpanzee population is in the park is estimated to about 1000. Which can be seen in groups of 5 – 30 chimpanzees at a time.

The park vegetation is mainly Miombo woodlands with narrow strips of riverine forest. The park enjoys the habitat of a variety of primates including: yellow baboon, vervet monkey, red and blue colobus monkey, as well as over 200 species of birds. Thick forest, crystal clear waters and deserted sandy beaches make Mahale one of the most beautiful National Parks in Tanzania.

Ruaha National Park
One of the country’s best-kept wildlife secrets is in the Ruaha National Park covering an area of 13,000 sq. kms. The country’s 3rd largest park and is also the biggest elephant sanctuary. Its name derives from the Great Ruaha River, which flows along its border and creating spectacular gorges. Hippos and crocodiles inhabit the river.

The park is also known for its concentration of lesser and greater kudus. Bird life is prolific; over 370 species have been recorded. Some of which are not found in Northern part of Tanzania. Best months for game viewing are July and November and the park has an airstrip for light aircrafts on the western bank of the river. The park is also known for its concentration of greater and lesser kudu, its roan and sable antelope and its rich bird life; more than 400 species of birds have been recorded.

Selous Game Reserve
Is the largest in Africa, an uninhabited area size of Switzerland. It is a home for elephants, as well as common species and a number of hippos and crocodiles. The Rufiji River system the greatest in East Africa flows through the reserve. The park gets its name from the Hunter-Explorer, Fredrick Courtney Selous.

Whose books about his exploits were best sellers in Victorian, England. Walking Safaris, game drives and boat trips are organized and the best time to visit is in June and October. Fishing is allowed in the rivers of Kilombero Game controlled area to the west of the reserves where tiger fish and vandu can be landed. Most of the visitors fly from Dar es Salaam