A Thumb Sketch Outline of Tanzanias Attractions and National Parks

The Northern Circuit is probably Africa's most dramatic wildlife area. Game safaris never fail to satisfy with the thrill of the big game; they also offer diverse flora, panoramic landscapes and spectacular mountains; the game migrations across the plains defy description. The Serengeti is an 'Immortal Eden' where nature reigns - vast endless plains echo with thundering hooves of over two million migrating wildebeest.Ngorongoro crater heralded as the 'eighth wonder of the world' is an awe-inspiring caldera; enclosed by sheer walls the crater is breathtaking; this Garden of Eden flourishes with flora and fauna. The Northern Circuit has other equally exceptional game sanctuaries such as Tarangire National Park, which during the dry season has teeming herds of wildebeest, zebra and gazelle passing through in search of water; and patiently the predators follow these grazers; Tarangire also boasts many hundreds of bird species. Lake Manyara National Park where tree-climbing lions sprawl on stout limbs of acacia.

The lovely Arusha National Park nestling against Mount Meru; Lakes Natron and Eyasi are soda lakes that are as fascinating as they are remote and Olduvai Gorge known as the cradle of humankind; so come and let us take you on a safari of a lifetime in Northern Tanzania.The Southern Circuit is off the beaten track. It is said that Tanzania even now has undiscovered nature secrets.

This is not an exaggeration and the seldom-traveled southern circuit offers safaris that evoke the romance, enchantment and spiritual delight of the African bush. The Selous Game Reserve embraces 54,000 square kilometers of southwestern Tanzania; it is the largest protected wilderness reserve on the continent, three times larger than the Serengeti. There is also Udzungwa Mountains National Park, which is a park without roads and is Tanzania's first National Park created primarily to protect flora rather than fauna. Other parks in Southern Tanzania are Ruaha National Park, Mikumi National Park and the Southern Highlands close to Lake Nyasa [Lake Malawi].Chimpanzee trails at Lake Tanganyika along the almost inaccessible Lake Tanganyika ? the world's second deepest lake ? lay two exceptional game parks which are home to troops of chimpanzee. Gombe Stream National Park and Mahale Mountain National Park provide a rare opportunity to observe and study behavior of one of the most interesting area the world has to offer.

Kilimanjaro "As far as you can see, as wide as the whole world and unbelievably white as the sun" This is Kilimanjaro through the eyes of Ernest Hemingway. At 5895m Kilimanjaro is Africa's highest point and the world's highest freestanding mountain. Incredibly, the snow-capped peak is only a few hours away from a tropical coastline. It is fascinating to experience this mountain as it raise majestically above the hazy African plains and trekking to the summit from equatorial Africa to artic conditions; passing through tropical rain forest, moorland, alpine desert onto snow and ice.Routes for climbing Kilimanjaro are: - Marangu, Rongia, Machame, Mweka, Umbwe and Shira Plateau. Anyone above the age of 12 years, physically fit enough to walk 20 km per day may attempt to climb this mountain.

Zanzibar never fails to evoke the exotic, the magic of ancient times, from early explorers and missionaries, to slave traders and colonial rulers. All this is mirrored in Stone Town and its historical architecture and the rich ethnic mixture of its culture. In the towns' narrow streets, every sight, every glance conjures up the romantic past. Beyond Stone Town clad in spice gardens are silver sandy beaches bejeweled by superb resorts. Zanzibar is a tropical paradise that dreams are made from; pristine beaches, unspoiled reefs, fantastic sport fishing and romantic dhow cruises make Zanzibar the ideal place to relax after your safari.The scintillating coast crystal seas, sun bleached white sands give Tanzania's cost a scintillating appearance.

The palm fringed coastline look out over the warm turquoise waters of the Indian Ocean. Tranquil coral lagoons shelter underwater coral gardens, boasting some of the best diving in the world; Tanzania and Zanzibar welcome you to explore a diving paradise. Ancient ruins rest among whispering easuarinas and palms enticing you to explore. Take time to discover the bustling city of Dar es Salaam: Bagamoyo an old slave port north of Dar es Salaam: Pangani famous for game fishing at the Pemba Channel and to the south is Kilwa with its fascinating medieval ruins and remote white beaches.

For more information see http://www.betheladventure.co.ok and http://www.aardvark-expeditions.

com ? working in Aruhsa Tanzania using tourism to fund Community Initiatives.

By: Ian Williamson