Gorilla Trekking Tours | Uganda Safaris and Tours
01 Jul 2023

Tsavo West National Park

Tsavo West National Park : Due to its spectacular scenery, abundant wildlife, good road systems, rhino reserve, opportunity for rock climbing, Mzima spring, and enjoyable guided hikes along the Tsavo River, Tsavo West National Park is better known as a safari destination.

The park, however, is situated on a sizable piece of land that extends over an area of roughly 9,065 square kilometers and is located in Kenya’s coast province in the western section of Nairobi. Despite the fact that Tsavo West and Tsavo East national parks are closer to one another than the other, the road from Nairobi to Mombasa and the railroad divide them.

They both provide adjacent ranches and protected areas that together make up the Tsavo conservation area, which is managed by the Kenya Wildlife Service, or “KWS,” which is also known as Kenya’s national park administration. Tsavo West National Park, on the other hand, is incredibly rich in biological diversity, which can be seen in the savannah ecosystem, which includes Acacia woodland, open savannah, scrubland, belts of riverine vegetation, and rocky ridges like the poacher’s lookout from which visitors can view the teeming herds in the open plains below.

Elephants, leopards, lions, hippopotamuses, lesser kudus, hartebeests, Cape buffaloes, Masaya giraffes, and Eastern black rhinoceroses are just a few of the wildlife species that may be seen in the park. There are also many different species of birds to be seen here.

Before Tsavo West was designated a gazette national park in 1948, the region was home to Waata hunter-gatherers, Maasai pastoralists, and Erma pastoralists. And at that time, the native population was evacuated to Mtito Andei, Voi, as well as other places in the nearby Taita hills. Following Kenya’s declaration of independence in 1963, hunting inside the park had to be outlawed in order to give Tsavo enough security to be protected by the Kenya Wildlife Service.

In addition to climbers who can enjoy the park’s cliffs as they explore elephants roaming the plains of Tsavo, sight see eagle, falcons, and vultures circling on thermals around the crag with Kilimanjaro, and this can be done on a clear day, Tsavo West National Park has become one of the most popular tourist destinations that draws photo tourists from all over the world who are interested in experiencing the true wilderness, remarkable terrain, and. Rock climbing is one of the best activities to engage in in Kenya’s national parks, and this is because to the rock’s sturdy gneiss cliffs, which are frequently covered in grips and unobstructed flora. The first climber, known as “Mastodon,” took three days to complete the ascent of the Tsavo Chimney, which is the world’s most magnificent rock formation that stands 300 meters tall from the east face of Kichwa Tembo. Since it frequently gets very hot on clear days, the climbing experience begins early in the morning.

Tsavo West National Park attractions.

It is gratifying to discover the ancient lands of the lions in 1898 while building the Uganda railway.

The breathtaking Mzima springs, which create the most enchanting and exciting spectacle on African soil.

The roaring rocks and Poacher’s Lookout provide a breathtaking vantage point from which to see the herd’s movement across the park.

A vivid volcanic area where molten lava from shetani lava, which was ejected from the earth roughly 200 years ago, can be found.

Ngulia Rhino Sanctuary

Due to poaching that started in the 1960s, there are now fewer black rhinos in this area than there were previously.

Lake Jipe sits

The ideal location for bird watching is along the Tanzanian border.

Game Watching

The best game watching in the world is available at Tsavo West National Park.

Activities to do in Tsavo West National Park

Game drive

Elephants, buffalo, black rhinoceros, hippos, lions, leopards, lesser kudus, masai giraffes, and other animals are among the wildlife species that can be spotted during a game drive, which is conducted in open savannah grassland and can be enjoyed in a 4×4 wheel vehicle.

Tsavo West National Park
Tsavo West National Park

Hot Balloon safaris

It’s incredible to discover the African wilderness from the air, and a balloon ride provides a fantastic aerial view of the region’s wildlife, bird life, hills, foliage, and much more.

Birding /nature walk

Tsavo features exciting paths where you may go on a nature walk experience and enjoy fantastic views of various bird species, like flamingos, the surrounding area, and animals up close, like elephants, among others.

Visiting local villages

The Masai people’s traditional dwellings and rewardingly different clothing code are really lovely to encounter.

Visits to Rhino Sanctuary 

Visit Tsavo West National Park and take part in a once-in-a-lifetime rhino tracking experience.

Cultural dances

The Masai culture dance is quite gratifying since you can watch them jump around and narrate stories while taking in their distinctive dance.

Accommodations in Tsavo West National Park

Nguli Safari Lodge, Kilaguni Safari Serena Lodge, Kitani Severin Safari Camp, Voyager Safari Camp, professional campsite, Simba Campsite, Chulu Campsite, Kamboyo Guest House, and many more privately owned lodges and campsites are available in the park for your stay in Tsavo West.

Getting to Tsavo West National Park

By taking the Mombasa Road, it is possible to travel 240 kilometers from Nairobi to the Mtito Andei Gate and other gates such as Tsavo and Lake Jipe.

Another choice is to fly from Wilson Airport, where you can reserve a domestic flight, but your dependable tour operator can handle this for you. The closest airport to the park is Maktau, and charter planes are a very real option for getting there.

Best Time to visit Tsavo West

All seasons are suitable for visiting Tsavo West National Park.

Visit this truly spectacular area of African wilderness right away to see the picturesque grandeur of the park’s wildlife and vegetation and to take home a memento of your time spent on the continent.

01 Jul 2023

Tsavo East National Park

Tsavo East National Park, the largest national park in Kenya, is a well-known safari destination for animal enthusiasts and nature lovers. It is located in southeast Kenya and has an area of about 13,747 square kilometers. Above all, with a combined area of 21,000 square kilometers, the two national parks Tsavo East and Tsavo West make up the larger game reserve sanctuary in Kenya. Tsavo is one of the top safari destinations for animal viewing because of the park’s broad savannah grassland and water source. On your safari to Kenya, you can see more than 500 different bird species in the park, which has a large population of wild creatures.

The physical features, birds, and wild creatures that can be found in Tsavo East National Park are its attractions.

River Galana

River Galana has been around for a while and provides a breathtaking view of Lungard Falls, as well as crocodiles and a variety of other creatures that may be seen along the river’s banks gathering for a drink. Elephants, lions, Kudus, dik diks, leopards, hippos, and crocodiles are a some of the species you can witness in person.

Kanderi swamp
This water body, which can be found in Tsavo East, offers a rewarding view of lions and elephants coming here to take mud baths and quench their thirst.
Yatte plateau: Yatte plateau is the world’s longest lava flow and it stretches along the western edge of the park. It is located close to the Garana River.

Aruba Dam

Aruba Dam has a lovely appearance and draws a variety of wildlife and aquatic bird species.

Animal species

Tsavo East National Park is one of the largest game reserves in the world and is home to a variety of species, including lions, leopards, elephants, buffaloes, rhinos, blue duiker, African wild dogs, African cheetahs, giraffes, African savannah hares, common elands, aardwolves, banded mongooses, Coke’s hartebeest, common genet, African wildcat

Tsavo East National Park
Tsavo East National Park

Activities in Tsavo East National Park

Game drive viewing

In the early morning when the sun has just risen, in the evening, at night, and during the day, the park offers breathtaking views of various wildlife species.Elephants, waterbucks, impala, spotted hyenas, buffaloes, baboons, warthogs, giraffes, and many other species can be seen during your morning game drive.You can witness nocturnal animals like bush babies, predators like leopards, and lions preying on smaller species when you go on a night game drive.

Camping

Travelers can spend the night in the outdoors while camping in Tsavo Ground, where they can hear lions roaring in the bushes and take in the splendor of the African sky.

Hot air balloon

It’s incredible to experience the African bush from above and be rewarded with aerial views of animals like elephants, buffaloes, and avian species.

Cultural dances

The Masai community, which offers a distinctive traditional culture, is all around the park. This is one of the most distinctive cultures in the world, and what makes them distinctive is their dress code. Additionally, their traditional dance is fascinating since people leap around when they dance, which is quite gratifying for tourists.

Bird watching

More than 500 different bird species can be found in the Tsavo East National Park, including the Somali bunting, Slender-tailed nightjar, Taita fiscal, Rufous chatterer, Pangani long claw, Northern brownbul, Fischer’s starling, African finfoot, Vulturine Guinea fowl, Somali Ostrich, Somali bee-eater, Red-bellied parrot, Martial eagle, and Black faced sandgrouse, among others.

Best time to go to Tsavo East National Park

All seasons are good for visiting Tsavo East National area, although the greatest time to see wildlife is from December to mid-March and from June to October, when the area is dry. The greatest time to go birding is during the park’s wet season, which runs from April to June and from October to November.

Accommodations, Lodges, and Tented Camps in Tsavo East

One of the most popular activities in Tsavo East is camping. The mid-range and luxury tents listed below offer breathtaking views of the surrounding natural beauty. Examples of these safari tented camps include Galdessa Safari Camps, Satao Camp, Patterson Safari Camp, and Crocodile Camp.

A traveler can stay in a distinctive safari lodge while on a safari tour in Tsavo East, however the cost will depend on the traveler’s budget. These include the Aruba Ashnil Lodge, Kipalo Hills, Kilalinda Luxury Lodge, Voi Wildlife Lodge, and Tsavo Safari Camp.

Tsavo East National Park access

The distance from Nairobi to the Mtito Adei Gate on the Mombasa Road, where one can reach the Tsavo East National Park, is roughly 240 kilometers.Then it traveled 290 kilometers to get to Tsavo Gate. Keep in mind that driving is quite gratifying because it offers stunning views of the countryside and nature.

Air transport

As an alternative, you might choose to fly to Voi Airstrip, one of the park’s airstrips, in less than 40 minutes.

Make your reservation today to learn more about the diverse species that can be found in the Tsavo East and to enter to win the best safari experience of a lifetime.

01 Jul 2023

Lake Nakuru National Park

The 4th largest town in Kenya, Nakuru, is the closest town to Lake Nakuru National Park, a very rewarding Kenya safari location for birding and game viewing experiences. The park has a total area of 188 square kilometers, of which Lake Nakuru makes up 45 square kilometers. It is located in the Kenyan Rift Valley, some 164 kilometers north of Nairobi.

Lake Nakuru, which is protected by the park, gives the park its name. The word Nakuru is a local dialect of the local Maasai language and means “a place of dust” or simply “dust.” Lake Nakuru was created as a national park in 1961.

The park is made up of savannah grasslands, mountains, and Lake Nakuru, which covers 45 square kilometers of the space. Alkaline Lake Nakuru is a striking feature of the park and a well-known location for bird watching in Kenya.

Millions of flamingos and other water birds can be found on the lake’s beaches, drawn there by the algae. With over 2 million pink flamingos residing on the lake’s shores and flourishing on the plentiful algae in its warm, saline waters, the national park is the best place in the world to see birds.

There are 400 different bird species that live in the Lake Nakuru national park’s savannah plains and along its shores, including pink flamingos, little grebes, ducks, white-winged black terns, stilts, avocets, goliath herons, hammerkops, pied kingfishers, African fish eagles, verreaux’s eagles, and many others.

Lake Nakuru national park

56 species of mammals have been identified in the park’s savannah grasslands, including lions, leopards, buffaloes, warthogs, waterbucks, Thomson gazelles, black and white rhinoceroses, zebras, impalas, deer, jackals, giraffes, wild dogs, and colobus monkeys.

A rhino sanctuary is part of the Lake Nakuru National area and is home to roughly 100 white rhinos and 50 black rhinos. Male rhinos in the area weigh an average of 2300 kg, while female rhinos weigh an average of 1700 kg.

Kenya safari activities to do in Lake Nakuru national park

Game viewing

One of the best places in Kenya for game viewing is Lake Nakuru National Park, which is home to a variety of gorgeous animal species that can be observed on game viewing safaris, making the experience worthwhile. The park offers morning and full-day game drives on a variety of trails that wind through the park. During a game viewing safari, guests may see lions, leopards, buffaloes, warthogs, waterbucks, Thomson gazelles, zebras, impalas, jackals, wild dogs, and rhinos among other stunning creatures.

When visiting the rhino sanctuary, which is home to approximately 100 white rhinos and roughly 50 black rhinos, the park offers visitors the chance to see the endangered rhinoceros (black and white).

Bird watching

A great place to go on a birding safari in Kenya is Lake Nakuru National Park, which serves as a haven for millions of pink flamingos drawn to the lake’s beaches by the algae. During a Kenya birding safari, visitors can see over 400 different bird species in the park, including the Abyssinian thrush, the Arrow-marked babbler, and many others. Bateleur, Godwits with black tails, Lapwing with black wings, Burning canary scrub robin with a brown back Crab-plover, European roller, Eastern imperial eagle crane with a grey crown Woodpecker with a grey head, Amazing snipe, a larger-spotted eagle, the grey-crested helmet shrike Starling of Hildebrandt, rufous sparrow of Kenya the lapwing vulture Maccoa duck, a lesser flamingo, a lesser kestrel, a long-tailed widowbird, White-eyes of Montane Arctic puffback, drab harrier, lark with a red cap The Rüppell’s robin-chat, the Rufous-throated wryneck, the Schalow’s wheatear, Slender-billed greenbul, shining sunbird, sooty falcon, weaver of Speke, Among others, White-fronted bee-eaters and the Western reef heron.

Lake Nakuru National Park
Birding in Lake Nakuru National Park

From November through April, when the park is in breeding season and many of the birds are in full plumage, is the greatest time to go on a birding safari in Kenya.

Walking safaris

The Lake Nakuru National Park is a breathtaking location for Kenya walking safaris. Walking safaris are a great way to explore many park areas that are inaccessible by vehicle. In the Lake Nakuru National Park, walking safaris are conducted primarily along the lake’s shoreline and the park’s savannah plains. As you stroll through the park, you may see lions, leopards, impalas, buffaloes, zebras, giraffes, and other animals as well as numerous birds, including flamingos, pelicans, and grey-headed woodpeckers.

ACCOMMODATION IN LAKE NAKURU NATIONAL PARK

There are several lodges and campsites in the park that provide accommodations for visitors on Kenya safaris. Luxury, Midrange, and Budget lodges and campgrounds are available in the park. Some of these are Sarova Hill Game Lodge, Flamingo Hill Tented Camp, Kivu Resort, Lake Nakuru Flamingo Lodge, and Ziwa Bush Lodge.

HOW TO GET TO LAKE NAKURU NATIONAL PARK

The park is a popular Kenya safari location since it is easily reached by both air and ground transportation. It can be entered through one of three gates: the Main gate, Lanet gate, or Nderit gate.

By Road: Using the Nairobi-Nakuru Highway, it takes 30 minutes to travel there from Nairobi, and along the way, you’ll be rewarded with stunning vistas of the Great Rift Valley. If you choose to travel by road, you must drive a 4X4 vehicle.

By air: It takes 25 minutes to fly domestically from Wilson Airport or Jomo Kenyatta International Airport to Naishi Airstrip.

30 Jun 2023

Mount Kenya National Park

After Mount Kilimanjaro, Mount Kenya National Park is the second-highest mountain in Africa. It was designated as a protected area in 1949 and is known by the moniker “Come touch the sky” due to its peak’s height of 5,199 meters. The 715 square meter protected area include the Kenyan mountain, the local fauna, and the forest reserve. The various vegetation zoning zones serve as excellent habitats for wildlife, particularly mammals and birds.

The mountain serves as a water catchment area for the park, collecting water from melting glaciers and natural springs. Rare and endangered species of wildlife can be found in the park. The plains wildlife and vegetation that resembles alpine vegetation have adapted to the high altitude. While on their Kenya Wildlife excursions, the visitors take pleasure in trekking the mountain, camping, and caves alongside the mountain’s rough glacier.

Before it was designated as a national park that included Mt. Kenya and the forest reserve, the park was initially the forest reserve. Just one year after being named a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1977, the entire region was then classified as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve in 1978. The Kenyan government primarily intended to conserve the park’s biodiversity, natural picturesque views, and most significantly, the water source that was so crucial to the community in the area. These goals led to the park’s gazetting.

How to get to Mount Kenya National Park

Using road transportation, it is extremely simple to travel the 175 kilometers from Nairobi to the Mount Kenya National Park. The Nanyuki-Isiolo Road is used by several public taxis and shuttles that travel daily to the Mt. Kenya region. One can cross through Naro Moru by way of Sirimon Track or Nyeri-Nanyuki route.

The park is also accessible via Chogoria on the Embu-Meru, which is located 150 kilometers north of Nairobi, the country’s capital. You can arrange for a private tour operator driver-guide to pick you up from your hotel in Nairobi. If local operators organize it, it will be simple for you even though it is expensive and offers numerous benefits to the guest, including safety and on-time arrival. If one wants to successfully arrive to the park or be dropped off close to the park gates when traveling by public transportation, one must be aware that there are often three roads that are highly suggested to utilize.

If using public transportation, the cost ranges from 500 to 800 Kenyan Shillings and dumps you off on the main road. The cost of a special hiring to get you to the park gates today ranges from 2000 to 8000 Kenyan shillings, depending on how far the first taxi left you. In the Mount Kenya National Park, there are four gates: the Kamweti, Marania, Burguret, and Themwe gates.

Domestic aircraft can also get you to the park, dropping you off at Nanyuki airfield, which is the closest airport. Your driver-guide will be there to welcome you at the airport, take you to the park gate so you can get cleared, and then start the day’s climb. Depending on your level of physical fitness, 3 to 4 days of hiking are recommended.

Vegetation of Mount Kenya National park

The Mount Kenya National Park’s vegetation is diversified because of the park’s various altitudes, which results in shifting vegetation zoning. The park’s vegetation is separated into various zones that alter as the altitude changes. Depending on how well each plant can acclimatize to the altitude, a different plant dominates each Zone. The majority of plant species at the Mountain have both their English names and the native Kikuyu and Embu names, which is unusual.

Mount Kenya National Park
Mount Kenya National Park

The Indian Ocean, which extends from the east to the south-east, is the source of the park’s damp weather. While the park’s surroundings are generally level and are covered by open savannahs and receive little rainfall, the hills that receive heavy amounts of rain are covered by dense bamboo growth. The native Kikuyu have now converted the open savannah to agricultural land. From broad savannah grassland through montane forest to bamboo and the Afro-alpine zone, the vegetation is ranked.

Arrangement of the vegetation Zone in Mt Kenya

Cultivated Zone

The Kikuyu converted this into agricultural land, but it is still covered by the open savannah grassland.

Montane Forest

As one ascends to an altitude of 2000 meters, they reach a montane forest that is dominated by Ocotea usambarensis. This comes after the grassland.

Bamboo Zone

This is a confined location with heavy rainfall that is located in the center of a mountain covered with bamboo trees.

Timberline Forest 

African rosewood dominates this area, which is located between 3,000 and 3,500 meters above sea level.

Heathland and Chaparral 

This can be found at an altitude of 3,200 to 3,800 meters. While the Chaparral can be found in the mountain’s drier regions, it primarily inhabits the area where the mountain is wettest. Erica predominates in heathland, while African sage does so in chaparral.

Afro-alpine Zone  

This mountain’s second-to-last vegetation zone spans the elevation range of 3500 meters to 4500 meters. Dendrosenecio Keniensis and Dendrosenecio keniodendron, two enormous species, dominate it.

Nival zone: 

This is the last zone with glacier and it is above 4500 meters.

Mount Kenya National Park’s attractions

Wildlife  

More species can be seen in Mount Kenya National Park, including large African Forest Elephants, Cape Buffaloes, monkeys, leopards, Dik-diks, and Forest Hogs among many others. Over 130 different bird species, predominantly woodland birds, can be found in the park.

Mont KenyaThe park’s main draw is the second-highest mountain in Africa. The mountain takes up approximately half of the park. The mountain may be climbed in 3 to 5 days, however the technical climbers usually reach the top first.

Mount Kenya National Park activities

The park is home to a number of amusing activities that enhance visitors’ trips to Africa. One can experience the actual wilderness of Africa by taking a safari to Mount Kenya National Park.

Many people are misled by the park’s name into assuming that it is primarily used for hiking, which is incorrect. As I mention in this essay, there are a number of things you may do in the park.

Hiking  

There are seven distinct paths up the mountain, and this is the main activity there. Naro Moru is the simplest and most well-liked of the seven paths. Sirimon, Chogoria, Batian, Nelion, Timau Route, and Burguret Route are more routes.

Game viewing 

Although the park is known for its mountains, it is also home to a variety of animals, including mammals like forest elephants, buffalo, and others. On the Keny safari vans, the passengers have pleasure in viewing game. They occasionally get to witness leopards and forest hogs.

Birding

More than 130 different bird species call the park home, the majority of which are forest birds and only a few of which are open savannah birds. Although they can be taken at any time of year, birding safaris are best taken in the rainy season when the birds are nesting and reproducing.

Scenic views  

Enjoy the sightseeing and beautiful mountain vistas, especially if you are a trekker rather than a hiker who can’t make it to the summit. As part of the Kenya Safari Tour, seeing the caves is also possible at the park, which is a wonderful experience.

Just a few meters from the Equator, the Mount Kenya National Park, which is dominated by Africa’s second-highest mountain, offers beautiful scenery. visiting the Kikuyu’s ancient divinity, Ngai. The residents still keep their doors wide and face the mountain because they think they receive a blessing from it. For religious ceremonies and other customs, the Kikuyu travel to the mountain’s slopes.

29 Jun 2023

Nairobi National Park

Nairobi National Park is located in Kenya, right in the middle of Nairobi, the country’s capital. This is one of the few national parks in Africa that are found in the city. In 1946, the park was created. Nairobi National Park, Kenya’s oldest protected area, lies only a few miles (7 kilometers) south of Nairobi, the country’s capital.

The park is recognized as “the world’s only wildlife capital” and is distinguished by short, open grass that allows even city dwellers in scrapers to enjoy free game viewing from the comfort of their homes. The park’s many flora types, which are interspersed with Acacia trees and some woods, are home to four of the big five African animals—the elephant is the lone exception. Over 400 bird species, including forest, savannah, and waterbird varieties, as well as about 100 animal varieties, may be found in Nairobi National Park.

The Nairobi national park is one of the smallest parks in both Kenya and all of Africa with a total area of 117 square kilometers. The park is home to the greatest number of black rhinos in the entire globe, not just in Africa. The park also has the moniker “Kifaru Ark” thanks to its effectiveness in protecting rhinos. Although the park includes more than 50 black rhinos and a well-known anti-poaching force, in 2013 August poachers infiltrated the area and murdered one rhino, followed by another in January 2014.

In comparison to other parks, the Nairobi National Park has the most successful game drives since visitors can readily spot lions and hyenas because park guards keep an eye on the lions’ movements to prevent conflicts between people and the big cats. This has facilitated or made it simpler for visitors to view the lions, but one must be lucky and patient to view the shy leopards and occasionally the cheetahs.

Attractions of Nairobi National Park 

The Nairobi National Park is home to a number of attractions, and the growth of these attractions across the park has been greatly influenced by the general vegetation cover of the park. The main draw includes animals. The only mammal species absent from the park’s nearly 100 species of animals are elephants, leaving 4 of the African big 5. Giraffes, Eland, zebras, gazelles, waterbuck, hippos, and many more creatures can also be found in the park.

Birds 

More than 400 different bird species, including migratory birds that travel during the rainy season to breed and then return home after breeding, can be found in the national park. In the park, there are also year-round people who live permanently. The three habitat types that are now existent in the park are split among the bird species. The majority of the park’s species are open savannah birds, such as Ruppell’s vultures, secretary birds, ostriches, long-tailed fiscals, bustards, and many others. Forest birds are found in the Southern region of the park, which is covered in forests. In the marshes of Nairobi National Park, there are several types of waterbirds as well. Common Moorhen, Black-headed Heron, Blacksmith Lapwing, among other waterfowl, are among them.

Predators

Predators are well-congregated in Nairobi National Park and are readily seen. Guests can easily spot lions during their game drives because rangers keep tabs on the lions’ movements. The list of predators also includes cheetahs, jackals, hyenas, and leopards.

Activities in Nairobi National Park

This has opened up a number of activities due to the park’s various attractions. The following are the main things that people do in the park:

Birding

Second only to the Masai Mara National Reserve, Nairobi National Park in Kenya offers one of the best birding safaris in the country. Although birding may be done all year long, the best time to do it is from March to May and November, when it tends to rain. Birds are nesting at these periods, and migratory birds are present, particularly those from European countries.

Game viewing

Despite being one of Kenya’s smaller parks, Nairobi National Park offers fantastic opportunities for game viewing. 4 of the African big 5 are visible. These include leopards, lions, buffalo, and rhinos. There are numerous more large animals in the park, such as hyenas, cheetahs, jackals, gazelles, and zebras. Depending on the guest’s available schedule, the game drives might be a full day with a packed lunch or a half-day.

Nairobi National Park
Nairobi National Park

Rhino Trekking  

The park holds the unique distinction of being the best black rhino preservation national park in the entire world. Over 70 black rhinos can be found in the park. One of the main things to do at Nairobi National Park is go rhino trekking.

City Tour 

 Nairobi National Park, which is in the center of the city, adapts its stunning views to Nairobi city tours so that visitors can unwind in the suburbs after a successful day in the bush. After a wildlife drive in the bush in the afternoon, city visits are possible.

One of the places that one might visit closely after business appointments in Kenya is the Nairobi National Park. You can go on all kind of quick but worthwhile safari excursions in Nairobi National Park. If you’re looking for anything to do to complement your visit to the capital of Kenya, look no further. The Nairobi National Park is where you’ll have the best time.

Among the places you can visit while on business in Nairobi is the Nairobi National Park. One might take a day trip to the Nairobi National Park for a safari that is highly rich in animals.

28 Jun 2023

Lake Manyara National Park

Tanzania’s Lake Manyara National Park, which spans along the 50km broad floor of the great east African rift valley, is a picturesque treasure on the country’s northern tourism circuit. The best time to see the rare tree-climbing lions of Tanzania, which can only be seen in Lake Manyara national park and Queen Elizabeth national park in Uganda, is when you visit Lake Manyara park.

Despite the park’s small size, it is something you do not want to skip while on a safari across Tanzania’s northern region. The national park is situated along the floor of the huge east African rift valley, beneath the Manyara Escarpment. One of Tanzania’s smaller national parks, Lake Manyara is located in the country’s northern region. It has a total area of about 330 square kilometers, of which the vast Lake Manyara occupies around 220 square kilometers.

Through the Kwakuchinja corridor, the park—a protected region rich in wildlife—is alternated with the renowned and serene Tarangire national park. Animals can now roam freely from Tarangire to Lake Manyara National Park as a result. Numerous animals can be seen along the main northern access route, especially in the direction of Lake Manyara and Serengeti national parks. Despite the national park’s tiny size, it includes several diverse ecosystems that serve as homes for numerous creatures, including birdlife, and also provide an amazing perspective.

When traveling to Serengeti National Park, the national park is situated along the northern road. The 126 kilometers south-west of Arusha that make up Lake Manyara National Park are reasonably accessible by road, but if you want to get there quickly, you should use air transportation. The extensive marang forest reserve, which is situated on an escarpment, borders the park. The Kwakuchinja animal migration corridor from Tarangire National Park borders Lake Manyara to the east. Lake Manyara Park is bordered to the west by Lake Mayara and to the north by the Engaruka Basin.

An alkaline soda lake makes up the national park, and its tree-climbing lions, which are rare in the northern circuit, may also be found in Queen Elizabeth National Park in western Uganda.

Activities in Lake Manyara National Park

Game viewing

The most popular and frequent activity in Lake Manyara National Park, as well as other national parks in the northern circuit, is game viewing. Because it is the only park on the northern circuit with a few tree-climbing lions, the park is special. On the Game Drive Safaris, the tree-climbing lions in Lake Manyara National Park can be seen hanging out in the enormous, ancient mahogany and the old candelabrum acacia trees with wide branches.

Tree Climbing lions

In addition to the lions that can scale trees, the Lake Manyara national park is also home to a variety of other animals, including giraffes, elephants, impalas, zebras, and baboons. During the big migration of the wildebeest, you may even be able to see some of them while on a game drive. Wild cats including lions, leopards, cheetahs, and hyenas that prey on the tiny herbivores live in the park. For safety concerns, it is preferable to use an armed ranger during wildlife drives in the Lake Manyara national park.

Lake Manyara National Park
Lake Manyara National Park

bird watching

Since Lake Manyara is home to a variety of bird species, including swamp birds, water birds, and forest birds that populate the lake’s shores, you may also enjoy bird watching there. The groundwater forest of this Manyara park is home to over 350 different bird species, including common flamingos, various storks, herons, egrets, cormorants, pink glossy ibis, sacred ibis long-crested eagles, spoonbills, and grey crowned cranes.

Guinea pigs, raucous silver cheeked hornbills, and crown eagles are among the other birds that live in the forest of Lake Manyara National Park. The dry season, which lasts from November to July and is when many migrating birds from southern Europe and northern Africa arrive in the park, is the greatest time to watch birds in Lake Manyara.

Canoeing

Another intriguing thing to do while visiting Lake Manyara park is canoeing. Despite being a salt lake, canoeing is allowed in Lake Manyara National Park on the lake itself. You can view several fascinating elements connected to this enormous lake when canoeing on Lake Manyara. Along the Lake Manyara shoreline, you may get a chance to witness the large silver bowls of salt deposits. While canoeing around Lake Manyara, you’ll get to see the stunning escarpment covered in a thick forest, as well as many water birds soaring above the lake.

Camping

Another activity you may engage in in Lake Manyara Park is camping, which is a really epic journey in the wilds of Africa. The park offers a large number of campsites in some of the most breathtaking locations. Five campgrounds in all are well-known, three of them are private and the other two are public. Bring your best camping equipment if you plan to camp in Lake Manyara; it will give the impression that you are on a true wilderness experience. All of the park’s camping areas are equipped with restrooms, running water, and a fine restaurant where visitors may savor delectable dishes made with a touch of African culture.

Guided nature walks

The park’s guided nature walks start from the woodlands perched atop the escarpment’s bluff. A knowledgeable park guide who knows the area well leads the way via the walking trails previously built in the national park during the nature walks. The guided nature walks will take you to some of the park’s most interesting locations, and they also give you a chance to see a variety of plants, trees, and birds, as well as Lake Manyara among other things. These excursions into the park’s natural surroundings are known as guided nature walks in Lake Manyara National Park.

Picnics

In the Lake Manyara National Park, picnics are truly epic, but the park also provides magnificent picnic sites that are free from all predators and tsetse flies. You must bring a packed lunch that you may eat while admiring the park’s natural environs, which include flora, warthogs, and birds. The park includes three main established picnic areas that are well-equipped with restrooms.

Best Time to visit Lake Manyara national park

The entire “to-do list” can be enjoyed at Lake Manyara at any time of the year. The dry season, which lasts from June to October, is the ideal time to visit the park. The greatest time to see wildlife in Lake Manyara park is during the dry season. For birdwatchers, however, the season lasts a long time, from November to July (for migrating birds). For the best Lake Manyara park excursions, you can make reservations with your preferred tour operator.

28 Jun 2023

Tarangire national park

A unique national park and one of Tanzania’s must-see locations, Tarangire National Park is situated in the Manyara region, some 118 kilometers from Arusha, the region’s principal city, and about 70 kilometers from Lake Manyara. Tarangire National Park is located on the Northern Safari Circuit and is conveniently located between Lake Manyara, Serengeti, and Ngorongoro Crater, making it an ideal layover location.

The 2,850 square kilometer Tarangire National Park is home to a diverse ecological system, including vegetation, animal life, bird life, and termite molds. The magnificent Tarangire River, which runs through the park and divides it in two, gives the area its name. Tarangire National Park was first established in 1957 as a national reserve and was later designated a national park. The topography of Tarangire National Park is peppered with the well-known sun-blistered termite mounds, grassy savannah plains, and wetlands. Tarangire River, the park’s sole permanent water supply, feeds the ecosystem and park itself. Thousands of animals, including over 3,000 elephants, wildebeests, zebras, impalas, and gazelles, flock to the Tarangire River to drink water, especially during the dry season (June to November). These animals travel to the river in quest of both water and green pasture.

Tarangire National Park is home to 58 species of large mammals that may be easily discovered in different parts of the park. During the dry season (June to November), the area also undergoes an annual elephant migration. Over 3000 elephants migrate into the park in search of green grass and water; this spectacular event is witnessed on the plains of the park and along the Tarangire River as they meander beneath baobab trees. As wildebeests, hartebeests, elands, impalas, zebras, and buffalo swarm into drying lagoons in quest of water, Tarangire National Park also hosts the highest number of species outside the Serengeti environment. Leopards, lions, cheetahs, elands, impalas, wild dogs, antelopes, fringe-eared oryx, grant’s gazelles, vervet monkeys, banded mongoose, olive baboons, larger kudus, and many other animals can be found at Tarangire National Park.

One of Tanzania’s most significant birding regions, Tarangire National Park is home to more than 550 different bird species. Birds in the park typically congregate among wetlands, forests, and the Tarangire River’s banks. These birds include Hoopoes, hornbills, yellow-necked spur fowl, crested francolin, lilac-breasted rollers, stripped swallows, swifts, cordon bleus, owl’s plovers, bee-eaters, starlings, kori bustards, bateleur eagles, steppe eagles, tiny pygmy falcon, white-faced whistling ducks, red-billed teals and many more.

The beautiful Baobab trees, one of the biggest trees on earth and known by a variety of names, are the reason Tarangire National Park is so well-known worldwide. Locally, Baobab trees are referred to as Mbuyu in the Swahili language. They are also known as bottle trees, rat trees, and monkey-bread trees. The entire Baobab tree in Tarangire National Park grows to a height of 30 meters, with trucks reaching 11 meters in diameter, and has a life expectancy of 6000 years. It has an unusually thick robust trunk with stunted root-like branches.

Safari activities to do in Tarangire national park

Game drives

There are five routes that can be utilized for game drives in Tarangire National Park: the Lemiyon route, the Gursi route, the Lamarku route, the western Lake Barungi route, and the Kitibong hill route. The park is home to a large concentration of animals. Game drives in Tarangire national park are offered as morning, afternoon and evening game drive, on this experience you are to spot numerous animals such as leopards, lions, cheetah, elephants, buffaloes, wildebeests, hartebeests, elands, impalas, wild dogs, antelopes, fringe-eared Oryx, grant’s gazelles, vervet monkeys, banded mongoose, olive baboons, greater kudus and many more.

Tarangire national park
Tarangire national park Elephants

Bird watching

More than 500 different bird species, both migratory and permanent, can be found at Tarangire National Park, making it a great place to go bird watching. In Tarangire national park the best spot for viewing birds are savannah woodlands, swamps along Tarangire River and Lemiyon triangle situated in the northernmost end of the park, birds spotted on this experience include martial eagles, bateleur eagles, long crested eagles, spotted eagle owls, fish eagles, ostriches, great white pelicans, tawny eagles, white-faced whistling ducks, superb starlings, white headed babblers and many more.

Nature walks

The picturesque environment and different vegetation zones of Tarangire National Park make for a wonderful nature walk experience. The park offers nature walks in the morning and evening that last between one and three hours. The magnificent baobab trees, a variety of birds in swamps like hoopoes, hornbills, yellow-necked spur fowl, crested francolin, lilac-breasted rollers, stripped swallows, swifts, and a variety of animals like elephants, antelopes, lions, and many more can all be seen by tourists during this safari experience along the Tarangire River’s banks.

Sightseeing

One of the most memorable safari activities is sightseeing in Tarangire National area, which offers breathtaking views of the surrounding natural environment, including the numerous swamps like Silale Swamp and the majestic Baobab trees that dot the area. A fantastic place to go sightseeing in the park is the 30 square kilometer Silale Swamp, which is home to a variety of wildlife including zebras, gazelles, elephants, and other bird species. Tarangire River, which is encircled by enormous baobab trees and wetlands, is another spectacular site to see in Tarangire National Park.

Cultural tours

The Masai tribal people and their own culture, norms, and traditions are fascinating to discover during cultural trips in Tarangire National Park. On cultural tours, you may learn about the nomadic lifestyle of the Masai people and see them producing beaded necklaces, anklets, earrings, and bangles as well as other local goods. The Masai settlements can be found along the park’s borders and the park itself is located next to a Masai valley. When doing cultural tours, you will come across the Masai people, who have a distinctive way of building their homes that are in circular shapes. They also have a stunning clothing code of colorful, brilliant shukas.

How to get to Tarangire national park

There are many lodging options in Tarangire national park, including luxury, midrange, and budget options. These include Nimali Tarangire tented camp, Acacia Tarangire luxury camp, Sanctuary Swala camp, Lemala Mpingo ridge lodge, Ecoscience Science center and luxury lodge, Tarangire safari lodge, Tarangire Sopa lodge, Ang’ata Tarangire camp, Kikoti tented camp, and Sangaiwe.

Accommodations in Tarangire National Park

The majority of safaris to Tarangire national park originate from Arusha city, and both road and air methods of transportation are used to reach to the park. Tarangire national park is situated on the northern safari circuit and readily visited through routes connecting to Ngorongoro crater and Serengeti national park. Public and private transportation is available from Arusha City to the park, and chartered flights are also available from Arusha Airport to Kilimanjaro International Airport.

28 Jun 2023

Ngorongoro conservation area

Located in the northern region of Tanzania, the Ngorongoro Conservation Area spans 8,292 square kilometers and is home to the largest inactive, empty caldera in the world. The Ngorongoro conservation region is home to a number of wildlife species, including the “big 5,” which consists of elephants, lions, leopards, buffaloes, and rhinoceroses. In this region of Tanzania, there are numerous different kinds of wildlife.

One of the astonishing facts of the Ngorongoro conservation area is that the volcano was almost as tall as Mount Kilimanjaro before it erupted over 2 million years ago, creating the Ngorongoro crater.

Another intriguing aspect of the Ngorongoro crater is the absence of giraffes from the diverse animals seen there. Giraffes cannot be observed on safaris surrounding the Ngorongoro crater because of the crater’s steep walls.

The Maasai people live in the Ngorongoro protected region and can be seen grazing their animals, including cows, goats, and sheep, in the highlands and on the green plains.

The Maasai are renowned for their distinctive culture and way of life. Interactions with the Maasai are part of the experience on safaris around the Ngorongoro conservation area, which also includes visiting the Maasai villages and homes made of mud, watching traditional dances, viewing local art and crafts, and learning more about the Maasai culture.

Ngorongoro conservation area-Tanzania

In addition to being a UNESCO world heritage site, the Ngorongoro conservation area features stunning scenery including savannah grasslands, woodlands, and forests. Another feature of the Ngorongoro crater is an alkaline lake in the center, where groups of flamingos and numerous other bird species can be seen.

Safaris to the Ngorongoro conservation area cost around 71 USD for park entrance fees and 295 USD for crater expenses.

Activities carried out around the Ngorongoro conservation area

Safaris around the Ngorongoro conservation area involve a variety of activities, including the following;

Visiting Maasai villages

The Maasai people, who live among the diverse wildlife species in the savannah of Ngorongoro, call the Ngorongoro conservation area home.

In the Ngorongoro reserve region, which is also home to the Datoga and the Hadzabe, the Maasai make up a sizable portion of the local population. While on safaris, visitors can engage with these natives and discover more about their traditions.

The Maasai are noted for their reliance on their livestock and for living as nomads. However, agriculture is also practiced by the Maasai who live close to the Ngorongoro protected area. The Maasai are employed as tour guides and also work in the hotels near Ngorongoro, where they play a significant part in the tourism industry.

The Maasai evaluate wealth in terms of the quantity of cattle that a person owns, which is an intriguing truth about them.

Game drives

Safaris in and around the Ngorongoro conservation region often include activities like game drives.

Ngorongoro conservation area
Ngorongoro conservation area

The adventure is a 600-meter descent into the Ngorongoro crater, where a variety of wildlife species can be viewed. Elephants, buffalo, lions, leopards, black rhinos, zebras, wildebeests, hippos, antelopes, waterbucks, hartebeests, kudu, hyenas, and warthogs are just a few of the animals that can be seen during game drives around the Ngorongoro conservation area.

Ngorongoro conservation area-Tanzania

Various periods of the year are suitable for game viewing in the Ngorongoro conservation area. For seeing animals at the location, the dry season from June to October is advised.

Crater rim experience

During safaris near the Ngorongoro conservation area, exploring the crater rim of Ngorongoro is an additional experience.

Visitors can enjoy breathtaking views of the crater and encounter a variety of wildlife species while on safari by participating in guided nature walks around the crater rim. This excursion is done with a ranger guide and can be done in the morning or the evening.

Hiking

Hiking tours of the Ngorongoro highlands are part of safaris in the Ngorongoro conservation area.

This activity can also be done in the vicinity of nearby craters, such as the Empakaai crater, which is located to the northeast of the Ngorongoro crater. Volcanic activity also contributed to the formation of the Empakaai crater.

Bird watching

Bird viewing is another activity that is done while on safari in the Ngorongoro conservation area. Flamingos, starlings, black-winged lapwings, vultures, Livingstone turracos, rufous-tailed weavers, secretary birds, ostriches, and many other wildlife species can be spotted in the vicinity of the crater.

Visiting Ol duvai gorge

A popular destination near the Ngorongoro conservation area, the Ol duvai gorge is also known as the “cradle of mankind.”

Ol Duvai Gorge is an archaeological site in northern Tanzania where findings of fossils and stone artifacts that show human evolution have been made. Dr. Louis and Mary Leakey were the ones who made these discoveries.

Visitors to safaris can also visit the Ol Duvai Museum, where some of the discoveries are on exhibit and more details are provided during the museum tour.

How to get to the Ngorongoro conservation area

Both a route from Arusha town and a flight from Kilimanjaro international airport can be used to reach the Ngorongoro conservation area.

Luxury lodges, midrange lodges, and budget lodges are all available for travellers to stay at when on safari in Tanzania’s Ngorongoro conservation region. These lodging options can also be found in nearby cities like Karatu.

The lodges and tented camps around the Ngorongoro conservation area include Ngorongoro Serena safari lodge, Ngorongoro wildlife lodge, andbeyond Ngorongoro crater lodge, Ngorongoro Sopa lodge, Rhino lodge Ngorongoro, Elewana the manor at Ngorongoro, Neptune Ngorongoro luxury lodge, Lemala Ngorongoro tented camp, Ngorongoro crater camp, Eileen’s tree inn, Hhando coffee lodge among others.

Travel to Tanzania and experience a wildlife safari while touring the Ngorongoro conservation region.

28 Jun 2023

Arusha National Park

One of Tanzania’s most remarkable national parks, Arusha National Park is situated in the country’s northeast, close to Arusha Town and the Kenya-Tanzania border. It is 35 kilometers by car from Arusha City, 58 kilometers from Moshi, and 35 kilometers from Kilimanjaro International Airport (KIA). The second-oldest national park in Tanzania, Arusha International Airport, is spread across an area of 552 square kilometers and features a variety of scenery in all directions. These landscapes include the funnels of the Meru crater, the Jekukumia River, and Mountain Meru’s peak in the west; the savannah-dominated Ngurdoto crater in the south-east; and the shallow, alkaline Momella lakes in the north-east.

Mount Meru, the second-highest peak in Tanzania after Mount Kilimanjaro, is part of the Arusha National Park. It is a volcanic cone that is thought to have erupted 3 million years ago. A spectacular crater called “Ngurdoto crater” is located atop this mountain, which is one of the most outstanding features in Arusha National Park. It is located at an elevation of 4,566 meters. The Ngurdoto crater, also known as the Little Ngorongoro, has a diameter of 3.2 kilometers and a depth of 300 meters. It is shaped like a basin and has extremely steep sides that are covered in dense jungle. Inhabitants of the marshy grassland at the bottom of the crater include buffalo, elephants, antelopes, baboons, leopards, monkeys, and many different species of birds.

Together with Lake Manyara National Park, Arusha National Park is the second-oldest park in Tanzania. The park owes its founding and existence to Count Teleki of Hungary, who visited the Momella region in 1876. When he first arrived, the area’s large population of hippopotamuses and black rhinos captivated him. The Trappe family also visited the area in 1907 and later built a farm there that they utilized as a cattle ranch. The farm and Ngurdoto crater were included in the territory of the park when it was formed as a national park in 1960, and in 1967 Mount Meru region was also included to the park. The Warusha locals who formerly lived in the region that now bears the name of Arusha National Park are the source of the park’s name.

In addition to its stunning scenery and natural features, Arusha National Park is home to over 400 different kinds of birds and a variety of mammal species. Arusha National Park is one of the top 6 places to visit in the world for wildlife viewing due to the high concentration of animals there. Some of the animals in the park include buffalo, zebras, warthogs, hippos, reedbucks, duikers, bush pigs, giraffes, dik-dik, leopards, elephants, wildcats, spotted hyenas, blue monkeys, and black and white colobus monkeys. The greatest places to see these creatures include the Mount Meru slopes, dark montane woods, the area around the Ngurdoto Museum, and Momella Lakes.

the number of birds Over 400 species, including forest species, migratory species that are present from November to April, woodland species, and water species along the Momella lakes’ coasts, may be found at Arusha National Park. These birds include flamingos, hammerkops, pelicans, white crested Tilt, African paradise flycatchers, grey headed bush shrikes, red-billed Oxpeckers, bronzy sunbirds, pied Avocet, black-winged stilt, African jacanas, African spoonbills, black-headed herons, Jacobin cuckoos, Levaillant’s cuckoos, crowned eagles 1690

Tourist activities in Arusha national park

Game viewing

One of the most memorable safari activities in Arusha National area is game viewing. The area is home to several kinds of large mammals that live in different vegetation types such savannah grasslands, woods, and along the Momella Lakes’ banks. During a game watching drive in an open-roofed vehicle, you can see a variety of creatures, including waterbucks, bushbucks, giraffes, leopards, elephants, buffaloes, dik-dik, zebras, and many others. There are three game viewing experiences available: morning, afternoon, and evening.

Bird watching

One of Tanzania’s most significant birding regions, Arusha National Park is home to over 400 different bird species, making birdwatching there a memorable experience. Flamingos, hammerkops, pelicans, white crested Tilts, African paradise flycatchers, grey-headed bush shrikes, red-billed Oxpeckers, bronzy sunbirds, pied Avocets, black-winged stilts, African jacanas, and African s The savannah grasslands, the shores of Momella Lake where flamingos congregate, and the slopes and base of Mount Meru all make excellent locations for bird watching.

Mountain Meru climbing

lovers of mountain climbing Mount Meru, the second-highest mountain in Tanzania and a magnificent mountain for mountain climbing adventure, is the ideal mountain for you to climb in Arusha National Park. The mountain’s Ngurdoto crater, inner wall cliffs, and steep rise from a circular base are just a few of its exquisite aesthetic features. Mountain climbing on Mount Meru is done by the Momella route, which is the only path leading to the mountain’s summit. This route begins at Momella gate on the mountain’s eastern flank and travels along the northern arm of the horsehoe crater. Utilizing the Momella route, Mount Meru may be climbed in 4 days, 3 nights.

Arusha National Park
Hiking up Mount Meru

Walking safaris

The Ujambo Wa Mbogo, also known as “the buffalo glade,” is the ideal place to conduct a walking safari in Arusha National Park. This area is dominated by marsh, bushes, and numerous streams that serve as a feeding ground for warthogs, buffaloes, and giraffes, all of which can be seen in this area. Walking safaris are a grand adventurous retreat that allow you to explore parts of the park that are not accessible by vehicle. Walking safaris are also conducted on a number of the park’s paths, including those that pass beneath Mount Meru and along the rim of Ngurdoto Crater.

Canoeing

Arusha National Park offers two sessions of canoeing on Momella Lake, each lasting about three hours and featuring beautiful scenery, wildlife, and a cool lake breeze. The morning session starts at 7:30 am, and the evening session starts at 4:00 pm. While canoeing, you can see Mount Meru clearly, as well as other wildlife including buffalo, bushbucks, giraffes, and hippos, as well as a variety of waterbirds like huge kingfishers, cattle egrets, and storks.

Horseback riding

Horseback riding takes about 5-7 hours, and while you’re on the back of the horse, you’ll see beautiful sights like Mount Meru and a variety of animals like elephants, leopards, buffaloes, and more. Horseback riding is a thrilling safari activity as well as an environmentally friendly way to tour and enjoy the adventure. A horseback riding excursion provides a wonderful opportunity to get up close to creatures like giraffes and to travel along areas that are inaccessible by car.

Accommodations in the Arusha National Park

The Arusha National Park is littered with several lodging facilities that provide travelers on safari with a place to stay. These facilities are available in luxury, midrange, and budget categories. Ngurdoto Mountain Lodge, the Africa Tulip, Arusha Serena Hotel, Resort and Spa, Ngare Sero Mountain Lodge, Momella Wildlife Lodge, Mount Meru Game Lodge, Hatari Lodge, Itikoni Seasonal Camp, and many more lodging options are available in Arusha National Park.

Accessing Arusha National Park

About 35 kilometers to the north-east of Arusha, the region’s capital, is where you’ll find Arusha National Park. Both plane and road travel are required to get to Arusha National Park, which requires a about 40-minute journey. Both private and public transportation are available by road. There are multiple daily buses that travel from Arusha city to Ngare Nanyuki village and stop at Ngongongare gate. Kilimanjaro International Airport serves as the landing point for flights to Arusha National Park; the park is 46 kilometers away from the airport.

28 Jun 2023

Mountain Kilimanjaro National Park

Tanzania is home to Mountain Kilimanjaro National Park. situated in Tanzania’s Kilimanjaro area, 190 kilometers towards the southern hemisphere. It has a boundary with the city of Moshi and is 1,688 square kilometers in size. Mountain Kilimanjaro, one of Africa’s seven natural wonders, is situated close to Kenya’s northern border and has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage site. The tallest peak in Africa is included in the national park. With its highest point at 5895 meters, Mount Kilimanjaro, also referred to as “the mountain of light,” is the highest point in all of Africa. The park is divided into five unique zones, one of which is the arctic zone, where there is a lot of snow over 5000 meters.

In 1973, it was gazetted as a national park. The German colonial rulers classified Mountain Kilimanjaro and the surrounding forest as a game reserve during the colonial era, when Tanzania was still known as Tanganyika. Up until 1973, when the Tanzania Parks Authority (TANAPA) designated it as a national park.

ANIMALS IN THE PARK

Mountain Kilimanjaro National Park is the ideal location for a traveler interested in wildlife safaris because it is home to a variety of unique wildlife creatures. The African big five can be found in the park.

ELEPHANTS

The elephant, or Loxodonta Africana as it is scientifically termed, can weigh between 6000 and 7000 kg and stand about 3 meters tall when fully grown. While female elephants are typically found in groups headed by a matriarch and surrounded by younger females and their children, male elephants prefer to live alone. The herds, which are headed by matriarchs, can have up to 110 individual female elephants, including moms, daughters, sisters, and aunts. Elephants live in the sub-Saharan flora and savannah grasslands. Elephants use extremely low frequencies that are inaudible to human ears to communicate over great distances. The mother elephant surrounds its offspring to protect them when they are in danger. Elephants can outpace humans despite their enormous size, and they are typically peaceful and kind until they are startled.

LEOPARDS

The leopard, often known as the “Panther Pardus,” is the best climber among the Big Five. The nocturnal carnivores emerge from hiding in the evening and night to search for prey, which they consume from the treetops to avoid attention from the lions and hyenas, as they spend the better part of their day hidden and finding it very difficult to do so during the day. Leopards frequently linger for a long time in one location. Because of the color of their skin, they can comfortably relax in the woods and caverns, which are their natural homes. They can readily catch prey thanks to their fast running speed of about 56 kph, their strength to jump over 3 meters in the air, and the fact that they are members of the cat family, which gives them keen eyesight. The leopards are excellent swimmers as well.

BLACK RHINOCEROS

The rhino is the second-largest mammal in terms of size, right behind elephants. As herbivores, rhinos live in meadows and travel in packs known as crashes. Their gestation period ranges from two to five years, and females usually give birth to single calves or occasionally twins. The bone calf is fed by its mother for roughly three years during its 18-month gestation period. Rhinos’ poor vision causes them to frequently knock things over. Rhinos have excellent hearing and smell senses despite having poor eyesight. When the female detects that the calf has been attacked, she can flee at a pace of 56 kph, weighing between 1800 and 2500 kg.

CAPE BUFFALOS

These animals are extremely deadly, always wandering alone. They are extremely hazardous because when they sense danger, they charge at breakneck speeds. The bulls stand when they are approached and then charge. The rainy season is when the buffaloes breed and give birth; the gestation period is 11.5 months. During its first five weeks, the baby is always hidden and cared for by its mother.

AFRICAN LION

The panther is known botanically. The most vicious animal in the jungle is the lion, Leo. These cats, who live in groups of up to 15, are gregarious creatures. Because to their strength, they are frequently referred to as the “king of the jungle.” Lions are significant in culture because they stand for power, bravery, and monarchy. While lions are gregarious creatures, they only prey on other animals when they need to survive. The thick mane and physical stature of the male lion help to differentiate it from the female, which appears to be smaller physically. Male lions weigh about 120 kg.

Giraffes, servals, hyenas, baboons, monkeys, antelopes, aardvarks, mongooses, honey badgers, tree hyraxes, and bush babies are among the numerous creatures in the park. Any traveler visiting the second-largest continent in the globe shouldn’t skip seeing some of the abundant wildlife that can be found there. The animals are divided into nocturnal and diurnal species. The majority of the animals eat and play throughout the day, making sunny afternoons the greatest time to watch them when they are forced to roam the park by the heat. The greatest time to see nocturnals is in the very early morning because they hurt during the night and have adaptations for that, making it dangerous for late-night game drives safaris.

BIRDS IN THE PARK

Because there are so many different flying species in East Africa, this area is known as a bird sanctuary. This is also true of Mountain Kilimanjaro National Park, which is home to several bird species that fill the air with music.

You can spot some of these common bird species when visiting the park.

TURACOS

These three species—Hartlaub’s Turaco, Schalow’s Turaco, and Violet Crested Turaco—are among those you might see at Kilimanjaro National Park. These sociable birds gather in groups of dozens and are frequently seen doing so. They mostly eat fruit and plant stuff for food. Gustav Hartlaub, a doctor from Germany, is the name of the Hartlaub. Hermann Schalow, a German financier, inspired the name Schalow.

AFRICAN PITTA

The “holy grail” of species, it is challenging to observe. It’s rare to catch a glimpse of it, despite its bursting bright colors. Their flanks, breast, and neck are mustard yellow, and their throat is a light salmon pink.Their dark green wings have accents of black, turquoise, and royal blue, while their underbelly and tail are scarlet.

CINNAMON CHESTED BEE EATER  

species is found near the edges of forests, on wooded hillsides, in clearings, and in gardens. Because it eats other flying creatures like honeybees, moths, butterflies, dragonflies, and beetles, it is sort of a predator.

NARINA TROGON

named for Frenchman Francois Le Vaillant’s mistress. The word for flower in Khoi Khoi is Narnia. The coloring of the sexes differs, with the soft brown and dull red of the females being less dramatic than that of the males.Males make a low, repetitive hoot when seeking to court females or protect their territory.

HORNBILLS

Additionally, you’ll be able to catch a glimpse of these unique bird species. The omnivorous hornbill consumes fruits, insects, small birds, rodents, tiny reptiles, centipedes, and centipede eggs.Although they frequently roost in couples, they have also been observed in large flocks of hundreds of birds.

KINGFISHERS

such as the African pygmy Kingfisher and the Malachite Kingfisher. These beautiful blue or green birds are mesmerizing. These covert, quiet birds build their nests either into a ground termite nest or tunnels made by both sexes in sandy soil banks.Both parents provide for the children.

Numerous varieties of cuckoos, chats, barbets, woodpeckers, starlings, sunbirds, shrikes, and flycatchers are among the other bird species found in the park.

Mountain Kilimanjaro is the park’s other main draw. The mountain was home to the well-known volcanic cones “Mawenzi,” “Kibo,” and “Shira.” The highest mountain in Africa, Mount Kilimanjaro, also happens to have the highest freestanding peak in the world at one of its summits. The Uhuru peak of the mountain is 5,895 meters high. The mountain Mount Kilimanjaro is also the most hiked. with a variety of unique ascent routes. This magnificent mountain’s presence gives the park extra flair.

ACTIVITIES

TREKKING AND HIKING MOUNTAIN KILIMANJARO

One of the primary activities at the Mountain Kilimanjaro National Park is this. This mountain may be hiked in a very daring fashion because hikers can witness a lot of wildlife along the way. Depending on your itinerary, climbing Mount Kilimanjaro can take you anywhere from 5 to 9 days. There are more than five ways to reach the top. Because this activity requires camping, it is typically done in groups. The mountain top is primarily covered in snow, and as the phrase goes, “the higher you go, the cooler it becomes.” Because of this and the fact that the temperature drops as you ascend, it is suggested to bring cardigans.

WILDLIFE  SAFARIS

The park is blessed with all five of the big African mammals as well as many smaller unique animal species. Through the regularly planned game drive safaris, visitors can see some of the park’s animals, some of which were already described. Through these wildlife safaris, visitors led by rangers and guides get a peek of the park’s creatures. The Shira Plateau and Chala Crater Lake are two noteworthy natural attractions that can be seen by tourists.

Mountain Kilimanjaro National Park
Mountain Kilimanjaro National Park

COMMUNITY WALKS AND NATURE WALKS

Because they bring you closer to the park’s animals, the nature walks are led by heavily armed professionals. Because the tourists experience nature up close, it is quite daring.

On the other hand, community walks are a great way to become more familiar with the area around Kilimanjaro National Park, especially the fascinating masai people. Any traveler should visit these because of their extremely intriguing way of life and social structure.

The Park is reachable by both land and air. The experience would be more exciting on the road. It takes about two hours to drive through Moshi Town from Arusha to the Kilimanjaro National Park. It is a 50-minute journey from Moshi. It is accessible to tourists throughout the year, though it is advised to go during the dry season, which lasts from June to October.

ACCOMODATION

In and around Mountain Kilimanjaro National Park, there are several excellent lodging options. The choices range in price from cheap to luxurious, depending totally on the traveler’s budget. The venues include Kaliwa lodge, Shu’mata camp, Kambi Ya Tembo camp, Fortune Mountain Resort, Ndarakwai camp, Snowcap Cottages, Kilimanjaro Mountain Resort, Babylon lodge, Aishi Machame hotel, Mount Kilimanjaro View lodge, Kibo Slopes Cottages, Kilimanjaro Halisi Retreat, Salinero Millie lodge, Kilinopark hotel, Kilemakyaro Mountain lodge, Kilimanjaro White House hotel among others.

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