Macho Ya Tanzania Ltd. - The Tanzanian Tour and Safari Operators

The Mkomazi-Umbwa Game Reserve joins the adjacent Tsavo National Park in Kenya. The Pare and the Usambara Mountains form the boundary in the south. The two mountain ranges in the background scenery, alternating from scrubland to grassland, are the reason for a such an imposing and breathtaking landscape. Although there are not as many animals as in some of the more well-known national parks, the wonderful landscape more than compensates for this.
Besides a multitude of other game, it has the largest population of Gerenuk antelope in Tanzania. Bird enthusiasts can observe approximately 400 different species of bird life. Mkomazi-Umbwa is also famous for it's breeding projects of African wild dogs and the reintroduction of the rare black rhino. Unlike some of the other parks, you are less likely to be sharing it with other visitors.

Kilimanjaro National Park

Size: 755 km²
Location: about 128 km from Arusha or about one hour's drive from Kilimanjaro Airport.

Kilimanjaro (Elevation: 19,335 ft), is the highest detached volcano on earth with its three summits Shira (3,962 m), Kibo (5,895 m) and Mawenzi (5,149 m). Different trekking routes are offered to the summit, and 'climbs' vary from 5 to 8 days, depending on the chosen route and your experience and fitness. In a matter of a few days you will traverse through several different climatic and vegetation zones, beginning from the low mountain slopes with tropical rain forests, through giant heather woodland, moorland, and up to the arctic desert on the saddle. Kibo, the summit, is clothed in glaciers. The 'climb', however, requires no mountaineering experience.
Different kinds of animals, like: elephant, giraffe, antelope as well as lion and leopard live on the slopes of the mountain forest but you are more likely to hear the black and white colobus monkeys or tree hyrax in the thick forest or glimpse a duiker on the moorland.

Arusha National Park

Size: 137 km²- the second smallest national park in Tanzania
Location: about 37 km from the town of Arusha.

The main attractions of this national park, besides Mount Meru, are its rich forests, the Momella Lakes around its base and the marshes of Ngurdoto Crater. Mount Meru is the second highest mountain in Tanzania, with a height of 4,565 m (15,000 ft). Climbing the mountain takes 3-4 days.
This is a haven for animals - buffalo, waterbuck, reedbuck, dikdik, duikers black and white colobus monkey, blue monkey, elephant, hippo, giraffe, warthog, zebra. Leopard, black rhino and hyena are present but rarely seen. There are over 400 species of bird and the lakes are well known for its water birds, especially flamingo.
This park was also the film location for the classic movie Hatari.

Tarangire National Park

Size: 2,600 km²
Location: 118 km south-west of Arusha.

The park is named after the Tarangire River which is the dominating influence in the distribution of animals in the park. Migration of herd animals towards the river in the dry season (July to Nov) and away from the river and out of the park during the wet season. By April, the animals are scattered over an area 10 times the size of the park. Large areas of the national park consist of open grassy savannah dotted with enormous long-lived Baobab trees. Acacia woodland, river grassland, flood plains, and swamps make up the rest of the park. With the exception of the black rhino which was poached out in the 1980's, all animal species that are likely to be seen in other parks will be found here. You can always expect to see a number of big game, such as: elephant, zebra, wildebeest, eland, oryx, and many other types of antelope. Because of the variety of habitats there have been 550 different bird species recorded in the park; about a third of the species found in Tanzania. Tarangire is an important breeding ground for migrating birds from Eurasia.

Lake Manyara National Park

Size: 330 km²
Location: 128 km west of Arusha.

Lake Manyara National Park lies directly below the Great Rift Valley. It is unique is its wide variety of different vegetation. Near the entrance of the park you'll experience a very scenic ground-water forest, which then gives way to an acacia forest with thick bush and then to open grassland. The lake, which gives its name to the park, occupies about two thirds of the park. The park is famous for it's "tree lions" which have become accustomed to resting or sleeping up in the trees. Also to be found in the park are large herds of buffalo, impala, baboon, as well as giraffe and, most of the time, elephants. To the delight of ornithologist enthusiasts, more than 400 different bird species are concentrated here. Another special attraction are the hot springs, called maji moto (hot water) in Kisuaheli.

Ngorongoro Conservation Area

Size: 8.288 km², of which 304 km² is Ngorongoro Crater.
Location: 190 km west of Arusha.

The world famous Ngorongoro Crater is situated in this protected area. It has a diameter of about 19.2 km. The rim of the crater is about 2,300 meters high, the floor of the crater is about 610 m lower. Most of the crater rim is wooded. Ngorongoro Crater is the second biggest caldera in the world and offers protection to some 25,000 animals. Prof. Grzimek once wrote: "There is nothing with which to compare. It is one of the wonders of the world...". After you've explored the crater, for the first time, you can only agree with that. On the floor are Lake Magadi and the Lerai Forest (yellow fever acacia). Most of the crater's floor is covered with grassland. Although there is some migratory movement in and out of the crater, most animals remain in the crater since it provides ample grazing and water supply all year round.
In the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, on the way to the Serengeti, lies the Olduwai or Oldupai Gorge where, in 1959, the "Zinjanthropus Boisei" skull was discovered.
Many extinct vulcanoes like, Oldeani, Lemagrut, Olmoti and Embakai are to be found in the Conservation Area.

Serengeti National Park

Size: 14,763 km² - the largest park in Tanzania
Location: 335 km north-west of Arusha.

Serengeti is the largest and oldest of the national parks in Tanzania lying on a high plateau between Lake Victoria in the west and the rift valley escarpment in the east. It is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Its name is derived from the Maasai word Siringit meaning endless plains. To the north is the Maasai Mara Game Reserve in Kenya, to the east is Ngorongoro Conservation Area the nearby Olduvai Gorge where the fossilized remains of several species of hominid have been unearthed. The largest concentration of wildlife in the world is to be found in the Serengeti. When the grassland loses its green lush in June/July, more than one million wildebeest, 200,000 zebras and 300,000 Thomson gazelle begin the world's largest mammalian migration of 800 km. By Sept the bulk of the migration has reached the north west part of the park and the Maasai Mara in Kenya and in November the herds turn back towards the south east of the Serengeti where they remain until the long rains in April. From Dec to March the wildebeest give birth to half a million calves. The timing of the migration varies from year to year and depends on the rains. Approximately 3 million animals and about 500 different bird species live in this national park - the world's highest animal biomass. The terrain of the park varies from: short and long grass, open plains in the south, the acacia savannah in the central area, the hilly, more densely-wooded northern sector, and the extensive woodland and black clay plains, dominated by a central range of mountains in the western corridor. The plains are dotted with rocky outcrops known as "Kopjes." Several rivers run through the park, notably: the Seronera River in the central area, the Grumeti river in the western corridor, and the Mara River in the north.

Rubondo Island National Park

Size: 240 km²
Location: North-west of Tanzania on Lake Victoria, 150 km west of Mwanza.

This national park with its nine smaller islands protects precious fish breeding grounds. One can find the shy, water loving sitatunga antelope and the dappled bushbuck, as well as introduced species, such as: chimpanzee, elephant and giraffe. Most of the park is humid forest, the remainder consists of papyrus beds and coastal grassland. 40 different orchids grow here.

Rumanyika, Ibanda, Burigi, Biharamulo und Moyowosi

Size: Altogether, these protected reserves encompass an area of approximately 14,500 km².
Location: North-west of Tanzania.

These five protected areas belong to the Kagera Kigoma Game Reserves Rehabilitation Project (KKGRRP).
These regions were not opened up to the public until recently and are may not be suitable for photo safaris due to the vast ruggedness. The landscapes are very versatile: Humid areas in the southern Moyowosi and along the Kagera River to acacia savannas. Mainly Miombo forests and dry montane forests grow in the north. The rare shoebill stork can be found in the Moyowosi Game Reserve, as well as Sitatunga, Sable and Roan antelope. Elephants migrate between Burigi and Moyowosi.

Gombe Stream National Park

Size: 52 km² - the smallest national park of Tanzania.
Location: western Tanzania, 16 km north of Kigoma on the shores of Lake Tanganyika.

A thin strip of ancient forest lying on the shores of Lake Tanganyika to the hills above, is the remnant of a once large chimpanzee territory. Gombe has become famous due to the British researcher Jane Goodall who has been studying these animals since 1960. Carnivores are a rarity and therefore this park is suitable for walking safaris. Olive baboons are common but red colubus and redtail and blue monkeys are less so. Bushbuck and duiker live here as do 230 species of bird.

Mahale Mountains National Park

Size: 1,613 km²
Location: south of Kigoma on Lake Tanganyika in western Tanzania.

A chain of six mountain peaks swathed in lush forest which dominate over the lake below. Besides different species of antelope some of the few, still free-living chimpanzees are to be found here. Around 1,000 of these fascinating animals roam the valleys and hills of the isolated rainforest. Much of this less-visited park is inaccessible by vehicle and the tourist is unlikely to see many of the animals that inhabit the park. Most visitors go on foot safaris to see the chimpanzees. There are nine other primate species as well as lion, leopard, elephant, zebra, warthog, buffalo, eland, roan and sable antelopes, giraffe, kudu, wild dog, hyena, hippo, as well as duikers, civets, mongooses, otters, genets, porcupine. The crescent azure coves of Lake Tanganyika appear like flashes of silk, and the park behind offers a wonderful view. Lake Tanganyika is home to more than 250 species of fish. The park is unique in botanicogeographic terms as it is the confluence of easten, southern, and western vegetation and wildlife. Here the congo type forests meet with the Miombo woodland that covers much of southern Tanzania and savannah vegetation that is more characteristic of northern Tanzania.

Katavi National Park

Size: 4,471 km²
Location: south-western Tanzania, east of Lake Tanganyika, adjoining Rukwa Game Reserve.

Katavi has the highest concentration of game in Tanzania, and yet is the least visited park by tourists. Here you can enjoy the feeling of an original safari as if you were the first to discover the wildest remote part of Africa. The park's main features are the watery-grassy plains to the north, the palm-fringed Lake Chala in the south-east, and the marshlands of the Katuma River. Nowhere in Africa is there a larger concentration of crocodiles or hippos. The park's other habitat include the Miombo and Acacia woodland in the north west. Herds of up to 1600 buffalo wander the short-grass plains. Other animals include: topi, lion, roan, sable, 4000 elephant, southern reedbuck, impala, leopard, eland, zebra, giraffe, and the rare puku antelope. More than 400 bird species are found in the park.

Ugalla River Game Reserve

Size: about 5,000 km²
Location: western Tanzania, in the east of Lake Tanganyika.

The last population of savanna chimpanzees is living here. This region is hardly yet developed. Due to much poaching from the refugees of neighbouring states, it's better to avoid visiting this region at the moment.

Rukwa Game Reserve

Size: about 4,100 km²
Location: boarders the south-eastern part to Katavi.

This protected area is still developing.

Lukwati Game Reserve

Boarders the north-western part to Rukwa Game Reserve and the western area of Lake Rukwa. There is a lot of interesting wildlife in these two protected areas such as: the puku, moorantelope, as well as genetic mutations like albino giraffe and zebra with oval patches instead of the common stripes.

Ruaha National Park

Size: about 10,300 km²
Location: central Tanzania, 128 km west of Iringa.

This relatively new and not much visited park possesses, along with it's 8,000 elephants, the largest population of all national parks. It owes its name to the life-line of this park, the great Ruaha River, where the wildlife concentrates. The Ruaha River runs along the entire eastern boarder, where it has carved out spectacular gorges and landscapes. It is home to an immense amount of crocodiles and hippos. Four different animal species live in Ruaha that can't be found living altogether anywhere else: The greater and lesser kudu and the sable and roan antelope. Over 500 species of birds can be found in this one park alone. Ruaha is the only national park where flora and fauna of eastern and southern Africa overlap.

Rungwa, Kizigo, Muhesi und Usangu Flats Game Reserves

Rungwa, Kizigo and Muhesi in the north of Ruaha National Park and the Usangu Flats Game Reserve in the south belong to the eco system of Ruaha. Rungwa and Kizigo are for the moment, inaccessible.

Udzungwa Mountains National Park

Size: about 1,990 km²
Location: 65 km south-west of Mikumi: 5 hours drive from Dar es Salaam.

The Udzungwa Mountains seem to be unearthly. Distinct plants and animals live in this magical forest which are not found in any other place in the world. Of it's six types of primates, two are endemic: The Iringa Red Colobus monkey and the Sanje Crested Mongabey, which were discovered in 1979. Four previously unknown bird species, including the rufous-winged sunbird and the new species of the partridge-like francolin, makes this one of the three most important bird conservation areas in the world. This great forest is yet to reveal all its treasures, waiting for further scientific exploration. This link in the chain of East Africa's eastern arc mountains, is perfect for hiking and climbing. It has trails through the rainforest and along the escarpment up to the plateau providing wonderful views of sugar plantations. The centrepiece is the Sanje River which plunges 170 meters from the forest to the valley below in a spray of mist.

Mikumi National Park

Size: about 3,230 km²
Location: 283 km west of Dar es Salaam.

Mikumi forms the northern border to Africa's biggest game protected area, the Selous Game Reserve. This park is well known for its big variety of game, like the very rare African wild dog. Mikumi is one of Tanzania's most popular game parks. The main feature of the park is the Mikumi flood plain, along with the mountain ranges that boarder the park on two sides. During the wet season many animals retreat to the Miombo woodlands which grow along the slopes of the mountains. The flood plains below are home to formidable herds of buffalo. Elephants of Mikumi are smaller than their relatives in the other parts of Tanzania, but they are still very imposing. The national park is distinguished for its many lions. There is also an important educational centre where students can study ecology.

Selous Game Reserve

Size: about 48,000 km²
Location: about 200 km south- west of Dar es Salaam.

Selous, with an area as big as Austria, can be considered Tanzania's most superlative park. The region covers 6% of the land area of Tanzania. Due to its terrific areas of untouched nature, mainly consisting of Miombo woodlands, as well as savannas with woodland and open grass plains. Selous is the greatest and at the same time Africa's wildest game protected area. It protects more than one million big animals. More than 60,000 elephants, 150,000 buffaloes as well as the endangered black rhino, African wild dogs, Liechtenstein hatrebeest, sable antelopes and greater kudu live here. Due to the large amount of lakes and especially the Rufiji River, there is an abundance of crocodiles and hippos. Typical for this park are the big amount of Doum and Borassus palm trees. The inland delta of the Rufiji River, regarded as the heart of Selous, can certainly be compared with the Okavango Delta in Botswana. Until now only the northern part is suitable for photo safaris, due to the prohibition of hunting only in this part. And because of the density of vegetation and restrictive network of roads, watching animals at close range isn't as good as in some other game parks. On the other hand, it has more untouched wilderness areas to explore.

Saadani National Park

Size: 1,148 km²
Location: 130 km north of Dar es Salaam: about 3 hour's drive.

This very young park, which was founded around the year 2000, is situated on the eastern coast of Tanzania, opposite to Zanzibar. With a little luck one can see elephants, buffalos or even lions on the shores of the Indian Ocean. One will not see as many animals as in the other parks but the landscape of this national park is fascinating with its Borassus palm tress, Doum palm trees, typical coastal acacias and mangroves. The most northern population of the Roosevelt sable antelope are found here. It's the only park where one can combine game viewing with beaching.

Interesting Areas

Usambara Mountains

The Usambara Mountains in north-eastern Tanzania, divide into East Usambaras, which end in the coastal area before Tanga, and the West Usambaras with Lushoto, the biggest town in the Usambaras, which was called Wilhelmsthal during the German colonial time. Many lovers of flowers will know the African violet which was discovered at the end of the 19th century and then started its triumphant spread around the world. The Usambara Mountains extend parallel to the Kenyan boarder in the north. These mighty mountains come up to an altitude of more than 2,000 meters. Above 2,000 meters even slight frost might occur, visible as a very thin layer on standing water. Many tourists are suprised to find a climate similar to that of Europe in the higher regions in contrast to the hot and dusty Maasai plains. Wonderful wanderings through forests, to waterfalls, plantations and up to various view points from where there is a fantastic view to the plains. On a clear day, even Kilimanjaro can be seen from the outermost western part.
Several restful lodges offer a pleasant setting for retrieve after a strenuous safari.

Pare Mountains

The outlining Pare Mountains, in north-eastern Tanzania situated close to Mt. Kilimanjaro, stretch parallel along the outlining Kenyan boarder. Similar to the Usambara Mountains, hikes can be organized through forests, to waterfalls, such as, the Thornton Falls. A climb to Shengena Peak, the highest peak of the Pare Mountains (2,462 m), is possible, as well as climbs to various viewing points which offer a breathtaking view to the plains of Mkomazi Game Reserve. Tours and visits to the local people in order to get learn about their culture can be organized as well.
A visit to Mkomazi Game Reserve can be easily done from the Pare Mountains.

Tanga and Pangani Region, the coastal country in the north-east

Tanga and Pangani Region, the coastal country in the north-east. This strip with its wonderful broad beaches, south of Tanga up to Pangani and beyond, matches the beauty and splendour to that of the beaches on the island of Zanzibar. There are a several beach-front lodges located along the coast which offer guests a very pleasant stay in a quiet scenic surroundings. One might think the beach belongs to oneself. This region is especially suitable for tourists who would want to spend some enjoyable and pleasant days at the ocean. Besides the lovely beaches the guests can go out on an Ngalawa, a medium sized fishing boat, and snorkel by the reef in crystal-clear waters.
The Amboni Caves are north of Tanga, a cave system with an area of 234 km² which extends to Mombasa in Kenya. They are cosidered the biggest cave system in East Africa. These limestone caves were once washed out by the ocean.
The town of Tanga was the scene of a big battle during the first world war. There still exist many buildings from the German colonial time. As tourism isn't wide-spread, it's no problem to walk in town without being bothered by anybody and then enjoy some samusas (hot minced meat or vegetables in a thin pocket of dough) in a local restaurant.

Zanzibar

Hearing this name conjures the imagination. It's interesting to note that many people don't know where to find Tanzania, but the name Zanzibar sounds all too familiar. This pearl of an island situated in the Indian ocean east of the mainland, is famous for its spices. That's why it is called quite often the spice island. Enjoy a one day "spice tour" to the regions where the spices are grown and enjoy the variety of exotic scents.
A walk through Stone Town, the picturesque old town, is a nice experience as well. Including the neighbour islands of Pemba and Mafia, Zanzibar is also a paradise for those that love swimming, diving, deep sea fishing, water sports and much more.
There are many wonderful lodges and hotels offering beautiful beaches to relax on. Zanzibar is the perfect end-point from a safari on the mainland, especially after a strenuous climb of Mount Meru or Mount Kilimanjaro.

Oldonyo Lengai

The Oldonyo Lengai with a height of 2,878 meters is the holy mountain of the Maasai, it's the "Mountain of God". Oldonyo Lengai is the only active vulcano in Tanzania. The big circular crater has a diametre of about 250 m. On the crater floor, hot air filled with carbon dioxyde fumes out of cone-shaped black funnels. The black lava bubbles inside the mountain at a temerature of 55°C and erupts in small thrusts. Oldonyo Lengai is the only vulcano on earth that ejects deep black lava. It's possible to organize climbs to the top.

Lake Natron

This lake without any outlet is situated in the north of Tanzania where its northern part ends in Kenya. It could be considered as a hot kettle in interior Tanzania. This shallow lake, about 60 km long and 20 km broad, is the only breeding place for the flamingos in the rift valley. The purple violet and red brown colouring of big parts of the lake are caused by algaes and purple bacterias. These are the nutritional basis for the flamingos, who build their nest mounds on the water surface. Periodically, Lake Natron dries out completely whereby its white surface resembles the desert in Arizona. On the eastern side of the lake is the massive Mount Gelai with a height of 2,941 m. The top regions are covered with a pleasant cool jungle which is an ideal haven for animals, such as: elephant, buffalo, leopard, bushbuck, and a variety of other species.