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This month, we take a look of
Tanzania Southern Circuit National Parks – The itinerary of the month is a 7 day
safari which will take you to the Southern Tanzania National Parks including
Mikumi National Park, Udzungwa Mountains National Park, Ruaha National Park and
Selous Game Reserve, within these seven days you will be exploring the quite
environment with a lot of wild animals and beautiful landscapes, these parks
have few visitors and have a lot of attractions, just come and see....
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Mikumi
National Park:
About Mikumi National Park:
Size: 3,230 sq km (1,250 sq
miles), the fourth-largest park in Tanzania, and part of a much larger ecosystem
centred on the uniquely vast Selous Game Reserve.
Location: 283 km (175 miles)
west of Dar es Salaam, north of Selous, and en route to Ruaha, Udzungwa and (for
the intrepid) Katavi.
Attractions:
Mikumi National Park; Swirls of opaque mist hide the advancing dawn. The first
shafts of sun colour the fluffy grass heads rippling across the plain in a
russet halo. A herd of zebras, confident in their camouflage at this predatory
hour, pose like ballerinas, heads aligned and stripes merging in flowing motion.
Mikumi National Park abuts the northern border of Africa's biggest game reserve
- the Selous – and is transected by the surfaced road between Dar es Salaam and
Iringa. It is thus the most accessible part of a 75,000 square kilometre (47,000
square mile) tract of wilderness that stretches east almost as far as the Indian
Ocean.
The open horizons and abundant
wildlife of the Mkata Floodplain, the popular centrepiece of Mikumi, draw
frequent comparisons to the more famous Serengeti Plains.
Lions survey their grassy
kingdom – and the zebra, wildebeest, impala and buffalo herds that migrate
across it – from the flattened tops of termite mounds, or sometimes, during the
rains, from perches high in the trees. Giraffes forage in the isolated acacia
stands that fringe the Mkata River, islets of shade favoured also by Mikumi's
elephants. Criss-crossed by a good circuit of game-viewing roads, the Mkata
Floodplain is perhaps the most reliable place in Tanzania for sightings of the
powerful eland, the world’s largest antelope. The equally impressive greater
kudu and sable antelope haunt the miombo-covered foothills of the mountains that
rise from the park’s borders. More than 400 bird species have been recorded,
with such colourful common residents as the lilac-breasted roller,
yellow-throated longclaw and bateleur eagle joined by a host of European
migrants during the rainy season. Hippos are the star attraction of the pair of
pools situated 5km north of the main entrance gate, supported by an
ever-changing cast of waterbirds.
How to
get there:
A good surfaced road connects
Mikumi to Dar es Salaam via Morogoro, a roughly 4 hour drive. Also road
connections to Udzungwa, Ruaha and (dry season only) Selous.
Charter flight from Dar es
Salaam, Arusha or Selous
What to do:
Game drives and guided walks.
Visit nearby Udzungwa or travel on to Selous or Ruaha.
When to
go:
Accessible year round
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Udzungwa
Mountains National Park:
About Udzungwa Mountains
National Park:
Size: 1,990 sq km (770 sq
miles)
Location: Five hours (350
km/215 miles) from Dar es Salaam; 65 kms (40 miles) southwest of Mikumi
Attractions:
Brooding and primeval, the
forests of Udzungwa seem positively enchanted: a verdant refuge of
sunshine-dappled glades enclosed by 30-metre (100 foot) high trees, their
buttresses layered with fungi, lichens, mosses and ferns. Udzungwa is the
largest and most biodiverse of a chain of a dozen large forest-swathed mountains
that rise majestically from the flat coastal scrub of eastern Tanzania. Known
collectively as the Eastern Arc Mountains, this archipelago of isolated massifs
has also been dubbed the African Galapagos for its treasure-trove of endemic
plants and animals, most familiarly the delicate African violet
Udzungwa alone among the
ancient ranges of the Eastern Arc has been accorded national park status. It is
also unique within Tanzania in that its closed-canopy forest spans altitudes of
250 metres (820 feet) to above 2,000 metres (6,560 ft) without interruption. Not
a conventional game viewing destination, Udzungwa is a magnet for hikers. An
excellent network of forest trails includes the popular half-day ramble to Sanje
Waterfall, which plunges 170 metres (550 feet) through a misty spray into the
forested valley below
The more challenging two-night
Mwanihana Trail leads to the high plateau, with its panoramic views over
surrounding sugar plantations, before ascending to Mwanihana peak, the
second-highest point in the range. Ornithologists are attracted to Udzungwa for
an avian wealth embracing more than 400 species, from the lovely and
readily-located green-headed oriole to more than a dozen secretive Eastern Arc
endemics. Four bird species are peculiar to Udzungwa, including a forest
partridge first discovered in 1991 and more closely related to an Asian genus
than to any other African fowl. Of six primate species recorded, the Iringa red
colobus and Sanje Crested Mangabey both occur nowhere else in the world – the
latter, remarkably, remained undetected by biologists prior to 1979.
Undoubtedly, this great forest has yet to reveal all its treasures: ongoing
scientific exploration will surely add to its diverse catalogue of endemics.
How to get there:
Drive from Dar es Salaam or
Mikumi National Park
What to
do:
From a two-hour hike to the
waterfall to camping safaris combine with nearby Mikumi or en route to Ruaha.
When to
go:
Possible year round although
slippery in the rains, the dry season is June-October before the short rains but
be prepared for rain anytime
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Ruaha
National Park:
About Ruaha National Park:
Size: 10,300 sq km (3,980 sq
miles), Tanzania's 2nd biggest park
Location: Central Tanzania,
128km (80 miles) west of Iringa
Attractions:
The game viewing starts the
moment the plane touches down. A giraffe races beside the airstrip, all legs and
neck, yet oddly elegant in its awkwardness. A line of zebras parades across the
runway in the giraffe's wake. In the distance, beneath a bulbous baobab tree, a
few representatives of Ruaha's 10,000 elephants - the largest population of any
East African national park, form a protective huddle around their young.
Second only to Katavi in its
aura of untrammelled wilderness, but far more accessible, Ruaha protects a vast
tract of the rugged, semi-arid bush country that characterises central Tanzania.
Its lifeblood is the Great Ruaha River, which courses along the eastern boundary
in a flooded torrent during the height of the rains, but dwindling thereafter to
a scattering of precious pools surrounded by a blinding sweep of sand and rock.
A fine network of game-viewing roads follows the Great Ruaha and its seasonal
tributaries, where , during the dry season, impala, waterbuck and other
antelopes risk their life for a sip of life-sustaining water. And the risk is
considerable: not only from the prides of 20-plus lion that lord over the
savannah, but also from the cheetahs that stalk the open grassland and the
leopards that lurk in tangled riverine thickets. This impressive array of large
predators is boosted by both striped and spotted hyena, as well as several
conspicuous packs of the highly endangered African wild dog.
Ruaha's unusually high
diversity of antelope is a function of its location, which is transitional to
the acacia savannah of East Africa and the miombo woodland belt of Southern
Africa. Grant's gazelle and lesser kudu occur here at the very south of their
range, alongside the miombo-associated sable and roan antelope, and one of East
AfricaÆs largest populations of greater kudu, the park emblem, distinguished by
the male's magnificent corkscrew horns. A similar duality is noted in the
checklist of 450 birds: the likes of crested barbet, an attractive
yellow-and-black bird whose persistent trilling is a characteristic sound of the
southern bush, occur in Ruaha alongside central Tanzanian endemics such as the
yellow-collared lovebird and ashy starling.
How to
get there:
Scheduled and/or charter
flights from Dar es Salaam, Mikumi, Selous, Serengeti, Arusha, Iringa and Mbeya.
Year-round road access through Iringa from Dar es Salaam (about 10 hours) via
Mikumi or from Arusha via Dodoma
What to
do:
Day walks or hiking safaris
through untouched bush, stone age ruins at Isimila, near Iringa, 120 km (75
miles) away, one of Africa's most important historical sites
When to
go:
For predators and large
mammals, dry season (mid-May-December); bird-watching, lush scenery and
wildflowers, wet season (January-April). The male greater kudu is most visible
in June, the breeding season
**********************************
Selous Game Reserve:
About Ruaha National Park:
This is the enormous park in
Tanzania as well as Africa, and the second largest in the world covering an area
of 45'000 km2. Its location is almost to the South of Tanzania. River Rufiji is
one of the rivers that are found within the park and used to locate the park
Attractions:
There're supposed to be over a
million animals in the park, which is probably best known for its large numbers
of elephants. There are also rhinos among other animals that you are likely to
see including the buffalos, lions, hippos, African wild dogs and crocodiles,
while over 400 species of birds have been recorded which include the herons,
fish eagles, kingfishers, various waterfowls and birds of prey. Other
attractions include the Great Rufiji River, Stiegler's Gorge. You can also see
and view the beauty of Selous Reserve by foot (walking) and by boat aside the
use of road
Selous Safaris; walking
and boating, and fly camping; The freedom to take walking and boating safaris
within the conservation area means that guiding standards are also especially
good and can extend to include excellent options to fly-camp overnight in the
bush
Selous Wildlife; The spectrum
of wildlife here is diverse, all the more interesting because its southern
location attracts a unique combination of East and Southern African wildlife,
both resident and migratory, and particularly a curious and colourful assortment
of over 440 known species of birds. The intricate waterways and tributaries of
the Rufiji River Delta attract a healthy population of elephant, and are packed
full of grunting hippopotami and yawning crocodile that lumber ominously into
the water at the first sound of a boat. The banks attract different sized herds
of plains game depending on the season, as herds disperse after the rains and
then regroup when the water sources concentrate and they are forced to venture
into the open to drink, so risking predator attacks with the protection of the
crowd.
Selous Scenery; The scenery is
pleasantly varied, with unusually green grasses and tangles of vegetation, and
inspires a film depleting string of photographic moments with each turn in the
path. The river routes are characterised by legions of tall Borassus Palms along
the banks that grow up to 25m tall, and leave a tall headless totem when the
water courses change direction and they become too thirsty to survive. The same
demise is thought to explain the spooky silhouettes of ancient Leadwood trees
that remain preserved intact when they die after up to two millennia of life,
leaving a skeletal perch for songbirds and raptors. The Selous conserves a
surprisingly colourful African landscape, and the white forms of the leadwoods
are in stark contrast to the surrounding vibrancy of well-watered greens and a
ranging palette of sandy terracottas that reflect the moods of the sun on the
waters
How to
get there:
There are a number of
approaches to the park.
Air: The most convenient is
certainly by air and there are airstrips at all the camps in the park.
Road: You can use the
Dar es Salaam - Kibiti - Mkongo road. Kibiti is the last place you will be able
to get petrol. It is then 30 km form Kibiti to Mkongo, where a west turning will
take you on to the final 75 km to Mtemere gate. It will take about 7 - 8 hours
by road from Dar. The other road you can take is the Dar es Salaam - Morogoro -
Matombo - Kisaki road, which will take you into the north section of the park -
from Kisaki it is 20 km to Matambwe Gate. This route is a total of 350 km and
will take 8 - 9 hours. The road to Morogoro is rough, should only be attempted
in the dry season and will require a 4WD vehicle.
Train: Take the TAZARA
railway as far as Fuga. From here, by prior arrangement, someone from the lodges
will collect you. This may be expensive unless you get a group together to share
the costs.
When to
go:
Accessible year round
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Southern Tanzania Safari
Including Selous and Ruaha National Parks – 7 days 6 nights safari
Customize: This package can be
customized
Duration: 7 days
Accommodation: Lodge
Game Parks: Mikumi National
Park (Tanzania) Udzungwa Mountains National Park (Tanzania) Ruaha National Park
(Tanzania) Selous Game Reserve (Tanzania)
Activities: Game Drives, Game
Viewing,
ITINERARY:
ARRIVAL
DAY
Arrive
at Dar es Salaam International Airport with your home flight, meet and greet at
the Airport with our driver guide and transfer to Holiday Inn for dinner and
overnight. Accommodation is on full board basis
Day 1: MIKUMI NATIONAL PARK
Transfer from Dar es Salaam to
Mikumi by road for a game drive. Mikumi National Park is the closest National
Park to Dar es Salaam and is nestled between the Uluguru Mountains to the
northeast, and the Rubeho Mountains, Udzungwa Mountains and Rift Valley
escarpment to the south west. As part of the Selous ecosystem, it benefits from
the highest game density of the entire conservation area. Dinner and overnight
at Vuma Hills Tented Camp. Accommodation is based on full board
Day 2: UDZUNGWA MOUNTAINS NATIONAL PARK
After breakfast drive to
Udzungwa, Hike to Sanje waterfalls. Udzungwa landscape includes several small
isolated mountain ranges. Each of these have a unique mixture of habitats and
animal species and none more so that the Udzungwa Mountains National Park. Home
to at least ten species of primate and several recently discovered species of
bird, a rainforest trek here will be one you never forget. Picnic lunch at
Udzungwa. In the evening return to Vuma Hills Tented Camp for dinner and
overnight. Accommodation is based on full board
Day 3: RUAHA NATIONAL PARK
Fly from Mikumi to Ruaha for
the full day game drive. Ruaha National Park, remote with a dramatic topography
of mountains, river and plains. It’s ragged beauty is only outmatched by the
variety and density of wildlife and exotic birdlife. Dinner and overnight at
Ruaha River Lodge. Accommodation is based on full board
Day 4: RUAHA NATIONAL PARK
After breakfast continue with
morning and afternoon game drives at Ruaha National Park. Dinner and overnight
at Ruaha River Lodge. Accommodation is based on full board.
Day 5: RUAHA NATIONAL PARK
After breakfast continue with
morning and afternoon game drives at Ruaha National Park. Dinner and overnight
at Ruaha River Lodge. Accommodation is based on full board.
Day 6: SELOUS GAME RESERVE
Fly from Ruaha to Selous game
reserve for full day game drive. Selous is the largest game reserve in Africa -
4 times the size of the Serengeti. It possesses a diverse landscape from hot
volcanic springs, sporadic lakes, channels from the Great Ruaha and Rufiji
rivers. Walking is permitted (with an armed ranger) which with over 350 species
of bird and 2,000 species of plants to see makes this the most heavenly
sanctuary to explore. Also Selous is famous for its elephant, hippopotamus and
rhino.
The park has a broad range of game: buffalo - the largest population in Africa;
Nyasaland gnu; brindled gnu; hartebeest; Greater Kudu; sable antelope; eland;
reedbuck; bushbuck; waterbuck; warthog; zebras; giraffe; and wildebeest. Also:
lion, leopard, the spotted hyena and hunting dog are in abundance; cheetah are
rare; there are over 350 species of bird and reptiles such as crocodiles and
various snakes and lizards. Dinner and overnight at Rufiji River Camp.
Accommodation is based on full board.
Day 7: SELOUS GAME RESERVE
After breakfast continue with morning and afternoon game drives with your packed
lunch at Selous Game Reserve. Dinner and overnight at Rufiji River Camp.
Accommodation is based on full board
DEPARTURE DAY
After breakfast fly back to Dar es Salaam, arriving Dar es Salaam airport at
noon and then connect to your flight back home.
End of Tour
COST BREAKDOWN
-
US $4,437 per person. 1Pax
-
US $3,665 per person. 2Pax
-
US $3,304 per person. 3Pax
-
US $3,242 per person. 4Pax
and above
Note that:
The costs above are based on
people sharing a double or triple room if single room will be needed there will
be a single supplement of US $280
Cost above includes:
-
Domestic
Flights and airport taxes from; Mikumi - Ruaha - Selous - Dar es Salaam
-
All
accommodation in the parks (Lodges)
-
Accommodation
upon your arrival day at Holiday Inn
-
Airport
transfer on your arrival day
-
Transport on
a 4x4 Land cruiser or Land rover during game drive in the park plus transfer
from one park to another
-
Catering on
safari (based on 3meals a day), soft drinks and water
-
Park fees to
all parks
-
Service of
Professional English Speaking driver guide
-
Activities as
stipulated in the program above
Cost above excludes:
-
International
flights to/from Dar es Salaam International Airport
-
Extras at the
lodges i.e. drinks
-
Items of
personal nature/use i.e. telephone, laundry, etc
-
Tip(s) to the
driver guide
-
Visa fees and
departure taxes
-
And all not
mentioned in the program above
Get back to us for more
information about this tour and steps forward to book the safari!
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