Tarangire National Park 

Day after day of cloudless skies.
The fierce sun sucks the moisture from the landscape, baking the earth a dusty red, the withered grass as brittle as straw. The Tarangire River has shrivelled to a shadow of its wet season self. But it is choked with wildlife. Thirsty nomads have wandered hundreds of parched kilometres knowing that here, always, there is water.
Herds of up to 300 elephants scratch the dry river bed for underground streams, while migratory wildebeest, zebra, buffalo, impala, gazelle, hartebeest and eland crowd the shrinking lagoons. It's the greatest concentration of wildlife outside the Serengeti ecosystem - a smorgasbord for predators – and the one place in Tanzania where dry-country antelope such as the stately fringe-eared oryx and peculiar long-necked gerenuk are regularly observed.
During the rainy season, the seasonal visitors scatter over a 20,000 sq km (12,500 sq miles) range until they exhaust the green plains and the river calls once more. But Tarangire's mobs of elephant are easily encountered, wet or dry.
The swamps, tinged green year round, are the focus for 550 bird varieties, the most breeding species in one habitat anywhere in the world.
On drier ground you find the Kori bustard, the heaviest flying bird; the stocking-thighed ostrich, the world's largest bird; and small parties of ground hornbills blustering like turkeys.
More ardent bird-lovers might keep an eye open for screeching flocks of the dazzlingly colourful yellow-collared lovebird, and the somewhat drabber rufous-tailed weaver and ashy starling – all endemic to the dry savannah
of north-central Tanzania. Disused termite mounds are often frequented by colonies of the endearing dwarf mongoose, and pairs of red-and-yellow barbet, which draw attention to themselves by their loud, clockwork-like duetting.
Tarangire's pythons climb trees, as do its lions and leopards, lounging in the branches where the fruit of the sausage tree disguises the twitch of a tail.
About Tarangire National Park
Size: 2850 sq km (1,096 sq miles).
Location: 118 km (75 miles) southwest of Arusha.
Getting there
Easy drive from Arusha or Lake Manyara following a surfaced road to within 7km (four miles) of the main entrance gate; can continue on to Ngorongoro Crater and the Serengeti.
Charter flights from Arusha and the Serengeti.
What to do
Guided walking safaris.
Day trips to Maasai and Barabaig villages, as well as to the hundreds of ancient rock paintings in the vicinity of Kolo on the Dodoma Road.

When to go
Year round but dry season (June - September) for sheer numbers of animals.

 

 

© 2012 Tanzania National Parks

SAANANE ISLAND NATIONAL PARK

WELCOME TO SAANANE ISLAND NATIONAL PARK

Saanane Island is a fully fledged National Park since July, 2013, covering an area of 2.18 sq km comprises of three islets and aquatic environment.  The islets lie on the southern part of the main Island.
The park made a record of being the first ever National Park to be located within the City and the smallest National Park in both Tanzania and East Africa. The Park is the home of mammals like Impala, Rock Hyrax, Velvet Monkeys and Wild Cats. The presence of “De-brazas Monkey” underscores its potential as the only Park in the country inhabiting the species.  Reptiles are also dominant; they include crocodiles, Monitor Lizards, Agama Lizards, Pancake and Leopard Tortoises, Snakes particularly Python.
The aquatic part of the Park inhabits a variety of fisheries life, mainly Tilapia and Nile Perch.

LOCATION       

The Park is located 2km Southwest of Mwanza city centre, which lies in the Gulf of Lake Victoria (Latitude 2.5 S and Longitude 32 E).

GETTING THERE       

One can travel by road or air from either Dar es Salaam or Kilimanjaro International Air Ports to Mwanza.  Also can travel by road or railway to Mwanza City from Arusha, Dar es Salaam, Kigoma and Tabora. to mention a few. Moreover, people can travel by ship/vessel to Mwanza Port from Uganda, Kenya, Bukoba and nearby Islands.
The Island is accessed by a regular short boat ride for about 5 minutes from Park Offices, on the mainland. Park Offices are easily accessed about  15 minutes short walk from the City Centre.

TO DO

Saanane Island is an ideal place for game viewing, bird watching, rock hiking, boat cruise, walking, picnics, bush lunch, photographing/filming, meditation and sport fishing.  Special occasions like wedding, engagement, team building, family day and birthdays can also be organized.

BEST TIME TO VISIT THE ISLAND

All year round, birdlife is most varied and scenery greenest over Nov-March.  June-August is the dry season and great for picnics, game viewing and rock hiking.  

PARK FEES

Conservation Fees/Entry Fees

	East African Citizen	Non-EA Citizen	Expatriate
	Tshs.	US $	US $
16yrs and above	5,000	30	15
Between 5 and 16	2,000	15	5
Below 5	Free	Free	Free
Bush lunch (per head) excluding other fees	5,000	5	5

Boat Charges

	East African Citizen	Non-EA Citizen	Expatriate
	Tshs.	US $	US $
Return Trip for 20pax	35,000	35	35
Lake excursion 1 hr	161,000	100	100
Lake excursion 30 min	80,500	50	50

Other Fees

Video recording in the Island: 100,000 for East Africa and 100$ for non citizen.
Video recording at office compound: 50,000 for East Africa and 50$ for non citizen.
Hiring of ground for special occasions at office Dock: 500,000.
Note: All charges are subject to change any time.

Don’t miss to take a trip to this unforgettable paradise.

For more information please contact:
Chief Park Warden
Saanane Island National Park,
P.O. Box 11775,
Mwanza.
Landline: +255 28 2541819
Mobile: +255 689 062276 or +255 767 536139
Fax: +255 28 2501205
Email: saanane@tanzaniaparks.com

SAADAN NATIONAL PARK

 

Introduction

Located in the centre of the historic triangle of Bagamoyo, Pangani and Zanzibar, Saadani National Park covers 1100km square. It is the only wildlife sanctuary in Tanzania bordering the sea. The climate is coastal, hot and humid. It offers a unique combination of both marine and mainland flora and fauna in a culturally fascinating setting. About 30 species of larger mammals are present as well as numerous reptiles and birds. Besides many species of fish (over40), green turtle, Humpback whale and dolphins also occur in the ocean nearby.     
Gazetted in 2005, it encompasses a preserved ecosystem including the former Saadani game reserve, the former Mkwaja ranch area, the Wami River as well as the Zaraninge Forest. Many villages exist around the boundaries of the park. Before being included in the national park, the zaraninge forest was managed by the World Wide Fund for nature (WWF) whose goal was to preserve the extremely high botanical diversity of one of the last coastal rain forests remaining   in Tanzania.

History and Culture       

Saadani village once was an important harbour-town and slave trading center in east Africa. Now it is a small Swahili fishing village with about 800 inhabitants whose livelihood is mostly fishing. Other villages adjacent to the park make their living through farming especially coconut growing.
After periods of Portuguese and Arab domination, the region gained importance in 18th and 19th century following a rising international demand for ivory and slaves. The actual Saadani village emerged with towns like Bagamoyo and   Pangani as new trading centers connecting Zanzibar with long-distance trade routes from Tabora. At the end of the 19th century, Bwana Heri bin Juma was ruling Saadani. In oral tradition he is the mythological founder- hero of the village as he resisted all Zanzibari attempts to occupy the town and defeated the sultan`s troops in 1882. In 1886 the German protectorate`s borders were established. Two years later, the coastal people organized resistance against the Germans under the joint leadership of Abushiri bin Salim al Harth and Bwana Heri. On 6th June 1889 Saadani was bombarded and taken by Germans. Bwana Heri being considered by the Germans as an honorable enemy, he was told to rebuild Saadani.
Saadani`s and Bagamoyo`s caravan trade declined at the end of 19th century while  Dar es salaam  rose to be the most important trading centre of the coastal region. Commercial production along the coast, such as rice, sugar and copra, which were exported to Zanzibar and the Indian Ocean, disappeared after the German invasion. These were replaced by cash crops such as coffee, cotton and sisal for the European market. Following the transfer of the protectorate to the British after the First World War sisal, kapok, cashew estate and cattle ranches were established in the Saadani area. Ruins of stone houses still bear testimony to the former flourishing condition.
An old Germany boma (Government house) and several graves can still be found in Saadani.

Savannah

The humid savannah of Saadani National Park can be divided into three easily distinguishable types; tall grass savanna with herbaceous cover growing up to 2m and scattered palms; short grass grazing land mostly situated on former sisal plantation and black cotton plains where the clay soil creates particular harsh conditions.
Moreover different degrees of tree covers can be distinguished: typical for Saadani is Acacia Zanzibarica with its long spines, which cover large areas of the park.       
Inhabitants of the tall grass savannas are the buffalo which weight up to 850kg, several herds of hartebeests can be observed grazing in Saadan National Park.
he common waterbucks occur all over the park area. Weighting up to 270kg these grazers can be easily recognized by the white ring around their tails. The density of reedbucks is especially high in Saadani National Park, although this medium-sized antelope (45kg) might be difficult to spot in tall grasses where they lie down for shelter. Warthogs are also omnipresent and even come into Saadani village. As most of the villagers are Muslims, warthogs have learned that they will not be harmed.     
The tallest animals in the world and the National symbol of Tanzania: giraffes are numerous in Saadani National Park .Their tongues have special callus plates which make them particularly well adapted to browse on spiny acacia trees    
Large herds of white-bearded wildebeests also graze in the short grass savannas. They were released in the area in the 1970’s. Other introduced species are plains zebra and Eland.
The lion which is the largest of the Africa carnivores is also found in Saadan, although it is rarely seen. At night you may also hear the hyenas and encounter genets, porcupines and civets. Other species which can be observed within the perimeter of the park are bushbucks, bush pigs yellow baboons or velvet monkeys.

River and Ocean

From East to West, the open ocean with coral reefs changes to brackish water ecosystem characterized by mangrove forest, salt pans and bare saline areas. Further inland, the Wami River is the most important fresh water source beside numerous temporary rivers and dams.
At low tide the sea retreats up to 100meters and form a convenient passage for local people and wild animals. These beaches are the only places North of Dar-es-salaam where sea turtles still come to lay their eggs. The most common species is the Green Turtle, the largest of the hard-shelled sea turtles. Beside nest thieves on the beach, turtles are particularly threatened by commercial fisheries and water pollution. The marine extension of the park includes the Mafui sandbanks, whose colorful coral reefs are important breeding site for many fish species.
Evergreen mangrove trees grow in the transactional zone, just above the mean sea water level. These salt tolerant tidal forests provide a resting and feeding place for many birds’ species, bats, monkeys, hippos and reptiles. Numerous species of fish such as prawns also lay their eggs in these protected habitats.
The high demand for the resistance mangrove wood leads to over exploitation, making the protection of these forests even more important. In Saadani National Park, large mangrove forest grows along the Wami River. This is also the place where large group of hippos can be observed. Nile crocodile also live here. The Wami River is also a very good place for watching birds such as kingfishers, fish eagles and many species of wading birds

Forest and Shrubs

The less known coastal forest is characterized by a high biodiversity with many plants occur only this area (endemics). Forest plays an important role in protecting the soil against erosion and thus regulates the water cycle. Besides the two large forest of Zaraninge and Kwamsisi, many of the smaller patches of forest and shrubs represent an important habitat for animals.  These forests and shrubs are vulnerable to illegal logging, charcoal production and farming expansion.
In Saadani, elephants are relatively shy and usually hide during the day in woody parts of the park. Leopards are also found in dense bushes and trees (thickets). Seldom seen these animals are mainly nocturnal and can live in close proximity to humans. Other showy animals living mostly in woody areas are Greater Kudu and smaller antelopes such as Suni and Duiker. The crown of trees are inhabited by colubus monkeys which is almost like other monkeys, subsist mainly on leaves, strictly nocturnal bush babies as well as many fruits eating birds species, insect and butterflies.

Travel Information

By road

Saadani National Park is located roughly 45km North of Bagamoyo. The park will be easily accessible through Wami River from Dar es Salaam via Bagamoyo when the bridge that is under construction is complete. However, currently in order to reach the park from Dar es Salaam one has to drive a 200km via Chalinze-Msata road.
From the north, one can reach the park from Tanga city by crossing Pangani River with a ferry (75km /3hours drive). Zanzibar Island is about 40km away from the park.
There is a daily bus connection between Dar-es-salaam and Saadani village as well as Tanga and Mkwaja village.

By air

Transfer by air can be arranged to Mkwaja or Saadani airstrip.
NOTE; In rainy season (March-April), the muddy roads can make travelling in the southern parts of the park very difficult. It is advisable to inquire about the condition of the road before traveling.

Accommodation

TANAPA rest houses and bandas are available near Saadani village and at the park HQ at Mkwaja. There are several camping sites in the park such as along the nWami River (kinyonga), Tengwe and beach campsites.
There are other privately owned accommodation facilities inside and outside the park such as Saadani Safari Lodge, KISAMPA and a tent with the view.

Park Rules and Regulations

Because of the situation on the coastal part of Tanzania and many conflicting interests in the development of this region. Saadani National Park faces many threats to its survival. The most serious are poaching and ever increasing demand for land to feed a large and growing human population that border the park. Your behavior can be damaging as that of a poacher’s snare.
Driving off road where it is not allowed damages the fragile soils and plants of these sensitive ecosystems and can disturb species during critical breeding periods. You can help preserve Saadani National Park and its unique character by respecting our general rules and regulations hereunder:

• Keep to the 50kph speed limit. This is for your safety and the safety of the wildlife
• Driving at night is not allowed (7pm to 6am)
• Stay on the designated roads/tracks.
• Do not harass, feed or interfere with wildlife.
• Do not get out of/ stand on/ hang out of the vehicle near any animal 
• Green Turtles are endangered and their breeding sites are limited. Do not disturb the adult, hatchlings or nests on the beach.
• Coral reefs are sensitive habitats for marine life. Do not break off or walk on the fragile corals.
• Leave all plants, animals, skulls, bones, rocks, or any object in the park where they belong.
• Do not bring any animal, plant and /or any object into the park
• Picnic at authorized places. 
• Do not leave any trash behind: take it with you or dispose it properly.
•  Extinguish cigarettes in your vehicle’s ashtray to avoid bush fire
• Do not start fire unless at authorized camps
• Remember that the park gates open at 6am and close at 6pm.
• You enter the park at your own risk

The Management and Staff of Saadani National Park welcome and wish you a comfortable stay.

RUBONDO ISLAND NATIONAL PARK

 

Park establishment

Rubondo Island National Park was gazetted in 1977. It is an important breeding ground for both migratory birds and fish species (especially Tilapia and Nile perch) as for a long time it stood to be the only area in the waters of Lake Victoria which was well protected and preserved.

Wildlife

About 80% of the park is covered by a dense forest thus providing a variety of habitats to wildlife ranging from savannah, open woodland, papyrus swamps to dense forest. These habitats form a home for various wild creatures such as sitatunga, bushbucks, velvet monkeys, genet cats, spotted necked otters, hippopotamus and crocodiles which share the ecological niches with introduced species such as chimpanzees, elephants, giraffes, black and white colubus monkeys, suni and African grey parrots. The park is famous by holding a variety of migratory birds from different parts of the world and some birds native to the area are in Emin Pasha Gulf with the African fish eagles distinctly appreciated.

Location

The park is located on the south-western corner of Lake Victoria in Geita region about 150 km (95 miles) west of Mwanza city. The Lake (Victoria) is the second largest lake in the world. The Lake is also the source of the longest river in the world, River Nile.

Size

The park has 456.8 km2 of which 236.8 km2 is dry land and 220 km2 is water comprising of 11 small islets of varying sizes.

Park attractions

• A variety of water birds , Eurasian migrants and introduced African grey parrots
• High density of African fish eagles distinctly seen
• Animal species including Sitatunga, Elephants, Giraffes, Hippos, Bushbucks, Pythons, Crocodiles, Chimpanzees (not fully habituated), Bush pigs and Suni
• The Lake Victoria forming a spectacular sight for visitors with the deepest point in the lake (Irumo) forming part of the park
• Magnificent view of one of the last remaining representatives of evergreen dense primary lowland Congolese forest with a unique habitat mosaic in the midst of high biodiversity value
• Beautiful and attracting beaches such as Fly catcher, Mchangani and Michicoco
• Important gulfs of Irumo and Kamea
• Clear sighting of both sun rise and sun set
• Cultural sites such as “Ntungamirwe”, “Maji Matakatifu”, “Altare” and “Solo” which explain the life of natives who once stayed in the park
• “Birds Islands”, breeding sit for water birds
• Crocodile island

Getting there

Rubondo Island National Park can be reached both by charter/air and road
By road
The Park can be accessed by road in approximately 4 hours drive on a tarmac road from Mwanza to Geita and a morum road from Geita to Nkome. Visitors travelling through this route can be picked up by the park boat at Nkome, and will take a maximum of one an half hours cruising to Rubondo main island (Kageye, the park HQ). Another route is from Mwanza/Bukoba to Muganza/Kasenda village where it takes a maximum of five hours from Mwanza to Muganza/Kasenda and only two hours from Bukoba to Muganza/Kasenda (this route also connects Tanzania with the neighboring countries of Rwanda, Burundi, DRC, Uganda and Kenya). Visitors travelling through this route can be picked by the park boat at Kasenda village, and will take about 20 - 25 minutes to Rubondo National Park.
By air
Visitors who prefer to travel by air should check in advance with the tour operators in Bukoba, Mwanza, Arusha and Dar es Salaam for flight schedules to the island. Currently, Auric Air is only flight which has a route via Rubondo
from either Mwanza or Bukoba. The landing fees stands at Tshs. 15,000/- per one plane at Rubondo Airstrip. The park has a well maintained waiting lounge with toilet facilities where visitors can wait for the appropriate service upon arrival (being picked up by a vehicle to the point of accommodation) or waiting for the plane/charter during departure. Hours
The Park is open and operates the whole year through with the peak/high season from July to February (The best time for game viewing) and low season that commences on March through June. The park normally opens at 0630am and closes at 1800hours the time in which all visitors are supposed to be in hotels, bandas, lodges, campsites or any places sought for their accommodation.

Park fees

A) Park conservation - /entry fee per person for 24 hours

	East Africa	Non East Africa	Expatriate
	Tshs	US$
Of or above the age of 16	5000	30	15
Between the age of 5 and 16	2000	10	5
Children below the age of 5	Free	Free	Free

B) Camping fee (Public campsites) 

	East Africa	Non east Africa	Expatriate
	Tshs	US$
Of or above the age of 16	5,000	30	15
Between the age of 5 and 16	2,500	5	5
Children below the age of 5	Free	Free	Free

C) Camping fee (Special campsite)

	East Africa	Non east Africa	Expatriate
	Tshs	US$
Of or above the age of 16	10,000	50	25
Between the age of 5 and 16	5,000	10	5
Children below the age of 5	Free	Free	Free

D) Bandas & Rest house - fee per person per night 

	East Africa	Non east Africa	Expatriate
	Tshs	US$
Of or above the age of 16	25,000	35	17.5
Between the age of 5 and 16	15,000	15	8.75
Below the age of 5	Free	Free	Free

E) Permit for landing of Aircrafts

		Private Tshs	Commercial Tshs
Local registered
i	Up to 4 seater	10,000	15,000
ii	5 to 12 seater	15,000	20,000
iii	13 – 20 seater	20,000	25,000
iii	Over 20 seater	50,000	60,000

 and helicopters

		Private US$	Commercial US$
Foreign registered
i	Up to 4 seater	50	120
Ii	5 to 12 seater	120	170
iii	Over 13 seater	170	320

F) Filming fee US$ 250
G) Sport fishing (Paying for the activity)

	East Africa	Non east Africa	Expatriate
	Tshs	US$
Of or above the age of 16	10,000	25	12.5
Between the age of 5 and 16	5,000	10	5
Children below the age of 5	Free	Free	Free

H) Hiring of fishing rods (per rod) 

East African	Non east African	Expatriate
Tshs	US$	US$
10,000	20	10

I) Hiring of boat for sport fishing
 Hiring of boat for sport fishing is current/existing fuel price + 40% of the fuel cost consumed per trip
J) Boat excursion (paying for the activity)

	East African	Non east African	Expatriate
	Tshs.	US$	US$
Of or above the age of 16	10,000	20	20
Between the age of 5 and 16	5,000	10	10

K) Hiring of boat for boat excursion
Hiring of boat for boat excursion is current/existing fuel price + 40% of the fuel consumed per trip
L) Walking safaris - Short walks (1 to 4 hours)

	East African	Non East African	Expatriates
	Tshs.	US$	US$
Of or above the age of 16	5,000	20	10
Between the age of 5 and 16	2,500	10	5
Children below the age of 5	free	free	Free

M) Walking safaris - long walks (4 hours and above)

	East Africans	Non east African	Expatriates
	Tshs.	US$	US$
Of or above the age of 16	10,000	25	12.5
Between the age of 5 and 16	5,000	15	7.5
Children below the age of 5	free	free	free

N) Guide fee for walking safari and other tourist activities 

East Africa	Non residents	Expatriates
Tshs	US$	US$
15,000	20	10

O) Vehicle accident fee
All types of vehicles Tshs 200,000
P) Fine for over speeding in Tshs        
All types of vehicles                    50,000
Q) Fees for Tanzanian registered/non commercial motor vehicle, boat trailers and aircrafts in the park per year 

		Tanzania registered Tshs
		Tshs
i	Tare weight up to 2000 kg	50,000
ii	Tare weight between 2001 kg and 3000 kg	100,000
iii	Tare weight above 7001 kg	200,000
iv	Aircrafts	200,000
v	Tractors, trailers and boats	5,000

R) Boat hiring fees for transport to and from the park 

	East Africa	Non east Africa	Expatriates
	Tshs	US$	US$
Nkome - Kageye (to & fro)	240,000	185	185
Kasenda – Mlaga (to & fro)	100,000	100	100

S) Boat entry

One to 12 persons	More than 12 persons
Tshs	US$
15,000	50,000

T) Game drive 

East Africa	Non east Africa	Expatriates
Tshs	US$	US$
100,000	100

Permits: Request for special permits, Film Crews and Publications interested in obtaining special permits Please contact TANAPA through dg@tanzaniaparks.com

Accommodation in park:

Lodges: One lodge operating in the park, maximum capacity 20 pax per night, the lodge is under the management of Asilia lodges and camps, a privately owned company with its headquarter based in Arusha, specialized in tourism operations worldwide. Contacts; Tel: +255 689 131 591, Email: Rubondo@asiliatanzania.com, Skype name: rubondo1.
Bandas: Located about two kilometers from the Park headquarters with 1 unit of well maintained uniport with triple beds inside/self contained and 5 double bed rooms all self contained with hot shower service. Maximum capacity 13 pax per night.
Rest house: Owned by TANAPA and located about two kilometers from Park headquarters with 2 singles, 1 triple beds room and 1 double bed sized room all being self contained with TV and hot shower. Maximum/full capacity is 7 pax per night.
Youth hostel: Located at park headquarters. Capacity 36 persons (16 boys, 16 girls and two rooms with double beds to accommodated 4 teachers.)
Resting shelters: Four resting shelter located at bandas facing a magnificent view of the lake where visitors rest while enjoying the lake breeze during a day.
Dining and Kitchen: A well maintained and fully equipped facility comprising of dining and kitchen owned by the park, all visitors are advised to bring in some foodstuffs while the park provides kitchen and dining facilities. Note that, the place is self catering.
Campfire: The dining/kitchen facility faces a fireplace where fire is normally lit for visitors to stay nearby during evening times while enjoying their barbecue and drinks.
Shop: One shop owned by TANAPA Rubondo staff located at Park headquarters which sells some household items and beverages for both staff and visitor uses.
Public Campsites:
Mlaga campsite which can accommodate up to 30 persons one per night. (Not operating currently) Picnic Sites: Four picnic sites two of which being located at Maji matakatifu, one at Pongo view point and one at Mamba trail, they all face a spectacular view of the lake at different sights which together bring the aesthetic value of the park thus adding to visitors satisfaction.

Park Activities

Game Drives, Bird Watching, Walking Safaris, (Rangers required.  Can be arranged in advance through Park Office (See park fees), visitors are advised to carry some dry stuff while going for long walks. ¨

RUAHA NATIONAL PARK

 

INTRODUCTION

Ruaha national park is one of the few Tanzania’s famous wilderness area where one can have a rare experience of game viewing spiced up by the fascinating landscape. The park is rich of plants and animals such as Greater Kudu (Tragelaphus  strepsiceros) which can not be found in any other national park. The park boasts of her almost untouched and unexplored ecosystem, making visitors’ safari experience very unique.
The Great Ruaha River as other rivers like Mwagusi, Jongomero and Mzombe save as the life line of the park. During dry season, these rivers become mostly the main source of water for wildlife. There are few natural springs saving the same purpose.
In the pick of dry season, elephants obtain water from dry sand rivers using their front feet and trunks. The remaining water falls along the Great Ruaha River are also important habitat for hippopotamus, fish and crocodiles.

CLIMATE

Ruaha National Park has a bimodal pattern of rain forest; the short rainfall season begins November to February, while the long season is between March and April. The annual mean rainfall ranges between 500mm-800mm with the average annual temperature of about 280c. The park experiences its dry season between June and October when the temperature at Msembe headquarter reaches 350c.

PARK HISTORY

The park history dates back to 1910 when it was gazetted Saba Game Reserve by the Germany then the name was changed by British to Rungwa Game reseve in 1946. In 1964 the southern portion of the Game was gazetted as Ruaha national park and in 1974 a small section of South Eastern part of the Great Ruaha River was incorporated into the park. The name “Ruaha” originates from the Hehe word “Ruvaha”, which means “river”. Ruaha National Park is part of Rungwa-Kizigo –Muhesi ecosystem which covers more than 45000km2. In 2008 Usangu game Reserve and other important wetlands in Usangu basin have been annexed into the park, making it the largest park in Tanzania and East Africa with an area of about 20226km2.

PARKS SIGNIFICANCE

Ruaha National Park has a high diversity of plants and animals including elephants, buffalos, antelopes and some of rare and endangered species like wild dogs. The park serves as water shade both for wildlife and human being. This makes it to be economically significant as it supports agricultural activities down stream and contributes to hydro- electric power (HEP) for the country at Mtera and Kidatu dams.

TOURISM ATTRACTIONS

Birds

The park is one of the Tanzania birds’ paradise with more than 571species and some of them are known to be migrants from within and outside Africa. Migrating species from Europe, Asia, Australian rim and Madagascar have been recorded in the park. Species of interest in the park include Ruaha red-billed hornbill (Tokus ruahae) which is dominant in the area. The recently annexed wetland, the Usangu basin is one of the country’s important bird area (IBA) as recognized by Birdlife International. Though birds can be seen all the year around, the best time for bird watching is during the wet season.

Animals

Ruaha is believed to have high concentration of elephants than any national park in East Africa. It is also a place where, magnificent mammals like Kudu (both Greater and Lesser), Sable and Roan antelopes can easily be spotted in Miombo woodland. The male Kudu have beautiful spiraled horns while male Sable antelope have impressive curved horns. The park is also a habitat for endangered wild dogs. Other animals in the park include lions, leopards, cheetah, giraffes, zebras, elands, impala, bat eared foxes and Jackals.

Reptiles and Amphibians

Apart from large animals, the park also harbors a number of reptiles and amphibians such as crocodiles, poisonous and non-poisonous snakes, monitor lizards, agama lizards and frogs. The Great Ruaha and Mzombe rivers are presumably the most preferred habitat for crocodiles.

Vegetation

The park is characterized by semi-arid type of vegetation, baobab trees, Acacia and other species. There are over 1650 plant species that have been identified. The park is the transitional point of two vegetation zones, the Zambezian (characterized by Miombo vegetation) and Sudanian (characterized by Acacia vegetation).

Historical and cultural sites

There are several historical and cultural sites in the park which offer a visitor a chance to explore the Southern Tanzanian tribes. The early trade routes used by the Arab caravan crossed here. In 1830 these coastal traders expanded their routes northward, and in year 1857 to 1858 other European explorers such as Burton and Speke used these routes too. Chief Mkwawa used the same routes to visit his chiefdoms in Sangu and Gogo.
The park area often hailed as the land of the brave Chief Mkwawa, the Chief of the hehe people who resisted against the German attack in the late 19th century. The fierce and successful battle tactics against the German invasion made the Hehe tribe famous in the Southern highland of the then Tanganyika (Tanzania). The Hehe tribe under the leadership of chief Mkwawa was dominant around the Ruaha area. Some of the outcrops in the area are known as hiding places of chief Mkwawa who went into hiding after the fall of his empire (kalenga) to the German in 1894.
In brief, it is believed that, this ancient land (Ruaha National Park) holds many secrets of chief Mkwawa.
Some of the cultural sites that were used for rituals are “Ganga la Mafunyo”, Nyanywa and Chahe, Painting rock at Nyanywa, the “Gogo”  chief “Mapenza” grave at Mpululu and “Mkwawa” spring area believed to be used by Chief Mkwawa. Other historical sites near the park include Isimila pillars near Iringa town, Kalenga, Mlambalasi, Lugalo and God’s bridge just to mention a few.

Physical feature

Ruaha National Park has a wide range of physical features from the Great Rift Valley, river systems, natural springs, wetlands, hot water springs, and kopjes to the beautiful rolling hills and mountains.

Rivers

The river systems and watershed are of economical, social and ecological significance for the park itself and country at large. Main rivers include the Great Ruaha, Mzombe, Mdonya, Mwagusi and Jongomero.

Rift valley

The Great Rift Valley crosses the park. The escarpment wall along the western valley side is about 50-100m high in the north-eastern parts, increasing in height to the southwest. It is considered that, the valley of the Great Ruaha River is an extension of the Great Rift Valley. The Great Ruaha River flows for 160km long along the entire eastern boundary through rugged gorges and open plains.

Natural springs

They occur throughout the park and they are associated with the base of the Western Rift Valley escarpment, most notably Mkwawa, Mwayembe, Makinde and Majimoto springs. These are dry season refugees for wildlife and when most of the rivers get dry.

Undulating landscape

The park has undulating land and hills including kilimamatonge, Nyamasombe, Nyanywa, Chariwindwi, Igawira, Mwayiui, Kibiriti, Magangwe, Ndetamburwa and Isukanvyiola. These act as kopjes creating good habitat for animals such as klipspringer which normally can be seen in some of these hills.

TOURISM ACTIVITIES

Tourism activities in the park include Game viewing, long and short wilderness walking safari, bird watching, picnic, bush meals (break-fast, lunch, dinner) in the untouched bushes.

Best time to see the wildlife

Best time to see predators and large mammals is during the dry season (mid May-December).
The wet season (January –April) is best for bird watching, lush scenery and wildflowers. The male Greater kudu is most visible in June which is their breeding season.

How to get there

By air

There are both scheduled and chartered flights into the park mainly from Arusha, Dodoma, Kigoma and Dar-es-salaam. Park’s airstrips are located at Msembe and Jongomero

By road

It is about 130km drive from Iringa town and 625km from Dar-es-salaam city.
The road into the park is passable throughout the year.

Accommodation

There are park and privately owned facilities

Park facilities

Are as follows

• Self catering tourist bandas
• Special camping sites
• Public camping sites
• Rest house
• Hostel for school groups
• Park cottages
• Family cottage
• Single room with sitting room
• Single room without sitting room

Private facilities

Inside the park
There are several luxury tented camps operating in the park such as Jongomero, Kigelia, Mwagusi safari, Old Mdonya River, Kwihala and Flycatcher and one lodge namely Ruaha River lodge. These are privately owned.
Outside the park
There are several accommodation facilities just outside the park: these are hill top lodge, Sunset lodge, Tandala tented camp to mention a few.

General Park Rules and Regulations

Kindly abide to the following park rules and regulations

• Do not disturb or feed animals.
• Do not make noise or any sort of disturbance which offend other visitors
• Do not pick or destroy flowers and plants
• Littering, burning cigarettes or matches is strictly prohibited
• Pet are not allowed in the park
• Never go for a walking safari without park official armed guides/rangers
• Always stay on the authorized trails during walking safaris
• Hunting, collection of plant and animal samples is not allowed
• Tourism activities should be conducted between 6am and 7pm. For the rest of the time, visitors are expected to be in their accommodation places (i.e. lodges, camps and/or campsites)
• Off road  driving is strictly prohibited

The management and staff of Ruaha National Park welcome you and hope you will enjoy your stay in the park

MKOMAZI NATIONAL PARK

Set below the verdant slopes of the spectacular Usambara and Pare Eastern Arc Mountain ranges and overseen by iconic snow – capped peak of Kilimanjaro, Mkomazi a virgin breathtaking beauty exhibiting unique natural treasures and immense sense of space - adds to the fulfillment of high visitor enjoyment expectations – a much needed bridge between northern circuit and coastal attractions.
Everyday, thousands of people pass within a few kilometers of Mkomazi on one of Tanzania’s busiest highways. These and northern circuit safari – goers are now most welcome to discover the treasures of this wedge of hilly semi – arid savannah – home of large herds of giraffe, eland, hartebeest, zebra, buffalo and elephant.
Mkomazi is vital refuge for two highly endangered species, the charismatic black rhino and sociable African wild dog, both of which were successfully reintroduced in the 1990s. Nomadic by nature, wild dog might be seen almost anywhere in the park, but black rhino are restricted to a fenced sanctuary, ensuring their safe keeping for future generations enjoyment and prosperity.
Mkomazi supports several dry – country specialists species that are rare elsewhere in Tanzania; these include the spectacular fringe – eared oryx, with its long back – sweeping horns, and the handsome spiral – horned lesser kudu. Oddest of all is the gerenuk, a gazelle distinguished by its slender neck, bizarre alien – like head, and habit of standing tall on its hind legs stretch for acacia leaves that other browsers cannot reach.
A game reserve since 1951, this new National Park takes its name from Pare tribe’s word for “scoop of water”, referring to little water. It is a fantastic destination for birdwatchers, with more than 450 avian species recorded, among them dry – country endemics such as the cobalt – chested vulturine guineafowl, other large ground birds such as ostrich, kori bustard, secretary bird, ground hornbill and some migratory species including Eurasian roller.
About the Mkomazi National Park
Size: 3,245 sq km (1,240 sq miles)
Location: Northern Tanzania split between Kilimanjaro and Tanga administrative regions. The park also borders Tsavo west National Park in Kenya. The Zange entrance gate lies 112 km (69 miles) from Moshi, 550 km (341 miles) from Mwalimu J. K. Nyerere International Airport - Dar es Salaam, 142 km (88.7 miles) from Kilimanjaro International Airport, 120 km (75 miles) from Kilimanjaro National Park – the roof of Africa and 6 km (3.7 miles) from the town of Same.

How to get there
By road, Mkomazi is easily accessible via Same, which lies on the surfaced highway connecting Arusha to Dar es Salaam. The Park is also easily accessible on special arrangement through Njiro, Kivingo and Umba gates. Park can also be easily accessed from nearby/close existing tourist attractions in Eastern Arc Mountains, Coast and Kilimanjaro Mountain. Charter flights are available to Kisima airstrip.

What to do
Game drives, camping, site seeing, bird watching, walking safari, and hiking (uphill). Learn more about conservation and rhinoceros at Mkomazi rhino sanctuary.

When to go
Late June – early September is best for large mammal and bird watching. Scenic beauty is at its peak March – June.

Accommodation
One semi – permanent tented camp near the Park headquarters. Few designated basic campsites where one must bring his/her camping gears and food. There are several small hotels and guest houses in Same town.

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.
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. .
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. Local buses run from Dar to park HQ where game drives can be arranged.
What to do
Game drives and guided walks. Visit nearby Udzungwa or travel on to Selous or Ruaha.
When to go
Accessible year round.