The
Ngorongoro Crater is often called ‘Africa’s Eden’ and the ’8th Natural Wonder of
the World,’ a visit to the crater is a main drawcard for tourists
coming to Tanzania and a definite world-class attraction. Within the
crater rim, large herds of zebra and wildebeest graze nearby while
sleeping lions laze in the sun. At dawn, the endangered black rhino
returns to the thick cover of the crater forests after grazing on
dew-laden grass in the morning mist. Just outside the crater’s ridge,
tall Masaai herd their cattle and goats over green pastures through the
highland slopes, living alongside the wildlife as they have for
centuries.
ARUSHA NATIONAL PARK
Covers
Mount Meru, a prominent
volcano
with an elevation of 4566 m, in the
Arusha Region
of north eastern
Tanzania.
The park is small but varied with spectacular landscapes in three distinct
areas. In the west, the Meru Crater funnels the Jekukumia River; the peak of
Mount Meru lies on its rim.
Ngurdoto Crater in the south-east is
grassland.
The shallow
alkaline
Momella Lakes in the north-east have varying
algal colours and are
known for their
wading birds.
Mount Meru is the second highest peak in Tanzania after
Mount Kilimanjaro, which is just 60 km away and forms a backdrop to
views from the park to the east. Arusha National Park lies on a 300-kilometre
axis of Africa's most famous national parks, running from
Serengeti
and
Ngorongoro Crater in the west to
Kilimanjaro National Park in the east.
The park is just a few kilometres north east of
Arusha, though
the main gate is 25 km east of the city. It is also 58 km from
Moshi and 35 km from
Kilimanjaro International Airport(KIA).
Wildlife
Arusha National Park has a rich variety of wildlife, but visitors
shouldn't expect the same game-viewing experience they find in other
national parks of Tanzania's northern circuit. Despite the small size of
the park, common animals include giraffe, buffalo, zebra, warthog, the black-and-white colobus monkey, the blue monkey, flamingos and more.
African elephants and leopards
are present, but rarely seen. There are no lions in the park. Birdlife
in the forest is prolific, with many forest species more easily seen
here than elsewhere on the tourist route - Narina Trogon and Bar-tailed Trogon are both possible highlights for visiting birders, whilst the range of starling species provide somewhat less gaudy interest.
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Ngordoto crater in Arusha national park
Lake Manyara National Park is a Tanzanian national park located both in Arusha Region and Manyara Region, Tanzania.
The two administrative regions have no jurisdiction over the parks. The
park is governed by the Tanzania National Parks Authority. The majority
of the land area of the park is a narrow strip running between the Gregory Rift wall to the west and Lake Manyara, an alkaline or soda-lake, to the east.[1]
The park consists of 330 km2 (130 sq mi) of arid land, forest, and a soda-lake which covers as much as 200 km2 (77 sq mi) of land during the wet season but is nearly nonexistent during the dry season |
Lake Manyara,
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Ngordoto crater in Arusha national park
Lake Manyara National Park
Lake Manyara National Park is a Tanzanian national park located both in Arusha Region and Manyara Region, Tanzania.
The two administrative regions have no jurisdiction over the parks. The
park is governed by the Tanzania National Parks Authority. The majority
of the land area of the park is a narrow strip running between the Gregory Rift wall to the west and Lake Manyara, an alkaline or soda-lake, to the east.
The park consists of 330 km2 (130 sq mi) of arid land, forest, and a soda-lake which covers as much as 200 km2 (77 sq mi) of land during the wet season but is nearly nonexistent during the dry season. |
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Fauna
Lake Manyara National Park is known for the flamingos that inhabit
the lake. During the wet season they inhabit the edges of the lake in
flocks of thousands but they are not so present during the dry season.
More than 400 species of birds inhabit the park and many remain
throughout the year. Because of this Lake Manyara National Park is a
good spot for bird watching. Visitors to the park can expect to see
upwards of 100 different species of bird on any day.
Leopards,
lions,
elephants,
blue monkeys,
dik-dik,
gazelle,
hippo,
giraffe,
impala,
and more inhabit the park and many can be seen throughout the year.
There is a hippo pond at one end of the park where visitors can get out
of their cars and observe from a safe distance. The leopards and lions
are both known to lounge in the trees while not hunting for prey.
Lake Manyara National Park is located 126 km (78 mi) south west of
Arusha and can be reached by car in an hour and a half. The park can also be reached easily from
Babati the capital of
Manyara Region. The park is also very close to
Tarangire National Park There is also an airport,
Lake Manyara Airport (LKY), located at the top of the rift wall.
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