Northern National Park

ARUSHA NATIONAL PARK Nestled in northern Tanzania, only 28 km from Arusha town, is home to the world’s largest population of giraffe. A mosaic of landscapes, the iconic Mount Meru, the fifth-highest peak in Africa with the peak of 4566m above the sea level. Arusha National Park offers a captivating blend of scenic beauty, wildlife, and adventure at the doorstep of Tanzania’s safari circuit. Embark on thrilling game drives with Ndarasi safari to spot giraffes, zebras, buffaloes, Wildebeests, and elusive leopards and Elephants, while the alkaline Momella Lakes attract a profusion of water birds. Arusha National Park offers adventurous activities like hiking to the summit of Mount Meru and game drives that provide a unique blend of scenic beauty and wildlife encounters, making it a must-visit destination for nature lovers and safari-goers alike. Things to do in Arusha National Park. Far from game drives, Arusha national park offers adventurous activities in a blend of beauty and wildlife combined together. Hiking Mount Meru: Hikers traverse lush rainforests inhabited by diverse wildlife, alpine meadows, and rugged terrains, enjoying panoramic vistas of the park and beyond. Mount Meru is a tranquil haven, offering a sense of isolation and natural splendor that enchants those fortunate enough to go on a hike. Walking Safari: Arusha National Park is one of the few national parks in Tanzania where you can go on walking safari. Accompanied by a park ranger, you will make your way through the forest and savannah habitats, observing wildlife from a safe distance. Encounter curious colobus monkeys and various bird species, the open grasslands offer a chance to observe giraffes and zebras in their natural habitat. The Arusha National Park`s walking safari provides a closer connection to the sights, sounds, and scents of the park, fostering a deeper appreciation for its rich biodiversity. With the stunning backdrop of Mount Meru, a walking safari in Arusha National Park offers an intimate and memorable exploration of Tanzania`s natural beauty. One of the highlights on a walking safari is walking up to the top of Tululusia Hill, a former lookout point during Tanzania’s tribal wars, which has panoramic views of the lower reaches of Arusha National Park. Another great alternative to the traditional safari experience Canoe Safari: Drift along the shallow waters of the Small Momella Lake in a canoe while enjoying scenic views of the surrounding bush and wildlife coming to the shores for a drink. This serene adventure provides an opportunity to observe diverse birdlife, including flamingos and other waterfowl, as well as wildlife along the lakeshores. The gentle pace of a canoe safari allows for a different perspective, Ndarasi Safari offers a close connection to nature while maintaining a peaceful ambiance. It’s an ideal way to appreciate the beauty of Arusha National Park while enjoying the soothing rhythm of paddling and the sounds of the wilderness.

LAKE MANYARA NATIONAL PARK Lake Manyara National Park in Tanzania is a biodiversity hotspot. Nestled between the Great Rift Valley’s escarpment and the lake, it spans 648 square kilometers, offering a compact yet captivating safari experience. Lake Manyara National Park has a very unique ecosystems, from the lush groundwater forest to the expansive soda lake that graces its name. Well known for its tree-climbing lions, it hosts a myriad of wildlife, including elephants, hippos, the park is a birdwatcher’s paradise, boasting flamingos, pelicans, and numerous species. The lake, a shimmering expanse, reflects the pink hues of flamingos, creating a mesmerizing sight. This park embodies the essence of African wildlife and scenic beauty in a relatively small area. Ruaha is renowned for its diverse wildlife, including large herds of elephants, buffaloes, and greater kudus. The park is also home to a variety of predators, such as lions, leopards, cheetahs, and African wild dogs. Birdwatchers will find Ruaha to be a paradise, with over 570 bird species recorded in the park, including several species endemic to Tanzania. The best time to visit Ruaha National Park is during the dry season, from June to October, when the wildlife congregates around the water sources, making it easier to spot them. However, the park is also beautiful during the wet season, from November to April, when the landscape is lush and green, and many animals give birth to their young. Things to do in Lake Manyara National Park. Ndarasi Safari believes that, to truly immerse yourself in the beauty of Lake Manyara National Park, is to consider taking part in guided canoeing trips or nature walks. Canoeing Canoeing on the calm waters of Lake Manyara offers a unique perspective, allowing you to get close to the lake’s edge and observe the wildlife from a different vantage point. Glide past hippos, spot waterbirds, and take in the serene atmosphere surrounding you. Nature walks Nature walk, in Manyara National are another excellent way to explore the park’s lush surroundings. Accompanied by experienced guides, you can venture into the forested areas, learning about the flora and fauna that thrive in this diverse ecosystem. Watch for monkeys swinging through the treetops and antelopes grazing in the grasslands. Treetop Walkway. Manyara Treetop Walkway takes you on a sky-high adventure through the beautiful forest of Lake Manyara. Walk among the treetops and experience untouched nature and wildlife from a unique perspective, while you can enjoy a unique birds-eye view of the world around you.

TARANGIRE NATIONAL PARK Tarangire National Park is a wildlife haven much publicized for its vast landscapes dotted with ancient baobab trees and large elephant herds. Spanning 2,850 square kilometers, the park attracts diverse wildlife, including lions, and an abundance of bird species. The Tarangire River flows through, is the magnet of the wildlife, standing as a vital water source during the dry season. The park’s unique ecosystem, rich biodiversity, and stunning scenery make it a captivating destination for safari goers, offering an immersive experience in the heart of East Africa’s natural wonders. Experience Tarangire`s breathtaking landscapes, diverse wildlife and iconic baobab trees with Ndarasi Safari.

NDUTU AREA Ndutu area is located in the North-western of Ngorongoro conservation area, covering Ngorongoro crater area stretching to Sothern Serengeti national park. The major highlight to look up to during safari in this destination is Calving Season; new-borns feed on nutrient-rich volcanic soils. For three months the new-borns graze, developing strength for their journey ahead. Predators spend Seven months living off scraps, before fattening up on this seasonal abundance. With so many new-born calves there is food for a large number of hunters. Hyenas, Cheetahs, Leopards and Lions, all thrive as there are so many easy meals to take; Birds of prey are not left behind, migrating here to feast on the carrions and leftovers.

NGORONGORO CONSERVATION AREA A unique multi-use land and the only conservation area in Tanzania that protects wildlife while allowing human habitation. 2 to 3 million years ago, a volcano bigger than Kilimanjaro imploded caving itself downwards, and the magma retreated leaving a vast collapsed hollow, which is today home to Africa`s Big five animals. NGORONGORO CRATER A tapestry of landscapes the sunken beauty of the ngorongoro crater, The planet’s biggest unbroken, inactive volcanic Crater. With its stunning landscapes and views, the Ngorongoro crater is an exceptional geological landmark and a UNESCO World Heritage Site that promises sightings of the Big Five and plenty of other wildlife as well. The Crater measures around 12 miles across, with a Rim that rises 3000ft from the floor and is covered with ancient forests draped in lichen.   The 102 square miles crater is home to almost 30,000 animals, a year round home to Black Rhino, Lions, Wildebeest, Zebra, Hippos, Buffalos, Gazelles, as well as the continent`s densest population of Spotted Hyena and some of Africa`s largest Elephants. THINGS TO DO IN NGORONGORO CONSERVATION AREA Apart from the Ngorongoro Crater, Ngorongoro conservation area has many more geological, historical and game viewing sites to offer to its visitors. Despite that some are less known but worth a visit once there. OLDUVAI GORGE: Away from the Crater but within the protected area of the Ngorongoro Conservation area lies Olduvai Gorge. Formed approximately 30,000 years ago well known as “The Cradle of Mankind”. The Gorge is a steep sided ravine approximately 30 miles long and 295ft deep. Feels like stepping onto Mars with red dust and boulders, barren and waterless, with the occasional small green bush creeping out between the rocks. Olduvai Gorge is a discovery place of some of the earliest hominid fossil, discovered in the early twentieth century by the famous Archaeologists Louis and Mary Leakey. The Fossils deposits placed in the Modern Museum of Olduvai Gorge period range from 2,100,000 to 15,000 years ago. It`s worth the detour on your drive en route from Ngorongoro Crater to the Serengeti. MAASAI TRIBE: For centuries the Maasai have been Nomadic pastoralists whose lifestyle depends on their Cattle. Ngorongoro conservation area is the land of the Maasai tribe, who graze their cattle in this wild and largely uncultivated place. Maasai live in relative peace with nature, striding across the landscape in their traditional red robes. In the Maasai culture, it is the women that are responsible of the daily household chores, child rearing, cooking as well as burdensome task of collecting water and firewood. EMPAKAI CRATER: Empakai Crater is a collapsed volcanic caldera that is 300 meters high and 6 km wide located in Ngorongoro conservation area. The Crater is filled by a deep Alkaline Lake, roughly 83m deep. The highest elevation on the western is 3200m above the sea level. A walking Safari to the Empakai Crater rim offers a spectacular view of Oldonyo Lengai and Mount Kilimanjaro from far. Off the beaten track but worth the effort involved to experience the views and the walk to the base of the crater. The decent and ascent are reasonably steep, but very manageable with a moderate level of fitness. OLMOTI CRATER: The cooking pot in Maasai Language, Olmoti Crater is an extinct volcano located within the Ngorongoro conservation area. A visit on your way north into the highlands is worth it. It’s also the starting point for a two-day trek to Empakaai. Olmoti’s crater floor is shallow, haired with grass and crossed by the Munge River. OL DONYO LENGAI: East Africa’s only active volcano, the only active carbonatite volcano in the world, and the toughest day hike in East Africa. Hikers face a challenging ascent to the top but, once there, are rewarded with endless views. An overnight ascent to the 2962m summit of the famous’ Mountain of God’, sacred to the Maasai, is an unforgettable experience. The top third of the volcano has some very steep and rocky stretches, so you need to be steady and prepared to scramble. The crater itself is wide and steep-sided but walkable. Looking down into the caldera from the top, you can see the boiling, sulfurous lava, and the views are incredible at sunrise. The climb down is roughly 3-4 hours. This is not a trek for the faint-hearted, but it is worth it for the spectacular and otherworldly views. The Hdzabe and Datoga are unknown people to most of those who travel to Tanzania, but are no less fascinating or representative of African culture. HADZABE TRIBE As a hunter-gatherer society, the Hadza have no domesticated livestock, nor do they grow or store their own food. The Hadza survive by hunting their food with hand-made bows and arrows and foraging for edible plants. The Hadza diet is primarily plant-based but also consists of meat, fat, and honey. They create temporary shelters of dried grass and branches. The Hadza speak a unique language known as Hadzane, which incorporates clicking and popping sounds as well as more familiar sounds. Leading the same hunter-gatherer lifestyle that has sustained their people for generations, Hadza use a locally made poison and ingenious camouflage to hunt. Tanzania Safari goers can join this beautiful people to witness a thrilling sunrise hunt to see how they survive in harsh wilderness at the foothill of Ngorongoro conservation area. DATOGA TRIBE The Datoga are unknown people to most of those who travel to Tanzania; they are semi-nomadic shepherds whose main means of support is farming, they are also skilled blacksmiths. They perform witchcraft and primitive religious rituals; a feature which makes them unique and easy to recognize is their practice of scarification to decorate and tattoo their bodies.  LAKE NATRON Lake Natron’s waters are the only regular breeding ground in East Africa for 2.5 million lesser flamingos, which nest on mounds of salty mud from August to October, protected from predators by the lake’s toxic water. These flamingos have evolved to withstand the lake’s extremely high temperatures and salt content. Salt-loving phytoplankton flourishes here, giving the lake its red tinge and feeding the flamingos,

SERENGETI NATIONAL PARK One of the undisputed highlights of northern Tanzania is the Serengeti National Park. The name “Serengeti” comes from the Maasai word “seringit,” language meaning “endless plains,” apt for the 14,763 square km of rolling grasslands dotted with flat-topped acacia trees. Most of this immense size of this World Heritage Site national park is yet to discovered, and you are almost guaranteed to have sightings of the ‘Big Five’ and a host of other species. The birds of the Serengeti are just as spectacular and varied as the bigger animals, with almost 500 species of bird recorded in the park. Add 1.5 million wildebeest, 500,000 zebra, 18,000 eland and 500,000 gazelles to the picture and you have a wildlife spectacle second to none. Ndarasi Safari organizes the most memorable private safari of discovery through the heart of East Africa’s raw and rugged wilderness. Why should one visit Serengeti National Park? Visiting the Serengeti offers a captivating wildlife experience with several compelling reasons, Ndarasi Safari summarizes it for you, for so many years in a raw the Serengeti has been named as the African Leading National Park offering a unique blend of wildlife, landscapes, cultural experiences, and luxury accommodations, making it a must-visit destination for nature lovers and adventure seekers alike. SERENGETI ANIMAL MIGRATION The movements of the wildebeest herds are triggered by the annual rains and their search for fresh grazing, and predators follow, creating a stunning spectacle of nature, survival, and renewal. The migration is a vital ecological process, influencing both predator-prey dynamics and vegetation patterns. It peaks during the annual river crossings, where immense herds brave crocodile-infested waters. This awe-inspiring phenomenon is a testament to the interconnectedness of species and the intricate balance of nature within the Serengeti-Mara ecosystem. Ndarasi safari offers classic Migration safari experience, always taking you to this greatest event in the natural world. Why should one watch the migration? The Great Migration is a unique and highly plasticity phenomenon, occurring in the ecosystem of the Serengeti National Park in Tanzania and the Maasai Mara national reserve in Kenya. A safari that coincides with this great wild movement is an opportunity we shouldn’t miss. Although variations occur from year to year, with climate change being the main factor, the Serengeti migration follows a reasonably predictable annual cycle, dictated by local rainfall patterns. The crossing of the animals by the Mara River is probably the most desired photograph in Africa. SERENGETI SERONERA (CENTRAL) Seronera, located in the heart of Tanzania’s Serengeti National Park, is a pivotal region in the annual wildebeest migration. Its expansive grasslands attract diverse wildlife year-round, including lions, elephants, and giraffes. The Grumeti River runs through, providing a crucial water source. Seronera’s landscape, a mix of plains and acacia woodlands, offers a stunning backdrop for wildlife enthusiasts. Visitors witness predator-prey interactions. This ecosystem’s richness is complemented by numerous bird species. Seronera’s central location and diverse habitats make it a prime destination for experiencing the unparalleled biodiversity of the Serengeti.