Description

Tarangire National Park is for those who want to step further off the beaten track to experience a truly wild area and see large herds of elephants and buffalo, and a remarkable concentration of big cats. The African wild dog, kudu, oryx, and gerenuk, rarely found in other parks in the Northern circuit, can also be found here, along with arguably the best bird diversity in Africa. More than 550 species are attracted to its vibrant swamps. During the dry season from August to October, Tarangire has the highest concentration of mammals of any of Tanzania’s renowned National Parks.

Sections of Tarangire National Park

Uncrowded & virtually unexplored area teeming with wildlife, Tarangire National Park, which is a delightful surprise southwest of the Serengeti is blissfully quiet, leaving the prime, game-dense wilderness free to be explored in peace and solitude.

The park – which protects critical dry season wetlands – is part of the Tarangire ecosystem and is named after the Tarangire River that runs north to south through it. The river attracts an incredible range and concentration of game in the dry season when it remains the only permanent water source.

Wildlife To Expect

Boasting the biggest population of elephants in northern Tanzania – herds of up to 300 elephants at a time, travelers can also expect to see large herds of buffalo, migratory zebra, wildebeest, waterbuck, and giraffe.

During the dry season, the park features one of the highest densities of wildlife per square kilometer in all of Tanzania, as the permanent Tarangire River provides a welcome water source and a crucial refuge for large numbers of animals.

Home to more than 550 bird species, the park probably has the best bird diversity in East Africa & travelers can expect to see dozens of species, even in the dry season. The Tarangire swamps are the focus of the largest selection of breeding birds in the world.

Common Across The Tarangire

• Lion
• Serval
• Leopard
• Cheetah
• Wildebeest
• Zebra
• Elephant
• Spotted hyena

The Best Time to Visit

The warmth of the climate accompanied by thin vegetation and specific waterholes makes the dry season perfect for a memorable wildlife experience at Tarangire National Park. This makes June-October the ripest time should you be planning to visit the park.

If you enjoy bird watching, which is the peak of the wet seasons, then March-April will be perfect.

Climate Summary

• Dry season: August to October (cooler); January to March (hotter)
• Rainy season: April to early June (long rains) and again for a few weeks in November to December (short rains)
• Peak of wet season: April/May
• Max. temp. range during the day: 29°C / 84°F
• Min. temp. range at night: 13°C / 55°F

Tarangire National Park Activities

• Tarangire Safari
• Night Safaris
• Walking/trekking
• Fly Camping Trips

What to Pack

Generally, you will need comfortable sturdy shoes, comfortable clothes, a camera and a change of clothes or raincoat. We will provide you with a freshly prepared lunch that is well packed in the box and a bottle of water. Please ensure you have a bottle that is not a throw-away to keep your water as the Kilimanjaro National Park does not allow the mineral water bottle. 

Activities

The Kilimanjaro day hike is the ideal activity that can be taken by anyone visiting the Kilimanjaro region. The main activity here is hiking and photography. If you love hiking and taking photos of nature this is an ideal trip for you. It can also be ideal if you have been on safari for a long time and you want to have a stretch before proceeding to Zanzibar.

7:00 AM

Your assigned guide and driver will arrive at your hotel in the morning to pick you for the drive towards the Marangu gate. The drive will give you the mesmerizing view of the landscape and day-to-day activities of Tanzanians within the ever-busy Moshi town to the chilled green and lash Marangu village as you approach Kilimanjaro. The countryside will give you a beautiful view of the coffee and banana plantations. If you are departing from Moshi town you will need to start the drive between 7:00 am-7:30 am but if you are staying at Marangu then you will depart from your hotel at 8:00 am

8:00 AM

On reaching Marangu Gate, your guide will take you through registration in preparation for the adventure ahead.

9:00am

The hike begins on a narrow ridged trail as it meanders into the rainforest that has been beautified with nature in terms of landscape and wildlife. The forest is misty with a lot of trees that have moss whilst they create a beautiful canopy overhead. The forest is home to various species of birds and animals like monkeys, colobus, and mongooses.

2:00 PM

The hike to Mandara Hut will take approximately 3 hours. On reaching Mandara Hut, you will be served with tasty lunch and given ample resting time before proceeding to a more challenging hike towards Maundi Crater. Should you be lucky to have taken the hike on a clear day, you will enjoy awesome views of Kibo and Mawenzi Peak.

After ample time has been spent here, the hike back to Marangu gate will begin or start. You will get to Marangu gate from around 3:00 pm – 4:30 pm. Please make sure you are out of the park before 5:00 pm. The diver will pick you from the gate and drop you off at your hotel.

Lake Chala presents a tranquil environment to behold. This magical caldera lake is conveniently placed on the famous Mt. Kilimanjaro, giving you a breathtaking view. It boasts of clean and cold waters from an underground source.

What to Pack

This will depend on the activities you intend to take part in in the countryside.

We do advise good walking shoes. (comfortable sturdy shoes) , and maybe a stick to go down to the lake. It is a steep ascent. Bring binoculars for birding, sunscreen, hat, appropriate clothes for temperature changes, check ‘Taveta weather reports’.  If you want to have a cold refreshing shower after the hike, please bring a towels and swimwear.

 Our guides will provide you with a lunchbox and water.

Activities

Walking: Chala is a wonderful area in which to walk. All walks have to be accompanied by a staff Member of Lake Chala Safari Lodge.

Birding: The Chala bird survey is ongoing.  Birds are plentiful and raptors, in particular, are many and spectacular in the area. Chala is thought to be an important migration corridor on the eastern flank of Kilimanjaro, and unexpected birds can be found here during migration time.  We appreciate reports of birds seen by visitors to increase our bird survey.  

Fish: The lake is home to Lake Chala Tilapia, a species of fish in the Cichlidae family. This fish is endemic to Chala but is now a threatened species due to overfishing, a concern that needs to be addressed. That’s why fishing is not allowed at Lake Chala.

Crocodiles: Crocodiles were introduced to Lake Chala in the 1930s. According to legend they were brought in by E.S. Grogan, a British explorer who became famous for walking from Cape Town to Cairo in 1898. The terrain is totally unsuitable for crocodiles to breed, there are no beaches or sandy areas to make their nests. In the early 1990s fishermen, angry that their nets were continually being destroyed, began a program to eradicate them. Since 2002 there are no longer any crocodiles left in Lake Chala. 

8:00 AM

The day starts when your guide for the day arrives at your accommodation of choice immediately after breakfast, to pick you. With them is a bottle of water and a lunchbox filled with the delicacies that have been freshly prepared just for you. Please inform us if you have any special diet needs and we will prepare a lunch box according to your needs.

11:00 AM

You will arrive at the beautiful Lake Chala reserve. that overlooks the colored Crater Lake. From here, you will be guided down to the lake through lash green flora.

2:00 PM

At the lakeside, you can enjoy your time thereby engaging in bird watching, swimming, fishing, exploring, canoeing, kayaking across the lake to Kenya, or just sitting and enjoying the beauty of nature. The area is a habitat for several species of wildlife like monitor lizards, baboons, and varieties of birds that live in the enticing savannah regions.

Later on, you can enjoy a picnic in the bush surrounded by nature or lunch at the restaurant depending on the activities chosen for the day.

5:00 PM

After the day’s activities by the lake or/and beyond, you can enjoy a drink at the bar as you unwind. You can decide to camp by the lakeside with a campfire and under the night’s starry sky or retreat to the hotel.

The driver and guides will ensure you get back to the hotel and have the much-needed rest.

Price Includes

• Bottled Water
• Hotel – Mountain Base Transport
• Lunch Box
• Tour Guide Fee
• Park Fees

Price Excludes

• 3 Daily Meals
• Additional Bed & Breakfast
• Additional Meals
• Airport Transfer
• Climbing Gear
• Cooking Equipment
• Guide & Porter Tips
• Hut or Camping Fee
• Porter Fee
• Pre-Climb Accommodation
• Single Room Supplement

What’s Included

• Transportation
• Entrance fees
• Guide
• Lunch box + bottled water
• Coffee Tasting
• Hiking

Stop At: Materuni Waterfalls

Hotel picks up: flexible start 8:30 AM- 2:30 PM last Start by passing through coffee and banana plantation. Explanation about local people/life and tradition of Chagga people Enjoying the nature of the slopes of Mount Kilimanjaro Explanation of different flowers Arrive the waterfalls, get an explanation and enjoy swimming. Proceed on local coffee farms, learn how coffee is grown-picked and roasted Try roasting and making a cup of coffee Drop at your hotel

• Duration: 6 hours
• Admission Ticket Included

* Is a walking tour around the spice farm

* It is 3 hours leisurely walking within the plantation

* The tour is private only for you and your partners

* It is advisable to wear decent clothes (not beach costumes)

* The only opportunity to buy frech spices, herbs, and local made perfumes and soaps

* It has no restrictions to any age

NOTE:

* Tourist may combine this tour with either stone town tour, prison island trip and jozani forest tour

INCLUDE:

Guide fee

Entrance fee

All government taxes

NOTE:

Transfer from and return to your hotel is available only for the additional costs

Stone Town Tour Zanzibar (City Walking Tour)

Join this amazing walking tour of the captivating stone town where a knowledgeable guide will take you via the narrow streets of the nineteen-century old town, much of which remains unchanged to this day.  Visit the highlights of this historical town including the House of Wonders; a palace constructed for the second Sultan of Zanzibar, Sultan Palace, Arab Old Fort, Anglican Cathedral, and the amazingly moving Slave Market. This tour offers a real insight into the culture and history of this exotic island.

Pick up from Zanzibar beach hotels

Duration: 3 hours

Departure:  08:30 or 14:30 daily

Additional info

• Wheelchair accessible
• Little and infants children can ride in a stroller or pram
• Public transportation choices are accessible nearby
• Pets and service animals are welcome
• Infants are needed to sit on an adults lap
• Transportation choices are wheelchair accessible
• Specialized infant seats are accessible
• Perfect for all physical fitness levels

NOTE:

* Tourist can combine this tour with either Spice tour or Prison island Trip

Not included

• Private transportation
• All taxes and fees
• Lunch