The country of
Tanzania is a standout when it comes
to out-of-the-ordinary honeymoons. By far the most popular
route in Tanzania is the “Northern Circuit” consisting of
The Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater, Lake Manyara and Tarangire
National Park. Following is a synopsis of these and other
interesting areas of the country to consider as part of a
special trip:
The Serengeti:
Located in the northwest part of the country, are arguably
home to the best game viewing – and best safaris – on the
planet. Tanzania and southern Kenya bear annual witness to
something called “the migration”, where hundreds of
thousands of zebra and wildebeest traverse the Serengeti and
Masai Mara plains in search of fertile feeding grounds. As
the rains move, so too do the animals, their sheer numbers
blanketing the expansive plains as they migrate. This is a
sight to behold, and one that draws visitors from around the
globe, especially during June, July and August. That said,
game view is outstanding at any time of year, and even more
diverse in the absence of thousands of wildebeest. One can
expect to see hyena, abundant sightings of lion, giraffe,
leopard, elephant, gazelle, impala, topie, jackal, buffalo,
warthog and many others. This is a “must visit” part of
Tanzania for animal lovers.
Ngorongoro Conservation Area:
Perhaps
the most famous spot to visit in Tanzania, the Ngorongoro
Crater is definitely unique. Formed millions of years ago
when a volcano of the same name collapsed leaving a giant
caldera, it is now a captive home to upwards of 30,000
animals (depending on migratory patterns), including many
rhino, which are otherwise quite rare in Tanzania. You can
also see zebra, hippo, wildebeest, lion, jackal, hyena,
gazelle, buffalo, baboons and monkeys, among others.
Visitors often stay on the rim of the caldera, which has a
cooler climate due to the altitude. Safaris commence in the
morning on steep roads into the caldera. It is important to
note that you will see many other safari vehicles during the
course of a day because this small area is a popular place
to visit. Between the crater and the Serengeti, you can
also stop to see Olduvai Gorge, the “Cradle of Mankind”,
where archeologist Louis Leaky discovered some of the
world’s earliest hominid remains, dating back to more than 2
million years ago.
Lake Manyara:
Located
between Ngoronogoro and Tarangire, Lake Manyara is an
excellent place to spend a day or two. The soda-based lake
is home to an incredible array of birdlife, including
thousands of resident flamingoes. Another curiosity is its
lion population, which has somehow acquired the habit of
climbing trees, although you have to be a bit lucky to see
them in action. Hot springs, acacia forests, marsh areas
and grasslands act as home to hippos, elephants, buffalo,
giraffe, and many baboons.
Tarangire National Park:
Only a short drive from Arusha, this park is named after the
Tarangire River, which is a major draw for animals,
particularly during drier times from June through November.
It is also know for its large concentrations of elephant,
which are less abundant in other northern parks. Other
sightings will be buffaloes, giraffes, waterbucks, kudus,
Oryx, lions, leopards, hyenas, and possibly tree climbing
pythons. Another reason to visit Tarangire is for its
varied scenery – in one park you can see plains with acacia
and baobab trees, swamps, forest, and bush steppe. It is a
very diverse place to visit.
Arusha and Mt. Kilimanjaro:
The
city of Arusha is the typical starting point for safaris in
northern Tanzania, including the Serengeti and the
Ngorongoro Crater, and most visitors will spend a least one
night here are some point. It resides in the shadow of Mt.
Meru, Africa’s 5th tallest peak. It’s a good
place to unwind after a long flight, do a first day of
safari in Arusha National Park, and pick up a few souvenirs
at the busy local markets.
Mt.
Kilimanjaro, “Kili” as it is known locally, is the highest
peak in Africa. Often shrouded in clouds, views of its
glacier-capped summit dominate the landscape for miles
around. Many visitors come to Tanzania just to climb Kili;
this typically takes around 5-6 days depending on the
route. Unique about this mountain is that it can be scaled
by someone in good physical condition: it does not require
technical mountain climbing expertise. Altitude is a
factor, however, and many trekkers find they can’t make it
to the 19,340 ft summit. Consider it carefully, however, if you
think you’d like to do this on your honeymoon; it is very
physically taxing.
Zanzibar:
A short flight from either Arusha or Dar es Salaam, Zanzibar
and its neighboring islands are a colorful and exotic feast
for Western senses. Historically it served as a crossroads
for traders plying their wares and spices across the Indian
Ocean, leading to the cultural mélange one finds today. You
could spend days exploring the historic flavor and
labyrinthine streets of the capital Stonetown, although most
visitors now come for the island’s gorgeous white sand
beaches and excellent snorkeling and diving. If time
permits, 4 to 7 days in Zanzibar are ideal at the beginning
or the end of a safari itinerary.
Other interesting areas:
For as popular as the “northern circuit” of Tanzania is, the
“southern circuit” made up of The Selous, Ruaha and Katavi
National Parks is not. These national parks are very
remote, and are typically only reached by charter flights,
making them more expensive to visit. But those who do are
rewarded excellent game viewing and complete solitude. A
few semi-permanent lodges exist in these areas, and as a
result, mobile camps or fly camping can be an excellent way
to delve into these enormous parks.
Lake Tanganyika helps form Tanzania’s border with Burundi,
The Democratic Republic of the Congo and Zambia. A
beautiful if remote area, people come here to see the
chimpanzees of Mahale Mountains National Park and Gombe
Stream National Park. In the last couple years a small
number of luxury lodges have opened which can also make Lake
Tanganyika a good substitute for a seaside beach experience
– diving, snorkeling, fishing and boating are all available.
Many visitors will pass through Dar es Salaam, Tanzania’s
largest city and key administrative center. There are a few
markets and museums, but mainly this is a jumping off point
for those going to Zanzibar or catching an international
flight. Fortunately there are a few nice hotels in which to
relax prior to moving on.
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