Tanzania is a state in East Africa. It consists of the mainland (tanganyika), washed from the east by the Indian Ocean, and the large coastal islands of Zanzibar, Pemba and Mafia. Tanzania is a member of the British Commonwealth.
Most of The country is located on the East African Plateau. The territory of Tanzania captures part of the largest lakes in Africa - Lake Victoria in the north, Lake Tanganyika (often called the twin of Baikal) in the west, and Lake Nyasa in the south of Tanzania. The highest mountains of Africa Kilimanjaro (5895 m). The total length of land borders is 3,402 km, of which 451 km from Burundi, 769 km from Kenya, 475 km from Malawi, 756 km from Mozambique, 217 km from Rwanda, 396 km from Uganda and 338 from Zambia. km
Area of \u200b\u200bTanzania: total - 945,087 km2. Coastline: 1,424 km. The island territories consist of the Zanzibar archipelago (the islands of Zanzibar, Pemba, Mafia, etc.).
Tanzania has two capitals: the administrative center is the historical capital Dar es Salaam, and the legislative one is Dodoma, where the government transferred the main organs in the 1970s.
Tanzania is a republic. The head of state and head of government is the president, elected by the population for a 5-year term, with the possibility of a second term in a row. On December 14, 2005, a candidate from the ruling Revolutionary Party, Tanzanian Foreign Minister Jakaya Kikvet, won the presidential election, gaining more than 80% of the vote. His main rival was Ibrahim Lipumba, a candidate from the opposition United Civil Front. Parliament is a unicameral State Assembly (Bunge), 274 deputies, of which 232 are elected by the population for a 5-year term, 37 women deputies are appointed personally by the president, and 5 deputies are appointed by the autonomous parliament of Zanzibar.
Relief of tanzania
Most of Tanzania is located on the East African Plateau. Along the western and southwestern borders are deep tectonic valleys and highlands of the Giant Craters (Meru volcanoes, the highest mountain in Africa Kilimanjaro (5895 m) and others. The Indian Ocean coast is a narrow strip of lowlands.
The lower and drier part of the plateau occupies all of southern Tanzania. The soils here are lighter in composition, subject to erosion and are rapidly depleted. There is little rainfall and they are unevenly distributed across the seasons. Here, the tsetse fly is a carrier of sleeping sickness among people and Nagan disease among domestic animals.
The central and northern parts of the plateau rise to 1200-1500 m. In places there is a moderate amount of rainfall, fertile soils are common.
The territory of the country includes part of the largest lakes in Africa - Lake Victoria in the north, Lake Tanganyika (which is often called the twin of Baikal) in the west, Lake Nyasa - in the south of Tanzania, as well as closed drainage lakes Rukva, Natron, Eyasi. The main rivers of the country - Pangani, Rufiji (the only navigable river in the lower reaches) and Ruvuma flow into the Indian Ocean.
Climate of Tanzania
The climate is subequatorial monsoon, hot, seasonally humid. Monthly average temperatures from 12-15 to 25-27 degrees C. In the north there are two rainy seasons (March - May and September - November), in the south - one (November - April).
The greatest amount of precipitation falls on the west coast of Lake Victoria (up to 2000 mm per year), the least - on the inner plateaus (about 250 mm). In most of Tanzania, the dry season lasts 5-7 months. The change of dry and wet seasons is especially noticeable in the mountainous northeast and on the Masai plateau.
There are drought problems forest fires. It happened that drought led to a decrease in the water level in the reservoirs supplying hydroelectric power plants to a critical level, as a result, strict rationing of electricity supply throughout the country was introduced. Heavy rains also cause significant damage. So, as a result of heavy rains in late 1997 - early 1998. agricultural facilities were destroyed, roads were blurred, bridges were demolished.
On the islands, the climate is humid, average daily temperature is + 28-30 degrees, sea breezes make the weather very pleasant. The water temperature in the Indian Ocean is 24-26 degrees. In the central part (1200-1700 m above sea level) average temperature - plus 22-25 degrees, nights can be cool.
Plant World of Tanzania
In the west and south of the country there are tropical dry deciduous woodlands, on the coastal lowlands - park savannas, in the central and northeastern regions - grassy savannahs. On the slopes of the mountains grow moist evergreen forests, shrubs. Despite its proximity to the equator, various types of savannahs are characteristic of Tanzania: shrubby, park, mountain park, grassy. Along with the miombo forests (bright tropical forests of deciduous trees), savannas occupy a large part of the territory. On the coast of the ocean and in estuaries, mangroves are found. Thick tropical forests are preserved only around lakes in the west of the country and in the floodplains of some rivers. On the slopes of high mountains, even conifers, such as cedar and legacorn, grow. Angolan pterocarpus is found in park forests, whose valuable wood is used for the manufacture of upscale furniture and wall cladding.
Fauna of Tanzania
Tanzania is one of the few countries on the African continent where, under natural conditions, representatives of a rich tropical fauna have been preserved. Antelopes of several species (wildebeest, congon, swamp, stenbok, springbok and others), as well as lions, leopards, cheetahs, zebras, elephants and giraffes live in the savannahs.
An abundance of monkeys is characteristic, of the monkeys in the far northwest there are chimpanzees, and in the area of \u200b\u200bKilimanjaro - gorillas. Hippos and crocodiles are found along the rivers.
The world of birds is unusually rich and diverse. Especially a lot of waterfowl. In the elevated regions of the country, ostriches can occasionally be observed. Of poisonous snakes Black mamba and African viper stand out.
However animal world significantly impoverished as a result of prolonged extermination. Large animals have been preserved mainly in nature reserves and national parks, the largest of which are Ngorongoro, Serengeti, Ruaha, Arusha, Manyama, Mikumi, Kilimanjaro, Rungva. Especially known national park Serengeti (15.5 thousand square kilometers), the only one in the world where natural seasonal migrations of wild animals occur. Ngorongoro is located in the region of a huge volcanic crater, its caldera, the largest in the world, is distinguished by its extraordinary richness of fauna.
Tanzania National Parks
There are 15 national parks in Tanzania that are managed by the Tanzania National Parks Authority or TANAPA, with a center in Arusha. According to international studies, the service is one of the most productive in Africa - it employs 1,650 people who serve 15 existing and one planned national park (Saanane). The main objective of the service is to preserve the existing biodiversity and rich natural heritage of the country. There are objects in the system of national parks world heritage (4 sites out of 7 in Tanzania) and biosphere reserves (2 sites out of 3 in the country) by UNESCO.
In the north of the country in the center there are national parks Arusha, Kilimanjaro, Mkomazi, Lake Manyana, Rubondo Island, Serengeti, Taranjir. Arusha Park is located in close proximity to the city of Arusha, the country's northern safari center. Recently, the park has been expanded to include Mount Meru Forest Reserve. Kilimanjaro Park, which also recently received an additional area, is designed to protect Africa's highest point. Lake Manyara includes Manyara Lake, located along the rift wall. Mkomazi Park, located on the border with Kenya, is the youngest park in the country, established in 2008. Rubondo Island in the southwestern part of Lake Victoria has become home to the Rubondo Island National Park. Serengeti Park includes the Ngorongoro Crater. In the future, an increase in the park area is planned. Tarangire National Park is located on the river of the same name.
In the north-east of the country, on the Indian Ocean coast, between the cities of Tanga and Dar es Salaam, the Saadini Park is located. In the east, in the Uzungwa Mountains is the Udzungwa Mountains Park. On the northern coast of Lake Tanganyika in the western part of the country is the Gombe Stream National Park. On the shores of the lake in the Mahali Mountains, there is also the Mahali Mountains Park. In the center of the country is the Ruaha Park. After a recent increase in size, the park has become the largest in Tanzania. In the south-west of the country near Lake Rukva at the end of the rift valley is Katavi Park. In the south of the country is Kitulo Park, also known as the Garden of the Gods. The issue of increasing the park area due to the forests of Mount Rungwe is currently under consideration. In the southeast are the Selus Nature Reserve and Mikumi Park.
Tanzania population
The population is 38.860 million (as of October 2009). In the country, only the city of Dar es Salaam has a population of more than 1 million people. Annual growth - 2%. Fertility - 4.5 births per woman. Infant mortality is 69 per 1000 births. The average life expectancy is 50 years for men, 53 years for women. Infection with the immunodeficiency virus (HIV) - 6.2% (estimate for 2007).
Ethnic composition - in the mainland - 99% are blacks, mainly Bantu peoples (hehe, shambhala, sukuma, curia, ha, etc.), 1% - Asians (mainly Indians), whites, Arabs. In Zanzibar - mainly Arabs, blacks and mestizos of Arab-Negro origin.
Languages \u200b\u200bare official Swahili and English, Arabic is spoken in Zanzibar, and in the mainland there are many local languages \u200b\u200bof the Bantu group. Religions - in the mainland - Christians 30%, Muslims 35%, indigenous cults 35%; in Zanzibar, more than 99% are Muslims.
Source - http://ru.wikipedia.org/
http://www.afri.su/countries/tanzania/
enjoys the fame of one of the most beautiful countries in Africa. On the territory of which the largest and most beautiful national parks and reserves of the country are located.
SERENGETI NATIONAL PARK:
Serengeti National Park - one of the largest reserves in the world (its area is 14 763 sq. km.) and the oldest nat. park on the African continent (formed in 1951), located in the north Tanzaniaat the border with Kenya. Serengeti is located at an altitude of 920 to 1850 m above sea level and its landscape changes from long or short grass in the south to savannas in the center and hills covered with forests in the north. Real forests are located in the western part of the park. In the Serengeti, the concentration of wild animals is one of the largest in the world (about 3 million of them live). There is a unique opportunity to see the Big Five in full strength - a lion (their population in the Serengeti is 3,000), a leopard, a buffalo, a rhino and an elephant. Other common animals include giraffes, wildebeests, gazelles, zebras, impalas, cheetahs (more than 500), crocodiles, hippos and others, as well as more than 500 species of birds. The park is known for the absolutely colossal migration of animals from July to August, when millions of animals living here are forced to migrate in search of pasture during some dry seasons.
MOUNTAIN KILIMANJARO:
Highest single mountain in a world that is also a dormant, but not extinct volcano. Climbing Kilimanjaro can be done throughout the year, but it is best to do this from August to October and from January to March. The main attractions of this peak are the volcanic centers of the Shire in the west, Mawenzi in the east and snow-white Kibo in the center.
CRATER Ngorongoro:
The reserve area is 8288 sq. Km. located in the north Tanzaniabetween the parks of the lake. Manyara and Serengeti. The reserve was created in 1959, with the aim of preserving ngorongoro Crater and Oldduvai Gorge. Ngorongoro Crater is listed as " Natural heritage World »UNESCO. It is the sixth largest crater in the world, with a depth of 610 meters and an area of \u200b\u200b260 square meters. km (crater diameter from 16 to 19 km). Ngorongoro Crater was formed 2.5 million years ago. It used to be a huge volcano, but after the largest eruption, its top collapsed and formed a caldera (crater). Its landscape is very diverse: volcanoes, mountains, plains, lakes, forests. Ngorongoro Crater is unique in that for many years it has formed its own habitat for many species of animals that are not able to get out. In this regard, the crater is one of the most "densely populated" animal areas of the African continent, inhabited by 25,000 large mammals, mainly zebras and antelopes. Gazelles, buffalos, warthogs, elephants, lions, leopards, hyenas, hippos, monkeys also live here. On the territory of the crater you will see the “white” and “black” rhinos, which in the world are an endangered species !. More than 100 species of birds have been registered, many of which are found only here. Countless flamingos form a pink veil over Lake Magadi, which is located inside the crater. Not far from the crater is the Olduvai Gorge, which is called the site of the richest excavations of the prehistoric period.
LAKE MANYAR NATIONAL PARK:
It was founded in 1960. It is located in the Great Rift Valley, in the northern part Tanzania. The park is located between Lake Manyara itself and 600 meter cliffs of the Great African Fault and occupies 325 square meters. km, 229 of which are in the lake. On the remaining small part of the land there are meadows, mountains, forests and swamps. The park is the only one in Tanzania a tropical forestwhere hordes of baboons and blue monkeys live. In the park there are buffaloes, elephants, giraffes, antelopes, zebras, hippos. The main feature of the park are lions climbing on acacia trees. Manyara Lake is a bird's paradise for waterfowl, there are more than 380 species of them: huge flocks of pink flamingos, pelicans, storks, ibises, cormorants, cranes, etc. (Topic Tanzania)
SELUS NATIONAL PARK:
The largest protected wilderness in Africa with the largest elephant population in Tanzania. Lions, impala, giraffes, antelopes, baboons, zebras, buffalos, hippos and wild dogs are also often found here. The nature of the reserve is very diverse: from savannas to forests, from meadows to rocks, cut by the river Rufigi and its tributaries Kilambero and Luvegu. In the river Kilombero, there are predatory tiger fish and amazing vandu catfish with primitive lungs, allowing them to move from one reservoir to another directly by land.
TARANGIRE NATIONAL PARK:
The park is located 120 km south of Arusha on an area of \u200b\u200b2600 sq. Km. It takes its name from the river, which carries its waters along the entire park. Distinctive feature The landscape is a floodplain of the river and savannah with lonely-standing baobabs and acacias. In June, after a period of long rains in the Masai steppe, the dry season begins and the animals return to the banks of the Tarangire River. Typical inhabitants of the park are zebras, wildebeests, lions, leopards, aquatic deer, giraffes and others. If you're lucky, you can observe the natural habitats and pythons that the park is famous for.
Volmar safaris offers various
Description of the presentation Project On the theme “Creation of a national park on slides
Project On the theme of “Creating a national park in Tanzania” Completed by: Student 7 ”b” class Prasolov Alexander MAOU secondary school “school number 8”.
1) Purpose: the creation of a park for the protection of animals, plants, their habitats, the creation of places for recreation and training of people.
2) Location: The park is located in Kilwa Masoko on the Indian Ocean. This location allows us to organize interesting sea excursions for tourists from all over the world. Guides speak 8 languages \u200b\u200bof the world: Arabic, English, French, Russian, German, Chinese, Italian, Sukhail. For those visitors who do not speak any of these languages, universal audio guides are provided.
Features geographical location Tanzania is a state in East Africa. It consists of the mainland (tanganyika), washed from the east by the Indian Ocean, and the large coastal islands of Zanzibar, Pemba and Mafia. Tanzania is a member of the British Commonwealth. Most of the country is located on the East African Plateau. The territory of Tanzania captures part of the largest lakes in Africa - Lake Victoria in the north, Lake Tanganyika (which is often called the twin of Baikal) in the west, and Lake Nyasa in the south of Tanzania. The highest mountains of Africa Kilimanjaro (5895 m). The total length of land borders is 3,402 km, of which 451 km from Burundi, 769 km from Kenya, 475 km from Malawi, 756 km from Mozambique, 217 km from Rwanda, 396 km from Uganda and 338 from Zambia. km Equatorial monsoon. The mountainous regions and the southeastern part of the country have all the signs of a tropical climate, which is caused by the features of the relief. The temperature regime in Tanzania is quite uniform - the average winter temperature is around +22 C (in the mountains - +12 -20 C), the average monthly summer temperature ranges from +25 C in the south of the country to +27 C in the north to +24 in mountainous areas. The best time to visit the country is from June to September, but you should carefully choose the time of arrival depending on the areas planned for visiting. When choosing a trip time, you need to be guided by information about animal migration, as well as the hunting season, which is usually closed from April 1 to June 30. .
Giraffe is the tallest mammal in the world. Individual males grow to a height of 5, 7 meters, of which 2, 4 meters fall on the neck. Moreover, their weight reaches almost 2 tons. Females are slightly smaller - up to 4 meters in height and weighing around 1200 kg. Zebra is a large animal of the equine family, distributed on slopes and plateaus South African and Namibia at an altitude of 2000 meters above sea level. Two subspecies are distinguished, the range of which is highly fragmented.
Leo - a predatory beast, is one of four representatives of the genus panther, belonging to the subfamily of large cats. The lion is the second largest living big cat, second only to the tiger. The weight of male lions sometimes reaches 250 kg. Impala antelope is an inhabitant of the southeastern part of the African mainland. Due to the graceful camp, she was reckoned among the gazelles for a long time, but studies have shown that in a much closer relationship she is with bubals.
Leopard is one of the largest carnivorous feline mammals belonging to the genus panther. A leopard is a large animal with a muscular body, a rounded head, thick short hair and a long tail. All types of leopards have a characteristic crest, consisting of a dirty yellow background and black solid or ring-shaped spots distributed throughout the body.
Cheetah is the fastest terrestrial animal of mammals. For a minimum period of time it develops a speed equal to 112 -120 kilometers per hour (almost 75 miles per hour). The cheetah has the ability to develop speeds of 100 kilometers per hour in 3 seconds. This feline is one of the few that have semi-extendable claws. Vervetki - a separate species of monkeys of the genus green monkeys, the monkey family. Vervetki live on the territory of East Africa south of the Sahara desert. In addition, they are found in the southern part of the African continent.
8) Protection of the project 1) The significance of the project for society: viewing various animals and plants that people did not know about or did not see live, and would like to see. 2) 2) The main problem solved by me: what animals and plants will be protected in the park. 3) 3) I was looking for those animals that live only in Tanzania 4) 4) What result I got: various animals and plants, now live in my park, are studied and protected. 5) 5) Having done this project, I can do subsequent, various projects related to animals and plants.Parks of Tanzania: national parks, reserves, conservation zones of Tanzania, nature parks.
Any unesco
National parks of Tanzania - Serengeti, Kilimanjaro, Ruaha, Tarangire and others - are recognized ecotourism centers around the world. Numerous reserves, the most famous of which are Selous, Ngorongoro and Rungva, preserve unique species of flora and fauna of equatorial Africa. The Selous reserve, the Ruaa and Mikumi parks make Tanzania the center of numerous safari and air tours, as well as a film set for hundreds of films. In total, Tanzania has 12 national parks, the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, 13 wildlife reserves, 38 conservation areas and about 120 national cultural sites.
Arusha National Park, one of the smallest in Tanzania, is located only 32 km from the city. Its main “must see” are Lake Momela, Mount Meru and Ngurdoto Crater. About 400 species of birds nest in the park - both local and migratory, and from the beast you can meet baboons, elephants, buffalos, giraffes, hippos, leopards, hyenas, zebras and many types of antelopes.
In the Serengeti, you can see 35 species of large mammals, including the so-called "Big Five" - \u200b\u200ban elephant, a rhino, a lion, a leopard and a buffalo. Ngorongoro Nature Reserve is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. In the southwest it is bounded by Lake Eyasi, and in the north by the Gol Mountains. The park is inhabited by gazelles, buffalos, eland antelopes, warthogs, lions, hyenas, cheetahs and leopards. Even in the reserve you can observe more than 100 species of birds that do not live in the Serengeti.
Tarangire National Park is located on the eastern shore of Lake Maniara and covers an area of \u200b\u200b2600 square meters. km Tarangire is famous for its abundance of wild animals. Manyara Lake National Park is located between the eponymous alkaline lake and the cliffs of the Great African Fault. The most entertaining sight in the park is the lions climbing trees.
Mount Kilimanjaro is the highest solitary mountain in the world, which is also a sleeping, but not extinct volcano. Climbing Kilimanjaro can be done all year long, but it is best to do this from August to October and from January to March. The main attractions of this peak are the volcanic centers of the Shire in the west, Mawenzi in the east and snow-white Kibo in the center.
In total, Tanzania has 12 national parks, the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, 13 wildlife reserves, 38 conservation areas and about 120 national cultural sites.
South tanzania
In southern Tanzania are Africa's most pristine reserves and reserves. Most of all among them are the Selous Reserve and the Ruaha National Park.
Selous is the largest protected wilderness in Africa with the largest elephant population in Tanzania. Lions, impala, giraffes, antelopes, baboons, zebras, buffalos, hippos and wild dogs are often found here. The nature of the reserve is very diverse: from savannas to forests, from meadows to rocks, cut by the river Rufigi and its tributaries Kilambero and Luvegu. In the Kilombero River, predatory tiger fish and amazing wanda catfish are found with primitive lungs that allow them to move from one reservoir to another directly by land. The park organizes hiking and car safaris, as well as boat trips. The best time for them is the dry season from June to October, when thirst drives wild animals from secluded places to rivers.
Ruaha is a relatively inaccessible wild park, more than compensating for the road difficulties of travelers who reached it, with an amazing variety of its plant and animal life. Big river Ruaha protects and nourishes evergreen forests and swamps, it is thanks to her that a huge population of elephants lives in the park.
Mahale Mountains National Park
In Western Tanzania, on the shores of Lake Tanganyika, there are two reserves: the Mahale National Park and the Gombe Park, known for large populations of chimpanzees and almost the same number of scientists studying their behavior in the natural environment.
The small national park of the Mahale Mountains is located 120 kilometers south of the city of Kigoma, on a peninsula in the eastern part of Lake Tanganyika. In the center of the reserve stands a mountain range, the height of which reaches 2462 m above sea level. Among the representatives of the fauna, it is worth highlighting a huge, about a thousand individuals, chimpanzee population. In the north, the tourist has every chance to meet elephants, buffaloes and other animals, and in the southern part of the park there are many species of antelopes, lions and giraffes. In the park you can make a walking safari in the mountains and along the shore of Lake Tanganyika.
Northern circle
The northern circle is the most developed, but at the same time the wildest. Its route covers many parks and reservations in Northern Tanzania, the most famous of which are Ngorongoro Nature Reserve, Mount Kilimanjaro, Serengeti, Tarangire, Arusha and Lake Maniara parks. The Serengeti ecosystem consists of Masai Mara Park in Kenya and the western part of Ngorongoro Park, the Serengeti National Park itself and Masva Park in Tanzania. The animals migrate in a circle, starting in Masai Mara and then clockwise to the southeast.
A specific route along the objects should be chosen, focusing on the movement of the rainy area: animals move after moisture. Over long distances, wild boars, zebras, gazelles, and some species of antelopes migrate. Following them are predators - lions and hyenas. Giraffes and elephants travel much shorter distances.
- Is there a safari in Tanzania where you can drive off the road to take unusual photos
the most
Kilimanjaro
"Crown of Tanzania" - Mount Kilimanjaro (from Swahili - "mountain that sparkles"). It is impossible not to recognize it - rising directly above the flat plains, covered with a snow cap at the top, it has become a real symbol of the country.
the most
Ruaha
Ruaha National Park
Today it is one of the most popular and most visited reserves in the country. In addition, Ruaha is Tanzania's second largest national park. It got its name from the Great River Ruaha, flowing among mountain gorges along its eastern border, and flowing into the river Rufiji.
the most
Tanganyika
Lake Tanganyika lies within the East African Fault - one of the greatest geological phenomena on Earth. This lake is the second deepest in the world after Lake Baikal (1470 m). And also, like Baikal, it is distinguished by extremely clear water, which allows you to see the bottom at a depth of 33 meters.
Before starting the story of my trip to the national parks of Tanzania, I want to say that based on my impressions, I came to the conclusion that everyone should visit the national parks of Tanzania at least twice - once as a child with their parents, and second time as a parent with his children.
So, I will begin in order:
In Tanzania, I stayed in Moshi (Kilimanjaro Airport). This city is located right at the foot of the highest mountain in Africa Kilimanjaro (5895 m). Therefore, if in your plans, in addition to visiting the parks, to conquer the top of this mountain, then Moshi is the city from where it is optimal to start your journey.
Tarangire National Park.
The first point of my trip was Tarangire National Park, which is located in the north of the country, about 120 km from the city of Arusha. This park makes a lasting impression not only rich plant worldbut also a variety of animals and birds. The first thing that occurs on the way of tourists is the huge baobabs towering above the tall grass.
Here you can see wildebeests, zebras, Thomson's gazelles, buffalos, eland antelopes and cow antelopes. In this park, one of the largest elephant populations in Tanzania is about 6000. By the way, elephants make a very vivid impression, because you can watch them from a very short distance (from about 3-5 meters). In Tarangir, about 300 species of birds live. This is one of the few places in Africa where the tsetse fly is found. They survived after many years of human struggle against them. By the way, the tsetse fly is a kind of our gadfly and also bites unpleasantly, but I will say that meeting her or being bitten by her is more an exception than a rule ...
After visiting Tarangire Park, my guide driver took me to lodges for the night. Lodges are an exclusively African invention for travelers. Lodges are usually located in the territories of national parks and reserves in Africa, where safaris and trekking are traditionally held. Lodges are special places for tourists to stay, equipped in the bosom of wildlife. Sometimes they are called ethno-hotels.
The conditions in the lodges are usually comfortable, meals are provided on site. From an architectural point of view, it is a capital building, where all the services, bars, restaurants, and a veranda for observing animals are concentrated. Guest rooms are usually located in separate bungalows. Lodges were created specifically for travelers to enjoy magnificent landscapes and wildlife. Upon arrival, I was met by a whole delegation, consisting of managers and maintenance staff of this lodge. At the entrance I was offered a wet towel and a cold drink ... Honestly, it’s nice when they wait for you and kindly meet you as an old good friend ... I jokingly said later that everything was fine, but there weren’t enough singing gypsies ...)) So as not to stop on the theme of lodges, I want to say that these are very comfortable hotel rooms and depending on the cost of accommodation you can have not only a toilet and shower, but also a jacuzzi ... I also stayed in such rooms. The cost of this number is about $ 500 per day (the average number is about $ 200). But I admit, when you go on a safari, this additional comfort makes the trip more enjoyable ...
The buffet is fully adapted to European cuisine. In the evening, an armed ranger accompanied me from the room to the restaurant and back. This security element is not selective, but mandatory for every visitor and is aimed at protecting visitors from wild animals ... Moreover, in Africa the Sun rises at about 6.00 in the morning, and at 18.30 it is already so dark, even though the eye is poked out, and considering. that all the lighting in the lodges and the heating of the water is realized through solar panels, the bulbs along the paths are very dim and illuminate only a small part of the path under your feet ... Therefore, the person accompanying you with a flashlight is definitely not superfluous ...)) And in conclusion, I want to warn you that Park safaris are not only an unforgettable experience, but also a good layer of dust after each day of safari. Therefore, depending on the number of days of the safari, an additional 2 - 5 sets of outerwear (t-shirts, shirts) will definitely not hurt. If you are lucky with a travel company like me, then I had a refrigerator in my car, in which there was always a chilled drinking water and not sun-weary lunch box. And one more thing, some tourists, in order to save their money, stay overnight in specially designated places in tents. If in Russia this is even fascinating, then in Africa it can be the cause of a spoiled vacation ... I will explain why ... First of all, you will have to carry all these tents on the roof of your jeep, which, by the way, opens up and provides an opportunity for a better view of the area. But if there are things, then the review will only be through the windows of the car. Secondly, you have to carry a specially trained Tanzanian chef with you, who will prepare breakfast, lunch and dinner, and this is at least the time that you take for yourself, as well as an additional place in the luggage for the products for the whole time of the safari ...
National Park Lake Manyara.
The park is located 125 km west of the city of Arusha. The height of the park above sea level ranges from 960 to 1478 meters. The park is a narrow strip between the alkaline Lake Manyara in the east and the Gregory Rift in the west.
The main attraction of the park is Lake Manyara, whose coastal area is literally teeming with pink flamingos and other birds. This saturation is formed not only by the birds themselves, but also by their reflections from the surface of the water. This spectacle cannot be expressed in words, and the proverb about “it is better to see once than hear a hundred times” refers precisely to this case ...
Almost all parks are dotted with termite mounds from one to three meters high.
The fauna is rich and diverse. The park is inhabited by numerous herds of elephants, giraffes, hippos, buffalos and many other animals. Another attraction of the park is the hot springs ... Without exaggeration, I will say, because I checked it myself - hot water flows directly from the underground bins ...
I myself have not experimented, but I think that boiling a chicken egg by putting it in this source will not take much time ... By the way, looking ahead, I’ll say after visiting the parks I was lucky to visit one of the lakes, which is heated by underground hot springs. Not only is the water very clear with a turquoise hue, but it still has comfortable temperature +27 - +29 degrees. This suggests that although volcanoes in Tanzania are silent, their breathing is everywhere.
Another point that I would like to dwell on ... For some reason, it is generally accepted that it is better not to visit the parks during the rainy season ... I will say differently, the best time to visit the parks is during the rainy season ... Firstly, such rains as we used to see in Russia, which can pour for weeks like buckets here. Within two weeks I saw rain twice, the duration of which was approximately 10 - 15 minutes. The rest of the time the Sun was shining. But meanwhile, in the parks, instead of burnt yellow grass, fresh greens of various shades appear, and the flowering of numerous shrubs and trees begins.
Secondly, there are not so many tourists in the rainy season, therefore, animals come closer to the roads that safari cars can move on, and there are no problems with cheaper rooms in the lodge ...
Ngorongoro Biosphere Reserve.
Ngorongoro is a huge crater in Tanzania on the edge of the Serengeti savannah, which emerged as a caldera as a result of the collapse of a large volcano about 2.5 million years ago. It is located northeast of Lake Eyasi and northwest of Lake Manyara.
The depth of the crater is 610 m. Its edges rise 2286 m above sea level. The diameter of the Ngorongoro Crater is between 17 and 21 km; its total area is approximately 265 km². At the bottom of the crater is Lake Magadi, famous for its flamingo population. Ngorongoro Crater is unique in that for many years it has formed its own habitat for many species of animals that are not able to get out.
About 25 thousand animals live in the crater; it has the highest density of predators in all of Africa. Especially common in Ngorongoro are zebras, buffaloes and different kinds antelopes such as wildebeests, cannes and gazelles. They are hunted by lions and leopards living in the crater. In addition to them, black rhinos, elephants and, which is unusual for these latitudes, hippos also live in Ngorongoro.
Large migratory flows of animals from the Serengeti often pass through the Ngorongoro Crater.
The mountain range surrounding this park reminded me very much of the motives of Vladimir Obruchev's book “Sannikov Land”. This is one of the few places on the planet where you can see a living rhino. I must say that this is very rare, but there are always chances, because rhinos try to stay away from people and often just sleep. Ngorongoro is perhaps one of the few parks where animals are not at all afraid of humans and come so close that in some cases a photographer can do without a telephoto.
This is the place where you can see with your own eyes the direct process of hunting lions for buffalo, zebras or antelopes.
The relief of the crater is one large steppe along which the whirlwinds of tornadoes glide. Wetlands constantly soar and this hover is visible even with the naked eye. The huge rounded stone boulders, which are scattered not only in the crater itself, but also in the Serengeti park, leave a very strong impression. Looking at them, you understand how powerful the volcano was, throwing out these multi-ton boulders from their bowels over vast distances.
Serengeti National Park.
The Serengeti ecosystem is one of the oldest and best preserved on Earth. Protected areas occupy more than 80 percent of the Serengeti - Serengeti National Park, Ngorongoro Conservation Area in Tanzania, Masai Mara Nature Reserve in Kenya and others. Serengeti is located at an altitude of 920 to 1850 m above sea level and its landscape changes from the grassy plain in the south to the savannah in center and vast woodland in the west.
More than 4.5 million wild ungulates (antelopes, zebras, buffalos, rhinos, giraffes, hippos), as well as elephants, lions, cheetahs, leopards, hyenas, and others live in the Serengeti.
I was most impressed by the great animal migration. In particular, I observed the migration of wildebeests. You can imagine how from horizon to horizon a column of thousands of herds of these animals makes the transition from Serengeti Park (Tanzania) to Kenya.
They are looking for new pastures and places for watering in the dry period, for this they overcome long distances, risking their lives. For myself, I called the Serengeti Park an animal kindergarten ... Apparently, this place is very favorable for feeding cubs in various animals. Entire colonies of hippos, lions and wild boars (pumbaa).
This is a place where giraffes and elephants are in abundance, I'm not talking about monkeys, antelopes and zebras, which in every park are just a huge number. Of all the parks - this is perhaps the only one in which yellow is replaced by green. At the same time, various shades of green give the landscapes unusually beautiful views.
Stratovolcano Aldoinho-Lengai.
Old Doinyo Lengai is a stratovolcano in northern Tanzania. One of the youngest and possibly the most active volcano in East Africa. It has a unique composition of lava. In the language of the local Masai tribe, the name of the volcano means "mountain of God."
It is located near Lake Natron and is part of the volcanic system of the Great Rift Valley in East Africa. Altitude - 2962m.
Already at the entrance to this volcano, the terrain changes right before our eyes. Steppe straight roads give way to mountain serpentines.
Air temperature begins to rise due to the proximity of the volcano. I want to note that the extreme activity of this volcano was recorded in 2013. At the foothills of this volcano lies a valley with Lake Natron, which is also the habitat for pink flamingos. Despite the activity of this volcano in this valley lives a large number of Masai people. Masai is a semi-nomadic African indigenous people who have almost completely preserved their traditional way of life. Due to the popularity of ethnic tourism, the Masai have become one of Tanzania's attractions.
Many tourists are very interested in the life of these tribes. Masai spoiled by the attention of strangers also take advantage of this and, if you want to take pictures of them, then get ready to pay $ 1 for photographing one Masai. Number of shots without limits. In the Aldoinho-Lengai region, everything is much simpler. The local manager of the lodge agrees with the head of the Masai tribe, pays him $ 15-20 and you are brought to one of the settlements (30 people), you can take pictures of anyone and any number. These are not decorative settlements, but real ones. When leaving the valley, there will be three posts on your way where you will have to pay the government tax. It is $ 15, but if your driver-guide is able to bargain, then there is a chance to save and pay a smaller amount. In Tanzania, this is the order of things.
At the end of my story I can’t keep silent about the tanzanites. The mineral is mined only in Arusha province in northern Tanzania. Tanzanite is found in blue, purple and yellow-brown colors, the latter, after heat treatment, also become blue-violet and are used in jewelry.
In stones of good quality, the color is ultramarine or sapphire blue. Under electric light, it acquires an amethyst-violet hue. When heated to 400-500 C, brownish and yellowish shades disappear and the blue of the stone deepens.
And finally, I will say that tanzanites have not only a very beautiful dark blue color, but also the same beautiful price ...)) The average cost of one carat of tanzanite ranges from $ 400 to $ 500. Here, the price depends on the color, size and cut of the stone, as well as on your ability to bargain. But you must bargain ...)) Stones in size from about one to four carats. If you want to buy a nugget, the price varies from $ 25 to $ 100.
If you still decide to take pictures of people in Tanzania, then it is better to ask them about it. Their native language is Swahili, but many speak English well. In Swahili, “I want to take a picture of you” will sound like this: “Mimi na Omba kupega piche”. The staff in the lodge is happy to be interested in Russian words. So I taught them the new word “crackers,” which are very appropriate for their delicious mashed soups. Of course, some Russian-speaking tourists also leave their language mark in Tanzania, therefore, “stirring rolls” is one of the “masterpieces” of Russian language manifestation heard by my sons ...))