Tantalizing Tanzania

The thing that struck me most was the dramatic difference between the northern and southern regions of the country.  Having visited southern Tanzania a number of years ago, I found the topography and game was quite similar to countries in Southern Africa.  Northern Tanzania really does feel quite different. Its landscapes have been dramatically affected by plate tectonic activity, so within what is now more famously known as the Great Rift Valley you find a number of different ecosystems. 

The key areas that I visited on my trip were four contrasting ecosystems - the swamps of Tarangire, the dry soda lake of Lake Manyara, the lush environment of the Ngorongoro Conservation area and the dry plains of the Serengeti.  Combining these areas really does make a fascinating safari, and for a photography fanatic like myself, it means that you can never put your camera down!

Tarangire is largely famous for its high concentration of elephant, and at times there are supposed to be over 2,500 within the ecosystem.  I was stunned to see a herd of about 200 elephant bathing in the swamp however, I was swiftly told that this was nothing in comparison to the large herds that gather there during August/ September.

We then travelled onward to Lake Manyara, a stunning soda lake that attracts a large number of Lesser Flamingoes, responsible for the wall of pink on the lake's horizon.  Although the lake takes up over two thirds of this beautiful National Park there is so much more to see, as it has a wide variety of different game which includes its famous tree climbing lions.  I was lucky enough to see two lionesses taking their afternoon siesta in the cooler upper branches of a very high tree.  An incredible sight to see as these heavier cats are a lot less agile then its more slender feline friend, the leopard.

Once up on the Great Rift Valley Escarpment we climbed our way up to the Ngorongoro Crater Rim, where the views are breathtaking.  Standing at the top and peering down into the Crater it really does make you feel that you are just a tiny little sole in a big, big world.  My guide, Emmanuel, points to the dots on the crater floor and tries to make me identify what animal they might be.  I name a smaller antelope and his mouth cracks in to a smile, as he tells me that the dots are in fact elephants!

You can't write about northern Tanzania and not mention the migration.  The finale of my trip was spent in the Serengeti, the part time home of this wildlife spectacle.  The wildebeest were chasing the recent rains and so had made their way to the southern reaches of the Serengeti a good month ahead of schedule.  Having seen the migration twice in the Masai Mara, this incredible sight still amazed me.  Whether it was congested water holes or the endless processions of wildebeest, I saw more wildebeest and zebra that I would ever be able to count.

In summary, Tanzania is a classic safari destination that combines excellent game viewing with some of the most striking landscapes that I have seen in all of my travels to Africa.  Whether you are a first time visitor to Africa or an Africa addict, northern Tanzania is a definite 'must see'.

Email or call our Africa Team on 020 7386 4646 for more information.

Costs for our 15-day 'Ultimate Tanzania ' tour start at £5,425 per person inclusive of flights from London.

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