A majority of visitors to Dar es Salaam find it worthwhile to tour Mikumi, Udzungwa, Ruaha and Selous game reserves. These destinations comprise the southern safari circuit of Tanzania. Mikumi National Park is just a few hours away by car, and Zanzibar is a quick 2-hour ferry ride (or an even quicker flight) away. For relaxing day trips to nearby islands, arranged transportation via White Sands Hotel or Bahari Beach Hotel.
Mikumi national park occupies 3,230 sq km and hosts a great diversity of African wildlife. Animal species found there include lion, buffalo, elephant, giraffe, zebra, warthog, and several antelope species. The park is also home to hippos, monitor lizards, and crocodiles and a good number of the endangered wild dogs. During the wet season, up to 300 bird species gather in Mikumi, many of which are migratory birds for Europe and Asia. The most dominant feature of Mikumi national park is its flood plain, which borders Uluguru mountains and Lumango hills range. Mikumi lies on the Northern border of Selous game reserve, forming a vast ecosystem of wilderness covering 75,000 sq. km. The plains of Mikumi are covered by grassland while miombo woodlands are found on the higher grounds.
Mikumi is generally accessible all year round, unlike many other southern circuit safari destinations. It takes four hours to Mikumi by road, and one hour by flight from Dar es Salaam. For budget travelers, It is possible to take a bus ride to the park's gate then arrange game drives from there. At the few luxury lodges and tented camps and the three campsites in Mikumi , limited accommodation is available. Should you find yourself in Dar es Salaam on a weekend, Mikumi is a perfect destination for seeing African wildlife.
65 km southwest of Mikumi, and 348 km west of Dar lies the 1,990 sq. km. Udzungwa Mountains National park. Udzungwa mountains are found southeast of Kilimanjaro and are part of the Eastern Arc Mountains. This unique Tanzania national park was created purely for purposes of plant species conservation. Many rare plants inhabit the mountain forest in Udzungwa. Animal life in the forests consists of six primate species, including the Iringa red colobus monkey and the Sanje crested Mangabey both of which are endemic here. Lions, elephants, buffaloes and hunting dogs are found on the plateau area, though in smaller numbers than in other parks and game reserves in Tanzania. The park is an important conservation area for bird species, with more than four previously unknown species discovered by scientists recently. The dry season from June through October is the best time to visit Udzungwa. During the wet season, hiking routes get unpleasantly slippery.
Ruaha National park is the biggest elephant sanctuary in the world and the second largest national park in Tanzania, occupying 12,950 sq. km. The great Ruaha river is the lifeblood of this park, hosting many hippos and crocodiles, and drawing thousands of thirsty animals to its banks. Common animal species include water bucks, leopards, reed bucks, hyenas, giraffes, impala, wild dogs, zebra, greater and lesser kudu, and sable and roan antelopes plus many more. The Ruaha landscape is ideal for hiking, and walking safaris are acceptable. There is abundant bird life (over 370 bird species) especially during the wet seasons (March to April and October to November) during which some Eurasian migratory birds move in.
The flora is very diverse and over 1650 plant species flourish here. The Ruaha has the unique distinction of having plant and animal life found in both eastern and southern Africa. The climate here is hot and dry and temperatures can reach 40 degrees Celsius in October. The Ruaha is located 128 km west of the central Tanzania town of Iringa. It was previously inaccessible, but there is now year round road access. From Dar, road travel is a backbreaking 10 hours while a charter flight takes 1 " hours. The best time for a safari is over the dry season- May to December. Then, the Ruaha River is magnetic to the animals and right at the banks, the drama of their daily life is on display- feeding, fighting, courting and mating. The accommodation is currently limited, but there is a luxury lodge, and a few self-catering chalets and campsites.
The indisputable star of the southern safari circuit is the Selous game reserve, named after the celebrated Victoria era naturalist and explorer, Fredrick Courtney Selous. Fredrick Selous died here during the first world war, at a time when Tanzania was under German rule. The game reserve is situated 500 km southwest of Dar es Salaam, and occupies 55,000 sq. km, an area larger than Switzerland. Selous is the largest game reserve in Africa and was declared a UNESCO world heritage site in 1982. Diverse habitats cover the Selous wilderness, ranging from open savanna grasslands, to woodlands, forests, and swamps.
Over 2,100 species of trees and plants have been recorded. The mighty Rufiji River is the lifeblood of the reserve and its numerous tributaries and oxbow lakes are ideal for boat safaris. The wildlife to see here includes buffalo, hippo, black rhino, lion and wild dog. Elephants in particular are numerous and are estimated to number over 60,000. Other inhabitants of Selous are bush back, water buck, reed buck, impala, eland, giraffe, baboon, zebra, and greater kudu. Birders will also find a trip to Selous worthwhile " over 420 species are on record. In the very large game sanctuaries of the south - Ruaha and Selous in particular, game is scattered and a slow pace is advised, with at least 3-4 days in each. Photographic safaris can be very rewarding here. Most visitors take the time to visit to Stieglers Gorge, which also happens to be a spot favored by leopards.
To get to Selous from Dar es Salaam, it takes one and a half hours by flight or seven hours by road. Road trips are tiresome and are only advisable for the most adventurous people. Being quite near the coast, Selous is only a few hundred feet above sea level. Selous has a hot and humid climate especially between October and March. During the wet season, March to May, parts of the reserve are closed. The dry season is the best for visiting, during which time you can take walking safaris, boat rides, or self drive safaris in a 4x4 vehicle. There are limited accommodation facilities in Selous, with only a few luxury tented camps and no frills camps.
Another travel destination worth visiting in Tanzania is Sadani game reserve, situated 50 km from Bagamoyo in the North coast. With African wild animals like elephants, giraffes, zebras, leopards, and buffaloes, the game reserve gives visitors a bush at the beach experience. However, Sadani is only accessible by making special transport arrangements.
Prior to traveling into Tanzania and Dar es Salaam, visitors coming from areas infected with yellow fever need to be vaccinated against yellow fever, and have certificate of vaccination as proof. Visitors from such regions as Europe, North America, New Zealand, and Australia are exempted from this requirement since yellow fever is not endemic in those regions. Tanzania's forested northwest region is a yellow fever high-risk area. Malaria is also very prevalent in Tanzania and travelers are advised to take anti-malarial medication starting as early as two weeks before arrival. Other recommended vaccinations are typhoid, hepatitis A, and polio. Additionally, a visa is required for all visitors except those from some specified African and commonwealth countries. Where possible, acquire the visa from the Tanzanian embassy or high commission in your country in advance. Some international airlines may not allow you to board a Tanzania flight without the visa. Generally, visas are also attainable at such entry points as Dar es Salaam, Kilimanjaro, and Zanzibar international airports, and border posts like Namanga gate on the border with Kenya.
It is easy to get to Dar es Salaam through the top travel hubs in Africa e.g Nairobi, Johannesburg and Addis Ababa. Within Tanzania, there are many domestic flights connecting Dar and other Tanzania airports like Dodoma airport and Kilimanjaro international airport. From Mombasa in Kenya, there are ferry services by sea to Dar es Salaam. Traveling within Dar city itself is easy by use of Taxis. Per every journey within the city center, the taxis charge a standard Tsh 2000. Visitors can also get to Zanzibar by ferry, with four choices available: a catamaran, a hydrofoil, and 2 ordinary boats. Before boarding the ferry for Zanzibar, you will have to produce the yellow fever vaccination certificate. You will also pay an additional US$5 for port charges, apart from just the boat fare.
Dar es Salaam, like most of Tanzania, does not get very cold. Light clothing is therefore most suitable. Temperatures average around 30 degrees celsius, the hottest period being from October to March. Male travelers can carry decent short sleeved shirts, shorts and trousers, while skirts, short sleeve blouses, and slacks would be enough for the female traveler. If you will be visiting the highlands however, it is advisable you carry some warmer clothing like sweaters for the early mornings and the evenings. In the entire country, nudity is unacceptable.
Mikumi national park occupies 3,230 sq km and hosts a great diversity of African wildlife. Animal species found there include lion, buffalo, elephant, giraffe, zebra, warthog, and several antelope species. The park is also home to hippos, monitor lizards, and crocodiles and a good number of the endangered wild dogs. During the wet season, up to 300 bird species gather in Mikumi, many of which are migratory birds for Europe and Asia. The most dominant feature of Mikumi national park is its flood plain, which borders Uluguru mountains and Lumango hills range. Mikumi lies on the Northern border of Selous game reserve, forming a vast ecosystem of wilderness covering 75,000 sq. km. The plains of Mikumi are covered by grassland while miombo woodlands are found on the higher grounds.
Mikumi is generally accessible all year round, unlike many other southern circuit safari destinations. It takes four hours to Mikumi by road, and one hour by flight from Dar es Salaam. For budget travelers, It is possible to take a bus ride to the park's gate then arrange game drives from there. At the few luxury lodges and tented camps and the three campsites in Mikumi , limited accommodation is available. Should you find yourself in Dar es Salaam on a weekend, Mikumi is a perfect destination for seeing African wildlife.
65 km southwest of Mikumi, and 348 km west of Dar lies the 1,990 sq. km. Udzungwa Mountains National park. Udzungwa mountains are found southeast of Kilimanjaro and are part of the Eastern Arc Mountains. This unique Tanzania national park was created purely for purposes of plant species conservation. Many rare plants inhabit the mountain forest in Udzungwa. Animal life in the forests consists of six primate species, including the Iringa red colobus monkey and the Sanje crested Mangabey both of which are endemic here. Lions, elephants, buffaloes and hunting dogs are found on the plateau area, though in smaller numbers than in other parks and game reserves in Tanzania. The park is an important conservation area for bird species, with more than four previously unknown species discovered by scientists recently. The dry season from June through October is the best time to visit Udzungwa. During the wet season, hiking routes get unpleasantly slippery.
Ruaha National park is the biggest elephant sanctuary in the world and the second largest national park in Tanzania, occupying 12,950 sq. km. The great Ruaha river is the lifeblood of this park, hosting many hippos and crocodiles, and drawing thousands of thirsty animals to its banks. Common animal species include water bucks, leopards, reed bucks, hyenas, giraffes, impala, wild dogs, zebra, greater and lesser kudu, and sable and roan antelopes plus many more. The Ruaha landscape is ideal for hiking, and walking safaris are acceptable. There is abundant bird life (over 370 bird species) especially during the wet seasons (March to April and October to November) during which some Eurasian migratory birds move in.
The flora is very diverse and over 1650 plant species flourish here. The Ruaha has the unique distinction of having plant and animal life found in both eastern and southern Africa. The climate here is hot and dry and temperatures can reach 40 degrees Celsius in October. The Ruaha is located 128 km west of the central Tanzania town of Iringa. It was previously inaccessible, but there is now year round road access. From Dar, road travel is a backbreaking 10 hours while a charter flight takes 1 " hours. The best time for a safari is over the dry season- May to December. Then, the Ruaha River is magnetic to the animals and right at the banks, the drama of their daily life is on display- feeding, fighting, courting and mating. The accommodation is currently limited, but there is a luxury lodge, and a few self-catering chalets and campsites.
The indisputable star of the southern safari circuit is the Selous game reserve, named after the celebrated Victoria era naturalist and explorer, Fredrick Courtney Selous. Fredrick Selous died here during the first world war, at a time when Tanzania was under German rule. The game reserve is situated 500 km southwest of Dar es Salaam, and occupies 55,000 sq. km, an area larger than Switzerland. Selous is the largest game reserve in Africa and was declared a UNESCO world heritage site in 1982. Diverse habitats cover the Selous wilderness, ranging from open savanna grasslands, to woodlands, forests, and swamps.
Over 2,100 species of trees and plants have been recorded. The mighty Rufiji River is the lifeblood of the reserve and its numerous tributaries and oxbow lakes are ideal for boat safaris. The wildlife to see here includes buffalo, hippo, black rhino, lion and wild dog. Elephants in particular are numerous and are estimated to number over 60,000. Other inhabitants of Selous are bush back, water buck, reed buck, impala, eland, giraffe, baboon, zebra, and greater kudu. Birders will also find a trip to Selous worthwhile " over 420 species are on record. In the very large game sanctuaries of the south - Ruaha and Selous in particular, game is scattered and a slow pace is advised, with at least 3-4 days in each. Photographic safaris can be very rewarding here. Most visitors take the time to visit to Stieglers Gorge, which also happens to be a spot favored by leopards.
To get to Selous from Dar es Salaam, it takes one and a half hours by flight or seven hours by road. Road trips are tiresome and are only advisable for the most adventurous people. Being quite near the coast, Selous is only a few hundred feet above sea level. Selous has a hot and humid climate especially between October and March. During the wet season, March to May, parts of the reserve are closed. The dry season is the best for visiting, during which time you can take walking safaris, boat rides, or self drive safaris in a 4x4 vehicle. There are limited accommodation facilities in Selous, with only a few luxury tented camps and no frills camps.
Another travel destination worth visiting in Tanzania is Sadani game reserve, situated 50 km from Bagamoyo in the North coast. With African wild animals like elephants, giraffes, zebras, leopards, and buffaloes, the game reserve gives visitors a bush at the beach experience. However, Sadani is only accessible by making special transport arrangements.
Prior to traveling into Tanzania and Dar es Salaam, visitors coming from areas infected with yellow fever need to be vaccinated against yellow fever, and have certificate of vaccination as proof. Visitors from such regions as Europe, North America, New Zealand, and Australia are exempted from this requirement since yellow fever is not endemic in those regions. Tanzania's forested northwest region is a yellow fever high-risk area. Malaria is also very prevalent in Tanzania and travelers are advised to take anti-malarial medication starting as early as two weeks before arrival. Other recommended vaccinations are typhoid, hepatitis A, and polio. Additionally, a visa is required for all visitors except those from some specified African and commonwealth countries. Where possible, acquire the visa from the Tanzanian embassy or high commission in your country in advance. Some international airlines may not allow you to board a Tanzania flight without the visa. Generally, visas are also attainable at such entry points as Dar es Salaam, Kilimanjaro, and Zanzibar international airports, and border posts like Namanga gate on the border with Kenya.
It is easy to get to Dar es Salaam through the top travel hubs in Africa e.g Nairobi, Johannesburg and Addis Ababa. Within Tanzania, there are many domestic flights connecting Dar and other Tanzania airports like Dodoma airport and Kilimanjaro international airport. From Mombasa in Kenya, there are ferry services by sea to Dar es Salaam. Traveling within Dar city itself is easy by use of Taxis. Per every journey within the city center, the taxis charge a standard Tsh 2000. Visitors can also get to Zanzibar by ferry, with four choices available: a catamaran, a hydrofoil, and 2 ordinary boats. Before boarding the ferry for Zanzibar, you will have to produce the yellow fever vaccination certificate. You will also pay an additional US$5 for port charges, apart from just the boat fare.
Dar es Salaam, like most of Tanzania, does not get very cold. Light clothing is therefore most suitable. Temperatures average around 30 degrees celsius, the hottest period being from October to March. Male travelers can carry decent short sleeved shirts, shorts and trousers, while skirts, short sleeve blouses, and slacks would be enough for the female traveler. If you will be visiting the highlands however, it is advisable you carry some warmer clothing like sweaters for the early mornings and the evenings. In the entire country, nudity is unacceptable.
About the Author:
The author works with Africapoint.com, reputable online travel agents for Africa. Visit Africapoint.com and see the Tanzania tours and safari packages available. Make online reservations for Dar es Salaam hotels or airline booking for flights to Dar es Salaam
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