Tanzania Safari The seasonal game migration across the vast Serengeti plain remains one of the greatest natural events in the world. The Ngorongoro Crater, now a world heritage site, Lake Manyara National Park and the Serengeti together offer an exceptional safari holiday. Some lodges and camps to consider in these areas are Grumeti River, Kleins, Migration, Kirurumu and the Crater lodges. All have good game viewing and offer different styles of accommodation in varied environments. To the south lies the Tarangire National Park, famous for its elephants. In the far south the largest reserve in Africa, the Selous, is flanked by the Katavi, Ruaha, and Ugalla Reserves. MAP of TANZANIA If you wish to travel more independently and away from the lodges, there are specialist guided mobile camping safaris available. These private trips take you to the remotest of places and are a very special way of seeing the bush and vast plains at your own pace. The mobile safaris can be simple or as comfortable as you require. They can also be mixed with nights at permanent camps and lodges. Game is generally viewed from open-topped Land Rovers and with the huge East African vistas this is a photographer's paradise. Drifting over the plains in the quiet of an early morning in a balloon is also a magical experience. The highest mountain in Africa is Kilimanjaro. Its snow-capped peak dominates the surrounding plains. A climb takes six nights and for the more energetic this is a lifetime experience and an achievement not to be missed. The Selous Reserve in the south offers portered walking safaris with a choice of tented and permanent lodges such as Sand River Selous. Combine this with a few days on the coast at Ras Kutani Lodge, where you can unwind before or after your safari. Off the Tanzanian coast lies the island of Mafia with its splendid lagoons, excellent diving and water sports. Here, Kinasi Lodge is a good place to stay and enjoy the island's simple comforts. BIRDS AND WILDLIFE If you are a serious ornithologist, there are field guides to the birds of East Africa available in bookstores. Although the animals in the parks may seem completely unconcerned by your presence, they are wild and dangerous. Do not leave your vehicle whilst in the park or stray away from the group if on a guided walk. LANGUAGE Official language is English, with most of the local people speaking Swahili and or Kikuyu. FOOD AND DRINK Most of the food in the hotels and restaurants is based on European cuisine and is of a high standard. Tap water is usually safe in the towns only so recommend drinking bottled or purified water, which is readily available SEASONS SUMMER - September to April On the coast it rains in April and May. Inland it rains from March to May and there are light rains in November. WINTER - May to August Owing to its proximity to the Equator, the temperatures in winter remain warm to hot. BEST: Northern Tanzania: June through October/December through March Selous and Mikumi: June through October Ruaha and Uzungwa: June through October Mafia and Zanzibar: July through October/December through March Western Tanzania: April through October MIGRATIONS In the Serengeti the great migrations normally begin around the end of May when the herds move northwards to cross the rivers separating Tanzania and Kenya. They return south in late October to early November. If you are travelling outside these times the population of resident game remains high. SUGGESTED COMBINATIONS The following are some of the areas that can be combined: Manyara, Serengeti, Ngorongoro crater and Mnemba Island, Zanzibar. The Selous, Sand River and Ras Kutani. The Selous and Zanzibar. Cape Town, Zanzibar, Tarangire and Lake Manyara. Mt Kilimanjaro and Zanzibar beach holiday. CLIMATE Due to its geographical location, East Africa has no defined winter and summer. The coastal areas are tropical, tempered by monsoon winds. Tanzania enjoys a moderate climate, especially in the north, where the high elevation provides cool nights. The coast and southern parks can be hot and dry in the Tanzanian summer (October to March) and humid in the wet-season months of November, April and May. The Tanzanian winter - June to September - is warm. Avg Monthly Temperature (max F) Avg Monthly Rainfall (inches) Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec 92 01 92 02 90 05 85 14 80 10 79 01 78 1 80 1 84 1 87 1 89 2 89 2