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Kenya
Background Information
DESTINATION HIGHLIGHTS
Created In 1950, Aberdare National Park Was A Far-Sighted Decision To Protect The Aberdare Mountains And Surrounding Wildlife. It Is Situated 100km (62 Miles) North Of Nairobi, At The Very Center Of Kenya.Aberdare National Park Covers Just 766km², Which Is Small Compared To Other National Parks, And Has More Difficult Terrain Due To Its Location In Kenya’s Central Highlands, To The West Of Mount Kenya. The Volcanic Range Of The Aberdare Mountains Varies From The High Moorland At 3000 Meters (9842 Feet), To The Peaks Of Kinangop (3906m/12814 Feet) And Ol Donyo Lesatima (3999m/13123 Feet).The Rich, Red Volcanic Soil Provides Excellent Growing Conditions For The Indigenous Forest, And Lies In Stark Contrast To Both The Forest And The Mountain’s Rugged And Beautiful Peaks.
One Of The Main Features Of Aberdare National Park Is That It Is Home To The Second Largest Population Of Black Rhinos, Which Are An Endangered Species. Other Animals That May Be Observed In The Park Include African Lions, Leopards, Baboons, And Black And White Colobus Monkeys And Sykes Monkeys. There Are Also Over 250 Species Of Birds, Including Hawks, Goshawks, Eagles, Sunbirds And Plovers.There Are 60km (37 Miles) Of Primary Roads And 396km (246 Miles) Of Secondary Roads, But They All Become Virtually Impassable During The Rainy Season, Which Lasts From March To May, And To A Lesser Degree, From October To December. There Is Still Some Rainfall And Mist Year-Round Due To The High Altitude Of Aberdare.
BEST TIME TO VISIT
BEST TIME TO VISIT
By Air: The Naishi Airstrip Services The Park For Tourism And KWS Activities.
Park Roads: The Park Has An Adequate And Well Serviced Motorable Roads That Make Most Parts Of The Park Accessible.
Park Gates: The Park Has Three Gates, Main Gate And Lanet Gate That Link The Park With The Nairobi-Nakuru Highway And The Less Used Nderit Gate..
Background Information
DESTINATION HIGHLIGHTS
Crowned By Mount Kilimanjaro, Africa’s Highest Peak, The Amboseli National Parks Is One Of Kenya’s Most Popular Parks. The Name “Amboseli” Comes From A Maasai Word Meaning “Salty Dust”, And It Is One Of The Best Places In Africa To View Large Herds Of Elephants Up Close. Nature Lovers Can Explore Five Different Habitats Here Ranging From The Dried-Up Bed Of Lake Amboseli, Wetlands With Sulphur Springs, The Savannah And Woodlands. They Can Also Visit The Local Maasai Community Who Live Around The Park And Experience Their Authentic Culture.
BEST TIME TO VISIT
January And February Are Good Months To Visit Aberdare, As Are June To September.March To May Is The Heavy Rainy Season And Should Be Avoided Because The Roads Become Impassable.There May Also Be Some Access Problems From October To December.
By Air: The Nearest Airstrip Is The Mweiga Airstrip On The Opposite Side From Park Hqs Along Nyeri – Nyahururu Road Near Sasini Estate Farm.
Background Information
DESTINATION HIGHLIGHTS
On The Floor Of The Great Rift Valley, Surrounded By Wooded And Bushy Grassland, Lies The Beautiful Lake Nakuru National Park. Visitors Can Enjoy The Wide Ecological Diversity And Varied Habitats That Range From Lake Nakuru Itself To The Surrounding Escarpment And Picturesque Ridges. Lake Nakuru National Park Is Ideal For Bird Watching, Hiking,Picnic And Game Drives.Crowned By Mount Kilimanjaro, Africa’s Highest Peak, The Amboseli National Parks Is One Of Kenya’s Most Popular Parks. The Name “Amboseli” Comes From A Maasai Word Meaning “Salty Dust”, And It Is One Of The Best Places In Africa To View Large Herds Of Elephants Up Close. Nature Lovers Can Explore Five Different Habitats Here Ranging From The Dried-Up Bed Of Lake Amboseli, Wetlands With Sulphur Springs, The Savannah And Woodlands. They Can Also Visit The Local Maasai Community Who Live Around The Park And Experience Their Authentic Culture.
Game Spotting Is Also Good. Lake Nakuru Was Declared A National Park In 1961 And It Now Covers An Area Of Some 180 Km2.You Will See Warthog, Waterbuck And Large Numbers Of Impala; Slightly Shyer Residents Include Buffalo, Rothschild Giraffe, Eland, The Occasional Leopard And Both Black And White Rhino. A Herd Of Hippo Have Their Territory In The Northern Part Of The Lake. It Is Important To Remember That There Are Times When The Lake Conditions Change And The Birds Move On To Other Soda Lakes. So Check First Before Setting Off.
Varying Water Levels In The Lake Have A Resulting Impact On The Visiting Numbers Of Migratory Waterfowl, And In The Years Leading Up To 1997, Lake Nakuru Had Virtually Dried Up. Subsequently Rain Levels Have Picked Up, And In Recent Years The Lake’s Levels Have Risen To Around The 3.5 Metre Mark – Once Again Providing A Valuable Home For The Millions Of Birds That Travel The Vast Distances To Arrive Here.
HOW TO GET THERE
By Air: The Nearest Airstrip Is The Mweiga Airstrip On The Opposite Side From Park Hqs Along Nyeri – Nyahururu Road Near Sasini Estate Farm.
Background Information
DESTINATION HIGHLIGHTS
Masai Mara National Reserve Is Considered A “Must See” For Any Visitor Traveling On Safari In Kenya. It Is On The “To Do” List Of Most Kenyan Visitors Because The Park Is Graced By A Wide Variety Of Unique And Exquisite Wild Life And Birds.Masai Mara Is The Best Place To See All Of The “Big Five” Animals (Elephants, Lions, Leopards, Rhinos And Buffalo) Together. The Famous Wildebeest Migration Also Takes Place At The Mara.
Masai Mara National Reserve (Also Known As Masai Mara Or The Mara) Is Situated Within The Great Rift Valley In The Southernpart Of Kenya. Measuring Approximately 1510sq. Ilometres (Approx. 938sq. Miles) In Size, This Unfenced Savannah Grassland Is Roughly 150 Miles Southeast Of Nairobi.Maasai Mara Derives Its Name From The Indigenous People Of Kenya – The Maasai Tribe – And The Mara River That Cuts Through The Park.The Masai Mara Provides The Best View Of The Famous Wildebeest Migration As The Animals Cross The Mara River Between July And August.The Mara Is Also Home To The Richest Concentration Of Wildlife, Including The “Big Five” (Elephants, Lions, Leopards, Rhinos, And Buffalo), Zebras, Antelope, Gnus, Oribis, Hyenas, Giraffes, Warthogs, Gazelles, Hartebeests, Hippos, Crocodiles And Others.
The Park Has The Largest Concentration Of African Lions, Including The Black-Maned Lion.Birdlife Is As Plentiful As Wildlife At The Masai Mara, Which Boasts Over 400 Different Birds Species. The Park Experiences A Hot And Dry Climate With A Regular Rainfall Season Twice A Year. The Reserve’s Topography Is Mainly Open Savannah (Grassland) With Clusters Of Acacia Trees Along The Southeastern Area Of The Park. The Mara And Talek Rivers Grace The Rolling Plains Of The Reserve. Myriad Seasonal Rivers Appear During The Rainy Season But Dry Out Once The Rains Are Gone. Maasai Mara National Reserve Does Not Fall Under The Jurisdiction Of The Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS); Instead, It Is Managed By The Local County Council Of Narok District.
The Masai Mara Game Reserve Is One Of The Best Places In Africa For Wildlife Viewing. Game Drives Are A Great Way To Experience The Park And They Take Place All Year Round. If The Big Cats Are What You’re Looking For On Your Kenyan Safari, You Are Guaranteed To Spot Them At The Mara.All Of The “Big Five” Animals (Elephants, Lions, Leopards, Rhinos, And Buffalo) Can Be Spotted Here. However, The Population Of Black Rhinos Is Severely Threatened With Only 37 Black Rhinos Left As Of 2000. Herds Of Plains Zebras Are Found Throughout The Park, As Well As Masai Giraffes, Common Giraffes, Jackals, White-Bearded Gnus, Oribis, Warthogs, Thomson’s And Grant’s Gazelles, Hartebeests, Hyenas, Bat-Eared Foxes, Rare Topi Antelope And Beautiful Rone Antelope, As Well As Hippos And Crocodiles In The Mara River.
Game Spotting Is Also Good. Lake Nakuru Was Declared A National Park In 1961 And It Now Covers An Area Of Some 180 Km2.You Will See Warthog, Waterbuck And Large Numbers Of Impala; Slightly Shyer Residents Include Buffalo, Rothschild Giraffe, Eland, The Occasional Leopard And Both Black And White Rhino. A Herd Of Hippo Have Their Territory In The Northern Part Of The Lake. It Is Important To Remember That There Are Times When The Lake Conditions Change And The Birds Move On To Other Soda Lakes. So Check First Before Setting Off.
Varying Water Levels In The Lake Have A Resulting Impact On The Visiting Numbers Of Migratory Waterfowl, And In The Years Leading Up To 1997, Lake Nakuru Had Virtually Dried Up. Subsequently Rain Levels Have Picked Up, And In Recent Years The Lake’s Levels Have Risen To Around The 3.5 Metre Mark – Once Again Providing A Valuable Home For The Millions Of Birds That Travel The Vast Distances To Arrive Here.
HOW TO GET THERE
Background Information
DESTINATION HIGHLIGHTS
Picturesque, Steep Forested Ravines And Open Moorland Characterise The Aberdare National Park. The Park Provides A Habitat For Elephants, Black Rhinos, Leopards, Spotted Hyenas, Olive Baboons, Black And White Colobus Monkeys, Buffalos, Warthogs And Bushbucks Among Others. Rare Sightings Include Those Of The Giant Forest Hog, Bongo, Golden Cat, Serval Cat, African Wild Cat, African Civet Cat And The Blue Duiker. Visitors Can Indulge In Picnics, Trout Fishing In The Rivers And Camping In The Moorlands. Bird Viewing Is Rewarding, With Over 250 Species Of Birds In The Park, Including The Jackson’s Francolin, Sparrow Hawks, Goshawks, Eagles, Sunbirds And Plovers.
Meru National Park Incorporates Bisanadi, Kora, Rahole And Mwingi National Reserves. It Is Situated Right On The Equator At An Altitude Of Between 1000-3400 Feet (304-1036meters) And Covers 870km². The Park Was Established In 1968.Meru National Park Is 348km From Nairobi, The Capital Of Kenya. Its Natural Scenery Is Diverse, From The Wide-Open Plains With Many Rivers, To The Woodlands On The Slopes Of The Nyambeni Mountain Range, To The Northeast Of Mount Kenya.George And Joy Adamson Pioneered Research In The Park By Associating With Cheetahs And Lions, Particularly “Elsa” The Lioness.
Joy Wrote A Book That Was Made Into The Famous Film “Born Free”, Which, In Turn, Brought Meru National Park To Public Attention.In The 1980s, The Elephant Population Suffered Greatly Due To The Activities Of Illegal Ivory Poachers. The Kenya Wildlife Service Has Since Largely Eradicated This Problem By Providing Armed Security Patrols, And Elephant Numbers Are Now Increasing.Game Viewing Includes Elephants, Hippos, Lions, Leopards And Cheetahs. There Are Also Some Rare Antelope, Including The Lesser Kudu, Duiker And Dik-Dik, A Tiny African Antelope That Stands Just Twelve Inches High And Is Notoriously Shy.
Meru National Park Also Has Some Of Kenya’s Largest Herds Of Buffalo, Along With Hartebeests, Giraffes And Gazelles. These Animals Are Easily Spotted From Safari Vehicles And, Because The Park Is Less Visited Than Some Of Kenya’s Better-Known Parks, You Do Not Have Other Vehicles Of Tourists Sharing The Sights With You. Over 300 Species Of Birds Have Been Recorded In Meru National Park, Including The Peter’s Finfoot, The Pel’s Fishing Owl, Kingfishers, Rollers, Bee-Eaters, Starlings And Numerous Weavers. There Is Also An Abundance Of Ostriches, Hornbills, Secretary Birds, Eagles And Other Smaller Birds. It Is A Good Idea To Carry A Bird Book To Identify The Many Species You Will See. Meru National Park Borders Bisanadi National Reserve, A True Wilderness. It Is Only Accessible By Four-Wheel-Drive Vehicles, And It Covers A Further 606km². The Border Between The Two Parks Is Known As “Kinna” And Marks The Division Between The Lands Of The Meru And Boran Tribes.
BEST TIME TO VISIT
January And February Are Good Months To Visit Aberdare, As Are June To September.March To May Is The Heavy Rainy Season And Should Be Avoided Because The Roads Become Impassable.There May Also Be Some Access Problems From October To December.
HOW TO GET THERE
By Air: The Closest Commercial Airstrip To The Park Is At Nanyuki.
Background Information
DESTINATION HIGHLIGHTS
Climbing To 5,199 Meters, Mount Kenya Is The Second Tallest Mountain In Africa. The Scenery Surrounding This Designated World Heritage Site Is Breath-Taking. It Is Pristine Wilderness With Lakes, Tarns, Glaciers, Dense Forest, Mineral Springs And A Selection Of Rare And Endangered Species Of Animals, High Altitude Adapted Plains Game And Unique Montane And Alpine Vegetation. Visitors Can Enjoy Mountain Climbing, Camping And Caving With The Mountain’s Rugged Glacier-Clad Peaks Providing The Perfect Backdrop.
Mount Kenya Stands A Magnificent 5199m (17,057 Feet) Above Sea Level, Dominating The View For Miles Around. It Is The Second Highest Mountain In Africa, Next To Mount Kilimanjaro, And Was Formed Hundreds Of Years Ago By A Series Of Volcanic Eruptions. Gradually, The Cratered Rim Has Eroded, Forming Several Peaks. The Park Was Created To Encourage Tourism, To Preserve The Area’s Natural, Outstanding Beauty, And To Conserve The Animal Habitat And Protect It As A Water Catchment Area. Mount Kenya National Park Is Located Between Kenya’s Other Safari Parks – Aberdare, Samburu And Meru National Park.
Of Mount Kenya’s Three Main Peaks, Only Point Lenana Can Be Climbed By Amateurs On A Mountain Climbing Safari. The Other Two Peaks Require Full Mountaineering Skills And Technical Equipment.The Mountain Supports Rainforest, With Thick Clumps Of Bamboo Growing Above The Forest. Higher Up The Slopes, It Becomes Moorland With Heather And Lobelia. A Tarmac Road Runs Around The Base Of Mount Kenya And There Are Several Towns Situated Along The Road, Including Naro Moru, Nanyuki And Meru.African Animals, Including Elephants, Buffalo, Colobus And Other Monkeys, Cape Buffalo, Antelope And Giant Forest Hogs, Inhabit The Lower Forests. They Are Contained Within The National Park By Electrified Fences. The Birdlife Is Also Very Prolific, Including Huge Eagles And Colorful Sunbirds. A Spotter’s Guide May Be Useful For Identifying The Animals And Birds.
BEST TIME TO VISIT
December To March Are The Sunniest Months. There Are Some Cloudy Periods And Rain From March To May, And Drizzle From October To Early December Which May Restrict Clear Views.
HOW TO GET THERE
By Air: The Nearest Airstrip Is The Mweiga Airstrip On The Opposite Side From Park Hqs Along Nyeri – Nyahururu Road Near Sasini Estate Farm.
Background Information
DESTINATION HIGHLIGHTS
A Short Drive Out Of Nairobi’s Central Business District Is The Nairobi National Park. Wide Open Grass Plains And Backdrop Of The City Scrapers, Scattered Acacia Bush Play Host To A Wide Variety Of Wildlife Including The Endangered Black Rhino, Lions, Leopards, Cheetahs, Hyenas, Buffaloes, Giraffes And Diverse Birdlife With Over 400 Species Recorded. Visitors Can Enjoy The Park’s Picnic Sites, Three Campsites And The Walking Trails For Hikers.
The Endangered Black Rhinoceros Is Protected Here And The Park Supplies Black Rhinos To Other National Parks. Take A Game Drive To See Four Of The “Big Five”- Lions, Leopards, Buffalo And Rhinos, But No Elephants. Walking Trails Can Be Enjoyed, Along With Five Picnic Sites. Bird Watching Is Popular Here, With 400 Species Recorded.Turtle And Tortoise Watching Can Also Be Enjoyed.
BEST TIME TO VISIT
High Season Is July Through March When Over 100,000 Visitors Enjoy Seeing The Kenya Wildlife In Its Natural Habitat. Avoid The Rainy Months Of March Through May. The Best Times For Viewing Are Early And Late In The Day, As Animals Tend To Sleep In The Hot Midday Sun December To March Are The Sunniest Months. There Are Some Cloudy Periods And Rain From March To May, And Drizzle From October To Early December Which May Restrict Clear Views.
HOW TO GET THERE
By Air: Jomo Kenyatta International Airport And Wilson Airports
Background Information
DESTINATION HIGHLIGHTS
Samburu Is Arid And Sandy, Making It A Tough Area For Wildlife To Live In. Despite This, A Bountiful Collection Exists, Typically Of Animals Not Found Further South – The Beia Oryx, Somali Ostrich, Masai Ostrich, Grevy’s Zebra, Reticulated Giraffe, Gerenuk, Leopard, Cheetah And Lion. The Aardwolf Has Been Spotted On Several Lucky Occasions. The More Common Reptiles Are Seen Relatively Easily Such As The “Tree Agama” Pictured Above. As An African Colonial We Refer To This Beautiful Boy As A “Goggô-Mannetjie” Although Spellings Differ Depending On How You Pronounce It And Exactly Where You Were Born!
The Reserve’s Topography Is Mainly Open Savannah (Grassland) With Clusters Of Acacia Trees, Forest, Thorn Trees And Grassland Vegetation.Samburu National Reserve Was One Of The Two Areas In Which Conservationists George And Joy Adamson Raised Elsa The Lioness. Their Story Was Made Famous By The Bestselling Book And Award-Winning Movie “Born Free”. The Game Reserve Is Renowned For Its Rare Species Of Animals Unique To The Park, Namely: The Long Necked Gerenuk, Grevy’s Zebra, Reticulated Giraffe And Beisa Onyx. The Elusive Kenya Leopard Is Often Known To Visit The Park, Especially In The Evenings.
In The Southern Part Of The Park, You Are Guaranteed To See Most Of The Kenyan Animals Found In Samburu, Namely: Cheetahs, Lions, Leopards, Impalas, Buffalo, Hippos, And Dik-Diks, As Well As The Native Gerenuk, Grevy’s Zebra, Reticulated Giraffe And Beisa Oryx. You Are Guaranteed To See Most Animals During The Dry Season As They Converge At The Usaso Nyiro River, Their Main Source Of Water During The Long Dry Weather. Elephants Are Also Spotted During This Time, And You Can Watch The Nile Crocodiles Swim In The River.
BEST TIME TO VISIT
By Air: Voi, Aruba, Satao, Sala, Ithumba, Sangayaya, Mopeo, Bachuma, Cottars.
Background Information
DESTINATION HIGHLIGHTS
The Sight Of Dust-Red Elephant Wallowing, Rolling And Spraying Each Other With The Midnight Blue Waters Of Palm-Shaded Galana River Is One Of The Most Evocative Images In Africa. This, Along With The 300 Kilomtere Long Yatta Plateau, The Longest Lava Flow In The World, Make For An Adventure Unlike Any Other In The Tsavo East. The Park Forms The Largest Protected Area In Kenya And Is Home To Most Of The Larger Mammals, Vast Herds Of Dust –Red Elephant, Rhino, Buffalo, Lion, Leopard, Pods Of Hippo, Crocodile, Waterbucks, Lesser Kudu, Gerenuk And The Prolific Bird Life Features 500 Recorded Species.
Tsavo East National Park Is A Natural Area Of Flat, Dry Plains, With Thorny Bushes And Swampy Marshland Near The River. It Is Teeming With Diverse Kenyan Animals Including Large Families Of Giraffes, Gazelles, Hartebeests And Zebras, As Well As The “Big Five” Must-See Animals – Buffalo, African Elephants, Lions, Rhinos And Leopards. The Land Itself Is Flat, Dry And Arid, With More Variation At The Galana River, Which Is Bordered With Smooth Grey Boulders And Sandy Banks That Allow Doum Palms And Acacia Elatior Trees To Grow By The River. The River Drops Down A Series Of Falls At Lugard’s Falls, Which Have Caused Interesting Shapes To Be Carved Out Of The Rock By The Process Of Erosion. Good Views Of The Park Can Be Seen From Mutanda Rock, Whilst There Is A Large Concentration Of Game And Birdlife Around The Wetland Areas, Notably The Aruba Dam And Kanderi Swamp.
The Animals Of The Park Are Numerous, With A Variation In Habitat Giving A Good Range Of Animals. The Galana River Is Home To Pods Of Hippo, And The Rare And Endangered Hirola Antelope, As Well As Elephants That Have A Red Colouration Due To Their Habit Of Bathing In The Red Dust On The Ground. The Lion Here Are Unusual And Interesting, With The Males Having Barely Any Mane, In Contrast To Their Southern Counterparts, Who Have Thick And Luxurious Manes. The Reason Behind The Baldness Of The Tsavo Lions Is Not Understood, But Is Thought To Be Due To The Thornbush Which Densely Covers Much Of The Tsavo Area, Causing The Lions To Loose Their Manes To Prevent Them Being Pulled Out By The Thorns. The Birdlife Is Incredible Here, With Over 500 Species Recorded In The Area. These Vary From The Saddle-Billed Stork To The Violet Wood Hoopoe, And It Doesn’t Take Very Long To Rack Up A Large List Of Sightings.
HOW TO GET THERE
Tanzania
DESTINATION HIGHLIGHTS
Further North, Rolling Grassy Hills Enclose The Tranquil Beauty Of The Momela Lakes, Each One A Different Hue Of Green Or Blue. Their Shallows Sometimes Tinged Pink With Thousands Of Flamingos, The Lakes Support A Rich Selection Of Resident And Migrant Waterfowl, And Shaggy Waterbucks Display Their Large Lyre-Shaped Horns On The Watery Fringes. Giraffes Glide Across The Grassy Hills, Between Grazing Zebra Herds, While Pairs Of Wide-Eyed Dik-Dik Dart Into Scrubby Bush Like Overgrown Hares On Spindly Legs.
Besides Chimpanzees, Primates Inhabiting Gombe Stream Include Beachcomber Olive Baboons, Red-Tailed Monkeys And Vervet Monkeys.The Park Is Also Home To Over 200 Bird Species, As Well As Providing A Home To A Vast Number Of Bushpigs. There Are 11 Species Of Snakes, And Also A Number Of Hippos And Leopards, As Well As Bushbuck, Palm-Nut Vultures And Fish Eagles.
Truly Biodiverse, Gombe Stream Is An Undiscovered Paradise Where Visitors Can Trek Into The Forest To Observe Chimpanzees, Or Swim And Snorkel In Lake Tanganyika With Almost 100 Kinds Of Colorful Cichlid Fish. Gombe Stream Is The Perfect Place For A Walking Safari, Allowing Guests To Cool Off Along The Way With A Dip In One Of The Many Streams That Dissect The Park.
DESTINATION HIGHLIGHTS
The Chimps Don’t Roam As Far In The Wet Summer Season So Amy Be Easier To Find On Walks And Hikes Through The Forest. It Might Be Better To Visit Between February And June, Or During November And December When There Is A Higher Likelihood Of Being Able To Observe The Chimps While They Are Less Active. There Are No Guarantees, But Most Guests Allow 2 Days For A Chimpanzee Safari.
WHAT TO SEE AND DO
Passing First Through Wooded Savannah Where Buffalos And Giraffes Are Frequently Encountered, The Ascent Of Meru Leads Into Forests Aflame With Red-Hot Pokers And Dripping With Spanish Moss, Before Reaching High Open Heath Spiked With Giant Lobelias. Everlasting Flowers Cling To The Alpine Desert, As Delicately-Hoofed Klipspringers Mark The Hike’s Progress. Astride The Craggy Summit, Kilimanjaro Stands Unveiled, Blushing In The Sunrise.
DESTINATION HIGHLIGHTS
Katavi Is Predominantly High Plains Grassland, Which Becomes Swampy Wetland During The Rains, Interspersed With Fringes Of Miombo Woodland And Scattered Acacia. It Has 2 Lakes, Lake Katavi In The North And Lake Chada In The South, Fed By The Kutuma River. These Lakes Are Cracked Open Plains During The Dry Season From June To November And Fills Up Only In The Rainy Season.
WHAT TO SEE AND DO
Katavi’s Vast Ecosystem Means That The Lush Floodplains Attract A Very Large Biomass And Huge Herds Of Wildlife. It Is Not Uncommon To See Herds Of Over 1000 Buffalo At A Time, Along With Large Herds Of Topi And Zebra, All Grazing The Plains During The Day When They Are Less Vulnerable To Predators, While They Prefer To Return To The Relative Safety Of The Woodland At Night.
The Abundance Of Prey Means That Predators Are A Planty. Katavi Is Home To Lion, Leopard, Spotted Hyena, Cheetah, Wild Dog, Wild Cat, Serval And Caracal. There Are Over 400 Bird Species, Giving It Equal Credit To Bird-Watchers Too.
DESTINATION HIGHLIGHTS
Known For Its Elephants And Tree-Climbing Lions, Lake Manyara Is Also Excellent For Flamingos And Other Fascinating Birds In And Around The Soda Lake. A Lake Manyara Safari Is A Unique And Fascinating Experience, As The Park Offers Vast Ecological Variety In A Small Area; Featuring A Ground-Water Forest, Acacia Tortilis Woodland And Hot Springs Called Maji Moto. The Dry Winter Season Is The Perfect Time To Visit If What You Are After Is Big Game Viewing, While The Wet Summer Season Brings The Variety Of Birds, As Well As Water-Based Activities, Which Add Something Special To The Safari.
WHAT TO SEE AND DO
DESTINATION HIGHLIGHTS
This Is A Unique Landscape Whereby The Mountainous Land Is Covered In Rainforest Right Up Until The Beach Front. Accommodations Are Located On These Secluded Beaches And Are A Mere Walking Distance From The Shoreline Of Lake Tanganyika.
WHAT TO SEE AND DO
DESTINATION HIGHLIGHTS
Mkomazi Supports Several Dry – Country Specialists Species That Are Rare Elsewhere In Tanzania; These Include The Spectacular Fringe – Eared Oryx, With Its Long Back – Sweeping Horns, And The Handsome Spiral – Horned Lesser Kudu. Oddest Of All Is The Gerenuk, A Gazelle Distinguished By Its Slender Neck, Bizarre Alien – Like Head, And Habit Of Standing Tall On Its Hind Legs Stretch For Acacia Leaves That Other Browsers Cannot Reach.
WHAT TO SEE AND DO
There Is The Opportunity To Explore The Clear Waters Of Lake Tanganyika, Which Is Said To Contain About 1000 Different Species Of Fish, Including 250 Species Of Cichlid (Colourful Tropical Fish). This Enormous Lake Is Suitable For Fishing, Snorkelling And Kayaking, Activities Which Are Offered At The Various Accommodations.
Tracking The Primates Is The Most Sought After Activity At Mahale, Particularly The Endangered Chimpanzee. A Trek Through The Rainforest Takes Guests To Mahale’s Chimpanzees. Guests Can Sit Quietly And Watch The Chimps Go About Their Daily Lives; Grooming, Wrestling, Bickering, Foraging And Mothering
DESTINATION HIGHLIGHTS
Kilimanjaro Is The Only Walkable Mountain Of The Seven Summits (The Highest Peaks In All Seven Continents), And Provided You Have A Reasonable Degree Of Fitness And Some Determination Under Your Belt, Reaching The Summit Is Something That Can Be Achieved Without Any Previous Technical Experience Or Knowledge.
WHAT TO SEE AND DO
DESTINATION HIGHLIGHTS
Reputedly Having The Densest Population Of Lions In Tanzania And If So The World, Chances Of Seeing All Of The “Big Five” Within A Single Day Are As High As They Get – Ngorongoro Has Some Of The Country’s Last Black Rhinos And Is The Only Place In The Northern Circuit Where The Animals Haven’t Been Hunted To Extinction. Many Other Attractions Are Nearby Including Olduvai Gorge (3.6 Million Year Old Hominid Footprints); Shifting Sands (Magnetic Black Dune Moving Around 18m Per Year); Olmoti Crater, Empakaai Crater, Oldoinyo Lengai (Active Volcano); Nasera Rock And Olkarien Gorge. All Of These Attractions Can Be Included In A Tailor-Made Itinerary Centering Around Ngorongoro Crater.
WHAT TO SEE AND DO
Located Just Outside The Park Itself, The Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary Is A Highlight Of The Area, A Community-Run Reserve That Provides A Great Example Of How Tourism And Local Communities Can Work Hand-In-Hand To Benefit The Environment. The Sanctuary Has Over 335 Bird Species And At Least Five Primate Species.
DESTINATION HIGHLIGHTS
The Reserve Is A Mere Boat Ride From The Island Of Zanzibar, Which Is A Beach-Goer’s Paradise. Saadani Is Wonderfully Located Between Island Relaxation And Safari Excitement.
WHAT TO SEE AND DO
DESTINATION HIGHLIGHTS
With 45,000 Square Kilometers, This Is Not Only Africa’s Biggest Game Reserve But It Is The Oldest. It Is Also The Least Accessible And The Least Known. Consisting Of Woodlands With Grassy Flood Plains And Dense Forest Patches, It Provides A Home For Large Herds Of Elephant, Rhino, Buffalo, Lion, Leopard And Hippo, Where In Fact The Elephant Herds Are The Largest In Africa. Containing Some Of The Area Is Accentuated By The Rufuji River System Which Flows Through Its Centre Making Effecting Communication Impossible.
July To October Could Be Pin-Pointed As The Best Time Of Year To Visit The Selous, As It Is A Classic Dry Season Destination. The Wildlife Congregate At The Water Sources And Put On A Great Game-Viewing Performance.
WHAT TO SEE AND DO
DESTINATION HIGHLIGHTS
Serengeti National Park Is One Of The Best-Known Wildlife Sanctuary In The World, And Symbolises The Classic African Safari. With More Than 2 Million Wildebeest, Half A Million Thomson’s Gazelle, And A Quarter Of A Million Zebra, It Has The Greatest Concentration Of Plains Game In Africa. The Serengeti Is Also Synonymous With The Annual Wildebeest And Zebra Migration.
WHAT TO SEE AND DO
DESTINATION HIGHLIGHTS
This Is A Year-Round Park With Distinct Seasons Offering Different Experiences, From Dusty, Dry And Baking With Animals Clustered Around The Rapidly Reducing River, To The Fecund Green Season Full Of New-Born Animals And Chattering Birds. The Only Months To Avoid Are During The Heavy Rainfalls Of April And May. Tarangire Is A Dry Season Refuge For Many Migratory Animals (Elephants, Wildebeest, Zebra, Gazelles, Eland And Buffalo), That Spend Many Months Of The Year Outside The Park On Traditional Grazing Corridors Linking Tarangire With Other Protected Areas.
WHAT TO SEE AND DO
Uganda
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WHAT TO SEE AND DO
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WHAT TO SEE AND DO
DESTINATION HIGHLIGHTS
Narus Valley Is A Rolling, Grassland Plain Enclosed By Distant Mountains. The Valley Has Permanent Water, And For Much Of The Year The Park’s Wildlife Congregates Here. Thus, The Area Is Well Provided With Game Tracks, With Four Loop Circuits Exploring The Valley Around Apoka. Many Creatures Such As Lions, Jackson’s Hartebeest, Buffaloes, Giraffes, Oribis And Reedbucks Can Be Seen In The Valley. Less Commonly Seen Are Cheetahs And Leopards. The Narus Dam And The Water Hole Near The Tourism Centre Are Perfect Observation Points For Game, Especially During The Dry Season. At The Southern End Of The Katurum Loop, Katurum Kopje (The Site Of A Derelict Lodge) Is An Attractive Destination With Superb Views North Across The Valley Towards The Morungule Mountain Range.
WHAT TO SEE AND DO
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Rwanda
DESTINATION HIGHLIGHTS
WHAT TO SEE AND DO
A Variety Of Activities Allow Visitors To Absorb The Surroundings And View The Stunning Terrain That Makes The Volcanoes National Park So Unique. Climbing Karisimbi Volcano Is A Two Day Trek With Overnight Camping At An Altitude Of 3 800m. Alternatively Guests Can Do A One-Day Climb Of Bisoke Volcano, Tour Of The Lakes And Caves, Or Take Part In The Baby Gorilla Naming Ceremony
Background Information
DESTINATION HIGHLIGHTS
Lake Kivu Is The Largest Of Numerous Freshwater Lakes That Shimmer In The Valleys Of Rwanda. Steep, Terraced Hills Lead Down To The Picturesque Lake Shore, And Three Resort Towns – Gisenyi, Kibuye And Cyangugu. These Small Towns Come As Welcome Retreats In Between The Sometimes Strenuous Hikes To Find Gorillas And Chimpazees In The Surrounding Volcanoes And Nyungwe Forest National Parks.