Safari Parks and Game Reserve near Dar-es-salaam
Safari Parks and Game reserve near Dar-es-salaam | Mikumi National Park | Ruaha National Park | Udzungwa Mountains National Park | Selous Game Reserve | Saadarni National Park | Safari Tours from Dar-es-salaaam
Dar es Salaam is the largest city in Tanzania and where many people will start their trip. The coastal city is often a jumping-off point for those traveling to nearby Zanzibar and the popular northern circuit, which includes the Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater and Tarangire National Park.
However, the game reserves near Dar es Salaam are generally less expensive and less crowded, but they still have stunning scenery and great wildlife-viewing opportunities. The southern parks are ideal for those who like to get off the beaten track. Take ‘near’ with a pinch of salt. Tanzania is a massive country, but these parks and reserves are all within a day’s driving distance of Dar es Salaam.
Southern Tanzania Safaris
Often overlooked by many safari operators in favour of the northern parks, the southern parks of the Selous and Ruaha are worth serious consideration, particularly for those heading off on their first safari…
There are many benefits to heading to the southern parks. The first is that they are still very much the frontier parks and so are noticeably less busy than the northern parks of Tanzania. The Selous Game Reserve (which is approximately double the size of Wales), has only 8 or so camps inside, and with the majority sitting on the banks of the mighty Rufiji River, the game viewing is never a disappointment. Similarly, Ruaha National Park, famed for its large cape buffalo and lion populations, is one of the least visited parks in Africa and only 6 or so camps operate within the boundaries of the park.
The second benefit is that, where the northern safaris are limited to vehicle based safaris, the southern parks offer a more varied, and fuller safari experience, as you are able to walk, boat and drive. The range of species that can be seen here is similar to that of the Serengeti with lions, leopard, elephant, hippo, crocodile, wildebeest, impala aplenty, with the addition of the incredible African wild dog. Whilst particular sightings on safari are never ‘guaranteed’, the variety of game viewing activities definitely gives guests more of a chance to see animals in different habitats!
The final benefit is that whilst the average price of a camp in the northern parks is around $800 per person per night, Selous and Ruaha can be considerably cheaper, especially if you combine their sister properties to take advantage of the multi-camps discounts.
Mikumi National Park:
Mikumi national park is one of the protected areas that are found in the Southern part of the country. Its located not far from the shores of Indian ocean, it the park was established in 1964. Mikumi national park has risen through several landers after it was gazette as national park. It began as a small game reserve till 1975 when more land from both South and Northern sides were added in to the park. Currently the park is the 4th largest national park in Tanzania covering a total land area of 3,230 square kilometers.
Your planed Mikumi national park safari takes you to the land of Arc Mountains that surround the park across all directions. The most famous mountains are the Uluguru Mountains that are found on the Eastern part of the Park. In the West and the north you find the Mazunyungu hills, Madzini hills and Mbesera hills. Mikumi is one of the best national parks though not very famous but has great wildlife experience. Its unique surrounding by the mountains and the hills has given more reflection of light to the park that gives good scenic and fabulous color and light around the park. The views of the sunset and sunrise are good especially if you hike to the top of any hill or mountain and observe the sun rise or sun set.
Mikumi national park has diversified ecosystem that is further more divided by the rod that runs across the park. The road separates the park in to two sections one is North West and the other is South East. Both sides have different ecosystem with little in common for example the north West its dominated by the open alluvial plains that are characterized by more Acacia trees and the large Boababs tree. The North West is more like the Tarangire National park and here in this region you get more African Elephants. On the other side of the road which is less accessed for Mikumi national park safari and game viewing. The vegetation is thick and dominated by shrubs with few wildlife found in the area hence making it less exploited.
The Mikumi national park safari is best done in the North West commonly known as the “Mkata plains”. The plains have similar characteristics with the famous Serengeti national park that is found in the Northern part of Tanzania. If you like hiking then the Northern part of Mikumi national park will be the place to be during your Mikumi national park safari. It has unique rock formations like Ruhebo Mountains and Uluguru Mountains
Attractions in mikumi national park
Wildlife
Nicknamed as little Serengeti national park is Mikumi national park, its rich with a wide range of wildlife. The park hosts large number of the big game that covers four members of African bi five only missing Rhinos. Mikumi is a home of large herds of Elephants, Buffaloes, Zebras, wildebeest, hyenas, Leopards, Lions, Sable Antelopes, Great Kudu, and many more. The chances of seeing tree climbing lions in Mikumi national park are higher than in the famous tree climbing lions home that is Lake Manyara national park.
Bird Species
.Birds is one of the key Attractions in Mikumi national park, the park has over 400 bird species with both permanent habitats and migratory birds. This large number of birds has made the park one of the birding destinations in the Southern part of Tanzania. The long lists of birds can be achieved with patient Mikumi national park safaris that last beyond 3 days. However much the size of the park is not all that very big but the diversity of the ecosystem and the vegetation has attracted different bird species. The most sighted birds are: Black billied bustard, Secretary bird, Guinea fowl, Ox peckers, Bateleur eagles, cattle egret.
Mountains
Mikumi national park is situated in the middle of mountains hence making mountains some of the key Attractions in Mikumi national park. The scenic views of the mountains that have unique formation system attracts more guests especially writers, photographers and researchers to the park. The most common and famous mountains are Uluguru mountains that every guests wants to try to hike during their safari to Mikumi national park. Other mountains around the park include: Udzugwa Mountains, Malundwe Mountains which is the largest and the highest mountain. Its found in the center of the national park connecting Uluguru mountains with Udzungwa mountains and Uvidunda. Malundwe Mountains is consist of three peaks with the highest peak found on the Southern part reaching up to 1290 meters.
Udzungwa Mountains
The Udzungwa Mountains National Park is one of Tanzania’s most outstanding and exciting wilderness areas, with unique wildlife species inhabiting this range of forests. Udzungwa is a primate park and there are currently 12 species of primate, including two found nowhere else in the world (the Sanje Mangabey and the Iringa Red Colobus). Udzungwa is home to approximately 400 species of bird, many of which are endemic to the area. The park is treasured for the high level of biodiversity of birds and animals.
The mountain range is often referred to as “The Galapagos Islands of Africa” due to its rich levels of biodiversity and endemism (the ecological state of being unique to a defined geographic location).The park’s scenery is spectacular, with the rainforest spreading across rolling hills, valleys and mountains. The park has a number of impressive waterfalls, including Sanje Waterfalls, the highest waterfall in the National Parks system in Tanzania. Swimming in the plunge pools of the waterfalls is extremely refreshing following a hot hike!
Landscape
Udzungwa Mountains National Park is one of Tanzania’s most outstanding, and pristine paradise, a unique and exciting wilderness with forests of greatest altitudinal range. It is one of thirty-four “World Biodiversity Hotspots” and one of 200 WWF Ecoregions of global critical importance.
Udzungwa facts and sizes
Size: 1,990 sq km (770 sq miles).
Location: Five hours (350 km/215 miles) from Dar es Salaam; 65 kms (40 miles) southwest of Mikumi.
When to go to Udzungwa
Possible year round although slippery in the rains.
The dry season is June-October before the short rains but be prepared for rain anytime.
Hiking in Udzungwa
There are several trails ranging from short 20min strolls, to 5 day expeditions. The most popular hike is up to Sanje Waterfalls, looking for monkeys, swimming in plunge pools, and enjoying the spectacular view. This is the prime attraction for this area and if you are a keen walker then taking at least one of these hiking opportunities is strongly recommended.
Here Is a List Summary Of The Hiking Trails in The Udzungwa National Park:
- #1. Sanje Waterfall
- #2. Sonjo Waterfall
- #3. Hidden Valleys Trail
- #4. Prince Bernhards Waterfall
- #5. Msolwa Waterfall
- #6. Sanje Waterfall Camping
- #7. Mwanihana Peak
- #8. Lumeno Trail
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