The famous Serengeti National Park is located in the central northern part of Tanzania. Due to its awe-inspiring savanna plains and abundant wildlife, it was deemed a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1979. The park is split into three regions based on the terrain there--the endless swathes of grassland known as the Serengeti Plains, the Western Corridor of the Grumeti River with its black clay swamps, and the Northern Serengeti of open, hilly woodlands.
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The sprawling ecosystem supports spectacularly large herds of wildebeest, zebra and many other creatures including the 'Big Five'. The most notable event of the area is the annual migration of over 1.5 million brindled wildebeest and 250,000 zebra. Game drives through the plains are the main draw for tourists hoping to see a thundering herd as they crash down the banks of the Grumeti in a famous crossing. In addition to the emblematic migratory herds, there are leopards, elephants, black rhinos, buffalo, cheetah, many types of antelope, hyena, baboons, wild dogs, impalas, ostrich, crowned cranes and martial eagles. To get a more intimate experience of the park, experienced guides offer bush walks, nighttime game drives and hot air balloon safaris. A true mecca for wildlife photographers, the abundance is so incredible that visitors will leave with impressive shots to remember the adventure by.
Many lodges, permanent camps and fly camps have been established to accommodate the high demands from tourists. Several top of the line luxury lodges are available, but there are options to suit everyone's budget, even the most frugal. Access to the area is available by car or plane--arrive at the Kilimanjaro International Airport, or the small Seronera airstrip in the heart of the Serengeti.
Dar es Salaam is located in the center of Tanzania's Indian Ocean coastline. It is the country's largest and richest country due to its large harbor. Outside of the city center there is a lively nightlife in the residential areas. A recent burst of new international restaurants has occurred fro the growing importance of the city in the trade and tourism. There is a wide array of cuisines for visitors to try, including traditional Tanzanian barbecue, the long-established Indian cuisine, and fares from around the world. To escape the city's heat, visit the National Museum dedicated to Tanzanian history or the Village Museum. The Village Museum sits on the city's edge and is comprised of the traditional huts of 16 unique Tanzanian ethnic groups. While there guests can learn about the traditional culture, farming, dance and music.
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The Julius Nyerere International Airport is a frequent connection point for those traveling into Tanzania's famed National Parks and onto Zanzibar for beach getaways.
Arusha is the gateway to the exciting wildlife areas of Northern Tanzania. You might have heard of a few of them; the Serengeti National Park and the Ngorongoro Crater, to name a few. Most travelers get a night here on arrival before heading out into the National Parks.
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The region of Arusha sits in northeastern Tanzania and encompasses the Arusha National Park and Mount Meru. Despite being a small park, it is remarkably varied with several distinct areas. The western side holds the Mount Meru, perched on the edge of the Meru Crater. The eastern side has the Ngurdoto Crater, a lush grassland in the southeast that encircles the shallow, alkaline Momella Lakes in the northeast.
Ascend Mount Meru along trails that wind up the eastern slopes and get unparalleled views of the neighboring Mount Kilimanjaro. The ascent of Meru offers a varied and fascinating journey. Set off amid the herds of buffalo and giraffes in the wooded savanna plains, then pass through groves of trees adorned with red-hot pokers and Spanish moss. Finally, burst out of the woods to the dazzling sunshine and fresh mountain air where spiky giant lobelias and alpine desert flowers thrive. Delicately agile klipspringers glide across the rocky summit, where stunning vistas of the sprawling lands below are interrupted only by the dramatic rise of Mount Kilimanjaro.
There are many lodges and hotels available to suit all budgets and styles of travelers. Accessing the region is simple from the Kilimanjaro International Airport and Arusha Regional.
The southern Kalahari receives somewhat more rain than the central Kalahari due to its local climatic conditions, allowing it to support a large diversity of life. This has earned the region the nickname of “Green Kalahari”. It is a semi-arid grassland with wide open savannahs and a diversity of habitats, which has been inhabited by the Bushman for 20,000 years as hunter-gatherers who lived in a harmonious relationship with the environment. The Kalahari has remained a true wilderness area due to its unfavorable conditions for modern man.
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Seasons in the southern Kalahari can be described in traditional terms - spring, summer, autumn and winter - but their nature and duration are very different, with summer lasting almost six months. The seasonal variation means that you can always promises things that can never be seen elsewhere, with each month revealing sights and sounds different to the last. There are about 80 species of mammals and approximately 240 species of birds. The open habitat makes game viewing excellent and the animals can be appreciated within their habitat rather than amongst bushes. In addition to the traditional safari sightings there are great opportunities to see rare species which are also seldom seen in the “usual” safari areas. These include Roan and Sable antelope, Tsessebe, Hartmanns mountain zebra and of course the desert black rhino.
The South African portion of The Kalahari situated in the heart of the Northern Cape Province, some 300 kilometres north-west of Kimberley and 270 kilometres north-east of Upington. Johannesburg lies 560 kilometres to the east and Cape Town some 850 kilometres to the south.
The Garden Route is a gorgeous stretch of coastline that runs from Mossel Bay in the Western Cape region to Storms River in the Eastern Cape. Lush coastal forests and verdant ridges are dotted with countless lagoons and lakes, giving this region its name. Its coastal climate is one of the most mild in the world, second only to Hawaii. It never drops below 50F in the winter, and rarely climbs above 83F in the summer. The indigenous fauna is some of the most unique in the world, blending the famous Cape Fynbos plants of the Western Cape, with species typical of temperate forests. This lovely area offers great hiking and charming towns, like Knysna, Plettenberg Bay, and George. Surprising destinations pop up along its length, making it a wonderful place for a self-driving adventure. Stop in at Oudtshoorn, the world's ostrich capital, or enjoy a round of golf at one of the many award winning golf courses.
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A chain of protected marine reserves along the Garden Route have created a haven for the diverse ocean life. Divers can find soft corals, large pods of dolphins, seals, and endangered Southern Right Whales. Considered one of the best whale-watching sites in the world, the Southern Right Whales gather in large numbers in the protected bays of the Western Cape to give birth to their calves. Humpback whales and orcas have been known to feed close to shore, taking advantage of the ample food sources provided by the cold, nutrient-rich waters.
Cape Town is one of Mango's favorite spots in Southern Africa. It is a beautiful city with endless things to do and see. You can take the the arial cableway to the top of Table Mountain, visit the Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens or take the ferry to Robben Island which is where Nelson Mandela spent many years in prison. There are many day trips from Cape Town, including the famous Wine Lands, the Cape of Good Hope and the spectacular Chapman's Peak Drive considered one of the most beautiful drives in the world.
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The dining scene in Cape Town is world class. You can sample curries in Bo-Kaap, eat fresh fish on the V & A Waterfront or try the Africa Cafe which offers cuisine from almost all of the countries in Africa. We recommend a 3 or 4 night stay in Cape Town for you to enjoy all it has to offer.
Kruger National Park is one of the largest game reserves in Africa. It covers an area of 7,580 square miles in the provinces of Limpopo and Mpumalanga in northeastern South Africa. Areas of the park were first protected by the government of the South African Republic in 1898, officially becoming South Africa's first national park in 1926.
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There are sixteen eco-zones, which are home to more than 500 bird species and 150 mammal species. As a result the wildlife viewing is excellent. Many of the lodges we recommend are on private reserves like the famous Sabi Sands and Timbavati Game Reserves, which are adjacent to the national park's boundaries but part of the greater ecosystem. Thanks to joint conservation efforts, the Greater Kruger National Park and its Associated Private Nature Reserves offers excellent wildlife habitat. It has especially strong populations of rhinos and the big cats - lion, leopard and cheetah.
Kruger is perfect for people who want to enjoy great game viewing while still being in the lap of luxury. There is a lodge or camp to suit every style of travel, from rustic and charming to decadently luxurious. A safari in the Greater Kruger National Park area pairs beautifully with time at the beach or one of South Africa's fun cities. There are many flights in and out of the region, making it readily accessible for those visiting other parts of southern Africa.
Johannesburg is the largest city in South Africa and it is also the gateway to all of the Southern African Countries. While it used to be just a transfer spot, and now we recommend a one or two night stopover to see all it has to offer. You can take a city tour to see all of the important sites including the Apartheid Museum, the township of Soweto, The Cradle of Humankind (UNESCO World Heritage Site) and Nelson Mandela Square.
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Johannesburg's residential areas range from luxurious, wooded suburbs, to shanty towns and squatter settlements. Many of the hotels we recommend are in areas with excellent restaurants, art galleries and world class shopping where you can find anything from african drums to designer shoes.
Don't hesitate to add a Johannesburg stop to your African trip.
Founded in 1928, Hwange National Park is Zimbabwe’s largest wildlife reserve. Due to heavy settlement in the north of the country during colonial times, the park was cut off from the vast routes historically used for the annual migrations for animals. Because of this there is no permanent surface water source in the park and wildlife is sustained by a series of pumped waterholes.
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Despite this odd set of circumstances, the wildlife is quite prolific and diverse. Visitors can expect to see lion, elephant, buffalo & leopard. Rhino were reintroduced in the park in the first about 2008 and thus far they have slowly taken hold. Hwange also offers good habitat for cheetah and wild dogs.
We normally include Hwange in itineraries that include Victoria Falls and also a second safari destination like Mana Pools in Zimbabwe or the various options in Botswana. Relative to location like the Okavango Delta, Hwange offers a reasonably priced safari at a nice value.
The oldest largest national park in Zambia, Kafue until just a few years ago, was a pretty empty place in terms of visitors. Recently there have been some great camps opening up and the wildlife densities increasing to attract new interest.
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Like pretty much all of Zambia the park is seasonal with the best times to go being during the dry season July through October. The Kafue River splits the south and north parts of the park. In the south, the area to see the most wildlife is on the Busanga Flood Plains in the north sections of the park. Even in dry season this can be flooded requiring guest to take thrilling helicopter transfer to and from camp.
Wildlife here is highly diverse as there are said to be over 150 species of mammals recorded. Of these there are over 15 species of antelope, more than any place else on earth along with buffalo, zebra and more than 400 bird species . Also prevalent are lions - sometime found in trees, leopard and cheetah. Wild dogs are also spotted as well. Elephant numbers are starting to recover after years of heavy poaching.
