This is a brief Introduction to Tanzania...for more information on Mountain Climbing in Tanzania, see below for a description, and also our Samle Trips section..do not be put of by the term Mountain Climbing..this is hiking , not tehnical rope climbing..for Tanzanian Safaris etc see our Sample Trips section..we have given below a review of the National Parks, and great migration

If a line had to be drawn around one place in Africa that contained the highest, longest or largest geographical giants, one could only choose Tanzania. About a quarter of the country is officially protected – a monumental tribute to its natural wealth.

Tanzania stretches from volcanoes in the crater highlands along the Great Rift Valley to the tropical Indian Ocean, home to the spice islands of Zanzibar. Stand in awe as over two million herbivores cross the Serengeti, a grassland the size of the Netherlands. Marvel at Eden-like Ngorongoro Crater, the world’s largest unbroken caldera. Discover the mystery of our ancestors at Olduvai Gorge. Snow-capped Mount Kilimanjaro towers over Tanzania’s northern border with Kenya, while Lake Victoria sparkles in the far north and Lake Tanganyika forms a watery western border with Zaire and Zambia. Tanzania has an exceptionally diverse population of over 30 million people, consisting of 120 tribal groupings. .

The Northern Circut has long been considered the country's "Cradle of Tourism." Commonly known as the Northern Circuit, it contains all the big Safari names: Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater, Lake Manyara, Tarangire and Arusha National Parks

Serengeti is as big as Northern Ireland. It is arguably the most popular wildlife sanctuary in the world, fantastic in its natural beauty and unequaled in its scientific value.


Serengeti contains about 4 million different types of animals.It is Tanzania's largest park. It claims to harbor the largest concentration of wildlife in the whole world in its one-quarter of a million Gazelles, two hundred thousand Zebra and one quarter of a million associated Species of Herbivores and Carnivores. It is the one and a half million Wildebeest and their annual migration that give the Serengeti its legendary status, however. The long lines of wildebeest, out lined against the skyline through the dust clouds raised by their flying hooves, are an unforgettable sight.

This is a plain dwellers' stronghold of 14,763 km² reaching up to the Kenyan border and claimed to be the finest in Africa. Here are 35 species of plain dwelling animals, including wildebeest and zebra, which feature in the spectacular Serengeti migration, and also an extensive selection of birdlife. Probably the best time to see them is from December to May. This is one of the best places in Africa to see lion and cheetah close up. The vast, open grasslands of the Serengeti are without doubt one of Africa’s finest wildlife areas, and being there at the height of the migration is a never to be forgotten experience.

Those lucky enough to visit this wilderness area come away with memories of vast herds of antelope feeding on the plains. Columns of wildebeest, head to tail, trudging along their traditional migration routes, and prides of lions, sometimes sleeping, sometimes alert and carefully stalking their prey. The extensive grasslands are interspersed with kopjes — rocky outcrops like islands in the flat plain, each with their own wildlife communities. Rivers flow through the park, providing habitats for a variety of birds, mammals and reptiles.

One of the most unique and remarkable scenes is the annual migration. Usually in May/June, thousands of wildebeest, zebra, giraffe, gazelle and buffalo migrate fromthe central plains westwards or northwards in search of water and pasture.

One column turns to the north while the other column turns west, later turning eastwards to join the northern column. Then, together, the whole herd finally returns to the central plains, completing the circle. Over 6000 kms are thus covered. As the herds move to new grazing ground, they are followed by predators such as lions, hyenas, jackal and hunting dogs waiting for their share of the kill.

The best time to experience the migration is between December - May, when the animals are gathered on the short grass plains. The migration involves between 500,000 - 1,000,000 animals out of the 4,000,000 found in the Serengeti.

It must be understood that the migrating wildlife moves in search of water. Due to the changing pattern of rainfall resulting from various environmental conditions, such as the El-Nino phenomenon, this "schedule" is not always accurately followed. Wildlife follows its own, natural, built-in "clock", not a man-made calendar.

LAKE MANYARA NATIONAL PARK

Lake Manyara is famed for its tree climbing lions and numerous migratory birds. A beautiful sight to witness is the large flock of flamingoes descending on Lake Manyara, forming a line of shimmering pink which stretches for miles along the lake


TARANGIRE NATIONAL PARK <

Medical:

Health Requirements

Yellow Fever Certificate and Cholera certificates both required for entry.Malaria

Tanzania is a malarial zone. Proper precautions are essential for all travellers, take advice from a doctor or organisation for up-to-date information. Taking proper precautions against malaria should reduce the possibility of becoming infected to a very small percentage chance. Proper precautions include:

Hospitals/Doctors

Local doctors and hospitals are available. Despite this, common sense dictates - and we absolutely recommends - that holiday insurance policies to Africa include full emergency evacuation & repatriation. Membership of AMREF (the charitable flying doctor service) is also a sensible precaution as this efficient and highly organised service is the only fast way to evacuate from the bush in case of illness or accident.Departure Taxes

Note that a tax is levied on all passengers taking flights within (and leaving) Tanzania.

Most airlines flying to/from Tanzania include Tanzanian departure tax as part of the ticket cost but it is recommended that this be checked before leaving for Africa. Departure Tax by air from Tanzania is presently US$20.Communications:

Telephones normally with direct International dialing, are available at most hotels (faxes also) in and around the major centres, and at major post offices.

Tanzania has a well-developed mobile (Mobitel & Tritel & Vodocom) telephone system but only around the major towns - some European service providers do have reciprocal agreements: again, usually very expensive.Internet access is freely available, although sometimes slow, in major centres at computer shops and Internet cafes.Insurance:

It is essential that clients take out Travel Insurance at the time of booking, unless they hold a valid (and suitable) Annual Travel Policy. Policies should be checked to ensure that they include:

Roads & Transfers:

Roads

Road conditions in Tanzania vary from excellent tarmac to very rough. Around (and linking) major centres, most roads are now in reasonable condition. In the Parks and Reserves, dirt and gravel roads can be very rough and corrugated where usage is frequent (e.g. to/from the Serengeti) although occasional grading (the use of a mechanical blade to scrape the surface of a gravel road) does help. 4x4 travel is the norm. In the more remote areas - in which Bobby Tours often operates - the less used roads and tracks are, in the main, in reasonable condition although this can change rapidly when it has been raining. Dust and bumps should be expected, to a greater or lesser degree, as a normal part of a journey; there should be no lessening of the safari experience! Clients with specific problems, e.g. a very bad back, should check with their doctor before booking a safari which will involve off-road and dirt road driving.

Our drivers are trained to do their utmost to minimise damage to the environment by vehicles.Air Travel

Due to the geographical size of Tanzania and limitations of time, it is often convenient - and quite normal - to shorten travelling time by flying, normally in small 5 - 16 seat aircraft suitable for bush landing strips. Scheduled and charter services are used, utilising single and twin engine aircraft, piston and turbine. Our staff will always meet air connections.

NOTE: luggage restrictions on internal flights vary, but may be as little as 10-15kg per person, please check before departure.Photography:

For those visiting Africa for the first time, the following may be helpful:

The light in this part of Africa is fabulous for photography in the hour or so A) after dawn and B) before sunset; the light becomes "harder" during the middle of the day as the sun approaches and passes it’s zenith - this may affect choice of film. Transparency film is worth considering in addition (or as alternative) to print.

An "ordinary" 35mm camera is quite sufficient to take good wildlife shots, but also bring:

What to Bring:The following is a brief list of what to bring on safari - normally "less is best"! Note that luggage restrictions on internal flights in Tanzania are often as little as 10/15kg per person:

Clothing

Water

Bottled water is widely on sale, and is available at all camps and lodges. In the tropical sun - doubly so at altitude or when humid - plenty of water should be consumed to avoid dehydration.

All our vehicles carry a cold box.

Tanzania is trying to increase tourism levels, so entry requirements are not onerous:

Required by everyone, valid for at least 6 months beyond date of intended departure.

Required by most visitors, with some Commonwealth exceptions. Visas may be obtained - a fee is charged - either at the local consulate in client’s country of origin or, usually (clients should check before travel), at the point of entry at Dar, Kilimanjaro or Namanga.

The National Language is Kiswahili, with English also in everyday use. Phrasebooks are freely available. We are able to provide guides speaking other languages upon special requests.

Tanzanian Shilling (abbreviated to TSh, or /-), divided into 100 cents.

Mainly open in the mornings, Monday to Saturday, although also in the afternoons in Dar, Arusha, Dodoma, Mwanza and Zanzibar.

Since currency and financial liberalisation, Bureau de Change have become the usual means of changing money in all major towns, tourism areas and at points of entry/exit. Most open during normal shopping hours.

Clients should bring US Dollar cash and travellers cheques as first preference (US$ will often command a slightly better exchange rate) although most major currencies are accepted in Tanzania and freely exchangeable for TZ Shillings.

VISA and Mastercard are normally accepted in the better hotels, lodges, restaurants and shops in Tanzania. Note that reliance, especially away from major centres, should not be placed on on credit card transactions being available at all places and clients should bring some cash, together with traveller’s cheques.

There is 10% surcharge charged by the bank for all credit card transactions.

The accepted norm on safari, should a tip be deemed appropriate (there is no obligation to tip or give a gratuity), is $5 per person per day to a safari crew.

Tips and gratuities to individual driver/guides - again there is no obligation to tip - are entirely at the discretion of guests.

Tanzania is not a financially wealthy country. In towns and cities, clients may come across people genuinely asking for money or other items. Whilst the giving of money is a matter of personal preference or conscience, Bobby - having operated for many years in Tanzania - is of the opinion that it is best to give a donation to a proper charitable entity, as opposed to freely giving cash to individuals.

Tanzania is very friendly and generally safe but it is a poor country and, as almost everywhere in this modern age, reasonable precautions should be taken to minimise the risk of any problem. These include: