Top 10 Facts about Tanzania Safari

Top 10 Facts about Tanzania Safari : Tanzania may be the country in Africa that people know the most about. It is the nation whose name has come to be associated with Zanzibar, Mount Kilimanjaro, and the Serengeti. The nation is breathtakingly gorgeous, has a welcoming Swahili culture, and has some of the world’s best wildlife. Tanzania is home to some of the world’s most treasured national parks and game reserves including the Selous Game Reserve, which is the world’s largest game reserve and home to more than 120,000 elephants, 160,000 buffalos and 2000 rhinos. Selous is also home to large concentrations of hippos, crocodiles and wild dogs. Tanzania, though, is considerably more unique than you may think.   Here are some of the top 10 interesting facts about Tanzania Safari you should know that might surprise you.

1. The great migration

Tanzania offers one of the most astonishing natural events on the planet- the exciting great migration.  This event happens every year between the months of June to October which involves over 1.5 million wildebeests and thousands of Zebras migrating from the southern parts of Serengeti National Park plains and Ngorongoro crater to the southern parts of Masai Mara National Park in Kenya and back to Serengeti National Park. This involves the wildebeests and Zebras rearing their young ones, this is not simple given the fact it is more of 3000 miles journey which is tiresome making it a life and death migration, many die due to exhaustion giving a chance to other carnivore animals to ease their search for food like Hyenas, Cheetahs and Lions.

2. Home to the Africa’s highest mountain

Tanzania is known for its Mount Kilimanjaro, the highest freestanding peak in the world and the tallest mountain in Africa.  Mount Kilimanjaro, is 5,895 meters above sea level, making it the Africa’s highest peak. More so, Mount Kilimanjaro lies just 205 miles from the equator, in the country of Tanzania. Kilimanjaro is not only Africa’s tallest peak, but also the world’s tallest free-standing mountain. The summit, named Uhuru Point, is 5,895 meters (19,341 feet) above sea level. Kilimanjaro is very popular with both experienced hikers and first-time adventurers because it is considered to be the easiest of the seven summits. Almost every type of ecological system, including those found in cultivated land, the rainforest, the alpine desert, and the arctic peak, can be found there. You are more than welcome to take in the magnificence of this mountain from the ground, though those who are interested can climb this dormant volcano and see amazing views.

3. Nearly 30% Of Tanzania Is National Parks

Tanzania is a land of untamed beauty, is blessed to have a substantial portion of its territory signed as national park- an impressive 30% of the country’s total area. One of the most famous is Serengeti National Park, renowned for its incredible variety of wildlife, including over a million large mammals. This park is not only a UNESCO World Heritage Site but is also considered one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World. Every year, wildebeests and zebras embark on an epic journey across the Serengeti during the Great Migration, in search of lush new grasslands. Visitors to the park can also spot massive herds of herds of buffalos, elephants, giraffes, leopards, impala, gazelles, and the endangered Eastern black rhinoceros can all be found there too.  Additionally, Selous Game Reserve boast the largest population of elephants of Tanzania. Another noteworthy area is Gombe Stream National Park where the renowned scientist Jane Goodall famously conducted her groundbreaking research on chimpanzee

4. Home to the longest fresh water lake.

 Tanzania is home to the longest lake- Lake Tanganyika, which is also considered the longest freshwater lake in the world, stretching for over 670 kilometers, making it the longest freshwater lake in the world. The lake Tanganyika’s waters are shared between Tanzania, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Burundi, and Zambia. It’s a real hotspot for life, with over 500 different types of fish calling it home – that’s 8% of the world’s freshwater fish! What’s even more amazing is that most of these fish stick close to the surface, within just 20 meters. The lake is a great spot for snorkellers and keen divers, as brightly coloured cichlids (an endemic fish), and clear waters make perfect viewing conditions.

5. Tanzania is home to Ngorongoro crater

 The Ngorongoro crater is a volcanic crater in Tanzania that is the world’s largest unbroken caldera. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a major tourist attraction in the Ngorongoro conservation area. The Ngorongoro Crater is one of Africa’s Seven Natural Wonders, along with the Red Sea. The crater’s constricted nature has given rise to a unique ecology that provides some of the best chances to see game. Its home to Africa’s densest population of predators such as spotted hyenas, cheetahs, leopards, jackals and bat-eared foxes. Additionally, it boasts the highest known density of lions. In addition to the game, you can also see variety of other well-known African icons like the ostrich, zebra, wildebeest, gazelle, and even hippos, you can witness buffalo, elephants and rhinoceroses here.

6. Olduvai gorge

One fascinating thing about Tanzania is the discovery of ancient human bones in Olduvai Gorge, a place known for its stunning lake. Olduvai Gorge is one of the most important fossil sites in the world. Because of this, it forms part of a World Heritage Site.  The site features human bones, dating back millions of years, tell us about the earliest humans who walked the Earth. Among the findings was the oldest human skull ever found, giving us a glimpse into our distant past. Visiting the Gorge offers you with a chance to reveal an immense amount of information regarding our past, insights into our hominin ancestors, and a way to understand how many of these species used to live.

7. Stunning waterfalls

Tanzania is blessed with stunning lakes and towering mountains, which is why you’ll also find some incredible waterfalls in this beautiful country. One of the most impressive is Kalambo Falls, located close to the border with Zambia in the Rukwa Region. This waterfall plunges an amazing 772 feet straight down, making it one of the tallest single-drop waterfalls in Africa. It’s part of the Kalambo River, which marks the boundary between Zambia and the Songwe Region. In addition to its natural beauty, Kalambo Falls is also an important archaeological site, with evidence of human habitation dating back over 200,000 years. If you’re looking for a serene escape, a visit to the Materuni Waterfalls is another great option. The journey to Materuni Waterfall, situated near the Kilimanjaro Region, offers a chance to appreciate Tanzania’s rich natural scenery.

8. Home to few places where you can see the tree-climbing lions.

Tree climbing lions are among the unique attractions that can be seen by tourists on safari in Lake Manyara national park which is located in the northern part of Tanzania and in the south western direction from Arusha. Besides Tanzania these remarkable lions can also be found in in the Ishasha sector of Uganda’s Queen Elizabeth National Park. One of the most popular theories is that lions climb trees to escape insect bites and the heat

9. Tanzania’s wildlife

Tanzania is home to some of the world’s most stunning wildlife. It is known to have around 22 national parks and many game reserves where tourists can visit and some of these include; Serengeti National Park, Arusha National Park, Tarangire National Park, Selous Game Reserve, Lake Manyara National Park, Gombe Stream National Park and Mount Mahele National Park among others which all act as good natural habitats to many wildlife species. Therefore, exploring through these different destinations it gives tourists chances to sight see many animal species. The land is game to 5 iconic wildlife species (lions, buffalos, rhinos, leopards and elephants). In addition to these, you can also find other animals such as the topis, the hyenas, the cheetahs, the Masai giraffe, the zebras, and elands, among others. so, there are primate species which also can be spotted within different areas and some of these include; chimpanzees, vervet monkeys, red-tailed monkeys, blue monkeys, baboons and red colobus monkeys, among others. The Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater offer breathtaking views and exhilarating safaris where you can witness the Great Migration, a natural spectacle that draws thousands of animals each year.

And apart from these animal species, Tanzania is also seen as a birder’s paradise due to the fact that it hosts various bird species which also tourists can sight see as they explore through the game parks and some of these birds include; Ducks, geese, waterfowl · Guineafowl, Pheasants, grouse, and allies, Flamingos, Grebes, Pigeons, doves and Sandgrouse among others.

10. Zanzibar Was the Center of Arab Slave Trade

Slaves were long traded in Zanzibar by Arab and Indian traders, in addition to Portuguese and other Europeans. People were one of the main commodities here. It’s sad to say that a significant portion of the Zanzibar trade involved slavery. The final active slave market in the world was located in the heart of Stone Town. In Zanzibar, it is currently a significant historical site. A total of 40–50,000 slaves were sent to Zanzibar every year, many of whom worked on the plantations of the area that was then ruled by the Omani. Under British pressure, it shut down in 1873.