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Within the borders of Tanzania lie Africa's highest mountain, Kilimanjaro; its deepest
and longest freshwater lake, Tanganyika; a geographical wonder, Ngorongoro Crater; and the finest concentration of wildlife
in the world, on the Serengeti Plains. Tanzania Road Safaris East African Coast
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Arusha All Tanzania Northern
Circuit safaris begin in the quiet and pleasant town of Arusha. In 1900, the town was just a small German military garrison
but it has expanded and flourished. Modern Arusha is home to the headquarters of the East African Community, and is Tanzania's
second busiest town, after Dar es Salaam. Many of the wide roads are lined with flame trees, jacaranda and bougainvillea,
which is a fantastic sight when they are in bloom. Kilimanjaro International Airport is conveniently located halfway
between Arusha and Moshi, with regular services to national parks, regional hubs and major cities worldwide.
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| Black Rhino - Ngorongoro Crater |
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| Lake Duluti - Arusha |
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Ngorongoro Crater Often described
as the “Eighth wonder of the world”, Ngorongoro was a huge active volcano some 2 ½ million years ago, whose
cone collapsed after an eruption leaving a sunken caldera of 311 sq. km, rendering it one of the largest craters in the world.
Today, the crater is home to a wide variety of game including lion, elephant and rhino as well as buffalo, gazelle, wildebeest
and zebra. Lake Magadi, the soda lake at the floor of the crater, is home to thousands of flamingoes. The 610 metre descent
into the crater reveals a sight of unequaled grandeur. The Ngorongoro conservation area is 190 km (4 hours) by road from
Arusha. If taking a circuit safari it is a 2 hour drive from Lake Manyara. The drive provides breathtaking views of the Great
Rift Valley, unparalleled by any other in East Africa.
Lake Manyara National Park Set around the lake, this park lies at the foot of a dramatic escarpment and offers a rich diversity of scenery and wildlife,
including the famous tree-climbing lions, elephants, hippo and plain animals. Lake Manyara is a haven for birdlife, and at
certain times of the year, thousands of flamingoes form a shimmering pink around the lake shore. Lake Manyara is easily
accessible by road, at 130 km (2 hours) from Arusha on good surfaces. There are also fairly regular air services from Arusha
which take around half an hour.
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Serengeti National Park Serengeti
is the most famous national park in Africa. The name is derived from the Masai word 'siringet' meaning 'extended area', and
at 14,763 sq. km. is the fourth largest national park in the world. The landscape varies from the long and short grass plains
in the south, the central Savannah, the more hilly wooded areas in the north, and the extensive woodland in the Western Corridor. Serengeti is most well known for the annual migration which takes place across the great savannah plains. When the dry season
begins at the end of June, the migration commences as the animals move north in search of pasture, ending up in the Masai
Mara in Kenya. This is a phenomenal sight: Thousands and thousands of animals, particularly wildebeest, with large numbers
of gazelle and zebra, as far as the eye can see. Needless to say, lion, cheetah and the elusive leopard follow the herbivores
on their great trek as easy pickings are to be found. The village of Seronera in the heart of Serengeti is 335 km from
Arusha, with a driving time of around 7 hours. The short detour from the Ngorongoro-Serengeti road provides the opportunity
to see the Olduvai Gorge, the cradle of mankind.
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| Elephant - Lake Manyara National Park |
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| Lions' feast - Serengeti National Park |
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