SAADANI NATIONAL PARK

sadani is "Where the Bush meets the Beach" Saadani is the only wildlife sanctuary in Tanzania bordering the Indian Ocean. Gazetted in 2005, it encompasses a well-preserved ecosystem including the former Saadani game reserve, the former Mkwaja ranch area, the Wami River as well as the Zaraninge Forest. Many villages are dotted around the boundaries of the park. Saadani village itself once was an important harbor-town and slave-trading centre in East Africa. Nowadays it is a small Swahili village of about 800 inhabitants whose livelihood is mostly fishing. Bird watchers will be treated to not-often-seen migratory birds that love the shore. The coastal vegetation zones range from seashore full of palm trees, through the tidal mangrove forest that form a buffer between ocean and land, to the Wami River shore where the huge sycamore fig is found. Its semi open woodlands closely resembles the Selous game reserve, while the vast grassy area close to the tourism office is named ‘Serengeti Ndogo’ (Small Serengeti) and lives up to the expectations.Saadani is a one of a kind paradise where beach life meets wilderness. This gives you not only the opportunity to plunge into the Indian Ocean straight after your safari, but also to be submerged in a unique display of both marine and mainland flora and fauna in a naturally fascinating setting.
Location:Sadaani National Park is on the north coast roughly 100kms northwest of Dar-es- salaam and a similar distance Southwest of the port of Tanga.
Weather condition: • Dry season: July – September • Wet season: November – May • Less rainy in December – February • Best time to visit: June – September. Getting to Saadani • The park is accessible by road or air. By road: 1. Dar es Salaam – Chalinze – village of Mandera (good tarmac road, 160 km. About 2-3 hours drive) then from Mandera village drive to Mvave Gate – Saadani National Park tourism office (rough road,65 km about 2 hours drive). 2. From Tanga town via Pangani to Mkwaja Gate (earth road 120 km, about 3-5
hours drive). 3. From Dar es Salaam drive north to Saadani via Bagamoyo
By air: Charter flights from Dar es Salaam or Zanzibar or Tanga or Arusha and other majortowns.
Accommodation Inside the park: There are park owned guest houses known as bandas, rest house, tents and campsites. Booking for bandas, rest house, tents and campsites please contact the Park. Currently there is one private owned lodge known as Sanctuary Saadani Safari Lodge. Outside the park: There are several lodges and camps that are privately owned.
What to do
•Game drives
•Boat trips to wami river
•Guided walking
•Bird watching
•Sun bathing on the Saadani beach
•Visiting the Saadani fishing village which used to be a buzzing trading centre.

Attractions.
Saadani is where crabs meets elephant and the roar of a lion might interrupt your tanning. This is one of the few breeding sites for green turtles. To the southern part experience salt harvesting processes (salt pans) in the hands of the locals. All the usual suspects, such as zebra, buffalo, elephant, warthog, giraffe, wildebeest and waterbuck are present. But you also stand a high chance of capturing different types of hartebeest, the big-eyed Rondo Galago and the elusive sable antelope on camera during your game drive or wilderness walks. Lion, leopard and spotted hyena might be harder to find, but this makes a sighting an even greater joy. Remember The vast grassy area is named ‘Serengeti Ndogo’ (Small Serengeti) and lives up to the expectations. Taking a boat on the Wami River will definitely add to the fun; here you are as close as one likes to get to hippo, crocodile and flamingo. Bird watchers will also be treated to not-often-seen migratory birds that love the shore, such as different kinds of sandpiper, Eurasian oystercatcher and the common greenshank. On the beach you get to enjoy even more special sightings: breeding green turtles – Saadani’s beaches are one of Tanzania’s best breeding sites – with dolphins and humpback whales putting on their show in the Indian Ocean beyond. Brief history and climatic conditions • Saadani started as a Game Reserve in 1962, it became the 13th national park of Tanzania in 2005. • The park ecosystem covers 1,100 km2 (around 15 km shoreline). From south to north it stretches 69 km. • Height: the majority of the park is at sea level. Although the highest point is 350 m, most elevations don’t go beyond 40 m. • Tides: spring tides of up to 1.5 m can flow inland. • The park has a tropical, hot climate with an average temperature of 25-27°C all year round (30 °C daytime, 20-24 °C night-time).

GOMBE NATIONAL PARK

Gombe National Park

Gombe, designated as a game reserve in 1943, was upgraded into a national park status in 1968. The park is located 16 km north of Kigoma town on the shores of Lake Tanganyika in western Tanzania. It covers an area of 56 square kilometers and is a fragile habitat for chimpanzee. Gombe gained its popularity after the research of Dr Jane Goodall which is believed to be the longest running study of primates in the world.
How to get there
By boat: Board public boat (up to four hours) or motor boat (two hours). The motor boat can be booked through or directly at the park information center located in Kigoma town.
TO GET TO KIGOMA:
By air: scheduled flights from Dar es Salaam and Mwanza cities or from Arusha by chartered flights.By rail: from Dar es Salaam or by ferry from Mpulungu in Zambia.By road: from Dar es Salaam, Arusha or Mwanza.
BEST TIME TO VISIT
Chimpanzee can be trekked throughout the year. However, for plants/insects and better chimpanzee spotting, the best time is during wet season (November to mid May) and for the best photo taking (May to October).
TOURISM ACTIVITIES
CHIMPANZEE TREKKING– This activity is conducted from 0630 – 1830 hrs. WALKING SAFARI –Short walks along the shores of Lake Tanganyika or to HIKING TO JANE’S PEAK VIEW POINT • This view point offers a spectacular view of the park and Lake Tanganyika. While at the view point one can hear chimpanzee calling and screaming. The hike takes about two hours from kasekela.

BIRDING
Over 200 birds species fly around, varying from the African crowned eagle that hunts monkeys, to the iconic fish eagle, three kinds of kingfisher and the bright Peters twins pots. Another remarkable character is the palm-nut vulture; a near-vegetarian common to Lake Tanganyika that prefers fruits over carcasses.
FILMING: Hugo van Lawick in 1988 filmed people of the forest – the chimps of Gombe.
.MAIN TOURIST ATTRACTIONS CHIMPANZEE The Chimpanzee are Sharing more than 98% of our genes, it’s a look of recognition from our closest animal relative. COLOBUS, RED-TAILED AND BLUE MONKEYS THE MAJORITY OF THE PARK’S MAMMALS ARE PRIMATES, most of them forest species. Likely to be seen, in addition to the famous chimpanzees, are the colorful red-tailed and blue monkeys. KAKOMBE AND MKENKE WATERFALL LAKE TANGANYIKA The longest and deepest lake in Africa which harbors about 350 species of fish, most of them endemic. The lake shore offers sun bathing and sunset viewing opportunities.
ACCOMMODATION:
Inside the park: Rest house and one luxury tented camp. Outside the park: In Kigoma town

LAKE MANYARA NATIONAL PARK

LAKE MANYARA NATIONAL PARK

Lake Manyara NP is a small park at the base of the Rift Valley escarpment. Its groundwater forest offers a nice change of scenery from the more savannah dominated parks. Although the park is known for tree-climbing lions, big cats aren't that easily seen. Elephants are very prolific and are the main attraction. Size:(330 km²) or( 130 mi²) Altitude:(953-1445 m) or( 3127-4741 ft) Pros and Cons • Very relaxed elephants to view at close quarters • Stunning scenery • Superb birding and seasonal flamingo flocks • Close to Arusha and on route to Ngorongoro crater and Serengeti • Has species less common or more difficult to see in other northern parks • Rarely visited in the morning • Gets crowded in the afternoons during peak season (June and July and October to April)
WILDLIFE This park is known for its large elephant population. The big cats are present, but not seen that easily. The forest patch is home to habituated troops of olive baboon and blue monkey. Buffalo, giraffe and several antelope species are easily encountered on a drive. More about Manyara's wildlife Sc
enery (surrounding)
Lake Manyara is a shallow alkaline lake at the base of the Western Rift Valley escarpment. The park entrance leads to a beautiful groundwater forest. Other habitats include the grassy floodplain, rocky escarpment and acacia woodland, all of which can be covered in a half-day visit Getting there By road, charter or scheduled flight from Arusha, en route to Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater.
What to do
Game drives, night game drives, canoeing when the water levels is sufficiently high. Cultural tours, picnicking, bush lunch/dinner, mountain bike tours, abseiling and forest walks on the escarpment outside the park.
When to go
Dry season (July-October) for large mammals; Wet season (November-June) for bird watching, the waterfalls and canoeing.
Accommodation
One luxury tree-house-style camp, public bandas and campsites inside the park. One luxury tented camp and three lodges perched on the Rift Wall outside the park overlooking the lake. Several guesthouses and campsites in nearby Mto wa Mbu.

ARUSHA NATIONAL PARK. About Arusha National Park Though very accessible, Arusha NP isn't on many safari itineraries. This is mainly because it doesn't offer a chance of seeing the Big Five. The park is at the base of Mount Meru, which is good for climbing. It has a range of habitats including forest - home to black-and-white colobus monkeys - and is excellent for birding. Size: help(552 km²) or( 212 mi²)Altitude:(1340-1839 m / )or(4396-6033 ft) Pros and Cons • Very scenic with different habitats, including forest • Views of Mount Kilimanjaro • Excellent birding with about 400 species, including forest birds • Close to Arusha and accessible for a day trip • Canoeing safari is offered • Off the beaten track and not crowded • Most of the major safari animals aren't present or aren't easily seen Wildlife Game viewing in Arusha NP is more low-key than in the other parks in Northern Tanzania. Animals that are easily seen include buffalo, giraffe and several antelope species. More exciting are the black-and-white colobus monkeys that live in the forest, and the large number of bird species. Several lakes often host flocks of flamingos. Further north, rolling grassy hills enclose the tranquil beauty of the Momela Lakes, each one a different hue of green or blue. Their shallows sometimes tinged pink with thousands of flamingos, the lakes support a rich selection of resident and migrant waterfowl, and shaggy waterbucks display their large lyre-shaped horns on the watery fringes. Giraffes glide across the grassy hills, between grazing zebra herds, while pairs of wide-eyed dik-dik dart into scrubby bush like overgrown hares on spindly legs. Although elephants are uncommon in Arusha National Park, and lions absent altogether, leopards and spotted hyenas may be seen slinking around in the early morning and late afternoon More about Arusha NP's wildlife Scenery (surrounding) The park's appeal is mainly its scenery. The habitat diversity spans from montane rainforest to moist savannah to alpine moorland. The most prominent landmark is Mount Meru. Other highlights are a massive extinct volcano and several scenic lakes, with Mount Kilimanjaro in the background on a clear day. Getting there an easy 40-minute drive from Arusha. Approximately 60 km (35 miles) from Kilimanjaro International Airport. The lakes, forest and Ngurdoto Crater can all be visited in the course of a half-day outing at the beginning or end of an extended northern safari. What to do Forest walks, numerous picnic sites; three- or four-day Mt Meru climb - good acclimatisation for Kilimanjaro. When to go To climb Mt Meru, June-February although it may rain in November. Best views of Kilimanjaro December-February. Accommodation Two lodges, two rest houses, camp sites, two mountain huts inside the park; more lodges at Usa River outside the park and many hotels and hostels in Arusha town.

MFAHAMU MNYAMA KAKA KUONA

MFAHAMU KAKA KUONA /PANGOLIN ni jina maarufu la mnyama ambaye kwa kimombo anajulikana kama (pangolin )au (scaly anteater).Jina kaka kuona linatokana na uhadimu wake wa kutokuonekana kwa imani huchukuliwa kwamba kuonekana kwake ni bahati kwa namna moja au nyingine .Kaka kuona huonekana kwa adimu hii ni kutokana na maumbile yake ambayo hufanana na sehemu ambazo hupenda kuishi.kwa mfano hupenda kukaa kwenye miti yenye magome yenye kufanana na magamba yake hiyo humfanya kutamblika kwake kuwa kwa adimu kumtambua.kaka kuona amekuwa mnyama maarufu sana katika nchi za Asia ambapo hutumiwa kama kitoweo, dawa,urembo,ambapo dawa maarufu ambayo hutoka kwake ni dawa ya kuongeza nguvu za kiume(manspower) amekuwa mnyama ambaye ni dili sana kwa nnchi hizo hivi karibuni wamekamatwa watu katika nchi ya burundi wakiwa wakisafirisha mifuko iliyojaa magamba ya kaka kuona yenye thamani ya 1.4billion.kaka kuona pia hupatikana kwenye misitu ya mvua yaani rain forest kwa mfano kaka kuona aina ya kaka kuona mwenye mkia mrefu (long -tailed pangolin) hupenda kukaa kwenye misitu minene yenye miti mirefu.hupatikana misitu ya KILIMANJARO.MLIMA KENYA MLIMA.aina nyingine ni (giant pangolin)ambaye hupendelea sehemu zilizo wazi ambamo huchimba vishimo vidogo.kaka kuona pia ni wanyama ambao ni wazuri kwa kuogelea na ni wapandaji wazuri kutokana na mkia mzuri wenye kuweza kusaidia wakati wa kupanda juu.kaka kuona yupo imara zaidi wakati wa usiku.na humchukua siku 65 mpaka 139 wakati wa kubeba mimba muda wa kaka kuona wa kuishi hautambuliki lakini aina ya( indian pangolini huishi mpaka miaka 19) PANGOLIN is famous name is also called scaly anteater, any of seven species of mammals characterized by a body covering of pointed overlapping scales instead of fur. Pangolins are native to China, India, Malaysia, Indonesia, and Africa. Sharp rakelike front claws are used to gather food and dig burrows. The scales are yellowish to dark brown in color. They are made from fused hair and attach to the skin at their bases. Scales are absent from the underbelly, which is sparsely covered with hair. For protection while sleeping or when frightened, the pangolin rolls into a tight ball and raises its scales. A female will also roll up around her young. This behavior gives the pangolin its name, which comes from the Malay peng-goling, meaning “the roller.” The long-tailed pangolin and the tree pangolin are arboreal and live in the canopy of rain forests in West Africa. Others, like the giant pangolin, are terrestrial and prefer an open habitat where they dig burrows. When on the ground pangolins are mostly bipedal, walking on their hind legs with the head and body parallel to the ground and counterbalanced by the tail. All pangolins are good swimmers and agile climbers because of the prehensile tail. Natural enemies of the pangolin include pythons, leopards, lions, tigers, and humans. The pangolin is toothless and eats only ants and termites. It has a long, thin, sticky tongue, which can extend more than 30 cm (12 in) from the mouth. The pangolin inserts its tongue into ant or termite tunnels and withdraws it. Most pangolins are active at night, although a few species are seen during the day. Pangolins live alone or in pairs. Mating occurs in late summer and early autumn. Gestation ranges from 65 days to 139 days, depending on the species. Usually one young, with soft scales, is born at a time. The pangolin’s lifespan in the wild is not known, but an Indian pangolin lived for 19 years in