Landscape The Serengeti is one of the oldest and most complex ecosystems on earth and with about 5,700 square miles (14.750 square kilometers) the Serengeti National Park belongs to the ten largest National Parks in Africa. The essential features have barely changed in the past million years. The landscape, originally formed by volcanic activity, has been sculptured by wind, rain, and sun. Early man himself made an appearance here about two million years ago. Topographically, the Serengeti is comprised of flat to slightly undulating grassy plains that are interrupted by scattered rocky areas (kopjes) which are parts of the Precambrian basement rocks protruding through the ash layers. Similar to the country size of Belgium this unique and pristine biosphere extends to the western shores of Lake Victoria and stretches even beyond the border of Kenya.

Wildlife Serengeti National Park is probably the best-known wildlife sanctuary in the world, unequaled for its natural beauty and species-rich wildlife. There are over 70 species of mammals including zebra, wildebeest, cheetah, gazelle, hyena, impala, baboon and giraffe. With more than 3,000 lions the Serengeti is believed to hold one of the largest populations of lions in Africa. Due to the abundance of prey it is one of the best places to observe hunting lion prides in their natural environment. Serengeti National Park is one of the few places on earth where you can meet the “Big Five”, the five most popular African animals: lion, leopard, buffalo, elephant and rhinoceros.

The Great Migration The Serengeti is world famous for the largest terrestrial mammal migration in the world. The annual migration of about 2 million wildebeests, more than 200,000 zebras, and 300,000 Thomson’s gazelles, followed by their predators, is definitely one of the most impressive nature spectacles in the world. There is neither start nor finish to their endless search for food and water, as those impressive animal herds circle the Serengeti-Mara ecosstem in a relentless sequence of life and death.

Landscape Arusha National Park literally is the perfect entry gate to a Tanzania safari adventure. Although the park is relatively small it features a variety of spectacular, majestic landscapes nestling between Tanzania´s highest peaks, Mt. Meru and Mt. Kilimajaro which is just 30 miles (50 km) away from here. Mt. Meru, the National Park´s iconic landmark, towers up to almost 15,000 feet. Awesome hiking trails lead across the fertile, evergreen slopes of the extinct volcano with its mystic forests, colorful birdlife, and magnificent waterfalls waiting to be discovered.

To the northeast rolling grassy hills enclose the tranquil beauty of the luminous Momela Lakes with their shorelines populated by thousands of flamingos. Further south, amidst of beautiful montane forest stands the spectacular Ngurdoto Crater, whose steep, rocky cliffs enclose a wide marshy floor dotted with big game. At Arusha National Park guests can enjoy Africa as its best on scenic walking safaris, canoeing trips on lakes, and exciting game drives.

Wildlife The shadowy montane forests surrounding Mt. Meru are inhabitated by inquisitive blue monkeys, colorful turacos, and trogons – the only place on the northern safari circuit where the acrobatic black-and-white colobus monkey is easily seen. Warthogs and zebras are the most common animals all across the Park which has the highest giraffe population density in Africa. Also leopards and spotted hyenas may be seen in the early morning and late afternoon. As a special attraction visitors try to track the small group of forest elephants what are roaming the montane forest around Ngurdoto Crater.

Bird life Arusha NP ranks among East Africa´s primary spots for birdwatchers. Over 400 species recorded in such a small area is an impressive asset. The Momella Lakes are among the best places in Tanzania to watch water birds: large flocks of Greater and Lesser flamingo, pelican, Egyptian goose, little grebe, various herons, ducks and even some waders such as the hamerkop are common and easy to spot.

Birdlife in the montane forest is prolific and colorful, with many species more easily seen here than elsewhere in Tanzania such as hornbills, turacos and grey parrots. Augar buzzard, Verreaux‘s eagle and other cliff associated raptors can often been seen flying above Ngurdoto crater. Tall Secretary Birds spend much of their day stalking through the Park´s open grasslands. Also some migratory birds are present in the Park but solely from November to April.

Landscape For about 30 miles (50 km) Lake Manyara National Park stretches between the high western escarpment of the East African Rift Valley and the flat surface of the alkaline Lake Manyara, what shrinks considerably in the dry season. Although relatively small, Lake Manyara National Park displays a great diversity of animals and ecosystems, ranging from savannah to jungle-like evergreen forest.

During the rainy season the lake hosts millions of flamingos, waterfalls spill over the cliffs of the rift wall and hot springs bubble to the surface in the south. Inland of the floodplain, a narrow belt of acacia woodland is the favored resting place of Manyara´s legendary tree-climbing lions. Lake Manyara National Park offers perfect conditions for exciting canoe safaris, and it is the only park on the northern circuit where night game drives are permitted.

Wildlife Although a small national park by Tanzanian standard Lake Manyara National Park offers a virtual microcosm of the Tanzanian safari experience. Year-round elephants, hippos, zebras, giraffes, wildebeests, waterbucks, klipspringers, impalas, warthogs, blue monkeys, and even dik diks gather along the shores of the lake. Tree-climbing lions are known from other parks as well but can most easily be seen in here, and the broken forests growing upwards the rift escarpment make it a great place for leopards. Immediately obvious to any visitor are the huge troops of baboons often numbering several hundred individuals. The Lake Manyara baboons are regarded as Africa´s largest baboon community.

Waterbirds Lake Manyara National Park counts as one of the most excellent birding spots in East Africa. More than 400 species of birds inhabit the park and many remain throughout the year. Visitors might reasonably expect to observe 100 of these on a single day. The shallow lake gets occupied by thousands of pink-hued Lesser flamingos during the wet season, as well as other large water birds such as pelicans, cormorants, storks, herons, egrets, stilts, spoonbills, and Egyptian geese. An unforgettable experience is the sight of a giant flock of the finch-like red-billed quelea gathering in the thousands and wafting over the water in insect-like swarms. The abundance of water all around attracts even big forest birds in large numbers such as noisy silvery-cheeked hornbills, crowned eagles, and crested guineafowls.

Landscape With its lovely and quiet wilderness Tarangire National Park usually ends up being the biggest surprise package on the Northern circuit. Tarangire has impressive concentrations of game during the dry season from July to December and even then there a little numbers of visitors compared to Ngorongoro or the Serengeti. Tarangire is one of the best places in Africa to see large herds of elephants with as many as 500 individuals.

The landscape and vegetation is amazingly diverse with seasonal swamps along Tarangire River and a vast tree savanna featuring big numbers of baobab and acacia trees, and tall borassus palms. The climate is drier and gives a good impression of the endless Maasai Savanna of central Tanzania. Due to its great extension Tarangire National Park features a rich biodiversity and authentic safari atmosphere which is completely different from other parks.

Wildlife Tarangire National Park actually is just a part of a big migratory ecosystem which includes Lake Manyara National Park and five additional wildlife areas. At the height of the rainy season wildlife spreads all across these areas. During the dry season from July to November animals gather in large numbers along Tarangire River which is then the only water resource in the surrounding environment. Elephant, wildebeest, zebra, giraffe, buffalo, impala, Thompson's gazelle, greater and lesser kudu, hartebeest, long-necked gerenuk, eland, and baboon crowd the rapidly shrinking water pools. It's the greatest concentration of wildlife outside the Serengeti ecosystem – and of course an invitation for predators such as lions, leopards, and cheetahs.

A special highlight of the park is the African rock python that inhabits the Silale Swamps and gets occasionally seen climbing on trees. Although it is Africa´s largest snake pythons are quite difficult to spot due to a perfect camouflage body pattern. Furthermore even hippos can be seen at the Larmakau Swamps.

Tarangire National Park is also one of Tanzania's finest birding destinations. The park seasonally hosts more than 550 bird species. Tall ostrichs can be seen roaming the savanna and yellow-collared Lovebirds occupy the trees along the Tarangire River. Common birds are hornbills, herons, francolin, yellow-billed stork, purple swamphen, pelican, red kite, fish eagle, and vulture.

Tarangire Elephants Certainly the most spectacular feature of Tarangire National Park is that it serves as a refuge for the largest elephant population in northern Tanzania. Up to 3,000 elephants are roaming the vast tree savanna plains and the Tarangire River banks. Large herds of 300 individuals and more that are frequently encountered what makes Tarangire National Park an outstanding destination to watch those awesome and graceful giants.

African Elephants are the largest living terrestrial animal with some males weighing up to 13,000 pounds (6,000 kg) and standing four meters tall at their shoulder. They live in socially complex family units made of eight to ten animals comprising related adult females and their immature offspring.

African elephants are amongst the world‘s most intelligent species and exhibit a large variety of behaviors what are surprisingly similar to primates and humans.