Family adventure to Tanzania

Arguably the safari capital of East Africa, Arusha is a bustling city in northern Tanzania and the main hub for those who are going to be embarking on a safari in this extensively game rich country. With a little time to spare before your safari begins tomorrow, you could visit the Museum of Natural History which offers insight into the country’s history, geography, flora and fauna and can be quite an interesting experience for the whole family. The Cultural Centre has a variety of typically traditional carvings, gemstones and artefacts that help to summarise the past and present lives of over 120 Tanzanian tribes and is paired well the Maasai Market where you can get some wonderful souvenirs.

By managing to squeeze a majority of Tanzania‘s diverse habitats, animals and birdlife into just one, and by most standards, small national park (33,000 hectares) Lake Manyara is a very popular park, made even more so for its tree-climbing lions, thriving herds of giraffe and broad range of bird species. Set between Arusha and the Ngorongoro Crater, Lake Manyara National Park runs along the Rift Valley escarpment and where two-thirds of its hectarage lies under the waters of its alkaline lake. Everyone, from the youngest adventurers to the more seasoned traveller, can keep an eye out for baboons, blue monkeys and bushbuck in its evergreen forests, buffalo, wildebeest, giraffe and zebra on its flood plains, whereas its acacia woodland is popular amongst its leopards and those tree-climbing lions.

Nearly 20 kilometres in diameter, the Ngorongoro Crater measures in as the largest intact volcanic caldera in the world. Views from atop the 600m high walls are spectacular and open up a new world of wonder to those visiting this gorgeous country. Your family will spend a day exploring all the dramatic scenery of the crater. Bright flamingos can be seen wading through the central soda lake and the freshwater lakes provide some excellent birdwatching opportunities, so keep your binoculars handy. Hyena are sometimes seen following the lions from a distance in hopes of a meal and jackal can often be spotted skulking around the bushier areas of the crater. Keep your eyes peeled for tusker elephants and a population of black rhino. You’ll also head into Manyara for more exploring.

The Serengeti is one of the world’s most famous national parks, and the perfect place to wind up your family’s wonderful exploration of Tanzania. The Great Migration of over 1.5 million wildebeest and 250,000 zebra who follow the grass to and from the neighbouring Maasai Mara in Kenya, passes through the region annually, but there is an incredible variety of wildlife resident year-round. Let your expert guides lead you through the natural wonders of the Serengeti on exciting bush walks, enjoy the mesmerising African sky with a spot of star gazing and experience the pristine natural atmosphere at the break of dawn on an exciting morning game drive.