Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Mahale and/or Katavi. Selous and Mafia or Zanzibar is also a recommended safari-beach
combination.
Western Parks
For Katavi National Park alone, plan at least two to three days in the park. For a six- to
seven-day itinerary, Katavi and Mahale make a fine combination, and many fly-in safari
schedules are built around this itinerary. Budget in several extra days to relax in between
on Lake Tanganyika. Katavi is easily and rewardingly combined with Ruaha, and a Ruaha-
Katavi-Mahale grouping is also quite feasible; plan on at least nine or 10 days. For Gombe,
budget two days. Adventurous overland travellers can bring Rubondo Island park into a
western Tanzania itinerary. At least two days on the island is recommended.
Other Areas
Mkomazi National Park is an intriguing stop for birders on any itinerary linking Dar es
Salaam or the northeastern coast with Arusha and the northern circuit, or even as a stand-
alone bush experience in combination with coastal destinations or hiking in the Usambara
Mountains. Kitulo National Park can be worked in to itineraries in the Mbeya-Tukuyu area,
while Lukwika-Lumesule Game Reserve is only really feasible for hardy travellers already
in the Masasi area. Diving in Mafia Island Marine Park is easily incorporated into a stay on
Mafia island.
TIPS FOR WILDLIFE WATCHING DAVID LUKAS
»Your best bet for seeing black rhino is Ngorongoro Crater, where about 20 re-
main. Here they are used to vehicles, while elsewhere in Tanzania they are se-
cretive and occur in remote locations.
»Let the vervet monkeys tell you if there's a predator in the neighbourhood.
Listen for their screeching alarm calls and look in the direction they're facing.
»During the July to October dry season, Tarangire National Park provides out-
standing wildlife viewing. Over 3000 elephants and many other migratory anim-
als come here to drink from the Tarangire River.
»Hundreds of thousands of flamingos may be seen at Lake Manyara National
Park, though they move from lake to lake as water levels and composition change
and their presence is never predictable.
»Don't forget a high-quality pair of binoculars. Practise using them at home be-
fore departing because some animals, especially birds, don't wait around for you
to learn how to aim and focus in the field.
