Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
NATIONAL PARKS & RESERVES
The Mpingo Conservation & Development Initiative
(
www.mpingoconservation.org
)
and the African Blackwood Conservation
Project (
www.blackwoodconservation.org
)
are working to conserve
mpingo
(East African Blackwood) - Tanzania's national tree, and one of
the main woods used in carvings.
Tanzania has 15 mainland national parks, 14 wildlife reserves, the Ngorongoro Conservation
Area, three marine parks and several protected marine reserves. Until relatively recently, de-
velopment and tourism were focused almost exclusively on the northern parks (Serengeti,
Lake Manyara, Tarangire and Arusha National Parks), plus Kilimanjaro National Park for
trekkers, and the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. All of these places are easily reached by
road or air, and heavily visited, with a range of facilities. Apart from the evocative land-
scapes, the north's main attractions are the high concentrations, diversity and accessibility
of the wildlife.
Top Spots for Botanists
»Kitulo NP
»Amani NR
»Udzungwa Mountains NP
The southern protected areas (Ruaha National Park and Selous Game Reserve, plus
Mikumi and Udzungwa Mountains National Parks) are receiving increasing attention, but
still don't see the number of visitors that the north does and most areas tend to have more of
a wilderness feel. They also tend to be more time-consuming to reach by road. The wildlife,
however, is just as impressive, although it's often spread out over larger areas.
In the west are Mahale Mountains and Gombe National Parks, where the main draws are
the chimpanzees and (for Mahale) the remoteness. Katavi is also remote, and the closest to
experiencing the pristine wild. Rubondo Island National Park is set on its own in Lake Vict-
oria, and is of particular interest to bird-watchers. Saadani National Park, just north of Dar
es Salaam, is the only terrestrial national park along the coast. Mkomazi National Park, just
off the Arusha-Tanga road near Same, is a sanctuary for black rhinos.
National Parks
Tanzania's national parks are managed by the
Tanzania National Parks Authority
(Tanapa;
www.tanzaniaparks.com
;
Dodoma road, Arusha). For park entry fees see the indi-
vidual listings.
