| The name of this tour alone is enough to heighten | | | | Livingstone "discovered" the lake some 150 years |
| anticipation and evoke images of wild creatures, | | | | ago. At Speke Bay, fishermen still use their |
| sprawling landscapes and the drama of life and | | | | traditional fishing methods, and are happy to share |
| death in the rugged Tanzanian wilderness. This | | | | them with visitors on a boat ride over the waters. |
| Tanzanian Great Safari Circuit should be relished, | | | | Back on land, the women are toiling in the fields, |
| not rushed, and takes about two weeks to | | | | or seeking shade from the hot sun. A trip to this |
| complete. By the end of those two weeks, | | | | corner of the world is a chance to meet the real |
| however, you'll feel you've made the journey of a | | | | people of this beautiful country, and realise there |
| lifetime. | | | | is more to Tanzania than spotting game. |
| Lake Manyara | | | | Ngorongoro |
| After an overnight usually spent in Arusha, the | | | | After the calm and tranquillity of Lake Victoria, |
| gateway to Tanzania's north, the safari will begin | | | | another night is usually spent in the Serengeti, this |
| in earnest with a stop at Lake Manyara. The | | | | time further south, after which it is time to visit |
| name of this national park is taken from the Masai | | | | the Ngorongoro Crater. This vast volcanic caldera, |
| word for the euphorbia tirucalli bush, used for | | | | the legacy of a huge volcanic implosion and |
| thorny hedges to protect their cattle. The park | | | | collapse some 2-3 million years ago, will |
| itself is stunningly beautiful - a veritable panorama | | | | simultaneously defy and delight the senses. It |
| of lush vegetation and tropical forest on the floor | | | | seems somehow a world unto itself - as you |
| of the Great Rift Valley. Birdlife is abundant here, | | | | descend the 2000 ft high walls of the crater and |
| with pelican, hornbill and flamingo all to be spotted. | | | | arrive in the crater bottom, engulfed by the |
| Other wild creatures residing in the area include | | | | verdant surroundings, you can easily imagine why |
| elephant, buffalo, zebra, giraffe, various antelope | | | | this is often described as a "natural" sanctuary for |
| and the rare tree-climbing Manyara lion. | | | | animals. The truth is, any one of the 20-25,000 |
| Lake Natron | | | | large mammals which reside here could leave if |
| Heading north and passing Ol Doinyo Lengai, an | | | | they wanted. The fact is they stay because the |
| active volcano, the next destination is Lake | | | | conditions here are favourable. The sheer |
| Natron. Even the journey from one lake to the | | | | concentration of wildlife is amazing! |
| other is a delight, as you pass Masai villages, bee | | | | Lake Eyasi |
| boxes and termite mounds. You might even spot | | | | Lake Eyasi is home to the Hadzabe Bushmen - an |
| some game or amazing bird species along the | | | | ethnic group of hunter-gatherers who live |
| way! Arriving at Lake Natron, you are immediately | | | | completely harmoniously with nature, and are |
| confronted by the vast number of flamingo which | | | | amongst the last of the world's indigenous people |
| gather at the shores to feed on the zooplankton | | | | to speak using clicks. The wealth of knowledge on |
| of the alkaline waters. The highlight, however, is | | | | the local flora and fauna is extensive, and during |
| the chance to hike along the Ngare Sero River, | | | | your days spent with the Hadzabe people, spent |
| which flows into the lake. After some challenging | | | | on their traditional hunting tracks, you are sure to |
| hiking, you reach the source of the river - a | | | | glean a lot of that knowledge yourself. This is a |
| torrent of surging waterfalls and pools where, | | | | truly off-the-beaten-track experience not to be |
| weather permitting, you can cool down under the | | | | found on your average safari. |
| cascading waters. | | | | Tarangire |
| Serengeti | | | | Heading north again, your circuit is almost |
| This corner of Tanzania needs little introduction. | | | | complete with your final safari stop at Tarangire. |
| The "endless plains" for which this national park | | | | Colossal baobab trees dot the landscape here, |
| was named by the Masai so many years ago are | | | | tricking the eyes as you watch an elephant or |
| home to a whole host of fabulous species. | | | | giraffe, somehow looking small, wandering beneath |
| Wildebeest, lion, elephant, giraffe, zebra, baboon, | | | | the boughs of these majestic trees. The elephant |
| hippo, rhino, antelope and over 400 bird species | | | | population is thriving here, with some 6000 |
| are all here, playing out their daily dramas of hunt | | | | elephant residing within the borders of the national |
| and chase, birth and death. Of course, the most | | | | park. The sight of a herd of these creatures, |
| dramatic spectacle of all is the Great Migration of | | | | wandering slowly, swaying across Tarangire's |
| the wildebeest, and if you time it just right, you | | | | plains, is the perfect way to end your own Great |
| might just be witness to this wonder of nature | | | | Safari Circuit. |
| during your safari circuit. | | | | And here it ends. Many guests will spend another |
| Lake Victoria | | | | overnight in Arusha, to relax, inhale the country air |
| Another name which awakens your sense of | | | | and digest the sights they've seen, and |
| adventure, beckoning you to don your safari hat | | | | experiences they've had. Some may even spend |
| and discover the lapping shores for yourself. This | | | | an extra day here, hiking in Arusha National Park. |
| vast body of water is surely the greatest of | | | | Whatever you decide to do, by the end of this |
| Africa's Great Lakes. Heading even further west | | | | great journey, you'll feel you've come at least |
| from the Serengeti, the shores of Lake Victoria | | | | some way in getting to know this diverse, |
| are dotted with pockets of villages and farmlands, | | | | beautiful and truly fascinating country. |
| which seem to have changed little since | | | | |