Mount Kilimanjaro Sunset
Mount Kilimanjaro Sunset
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Mikumi National Park—the Family Friendly Safari Vacation
An astonishing variety of African wildlife, good accommodations, guided drives and walks, and relatively easy access make Mikumi National Park in Tanzania a fine place to take the family to enjoy the safari experience. Mikumi National Park is located a few hours’ drive inland from Dar es Salaam, the largest city in the country, which is on the Indian Ocean.
The park is connected to the city by a newly paved road, which makes access easy. It’s about a four hour drive from Dar es Salaam. Visitors also can take a bus to the park from the city, or charter an airplane to fly into the park. From the other side, the park can be reached by roads that may only be drivable during the dry season, between May to November. Generally speaking, Mikumi is less visited than many African wildlife preserves, and thus offers visitors a more relaxing experience.
Mikumi is the fourth largest national park in Tanzania. It lies between two mountain ranges and is adjacent to the Selous, the largest game reserve on the continent. The park is accessible year round, but the dry season is the more convenient time to visit. The northwest portion of the park, which is transected by paved roads and trails for tours, occupies the alluvial plain, and thus makes for a better wildlife habitat than does the less accessible southeast portion.
The park is home to an amazing variety of wildlife, all of it within reach of tourists. People who want to see the “Big Five”—lions, cheetahs, rhinoceroses, elephants, and water buffalo—should have no difficulty fulfilling that goal. More than 400 species of birds have been identified in the park, and herds of wildebeest, zebra, and several species of antelope crisscross the open grasslands. Several species of giraffes inhabit the park, as do baboons and hippopotamuses.
Aspiring photographers, both young and old, will be in raptures over the long, grass-covered vistas, termite mounds, dramatic rock formations, and of course the animals around every corner. Children will be able to see the creatures they’ve only seen in books or on television in the flesh, and will learn more about the delicate balance that must be struck to protect the wildlife and the environment.
The park has two lodges, three campsites, and three luxury tented camps. For those who prefer to not to stay in the park, there are guest houses for rent in the town of Mikumi, which is on the border of the park. Other permanent accommodations in the park are in the works as well.
Spending A Holiday At Lake Manyara National Park
If you have ever heard about the legendary tree climbing lion of Lake Manyara in Tanzania, then you are certainly curious to see one roaming around in its natural habitat. After all, it’s not every day that one can witness such a strange phenomenon as a lion climbing up a tall tree. Traditional zoos and even most national parks simply do not provide access to this unbelievable sight; they are that rare. Indeed, if you truly have an urge to see one of these elegant creatures in the flesh, your best bet would be to go on safari at Lake Manyara National Park.
Although Lake Manyara National Park is quite small as far as safari parks go, it is positively teeming with amazing sights. As noted already, the primary one that most people come to see is the famous tree lion. By hiring a tour guide to take you about the park, you can easily encounter one of these unbelievable animals within the boundaries of the park. In addition to this tree climbing lion, you can also enjoy many other forms of wildlife. Some of the primary examples include giraffes, elephants, wildebeests and many other amazing creatures. Therefore, there will never be a dull moment at Manyara Park.
For people who have never gone on any sort of safari before, Manyara National Park is an excellent introduction into the experience. This is because Manyara is relatively small, and is quite easily navigated. This is particularly true when you hire an experienced and professional tour guide to show you the many sights. Primary among the natural scenery that one can witness within this park is its namesake, Lake Manyara. This is an enormous alkaline lake, and it actually takes up most of the park’s 320 square kilometers. Groups of gorgeous pink flamingos can be found along the lake; a stunning sight for any visitor to see.
So, whether you are new to safaris and would like to ease yourself into the experience, or if you’ve heard all about the legendary tree lion and wish to see one for yourself, Lake Manyara National Park in Tanzania is a great opportunity. By coming here, you can truly experience what going on safari is all about. There is little doubt that a holiday here will be one that you will remember for a lifetime, from the expansive lake to the groups of flamingos dotting the landscape – Lake Manyara has something for everyone.
If Justin Timberlake Can Climb Kilimanjaro, You Can, Too!
Want to climb Mount Kilimanjaro? As the highest mountain in all of Africa, you may have no idea what to expect when you are thinking about planning a trip to go Kilimanjaro climbing. You have heard that some people train to complete the hike, and many people fail to reach the summit. But many people say that Kilimanjaro climbing has changed their life, so you want to go. You are a fairly experienced hiker; would you be able to climb Kilamanjaro?
Here is some important information if you are planning a trip to climb Kilimanjaro’s summit in the near future. First of all, there are two main seasons in which it is best to climb Kilimanjaro. These times are during Tanzania’s two dry seasons. The first dry season is from January to mid-March, and the second is from June to October. From January to March is the best time to climb Kilimanjaro, because there are less other hikers, so your journey will be more tranquil and peaceful. The weather is still cold and crisp, and the snows of Kilimanjaro are beginning to recede. Some adventurous types like to plan their trek in the winter, when they have a Christmas break. This is a bad idea, because the snows of Kilimanjaro make the hike even more arduous than it usually is, and when you finally get to the summit, it is so cold, cloudy and windy that you hardly enjoy the view. However, if you still want to do this, you should check ahead, because many of the agencies wont take you Kilimanjaro climbing during these months.
When you climb Kilimanjaro, you ascend Mt. Kibo, the highest peak of three in Kilimanjaro. The slopes of Kibo are gentle, though, and so the hike is not impossible. There are a total of six different trails you can take when you are Kilimanjaro climbing to get to the foot of Kibo peak. The first is the Marangu Route. This route is the oldest off all the trails to Kilimanjaro’s summit, and is the most popular trail to take. The Marangu Route is known as being relatively close to the path that Hans Meyer took when he made the first successful ascension of Mt. Kilimanjaro. The Marangu Route actually has cement huts along the trail, and you are not allowed to camp. The Marangu Route is one of the shorter trails you can take when you climb Kilimanjaro, and it takes only five days. It is a good idea, though, to take an extra day to acclimatize to the altitude once you reach a place called Orombo. However, despite its popularity, a large number of people who go up the Marangu Route do not make it all the way to the summit. This is because this route attracts the many tourists that don’t know what they are doing.
Finally, you can also take the Machame Route, which is almost as popular as the Marangu Route. Machame is more arduous than the Marangu Route, but many people say that it is more enjoyable. If you decide to take the Machame Route, it takes a day longer than the Marangu Route. This gives climbers the advantage of having more time to acclimatize. The Machame Route passes through gorgeous vistas. Along the way, you will go through the cloud forests of Kili, the Shira Plateau which is very arid, and finally you will get a great view of the Rebmann Glacier.
Pop star Justin Timberlake is planning to climb Kilimanjaro in the autumn, and so if you want to do it, you should, because if he can do it, you surely can!
