Serengeti National Park is undoubtedly the best-known wildlife sanctuary in the world, unequalled for its natural beauty and scientific value, it has the greatest concentration of plains game in Africa

The Serengeti National Park in Tanzania was established in 1952. It is home to the greatest wildlife spectacle on earth - the great migration of wildebeest and zebra. The resident population of lion, cheetah, elephant, giraffe, and birds is also impressive. There’s a wide variety of accommodation available, from luxury lodges to mobile camps. The park covers 5,700 sq miles, (14,763 sq km), it’s larger than Connecticut, with at most a couple hundred vehicles driving around.

The Park can be divided into 3 sections. The popular southern/central part (Seronera Valley), is what the Maasai called the “serengit”, the land of endless plains. It’s classic savannah, dotted with acacias and filled with wildlife. The western corridor is marked by the Grumeti River, and has more forests and dense bush. The north, Lobo area, meets up with Kenya’s Masai Mara Reserve, is the least visited section.

Two World Heritage Sites and two Biosphere Reserves have been established within the 30,000 km² region. It’s unique ecosystem has inspired writers from Ernest Hemingway to Peter Mattheissen, filmakers like Hugo von Lawick and Alan Root as well as numerous photographers and scientists - many of which have put their works at our disposal to create this website.

The Serengeti ecosystem is one of the oldest on earth. The essential features of climate, vegetation and fauna have barely changed in the past million years. Early man himself made an appearance in Olduvai Gorge about two million years ago. Some patterns of life, death, adaptation and migration are as old as the hills themselves.

It is the migration for which Serengeti is perhaps most famous. Over a million wildebeest and about 200,000 zebras flow south from the northern hills to the southern plains for the short rains every October and November, and then swirl west and north after the long rains in April, May and June. So strong is the ancient instinct to move that no drought, gorge or crocodile infested river can hold them back.

The Wildebeest travel through a variety of parks, reserves and protected areas and through a variety of habitat. Join us to explore the different forms of vegetation and landscapes of the Serengeti ecosystem and meet some of their most fascinating inhabitants.

At 5896 m Mt Kilimanjaro, Africa/s highest mountain and one of the continent/s magnificent sights, It has three main volcanic peaks, Kibo, Mawenzi, and Shira. The name itself "Kilimanjaro" is a mystery wreathed in clouds. It might mean Mountain of Light, Mountain of Greatness or Mountain of Caravans.

Above the gently rolling hills and plateaux of northern Tanzania rises the snowy peak of Mt. Kilimanjaro, it’s slopes and glaciers shimmering above the rising clouds. Kilimanjaro is located near the town of Moshi and is a protected area, carefully regulated for climbers to enjoy without leaving a trace of their presence. The mountain’s ecosystems are as strikingly beautiful as they are varied and diverse. 

On the lowland slopes, much of the mountain is farmland, with coffee, banana, cassava, and maize crops grown for subsistence and cash sale. A few larger coffee farms still exist on the lower slopes, but much of the area outside the national park has been subdivided into small plots. Once inside the park, thick lowland forest covers the lower altitudes and breaks into alpine meadows once the air begins to thin. Near the peak, the landscape is harsh and barren, with rocks and ice the predominant features above a breathtaking African view.

Climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro is the highlight of most visitors’ experiences in Tanzania. Few mountains can claim the grandeur, the breathtaking views of Amboseli National Park in Kenya, the Rift Valley, and the Masaai Steppe, that belongs to Kilimanjaro. Hiking on the ‘rooftop of Africa’ — the highest point on the continent at 5896 metres — is the adventure of a lifetime, especially because, if paced well, everyone from seasoned trekkers to first-time enthusiasts can scale the snowy peak. For more information, see the ‘Mountain Climbing‘ section under ‘Things to Do.

“Kilimanjaro” The name itself is a mystery wreathed in clouds. It might mean Mountain of Light, Mountain of Greatness or Mountain of Caravans. Or it might not. The local people, the Wachagga, don’t even have a name for the whole massif, only Kipoo (now known as Kibo) for the familiar snowy peak that stands imperious, overseer of the continent, the summit of Africa.

Kilimanjaro is one of the world’s most accessible high summits, a beacon for visitors from around the world. Most climbers reach the crater rim with little more than a walking stick, proper clothing and determination. And those who reach Uhuru Point, the actual summit, or Gillman’s Point on the lip of the crater, will have earned their climbing certificates and their memories.

But there is so much more to Kili than her summit. The ascent of the slopes is a virtual climatic world tour, from the tropics to the Arctic.

Even before you cross the national park boundary (at the 2,700m contour), the cultivated footslopes give way to lush montane forest, inhabited by elusive elephant, leopard, buffalo, the endangered Abbot’s duiker, and other small antelope and primates. Higher still lies the moorland zone, where a cover of giant heather is studded with otherworldly giant lobelias.

Above 4,000m, a surreal alpine desert supports little life other than a few hardy mosses and lichen. Then, finally, the last vestigial vegetation gives way to a winter wonderland of ice and snow – and the magnificent beauty of the roof of the continent.

Arusha National Park (ANAPA) is a gem of varied ecosystems and spectacular views of Mt. Meru, the crater that gives the region its name

It is a popular destination for day trip visitors who are about to embark from the town of Arusha on longer northern circuit safaris. The small national park includes the slopes, summit, and ash cone of Mt. Meru, the Momela Lakes, Ngurdoto Crater, and the lush highland forests that blanket its lower slopes. Game viewing around the Momela Lakes is at a laid-back and quiet pace, and while passing through the forest many visitors stop to search for troupes of rare colubus monkeys playing in the canopy.

Situated just a short drive from Arusha and Moshi, Arusha National Park is one of Tanzania's most convenient parks and is a fantastic destination for a day trip and makes for a great beginning or end to any Tanzanian itinerary.

Arusha National Park hosts a wide variety of landscapes, ranging from vast savannah and rainforest through to acacia woodlands and up to alpine vegetation on the higher reaches of Mount Meru.

At just over 200 square miles, Arusha National Park has great wildlife densities, and it is home to the world's largest population of giraffe. Black and white colobus monkeys, the Vervet monkeys, the red forest duikers, hippos, elephants, giraffes, buffaloes, bushbucks. Leopards are rare. Hosting to more than 400 numbers of bird species it is a grand choice for the bird lovers.

Arusha National Park can generally be explored in a day and is a great stand-alone adventure due to its proximity to Arusha and Moshi, and thanks to its small size. It also pairs well with longer itineraries on the northern safari circuit, including the Ngorongoro Conservation Area and Serengeti National Park. 

Located beneath the cliffs of the Manyara Escarpment, on the edge of the Rift Valley, Lake Manyara National Park offers varied ecosystems, incredible bird life, and breathtaking views.

Located on the way to Ngorongoro Crater and the Serengeti, Lake Manyara National Park is worth a stop in its own right. Its ground water forests, bush plains, baobab strewn cliffs, and algae-streaked hot springs offer incredible ecological variety in a small area, rich in wildlife and incredible numbers of birds.

Stretching for 50km along the base of the rusty-gold 600-metre high Rift Valley escarpment, Lake Manyara is a scenic gem, with a setting extolled by Ernest Hemingway as “the loveliest I had seen in Africa”.

The compact game-viewing circuit through Manyara offers a virtual microcosm of the Tanzanian safari experience.

The gem is famous for tree-climbing lions, which is one of the main reasons for visitors to pay a visit to the park. In addition to the lions, the national park is also home to the largest concentration of baboons anywhere in the world — a fact that accounts for interesting game viewing of large families of the primates. Buffalo, wildebeest, zebra, olive baboon, blue monkey, klipspringer, lions, elephant, hippos are also seen here.

The alkaline soda of Lake Manyara attracts an incredible array of birdlife that thrives on its brackish waters. More than 400 species have been recorded. Highlights include thousands of pink-hued flamingos on their perpetual migration, as well as other large water birds such as pelicans, cormorants and storks.

The jewel in Ngorongoro/s crown is a deep, volcanic crater formed nearly 2.5 millions years ago, the largest un flooded and unbroken caldera in the world. About 20 kms across, 600 meters deep and 300 sq kms in area, the Ngorongoro Crater is a breathtaking natural wonder. 

The Ngorongoro Crater is one of Africa’s most famous sites and is said to have the highest density of wildlife in Africa. Sometimes described as an ‘eighth wonder of the world’, the Crater has achieved world renown, attracting an ever-increasing number of visitors each year.  You are unlikely to escape other vehicles here, but you are guaranteed great wildlife viewing in a genuinely mind-blowing environment.  There is nowhere else in Africa quite like Ngorongoro!

Geological records show that the cone of the volcanic caldera collapse inwards, forming what is currently known as a crater. The site is named after a Maasai phrase, ‘orgirra le kkorongorro,’ which means “Big Bowl.” Earlier documentation of the area misspelled the word ‘kkorongorro’ into today’s Ngorongoro with its intricate depth ‘caldera/crater,’ resulting in Ngorongoro Crater.

The Ngorongoro Crater is the world’s largest intact volcanic caldera. Forming a spectacular bowl of about 265 square kilometres, with sides up to 600 metres deep; it is home to approximately 30,000 animals at any one time. The Crater rim is over 2,200 metres high and  experiences its own climate.  From this high vantage point it is possible to make out the tiny shapes of animals making their way around the crater floor far below.  Swathes of cloud hang around the rocky rim most days of the year and it’s one of the few places in Tanzania where it can get chilly at night. 

The crater floor consists of a number of different habitats that include grassland, swamps, forests and Lake Makat (Maasai for ‘salt’) - a central soda lake filled by the Munge River.  All these various environments attract wildlife to drink, wallow, graze, hide or climb.  Although animals are free to move in and out of this contained environment, the rich volcanic soil, lush forests and spring source lakes on the crater floor (combined with fairly steep crater sides) tend to incline both grazers and predators to remain throughout the year.

Years Ago (Formed): ~ 2.5 Million | Diameter: 20 km | Caldera Depth: 610 m ↓ | Animals: 25,000 +

Tarangire National Park is one of the most renowned national parks of the northern circuit in Tanzania. It's famous for its large herds of massive elephants and huge, ancient baobab trees. In fact, Tarangire is home to some of world’s largest elephants. 

Tarangire National Park is often visited in combination with Serengeti or Ngorongoro. Unlike these parks, Tarangire lies relatively close to Arusha and is also the only national park in the area where you can spot a large variety of animals, including many predators. This makes Tarangire the perfect national park for a daytrip as well.

It’s also a quite large the national park and covers an area of approximately 2,850 square kilometers (1,100 square miles.) Tarangire National Park derived its name from the long serving river that crosses the park in the middle called the ‘Tarangire River’. The river acts as the primary source of water for wildlife in the park, which is  also one of the reasons of the large variety in the parks ecosystem. 

In the park you might encounter good numbers of wildebeest and zebra as well as giraffe, buffalo, Thompson’s gazelle, greater and lesser kudu, eland, leopard and cheetah. It is also the only place in Tanzania where the oryx and gerenuk are regularly spotted

Tarangire is also home to nearly 500 species of birds. Among which the most famous are the lovebirds that are yellow collared, Kori bustard,  the stocking-thighed ostrich, the shy starlings are in plenty and widespread in Tanzania.

Mkomazi lies in the southern tip of the Sahel zone characterized by Acacia-Commiphora species found in the Park. It resembles a dry-land reserve of grey-green nyika bush, ancient baobab trees and rocky hills. A vast savannah of woodlands of acacias seems like huge umbrellas protecting the region can also be seen in maximum places of Tanzania.

The Park is located in the in the northern part of Tanzania within Kilimanjaro and Tanga Regions. In the northern part, the park borders Tsavo west National Park in Kenya

The park has a semi-arid climate with bimodal rainfall distribution pattern. The southern Extension of the ‘’Sahel’’ habitat characterized by Acacia-Commiphora species is found in the Park.

The park gets its main source of water from Umba River. A little rainfall can be seen around the year making the park fresh and worth visiting. The park fall into Mkomazi-Tsavo Ecosystem, which is the second largest trans-boundary ecosystem in East Africa After the famous one, Serengeti- Mara Ecosytem.

The most famous natives of the Mkomazi are the African wild dogs and the endangered black rhinos. This park is also one of the best places to see large herds of oryx, Giraffe, gerenuk, lesser kudu, eland, hartebeest, impala and Grant’s gazelle share the reserve with elephant, buffalo, and numerous predators, including lion, leopard and cheetah.

Apart from this, the birds seen in the park are also abundant in number. The recorded bird species are almost 450 and you can witness these during a game drive. The most common species include ostriches, long-crested eagles, hoopoes and bustards. Around the Umba River, sightings of kingfishes, flamingos, cormorants, plovers, ducks and crocodiles on the river banks are common.

Mkomazi National Park possesses unique attractions where you would have the opportunity to enjoy the fullest as its not crowdy and almost every type of animals are seen.

Covering an area of only 56 km, Gombe National Park is Tanzania’s smallest park. The park’s most attractions are its famous primate inhabitants and its connection to Jane Goodall. First researched in the 60’s by Jane Goodall, Gombe is heaven for chimpanzee lovers.

Many of Gombe’s chimps are well habituated inside the park. Though it is a little difficult, sweaty walking steep hills and valleys, but the experience is so tempting. If you head out early in the morning sightings are nearly guaranteed and incredible. The experience is one that you are unlikely to forget.

Gombe is placed at the shore of Lake Tanganyika. The forest is verdant and 13 streams run down the escarpment to the sandy beach. The view of the forested slopes touching the steep escarpment is the most appealing one.

In addition to the main attraction chimpanzee, the park is also home to a troop of habituated olive baboon that can usually be found on the lakeshore. There are several other monkey species present, including red colobus monkey, while red-tailed, which are sometimes hunted by the chimps.

The park also harbours diverse colourful bird species. The notable are African broadbill, Black saw-wing, Crowned eagle, Double-toothed barbet, Kenya rufous sparrow, Livingstone’s turaco, Palm-nut vulture, Peter’s twinspot, Red-capped robin-chat, Red-chested cuckoo, Ross’s turaco, Yellow-rumped tinkerbird.

Despite chimp tracking, you can take walks along the lakeshore, and go and see Jane’s old chimp-feeding station, the viewpoint on Jane’s Peak and Kakombe Waterfall.

Mahale is located in the Western Tanzania to the South of Kigoma town, it is bordering Lake Tanganyika-the World’s longest, second deepest and least polluted freshwater lake-harbouring an estimated 1000 fish species.

The park is famous among visitors because of holding an abundant number of chimpanzees. In addition to chimpanzee, Mahale is heaven for other primates. The beauty of the park includes rivers and waterfalls and white sandy beached around the shoreline of the Lake.

The wild adventure leads through the misty forests. During these walks hikers also have the chance to spot other animals such as roan and sable antelope, warthog mongoose, and sometimes even lion and leopard. Crocodiles are also known to live in the park but rare.

Here you can also spot Tanzania's densest population of primates like red colobus, yellow baboon, red-tailed monkeys and vervet monkeys. Hippos can also be witnessed in Lake Tanganyika, swimming in the crystal clear waters.

Home to almost 355 species of birds, the park is also famous as birders paradise. On the sandy beaches of the Lakeshore visitors can spot pelicans and different storks as well as malachite kingfishers, pied king fishers, fish eagles Livingston’s turacos, narina trogons, crested guinea fowls and blue cheeked bee and many more colourful birds.

The lake also harbors over 250 endemic fish species. You can also get the chance of snorkelling in the shallow waters of the Lake and swim with the multi-colored fishes.

Ruaha National Park is located just south of the central midpoint of Tanzania. The national park encompasses an area of 7,809 square miles (20,226 sq km) making it the largest national park in Tanzania and one of the largest in Africa.

Ruaha National Park is part of the larger Rungwa-Kizigo-Muhesi ecosystem that covers an area of 17,000 square miles (45,000 sq km). Along with Ruaha, the area includes two other game reserves and a wildlife management area.  There are three primary areas for safari game-viewers to explore.  The Ruaha River area is the most stunning with Mdonya woodlands and the Mbage-Mwagusi circuit.

Ngalambulwa Mountain is the tallest point in the park reaching a summit of 5,250 feet (1,600 m). Grasslands and rocky terrain surround this massif adding to the varying landscapes.

The great Ruaha River travels along the southeastern border of the park.  The river name serves as the source for the national park name. This water source also serves as a draw for safari game viewing. A second river, Njombe traverses the park through gorges and rocky broken landscapes. Crocodiles can be commonly seen sunning on the banks of the rivers.

The largest collection of elephants is located here in Ruaha compared to anywhere else in Tanzania. Similarly, there is almost a guarantee that safari-goers will see Great Kudu because of their population.

The park predators feature lion, leopard, cheetah, spotted hyena, and wild dog.  The park serves as one of Tanzania’s Lion Conservation Units.  Giraffe, buffalo, hippopotamus, zebra, warthog, and sable antelope are some of the popular species found within the park.

Ruaha is also a bird lovers paradise with over 570 species of birds found within the park.  Hornbills, raptors, bee-eaters, rollers, and many other species make bird-watching a popular activity in the park.  This is also home to the rare Eleonora's Falcon during the months of December and January.

The park offers hides and tree houses which are situated in places which provide excellent views of the watering spots most frequented by wildlife.  These are inspirational opportunities to have stunning views of the wildlife apart from the traditional vehicle safari.

Nyerere National Park is the northeastern part of the huge Selous Game Reserve set aside for photographic safaris, which was upgraded to the national park status in November 2019. The park was named after the first president of Tanzania, Mr Julius Nyerere (late), in recognition for championing conservation and protection of wildlife in the country. Nyerere National Park, is one of the most beautiful and game-rich areas in the ecosystem of Selous Game Reserve, spanning the Rufiji River basin in southeastern Tanzania.

Selous Game Reserve was established in 1922, and in 1982, was named after Frederick Selous Courtney who was a great Hunter and explorer. it was declared a UNESCO world heritage site thanks to its rich diversity of wildlife and uninterrupted nature.

Nyerere National Park is located in south eastern Tanzania, bordered by Mikumi National Park to the northwest and Udzungwa Mountains National Park to the west.

With an area of about 30,893sqkm, Nyerere National Park is the largest national park in Africa. It is perhaps one of the most pristine wildernesses still remaining in Africa, with a wide variety of wildlife habitats, including open grasslands, Miombo woodlands, swamps and riverine forests in the many tributaries of the mighty Rufiji River which flows through the National Park to the Indian Ocean.

Its wildlife is spectacular, with some of the largest population of mammals and reptiles in Africa, including buffaloes, elephants, hippos and crocodiles which can be seen here. Nyerere National Park, together with the remaining part of Selous Game Reserve, is considered to be the last stronghold of the African wild dog. Other common wildlife include the wildebeest, zebra, giraffe, eland, the greater kudu, sable antelopes, black rhino, waterbuck, impala, lion, leopard, the spotted hyena, cheetah, baboon, vervet and blue monkey, and the black and white colobus monkey which can be viewed in riverine forests. About 440 species of birds both resident and migratory have been observed in the national park.

The park offers a wide variety of game viewing opportunities including the thrilling experience of a walking safari in the company of an armed ranger. The many waterways in the park provide an excellent natural setting for boat safaris, both for big game viewing and bird watching. This is in addition to the game drives in specially designed safari vehicles which, combined with boat and walking safaris, offer an exciting and rich game viewing itinerary unique to Nyerere National Park. The best time to visit is from June to October. During the long rains, between March and May, some parts of the park are temporarily closed for game drives due to poor accessibility.

Locals refer to the Kitulo Plateau as Bustani ya Mungu – The Garden of God – whereas botanists have dubbed it the Serengeti of Flowers, host to ‘one of the great floral spectacles of the world’, and only of its kind in Africa where wild flowers, birds and harmonious grass eating mammals are dominating

Kitulo is indeed a rare botanical marvel, home to wildflowers for six months of the year, from November to April. There is a documented 350 species of wild flowers including lilies and fields of daisies. 45 endemic orchid species are found only in the park than any other part of the world, from  June to August the entire park is foggy with no visibility during the daytime, and it is hardly possible to view its beauties.

Perched at around 2,600 metres (8,500 ft) between the rugged peaks of the Kipengere, Poroto and Livingstone Mountains, the well-watered volcanic soils of Kitulo support the largest and the most important montane grassland community in Tanzania.

Although sparse in big game, this natural botanical garden is highly alluring to bird watchers who thrill to sightings of rare Denham’s bustard, the endangered blue swallow, mountain marsh widow, Njombe cisticola and Kipengere seedeater. 

Endemic species of butterfly, chameleon, lizard and frog further enhance the biological wealth of God’s Garden. Unique and the only of its kind in Africa for natural orchids and birds, this park has been gazetted last year set for tourists.

Open walking safaris through the grasslands watching birds and wild flowers, hill hiking on the neighboring ranges during the day, gives a visitor fantastic views of Lake Nyasa and its beautiful Matema Beach down the mountains.

When full flocked, Kitulo National Park will be the leading nature conservation park in Africa, specializing on orchid holidays with less wildlife itineraries. It will add a new product to Tanzania’s wildlife-based tourism, which so far, has been competing with other destinations like Kenya, Zimbabwe, Botswana, Namibia and South Africa.  

Because of its cool and moderate weather similar to Mediterranean or European conditions, the area has since then attracted a number of British and American settlers in 1920’ who reared livestock and practiced small scale tourist projects.  

"Oldoinyo Lengai" means “The Mountain of God” in the Maasai language. The summit of this strato-volcano is 2962 metres above sea level, and affords direct views into the caldera of Tanzania’s only officially-certified active volcano, and the world’s only carbonatite volcano; records of eruptions have been maintained since 1883, the largest of which deposited ash 120 from Arusha Town and 100 kilometres away in Loliondo on the Kenyan border to the north west.

It is located in northern Tanzania lying just south of Soda Ash Lake Natron in the Rift Valley, in the heart of Maasai country, and locally regarded as a sacred mountain. Looking north from it’s summit crater, the hot barren salt flats of Lake Natron stretch into the distance. To the south stretch the crater Highlands and the Ngorongoro Game Reserve. The eastern horizons dominated by Kilimanjaro and to the west the forested escarpments and hills comprising the western slopes of the Rift Valley. Every seven years Lengai erupts and plumes of smoke billow out of the crater.

It is possible to walk across the crater floor. The ascent of Oldoinyo Lengai is demanding on account of the day time heat, lack of water, steep and unsuitable slopes of ash and crumbly rocks and considerable height gain. Normally you can start ascending to summit early in the morning and reach to summit at sunrise. Short and a warm jacket are suitable for ascent, also long trousers are good as the summit before dawn can be cold. Access route from the North West allows an early descent to be made from the summit in the morning shadow.

Since the past ancestors the Holly Lengai has been used by Maasai for their prayer to their GOD known as NGAI. Ol’doinyo Lengai is the only active volcano in the world that erupt natrocarbonatite lava which is cooler than other lavas about (510 degrees C) compare to the temperatures of basaltic lavas (1,100 degrees C) with less silicon.

The Mountain frequently does minor eruptions and form cone like structures to its crater base.

Unlike others two highest Mountains, Lengai takes about six to seven hours to the summit crater. Also the Mountain is an ideal place for a working safari escort by the Maasai guides with weapons tourist can sight wild animals like olive baboon, velvet, monitor lizard, hyenas, lion, leopard, jackal, Grant’s gazelle, impala and zebra.

The nearby are the Maasai BOMAS that gives you a chance to interact with the indigenous learn their cultures, taboos and traditional.

This spectacular area sits just north east of the Ngorongoro Crater and forms part of Africa immense Great Rift Valley. Nestled between rolling volcanic hills and deep craters, Lake Natron sits at the lowest point of the rift valley - 600m above sea level - and is probably the world's most caustic body of water. 

Lake Natron is a salt or soda lake not far from Lake Manyara in northern Tanzania. It is located in the Gregory Rift, the eastern branch of the East African Rift. The lake lays at the foot of the Ol Doinyo Lengai, an active volcano.

Lake Natron is quite shallow, less than three meters deep, and varies in width depending on its water level. The lake is 57 kilometers long and 22 kilometers wide. The area receives irregular seasonal rainfall, mainly between December and May. The temperatures at the lake are often over 40 ° C.

As the fresh water evaporates in the lake, water with high concentrations of salt minerals such as sodium and trona remains. The alkalinity of the lake can reach a pH level of more than 12. Special bacteria and blue algae thrive in this environment and form an ideal breeding ground for the life of birds. Such halophilic organisms include some cyano bacteria that, like plants, produce their own food through photosynthesis. The red pigment in those cyano bacteria produces the deep red colors of the lake’s waters and the orange colors in the shallow areas. Salt-loving microorganisms living there are coloring the alkali salt crust on the surface of the lake is red or pink.

Udzungwa Mountains National Park was established in 1992 and covers an area of 1990km2 where geographically, 20% of the total area lies in Morogoro region while the remaining 80% being in the southern highland region of Iringa. The word "Udzungwa" comes from the word "Wadsungwa" referring to one of the native sub tribes of the "Hehe" people who once lived in the slopes of the mountains.

Udzungwa National Park harbours one of East Africa’s great forests and the biodiversity of the park contribute the most significant attractions for visitors. The diverse habitat includes tropical rainforests, mountain forests, Miombo woodlands, grasslands and steppe. The major drawcard includes its biologically diverse forest, harbouring some plant species found nowhere else in the world, from a tiny African violet to 30-metre high trees.

The spectacular mountains scenery, grasslands, rocks, rivers and waterfalls and unique collection of flora and fauna are the treasure-trove of Udzungwa National Park.

The wildlife spotted in the park includes elephants, leopards, bush bucks, duikers, palm civets, Miombo genets, elephant shrews and hyenas. In addition to the wild animals the park also harbours some species of primates. Among the primates Iringa red colobus and the Sanje crested Mangabey are the unique ones.

With more than 400 species of birds, the park is also a treat for bird-lovers. Some common birds include crowned eagles, ruppells vultures, woodland kingfishers, silvery cheeked hornbills marabous, malachite kingfishers, and trumpeter hornbills.

Your trips can be tailor-made according to your travel preferences, what you want to see, and the time of year, so don’t hesitate to let your operator know exactly what you want in your Tanzania Safari.

Covering an area of 1,062 sq km (415 sq miles), Saadani National Park is sited on the north coast of Tanzania, approximately 100km North West of Dar es Salaam. The Park is home to a variable mix of both marine and mainland flora and fauna. Saadani is an ideal blend of island relaxation and safari excitement.

Saadani National Park is a one of a kind paradise with unique ecosystem where beach life meets wilderness. This gives you not only the opportunity to plunge into the Indian Ocean straight after your safari, but also to be submerged in a unique display of both marine and mainland flora and fauna in a naturally fascinating setting.

The name Saadani has a close link to the Arab settlement in the area during the 19 Century. The name of a fishing village that, origin ally known as Utondwe which changed to Saadani. Saadani is such an important name in the country’s history since the time immemorial centuries or more, mentioned in chronicles of the Portuguese and notable travellers like Johannes Rebman, El-Masoud, Ptolemy, and Richard Burton among others. The historical Saadani leaves us with the evidence of not only visits of these travellers, but also of a former town which was once a trade centre coordinating overseas and hinterland bather trade, including slave trade.

Wide range of grazers and primates are seen on game drives and walks, among them include giraffes, buffaloes, warthogs, common waterbucks, reedbucks, hartebeests, wildebeests, red duikers, greater kudus, elands, sable antelopes, yellow baboons and velvet monkeys. Herds of up to 30 elephants are encountered with increasing frequency, and several lion prides are inhabitants, together with leopards, spotted hyenas and black-backed jackals. Boat trips on the mangrove-lined Wami River come along with a high chance of sighting hippos, crocodiles and a selection of marine and riverine birds, including the mangrove kingfisher and lesser flamingo. The beaches form one of the last major green turtle breeding sites on mainland Tanzania.

It offers un-spoilt wildlife viewing in the country’s third-largest national park, in a remote location far off the beaten track. The national park is Africa at its most wild — unadulterated bush settings, spectacular views, and rich wildlife.

Tanzania’s third largest national park; it lies in the remote area southwest of the country, within a truncated arm of the Rift Valley that terminates in the shallow, brooding expanse of Lake Rukwa. The wilderness of Katavi National Park, located in the western area of Tanzania, is one of the most untouched areas in the entire country.

Katavi’s dramatic scenery is as varied as it is pristine. Flood plains of thick reeds and dense waterways are home to a huge population of hippo and varied birdlife. In the woodlands to the west, forest canopies shroud herds of buffaloes and elephants. Seasonal lakes fill with dirty coloured water after the rains and animals from all corners of the park descend in them to drink. The park is also home to the rare roan and sable antelope species, and it is a must-see for the visitors intending to explore the wilds of the continent.

The bulk of Katavi supports a hypnotically featureless cover of tangled brachystegia woodland, home to substantial but elusive populations of the localised eland, sable and roan antelopes. Nevertheless the main focus for game viewing within the park is the Katuma River and associated floodplains such as the seasonal Lakes Katavi and Chada. During the rainy season, these lush, marshy lakes are a haven for myriad water birds, and they also support Tanzania’s densest concentrations of hippos and crocodiles.

Katavi’s most singular wildlife spectacle is provided by its hippos. Towards the end of the dry season, up to 200 individuals might flop together in any riverine pool of sufficient depth. And as more hippos gather in one place, so does male rivalry heat up – bloody territorial fights are an everyday incident, with the vanquished male forced to lurk hapless on the open plains until it gathers sufficient confidence to mount another challenge.

Covering an area of about 2.20 square Kilometers, Saanane National Park is located on an island in Lake Victoria. The park got its name from its former owner Mzee Saanane Chawandi.

In 1964, Saanane was the first zoo in Tanzania. Later in 1991, it was recognized as a game reserve and then in 2013, it was gazetted as a National Park.

The park can be reached in about 20-15 min boat ride from Mwanza town of Tanzania. The Park is also famous for its location within the city of Tanzania. With lots of adventures, the park welcomes visitors who are coming for a memorable Tanzania Safari.

The Park is a resident to mammals like Impala, Velvet Monkeys, Rock Hyrax, and Wild Cats. The presence of “De-brazza's Monkey” distinguishes the park as the only Park in the country inhabiting the species.

Reptiles can also be found in the park, including crocodiles, Monitor Lizards, Agama Lizards, Pancake and Leopard Tortoises, Snakes particularly Python.

The aquatic part of the Park inhabits a variety of fisheries life, mainly Tilapia and Nile Perch.

As for birds, there are 44 species documented in Saanane Island National Park. Many more can be found at different times of the year. 

Rubondo Island national park has a size of 240 km². It is only one of two Tanzanian national parks located on an island in Lake Victoria, the world’s second-largest lake. It is located in the southwest corner of the lake. Rubondo became a game reserve in 1965, to provide a sanctuary for animals. Tanzania gazetted Rubondo in 1977 as a national park. It is uninhabited and consequently 90% of the island remains forest today. With nine smaller islands under its wing, Rubondo also protects precious fish breeding grounds.

The habitat of Rubondo Island is mixed evergreen and semi-deciduous forest, which covers about 80% of the island’s surface area, hosting a variety of common species. The eastern lakeshore is characterized by rocky areas and sandy beaches whilst the western shore supports extensive papyrus swamps, lined with date palms.

Rubondo is home to a surprising number of large animals. Elephant, giraffe, bushbuck, Bush buck, Chimpanzee, hippo and crocodile. Except the wildlife viewing, guests can also embark on a variety of other activities that promote eco-sensitivity.

The park hosts a diverse number of birds. With 300 endemic and migratory bird species, Rubondo Island is an ornithologist’s dream. The most common species are African darters, egrets, pied kingfisher, the high-pitched screeches and African grey parrot. Rubondo also holds a very high concentration of fish eagles.

Mikumi National Park is only three to four hours drive from Dar es Salaam, lying astride the main highway to Zambia, and en route to the National Parks of Udzungwa Mountains, Ruaha and Kitulo. The main feature of the park is the Mikumi flood plain, along with the mountain ranges that border the park on two sides. Open grasslands dominate in the flood plain, eventually merging with the miombo woodland covering the lower hills.

With almost guaranteed year-round wildlife sightings, Mikumi is an ideal Tanzania Safari Destination for those without much time. The tamarind trees are a favourite spot for elephants and giraffes that spend hours eating the fruits.

The park has many wildlife like buffalos, Lions, Zebra, Giraffes and Elephants .Giraffes are often seen browsing leaves from the isolated acacia trees that fringe the Mkata river. Also the greater Kudu and sable antelope can be found in the miombo woodland-covered foothills of the mountain that rise from the Park boundaries. 

More than 400 bird species, Mikumi National Park is also a heaven for birding-lovers. The most common ones being marabou storks, bateleur eagles, the black bellied bustards, guinea fowls, ox peckers, colorful lilac breasted rollers and yellow throated long claws. These are some of the many species you are likely to spot. The park also witnesses a passing of migrating birds from Europe during the rainy season such as blacksmith plovers, cattle egrets, various herons, fish eagles and many more.

The Usambara's are a part of the ancient Eastern Arc chain which mountains stretch in a broken crescent from the Taita hills in southern Kenya down to Morogoro and the southern highlands. They are estimated to be at least 100 million years old and the rocks forming them may be as much as 600 million years old. The mountains are home to an exceptional assortment of plants and animals and represent one of the highest degrees of biodiversity on the continent.

The range is accessible from the towns of Lushoto in the west, and Amani Nature Reserves in the east, approached from Muheza, with its botanical garden, butterfly farming, tea & spice plantations. The Usambaras are commonly split into two sub-ranges, the West Usambaras are separated from the East by a valley and are approached via the district centre of Lushoto. The East Usambara is closer to the coast, receives more rainfall, and is significantly smaller than the west.

The mountains boast of over 3000 plant species in total and over 600 tree species. The Usambaras are part of the Eastern Arc Mountains which run parallel to the Tanzanian coast extending into Taita Hills in Kenya, and recognized as one of the world’s biodiversity hotspots. This exceptional diversity attracts naturalists and nature lovers from all over the world who come to watch birds, study trees and flowers or butterflies.

The Usambara Mountains, situated in the north eastern part of Tanzania, are known for their pleasant climate, beautiful view points and fertile slopes. Favoured by the Germans and English during colonial times, the area is rich in historical buildings from the period. Excursions, which take half day or less, will include hiking and visits to Wasambaa villages, where visitors may have a glimpse of daily life of the local people.

Amani Nature Forest Reserve (ANFR) is located in Muheza and Korogwe Districts in Tanga Region. The Nature Reserve covers an area of 8,380 ha and it has tremendous ecological importance with the astonishing African violet flowers (Saintpaulia) which is believed to have a spiritual aspect (power of forgiveness) and cultural significance. According to Bird Life International, the area is ranked the 12^th world best bird watching sites and the UNESCO list the Reserve among the designated Man and Biosphere Reserve in the World. “Home of African Violent flowers (“Saintpaulia”)

Apart from the Saintpaulia flowers, the reserve is gifted with other varieties of tourist attractions ranging from endemic species of flora and fauna, unique biodiversity, natural attractions, historical and cultural attractions. Additionally, the reserve is famous for varieties of bird and butterfly species. Other attractions are: the three horned chameleons, amazing waterfalls (at Zigi, Chemka and Ndola) where visitors can swim after a trek through the forest, Sunset and sunrise viewpoints, a Botanical garden which is one of the oldest in Africa with more than 1000 plant species from all over the globe, Cultural attractions that include Traditions, Historical sites with remnants of steam engines used during the colonial era, Beautiful viewpoint of tea plantations and spice farms.

Amani Forest Nature Reserve Tour (1 Day)
The rich endowment of nature-based tourist attractions, offers a wide range ecotourism activities including nature viewing, bird watching, night walking safaris, picnicking and camping, sun downers, mountain biking, swimming in the plunge pools of waterfalls, forest trekking (hiking), cultural activities (local dancing or watching, local massage and local brew testing) research and educational tour, excursion and photographing. Spending not less than 2h hiking, trekking to the waterfalls & spices during the evening hike to the sunset viewing point.

Also known as the Spice Island, the beautiful island of Zanzibar is full of culture and history, shinning white-sand beaches with palms swaying lazily in the sea breeze, together makes Zanzibar a fabulous place to explore as well as a dream to relax and unwind.

Zanzibar is the semi-autonomous part of Tanzania in East Africa. It is composed of the Zanzibar Archipelago in the Indian Ocean, 25–50 kilometres (16–31 mi) off the coast of the mainland, and consists of many small islands and two large ones: Unguja (the main island, referred to informally as Zanzibar) and Pemba. The capital is Zanzibar City, located on the island of Unguja. Its historic centre is Stone Town, which is a World Heritage Site.

The Island is heaven for water sports activities such as swimming, snorkelling, diving with lots of luminous fish or just grazing over nearby coral gardens and pods of dolphins frolic offshore. The smooth beaches make the day dazzling in the sun.

The historic Stone Town sits in the island’s capital, Zanzibar. The historic heart lets you imagine yourself floating back in time. The Spice Tour gives the opportunity to head out into the live plantations to see, touch and taste Zanzibar’s many spices in its natural environment. Some of the exotic flavours include cloves, vanilla, nutmeg, cinnamon, and other spices that have made the island famous.

If you wish to have Zanzibar’s eclectic street food, Forodhani Garden’s food market is your destination.

• UNESCO World Heritage Site: Stone town is the perfect place for culture, history and photography lovers
• Stone Town Highlights: Winding Alleys, Carved Doors, History and Markets

Kalambo Nature Forest Reserve is in Kalambo District, Rukwa Region and has an area of 43,334ha. The iconic tourist attraction of the reserve is the Kalambo Waterfalls, which also serves as the border between Tanzania and Zambia. The Kalambo waterfalls is the 2^nd highest fall in Africa with a single drop of 250m. (second to one of the tiers of Tugela Falls in South Africa) 

Besides the Kalambo waterfalls, there are attractions like the Kalambo Gorge at downstream of the waterfalls, a beautiful beach around Lake Tanganyika, a hot water spring at Kizombwe village, cultural attractions like Rungu Drama from Kalambo village and several archaeological resources.

As a matter of fact, the Kalambo River defines the Tanzania-Zambia border all the way into the vast Lake Tanganyika, which itself is shared by a foursome of countries (i.e. Democratic Republic of Congo, Burundi, Zambia, and Tanzania).

The waterfall is in high flow in the May/June timeframe. But this depends on how much rainfall the region gets during its rainy season from January through April. The flow diminishes as the year progresses. Some of the locals we’ve spoken to said that around October or November, the falls probably won’t look impressive. 

Though few visitors realise it, the Kalambo Falls are also one of the most important archaeological sites in southern Africa. Just above the falls, by the side of the river, is a site that appears to have been occupied throughout much of the Stone Age and early Iron Age. The earliest tools and other remains discovered there may be over 300,000 years old, including evidence for the use of fire.

For years Kalambo provided the earliest evidence of fire in sub-Saharan Africa – charred logs, ash and charcoal have been discovered amongst the lowest levels of remains. This was a tremendously important step for Stone-Age man as it enabled him to keep warm and cook food, as well as use fire to scare off aggressive animals. Burning areas of grass may even have helped him to hunt. However, more recent excavations of older sites in Africa have discovered evidence of the use of fire before the time when we believe that this site at Kalambo was occupied.

Kondoa Irangi Rock Paintings sometimes called are located between Singida and Irangi Hills in Kondoa Irangi village and other rock painting is located at Kolo Village in Dodoma. The rock paintings are a series of ancient paintings on rockshelter walls in central Tanzania. The images represent both hunter-gatherers and agro-pastoralist ways of life, depicting the changing lifestyles over the past two thousand years. 

Cave paintings in Kondoa Irangi are among the world most ancient examples of the human artistic expression. This site contains one of the world’s optimum collections of prehistoric rock art with an estimated 1600 distinct cave paintings in almost two hundred different sites. In Tumbelo, Kolo and in several locations in between Singida and Kondoa Irangi, The Irangi Hills north of Kondoa is the most accessible site than all.

The paintings, estimated to be over 1500 years old, with oldest between 19,000 and 30,000 years old are said to have been done by a group of hunter gatherers belonging to the Sandawe tribe. The Sandawe people still live in Tanzania and are the last true hunter-gatherers. Red and white and occasionally black and brown colours have been used to depict people and wild animals. The material used was most probably plant-based oils and animal fat. Red pigments are generally iron oxide; however, but some could have used animal blood.

The cave paintings show simplified human figures engaged in hunting, playing music instruments, crossing rivers and animals such as elephants, giraffe and antelopes. The symbolize hunter-gatherer art people who were living in this areas.

The number of rock art sites in the Kondoa area is approximated about 450. It was declared a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2006 because of its impressive collection of rock art. The sites are located on the steep eastern slopes of the Masai escarpment bordering the Great Rift Valley. Kondoa rock art sites still play an active role in the rituals of local communities. The sites are used for instance for weather-divination, healing and initiation.

In the fifties Louis and Mary Leaky, famous archaeologists and anthropologists that discovered the Australopithecine called Zinjanthropus in Olduvai Gorge, made a survey of about 100 rock art paintings sites in Kondoa surrounding. In 1983, the survey results have been published to «Africa’s Vanishing Art – The Rock Paintings of Tanzania» by Mary Leaky.
 

Mbozi Meteorite or “Kimondo cha Mbozi” in Swahili is World fourth largest, lies on the southwestern slope of Marengi Hill, in Songwe Region, 70 kilometers west of Mbeya, off the road to Tunduma is estimated weigh is about 25 metric tons and around 3m long and 1m tall, and its the most popular tourist attraction found in Songwe region.

Scientists are unsure when it hit the earth, but it is assumed to have been many thousands of years ago, since there are no traces of the crater that it must have made when it fell, nor any local legends regarding its origins. 

Although the site was only discovered by outsiders in 1930, it had been known to locals for centuries, but not reported because of various associated taboos. Like most meteorites, the one at Mbozi is composed primarily of iron (90%), with about 8% nickel and traces of phosphorous and other elements. It was declared a protected monument by the government in 1967 and is now under the jurisdiction of the Department of Antiquities. 

The meteorite’s dark colour is due to its high iron content, while its burnished look comes from the melting and other heating that occurred as the meteorite hurtled through the atmosphere towards earth.

A visit to the Meteorite Site is always fascinating especially if you are in a group and you travel using public transport as a means of getting a better taste of the countryside and face some adventures. This enables the group to also interact with the locals who are ever ready to share views with visitors.

Lake Ngozi or (Lake Ngosi) a thrilling crater lake in Southern Highlands of Tanzania and the second largest Crater Lake in Africa. It has a length of 2.5 kilometers and width of 1.5 kilometers and 75 meters deep.

The lake is located about 38 kilometers south of Mbeya city, near the sprawling Tukuyu Township. It is located on Ngosi peak on the Uporoto Mountains which makes part of Eastern Arc ranges.

It is located at an uplift of 2,600 meters above sea level in a thick, natural forest of the Uporoto nature reserve, covering some 9,332 hectares of land. To reach the lake, one has to drive and stop at the edge of the Uporoto Forest Reserve at the foothills of the Uporoto range. It takes up to two hours walking from the foothill to the ridge where the lake lies at 200 meters below.

This stunning caldera lake dates from some time in the Neocene period. The water is slightly brackish, contains some fish, and is up to 75 m deep. The lake has spiritual significance for the local inhabitants. 

The mountain and the lake are counted to an age of one million years, and remains an old volcano that has now collapsed to form a wide caldera filled with a shining alkaline ‘soda’ waters. 

It is a green shimmering lake walled by the collapsed caldera of the extinct Ngosi Volcano. The peak is the highest point of the Uporoto Ridge Forest Reserve. The forest has an endemic three horned chameleon (Chameleon fuelleborni). 

The waters of the lake are said to have magical medicinal powers. Ngosi means ‘The Big One’; in vernacular Kinyakyusa dialect.

It is an exciting adventure to trek or walk through the dense montane forest to the crater rim. Monkeys and many bird species can be seen in the forest which is also home to an endemic species of chameleon and montane, wild banana trees.

Walking and climbing the Uporoto range is organized by special guides familiar to the route which is made up of cascades, horrific gorges and valleys where someone could fall with no option of rescue. It is risky to fall into the gorges if one trek without care, and, if one falls into one of numerous gorges on the way to the lake, it will be the end of his or her life.

Despite those risks, it is automatically safe to trek the Uporotos and view magnificent Lake Ngosi which is a sight of outstanding natural beauty and a superb hiking hotspot. 

Climbers looking to view this scenic lake are well rewarded with excellent views from the top of the sharp crater rim, from where the lake gleams below with an overwhelming tranquil air, and beyond the land are pocked with the points of smaller volcanic peaks. 

Walking to the rim leads through upland grasslands and tropical forests where families of Colobus monkeys chatter and play, and a miasma of birds take refuge.

The path leads into the forest for about 2.5km and then begins the climb to the crater top. Just before the top, the path branches in two; the right hand path leads swiftly to the peak, and the left leads down to the water’s edge.

Kaporogwe waterfalls, also known as Kala Falls a natural water drop on Livingstone Mountains are sheltered beneath impressive natural gorge of basalt rock and which creates more excitement to visitors viewing or getting snapshots of the falls.

Counted as a thrilling attraction in Mbeya Region, Kaporogwe Falls are located some 25 kilometers from Tukuyu Township, a fast growing tourist locality in Southern Highlands of Tanzania.

Thrilling 25-metre Kaporogwe Falls originates from Kala River, a tributary of the Kiwira River. A day trip to these falls would be an exciting moment. 

It is also possible to climb down the falls, with care, and to find routes into caves behind the curtain of water plummeting down before you, and to swim in the pool beneath.

Good walking and swimming possibilities can be organized by qualified guides familiar with area. 

Driving towards the Kaporogwe Falls is as well, an exciting moment. It gives a visitor to this area a thrilling moment when passing through green and fertile land, full of interesting off-road diversions. The journey to Kaporogwe Falls gets a visitor a quick view of perennially lush and bountiful forests of the Livingstone Mountains, adding more travel excitement.

There is a natural cave behind the falls and a concrete wall where Germans have built as a fort or a hideout during the First World War. The area around the falls is as well, a pre-historical site after discovery of stone tools there. These including knives, scrapers, picks and axes.

Matema Beach, a beachside town in Mbeya Region, Located on the beautiful shores of Lake Nyasa, Matema Beach is among the most scenic tourist attractive site in Tanzania. 

The lakeshore beach lies on the foothills and the end point of Livingstone Mountains at the place where these scenic ranges ends majestically into Lake Nyasa.

Travelling to Matema Beach is made up of beautiful views of real African life of the local communities. A winding road passes through high, Livingstone Mountains and tea estates before it descends to the tropical shores of Lake Nyasa. 

From Matema Beach, you can make canoe trips with fishermen over the lake to the nearby village where women specialize in pottery. There is a superb snookering rocky shoreline, also a waterfall from Livingstone Mountains.

Matema lakeshore village is a fishing settlement where local fishermen are easily seen selling their catches. The village was the regional headquarters of German Governor during German rule in Tanzania before the mosquitoes forced him and his team out of place.

The beach is an expanse lakeside giving a beautiful view of its horizon and clear, shining water of Lake Nyasa; giving a chance for waters ports, ornamental fish viewing, water surfing, diving and beachside recreations on the soft sands.

From the beachside, a visitor can take a breathtaking of Livingstone Mountains as they drop majestically into Lake Nyasa. Apart from the beach, Matema is a historical site where Germans built a Lutheran Mission House found there today and with Bavarian architectural style.

Mount Livingstone hiking and visits to potteries are the other tourist activities in Matema. A number of tourist class accommodation facilities have been established there; among them are the Lutheran Center, Matema Beach View, Matema Shore Lake Resort and a number of Guest Houses.

To reach Matema Beach, it is 130 kilometre drive from Mbeya City, passing through the tarmac road to Malawian border.  The drive is an exciting as the car roll through green scenery, made up of tea, banana and tree farms on hillside areas.

A tour of rice and cocoa farms in Kyela, a waterfall on Mount Livingstone and special cultural performances add more tourist attractiveness to the area.  

Kyela is a small African and agrarian township where agricultural produce are sold and transported to other parts of Tanzania, mostly the commercial city of Dar es Salaam.

There are several guest houses, lodges and hotels in Kyela, ideal for local and foreign tourists. Among them are Sativa Midland Hotel, Mwambipile Guest House, Sunway Lodge, Gold Plaza Lodge, Hamili Park, Unamwa Inn and Matema Beach Hotel.

From Kyela and Matema, a visitor can cross the Tanzanian border to Malawi through Kasumulu border post or taking a boat at Itungi port to other side of Lake Nyasa in Malawi.

Lake Chala is a unique caldera lake, and is thought to be the deepest inland body of water in Africa. This lake is fed by underground springs from Mt. Kilimanjaro. 

Lake Chala, also known as Lake Challa, is a crater lake that straddles the border between Kenya and Tanzania. The lake formed approximately 250,000 years ago. The lake is east of Mount Kilimanjaro, 8 kilometres north of Taveta, Kenya, and 55 kilometres east of Rombo District.

The lake has a great diversity of life. From lush lake shore forest to stunning volcanic savannah; from river beds marvelously carved through ancient rock, to thick bush or open ‘mbuga’. Walking at Lake Chala is a magical experience that will put you back in touch with nature. 

The lake is fed by groundwater flows, which come from Mount Kilimanjaro, fed and drained underground with a rate of about 10 million m³ / year. Depending on the time of year, it ranges in colour from deep blue to turquoise and green, it is surrounded by a 100 metres high crater rim.

Chala has a huge variety of amazing trees, grasses and plants; some are unique to the area. According to the time of year there are hundreds of species of butterflies and birds, including spectacular birds of prey. The African Fish Eagle, with its haunting techniques, Verreaux’s Eagle, Augur Buzzards and many other species of birds can be seen around the crater walls. Wild mammals do vary including Blue Monkeys, Colobus Monkeys, baboons, dik-dik, kudu and elephant. Chala is an untouched part of a truly ancient land and a must visit place.

The only native fish in this lake is the Lake Chala tilapia (Oreochromis hunteri), which is found nowhere else in the world. It is considered critically endangered by the IUCN, and now greatly outnumbered by other tilapia species that have been introduced to Lake Chala.

Lake Jipe is a small, shallow lake (area 28 sq. km and average depth less than 3 m), lying astride the Kenya-Tanzania border, just to the east of the northern Pare Mountains of Tanzania (Mwanga district, in the Kilimanjaro region). 

It is 12 km long and 2.5 km wide, 12 square km belong to Tanzania and 14 square km to Kenya. Tsavo West National Park of Kenya borders the southern portion of the lake while Mt Kilimanjaro dominates the horizon some distance to the northwest.

Lake Jipe receives its main inflow from Mt Kilimanjaro in Tanzania via River Lumi passing through Kenya. The other main inflow is via River Muvulani from the Pare Mountains. Several temporary streams, mainly from the Pare Mountains, also drain into Lake Jipe. The lake has one outflow, the River Ruvu, located in Tanzania to the south of River Lumi, the main inflow.

Jipe is a shallow backwater of the Lumi river, which afterwards becomes the Ruvu River, and enters in the Nyumba ya Mungu Reservoir. After joining there with the Kikuletwa the stream flows as Pangani River in the Indian Ocean at Pangani.

As for wildlife, Lake Jipe not only offers an abundance of hippo and crocodile but there is also a small herd of zebras, To the northern end of the lake are also a few tiny villages whose inhabitants make a living from fishing.

Lake Eyasi is a seasonal shallow endorheic salt lake on the floor of the Great Rift Valley at the base of the Serengeti Plateau, just south of the Serengeti National Park and immediately southwest of the Ngorongoro Crater in the Crater Highlands of Tanzania. The lake is elongated, orientated southwest to northeast, and lies in the Eyasi-Wembere branch of the Great Rift Valley

The scenery of Lake Eyasi differs dramatically to that of the surrounding areas. Compared to the Serengeti and Ngorongoro Highlands this area seems downright tropical. Palm trees border the lake and make homes for birds such as Fischer’s lovebird. Other trees in this area include the umbrella thorn acacia and sand paper bush. The weather is nearly always very hot and intense, as the lake is located in floor of the Rift Valley, the oldest rift in the world. The rift is thought to have opened over 65 million years ago, shortly after dinosaurs became extinct. To view Lake Eyasi on our Tanzania map please click here.

Lake Eyasi’s water levels vary greatly between the rainy and dry seasons. During the dry season the lake is virtually nonexistent and animals are forced to share what water is left, which makes for easier wildlife viewing. The lake can get quite deep during the rainy season and it attracts hippos who like to cool off in its brackish waters.

This region is particularly suited for exploring on foot, and day or half day hikes are highly recommended. It is also possible to go on a hunting trip with the Hadzabe or to visit the other tribes. Almost any time of year is a good time to visit Lake Eyasi with only April and May being questionable as they are when the long rains occur.

The Hadzabe bushmen live in this region, as do the Datoga and Mbulu tribes. A visit with the bushmen is worthwhile and they will graciously show you where and how they live and hunt. They subsist entirely off the bush and by bow hunting. Everything they use is made from local materials, including their bows which are strung with giraffe tendon and their arrows which are coated in lethal poison. Their language resembles that of Kalahari bushmen tribe (who were featured in the 1980 film ‘The Gods Must Be Crazy’) with clicking noises used.

The Datoga and Mbulu people are pastoralists, like the Masai people.

Bird lovers will be in paradise here, as the lake attracts vast numbers of birds of all sizes and colors. Some main birds to be found here include: Africa spoonbill, flamingos, gray headed gulls, great white pelicans, pied avocet and yellow-billed storks. The main fish found in the lake are catfish and lungfish.

The Amboni Caves are the most extensive limestone caves in East Africa. They are located 8 km in Kiomoni Village north of Tanga City in Tanzania off the Tanga-Mombasa road. The caves were formed about 150 million years ago during the Jurassic age. It covers an area of 234 km². According to researchers the area was under water some 20 million years ago. History has it that the caves were originally thought to extend 200 km or more. There are altogether ten caves but only one is used for guided tours. The Amboni caves, which are home to a large number of bats, were traditionally thought to be home to various spirits and are still used for worship and rituals by the locals. 

Amboni Limited, a company which was then operating sisal plantations in Tanga Region acquired the area in 1892. The company notified the British colonial government about the caves who in turn declared the caves a conservation area in 1922.

It is not known when the caves were exactly discovered but reports indicate that ethnic groups such as the Segeju, Sambaa, Bondei and Digo who lived near the caves used it for prayers. In 1963, the then government of Tanganyika handed over the caves to the Department of Antiquities.

These caves have been subject of local legends and a number of mythical and awe-inspiring stories have been attributed to the caves. To the local people the caves are regarded as supernatural formations where supernatural powers commonly known as “Mizimu” are believed to have been residing since the caves formation. There are chambers treated as sacred chambers for worshiping some spirits. One of them is called “Mzimu wa Mabuvu”. Some believe that there is a powerful deity which can alleviate their sickness, sufferings or increase their fertility. 

These limestone caves are formed by a special nature of erosion. According to Mturi (1975:18-19), there are tree theories which explain the formation of the Amboni Caves. The first theory is known as the vedose process. According to this theory, rain water absorbs carbon dioxide in the atmosphere and forms a weak carbonic acid which is capable of dissolving calcium carbonate minerals of which limestone is formed. When this acidulated rain water seeps trough the limestone it is dissolved and cavities and caves are formed.

The second theory is that of phreatic origin. According to this theory, the caves are formed by erosion from the sub water table. The rain water with carbonic acid rapidly seeps through the limestone and reaches the water table before being a saturated solution of calcium bicarbonate. At this stage it is still capable of acting as a dissolving agent for the calcium carbonate.

The Amboni caves are among the area’s most popular attractions and feature vast below-ground halls with towering formations. Visitors are advised to wear comfortable shoes and to bring a pocket-size camera, since it’s cumbersome to bring a camera with a large lens as walking is through tight squeezes. And before entering some of the tight spots, visitors are asked to leave large bags in an area to pick up later.

The views of towering formations in the caves are an admiration. Nearly all its tunnels or chambers are accessible to tourists via guided tour. Walking through squeezes while getting treated to views of incredible formations makes the visit well worth it. 

The caves have religious significance to the local people who pray and make offerings in one of the shrines. For a section of locals, the caves have been long-known as the place to worship to pray for different needs. Chamber number one is used for the prayers, in what many people associate with superstitions. Different items are deposited here during players as ‘gifts that the local villagers offer to the spirits.

The caves’ upkeep is under the department of Antiquities in the ministry of natural resources and tourism.

The Pare Mountains are a collection of peaks located in northeastern Tanzania. The range is divided up into northern and southern subranges, both of which are part of the Eastern Arc Mountains. Within the range, there are 52 named mountains, the highest and most prominent of which is Shengana Peak (2,463 m/8,081 ft) in South Pare.

The North Pare Mountains and the South Pare Mountains are located in northeastern Tanzania. They begin about 35 km (20 mi) to the southeast of Kilimanjaro and end just to the north of the Usambara Mountains. To the east of the North Pare Mountains is Lake Jipe, which is located on Tanzania’s border with Kenya.

The North Pare Mountains in the Mwanga District of the Kilimanjaro Region contain six forest reserves: Kindoroko, Minja, Mramba, Kiverenge, Kamwella I, and Kamwella II. In total, these reserves cover 7,407 ha (18,303 acres) of terrain. In addition to this, there are nearly 300 clan forests that protect 371 ha (917 acres) of land in the region.

The South Pare Mountains are located in the Same District of the Kilimanjaro Region. Within the southern part of the range you’ll find:

• 1 Nature Reserve – Chome Nature Reserve
• 8 Gazetted Forest Reserves – Chambogo, Kiranga-Hengae, Chongweni, Kankoma, Kisiwani, Vumari, Kwizu, and Maganda
• 5 Proposed Forest and Village Forest Reserves – Kwamwenda, Mwala, Dido, Mambugi, and Ishereto

In total, these reserves cover more than 27,168 ha (67,134 acres) of terrain.

Chome Nature Reserve encompasses 14,283 ha (35,294 acres) of land in the Pare Mountains, including Shengena Peak, the tallest mountain in the range. It was established as a forest reserve in 1957 and upgraded to a nature forest reserve in 2016.

Geology

The mountains in the Eastern Arc began forming around 100 million years ago. They reached a topography that’s somewhat similar to their current state at the start of the Miocene epoch about 25 to 30 million years ago.

The rocks in the range date back to the Precambrian epoch but have since been deformed from millions of years of uplift and erosion. The Eastern Arc Mountains are primarily composed of migmatites and granites, with some significant quartz veins running through them. Shengena Peak and the surrounding mountains in the South Pare are rich in mica deposits.

Ecology

The Pare Mountains are generally considered to be of lower conservation priority than other sections of the Eastern Arc Mountains due to their lower levels of endemism.

The South Pare Mountains support a range of habitats including sub-montane, montane, and upper montane, as well as areas of montane heath within the Chome Nature Forest Reserve.

Some of the trees that you’ll find in the South Pare Mountains include Guinea plum (Parinari excelsa) in sub-montane forests, and Ocotea usambarensis, Albizia gummifera, and Podocarpus latifolius in montane forests. The South Pare white-eye (Zosterops winifredae) is a bird species that’s endemic to the range.

The mountains receive approximately 140 cm (55 in) of rain per year, primarily in the short rainy season that occurs in November and December and in the long rainy season from March through May.

Threats to forests in this part of the range have come from logging for valuable timber species and fires. When fires damage existing forests in the region, invasive trees like black wattle and Eucalyptus grow in. Oftentimes, these invasive species out-compete the range’s native flora.

The North Pare Mountains encompass montane forests, dry montane forests, dry woodlands, and heathlands. Some of the primary tree species that you’ll see in this part of the range include African cherry (Prunus africana), Albizia gummifera, and Newtonia buchananii. This part of the range is relatively dry when compared to other forests within the Eastern Arc.

There are approximately three endemic vertebrate species and three endemic plant species in the Pare Mountains. There have not been many biodiversity surveys done (particularly on reptiles, amphibians, and plants) in the region. The forests of the Pare Mountains support a wide network of fauna and Hundreds of birds thrive in the Pare Mountains, including hawks, buzzards, eagles, shrikes, flycatchers, warblers, thrushes, and sunbirds. Genets, civets, mongoose, Syke’s monkeys, hyraxes, duikers, bushbucks, yellow baboons, elephant shrews, and other rodents can be found throughout the forests of the range, too.

Human History

Pareland is also known as Vuasu (Asu the root word and Chasu or Athu, the language). The location lies on one of the northern routes for historic east-African long-distance trade, connecting the hinterland with the coast of the Indian Ocean. The residents of northern Pare recognise two sub-areas based on ethno linguistic differences: Gweno-speaking Ugweno to the north and Chasu-speaking Usangi to the south.

To the Pare tribe, also called the Wapare, the mountains in this range have been home for at least 500 years. While many tribes in Tanzania today have begun to forgo traditional practices and adopt more urbanized lifestyles, the Pare are known for upholding their tribal traditions.

Traditional practices and knowledge continue to be shared within the Pare tribe to this day. This sharing of cultural knowledge and practices has helped conserve much of the region’s forests because many of them are considered sacred to the Pare. The Pares continue to practice traditional customs, such as collecting plants from within the region’s forests for medicinal uses and other cultural purposes.

The Uluguru mountains are a mountain range in eastern Tanzania, named after the Luguru tribe. The main portion of the Uluguru mountains is a ridge running roughly north-south and rising to 2,630 metres (8,600 ft) altitude at its highest point. On the main Uluguru range, 50 villages touch the forest boundary and over 151,000 people are found within the mountain area, often at increasing densities at higher altitudes up to the forest boundary.

The Ulugurus lie 200 km inland from the Indian Ocean. They are part of a chain of mountains in eastern Africa collectively called the Eastern Arc Mountains, which include the Taita Hills, Pare Mountains, Usambara Mountains, Nguru Mountains, Rubeho, Ukaguru, Udzungwa Mountains and Mahenge Mountains. The forests of the mountains provide the water catchment areas for the streams and rivers. This water flows mainly from the forest-capped peaks of the Ulugurus into streams joining to form the Ruvu River.

Biodiversity
The vegetation of the Uluguru main ridge and outlying blocks is extremely variable. It ranges from drier lowland coastal forest habitats, to transitional rainforests, to sub-montane, montane and upper montane forest types.

Unique to the Ulugurus are over 100 plants, 2 birds, 2 mammals, 4 reptiles and 6 amphibians unknown elsewhere in the world. There are also a large number of additional species shared only with one or two other Eastern Arc mountains, and hence globally rare. Endemic species include African violets, Impatiens and Begonias which are popular pot-plants in the rest of the world.

Tourism
The mountains attracts many tourists to the area, particularly due to the mountains' proximity to the former capital and economic center of Tanzania, the city of Dar es Salaam (180km away).
A visit to the "Morning side"which is an old german hut at 1000m is one of the famous shot day hike, a visit to Choma waterfalls, bondwe and lupanga peaks, cultural tour to the waluguru tribe, farmlands and many more

Lake Nyasa, also called Lake Malawi, southernmost and third largest of the East African Rift Valley lakes of East Africa, lying in a deep trough mainly within Malawi and covers three regions of Tanzania including Mbeya, Njombe and Ruvuma.

Lake Nyasa (Nyasa means “lake”) is located at the south-west of Tanzania,  The lake lies in three countries’ territory; Tanzania and Malawi. However, it is bordered by three countries, Tanzania , Malawi and Mozambique. It is the third largest in Africa (after Lake Victoria and lake Tanganyika)  with 550 kilometers length and 75 kilometers width,  covering an area of more than 11,400 square kilometers. In some parts,  the lake is as deep as 700 meters.

The Lake lies in the sided walls of mountain ranges: the forested Livingston Mountains and Nyika Plateau, which provide the magnificent view of the lake from far and the landscape for hikers and backpackers. 

Lake Nyasa is also among the Great Rift Valley’s lakes, which shares some of the characteristics with lake Tanganyika.  The lake has a distinctive characteristic: 14 rivers pouring their waters into the lake, and only one river which flows out to the sea, River Shire. 

The Lake also has a lot of names such as “Lake of stars” which is provided by the lovers who trip their and discover it one of the dreamy and romantic destination in Eastern Africa. It is situated between Malawi, Mozambique as well as Tanzania.  It has so many things to offer such as numerous opportunities for water sports as well as diving. The lake is enormously rich with diverse fish species and is one of the most appealing lakes that offer unforgettable underwater views!

Some parts of the lake offer nice beaches and places to swim. Matema, in the northern part of the lake is considered to be the best beach for people who like to relax swim along the lake shore. In contrast to other lakes the water of lake Nyasa is bilharzias free.  There are also caves and interesting waterfalls to see.

Other activities include local canoeing ride down the river, hiking on surrounding mountains. 

Though Lake Nyasa does not receive many tourists, the lake is magnificently attractive and is rich in crocodiles and hippopotamus. For Fish lovers, Lake Nyasa is biologically the most diverse lake, containing approximately 30% of world’s cichlid species (colorful fish which are easily seen in the lake’s clear water)

Mount Meru is an active stratovolcano and forms the centrepiece of Arusha National Park in Tanzania. Mount Meru known for its huge cliffs is often overlooked due to its proximity to Kilimanjaro, but it has plenty to offer those looking for a challenging climb. A dormant volcano that last erupted in 1910, it is Tanzania's second highest mountain at 4566 metres (14,979 ft). Mount Meru is the sixth highest mountain in Africa and the second highest in Tanzania!

Climbing Mount Meru requires more technical climbing skills than the routes on Kilimanjaro. What Mount Meru ‘lacks’ in height, it makes up for in difficulty. Therefore, it is important to have some climbing experience.

Taking only 3 or 4 days to climb it is perfect for those wanting to get a taste of high altitude trekking without going too high before or after going on safari, or to help with acclimatisation if undertaken before you climb Kilimanjaro. It is ideal for those looking for a quieter trekking experience and should definitely not be underestimated as climbers still need to acclimatise properly to succeed in reaching its peak. 

An armed park ranger will join the team to guard against any animal threats as you start your approach through Arusha National Park via the Momella route. 

From here you start your ascent through Meru's diverse vegetation zones from montane forest, moorland, semi-desert and alpine desert, until you reach its magnificent crater. Traversing round the crater rim to reach its summit, Socialist Peak at 4566m, after which you will have time to explore the ash cone that has formed in the crater during the 1910 eruption.

The Ngurdoto Crater is part of the Arusha National Park and is the caldera of an extinct volcano, that is sometimes called “Little Ngorongoro” because, just like Ngorongoro, has become, over time, a sort of “reserve in the reserve”.

Ngurdoto Crater is a volcanic crater in Arusha Region, and its crater is shaped like a basin with very steep walls and covered with dense rainforest, it is 3.6 km wide and 100 meters deep; the crater is surrounded by forest whilst the crater floor is covered with marshy grassland live buffalos, elephants, warthogs, some antelopes, monkeys, baboons, leopards and spotted hyenas; there are also many species of birds such as the head hammer, the spur-winged goose and herons. 

In the forest also live blue monkeys and baboons who, unlike the colobus, prefer to spend their days on the ground, taking refuge on trees only during the night or if there is any danger that threatens them.

You cannot descend into the crater because one wants to preserve and protect its ecosystem; but you can walk along a circular route on the crater rim, where you can meet different observation points: on the Northern edge there are the lookout with the best views.

This very impressive Waterfall is one of the tallest in the area, spewing crystal clear glacier water 70m into its basin. The beautiful path leading to Materuni Waterfall is located 2500m above sea level

It traverses thru valleys and hills covered by tropical rainforest, past coffee, banana and avocado “shambas”, the Kiswahili word for farms. On a clear day great views of Kibo and Moshi town can be seen. The hike to the base of the Waterfall can be demanding and hiking boots are recommended. As this trip is so close to Moshi town it is ideal for those people with limited time but who would still like to see some of the nature and beauty that this region of Tanzania has to offer.

Materuni is one of the few villages of wonder in Northern Tanzania sitting at the foot of Mount Kilimanjaro. The village is blessed with full of all the beauty worth much visiting for holiday, week-end outing or vacation. While in the village, scenic view of Moshi Town and Mount Kilimanjaro is astonishing. This green village with fresh air from green vegetations welcomes visitors to explore the beauty of the land and cultural heritage of the Chagga people.

A cultural experience such as banana beer brewed or coffee roasted the traditional way can be added to your hike.

Ukerewe is the largest island in Lake Victoria and the largest inland island in Africa, with an area of approximately 530 km². Ukerewe Island is situated in the Ukerewe District, nearly 50 km north of Mwanza to which it is linked by ferry, and it takes 3 to 4 hours to travel.

Ukerewe Island is situated 45 km (25 nautical miles) north of Mwanza to which it is linked by ferry, but a shorter vehicle ferry crossing of only 3.8 km also links the island across the Rugezi Channel to a dirt road on the eastern lake shore, which runs to Kibara and Musoma. The shoreline of Ukerewe Island is carved into numerous bays and it is surrounded by at least a dozen smaller islands.

The shoreline of Ukerewe Island is carved into numerous bays and it is surrounded by 27 small islands surrounding the neighbourhood with 3 of them not occupied by humans and the rest are occupied by fishermen with their families. Its largest community is Nansio. Its simple lifestyle and rocky terrain broken by lake vistas and tiny patches of forest, makes an intriguing, offbeat diversion.

The few proper sights include agricultural activities in which the residents farm maize, sweet potatoes, millet, cassava and rice, including the main activity here, fishing. Seen from Nansio are 27 small islands surrounding the neighbourhood with 3 of them not occupied by humans and the rest are occupied by fishermen with their families.

The are visits to Kagunguli, the oldest Roman church built in 1895 located near a hill with the same name; the old school and dispensary which were built between 1902 and 1913 and surviving to date with few repairs all are still in use. The Chief’s palace, Bukindo built from 1922 to 1923, the modest European-style palace of the island’s former king, which is still in use is a must see place if you are in the area and find out from the palace guide why one of its rooms has remained closed more half a century.

Others include, Irondo point where visitors see amazing views of Mwanza city, Entebbe in Uganda and Nairobi in Kenya; a chance to be part of a traditional dance group Buzegwe staff band that is sure to leave you fascinated; a visit to the historic sites, including graves in the area.

The dancing Stone in Ukara Island, a neighbouring island is also another attraction in the area, including crocodile tree and the knife of truth and learn how the people eke out a living.

WHAT TO SEE /  DO IN UKEREWE
There are many great places to been seen, but among the key sights are the following:

Pugu Hill Nature Reserve also known as Pugu / Kazimzumbwi Nature Forest Reserve is a protected area located in Kisarawe ward of Kisarawe District in Pwani Region, Tanzania. The forest borders in the Pugu ward, of Ilala MC in Dar es Salaam to the east about 10 km from Dar City Center, adjacent to the Kazimzumbwi Forest Reserve. 

This rich portfolio of tourism attractions enable the reserve to offers enormous recreation satisfactions, meditation, or reflection moments. The forest is filled with 100+ species of trees, and a number of steep and gentle hills. Has a viewpoint that will enable you to see the breathtaking view of Dar es Salaam City. Is also has a Lake called ‘Minaki’. This is an ideal place to get in tune with Nature. The place has ancient caves that are used for local prayers by the residents around this locality. Small animals like colobus monkeys and Millipede and variety of birds are also found.

It takes 4 to 5 hrs to explore the whole forest. Apart from Dar es Salaam being a busy city, Pugu hills are one of the unique places to explore nature, a go-to place for hiking, and a perfect getaway for nature exploration.

Itinerary

• Drive over to Pugu Hills forest about 1.30 hrs drive from Dar es Salaam City
• After arriving at the entry point, do registration and start the hike.
• You can start explore the forest initially by going through the lake, where you'll get a chance to see the lake and several flora and fauna bushes' mixed with bamboo forests, followed by a hike that will enable you to see the whole of Dar es Salaam
• At the forest, you'll see the ancient caves that are used for local prayers, 100+ species of trees, a peaceful bamboo forest that will enable you to get in tune with nature, a great view of Dar es Salaam City and several monkeys.
• Afternoon Drive back to Dar es Salaam

Note: This tour can be customized

Mbudya, an uninhabited island north of Tanzania’s major city, Dar es Salaam, is one of the four islands that make up the Dar es Salaam Marine Reserve. 

The island lies close to Kunduchi fishing community and takes around 15-20 minutes motorboat ride crossing from the mainland. It is situated about 3 km offshore, within easy reach of the hotels on the North coast of Dar es Salaam.

The beautiful Mbudya Island is located in the midst of the Indian Ocean resembles Dar es Salaam’s Zanzibar. Mbudya Island, with its white-sand beaches and crystal clear turquoise seas, is the ideal getaway for anyone looking to escape the rush and bustle of Dar es Salaam. Sunbathing, swimming, snorkeling, and simply spending time on the seashore with friends are all popular activities on this island.

The Island is characterized with sand beaches on the western and eastern sides. On the western side, it is possible to have barbecued fish with chips and drinks under casuarina trees and Bandas (local shade facilities) in which one can rest in. The island has a restaurant serving sea food and a variety of beverages under the shade of palm trees or palm frond thatched huts.

Bongoyo Island Marine Reserve is uninhabited Island, located 2.5km north of the country capital city, Dar es Salaam. It is the most frequently visited island of the Dar es Salaam Marine Reserves System (DMRS).

The island lies close to the Msasani Peninsula is reachable by means boat ride, it takes only 30 minutes from the mainland. The point of departure for most visitors to the island is “the Slipway mall complex” on the western side of the Msasani Peninsula.

The underwater habitat range from shallow gently sloping coral reefs, sandy expnses and sea grass beds. Coastal shores of this island support several clearly defined communities of plants and animals. Their distribution is predominantly determined by physical conditions including the type of substrates (whether sedimentary or rock), slope of substrates, tidal and current regimes, exposure to wave action and the influence of fresh water. The main coastal habitats around Bongoyo Island include sand beaches (beach I and II), coral reefs, sea grass beds, rocky shores, lagoons (shark lagoon) and algal beds.

Fauna and Flora at Bongoyo

The Island has forest with vegetation described as bush land with emergent trees. Plant species are chiefly characteristic of the dry land coastal forest of East Africa.

About 59 plant families are found on the Island. Both island of Bongoyo and Mbudya have very similar vegetation type differing by few aspects. Sand dunes of these islands are colonized by pioneer species such as Cyperus crassipes, Crotolaria laburuodes, Tephrosia pumila var aldabresis, T. pumila var dumesis, Asytasia gangentica and Ipomoea pesi-caprae. 

Fishes around the coral reef and the seagrass beds includes Butterfly fish Chaetodontidae, Sweet lips Haemulidae, Grouper, Serranidae and banded coral shrimps Stenopus hispidus. Other intertidal organisms includes Sea urchin (Diadema sp), Giant clamps (Tridacna sp), Octopus (Octopodidea), Tigger cowry, (Cyprea tigris), Starfish (Protoreaster linck), Cushion starts (Oreasteridae) Nudibranchia, Hermit crabs (Anomura), Edible sea cucumbers (Holothuridae) and Sea turtles are reported to be frequently seen by the divers over the reefs. 

Two species of Hawksbill (Eretmochely imbricate) and Green turtles Chelonea mydas are nesting on on the beaches of Bongoyo and Mbudya islands.

On Bongoyo island there are two mooring sites where the visiting boats anchor. There is a number of bandas on the sand beach for resting (roof only). Msasani Slipway has a mobile bar, which serve cold drinks and can serve fish and chips for visitors. The staff ensures that the area is clean and tidy at the end of the day. There is one Honorary Ranger who is always at service

The Island is approximately 30 minutes ride from the mainland with motorized dhow from Msasani Slipway and 10 min by speedboat from Msasani Bay.

Pangavini Island Marine Reserve is another uninhabited island located in the northern of the country capital city, Dar es Salaam and is one of the seven islands of the Dar es Salaam Marine Reserve System (DMRS). The island is small, only about 250 m long; it has a rocky coastline without beaches. 

It provides protection for several important biological diversity and tropical habitats; sea grass beds, Coral reefs and different fish species.

Pangavini Island has the splendour of being the nocturnal home of most of the birds that hove over Dar es Salaam city during the day. It is also the nesting sanctuary of the birds. The reserves also save as a stopover of migratory birds during their flight from winter.

Pangavini Island is an important breeding, resting and feeding site to a variety of rats, birds and reptiles. The area is unique due to their good scenic diving and snorkeling sites and there are numerous and extensive sea grass beds within the reserve area.

This is unique Marine Reserve which is an island of sand bank seen only during low tide and is devoid of vegetation. It is located in the northern part of Dar es Salaam after Mbudya Island Marine Reserve. The lower intertidal zone on the west and north is sandy with abundant sea grass mixed together with coral patches. The southeast lower intertidal areas are rocky.

Coral reefs are found on the western and eastern side of the Island where more than 35% of coral cover is located on two locations: one on the southwest waters of less than 10 m (108,320 m²) and the other on the deeper waters (462,765 m²). 

Like other DMRS islands the dominant sea grass species are Thallasodentron ciliatum and Thalassia hemprichii. Animals in the intertidal flats include sea cucumbers, octopus, sea urchin, giant clamps, rock crabs, tigger cowry, starfish, cushion starts, nudibranchia and crabs.

This reserve is found in the Southern Coast of Dar es Salaam (Kigamboni).Inner and Outer Sinda Islands Marine Reserve was about 288.7 Hectares, Inner and Outer Sinda Islands cover an area of 23.31 and 23.96 Hectares, respectively. Sinda Islands coastlines include rocky cliffs and sandy beaches

In Sinda, the maximum depth is less than 10 m. Seawards of the reserves, the deep water (> 50 m) is just 1.8 km and 3.2 km away from Outer Sinda and Outer Makatumbe Islands, respectively. Proximity to deep waters makes the seawards sides of the reserves prone to high tidal currents and waves, especially during spring tides. The seawards sides of all reserves can be described as high energy areas (ie. high wave impact areas) and are characterised by rock cliffs.

Interesting sandy beaches are found on the north and south of Inner Sinda Island and on landward of Sinda Island. Beaches on the Outer Sinda are located relatively in the middle of intertidal zones, hence are far from beautiful swimming sports. They can however, be useful for resting and other land based tourist activities, daytime lunch facilities.

The south Inner Sinda beach has the best morphology for tourism related activities: The beach is larger and adjacent to the beach there is a flat land area large enough to build tourist facilities. Additionally, there is also a large beach on the north of Inner Sinda. The combination of beaches, land vegetation and good coral reefs make this place suitable for combined land-sea eco-tourism.

Tanga Coleacanth Marine Park (TACMP)

The Park covers an area of about 552 km² of which 85 km² are terrestrial and 467 km² are aquatic. It includes the bays of Tanga City and Mwambani, Tongoni estuary, and three small islands of Toten, Yambe and Karange. This park is internationally renowned for the presence and high abundance of the coelacanth, Latimeria chalumnae. The rare ‘living fossil’ fish were re-discovered in the coastal waters off Tanzania in 2003. Since then has been sighted frequently within the TACMP area. Today, many of the park’s residents see the coelacanth as an icon for their rich coastal resources and opportunities for eco-tourism. 

Marine life consists of endangered species like dugong, which was sighted in 2006 off Kigombe, sea turtles, tropical fish species and migratory water birds. The park is focusing intensely on Coelacanth protection as a key component for achieving its species and biodiversity conservation objective.

• Toten Island
• Yambe Island
• Karange Island

Tanga Marine Reserves (TMRS)

Tanga Marine Reserves System (TMRS) is a group of marine reserves in the Tanga Region with covers total of 56.30 km². The Tanga Marine Reserves have every species of mangrove found in Tanzania. Rhizophora mucronata predominated in wave-protected locations, while Sonneratia alba is the main tree seaward. The Islands serve as significant sea bird breeding areas, Maziwe Island Marine Reserve have sand beach which is ideal for tourists.

• Kwale Island Marine Reserve
• Kirui Island Marine Reserve
• Ulenge Island Marine Reserve
• Mwewe Island Marine Reserve
• Maziwe Island Marine Reserve / Maziwe Sand Bar

Maziwe Island is a very small submerged, unvegetated island surrounded by coral reefs located about 8 kilometres (5.0 mi) South East of the Town of Pangani off the northern coast of Tanzania.

Maziwe / Maziwi Island is one of the oldest Marine Reserve in Tanzania which located about 15 miles from the cost of Pangani. It assumes that in 1912 the island was covered by a dense forest which was so lush. From the 1970 the trees were cut down and the island reverted to a sandbank. Around 1983 the last tree was seen on Maziwe and what is left today is a sun-kissed sand island exposed during low tide.

The Maziwe Island was established in 1975 and given a status of a Reserve to protect this most important breeding place for sea turtles of the East Africa Coast as well as to take care of the important reef system around.

Maziwe is also a diversity of nearly 400 species of fish, 35 general of hard and soft corals, sponges and algae as well as shoreline birds have been identified. The long reef slopes and beautiful coral gardens around the island are still visited by sea turtles looking for breeding places with records of about 200 nests of green and olive ridley turtles in a season when maziwe was still a forested island.

Attractions
Species of fish: In Maziwe Marine reserve you will find over 200 species of fish and 35 kinds of coral reefs which are found in the particular area.

Under water adventures : The area is also ideal for underwater adventures and is among the best diving destinations along the Eastern African Coast with a wide variety of underwater marine life.

Activities: 

• Swimming and Snorkeling - Maziwe Island remains an ideal place for swimming, snorkeling and diving in the deep sea.
• Sunbathing - Sunbathing and watching dazzling tropical fish is more impressive at this marine park.
• Fishing - Maziwe Island serves as a fishing camp to a number of fishermen from different areas.

Climate
Rainfall - The coastal has tropical climate and it contain about two main rain seasons but heavy rains occurs between mid-march to May.
Temperature - The temperatures average between 25°C to 30°C

Best time to visit

• The Maziwe Island reserve is open and can be visited all round the year.
• Dolphins favour the area and are frequently spotted

Ulenge Island or Ulenge Island Marine Reserve is a 3.151 km² protected, seasonally inhabited island in the Pemba Channel under the Tanga Marine Reserves (TMRS) with the IUCN category II bordering Tanga Bay and Kwale Bay at the north of Tanga. Ulenge Island is nicknamed as Bird Island due to its importance as a seabird sanctuary and contains a diverse range of bird species, including Greater Sand Plover, Curlew Sandpiper, Crab Plover, Migrating Waders, and many more. Ulenge Island is also bordered by a healthy coral reef that offers great snorkeling and diving over its shallow reef crest and down into the drop off the Pemba channel.

The first people to live in Ulenge Island were the Swahili people from North who were lead by Chief Mwinyi Ulenge. Because of water shortage on the Island, they were forced to go to the mainland. Most of them settled at an area now called Chongoleani. Ulenge Island has also ruins from the German colonial period.

What to See: Ruins, Mangroves, Coral Reefs, and Birds

Kwale Island or Kwale Island Marine Reserve is a protected, seasonally inhabited island in the Pemba Channel under the Tanga Marine Reserves (TMRS) with the IUCN category II located inside Kwale, Mkinga District in Tanga. The coral island, located approximately a kilometer offshore in Manza Bay, 86.2% of the 12.128 km² of Kwale Island, is covered with mangroves. 

Kwale Island was historically inhabited by tribe of Wadiko, people living along the beaches. Due to frequent attacks by Masai soldiers, Wadigo from Mwandusi village retreated and later settled in Kwale Island, where they were safe as Masai were afraid to cross into the Island. However, they were forced to go back to the mainland due lack of fresh water and family expansion. Most settled in Kwale village. This Island was also used during the first and second World wars as fortress.

Today, a dense vegetation of trees, including large baobabs, mangroves, and dense thorn bushes completely covers the island. Since there is no legal protection, people are chopping down the forests for fire wood. Additionally, the island has produced some Swahili ware pottery fragments from the Middle Ages, indicating that it once belonged to the Swahili states. The island has historically been deserted since.

What to See: Ruins, Mangroves, Coral Reefs, and Birds

Kirui Island or Kirui Island Marine Reserve is a 36.095 km² protected, uninhabited island in the Pemba Channel under the Tanga Marine Reserves (TMRS) with the IUCN category II located within Mkinga District in Tanga. The Island is the largest in Tanga and one of the largest protected marine Islands in Tanzania Mangroves are thought to cover 680 ha (ha) of the island of Kirui, with the largest mangrove area (557 ha) being on the north also the Tanzania‐Kenya border and west sides, Kigomeni mangrove (60 ha) being on the east coast, and Kirui South Mangrove (63 ha) being on the south.

Kirui Island's eastern side is completely covered in coral reefs. In general, seagrass beds rule Moa Bay, with a patchy coral reef in the middle of the bay, where it is deeper. At Ras Gomani, a location outside the borders of the Kirua Island Marne Reserve, excellent coral reefs were seen.

Historically Kirui Island was first inhabited by Wadiko, but most have now moved to Kijiru, and Ndumbani villages in Moa Ward, Mkinga District. Settlement in the Island was divided in two areas: Kirui at the southern part, Kendwa and Mbayai on the northern part. More than 20 families lived in Kirui Island. They started to move out in early 1960s due to increased death rate, which was linked some kind devils.  On their route to the Jasini area, some migrated to Kiphururwe, while others went to Kijiru and Ndumbani. They continue to travel to Kirui and Mbayai to honour their ancestors.

Yambe Island borders the southeast coast of Tanga Bay opposite of the Ras Nyamakuu peninsula. The island is surrounded by coral reefs and totally covered by coastal rag and mangrove forests. Uninhabited today, German records of the 19th century mention a small resident village of a local Arab ruler with his slaves. Maybe from his time or earlier, the island has ruins hidden in the forest, a walled grave and pillar tomb with large panels, enclosed by stones decorated with a herringbone pattern and a frieze of small panels. The herringbone pattern is a rare and unique feature Yambe Island in such tombs, but also sometimes found in ‘mihrabs’ of mosques.

Mwewe Island or Mwewe Island Marine Reserve is a 0.424 km² protected, uninhabited island in the Pemba Channel under the Tanga Marine Reserves (TMRS) with the IUCN category II located within Mkinga District in Tanga. According to oral Digo history, the island was used by some Kirui Island residents, at one time Mwewe Island was eventually purchased by Sultan Bin Athmani of Moa before being a Marine Reserve. Mwewe Island is also surrounded by mangroves, which covers an area of 14 Ha, about 68 % of the Island.

Toten Island is located in Tanga Bay directly opposite Tanga Harbour. The island is covered by a lush coastal forest with huge baobab trees and has also ruins of early settlements. When the Portuguese controlled part of the coast, Toten Island seems to have been used for a prison. Later, according to historical records, the island was around 1854 occupied by a considerable number of inhabitants. Islamic monochrome and Chinese blue and white shards mostly of the 15th, 16th and late 18th and 19th centuries have been found here.

There are also ruins of two mosques and German tombs of the turn of 19th century, as well as foundations and ruins of buildings of the German colonial era, when Toten Island served as a quarantine station and European graveyard, thus its name ‘Toten Island’, which is German for ‘island of the dead’. In 1884, the last inhabitants of the Island moved to Tanga. Research is needed to explore the history of the many ruins on Toten Island, which are also in urgent need of protection as historical sites. Toten Island also has small beaches and nature trails criss-crossing the forest and ruins and can be visited by boats, arranged by hotels and tour operators in Tanga.

Mafia Island (394 km2) is located in the east coast of Tanzania opposite the delta of the Rufiji River. The 20 kilometres wide stretch of water between the delta and the island is called the Mafia Channel. Mafia Island is part of a small Tanzania’s Mafia archipelago in the Indian Ocean   consists of one large island and several smaller islands, including Jibondo, Chole, Juani, Bwejuu, Mbarakuni, Shungumbili and Nyororo. Some of which are inhabited. The main town on Mafia is Kilindoni on the west coast. In the south beaches include secluded Ras Kisimani, just across from Bwejuu Island and Utende. On the east coast is Chole Bay, Mafia's protected deep-water anchorage and original harbour. The bay is studded with islets, sandbanks and beaches, and is protected from the east by coral reefs and Juani Island. 

The island lies across the trade routes from the Gulf and has seen Egyptian, Omani, Greco-Roman, Chines, Portuguese, English and German occupation, and has had a prominent place in the history of the East Coast of Africa, as it was a safe haven for ships to stop for water and for repairs. The Mafia Archipelago hosts antiquities dating back to the Eleventh Century, including ruins at Kisimani Mafia, Kanga, Kua on Juani Island and Chole Island.

The atmosphere of all the islands in Mafia is one of adventure: days are spent fishing or exploring exposed sand bars and untouched reefs, however the main appeal for many visitors is that it remains locked in a time warp of the early 20th Century.

Surrounded by a protected marine park, the diving, fishing and snorkeling here are the best in the entire region. Mafia is truly an excellent destination for those wanting to spend a bit of time in the underwater world and interested in nature and outdoor activities. Known for it’s location of the migratory Whale Sharks, spotting these magnificent creatures is an unforgettable experience of a lifetime.

The atmosphere of all the islands is one of adventure: days are spent fishing or exploring exposed sand bars and untouched reefs. Perhaps best for those mad keen on making diving the central focus of their Tanzania holiday.

Mafia is undoubtedly the best dive location in Tanzania. It’s a small haven that has a lot to offer and, quite exquisitely, is also suitable for less experienced divers. The reefs of the archipelago offer a staggeringly beautiful and varied display of marine life. The diversity of animal and plant life is hard to match, with over 50 types of corals and 400 species of fish so far identified. On top of that, Mafia offers one of the world’s best opportunities for snorkeling with whale sharks!

Mafia Island Marine Park

The marine park at Mafia Island extends over 822 km², with more than 75% of it below the high-water mark. The area hosts an outstanding mosaic of tropic marine habitats including coral reefs, seagrass beds, mangroves, and inter- tidal flats. Two species of sea turtle use Mafia’s beaches as nesting grounds and the area has been recognized internationally as a critical site for biodiversity. 

Several sites of historic ruins lie within the marine park area, some dating back to the C13th. Mafia Island’s separation from the mainland and its freedom from industrial development have ensured that its surrounding waters are some of the least contaminated in Tanzania. The marine park area has national importance as one of the few remaining reef complexes within Tanzania’s coastal waters in relatively untouched condition.

Marine Parks and Reserves are created as an important tool for conservation and tourism in Tanzania and worldwide. With the two, it is our responsibility to always balance them for the best of both present and future generations.

Mafia Islands Marine Reserves

• Shungi Mbili Island Marine Reserve
• Mbarakuni Island Marine Reserve
• Nyororo Island Marine Reserve

Mnazi Bay - Ruvuma Estuary Marine Park (MBREMP) is in the Mtwara district of Southeast Tanzania and extends to the border with Mozambique. The area is considered to have globally significant marine biodiversity values and covers 650 square kilometres, of which 33% is on land. The park extends from the northern portion of the Ruvuma Estuary to Mnazi Bay, including the headland of Ras Msangamkuu.

The environment within the park includes mangroves, rocky and sandy shoreline, mudflats, salt pans, fringing coral reefs, lagoonal patch reef, seagrass beds, three islands (Namponda, Mongo and Kisiwa Kidogo) and numerous small rocky islets.

Surveys have found over 250 species of hard coral, 400 species of fish, and 100 species of echinoderms within the Park’s reefs. The marine and coastal plants and animals found within the Park are there because of the climate, the physical features, the influences of the Indian Ocean, and the overall integrity of the combination of habitat.

The Park is home to nesting grounds for Green and Hawksbill turtles, and a number of marine mammals have been seen in the area including migrating Humpback whales and the Indopacific Humpback dolphin. A large population of crab-plovers led to the area being designated as an Important Bird Area (IBA) in 2001.

The area was also once home to dugongs but the last confirmed sighting was in 1992, although there have been unconfirmed sightings since.

Close to 30,000 people live within the park, depending mainly on marine resources for their livelihoods; the park includes in its boundaries 11 villages and 8 sub-villages. There are few opportunities for development hence poverty is rife. This has created an over dependence on marine resources and the persistent use of destructive fishing methods.

Gas was discovered in Mnazi Bay in 1982, and wells were brought into operation in 2006. Gas from the wells is now piped to Mtwara where a gas to power plant provides electricity for the Mtwara and Lindi areas.

Chumbe offers some of the most pristine and colourful coral reefs in the world, with over 200 species of coral providing a sanctuary for more than 400 species of colourful fish.

To protect these coral reefs, diving is not permitted in the marine park. The reef is shallow enough to see everything very clearly with a mask, snorkel and fins. There is also a coral-rag forest, which is home to the endangered Ader’s Duiker, giant Coconut Crabs, hermit crabs and a variety of bird species.

Knowledgeable guides take guests on daily snorkelling and forest tours. Chumbe can be visited for day trips or longer, staying in ‘eco-bungalows’ overlooking the Indian Ocean. Chumbe Island contains a lighthouse (which is still operational and was built by the British in 1904), a ruined mosque and the lighthouse keeper’s house, is now converted into a spectacular education centre and restaurant. 

All profits from tourism on Chumbe Island are reinvested into the conservation and education programs operating in the Park, and the island is staffed and managed by local Zanzibaris from the fishing community with voluntary support from overseas experts.

The work of Chumbe Island Coral Park Ltd towards the sustainable management and protection of the Chumbe coral reefs has been recognized by the UN Secretary General in his report to the General Assembly on Protection of coral reefs for sustainable livelihoods and development, in preparation for the Rio+20 - United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development 4-6 June 2012. Under the heading “The role of national legislation in protecting coral reefs (including importance of inclusion of indigenous/local communities)”

Mnemba Island is a single small island located about 3 km off the northeast coast of Unguja, the largest island of the Zanzibar Archipelago, Tanzania, opposite Muyuni Beach. It is roughly triangular in shape, about 500 m in diameter and about 1.5 km in circumference. It is surrounded by an oval reef seven by four kilometres in extent. These reefs have been declared a Marine Conservation area. Mnemba Island and its reef are sometimes called Mnemba Atoll which is incorrect because an atoll is an island that encircles a lagoon, which is not the case for Mnemba Island.

The surrounding waters and area around Mnemba Island are an important breeding ground for Green Turtles while a host of migratory wading birds use the island as a secure roost. The fragile coral reef eco-systems support countless fish species and microorganisms while gigantic Whale Sharks, Humpback Whales and dolphins frequent the deeper waters. 

Diving & Snorkeling Sites Around Northern Zanzibar Island and Mnemba Island Marine Conservation Area
Diving at Mnemba is a year-round event, with reasonably good conditions to be found on the atoll under almost all weather conditions and visibilities of 20 to 40 metres are the norm.

Kichwani Reef: Kichwani Reef is a deep, clear, drift dive from 20 to 40 meters depending on the divers experience. Many coral species are found such as Mushroom, Honeycombe, Brain and Staghorn Coral to name just a few. Below 30 meters, a vertical wall of reef fish, Trumpet fish and large Napoleon Wrasse are commonly seen; lucky divers can spot Reef sharks, Eagle and Manta Rays.

Wattabomi Site: Wattambomi is an excellent site for snorkels and novice divers. Schools of small reef fish, Regal Angelfish, Bluestreak Cleaner Wrasse, Semicircle Angelfish, Moorish Idols, Blue Spotted Rays, Lionfish are commonly seen. Take your time looking for Flounders and Soles. These fish lie on their side buried in the sand, and are very well camouflaged.  For most of the year, you will be treated to the beautifully patterned Striped Dolphin but the Bottlenose, Spinner and common Dolphins are also seen in the clear waters around Mnemba Atoll. This is an excellent photographic opportunity both above and below the water.

Aquarium Site: The Aquarium’s depth is 20 meters. There is usually a slight current at this site. Patches of sandy bottom occur quite close to the reef with Surgeonfishes, Moorish Idols, Parrotfish, Groupers, large Hawksbill and Green Turtles along with White Tip reef sharks.

West Gardens Site: Lies at a depth of 12 meters, and is a good spot for snorkels and novice divers.

The Big Wall Site: Lies at a depth of 30 meters, which drops to 50 meters. You will descend down to 30 meters drifting along a vertical wall. On your silent drift along this wonderful wall you will be passed by different species of pelagic school’s of Rainbow Runner, Bluefin Trevally and common dolphin fish. Along the edge of the wall, you find some overhangs and small caves often filled with lobsters.

Kilwa is one of six administrative districts of Lindi Region in Tanzania. It has a total area of 13,347.50 square kilometers, Kilwa district has 5 Islands, with the largest one being Kilwa Kisiwani. The other islands in the Kilwa archipelago are Island and Songo Mnara Island. In addition, the Songosongo Islands archipelago is composed of 21 coral reefs including the 4 coral islands. The four Islands in the archipelago are Fanjove, Nyuni Island, Songo Songo and Okuza Island. Kilwa District is home to Pindiro Forest Reserve where albino hippopotamuses have been observed.

The Matandu River is the largest river running west to east of Kilwa district. The other rivers found in the district are the Mbwemkuru River, Matandu River and the Mavuji River. There is also a cave system in Kipatimu ward, the Nan'goma Cave. The cave system is located in the Matumbi Highlands which are shared between Kilwa District and Rufiji District in Pwani Region.

Historicaly he area that is now Kilwa district has been inhabited by humans for thousands of years. The area is the ancestral home to three Bantu people groups, namely the Mwera people and the Matumbi people together with the Machinga people. The Matumbi being historically the majority native group inhabiting the most land in the district. They are the natives of the entire central and northern Kilwa district and Kilwa's islands. The Machinga people are native to the south eastern section of the district to the border with Lindi District. The Mwera inhabit the south west part of the district.

The three tribes became swahilized in the 9th century with the arrival of Islam in the region transforming the region to its being one of the wealthiest Swahili city states on the continent by the 14th century. Kilwa district is known globally for its Middle Ages Swahili historical sites from Middle Ages on the islands Kilwa Kisiwani and Songo Mnara which are part of the seven Tanzanian World Heritage Site.

The Swahili city-state of Kilwa was once the greatest Swahili port city that met an unfortunate end on July 1505 when the Portuguese burned and looted the city. In the 1866 the area of what is now Kilwa district was occupied by Germans who established their headquarters at Kilwa Kivinje and used it as a base to quell the Maji Maji rebellion that was based on the Matumbi Hills north of the Kilwa district.

In 1918 when Tanganyika became a British protectorate, Kilwa Masoko was chosen as it is the district seat and they built a deepwater port to assist with their commercial vessels. To this day Kilwa Masoko remains the capital of Kilwa district. During the British occupation the district was one of six councils established in 1947 in Lindi region. Post-independence, in 1984 Kilwa was officially designated as a district council.

Situated off the coast of Tanzania, the island of Kilwa Kisiwani (“isle of the fish”) was once the center of one of the greatest empires in East Africa.

From the 9th century all the way up until the 19th century, Kilwa Kisiwani was a wealthy and powerful port, reaching its peak around the late-Middle Ages. At its height, the empire stretched from Kenya to Mozambique, and Kilwa Kisiwani’s prosperity was crucial to the development of Swahili civilization.

During this time great structures were built that are now stunning ruins, all that’s left of the late empire. One of the most impressive of the ruins is the Great Mosque, the oldest standing mosque on the East African coast, which has 16 domes supported by many arches and pillars. Another amazing site is the Palace of Husuni Kubwa, which overlooks the island from on high and was once the largest building in sub-Saharan Africa.

According to legend, the empire was established on the island by a Persian prince who bought Kilwa Kisiwani from an indigenous king for enough cloth to circle the island. The prince then destroyed a bridge that connected the island to mainland Tanzania.

Kilwa Kisiwani grew rich and powerful because it was well placed on trading routes between Africa, China, India, and Arabia. Gold, porcelain, quartz, ivory, and other valuable treasures all passed through the island. Among the island’s own exports were spices, tortoiseshell, and slaves.  The start of its decline came in the 16th century, when the Portuguese completed their own fort on the island and came to dominate trade in the region.

Jagged walls of stone and coral rising up amidst coconut palms and baobabs are all that remains of a port city from a golden age of trading. Back in the city’s heyday, these buildings would have been covered in bright white plaster adorned with intricate carvings. The island of Songo Mnara, located off the southern coast of Tanzania, is quite small, covering just over three square miles. But the 500-year-old ruins that lie at the island’s northern end loom large in history.

Songo Mnara was an offshoot of the older and larger city of Kilwa Kisiwani, which was located on an island slightly farther north. Between the 13th and 16th centuries, Kilwa Kisiwani and Songo Mnara were central to the Indian Ocean trade and the Swahili Coast Culture. They were two of the many thriving Islamic settlements in East Africa, from Somalia to Mozambique, which served as conduits for trade with Arabia, India, and China. Goods from the African mainland such as gold, ivory, timber, and textiles, were traded for silver, gemstones, perfumes, and pottery.

While Kilwa developed over many centuries, Songo Mnara was a planned city that came together much more quickly. It was only occupied for about 150 years, starting in the 14th century. Though centuries have passed, the now-remote site has gone largely undisturbed, so its distinct urban structure has been preserved. That structure gives modern archaeologists a glimpse into the Swahili culture at its height.

At Songo Mnara, archaeologists have identified dozens of residences, six mosques, and a number of tombs. Many of the homes include spaces for hosting traveling merchants and other guests. Merchants who arrived on monsoon winds would often stay for weeks or even months, awaiting a change in the winds that would allow them to return home. It was this kind of arrangement that facilitated the cultural exchange that made Songo Mnara so special.

As European explorers started staking claims to African land, the stone towns of the Swahili coast began to disappear. In 1505, the Portuguese established a fort at Kilwa Kisiwani, which marked the start of its decline.

Archaeologists continue to excavate the ruins at Songo Mnara, which was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1981. With each new fragment of pottery and cache of coins found at the site, another piece of this site’s rich history is revealed.

The quiet town of Kilwa Kivinje became the terminus of the southern slave caravan in the early 1800s. The mainland port of Kilwa Kivinje is a wide sandy port, which is still an ideal landing beach for wooden boats. By 1850, Kivinje had grown into a settlement of 12-15,000 inhabitants, including many wealthy families of Indian descent, and the regional center of the slave trade. Towards the end of the 19th century, Kilwa Kivinje became the German administrative center. With the abolition of the slave trade and German wartime defeats, Kilwa Kivinje’s short heyday came to an end.

Kilwa Kivinje is now a small atmospheric village with a Swahili village feel and an intriguing mix of German colonial and Omani Arab architecture, filled with ruins revealing the prosperous city it was in the 19th century. Old colonial buildings and crumbling remains of ancient Omani structures are disseminated around the city. Kivinje owed its prosperity to several trades, including slave and ivory trade.

Recently gazetted as a National Park Burigi-Chato combines 3 former Game Reserves into 1 unit that is now 4,707 sq km making it the 4th largest National Park in Tanzania.

Stretching from Lake Victoria in the East to the Rwandan boundary in the West, Burigi-Chato is an enormous piece of wild country encompassing fresh water lakes, long hills, rocky crags along escarpments, deeply set valleys lined with forest, open plains, swamps, rivers, flood plains and hundreds of square kilometres of medium and tall grass wooded savanna - mostly combretum and Terminalia known as Miombo. 

Park Attractions

A key attraction in this National Park are the lakes with Lake Burigi being the 3rd largest lake in the country. It is a long lake with a number of islands, inlets and bays along its length, some of which are swampy and are home for the rare Sitatunga antelope, and possibly also the even rarer shoe billed stork.

The Ibanda-Kyerwa National Park, previously Ibanda Game Reserve, is a national park in Tanzania. Originally established in 1974, it was designated a national park in 2019. The national park is located in Kagera Region and has an area of 200 square kilometres.

The unseen treasure in the Western corner of the country, the paradise with scenic beauty of rolling hills, valleys, plains of Acacia savannah, the central basin dissected by seasonal rivers filling the scattered lakes and swamps all blow your visit to this undiscovered park. 

The Park is exceptional gifted with a variety of attractions ranging from savannah, lakes, rivers and swamps inhabited with different kinds wildlife. The park is endowed with various wild animals such as African Buffalo, Hippos, Leopards, Antelopes like reed buck and roan and birds. 

Kagera River

This is one of the largest rivers in Tanzania which act as a boundary with Rwanda. The river separates the two nations and also the two national parks; the Ibanda-kyerwa National park in Tanzania and Akagera National Park in Rwanda. Also to the north the rivers is a boundary with Uganda and this makes easy to visit even from Uganda and Rwanda.

Game drive

With its open savannah grasslands, the scattered lakes, hills, valleys, Kagera river and basins a game drive inside the park is inspirational to many visitors as they can see animals like herds of buffalo, zebra, leopards, topi, eland, impala, waterbuck, reedback and giraffe.

Lake Tanganyika is the world’s longest (660km), deepest in Africa and second-deepest in the world (more than 1436m) and second-largest (by volume) freshwater lake. At somewhere between nine and 13 million years old, it’s also one of the oldest. Thanks to its age and ecological isolation it’s home to an exceptional number of endemic fish, including 98% of the 250-plus species of cichlids. Cichlids are popular aquarium fish due to their bright colours, and they make Tanganyika an outstanding snorkelling and diving destination.

Comparatively narrow, varying in width from 10 to 45 miles (16 to 72 km), it covers about 12,700 square miles (32,900 square km) and forms the boundary between Tanzania and Congo (Kinshasa). It occupies the southern end of the Western Rift Valley, and for most of its length the land rises steeply from its shores. Its waters tend to be brackish. Though fed by a number of rivers, the lake is not the centre of an extensive drainage area. The largest rivers discharging into the lake are the Malagarasi, the Ruzizi, and the Kalambo, which has one of the highest waterfalls in the world (704 feet [215 metres]). Its outlet is the Lukuga River, which flows into the Lualaba River.

Lake Tanganyika is situated on the line dividing the floral regions of eastern and western Africa, and oil palms, which are characteristic of the flora of western Africa, grow along the lake’s shores. Rice and subsistence crops are grown along the shores, and fishing is of some significance. Hippopotamuses and crocodiles abound, and the bird life is varied.

Many of the numerous peoples (predominantly Bantu-speaking) living on the lake’s eastern borders trace their origins to areas in the Congo River basin. The lake was first visited by Europeans in 1858, when the British explorers Sir Richard Burton and John Hanning Speke reached Ujiji, on the lake’s eastern shore, in their quest for the source of the Nile River. In 1871 Henry (later Sir Henry) Morton Stanley “found” David Livingstone at Ujiji. Important ports situated along Lake Tanganyika are Bujumbura (Burundi), Kalemi (Congo), and Ujiji and Kigoma (Tanzania).

With a surface area of 68,800 sq km (26,600 sq mi), Lake Victoria is Africa’s largest lake. In addition, it's the largest tropical lake in the world, and the planet's second largest freshwater lake. Only North America's Lake Superior is larger.

An irregular quadrilateral in shape, its shores, save on the west, are deeply indented. Its greatest length from north to south is 210 miles (337 km), its greatest breadth 150 miles (240 km). Its coastline exceeds 2,000 miles (3,220 km). Its waters fill a shallow depression in the centre of the great plateau that stretches between the Western and Eastern Rift Valleys. The lake’s surface is 3,720 feet (1,134 metres) above sea level, and its greatest ascertained depth is 270 feet (82 metres). Many archipelagos are contained within the lake, as are numerous reefs, often just below the surface of the clear waters. Lake Victoria has more than 200 species of fish, of which the Tilapia is the most economically important. The lake’s basin area covers 92,240 square miles (238,900 square km).

The lake’s shores vary in aspect. The lake’s southwestern coast is backed by precipices 300 feet (90 metres) high, which give way on the western coast to papyrus and ambatch swamps marking the delta of the Kagera River. The lake’s deeply indented northern coast is flat and bare. A narrow channel leads into the Kavirondo Gulf, which has an average width of 16 miles (25 km) and extends for 40 miles (64 km) eastward to Kisumu, Kenya. The Ugandan cities of Kampala and Entebbe lie along or near the northern coast. At the lake’s southeastern corner is Speke Gulf, and at the southwestern corner Emin Pasha Gulf. Of the numerous islands in the lake, Ukerewe, north of Speke Gulf, is the largest, with wooded hills rising 650 feet (200 metres) above the lake. It is densely populated. At the lake’s northwestern corner are the 62 islands of the Sese archipelago, some of them of striking beauty.

The Kagera River, the largest and most important of the lake affluents, enters the western side of Lake Victoria just north of latitude 1° S. The only other river of note entering from the west is the Katonga, north of Kagera. The lake’s only outlet is the Victoria Nile, which exits from the northern coast.

The search by Europeans for the source of the Nile led to the sighting of the lake by the British explorer John Hanning Speke in 1858. Formerly known to the Arabs as Ukerewe, the lake was named by Speke in honour of Queen Victoria of England. A detailed survey of the lake was made by Sir William Garstin in 1901. Plans for gradually raising the level of the lake’s waters were completed in 1954 with the construction of the Owen Falls Dam (now the Nalubaale Dam) on the Victoria Nile at Jinja, Uganda. The dam provides hydroelectric power on a large scale and made the lake a vast reservoir. A second dam, Kiira, was later constructed 0.6 mile (1 km) from Nalubaale. It was completed in 1999 and began producing hydroelectric power the next year.

The Lake Victoria region is one of the most densely populated in Africa; within 50 miles (80 km) of its shores live several million people, nearly all Bantu-speaking. There are local steamer services around the lake.

Rau Nature Forest Reserve located about 3 km from Moshi Town in Kilimanjaro Region. The reserve is on the gentle south facing alluvial base of Mt. Kilimanjaro, at an altitude of between 730 and 765 m. 

Rau Forest Reserve is mainly dominated by ground water forest, also classified the reserve vegetation into natural ground forest, swamp forest and woodland forest. 

The reserve has diverse bird life and several large mammal species including black-and-white colobus monkey (Colobus guereza), blue monkey and Kirk’s dik-dik. Other species include squirrels, spiders, beautiful butterflies, dragon flies, ants, millipede, centipede, african snils, lizards, Nile monitor, frogs. Bees such as Apis mellifera adansonii, stingless bees (Mellipolina) and Forest Marsh Snake are also found.

The forest represent more than 71 varieties of native Tanzania and endemic trees include Oxystigma Msoo, Kilimanjaro Mahnogany, Lovoa Swynnertonii and the largest and oldest African teak (Milicia excelsa) or Mvule in Swahili, this tree is considered to be oldest and biggest Mvule tree in East Africa and it is found at the centre of Rau Forest Reserve. The tree is 51m high, 3m in diameter and 360 cubic meters by volume and it's approximately age is 200 years old. The tree is used by traditional healers from by nearby communities for rituals and medical purposes using the barks.

Rau forest is among the few ground water forest in Tanzania and be one of the few natural forest located in a fast growing town (Moshi town) and to be yet not known by travelers or nature lovers. Outside the forest, you can also enjoy a great view of rice plantations that are dotted with colorful water birds.

Pangani is situated about 50km south of Tanga on the mouth of River Pangani that flows from the slopes of Mount Kilimanjaro.

The name Pangani owes to the river that runs through northern part of the Historical Town. Pangani is a very old town, it is believed to be established before 6th Century BC as a coastal dhow port, but later became a station on the caravan route from Late Tanganyika for exporting slaves and ivory. Several historical sites in and around the town serve as reminders for the strong Arabic influence and the later German, British colonial era in Tanganyika. The town served as port, when sisal plantations were set up in the colonial period, before the Tanga Harbor constructed. Nowadays it is mainly a fishing town with a lot of coconut trees, providing nice beaches for quiet vacation.

Attraction: Pangani Falls, a water fall that provides electricity for Tanga, Dar es Salaam, Arusha and Moshi. Boat Safari on the Pangani River, which hosts birds and crocodiles. Maziwi Island, which was submerged due to environmental destruction and the effect of the global climate changes; is a nature reserve which provides ground for snorkeling opportunity and dolphins tour. Walking tour in the historical town to see some of old buildings aged more than 200 years old, visits to a former slave labor camps and slave market site.

Pangani is close to the Saadani National Park (especially on the Mkwaja side) the only place where one can see wildlife basking on the beach.

There are plenty of activities to keep you busy, with most of the good lodges offering diving, snorkelling, sailing and kayaking. Some also offer mountain-biking, horse-riding and cultural visits to local towns and villages. If you stay in the Pangani area it is possible to do motorboat safari along the river.

Several historical sites in and around the town serve as reminders of the strong Arabic influence and later colonial era of German East Africa and British Tanganyika Territory. The district boma or headquarters is the most impressive building remaining from the period of Zanzibari rule.

Bagamoyo, is a historic coastal town founded at the end of the 18th century, though it is an extension of a much older (8th century) Swahili settlement, Kaole. It was chosen as the capital of German East Africa by the German colonial administration and it became one of the most important trading ports for the Germans along the East African coast along the west of the Indian Ocean in the late 19th and early 20th century. Today, it is the capital of the Bagamoyo District in Pwani Region. Bagamoyo town is now one of UNESCO’s World Heritage Sites with rich cultural heritage waiting you to explore.

This town was once a most important trading port along the East African Coast and a German East Africa Capital. Bagamoyo is home to many ethnic groups, including the Wakwere, Wazaramo and Wazigua. Different cultures including people of Arab descent coexist in Bagamoyo making the town a peaceful and friendly place for visitors from all over the world.

The town of Bagamoyo was one of the most important trading ports on the East African coast and the penultimate stop of slave and ivory caravans travelling on foot from Lake Tanganyika on their way to Zanzibar. Missionaries active in abolishing the slave trade made Bagamoyo, whose name means ‘bury my heart’ in Kiswahili, a centre for their activities.

Bagamoyo is a quiet village with a few German colonial buildings still standing. In the past, the town of Bagamoyo was one of the most important trading ports on the entire East African coast. Its port was the penultimate stop of slave and ivory caravans that travelled on foot all the way from Lake Tanganyika. Once the caravans reached Bagamoyo, the slaves and ivory were shipped by dhow to Zanzibar, where they were then dispatched all over the world. These days, Bagamoyo is a centre of dhow building in the region and along the Tanzanian Coast.

THE HISTORICAL TOWN OF BAGAMOYO OFFERS THESE TOURS;

• Bagamoyo Stone Town tour (day tour)
  Visit the German Colonial Administrative block, Art market, Old post office, 1st Tanzania Primary School, Old Mosques, Hanging tower, Caravan Serai Museum and the fish market. On your walk along the Indian Ocean beach visit a centre for dhow sailboat building and get to know how local people builds boats.
   
• Kaole Ruins tour (2 ~ 3 hrs)
  Kaole village formally known as ‘Pumbuji’ is one of the oldest villages that immigrants from Arabic countries choose as they landed on East Africa’s coast. The village has ruins dating back to 13th Century. It is in this village where Sultan of Oman preferred to settle and construct administrative and military headquarters. 
   
• Crocodiles farm tour (2 ~ 4 hrs)
  Visit a crocodile farm and learn how these wild predators are kept. Get to know their social behaviors, growth, live capture techniques, feeding/hunting techniques and local uses of various products.
   
• Visits to Caravan Serai Museum (1 ~ 2 hrs)
  This is where caravan parties assembled and stocked up before trekking to the interior.
   
• Visits to Catholic Old Church & Museum (2 ~ 3 hrs)
  Visit the Old tower of the first Catholic Church in East Africa, one of the Oldest Baobab tree, Cemeteries (Catholic, German and Indian), Dr. Livingstone tower, Old Fathers’ house and the Cross at the beach. Explore the museum with information about the slave trade, missionaries, life of the people and some collections of artifacts of the indigenous tribes
   
• Visit Old German Fort (Ngome kongwe) (2 ~ 3 hrs)
  The Old Fort in Bagamoyo, Tanzania is one of the historic building built by an Arab trader; Abdallah Sulleiman, during the 1860s. By then, it was a stand-alone two-storey building in Bagamoyo and continue to be used as a residential house until the 1880s.
   
• Visit Old German Boma (1 ~ 2 hrs)
  The Old Boma in Bagamoyo, situated along the central coast of Tanzania, was built by the Germans in 1895. The BOMA served as administrative headquarters for German East Africa until 1919. 
   
• The Von Wissman Tower 
  The Von Wissman Tower of Bagamoyo with 26.9 Square meter, was erected by Major Von Wissmann, a German East African Commander in 1889. It was a strategic point to control Slavery and Slave trade from the interior of Tanganyika. This was an implementation of the Berlin Conference (1884 - 1885) through which it was agreed that all colonies should stop Slave trade in their Areas of influence.
   
• Fishing with Local Fisherman (1 ~ 4 hrs)
  Come and join a team of experienced village fishermen for a fishing experience. Do your best to fish what will be prepared for you during your lunch or dinner.
   
• Mapopo Island (2 ~ 5 hrs)
  Take an evening or Morning boat tour to Mapopo Island where thousands of bats have inhabited the island. Get to know the bat’s life and ecological importance of these flying mammals.
   
• Ruvu River Cruising (2 ~ 3 hrs)
  Take a boat ride to explore crocodiles, hippos and various birds along the Ruvu River that flows from the Uluguru Mountains and some parts of Southern Highlands of Tanzania. Get to know how locals fish in the rivers and various used of river water.
   
• Mwakambuni Coral reef 
  On your marine experience explore Mwambakuni coral reef and listen to stories about local peoples beliefs on coral reefs and its uses
   
• Visit to College of Arts
  Located about 500m southeast of Bagamoyo along the road to Dar es Salaam is this renowned theatre and arts college, home of the national dance company. When school is in session there are occasional performances, and it’s usually possible to arrange drumming or dancing lessons. Get an Opportunity to visit the art market, artists at work and learn how to do sculpture, fine art and Makonde Carving.
   
• Others
  • Mangrove forest tour
  • Fish with local fishermen
  • Marine tours
  • Bagamoyo Biking tours
  • Visit to the Old port
  • Fish Market tour
  • Visit Art market
  • Traditional Swahili Massage
  • Hair braiding
  • Cultural celebrations and events
  • Swahili traditional weddings
  • Swahili music performances and Traditional dances
  • Swahili music band entertainments
  • Swahili traditional games

Rundugai hot water springs / (Kikuletwa Hot Springs) or Chemka hot springs are an unexpected paradise hidden in the desert scrub outside the town of Boma. 

Situated about 35 kilometres from Moshi, in the heart of the Sanya Plains, lie the Rundugai Springs. They are an extraordinary phenomenon, rushing up from underground in the middle of parched and dusty landscape. Locally called Chemka, meaning boiling, this refers to the way in which the water appears to boil as it emerges from underground. In fact, the water is not hot rather it is a pleasant temperature! This is a good place to visit for a picnic and a swim too. And the views of Kilimanjaro on a clear day are also fabulous. Unfortunately, the water is full of fluoride which means the local people can’t use it for drinking.  The crystal-clear, turquoise waters surrounded by palm trees and winding roots offer a picturesque spot for a relaxing afternoon swim. 

The spring is actually rather big and over 6 meters deep in some places although you can see the bottom through the crystal clear waters no matter where you are. You can also wrap your arms around one of the roots and just let the water flow by as you drift off into a daydream listening to the monkeys and birds in the treas.

The rock art of the Iringa region in southern Tanzania is primarily prehistoric, painted in monochrome fashion and often displayed in Precambrian rock shelters and overhangs. Based on predominating color types, subject matters, and artistic style, two broad rock art traditions are recognized: The “Hunter-Forager” and “Bantu-language-speaker”, or “Late White”, styles. Most of the paintings of Iringa share some artistic traditions, such as stylistic motifs, techniques of execution, subject matter, and colour, with the rock art of Central and Southern Africa. 

The ochre drawings depict human figures, an elephant, jumping eland and giraffe hiding in long grass. It's an easy and worthwhile excursion from town involving a short but steep walk from the car park.

Archaeologically, Early Stone Age sites (Acheulean site) well-known site is Isimila in Iringa as well as other sites renowned for the Middle Stone Age is at Magubike and Mlambalasi. Recently, rock shelters with prehistoric rock paintings have been documented in various sites such as Kihessakilolo, Ikula and Lutona.

Isimila Stone Age Site is pre-historic settlement located inside Iringa District of Iringa Region in Tanzania. The site is home to the Middle Pleistocene archaeological site. Large surface assemblages of later Acheulean lithics, including hand axes, cleavers, scrapers, cores and bones, have been found at the site. Isimila provides a special view into Middle Pleistocene Hominid behavior. The site is a registered Tanzania National Historic Site. 

Isimila stone age site and natural pillars is likely known as the home of the early man between 60,000 and 100,000 years ago because of the tools that were mostly used by the early man in their different activities are found here.

There is evidence which shows that the area around the Isimila site was a small lake. This would have been a perfect hunting ground for hominids who lived there between 300,000 - 600,000 years ago. The tools found there confirm this theory. Looking at the site today you might be able to imagine how the land was eroded from a lake to a large canyon. Harder rock types more resistant to erosion have remained, leaving thin rock towers as high as 30m, thus Isimila Stone Age site and natural pillars in Iringa

The tour of the Isimila Stone Age site includes; canyon visit, an explanation of how the rock towers were formed and a scenic walk with a great spot to see different bird species.

Fossils discovered in Isimila verified site; numerous fossils dating back more than 100 years have been discovered here. Tomahawks, scrubbers, and stones are displayed throughout the small historical center that is visible here. There are also many fossilized bones to be seen here, including human fossils, animal fossils, and various gadget fossils. The fossils of well-evolved organisms include the bones associated with giraffes, even though they have a more limited neck. The remains of hippos, elephants, and a variety of extinct pigs are found.

The Ngorongoro Conservation Area spans from Serengeti National Park in the north, to the Great Rift Valley in the east. In total, the conservation area covers more than 8,000 km² (3,200 sq. miles). It consists of the Ngorongoro Crater, Ndutu, Olduvai Gorge, Empakaai, Olmoti Crater and Oldonyo Lengai Mountain. The mix of forests, valleys, savannah, craters, lakes and swamps is home for a wide range of animals.

As one of Africa's Seven Natural Wonders, NCA was universally recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage in 1979 under the natural and cultural criteria owing to its global importance for biodiversity conservation having demonstrated by the existence of globally threatened species, the density of wildlife inhabiting the area, and the annual migration of wildebeest, zebras, gazelles, and other wild animals into the northern plains. Its cultural recognition stemming from an exceptionally long sequence of crucial evidence related to human evolution and human-environment dynamics. Due to its exceptionally long sequence of this crucial evidence, spanning nearly four million years to the beginning of this era, including physical evidence of the most important benchmark in human evolutionary development, NCA’s global identity is fairly justified.

At its inception, the Ngorongoro Conservation Area was primarily established as a multi-land use area, where wildlife could co-exist with the most dominant semi-nomadic Maasai residents, who always move from one place to another in search of water and pasture for their livestock.

The Ngorongoro Conservation Area is known to be a permanent homeland to multiple well-known ethnic groups who share distinctive customs and lifestyles, including the Hadza or Hadzabe and Datoga, Irawq. The Maasai people, however, are the most prominent ethnic group, who are thought to have migrated southeast from the Nile region in the 18th century.

The Maasai and Datoga are pastoralists, whereas the Hadzabe are hunter-gatherers and are not related to any of the ethnic groups in the area. They are an indigenous ethnic group found in the Lake Eyasi area, with a population of less than 1000 people. Each of these tribes has its own way of life, with its own set of ancient traditions, mythology, tales, songs, and dances.

The Olduvai Gorge, which is a remarkable archaeological site in East Africa and perhaps in the world. It was officially recognized as a part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1979. Exposed within the sides of the gorge is a remarkably rich chronicle of human ancestry and the evolution of the Serengeti ecosystem.

It was here that Mary and Louis Leakey, over the course of more than 30 years of backbreaking work, unearthed the first well-dated fossils and artefacts of some of our earliest human ancestors. 

Their discoveries include the famous Zinjanthropus (Australopithecus boisei) skull, as well as remains of  Homo habilis, the presumed maker of the numerous early stone tools found in deposits ranging in age from 1.6 to 1.8  million years ago, and Homo erectus, the larger- bodied and larger- brained hominin that preceded the earliest modern humans (Homo sapiens).

The gorge may be visited year-round. It is necessary to have an official guide to visit the actual excavations.

Length:55 km (34m) | Deep: 100 m | Excavation Since: 1930s

Olduvai Gorge Museum

Olduvai Gorge Museum exhibits numerous fossils, stone tools of our hominid ancestors and skeletons of many extinct animals excavated in the gorge. 

Mary Leakey founded the museum in 1970. In 2017, The Ngorongoro Conservation Area Authority replaced the original museum structure by constructing a new museum and visitors centre.

Olmoti Crater is situated at the northern end of the Ngorongoro Crater, from where Mount Lolmalasin, Tanzania's third tallest mountain, can be viewed. Gorgeous wild and lonesome landscapes emerge as they go through the eastern highlands, which stretch from Olmoti Crater to mount highlands. The crater is about 6.5 kilometers in diameter, and the highest point above sea level is approximately 3,080m. 

The Olmoti Crater is named after the Maasai word, ‘Olmoti,’ meaning a big cooking pot due to its shape. Unlike the Ngorongoro Crater, Olmoti Crater is a shallow sunken caldera covered with grass and bisected by a river valley which provides a reliable water supply and suitable grazing pastures for wild animals throughout the year.

Its great vantage point offers a spectacular view of the environs, blended with grazing animals such as antelopes and elands. A beautiful view combined with protruding rocks strewn around the highest point and the end of the trails. 

A spectacular view of Munge Waterfall from the famous Munge River, which drains into the Ngorongoro Crater, can be seen from the viewpoint. A pleasant stroll through the forest leads up to the crater rim before descending to the crater floor at Olmoti. The crater is covered by water streams, varieties of plants and wild species.

Walking through this well-developed trail takes approximately half an hour to forty minutes ascension and twenty-five minutes to a half an hour descent. This attraction can be visited any time of the year with much emphasis during the dry season (June through December). Visiting can be part of the long walking safari to Empakaai Crater and beyond the NCA.

The highest Point: 3,080 m | Diameter: 6.5 km

The Olkarien Gorge is a massive granite monolith on the outskirts of the Gol Mountains in Ngorongoro Conservation Area in northern Tanzania. It is a deep, extremely narrow, east-west trending canyon that slices through the quartzite rocks on the east side of the Gol Mountains, which is a perfect example of a fault-bounded mountain range.

The gorge is 8 km (5 miles) in length. The walls are vertical and, in some areas, they even overhang the gorge. The origin of the gorge goes back to the time when the Gol Mountains were being formed. As faulting continuously lowered the land to the east, an existing stream slowly cut down through the higher elevation rocks to the west to keep pace with the lowering land surface. 

Wildebeest roam the plains surrounding the rock, baboons climb its sides, and a diverse array of bird life can be observed from here. It is an important nesting site for hundreds of Rüppell's griffon vultures, which breed in March and April when the plains are plentiful of food.   

During the dry season, the Olkarien Gorge serves as an important water catchment area for both people and wildlife. It also serves as a home to a plethora of migratory wild animals during the great migration. Hundreds of vultures can be spotted soaring, circling, and gliding down to their nests as you walk through the Gorge.

The black sand dunes that occur in the eastern Serengeti Plain near the Olduvai Gorge hominid site within the Ngorongoro Conservation Area in Tanzania are mainly identified as volcanic sand dunes. The migratory dunes, also known as the Shifting Sands, are located at least twelve kilometers north-west of the Museum at Olduvai Gorge and nearly two kilometers from the Gorge's bank.

It is one of the most spectacular moving ash dunes in the world, gradually blown westward across the plains at a rate of approximately 15 to 29 meters annually and has scoured lighter portions of the ash from the area, leaving behind the heavier dark colored iron-rich minerals that formed the dune. It is a remarkable crescent-shaped black dune made of volcanic ash from the active Oldoinyo Lengai, reaching exactly 5 meters in height and stretching 100 m (328 ft) long along its curves.

The dunes are composed of highly magnetic volcanic ash, which holds the sand particles together, justifying why the granules of the dunes aren’t blown away by winds. What makes it standout is the fact that it occurs as a solitary, isolated dune. Such dunes are typically found in huge dune formations. They are composed of fine black ash that is significantly darker than the surroundings, which are characterized by vast plains with short grasses and bushes supplemented by scattered acacia trees (the presence of iron-rich minerals accounts for the sand’s dark color).

The dunes are well exposed above the plains and are easily accessible via trails that venture down the Olduvai Gorge ravine towards the Serengeti’s eastern grasslands on the Ngorongoro Conservation Area’s side. The Olduvai Gorge Museum curators provide much information about this dune.

Covering an area of 300 square meters, Engare Sero is Tanzania’s largest human fossil footprints site to have ever been discovered within the African Continent’s boundaries. The site was discovered in 2006 through a research project which led to the greatest discovery of over 400 hominid and animal footprints, including zebra and bovid. Tracks from this site represent one of the country's best-preserved records of anatomically modern Homo sapiens.

The footprints are a byproduct of an ancient volcanic mudflow from the nearby Oldoinyo Lengai which is still active. The volcanic mudflow was hardened when the wet ash dried almost like concrete. The footprints have so far been created between 6,000 and 19,000 years ago and represent the distinct paths of at least 20 different individuals. 

Since 2009, the Engare Sero research project team has been excavating and analyzing the Engare Sero footprints, led by Appalachian State University professor Cynthia Liutkus - Pierce and including Human Origins Program research scientist Briana Pobiner. According to their findings, the footprints were left by a group of mostly adult females traveling together.

What to See: Footprints of early humans

The Engaruka or Engaruka Ruins, as popularly known among historical societies, is an iconic historical site that depicts a prominent iron-age farming community that is believed to have been established in the 15th century. A German scientist, Gustav Fisher, made the first official discovery of this site in 1883, and compared the Engaruka remnants to the crumbled walls of ancient castles. 

The researchers have been able to confirm that Engaruka once hosted seven villages with thousands of residents, who invented a sophisticated irrigation and farming system that included canals lined with stone blocks that channeled water from the rift escarpment to several stone-lined cultivation terraces. 

About 20 square kilometers of farmland were supported by this irrigation system, and the area’s fertility was systematically enhanced using stall-fed cattle manure, which was also utilized to minimize soil degradation.

Midway through the 18th century, Engaruka was abandoned for unknown reasons. Many questions remain unanswered regarding the area, such as the identity of the founders, how they developed their farming system, and why they left. 

The residents were most likely progenitors of today’s Iraqw people, who practically use similarly intricate irrigation techniques. It is thought, however, that the area was abandoned owing to reduced river flow or territorial disputes with other ethnic groups.

The Ndutu plains is an located in the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, on the outskirts of the Southern Serengeti plains. These plains are enriched with tremendous acacia trees, providing a panoramic view across Lake Ndutu and Masek at the other end. It is one of the best places in the Ngorongoro Conservation Area to spot predators and enjoy the stunning landscapes. Standing here means you're in the midst of a calving ground for migratory wild animals, specifically the wildebeest migration. It is typically composed of vast swaths of short grassland, soda-lake Masek, marshes, and woodland vegetation that support both residents and migratory animals.

In 1973, the shores of Lake Ndutu were the location of an archaeological excavation site about 140 square metres that led to the discovery of the Ndutu cranium along with several remains of tools from over 500, 000 years ago.

Ndutu area forms an important part of the Serengeti ecosystem, in particular the short grass plains which provide calving grounds for wildebeest and other migratory animals, usually taking place between January and March. "This is their home pastureland, the only place of any protracted residence".

The Best of Ndutu Plains

While Ndutu is an excellent game viewing area throughout the year, the best time to visit the Ndutu plains is from the end of December, when the Great Migration herds begin to arrive from the north, until April, when millions of wildebeest, gazelles, and zebras begin their journey northwards again. Due to the seasonal rains, massive herds of wildebeest and zebra can be seen all over these plains at this time of year. 

Thousands of calves are born within Ndutu during the calving season, making Ndutu a home for new creatures on Earth. Giraffe, impala, elephant, dik dik, lion, cheetah, leopard, hyena, bat-eared fox, genet, jackal, wildcat, and many other animals end up living in Ndutu. The plains, marshes, and lakes to woodland attract an abundance of bird species.

The Nasera rock is situated about 20 kilometers North of Olduvai Gorge in Ngorongoro Conservation Area. It’s just a few kilometers off the shifting sand behind Gol Mountain. It is a spectacular, 50 meter (165 feet) high inselberg located in the southwestern part of the Gol Mountains. The name is a Maasai-inspired word, ‘’Naasira,’’ which means striped, written or drawn. The drawings are said to be made by Maasai Nasera rock during ancient times when they used the area as temporal settlements or hiding burrows.

Did You Know

These rocks are of the same age as those present in the South Hills and the Bao Site (859-500 mya). It might be the only known biggest fully exposed and complete inselberg in the region. 

The site has been internationally recognized for decades through its archaeological resources that have been excavated since the 1930s.

Mumba is an extensive rock shelter under an immense outcrop of metamorphic gneiss located at 35°17’47″E, 3°32’26″S near the Northeastern shore of Lake Eyasi. The rock shelter contains one of the most important and complete archaeological sequences, pivotal in the study of Late Pleistocene archaeology of East Africa. 

The finds from the shelter show a clear transition between the middle Stone Age and the Later Stone Age. A nearly 11-meter (36 feet) thick section of sediment in the shelter floor records hominid and human occupation that dates back at least 130,000 years before the present.

Researches at Mumba have recovered remains of archaic and anatomically modern humans, a wealth of data regarding paleoenvironments and fauna, which are central for understanding transitions from the Middle to Later Stone Age as well as the study of the processes involved in the development of technological modernity. 

Several prehistoric industries have been established at Mumba from bottom to top: Sanzako industry (MSA; 131-73 kya), Kisele industry (MSA/LSA; Transitional 63-56kya), Mumba industry (early LSA; 56-49 kya), Nasera industry (LSA; 36-15kya), Holocene and ceramic LSA industries (12-3kya). The Mumba sequence also contains Pastoral Neolithic (PN) and Iron Age deposits, which are foundational for understanding transitions to food production in East Africa.

Currently, the rock shelter is 2-4 km from the shore of Lake Eyasi, depending upon the lake level.  However, the sediments in the shelter floor indicate that the shoreline was much closer in ancient times and that the shelter may also have been close to one or more freshwater streams

Laetoli is one of Africa most important palaeontological sites. It is located on the southern edge of the Serengeti Plains within the Ngorongoro Conservation Area and far north of Lake Eyasi. The site contains a long series of Plio-Pleistocene, predominantly volcano-sedimentary deposits rich in archaeological and paleontological remains, which are overlain by Precambrian metamorphic rocks.

The paleoanthropological relevance of the entire area has been recognized since the mid-1930s, although Laetoli became known in the 1970s as a result of exciting discoveries such as the Holotype and other remains. It has exceptional evidence of the earliest bipedal hominid traces, which date back 3.6 million years. About 3.6 million years ago in Laetoli, two early ancestors of humans walked through wet volcanic ash. When the nearby volcano erupted again, subsequent ash layers covered and preserved the oldest footprints of early humans. 

Today, the Laetoli footprints are the oldest known footprints of early ancestors of humans in the world. The Laetoli Footprints, according to archaeologists, exhibit three distinct tracks of an upright walking hominid known as Australopithecus afarensis. The entire footprint trail is almost 27 meters long and comprises approximately 70 early human footprint impressions. The Olduvai Museum has replicas of these footprints.

Kohl Larsen, a German entomologist, first studied the Laetoli area in the 1920s, yielding a few fossils. The hominid footprints were discovered in 1974 by a team led by Mary Leakey, and excavations were conducted in 1978 and 1979.  The site is open to researchers interested in human origins and cultural development. Every year, researchers from local and foreign universities visit the site to work on various geological bed exposures that make up more than fifty sites.

The Northern Highland Forest Reserve (NHFR) is a thick forest with an abundance of attractions, including Endoro waterfalls, Elephant caves, flora and birds such as turaco, robin chat, bee-eater, honey guide, warbler, flycatcher, weaver, sunbird, buzzard, cuckoo, hornbill, bulbul, guinea fowl, to name a few. 

The common wild animals in the area include elephant, buffalo, leopard, hyena, duiker, waterbuck, baboon, blue monkey, bushbuck, duiker, bush pig and many more. It is an excellent place for nature walks, hiking, bird-watching, flora identification or research, and game viewing on foot.

Endoro Waterfalls

The Endoro Waterfalls is a fascinating place to be. This beautiful site is situated on the Southern border of the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, facing the Karatu Town. The pathway that leads to Endoro waterfall goes through the forest and the Elephant Caves. It takes approximately 2-3 hours of a moderate hike to explore the beauty of this completely untouched forest. Basically, the Endoro entrance gate, which is approximately 6.5 kilometers away from Karatu town, is an ideal access to the waterfalls.

The Endoro River, which flows all year round from the crater rim, is fed by natural water springs in the Crater highlands and cascades over 40 meters from the top to the bottom. The trail through a dense rainforest down the narrow stairway to the waterfall provides good physical exercise and is a perfect way to stretch after several hours of sitting in the car or after bedtime.

The pathway to this waterfall provides a spectacular perspective of the Karatu town and the southern end of the Ngorongoro Conservation Area highlands. The same route is recommended for bird lovers and those interested in huge wild game like elephants, buffaloes, and bush pigs.

Endoro Elephant caves

Endoro Elephant Caves are a few minutes’ walk from Endoro Waterfall. Over the course of many years, elephants dug into the hills to acquire soil rich in minerals essential for their body. The caves were named (the elephant caves) after the elephants who created them by digging through dense rock using their massive tusks to consume fresh soil rich in vital nutritional properties. 

The soil was formed many years ago from volcanic emissions mixed with the organic component of soil, which was formed by the decomposition of leaves and other organic material by soil micro-organisms. 

However, apart from elephants, other animals such as buffaloes, waterbucks, and bushbucks visit the caves to obtain these necessary minerals. These caves are accessible on foot as part of a long hike to nearby waterfalls.

Mount Lolmalasin is the highest crater mountain in the Ngorongoro Conservation Area and the third tallest mountain in Tanzania and the second highest peak in Arusha region after Mount Kilimanjaro and Mount Meru, reaching about 3,700 meters (12,080 ft) above sea level. 

The mountain lies near the Olmoti Crater on route to Empakaai Crater on the Ngorongoro Conservation Area's eastern border and is located entirely within Nainokanoka ward. The volcano is located in the geographic area known as in the Crater Highlands and is an extinct volcano that last erupted in the pleistocene.  The mountain also is the source of Simiyu River, which flows west to Lake Victoria in Simiyu Region.

Mount Hanang (3,423m) is the fourth highest peak in Tanzania and maybe slightly hard to climb. While Mount Kilimanjaro and Mount Meru might be seen as the big challenges due to the multi-day trekking and altitude there is no single day on either of those treks with anywhere near the elevation gain of Mount Hanang.

Mount Hanang Climbing Routes:

• Katesh Route: Approaching from the South Western side, this route is the shortest and most commonly used, rising from the town of Katesh, you will climb 1600 meters over 8.5 kilometers in about five hours. If the sun is out, expect a very tough hike and if it is cold you can expect to endure a freezing night at the campsite. What makes it all worth the effort is the incredible views from the summit over Katesh and Lake Balangida. The sunset and sunrise were truly incredible above the clouds despite the numb sensation in my fingers.
• Gendabi Route: This route offers a spectacular scenic approach from Gendabi village on the North-Western side. 
• Giting Route: Starting from the Giting Village on the Eastern side of the mountain, this route offers a remote approach perfect for animal viewing and bird watching.   

Mount Hanang Hike Details:

• Hike Distance: The total distance of the hike is 17.5km out and back (return trip)
• Hike Duration: This depends a lot on your speed and how much gear you are carrying. The ascent can be completed in about 5-6 hours and the descent can be completed in about 3 hours. This obviously depends on your ability to hike uphill. 
• The Terrain is rocky and involves a lot of concentration as you step on boulders and rocks making sure not to slip on the ascent and also the descent. There are many sections where you will need to be sure-footed but not any big drop-offs or moments of exposure. Basically, if you can handle the incline, weather, and cold camping conditions you are all set for this one.
• Hike Incline: 1,791 meters (return trip)

Mt. Hanang Nature Forest Reserve:

Mount Hanang Nature Forest Reserve has an area of 5,871ha, a vast variety of plant and animal biodiversity exists on the slopes and in the areas surrounding the mountain including a myriad of colorful birds and animals such as elephants, hyenas, baboons, and monkeys. 

There are also several sacred sites within the nature reserve that represent important cultural practices still continuing among the Barabaig and Iraqw peoples. The soda lakes of Gendabi and Balangida and the underground freshwater of Lake Basotu add yet another dimension of natural beauty to the area. 

Overall, the whole reserve can be considered one of the hidden gems of the nation for its awe-inspiring variety of environments and attractions.

The Gol Mountains (Oldoinyo Gol in Maasai) are located at the north-end of the Ngorongoro Conservation Area and is an example of a fault-bounded mountain range. They rise from the open short grass plains that attract migratory wild animals and predators, to a height of 915 m above its base. Continuous faulting lowered the rocks to the east, leaving the rocks to the west to form the mountains. The Gol Mountains, the rocks consist of highly-fractured metamorphic quartzite, virtually identical to that seen in the Soitoo Hills. 

The area is teeming with wildlife during the rainy season, from March to June, as opposed to the dry months, when the vegetation turns dusty brown. 

The dusts blown by volcano eruptions landed on these plains, showcasing the area’s uniqueness during the rainy season, when the plains are most fertile with very nutritious pasture, attracting large concentrations of migratory animals such as wildebeest, zebra, and gazelle. 

The Sale Plains are situated near the Gol Mountains.

The Empakaai crater (Empakai) is one of the multi-volcanic calderas in the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, probably with the highest rim of all and a beautiful lake that makes up more than 75% of its crater floor. Among the main attractions inside the crater is the large number of Flamingoes spotted around this Crater’s Lake coastline. 

The crater rests on the Ngorongoro highlands and is surrounded by steep-sided wooded cliffs of about 300m high, characterized by lush-green natural vegetation, wildlife, and a variety of bird species. The crater is almost 8 kilometers wide, yet about half of its floor is covered by a deep soda lake, home to flamingoes and other water birds. 

While on the edge of the crater rim, you can explore the Oldoinyo Lengai Mountain, the Great Rift Valley and Lake Natron with a spectacular panorama. You can also enjoy a nature walk from the rim of the crater or descend to the crater floor to explore various attractions. You can take a nature walk from the crater rim or descend to the crater floor to explore various available attractions.

The Empakaai elevation is approximately 3,200m above sea level on the western side and 2,590m above sea level on the eastern side. It is always shrouded in mist due to its high altitude, and the lake appears emerald or deep blue.

Empakaai crater is popular for walking safaris, wherein tourists hike for about one hour and walk back for about two and a half hours, depending on personal fitness. Visitors can explore the lake and the dense rainforest inside and around it near the floor.

As part of the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, the Empakaai crater shares a substantial percentage of wildlife, providing a higher possibility to spot some of the Big Five, particularly leopards, lions, elephants and buffaloes. It also hosts smaller wild animals such as Monkeys and various bird species. 

In an ideal coincidence, a long walking safari done in the NCA through Oldoinyo Lengai and Lake Natron situated outside the area that can last for two to four days can be enhanced by including safaris to Empakaai Crater. This crater can be visited at any time of year, with a greater emphasis from June to December (drier seasons). A walk to Empakaai crater needs to be accompanied by an armed ranger. There is a special campsite on the crater rim for camping. However, booking in advance is highly recommended.

Covered Area: 8 km | Covered By Deep Soda Lake: 4 km | Elevation Western Side: 3,200 m | Above Sea Level Eastern Side: 2,590 m | Forested Cliffs Standing: 300m

Lake Duluti is a volcanic crater lake in the Arusha region of Tanzania, on the eastern edge of the eastern branch of the Great Rift Valley. It is located in Meru District near the town of Tengeru and is 14 kilometres (14 km) from Arusha city centre and 1.31 kilometres from the Arusha-Moshi road. 

Lake Duluti covers about 0.66 km², and the surrounding Lake Duluti Forestry Reserve covers about 19 hectares (47 acres) of land. The deepest part of the lake, in its center, is about 9 m (30 ft) deep; the shallow parts are at the lake's shore, where the depth varies from side to side.

Lake Duluti is formed inside a volcanic crater and has water throughout the year, mainly from groundwater and seasonal rainfall. The crater is a subsidiary vent to Mount Meru (4566 m) that towers over the lake. 

The natural forest roundabout the lake is teeming with wildlife including blue monkeys, snakes and lizards; different bird species including grey herons, fish eagles, cormorants, ospreys and kingfishers. The Reserve has variety of different tree species.

Ecotourism Activities
Kayaking, Canoeing, Sport Fishing, Bird Watching, Forest Walk, Picnic Camping, Filming and Photographing

Kunduchi Ruins (Magofu ya mji wa kale wa Kunduchi in Swahili) is a Medieval Swahili National Historic Site located in Kunduchi ward, in Kinondoni District of Dar es Salaam Region in Tanzania. 

There is an excavated 15th-century mosque on the site. An 18th-century cemetery with the biggest collection of pillared tombs in East Africa, situated under a baobab woodland, and embellished with Ming era's porcelain plates. The pottery discovered here demonstrates the medieval town's affluence and trading connections with imperial China.

The ancient Kunduchi communities were skilled ironworkers who made a living off of farming, fishing, hunting, and herding. Slags and significant amounts of EIW pottery provide evidence for the manufacturing of iron and pottery, substantiating this claim. As a result, the earliest inhabitants of Kunduchi were a part of the larger Swahili coast cultural and technological environment, which also included Mafia Island, Limbo, and the wale sites of the Rufiji Delta and Mbuamaii, which are all located approximately 35 km south of Kunduchi.

Oral traditions attribute the founding of Kunduchi to the Debli people, whose ancestry and demise are still unknown. According to reports, the Debli people were a part of a Bantu muslim community organization that constructed mosques at several locations along Tanzania's coast, including Kunduchi, Tongoni, and Mbweni. There are Digo clans with Kunduchi in their name that indicate a connection. The Hadimu residents of Makunduchi in Unguja South Region of Zanzibar, assert that their settlement's name Makunduchi is derived from the this location, as the name of the location they assert to have come from was on the mainland across from the southernmost part of the island.

Additionally, according to the site's historical records, Kunduchi's mosque dates to around 1500 CE. Stone construction at Kunduchi came to an end at the start of the sixteenth century or earlier when the Portuguese sailed to East Africa and established a monopoly on commerce in luxury items like gold and ivory based on an analysis of the architectural styles of both the mosque and tombs.

Despite being small, Kunduchi's little-known history is fascinating and plays a key role in the history of the East African coast. Kunduchi was inactive until the late eighteenth century, when the majority of its stone-built tombs date. The history of the location, especially its ties to other regions of the Indian Ocean, lacked sufficient depth in terms of both its historical and thematic scope. A mosque and coral stone-made graves were built starting in the fourteenth century, with a 200-year interval between them, during this little-known time period. Even though most have been destroyed over the centuries, these monuments are still clearly visible today in Kunduchi ward. The trade products, primarily imported pottery and beads, are what give Kunduchi its importance.

Trade with Ming China

The native residents of the East African coast established linkages in international trade for centuries, according to chronicles and documentary sources by outside travelers. Several Chinese texts mention several journeys from China to the East African coast, even though they do not precisely mention the Tanzanian coast, which is a portion of the Swahili coast that the Chinese visited.

For instance, the Chinese sent several expeditions to Africa during the Ming period. Descriptions of the African territories visited on two of these journeys from the years 1417–1419 and 1421–1422 CE include details about the boats that connected the interior and other coastal towns. Along with a mosque and stone-built tombs with Arabic epitaphs, Kunduchi is one of numerous stone towns along the Swahili coast. It has been hypothesized that Kunduchi's significance as a significant trading port town in Tanzania was demonstrated by these dedicatory inscriptions on gravestones as well as trade items, such as Chinese porcelain and beads.

Tombs

The first completely certain record of Swahili words we have is found in the tomb of Sultan Shaf la-Haji at Kunduchi, which bears the date A.H. 1081(1670-1 CE) and mentions the name of his father Mwinyi Mtumaini. This predates by nearly 50 years the earliest Swahili manuscripts of completely certain date, which include some letters written by the Sultan and other notables of Kilwa between 1711 and 1728. The letters are still available at the Goa Archives.

Kunduchi features a number of antique and modern tombs in addition to the damaged mosque. Different architectural styles can be seen in the old stone tombs. Some have pillars, some have steps, and still others have quadrangular roofs. It was intended to pay tribute to the deceased with the pillared ones holding the exquisite Chinese porcelain bowls. Depending on the deceased person's status and that of his or her family, there must have been many ways to honor them. In other words, the pillar's extension and decoration with Chinese porcelains were not the only ways to pay respect to the deceased. more types were employed instead, and the Kunduchi Ruins site also provides several more distinctive styles.

These methods included, among others, adorning the tombs with numerous varieties of Chinese porcelain and constructing the tomb in a distinctive architectural design. Another way to pay respect to the deceased must have been to raise the tomb pillar, engrave the tombstone, and decorate the graves with either star-shaped embellishments or steps-like cuttings. Another tomb was ornamented with around 35 pieces of Chinese porcelain in various sizes but lacked steps or pillars.

Excavations

Richard Burton's descriptions from the nineteenth century mention Kunduchi but don't go into detail about its mosque, stone-built graves, or the Chinese pottery adorning the tombs. Most likely, the area was obscured by vegetation. Alternately, Burton and his colleagues decided they weren't significant enough to mention. The recent research demonstrates Kunduchi's historical significance even if its whole history is still mostly unknown. Kunduchi was one of the most beautiful swahili sites, especially along Tanzania's central coast, as demonstrated by archaeological artifacts found in its test pits. If not the most significant or picturesque site, Kunduchi was undoubtedly among the top three.

The site has only ever been the subject of one major archaeological investigation, in the late 1980s. An archaeological field school was run by Adria LaViolette and associates from the University of Dar es Salaam for two years in a row (1987–1988). Between Dar es Salaam and Bagamoyo, the team conducted surveys and dug test trenches at various old swahili localities, including ones Kunduchi. LaViolette and colleagues detailed the tombs at Kunduchi, assessed the area, and dug two test pits in the northwest corner of the mosque, close to the shore.

Diverse cultural artifacts were found at the site during surveys and test excavations, including potsherds that are likely from the Tana/TIW tradition and Sasanian Islamic ceramics, bead grinders, slag, and a copper coin from the early Sultan of Kilwa. Based on these cultural artifacts, the team came to the conclusion that Kunduchi had been inhabited at least since the tenth century and that one of the main crafts practiced in the village was ironworking. This result, however, would have been much more convincing if the data had been thoroughly examined and contextualized.

There is very little discussion of the retrieved cultural materials. In addition, the context of the items was not properly documented to define the site's cultural sequence. Due to these restrictions, the history of the site and the relationships between the retrieved cultural objects and potential regional connections were not clearly established. The aforementioned restrictions made it difficult to determine the Kunduchi settlement's actual chronological antecedents.

Settlements from the early first millennium CE were discovered in the Kunduchi site and its surroundings as a result of the 1980s surveys and excavations. This claim is supported by the discovery of daubs with pole and stick impressions in Test Pit I and 3's lower levels. Additionally, this early dating is supported by a review of cross-datable materials like bead grinders and daub from surveys and later trenches. This early chronological history is not exceptional nor surprising because other sites on the coast of East Africa have similar stories that have been documented by researchers.

Ancient inhabitants at Kunduchi were also involved in international trade networks, as evidenced by the finding of Sasanian pottery, Near-East blue-yellow glazed pottery, and sgraffito pottery in the surrounding settlements of Mbuamaji and Kaole. At Kilwa, Tumbe on Pemba Island, and Unguja Ukuu, similar imports have been observed. Additionally, the discovery of bead grinders, spindle whorls, pendants, imported beads, and pottery from earlier periods (pre-Islamic, sixth to seventh centuries CE, eighth to tenth centuries CE, and beyond) confirms cultural continuity.

Between the tenth and the thirteenth century AD, the Plain Ware tradition that followed the Islamic era emerged. Although further proof is required to support these findings, researchers near Tanzania's southern coast were able to find an earlier date for the Zanjan Phase's emergence—roughly the seventh century. The evidence revealed from the neighboring sites of Kaole in Bagamoyo and Mbuamaji in the Kigamboni District of Dar es Salaam supports the Plain Ware culture discovered at Kunduchi. A Swahili custom that predates this one dates from between the twelfth and sixteenth centuries CE. There are a variety of material remnants, including glass beads, Kunduchi glass, punctately decorated carinated ceramics, and various Islamic artifacts.

According to the data presented above, Kunduchi first appeared between the last centuries of the Early Iron Age and the second half of the second millennium CE. Up until the sixteenth century CE, when it fell into isolation for about two centuries, it then underwent a revival in the eighteenth century. Results from test excavations as well as questionnaires show continuous cultural continuity up to this time, supporting the claim that culture was declining.