Tanzania overview & wildlife notes Geography: The landscape is generally flat and low along the coast. A highland plateau constitutes the greater part of Tanzania and comprises semi-desert, savannah and scattered bush. It contains Lake Victoria and Lake Tanganyika and is home to the great Mount Kilimanjaro. Key attractions: Serengeti National Park. Its name comes from the Maasai word ‘siringet’ meaning ‘endless plains’. The size of Northern Ireland, its huge plains are home to the greatest concentration of zebra and wildebeest in Africa and support an estimated 3 million large mammals and 4 million smaller animals and birds. The Ngorongoro Crater is one of the great natural wonders of the world. It is up to 2,300 feet deep and 12 miles in diameter boasting the world’s largest caldera (the large crater formed by the collapse of its volcanic cone). Massive herds of game wander its vast floor including black rhino and masses of lion and hyena. There are lodges perched high up on the rim offering wonderful views. At 19,340 feet, Mount Kilimanjaro is the highest mountain in Africa and the highest free standing mountain in the world. Its name comes from the local phrase ‘Kilema Kyaro’, which translates as ‘that which can not be conquered’. There are several routes to the summit with the easiest and most used, the Marangu route, taking about 5 days (we encourage people to use other routes). Its steep slopes are inhabited by an interesting range of flora and fauna. Selous Game Reserve is the largest in the world and is second only to the Serengeti in terms of game concentrations. It is home to a large share of Tanzania’s elephant population, with an estimated 55,000 elephants. It comprises acacia woods, grassland and swamp and its sand rivers support a fascinating variety of game and bird species. Population: 36.7 million people. There are more than 100 tribal groups, mainly of Bantu origin. In Zanzibar and Pemba there is a strong Arab influence. When to go: The long rains are in April and May so not a great time to travel but all other times are good. 43

Lake Eyasi & the Hadza Lake Eyasi lies at the base of the Eyasi Escarpment on the remote southern border of the Ngorongoro Conservation Area and, as the home of the Hadza, is a fascinating place. The Hadza are Tanzania’s only remaining tribe of true hunter-gatherers. Despite government attempts to settle them, the Hadza have remained a nomadic people. They live in temporary, light grass shelters and typically move on every fortnight or so in reaction to weather conditions and game movements. Many of the Hadza still wear animal skins. The men use poisoned arrows to hunt for meat while the women fill the role of gatherers collecting seeds, roots and fruit. The Great Migration The Great Migration is one of the most spectacular events of the animal kingdom. Literally millions of animals make the annual migration to Kenya in search of water and grazing. Wildebeest, gazelle and zebra travel in hoards to reach richer pastures and their instinct to do this is so strong that they will risk their lives during their perilous journey crossing the raging torrents of crocodile-infested waters. Cheetah, hunting dog, lion and hyena await patiently, ready to pick off the weak and the weary. We can recommend certain routes at various times of year so that your Safari Drive journey can come into close proximity of this extraordinary movement of game. S A F A R I D R I V E 0 1 4 8 8 7 1 1 4 0