S E E U S O N T H E W E B AT wildlifeworldwide.com 45 Africa / Tanzania Tarangire National Park Tarangire National Park, dominated by the Tarangire River is a grossly under-rated park and one of the best-kept secrets in Africa. Perhaps this is because it does not fit so conveniently into a week’s safari, or because it lies just off the ‘northern circuit’. Whatever the reason, it means that Tarangire is a superb wildlife destination for the enthusiast, particularly welcoming when added on after the busy ‘northern circuit’ of Manyara, Ngorongoro and Serengeti. The river attracts enormous herds of Elephants and the landscape is a rich and varied mix of Baobab trees, acacia bush, plains, swamps and rocky outcrops. The wildlife here is superb and the area actually experiences its own migration – although smaller in scale than the one further north. Elephants are virtually guaranteed here, and Lion, Cheetah, Leopard, Spotted Hyena, jackal and occasionally Wild Dog hunt the herds of Cape Buffalo as well as Grant’s, and Thompson’s Gazelle, Burchell’s Zebra, giraffe and Warthog. The area is excellent for birds of prey and provides superb habitats for hundreds of other species. The park is within half a day’s drive of Arusha and Lake Manyara so it is an easy add-on to any northern circuit safari. Tarangire Treetops is located just outside the park boundary and is a great place for resident Elephants. The 10 tree-house style rooms are large and airy and some of them are built on stilts allowing game to pass freely underneath. The central area built around a giant Baobab overlooks a waterhole. Tarangire River Camp is located near the main entrance to Tarangire in a fantastic position overlooking a tributary of the Tarangire River where you can sit and take in your surroundings with views across to the park. It has 10 roomy tents. Tarangire Safari Lodge is a permanent lodge combining both tents and bungalows. You can’t beat sitting on the large deck outside the lounge and dining room of this lodge with a pair of binoculars watching the excitement in the river below. Selous Game Reserve Selous Game Reserve is named after Frederick Courtney Selous, the famous 19th century hunter and explorer whose books were bestsellers in Victorian England. The Selous is the largest wildlife sanctuary on the African continent covering a staggering 54,600 square kilometres. It consists of vast tracts of archetypal East African wilderness containing perhaps the greatest concentration of big game left on earth. Only in its northern extremity in the area of forest set around the mighty Rufiji River, has the Selous suffered the incursion of man, and it is still home to a bewildering array of birds and mammals. This is the Africa experienced by many of its early explorers – raw and untouched. Gamedrives may take you to the lakes where, in the dry season, the herbivores gather to drink and the carnivores lie in wait. Walks accompanied by an armed guide offer the opportunity to see Cape Buffalo, Elephant and perhaps a Lion, and a boat safari provides you with the thrill of getting close to Hippos and Nile Crocodiles. Although poaching has in the past affected the Elephant population careful management and conservation schemes have brought their numbers back to a healthy level. There are also large numbers of Wild Dog, Lion, Leopard and many other species. Selous Safari Camp has a prime position on the shores of Lake Tagalala close to the Rufiji River. The camp is unfenced and designed to blend in with the spectacular natural scenery. Each of the 12 safari tents are sighted on a timber platform offering great views of the lake. They are colourful with an airy feel. Both the bar and dining room are also raised on wooden platforms above the ground. The camp also has a good-sized swimming pool – very welcome as it can get hot in the Selous. Selous Impala Camp has just seven tents constructed on a high wooden decking with magnificent views of the river and the forest beyond. The tents are spread over a large area ensuring privacy and a real bush feel. Rufiji River Camp has a fantastic location high on a bank above the Rufiji River, in a stretch of woodland populated by monkeys and numerous birds. The views from the front of the camp are wonderful and it is a great place to watch out for some of the many Hippos and crocs that relax in the water during the heat of the day. The camp, which has 20 tents, has a rustic African feel to it, with thatch roofs, stone floors and the occasional carved piece of furniture. Rufiji is not a luxurious camp, however it has a pleasant unpretentious feel. Lying on the banks of the Rufiji River, Sand Rivers is an idyllic place from which to explore the Selous. Sand Rivers’ main public area designed using local wood and stone set in the shade of a large baobab tree. There are just eight rooms set in pairs along the riverbank. Each room is open fronted, with extensive views directly onto the River. Tarangire Treetops Selous Safari Camp, Selous National Park At Wildlife Worldwide we specialise in tailor-making our holidays. It is what we started doing in 1992, it has been our philosophy right from the start. A tailor-made journey gives you the freedom and flexibility to travel how, when and where you want to. And of course, you are unconstrained by the wishes of a group. Throughout the brochure we show a series of itineraries to whet your appetite. These are all suggestions and ideas, none are cast in stone. We can change the properties, extend or shorten your trip, combine destinations and countries, fly you in Business Class, organise car rental and of course offer advice and suggestions from a wealth of experience that we have gained over many years. Call us on 0845 130 6982 and we will be happy to discuss the options with you! Tailor-made holidays – a unique journey designed just for you!

46 F O R R E S E R V A T I O N S C A L L U S O N 0845 130 6982 Ruaha National Park Ruaha National Park is Tanzania’s second largest and one of its wildest. Only the area around the Ruaha River has been developed for tourism, and because of its remote location even this sees relatively few visitors, thus preserving a massive chunk of raw African wilderness in a totally unspoilt state. Activities centre on the river, which during the dry season is very low, with the remaining rock pools swarming with huge crocodiles and grunting Hippos fighting for space. The park protects a wide variety of habitats because it is an important transition zone where eastern and southern species of flora and fauna overlap and in all some 1,650 plant species and over 450 bird species have been recorded within the park itself. The birdlife is amazing here and includes ibises, herons, stilts, kingfishers and owls are regularly sighted. The varying habitats of the park are home to numerous eagle species including Martial, Black, Long-crested, and of course Bateleur. Shrikes, weavers, waxbills, fire-finches, and both Palebilled, and Von der Decken’s Hornbill are found in the dry bushland. Ruaha is known for its large Elephant and Cape Buffalo herds, Greater, and Lesser Kudu, Sable, and Roan Antelope. There are high numbers of predators including Lion, Leopard, Cheetah and the increasingly rare Wild Dog. Ruaha has an excellent all-weather road network which makes it particularly stunning in the green season with huge numbers of migrating birds. The south-western area of the country where Ruaha is located has the lowest rainfall in Tanzania. June to November is driest with the focus of wildlife viewing around the river courses and permanent waterholes. Ruaha River Lodge was the first permanent camp to be built in Ruaha. It occupies a unique position on the banks of the Ruaha River cleverly built around a rocky outcrop and melts into the environment more or less unnoticed. Every effort is made to ensure that the lodge has little impact on the surroundings environment. Each thatched cottage is constructed from local stone. Mwagusi a small tented camp on the banks of the dry Mwagusi river. There are just nine tents, each within a thatched banda, in keeping with a traditional Tanzanian style and blending with the surrounding bush. Food is freshly prepared and delicious. Mdonya Old River Camp is one of the parks newest camps and is located in the west. It has just 11 tents. The camp has cleverly constructed hides at both ends of the camp, where you can sit and watch the game pass by. The dining and lounge tents are located under shady trees overlooking the dry riverbed. Jongomero Camp is the only camp in the remote southwestern corner of the park, with just eight spacious safari tents. The ceilings are vaulted and traditionally constructed to ensure a cool breeze. There is also a small swimming pool that looks a little like a rock pool ideal for cooling off in the heat of the day. Gombe Stream National Park Gombe Stream National Park lies just north of Kigoma Town in Western Tanzania. The park occupies just 52 square kilometres of land making it the smallest park in Tanzania. Despite its tiny size the park is magnificent and was made world-famous by the British researcher of primates, Jane Goodall. In this park without roads all game-viewing is enjoyed on foot. The biggest attraction is the highly habituated Chimpanzees, which number around 100, but there are also large numbers of Olive Baboons and other monkeys including both as Red Colobus, and Blue Monkeys. The birdlife is extraordinary with more than 200 species of birds recorded. Gombe receives visitors throughout the year but the best times to visit are during the dry season, which is between May to October and during the short rains of January and February. Suggested itineraries The Best of the South Day 1. Depart London for Dar-es-Salaam Day 2. Selous Game Reserve, 3-nights [B, L, D] Day 5. Ruaha, 3-nights [B, L, D] Day 8. Depart for the UK via Dar-es-Salaam [B] Day 9. Arrive home Highlights of Tanzania & Zanzibar Day 1. Depart the UK for Arusha via Nairobi Day 2. Lake Manyara, 1-night [B, L, D] Day 3. Serengeti, 2-nights [B, L, D] Day 5. Ngorongoro Crater, 1-night [B, L, D] Day 6. Tarangire, 2-nights [B, L, D] Day 8. Fly to Stone Town, Zanzibar, 1-night [B] Day 9. Zanzibar Beach, 3-nights [B, D] Day 12. Depart for the UK via Dar-es-Salaam [B] Day 13. Arrive home Ruaha & Katavi Special Day 1. Depart UK for Dar-es-Salaam via Nairobi Day 2. Dar-es-Salaam, 1-night [B] Day 3. Ruaha, 3-nights [B,L,D] Day 6. Katavi, 4-nights [B,L,D] Day 10. Dar-es-Salaam, 1-night [B,L] Day 11. Depart for UK via Nairobi [B] Day 12. Arrive home Cost per person: From £2,850 Single supplement: Available on request What is included: Flights, transfers, meals as indicated & guided activities Accommodation: Safari lodges Departure dates: Saturdays, May to October Cost per person: Jan to Mar, 28 May to 10 Jul, 22 Aug to Oct £2,250 Apr to 27 May £1,895 11 Jul to 21 Aug £2,595 Nov to 8 Dec £2,095 9 to 24 Dec £2,495 Single supplement: Available on request What is included: Flights, transfers, meals as indicated & guided activities Accommodation: Hotels & lodges Departure dates: Tuesdays, Thursdays & Saturdays, throughout the year (Supplements apply for departures during Christmas & Easter) Cost per person: Jan to 21 Mar, Nov to 8 Dec £2,195 Jun to 10 July, 22 Aug to Oct, 25 to 31 Dec £2,295 11 Jul to 21 Aug £2,695 9 to 24 Dec £2,595 21 Mar to 31 May Selous Game Reserve closed Single supplement: Available on request What is included: Flights, transfers, meals as indicated & guided activities Accommodation: Lodge & camps Departure dates: Daily, throughout the year [We have based our prices on Rufiji River Camp in the Selous and Ruaha River Lodge in Ruaha. Supplements apply for stays at the other properties - do please ask us for details.] Ruaha River