S E E U S O N T H E W E B AT wildlifeworldwide.com Katavi National Park Katavi is one of the upcoming tourist attractions in Tanzania and has become part of the new western circuit. It is unspoiled, raw and with unique attractions. Like the other western parks, Katavi's remoteness results in low visitor numbers and is ideal for those who prefer game-viewing in peace and solitude. This undiscovered wilderness is awash with plains game including Elephant, Leopard, giraffe, Lion and zebra. This is a place for the wildlife connoisseur to see Sable, Roan Antelope and Puku. Birdwatching is also excellent, with over 400 species recorded. The tents at Katavi Wilderness Camp are set on large wooden decks craftily hidden amongst the trees, providing both shade and camouflage. It is not a luxurious camp and has simple, comfortable décor. Chada Camp is a simple tented camp in a stunning location. There are just six large safari tents here with big gauze windows and great views. Mahale National Park Mahale National Park is located on the shores of enormous Lake Tanganyika 120 kilometres south of Kigoma and takes its name from the chain of mountains that bisects the park north to south. With more than 700 Chimpanzees, Mahale is considered one of the best parks in Africa for viewing them. The area is inhabited by a wide range of mammals including Elephants, giraffes, Cape Buffalos and Lions. It is also one of Africa’s best beach locations and offers superb swimming, sailing, snorkelling and fishing on the vast blue freshwater lake. Charter flights to and from Mahale operate several times a week. Greystoke Camp has only six rooms. The camp has recently been refurbished and rebuilt using recycled timbers from abandoned dhows. A tremendous amount of ingenuity has gone into the construction and it is a great place to stay. The rooms have open decks reached by ladders. The food is all fresh (often fish from the lake) and meals are regularly served on the beach. Mikumi National Park Mikumi National Park is a protected area of outstanding natural beauty and high biodiversity. It is the closest park to Dar-es-Salaam, nestled between the Uluguru and the Rubeho mountains. As part of the Selous ecosystem, it benefits from a high game density and supports a wide range of large mammals including Elephant, Lion, Leopard, Spotted Hyena, jackal, giraffe, Sable Antelope, Burchell’s Zebra, Eland, Litchtenstein's Hartebeest and Cape Buffalo. Like Ruaha or Selous it is still possible to spend a day in the park without seeing another tourist vehicle. At the southern end of the flood plain, in the Kikoboga area, live families of Yellow Baboon. Hippos wallow in the waters of the hippo pools and are frequently joined by flocks of Open-billed Storks. Over 300 species of birds have been observed in the park. Foxes Safari Camp has a definite feel of Africa about it. The tents are the traditional canvas tents set on wooden plinths with a makuti roof, and all mod cons. The dining area, located on a hill above the rooms, is an ideal spot to view the animals passing by on their way for a drink. Vuma Hills Lodge has a colonial ‘Out of Africa’ feel to it. The tents are huge with a decking verandah on which to sit and watch the sun set over the Mkata plains. Udzungwa Mountain National Park Udzungwa is a remnant of the eastern arc rainforest that stretched along the eastern rift 165 million years ago. At this time Madagascar separated from mainland Africa so the forests there have similarities to the Udzungwa rainforest. Six million years ago it was also isolated from the West African rainforests so there is a high degree of endemism – 25% of the plants here are unique to Udzungwa. Much of the wildlife is also unique, and of the 10 primates found here four are endemic to Udzungwa including Hehe Red Colobus and the Sanje Crested Mangabey. There are also a couple of endemic bushbabies, several endemic birds including the Rufouswinged Sunbird and Udzungwa Partridge, and the forest is so diverse that the scientists are still finding new species. 47 Africa / Tanzania Suggested itineraries The Best of Tanzania Day 1. Depart the UK for Arusha via Nairobi Day 2. Lake Manyara, 1-night [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. Selous, 3-nights [B, L, D] Day 11. Ruaha, 3-nights [B, L, D] Day 14. Depart for the UK via Dar-es-Salaam [B] Day 15. Arrive home Ultimate Tanzania Day 1. Depart the UK for Arusha via Nairobi Day 2. Fly to Lake Manyara, 3-nights [B,L,D] Day 5. Fly to Serengeti, 3-nights [B,L,D] Day 7. Fly to Ngorongoro Crater, 2-nights [B,L,D] Day 9. Fly to Arusha and depart for the UK via Nairobi [B,L] Day 10. Arrive home Timeless Tanzania Day 1. Depart the UK for Arusha via Nairobi Day 2. Mount Meru, 2-nights [L,D] Day 3. Visit Arusha National Park [B,L,D] Day 4. Tarangire, 2-nights [B,L,D] Day 6. Lake Manyara, 2-nights [B,L,D] Day 8. Ngorongoro Highlands, 1-night [B,L,D] Day 9. Ngorongoro Crater, 1-night [B,L,D] Day 10. Serengeti, 3-nights [B,L,D] Day 13. Fly to Arusha and depart for the UK via Nairobi [B,L] Day 14. Arrive home Cost per person: Jan & Feb, 1 to 10 Jul, 22 to 31 Aug, Oct £3,495 Mar, Jun, Sep, Nov to 8 Dec, 25 to 31 Dec £3,195 Apr & May £2,995 11 Jul to 21 Aug £3,925 9 to 24 Dec £3,595 Single supplement: Available on request What is included: Flights, transfers, meals as indicated & guided activities Accommodation: Safari lodges Departure dates: Daily, throughout the year Cost per person: From £4,595 Single supplement: Available on request What is included: Flights, transfers, meals as indicated & guided activities Accommodation: Safari lodges Departure dates: Daily, throughout the year Cost per person: Jan Feb, Nov to 8 Dec £3,595 Mar £3,495 Jun to 10 July, 22 Aug to Oct £3,725 11 July to 21 Aug £4,125 9 to 24 Dec £3,950 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: Safari lodges & camp Departure dates: Tuesdays, Thursdays & Saturdays, throughout the year Chimpanzee Ruaha River Lodge, Ruaha

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 Uganda & Rwanda 48 Uganda and Rwanda are different from any other African safari destination – they harbour a great variety of mammals and birds which are simply not found elsewhere in east or southern Africa. The major forests here are easily accessible and this makes them unbeatable countries for seeing forest animals. From the forest’s most famous inhabitants the Mountain Gorillas, to Chimpanzees and Golden Monkeys and for the birders such exciting species as Black Bee-eater and Shoebills. Uganda of course also has more conventional gameviewing in Queen Elizabeth National Park and Murchison Falls which are home to many of the mammals that you would expect to see in East Africa’s more famous wildlife destinations such as Kenya and Tanzania. Gorillas in the mist! Seeing gorillas is probably one of the greatest experiences in the wildlife world. Being so close to something so human, and yet so gentle and powerful is a truly humbling experience. There are three key areas where you can see the gorillas – Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park both in Uganda and Parc National des Volcans in Rwanda. Gorilla-tracking permits aren’t cheap and their prices change quite frequently, but in spite of the cost it is in the top five wildlife-viewing activities on earth. Tracking the gorillas through the forest requires patience and stamina (especially in Bwindi where much of the tracking is done over extremely arduous terrain). Sometimes the trackers find the gorillas within a couple of hours, but it may take up to 10 hours of tracking offtrail in thick jungle in order to find them. Steep slopes, intense humidity and regular rainfall add to the challenge, but the exhilaration of a close encounter with these magnificent creatures makes it all worthwhile. Access is always limited to an hour for the gorillas’ wellbeing. But of course also bear in mind that there is no doubt that it is exceptionally rewarding, and for some seeing a gorilla face-to-face is a life-changing experience! Mountain Gorilla Bwindi Lodge, Bwindi Impenetrable Forest