Parks of Tanzania: national parks, reserves, protected areas of Tanzania, natural parks.
Any UNESCO
Tanzania's national parks - Serengeti, Kilimanjaro, Ruaha, Tarangire and others - are world-recognized centers of eco-tourism. Numerous reserves, the most famous of which are Selous, Ngorongoro and Rungwa, preserve unique species of flora and fauna of equatorial Africa. Selous Reserve, Ruaa and Mikumi Parks make Tanzania a hub for numerous safaris and air tours, as well as the filming location for hundreds of films. In total, Tanzania has 12 national parks, the Ngorongoro Nature Reserve, 13 game reserves, 38 protected areas and about 120 national cultural sites.
Arusha National Park, one of the smallest in Tanzania, is located only 32 km from the city. Its main must-sees are Lake Momela, Mount Meru and the Ngurdoto Crater. About 400 species of birds nest in the park, both local and migratory, and among the animals you can meet here, you can meet baboons, elephants, buffalos, giraffes, hippos, leopards, hyenas, zebras and many species of antelope.
35 species of large mammals can be seen in the Serengeti, including the so-called “big five” - elephant, rhinoceros, lion, leopard and buffalo. The Ngorongoro Nature Reserve is included in the UNESCO list of Natural Heritage of the World. It is bounded in the southwest by Lake Eyasi and in the north by the Gol Mountains. The park is home to gazelles, buffalos, elands, warthogs, lions, hyenas, cheetahs and leopards. In the reserve you can observe more than 100 species of birds that do not live in the Serengeti.
Tarangire National Park is located on the eastern shore of Lake Maniara and covers an area of 2600 square kilometers. km. Tarangire is famous for its abundance of wild animals. Lake Manyara National Park is located between the alkaline lake of the same name and the rocks of the Great African Rift. The most entertaining sight in the park is lions climbing trees.
Mount Kilimanjaro is the highest single mountain in the world, which is also a dormant but not extinct volcano. Climbing Kilimanjaro can be done throughout the year, but is best done from August to October and January to March. The main attractions of this peak are the volcanic centers of Shira in the west, Mawenzi in the east and snow-white Kibo in the center.
In total, Tanzania has 12 national parks, the Ngorongoro Nature Reserve, 13 game reserves, 38 protected areas and about 120 national cultural sites.
South Tanzania
Southern Tanzania is home to some of the most pristine nature reserves and reserves in Africa. The most famous among them are the Selous Reserve and the Ruaha National Park.
The Selous is the largest protected wilderness area in Africa with the largest elephant population in Tanzania. Lions, impalas, giraffes, antelopes, baboons, zebras, buffaloes, hippos and wild dogs are also common here. The nature in the reserve is very diverse: from savannas to forests, from meadows to rocks, cut through by the Rufizhi River and its tributaries Kilambero and Luwegu. The Kilombero River is home to predatory tiger fish and amazing vandu catfish with primitive lungs that allow them to move from one body of water to another directly over land. The park offers walking and driving safaris, as well as boat trips. The best time for them is the dry season from June to October, when thirst drives wild animals from secluded places to the rivers.
Ruaha is a relatively inaccessible wild park, more than compensating for the travel difficulties of travelers who reach it with the amazing diversity of its plant and animal life. The large Ruaha River protects and nourishes evergreen forests and swamps, and it is thanks to it that a huge population of elephants lives in the park.
Mahale Mountains National Park
In Western Tanzania, on the shores of Lake Tanganyika, there are two reserves: Mahale Mountains National Park and Gombe Park, known for large populations of chimpanzees and almost the same number of scientists studying their behavior in the natural environment.
The small Mahale Mountains National Park is located 120 kilometers south of the city of Kigoma, on a peninsula in the eastern part of Lake Tanganyika. In the center of the reserve there is a mountain range, the height of which reaches 2462 m above sea level. Among the representatives of the fauna here, it is worth highlighting the huge, about a thousand individuals, population of chimpanzees. In the north, tourists have every chance of meeting elephants, buffalos and other animals, and in the southern part of the park there are many species of antelope, lions and giraffes. In the park you can take a walking safari through the mountains and along the shores of Lake Tanganyika.
Northern Circle
The Northern Circle is the most developed, but at the same time the wildest. Its route covers many parks and reserves in Northern Tanzania, the most famous of which are the Ngorongoro Game Reserve, Mount Kilimanjaro, Serengeti, Tarangire, Arusha and Lake Maniara parks. The Serengeti ecosystem consists of the Maasai Mara Park in Kenya and the western part of the Ngorongoro Park, the Serengeti National Park proper and the Maswa Park in Tanzania. The animal migration goes in a circle, starting in the Masai Mara and then clockwise to the southeast.
A specific route through objects should be chosen based on the movement of the rain area: animals move after the moisture. Wild boars, zebras, gazelles and some species of antelope migrate over long distances. They are followed by predators - lions and hyenas. Giraffes and elephants travel significantly shorter distances.
- Are there any safaris in Tanzania where you can go off the roads to take unusual photos?
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Kilimanjaro
“The crown of Tanzania” is Mount Kilimanjaro (from Swahili - “the mountain that sparkles”). It is impossible not to recognize it - rising directly above the flat plains, covered with a snow cap at the top, it has become a real symbol of the country.
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Ruaha
Ruaha National Park
Today it is one of the most popular and visited nature reserves in the country. In addition, Ruaha is the second largest national park in Tanzania. It got its name from the Great Ruaha River, which flows through mountain gorges along its eastern border and flows into the Rufiji River.
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Tanganyika
Lake Tanganyika lies within the East African Rift, one of the greatest geological phenomena on Earth. This lake is the second deepest lake in the world after Baikal (1470 m). And just like Baikal, it is distinguished by exceptionally clear water, allowing you to see the bottom at a depth of up to 33 meters.
Description of the presentation Project On the topic “Creating a national park from slides
Project On the topic “Creation of a national park in Tanzania” Completed by: Student of the 7th “b” class Prasolov Alexander MAOU Secondary School “School No. 8”.
1) Goal: creating a park to protect animals, plants, their habitats, creating a place for recreation and education for people.
2)Location: The park is located in the city of Kilwa Masoko on the Indian Ocean coast. This location allows us to organize the most interesting sea excursions for tourists from all over the world. The guides speak 8 world languages: Arabic, English, French, Russian, German, Chinese, Italian, Sukhaili. For those visitors who do not speak any of these languages, universal audio guides are provided.
Features of the geographical location Tanzania is a state in East Africa. It consists of the mainland (Tanganyika), washed on the east by the Indian Ocean, and the large coastal islands of Zanzibar, Pemba and Mafia. Tanzania is part of the British Commonwealth. Most of the country is located on the East African Plateau. The territory of Tanzania covers part of the largest lakes in Africa - Lake Victoria in the north, Lake Tanganyika (which is often called the twin of Lake Baikal) in the west, and Lake Nyasa in the south of Tanzania. The highest mountains in Africa are Kilimanjaro (5895 m). The total length of land borders is 3,402 km, of which with Burundi - 451 km, with Kenya - 769 km, Malawi - 475 km, with Mozambique - 756 km, with Rwanda - 217 km, with Uganda - 396 km and with Zambia - 338 km. Equatorial monsoon. The mountainous regions and the southeastern part of the country have all the signs of a tropical climate, which is determined by the terrain. The temperature regime in Tanzania is quite uniform - the average winter temperature is around +22 C (in mountainous areas - +12 -20 C), the average monthly summer temperature ranges from +25 C in the south of the country to +27 C in the north to +24 in mountainous areas. The best time to visit the country is from June to September, but you should carefully choose your arrival time depending on the areas you plan to visit. When choosing a travel time, you should be guided by information about animal migration, as well as the hunting season, which is usually closed from April 1 to June 30. .
The giraffe is the tallest mammal in the world. Individual males grow up to 5.7 meters in height, of which 2.4 meters are at the neck. Moreover, their weight reaches almost 2 tons. Females are somewhat smaller - up to 4 meters in height and weighing around 1200 kg. The zebra is a large animal of the equine family, common on the slopes and plateaus of South Africa and Namibia at an altitude of up to 2000 meters above sea level. There are two subspecies, the range of which is highly fragmented.
The lion is a predatory animal, one of the four representatives of the panther genus, which belongs to the subfamily of big cats. The lion is the second largest living big cat, second only to the tiger. The weight of male lions sometimes reaches 250 kg. The impala antelope is an inhabitant of the southeastern part of the African continent. Because of its graceful figure, for a long time it was classified as a gazelle, but studies have shown that it is much more closely related to the hartebeest.
The leopard is one of the largest predatory mammals of the cat family, belonging to the genus Panther. The leopard is a large animal with a muscular body, a rounded head, thick short hair and a long tail. All types of leopards have a characteristic coloration consisting of a dirty yellow background and black solid or ring-shaped spots distributed throughout the body.
The cheetah is the fastest land mammal. In a minimum period of time, it develops a speed of 112 -120 kilometers per hour (almost 75 miles per hour). The cheetah has the ability to reach speeds of 100 kilometers per hour in 3 seconds. This feline is one of the few that have semi-retractable claws. Vervet monkeys are a separate species of monkeys of the vervet genus, family Apes. Vervet monkeys live in East Africa south of the Sahara Desert. In addition, they are found in the southern part of the African continent.
8) Defense of the project 1) The significance of the project for society: viewing various animals and plants that people did not know about or have not seen in person, and would like to see. 2) 2) The main problem I solved was: what animals and plants will be protected in the park. 3) 3) I was looking for those animals that live only in Tanzania 4) 4) What result did I get: various animals and plants now live in my park, are studied and protected. 5) 5) Having completed this project, I can do subsequent, various projects related to animals and plants.Before I begin the story of my trip to the national parks of Tanzania, I want to say that based on the impressions I experienced, I came to the conclusion that every person should visit the national parks of Tanzania at least twice - once as a child with his parents, and the second time as a a parent with his children.
So, I'll start in order:
In Tanzania, I stayed in Moshi (Kilimanjaro Airport). This city is located right at the foot of the highest mountain in Africa, Kilimanjaro (5895 m). Therefore, if your plans, in addition to visiting parks, are to conquer the top of this mountain, then Moshi is the city where it is optimal to start your journey.
Tarangire National Park.
The first point of my trip was Tarangire National Park, which is located in the north of the country, about 120 km from the city of Arusha. This park makes an indelible impression not only with its rich flora, but also with the variety of animals and birds. The first thing that tourists encounter on their way are huge baobab trees towering above the tall grass.
Here you can see wildebeest, zebra, Thomson's gazelle, buffalo, eland and cow antelope. This park has one of the largest populations of elephants in Tanzania - about 6000. By the way, the elephants make a very vivid impression, because you can observe them from a very short distance (from about 3 - 5 meters). Tarangire is home to about 300 species of birds. This is one of the few places in Africa where the tsetse fly is found. They have survived after many years of human struggle against them. By the way, the tsetse fly is a similarity to our gadflies and also bites unpleasantly, but I will say that meeting it or being bitten by it is the exception rather than the rule...
After visiting Tarangire Park, my driver-guide took me to the lodges for the night. Lodges are a uniquely African invention for travelers. Lodges are usually located in the territories of national parks and reserves in Africa, where safaris and trekking are traditionally held. Lodges are special places for tourists to stay, equipped in the wilderness. Sometimes they are called ethno-hotels.
Conditions in the lodge are usually comfortable, and meals are provided on site. From an architectural point of view, this is a permanent building where all services, bars, restaurants, and a veranda for observing animals are concentrated. Guest rooms are usually located in separate bungalows. Lodges have been created specifically so that travelers can enjoy magnificent scenery and wildlife. Upon arrival, I was greeted by a whole delegation consisting of managers and service staff of this lodge. At the entrance I was offered a wet towel and a soft drink... Honestly, it’s nice when they wait for you and kindly greet you like a good old friend... I later jokingly said that everything was fine, but there were not enough singing gypsies...)) So as not to dwell on On the theme of the lodge, I want to say that these are very comfortable hotel rooms and, depending on the cost of accommodation, you can have not only a toilet and shower, but also a jacuzzi... I also stayed in such rooms. The cost of such a room is about $500 per day (the average room costs about $200). But I admit, when you go on a safari, this additional comfort makes the trip more enjoyable...
The buffet is fully adapted to European cuisine. In the evening, an armed ranger accompanied me from my room to the restaurant and back. This safety element is not optional, but mandatory for every visitor and is aimed at protecting visitors from wild animals... Moreover, in Africa the Sun rises at about 6.00 in the morning, and at 18.30 it’s already so dark that you can’t even poke your eyes out, and considering. Since all the lighting in the lodge and heating of water are carried out through solar panels, the light bulbs along the paths are very dim and illuminate only a small section of the path under your feet... Therefore, an accompanying person with a flashlight is definitely not superfluous here...)) And in conclusion of everyday moments, I want to warn you that A safari through the parks is not only an unforgettable experience, but also a good layer of dust after each day of safari. Therefore, depending on the number of days of the safari, an additional 2 to 5 sets of outerwear (T-shirts, shirts) will definitely not hurt. If you are lucky with a travel company like me, then I had a refrigerator in the car, which always contained chilled drinking water and a lunch box that was not tired of the Sun. And one more thing, some tourists, in order to save their money, stay overnight in tents specially designated for this purpose. If in Russia this is even exciting, then in Africa it can be the reason for ruining your holiday... I’ll explain why... Firstly, you will have to carry all these tents on the roof of your jeep, which, by the way, opens and provides an opportunity for a better view of the area. But if there are things there, the view will only be through the car windows. Secondly, you will have to take with you a specially trained Tanzanian cook who will prepare breakfast, lunch and dinner for you, and this is at least time that you take away from yourself, as well as additional space in your luggage for food for the entire duration of the safari ...
Lake Manyara National Park.
The park is located 125 km west of the city of Arusha. The height of the park above sea level ranges from 960 to 1478 meters. The park is a narrow strip between the alkaline Lake Manyara in the east and the Gregory Rift in the west.
The main attraction of the park is Lake Manyara, the coastal zone of which is literally replete with pink flamingos and other birds. This satiety is formed not only by the birds themselves, but also by their reflections from the surface of the water. The spectacle seen cannot be expressed in words, and the proverb about “it’s better to see once than to hear a hundred times” applies precisely to this case...
Almost all parks are dotted with termite mounds ranging in height from one to three meters.
The fauna is also rich and diverse. The park is inhabited by numerous herds of elephants, giraffes, hippos, buffalos and many other animals. Another attraction of the park is the hot springs... Without exaggeration, I will say, because... I checked it myself - hot water flows straight from the underground bins...
I haven’t experimented myself, but I think that boiling a chicken egg by putting it in this source will not take much time... By the way, looking ahead, after visiting the parks I was lucky enough to visit one of the lakes, which is heated by underground hot springs. Not only is the water very clear with a turquoise tint, but it also has a comfortable temperature of +27 - +29 degrees. This suggests that although the volcanoes in Tanzania are silent, their breathing is everywhere here.
One more point that I would like to dwell on... For some reason, it is generally accepted that it is better not to visit parks during the rainy season... I will say differently, the best time to visit parks is during the rainy season... Firstly, such rains as we are used to seeing in Russia, which can rain like crazy for weeks, are not here. Over the course of two weeks, I saw rain twice, the duration of which was approximately 10 - 15 minutes. The rest of the time the sun was shining. But meanwhile, in the parks, instead of the faded yellow grass, fresh greenery of various shades appears, and numerous bushes and trees begin to bloom.
Secondly, during the rainy season there are not many tourists, therefore, the animals come closer to the roads on which safari vehicles can travel, and there are also no problems with cheaper rooms in the lodges...
Ngorongoro Biosphere Reserve.
Ngorongoro is a huge crater in Tanzania on the edge of the Serengeti savanna, which arose as a caldera as a result of the collapse of a large volcano about 2.5 million years ago. Located northeast of Lake Eyasi and northwest of Lake Manyara.
The depth of the crater is 610 m. Its edges rise 2286 m above sea level. The diameter of the Ngorongoro crater ranges from 17 to 21 km, its total area is approximately 265 km². At the bottom of the crater is Lake Magadi, famous for its flamingo population. The Ngorongoro Crater is unique in that over the years it has formed its own habitat for many species of animals that do not have the opportunity to get out.
The crater is home to about 25 thousand animals and has the highest density of predators in all of Africa. Particularly common in Ngorongoro are zebra, buffalo and various antelope species such as wildebeest, eland and gazelle. They are hunted by lions and leopards living in the crater. In addition to them, Ngorongoro is also home to black rhinoceroses, elephants and, which is unusual for these latitudes, hippopotamuses.
Large migratory flows of animals from the Serengeti often pass through the Ngorongoro Crater.
The mountain range surrounding this park reminded me very much of the motifs in Vladimir Obruchev’s book “Sannikov’s Land”. This is one of the few places on the planet where you can see a live rhinoceros. I’ll say right away that this is very rare, but there are always chances, because... Rhinoceroses try to stay away from people and often just sleep. Ngorongoro is perhaps one of the few parks where animals are not afraid of humans at all and come so close that in some cases the photographer can do without a telephoto camera.
This is the place where you can see with your own eyes the direct process of lions hunting buffalos, zebras or antelopes.
The relief of the crater is one large steppe, along which the whirlwinds of tornadoes glide. The wetland is constantly floating and this floating is visible even to the naked eye. A very strong impression is left by the huge rounded stone boulders that are scattered not only throughout the crater itself, but also throughout the Serengeti Park. Looking at them, you understand how powerful the volcano was, throwing out these multi-ton boulders from its depths over vast distances.
Serengeti National Park.
The Serengeti ecosystem is one of the oldest and best preserved on Earth. More than 80 percent of the Serengeti is occupied by protected areas - Serengeti National Park, Ngorongoro Nature Reserve in Tanzania, Masai Mara Nature Reserve in Kenya, etc. The Serengeti lies at an altitude of 920 to 1850 m above sea level and its landscape varies from grassy plains in the south to savannas in the center and extensive wooded areas to the west.
The Serengeti is home to more than 4.5 million wild ungulates (antelope, zebra, buffalo, rhinoceroses, giraffes, hippos), as well as elephants, lions, cheetahs, leopards, hyenas, etc.
The great migration of animals made the strongest impression on me. In particular, I observed the wildebeest migration. You can imagine how, from horizon to horizon, a column of thousands of herds of these animals makes the transition from the Serengeti Park (Tanzania) to Kenya.
They look for new pastures and places for watering during the dry season, and for this they travel long distances, risking their lives. For myself, I called the Serengeti Park an animal kindergarten... Apparently, this place is very favorable for feeding the young of various animals. Whole colonies of hippopotamuses, lions and wild boars (pumbaa) live here.
This is a place where giraffes and elephants are in great abundance, not to mention monkeys, antelopes and zebras, of which there are simply huge numbers in every park. Of all the parks, this is perhaps the only one in which the color yellow is replaced by green. At the same time, different shades of green give the landscapes unusually beautiful views.
Oldoinyo-Lengai stratovolcano.
Ol Doinyo Lengai is a stratovolcano in northern Tanzania. One of the youngest and perhaps the most active volcano in East Africa. It has a unique lava composition. In the language of the local Maasai tribe, the name of the volcano means “Mountain of God.”
It is located near Lake Natron and is part of the Great Rift Valley volcanic system in East Africa. Height above sea level – 2962m.
Already at the entrance to this volcano, the terrain changes right before your eyes. Straight steppe roads give way to mountain serpentines.
The air temperature begins to rise due to the proximity of the volcano. I would like to note that the extreme activity of this volcano was recorded in 2013. In the foothills of this volcano lies a valley with Lake Natron, which is also a habitat for pink flamingos. Despite the activity of this volcano, a large number of Maasai people live in this valley. The Maasai are a semi-nomadic African indigenous people who have almost completely preserved their traditional way of life. Due to the popularity of ethnic tourism, the Maasai have become one of the attractions of Tanzania.
Many tourists get acquainted with the life of these tribes with great interest. The Masai, spoiled by the attention of strangers, also take advantage of this and if you want to photograph them, then be prepared to pay $1 for photographing one Masai. The number of pictures is unlimited. In the Oldoinyo-Lengai region, everything is much simpler. The local manager of the lodge negotiates with the head of the Masai tribe, pays him $15-20 and you are taken to one of the settlements (about 30 people) where you can photograph anyone and as much as you like. These are not decorative settlements, but real ones. When leaving the valley, there will be three checkpoints on your way where you will need to pay government tax. It is $15, but if your driver-guide knows how to bargain, then there is a chance to save and pay a lower amount. This is par for the course in Tanzania.
In concluding my story, I cannot keep silent about tanzanites. The mineral is mined only in the Arusha province in northern Tanzania. Tanzanite is found in blue, purple and yellow-brown colors, the latter, after heat treatment, also become blue-violet in color and are used in jewelry.
Good quality stones are ultramarine or sapphire blue in color. When exposed to electric light, it takes on an amethyst-violet hue. When heated to 400-500 C, brownish and yellowish shades disappear and the blue of the stone deepens.
And finally, I will say that tanzanites have not only a very beautiful dark blue color, but also an equally beautiful price...)) The average cost of one carat of tanzanite ranges from $400 to $500. Here the price depends on the color, size and cut of the stone, as well as on your bargaining ability. And you definitely have to bargain...)) The stones range in size from approximately one to four carats. If you want to buy a nugget, the price varies from $25 to $100.
If you still decide to photograph people in Tanzania, it is better to ask them about it. Their native language is Swahili, but many speak English well. In Swahili, “I want to take a picture of you” would be: “MimI naOmba kuIga pIche.” The staff at the lodge are happy to ask about Russian words. So I taught them a new word, “crackers,” which are very appropriate for their very tasty creamy soups. Of course, some Russian-speaking tourists also leave their linguistic mark in Tanzania, so “move your buns” - this is one of the “masterpieces” of the Russian language manifestation that my sons heard...))
Tanzania is a country in East Africa. It consists of the mainland (Tanganyika), washed on the east by the Indian Ocean, and the large coastal islands of Zanzibar, Pemba and Mafia. Tanzania is part of the British Commonwealth.
Most of the country is located on the East African Plateau. The territory of Tanzania covers part of the largest lakes in Africa - Lake Victoria in the north, Lake Tanganyika (which is often called the twin of Lake Baikal) in the west, and Lake Nyasa in the south of Tanzania. The highest mountains in Africa are Kilimanjaro (5895 m). The total length of land borders is 3,402 km, of which with Burundi - 451 km, with Kenya - 769 km, Malawi - 475 km, with Mozambique - 756 km, with Rwanda - 217 km, with Uganda - 396 km and with Zambia - 338 km.
Area of Tanzania: total - 945,087 km2. Coastline: 1424 km. The island territories consist of the Zanzibar archipelago (the islands of Zanzibar, Pemba, Mafia, etc.).
Tanzania has two capitals: the administrative center is the historical capital of Dar es Salaam, and the legislative center is Dodoma, where the government moved the main bodies in the 1970s.
Tanzania is a republic. The head of state and head of government is the president, elected by the population for a 5-year term, with the possibility of a second consecutive term. On December 14, 2005, the candidate from the ruling Revolutionary Party, Tanzanian Foreign Minister Jakaya Kikwete, won the presidential election, gaining more than 80% of the votes. His main opponent was Ibrahim Lipumba, the candidate of the opposition Civil United Front. Parliament is a unicameral State Assembly (Bunge), 274 deputies, of which 232 are elected by the population for a 5-year term, 37 women deputies are personally appointed by the president, and 5 deputies are appointed by the autonomous parliament of Zanzibar.
Relief of Tanzania
Most of Tanzania's territory is located on the East African Plateau. Along the western and southwestern borders there are deep tectonic valleys and highlands of Giant Craters (Meru volcanoes, Africa's highest mountain Kilimanjaro (5895 m) and others. The Indian Ocean coast is a narrow strip of lowlands.
The lower and drier part of the plateau occupies the whole of southern Tanzania. The soils here are of a lighter composition, are susceptible to erosion and are quickly depleted. There is little precipitation, and it is distributed unevenly across the seasons. The tsetse fly, a carrier of sleeping sickness among humans and Nagana disease among domestic animals, is found here.
The central and northern parts of the plateau rise to 1200-1500 m. In some places there is moderate rainfall, and fertile soils are common.
The country's territory includes part of the largest lakes in Africa - Lake Victoria in the north, Lake Tanganyika (which is often called the twin of Baikal) in the west, Lake Nyasa in the south of Tanzania, as well as the drainless salt lakes Rukwa, Natron, Eyasi. The main rivers of the country - Pangani, Rufiji (the only navigable river in the lower reaches) and Ruvuma flow into the Indian Ocean.
Climate of Tanzania
The climate is subequatorial monsoon, hot, seasonally humid. Average monthly temperatures range from 12-15 to 25-27 degrees C. In the north there are two rainy seasons (March - May and September - November), in the south there is one (November - April).
The greatest amount of precipitation falls on the western coast of Lake Victoria (up to 2000 mm per year), the least - on the inland plateaus (about 250 mm). In most of Tanzania, the dry season lasts 5-7 months. The alternation between dry and wet seasons is especially noticeable in the mountainous northeast and on the Masai plateau.
There are problems of drought and forest fires. It happened that drought led to a decrease in the water level in reservoirs feeding hydroelectric power stations to a critical level, as a result of which strict rationing of electricity supply was introduced throughout the country. Heavy rains also cause significant damage. So, as a result of heavy rains at the end of 1997 - beginning of 1998. Agricultural facilities were destroyed, roads were washed away, bridges were demolished.
The climate on the islands is humid, the average daytime temperature is plus 28-30 degrees, sea breezes make the weather very pleasant. The water temperature in the Indian Ocean is 24-26 degrees. In the central part (1200-1700 m above sea level) the average temperature is plus 22-25 degrees, nights can be cool.
Flora of Tanzania
In the west and south of the country there are tropical dry deciduous woodlands, in the coastal lowlands - park savannas, in the central and north-eastern regions - grassy savannas. Moist evergreen forests and shrubs grow on the slopes of the mountains. Despite its proximity to the equator, Tanzania is characterized by various types of savannas: shrubby, park, mountain park, grassy. Along with miombo forests (light tropical forests of deciduous trees), savannas occupy most of the territory. Mangroves are found along the ocean coast and at river mouths. Dense tropical forests remain only around lakes in the west of the country and in the floodplains of some rivers. Even conifers, such as cedar and pine, grow on the slopes of high mountains. Pterocarpus angola is found in the park forests, the valuable wood of which is used to make high-quality furniture and wall cladding.
Wildlife of Tanzania
Tanzania is one of the few countries on the African continent where representatives of a rich tropical fauna have been preserved in natural conditions. The savannas are home to several species of antelope (wildebeest, kongoni, topi, stenbok, springbok and others), as well as lions, leopards, cheetahs, zebras, elephants and giraffes.
Characterized by an abundance of monkeys, of the monkeys in the far north-west there are chimpanzees, and in the Kilimanjaro region - gorillas. Along the rivers there are hippos and crocodiles.
The world of birds is unusually rich and diverse. There are especially many waterfowl. In the higher regions of the country, ostriches can occasionally be seen. Poisonous snakes include the black mamba and the African viper.
However, the animal world has become significantly impoverished as a result of prolonged extermination. Large animals are preserved mainly in nature reserves and national parks, the largest of which are Ngorongoro, Serengeti, Ruaha, Arusha, Manyama, Mikumi, Kilimanjaro, Rungwa. Particularly famous is the Serengeti National Park (15.5 thousand sq. km), the only one in the world where natural seasonal migrations of wild animals occur. Ngorongoro is located in the area of a huge volcanic crater; its caldera, the largest in the world, is distinguished by an extraordinary richness of fauna.
National parks of Tanzania
There are 15 national parks in Tanzania, which are managed by the Tanzania National Parks Authority or TANAPA, headquartered in the city of Arusha. According to international studies, the service is one of the most productive in Africa - it employs 1,650 people who serve 15 existing and one planned national park (Saanane). The main objective of the service is to preserve the existing biodiversity and rich natural heritage of the country. The national park system contains World Heritage Sites (4 out of 7 sites in Tanzania) and UNESCO Biosphere Reserves (2 out of 3 sites in the country).
In the north of the country, in the center there are national parks Arusha, Kilimanjaro, Mkomazi, Lake Manyana, Rubondo Island, Serengeti, Taranjir. Arusha Park is located in close proximity to the city of Arusha, the northern safari center of the country. The park was recently expanded to include the Mount Meru Forest Reserve. Kilimanjaro Park, which also recently received additional area, is designed to protect the highest point in Africa. Lake Manyara includes Lake Manyara, located along the rift wall. Mkomazi Park, located on the border with Kenya, is the country's youngest park, established in 2008. Rubondo Island in the southwestern part of Lake Victoria is home to the Rubondo Island National Park. The Serengeti National Park includes the Ngorongoro Crater. In the future, it is planned to increase the area of the park. Tarangire National Park is located on the river of the same name.
In the northeast of the country, on the coast of the Indian Ocean between the cities of Tanga and Dar es Salaam, Saadini Park is located. To the east, in the Udzungwa Mountains, lies the Udzungwa Mountains Park. Gombe Stream National Park is located on the northern shore of Lake Tanganyika in the western part of the country. Mahali Mountains Park is also located on the shores of the lake in the Mahali Mountains. In the center of the country is Ruaha Park. With its recent expansion in size, the park has become the largest in Tanzania. In the southwest of the country, near Lake Rukwa at the end of the rift valley, there is Katavi Park. In the south of the country there is Kitulo Park, also known as the Garden of the Gods. Currently, the issue of increasing the area of the park at the expense of the forests of Mount Rungwe is being considered. In the southeast are the Selous Nature Reserve and Mikumi Park.
Population of Tanzania
Population 38.860 million (estimated as of October 2009). In the country, only the city of Dar es Salaam has a population of more than 1 million people. Annual growth - 2%. Fertility - 4.5 births per woman. Infant mortality is 69 per 1000 births. Average life expectancy is 50 years for men, 53 years for women. Infection with the immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is 6.2% (2007 estimate).
Ethnic composition - in the mainland - 99% blacks, mainly Bantu peoples (hehe, Shambhala, Sukuma, Kuria, Ha, etc.), 1% - Asians (mostly Indians), whites, Arabs. In Zanzibar there are mainly Arabs, blacks and mestizos of Arab-Negro origin.
The official languages are Swahili and English, Arabic is widespread in Zanzibar, and there are many local Bantu languages on the mainland. Religions - in the mainland - Christians 30%, Muslims 35%, aboriginal cults 35%; in Zanzibar - more than 99% Muslims.
Source - http://ru.wikipedia.org/
http://www.afri.su/countries/tanzania/
– the country is not very large: it ranks 30th in the world, and 13th in Africa. However, here, perhaps more than anywhere else, great attention is paid to ecology and the preservation of nature in its original form. National parks of Tanzania - and there are as many as 15 of them! – attract the largest number of tourists to the country – the state is considered one of the best for ecotourism in the world. They are managed by the Tanzania National Parks Service, which employs more than 1,600 people.
The oldest parksIt was discovered in 1960, famous for its crater lakes, large forests and alpine meadows. More than 200 species of mammals, about 120 reptiles and more than four hundred species of birds live here. The same year became the year of the founding of one of the most famous nature reserves in the world, most of which, especially in the rainy season, is occupied by the same name. This park is famous for its abundance of birds, including pink flamingos, as well as unique tree-climbing lions.
B can also be considered one of the oldest - it received the status of a national park in 1964. Its main attraction is the flooded meadows of Mkata, the flora of which is very rich and interesting. Elands, the world's largest antelope, live here. In the same year, it began its work, which is a transit territory through which representatives of the fauna of the southern and eastern parts of the country migrate. It is home to the largest elephant population in East Africa. In 1968, it opened, which is by far the smallest in the country (its area is only 52 sq. km). The park is home to a large number of different species of primates; About a hundred chimpanzees alone live here. The park is hosting a research project on these primates.
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Over the next 30 years, Tanzanian parks such as and Rubondo Island were created. Katavi Park ranks third in area (it is 4471 sq. km); This area contains swamps, seasonal lakes, as well as meadows and forests. Tarangire attracts visitors not only with its wide variety of animals and birds, but also with its ancient rock paintings. The snow cap of Mount Kilimanjaro, the heart of the reserve, is the hallmark of Tanzania; About 10 thousand tourists annually strive to conquer the top of this highest mountain in Africa.
The Mahali Mountains, like Gombe Stream, are home to large numbers of chimpanzees, colobus monkeys and other primates that live in rainforests; Antelope live in the miombo dry forests, which occupy about 75% of the park's area. Rubondo Island National Park occupies Rubondo Island and several other smaller islands; This is a favorite vacation spot for fishing connoisseurs. Most of the reserve is occupied by humid forests, where many orchids grow. The most exotic inhabitants of the reserve are the sitatunga aquatic antelope. The Udzungwa Mountains are home to rare birds, many of which are endangered, and six species of primates, two of which are endemic.
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In the 21st century, several national parks were also opened in Tanzania: in 2002, Kitulo Park began its work, bearing the title “Garden of God” due to the wide variety of plant life: more than 30 species of endemic Tanzanian plants and several species of endemics of the local area grow here, as well as 45 species of orchids and many other plants. Saadani Park, opened in 2005, is the only park on the coast. It is famous for its mangrove forests. In 2008, on the border with Kenya, a
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