Friday, January 15, 2010

Travel To Tanzania For An Unforgettable Holiday Experience

By Andrew Muigai

Tanzania occupies some 954,087 sq km and is a beautiful travel destination as it holds a number of geographical extremes. These include Mount Kilimanjaro - the highest summit in Africa, and Lake Tanganyika - whose lake bed is the continent's lowest point. Tanzania also has owns almost half of Lake Victoria, the largest lake in Africa that is shared between the three East African countries; Kenya, Uganda and of course Tanzania.

Tanzania not only offers some of the best beaches in the region, but also some of the best wildlife viewing opportunities. The northern and southern tourist circuits are the best destinations for those looking to go on game viewing safaris. The northern region's main attraction is the Serengeti National Park. The park hosts a wide range of wild animals including the big 5, all of which can be spotted with ease. The Great Wildebeest Migration that occurs annually between July and November is the main focus of the Serengeti. The event sees more than 3 million wildebeest and zebra crossing over the Serengeti to the Masai Mara in Kenya in search of pasture. Also part of the northern circuit is the Tarangire National Park, which is named after the Tarangire River. The 2,600 sq km park boasts a high concentration of wildlife during the dry seasons as well as a high number of elephants.

The Southern circuit, comprising among other attractions Ruaha National Park and Selous Game Reserve, is an enchanting destination. The region is popular among tourists looking to tour a destination with fewer tourists and more varieties of animals. In deed Selous is the only park, behind Ngorongoro where you can see rhino in its natural environment. Hikes to the Uduzungwa Mountains Park are also popular activities among those touring the region.

The end of the rainy season, June to August, has favorable weather during the day as well as cool evenings. However, this is not the best time to go visit Tanzania as there is a lot of water around the park and animals are hidden in the thick foliage. For travelers determined for a safari experience January to February is the best time to visit the Serengeti. It is usually at this time that colossal herds of Wildebeest, Zebra and Buffalo migrate to better grazing areas.

Everyone entering Tanzania is required to carry a visa citizens except citizens of some African and commonwealth countries. Visitors are advised to obtain visa's in advance from Tanzania Embassies and High Commissions as some airlines may require it before allowing you to board. However, you can also be issued with a visa on arrival at Dar es Salaam, Zanzibar and Kilimanjaro international airports and at the Namanga Gate on the Kenya /Tanzania border. In addition, all visitors are required to have Passports, valid for at least six months.

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