National Parks in Tanzania
Few countries on the African continent can offer visitors such a contrasting programme as Tanzania. This country is as fascinating as no other.
The state on the Indian Ocean, with 41 million inhabitants one of the most populous countries in Africa, is blessed with impressive flora and fauna. The protection of this unique nature enjoys a high priority in Tanzania. Many reserves and national parks, including perhaps the most famous park in the world, bear witness to the high commitment of the Central African state.
The Serengeti National Park
Not only in Africa, but also far beyond the borders of the continent, the Serengeti National Park is known. This protected area sets benchmarks in several respects. With an area of 14,763 km², it is not only one of the largest national parks on Earth, it also harbors an incredible diversity of species. Since 1981, the Serengeti has rightly been part of the UNESCO World Heritage.
In 2011, the Serengeti National Park celebrates its 60th anniversary, as a wildlife reserve it has been known since 1929. The Serengeti is one of the most protected ecosystems in all of Africa. The majority of the park consists of savanna, along the rivers grow gallery forests, interspersed with acacias and thorny bushes.
More than 1.6 million animals live in the national park, most of them are herbivores. The by far largest representatives of the animals are the wildebeests, followed by zebras, gazelles and buffaloes. Native predators such as lions, hyenas and jackals find ideal conditions here. For visitors, the Serengeti National Park is well developed, but may only be entered under guidance.
Udzungwa Mountains National Park
Declared a national park in 2006, the Udzungwa Mountains National Park is one of the last protected areas. The 1,900 km² large park in the center of the country translates to "Land of the Dzungwa", referring to a tribe that once lived there.
For the most part, tropical rainforest with 50-meter-tall trees covers the park, in addition, steppes and savanna woodlands provide ample food for the native animals. Several animal species are only native to the adjacent Udzungwa Mountains, including the Sanje mangabey and the grey-faced sengi.
Saadani National Park
Located in the far east of the country, the Saadani National Park extends over an area of 1,100 km². Typical of this park are the mangrove and coastal forests that grow along the Wami River. In the protected areas are breeding grounds for some endangered turtle species. Crocodiles, hippopotamuses, zebras and buffaloes graze close to the river.
In contrast to the river landscape, the hinterland with its vast savannas provides a home to large herds of animals. Giraffes, antelopes and water buffaloes graze on this land as well as wart hogs, civet cats or mongooses.
The history of the park dates back to the 1960s, in 1964 it was established as a wildlife park. Officially, the area was declared a national park in 2003, as part of an expansion of the park. Adjacent to the park are several bodies of water that are traversed by whales and dolphins on their migration routes.
