Mount Kilimanjaro
Tanzania is home to the worlds largest, free standing mountain, Mount Kilimanjaro. The meaning of which is surrounded by much disagreement. Some say it means ‘The mountain which cannot be conquered’ whilst others claim it means ‘White’ or ‘Shining little mountain’. Many others say that it has no meaning. Whatever it does or does not mean, it is huge and the best views of this mountain are found from across the border in Kenya. The attraction for many a traveller, is to climb this great wonder (often said to be the 8th Natural Wonder of the world) and there are six routes available ranging from easy to difficult. So, if you have conquered all of the hardest assualt courses available to you in your country and were strong enough at the end of them, to go for a 5 mile run whilst making a sandwich, then try out the harder routes, backwards! More about Kilimanjaro later.
What will impress you about Tanzania is its ‘Grass Roots’ feel and although it has been affected to a certain extent by tourism, you still get the feeling that you are in an African’s Africa. There are three tribes in Tanzania: the Hadzabe, Datoq and most popular, the Maasai. The Maasai are a very proud people and are the most feared by the others. They have managed to restrict outside interference in their traditions and culture. You will be mesmerized by the vibrant colours that they wear and their polite demeanor. But do not be fooled, they bow to no man.
Maasai
The Maasai tribe live in northern Tanzania and southern Kenya so you will not be surprised to learn that the two countries were once a single entity. That is, before Germany, led by Karl Peters with his dream of a German East African Colony and England, carved them into two, with Germany enjoying Kenya to the south and England, Tanzania to the north. Historically, it was Tanganyika until it was united with the island of Zanzibar to form Tanzania.
Ngorongoro Conservation Area
Ngorongoro Conservation Area consists of various archeological sites, but the main attraction by far is the Ngorongoro Crater. This site used to be an active volcano and the crater was created about two million years ago when the cone collapsed creating a tropical expanse of twelve miles wide and two thousand feet deep.
Ngorongoro Crater Lions
Ngorongoro Crater - inside
Serengeti: Serengeti National Park
Siringitu – ‘the place where the land moves on forever’. So was the name given by the Maasai who have lived and grazed their herds there for millennia. The Serengeti itself covers an area of 30′000 km sq and actually encompasses the Ngorongoro Crater as well as the Serengeti National Park and many other places of interest. Up until the early 20th century, white men had no idea what existed in this vast area until, in 1913 a man named Stewart Edward White (ironically), an American hunter, set out from Nairobi and upon stumbling on the Serengeti, referred to it as ‘paradise.’ The Serengeti flows across the northern border into the Maasai Mara in Kenya.
Hungry croc launches attack on migrating wildebeast
Although we have covered safari in another blog, I must say that the Serengeti is where the king of all natural wonders can be seen. More than 1.4 million wildebeest, around 200′000 zebra and gazelle, instinctively surge towards the rains in a circular, clockwise direction. From the north eastern part of Tanzania, down south and across to the west and up through the Serengeti. Finally, across the Mara River into the Maasai Mara of Kenya. The whole cycle then repeats itself throughout the year, giving interested folk ample opportunities to catch sight of this relentless migration, as well as predetors the chance of an easy meal as millions of these preprogrammed followers, both large and small, struggle their way through crocodile infested waters.
The annual pattern of this migration is quite predictable, however, the exact
timings are not, as they depend on actual rainfall. So, the wildebeest normally give birth to their calves around february time whilst large herds graze on the southern Serengeti in Tanzania. Around April they begin their migration northwards through Moru Kopjes and Seronera. By June there is a pause by the Grumeti River, where their numbers build up dramatically because progress is delayed by blocked channels. Although awaiting crocodiles feast happily on the confused masses, the crossings of the Grumeti River are not so dramatic and better views are had on the later part of their migration when they cross the Mara River.
In September, the migration has reached the northern stretch of the Serengeti ready to embark on the most ferocious and deadly part of their existence – crossing the Mara River into the Maasai Mara Game Reserve. Nothing can change their minds, it’s instinctual, even if many are to perish by the teeth of the Mara River crocodiles, it is their destiny, their mission. Their fate. Those that make it, will live on to continue the cycle and breed again in the southern Serengeti region of Tanzania, and have the opportunity of risking all again next year.
A few recommended places to stay whilst you are in the Serengeti are:
Seronera Wildlife Lodge Serengeti
Singita Grumeti Reserves Lodges Serengeti
Read their reviews and do some of your own research. I’ll include some helpful links at the end of this blog.
Mount Kilimanjaro
Mount Kilimanjaro is not one volcanic cone, but three. Namely, Kibo, Mawenzi and Shira. Kibo, the tallest, stands at 19′340 feet. It is on this mountain that you will find an example of practically every ecosystem that exists on earth. From desert, through rainforest to snowfields. The truth is that only 10 percent of climbers that set out to reach the summit, Uhuru (freedom) Peak, actually make it and the first to do so was a man named Hans Meyer. The oldest person to successfully reach the summit was 87 years old and Bernard Goosan, a South African, has done it twice in a wheelchair! After knowing this, you just have to do it now, don’t you? I do not want to hear anybody complaining that their feet hurt either. There are six official routes up the mountain. The easiest routes are called Marangu and Rongai, so get going.
There are many different places to stay when at Kilimanjaro, depending on your budget and demand for luxury. When climbing the mountain by certain routes there are also places to rest and eat (some that serve beer!). Happy travels and researching and as ever, we’ll do our best here to assist you with your African adventures.
Well, thank you for joining me on this journey through Tanzania. We have not exhausted Tanzania, only space and time. Our next blog will cover Zanzibar, which as you may remember, is now part of Tanzania and offering gorgeous beaches and relaxation.
For general help with holiday planning and ideas for all Tanzanian attractions:
Until Next time.
Jay
