Chasing the Big Five: Roaming the African Wilderness

Arusha National Park is an enchanting yet surprisingly accessible gem in Tanzania, with a stunning variety of landscapes within a compact area. The majestic Mount Meru (Tanzania’s second highest mountain), the lush Ngurdoto Crater – often described as a ‘mini-Ngorongoro’ – and the serene, flamingo-rich Momella Lakes make this park unique. It is known for its large population of giraffes, the strikingly visible black-and-white colobus monkeys (rarely seen elsewhere in the north), and more than 400 bird species. Besides classic game drives, the park offers walking safaris and canoe excursions – ideal for a day trip or a multi-day experience, including climbing Mount Meru.

At the foot of Mount Meru lies Arusha – Tanzania’s vibrant safari capital and the starting point for legendary adventures in East Africa. This vibrant city is the gateway to the northern safari circuit and opens the way to iconic destinations such as the vast Serengeti, the impressive Ngorongoro Crater and majestic Kilimanjaro. Arusha offers more than just a starting point: enjoy vibrant markets, cultural experiences and all the amenities for the ultimate wildlife journey.

Tarangire National Park is a landscape filled with ancient baobab trees and seasonal swamps, famous for some of Africa’s largest elephant herds. The park’s lifeline, the Tarangire River, attracts spectacular concentrations of game during the dry season – an unrivalled safari experience for nature lovers and adventurers.

Mto wa Mbu is a bustling farming village at the gateway to Lake Manyara National Park, unique for its incredible cultural diversity – with more than 120 Tanzanian tribes living peacefully together. The lush, irrigated fields provide an abundance of fruit and grains, while the vibrant local market offers an authentic insight into Tanzanian rural life.

A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Ngorongoro Crater is the largest intact volcanic caldera in the world and forms a spectacular, fully enclosed ecosystem. This natural wonder is known for its exceptionally high density of wildlife – from the iconic “Big Five” to an impressive population of lions – all of which flourish within the steep, surrounding crater walls.

The Ndutu area, located on the border of the southern Serengeti ecosystem and the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, turns into a scene of intense natural spectacle every rainy season (usually from December to March). It is known worldwide as the calf area of the Great Migration: hundreds of thousands of wildebeest gather here on the nutrient-rich short-grass plains to give birth to their young. This impressive explosion of new life inevitably attracts a high concentration of predators, making Ndutu an absolute prime location for experiencing breathtaking wildlife moments.

Tanzania’s Serengeti National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is famous worldwide for its endless savannahs and the impressive Great Migration of more than a million wildebeest, zebra and gazelle. This legendary game reserve offers unparalleled opportunities to spot the Big Five and is home to an exceptional wealth of animal life within one of the world’s oldest ecosystems.

Just outside the north-western boundary of Serengeti National Park, near the Grumeti River and Ikoma Gate, lies Ikoma. This area acts as an important buffer zone and is known for unique safari experiences such as night safaris and guided walking safaris – activities that are often not allowed within the park itself. Ikoma provides access to the Serengeti’s rich ecosystem and reveals a different perspective on the African bush, with a mix of migratory species and permanent residents.

Ololosokwan is a vibrant Maasai village and community area on the northeastern border of Tanzania’s iconic Serengeti National Park, often located within the Loliondo Game Controlled Area. The village is known for its pioneering form of community-based conservation, with the local Maasai actively contributing to wildlife protection while maintaining their traditional, pastoral way of life. Visitors here can participate in authentic cultural experiences, such as visiting a traditional boma, learning about Maasai customs and beadwork, and experiencing daily life – all in a unique environment where humans and wild animals live side by side in this vital buffer zone.

Tanzania’s Lake Natron area, located in the East African Rift Valley, is a region of rugged, otherworldly beauty dominated by a shallow, highly alkaline soda lake. This unique and caustic environment – often coloured red or pink by salt-loving micro-organisms – is inhospitable to most life forms, but is the world’s all-important breeding ground for millions of lesser flamingos. Dominated by the impressive, active volcano Ol Doinyo Lengai (the “Mountain of God” in Maasai), this region offers dramatic landscapes and the chance to witness this extraordinary bird spectacle, combined with encounters with local Maasai culture.

Mto wa Mbu is a bustling farming village at the gateway to Lake Manyara National Park, unique for its incredible cultural diversity – with more than 120 Tanzanian tribes living peacefully together. The lush, irrigated fields provide an abundance of fruit and grains, while the vibrant local market offers an authentic insight into Tanzanian rural life.

Nestled in the Great Rift Valley, Lake Manyara National Park is a compact but exceptionally diverse reserve. It is known for its unique tree-climbing lions, large troops of baboons and the shimmering alkaline lake full of flamingos – all set against a backdrop of steep cliffs and lush groundwater forests.

At the foot of Mount Meru lies Arusha – Tanzania’s vibrant safari capital and the starting point for legendary adventures in East Africa. This vibrant city is the gateway to the northern safari circuit and opens the way to iconic destinations such as the vast Serengeti, the impressive Ngorongoro Crater and majestic Kilimanjaro. Arusha offers more than just a starting point: enjoy vibrant markets, cultural experiences and all the amenities for the ultimate wildlife journey.