Beyond the Safari Jeep: Unique Wildlife Encounters in Tanzania
Whenever the majority of us envision Tanzania, we imagine vast plains full of acacia trees, wildebeest, and Safari jeep cars driving in Serengeti. Though the classic game drives will be a spectacular experience to see the legendary wildlife of Africa, there is much more to Tanzania than what can be seen in the comfort of a safari vehicle. Whether it is a walking safari or a night drive, an in-depth conservation or cultural experience, this gem of the East African countries welcomes the visitors to experience nature in a memorable manner.
The Walk Safaris: Walk into the Wild.
Think about how the African nature feels like the African wilderness is vibrating under your feet. A walking Safari breaks down the boundaries that separate you and nature and you can enjoy the Tanzanian landscapes just like the early explorers. These safaris, led by seasoned guides and armed rangers, provide the visitors with an opportunity to see smaller wonders that are not always seen during a jeep tour: tracks in the sand, medicinal plants, colorful birds and insects in action.
Walking safari is especially common in places such as Selous Game Reserve (currently, Nyerere National Park) and the Ruaha National Park. Guides tell some amazing stories regarding the way animals behave, survive and how all the things in the ecosystem relate. You should feel the excitement of hearing a roar of a distant lion or seeing a giraffe gliding silently through the trees and know that you are in a living breathing wild lands.
Canoe Safaris Waters of Arusha and Manyara.
To have another view, take a ride through peaceful lakes with wild animals around. The Arusha National Park has canoe safaris in Momella Lakes or Lake Manyara that provide a serene experience of seeing hippos, flamingos, pelicans and herds of elephants along the beaches. The swirling motion of your oar and the song of waterfowl form a soothing rhythmic effect, in opposition to the hotness of the savanna.
The photography lovers would enjoy perfect moments with canoe safaris as they can have close shots of animals drinking water at the shore. You may even see buffalo bathing, or a fish eagle dashing down to his prey.
The Safari Hot Air Ballon in the Serengeti.
To get an aerial adventure that is like no other, go flying in hot air balloon. There is no better experience than to silently fly over the Serengeti National Park in the morning and see the wildlife and scenic views of Tanzania. Looking up, you also get to view the wildebeest and elephants and the predators stalking their prey in the plains.
When the sun blazes in the savanna, it will make you feel an unparalleled calm and grandeur. A balloon safari usually ends with the champagne breakfast in the bush, the most appropriate manner of celebrating one of the most magic events in the life.
Night Safaris: Wildness Starts to Waken.
As the sun goes down, the parks in Tanzania open up their entire different world. Available in reserves such as Tarangire, Lake manyara and Selous, the night safaris will allow you to experience the dark side of Africa. Under the direction of the Spotlights you may be able to observe leopards roaming silently, hyenas wailing in the plains or the blazing eyes of bush babies dashing among trees.
This nocturnal thriller offers an idea of what people do in the dark. It is a bonus to your Tanzanian experience to watch a lion pride head to the hunt or to see a porcupine scurrying across the grass.
Cultural Experiences: Wildlife Encountering Tradition.
The wildlife in Tanzania is not only about animals, but also about people who have coexisted with the wildlife since time immemorial. Traveling around the country to local tribes such as the Maasai, Datoga or Hadza can give more insight into the nature and culture balance in the country.
Spend the day with the Hadza people, as one of the last hunter-gatherer tribes in Africa, the lake Eyasi. You can go hunting with them in the morning or get to know how they follow animals and recognise edible plants and how they use natural substances to make tools. In the Maasai, one can enjoy traditional dances, visit a boma (village), and hear about their close connection with cattle and land.
The cultural interactions offer insight into how man and wildlife live in harmony without destroying their cultures and embracing modern conservation activities.
Environmental Volunteering and Eco-Tourism.
Tanzania provides a chance to participate in conservation programs regarding wildlife to those travelers who wish to make a significant contribution. Numerous lodges and organizations particularly in the areas of Ngorongoro and Serengeti can provide visitors with an opportunity to take part in short-term volunteering projects or education.
You could trace the location of elephants with the help of GPS, go with researchers who study lion prides, or visit rehabilitation centers of injured animals. The practical nature of this is not just a way of contributing to important conservation efforts, but also a way of getting to know the land and its people better.
By staying in eco-lodges which focus on sustainability, use solar power and assist people living in the community, you will make sure that your visit is a positive contribution to nature.
Horseback and Camel Safaris
To the adventurous mind, horseback and camel safari is also available in select areas in Tanzania. By riding in the savanna, you have a better chance of merging with the setting more, as animals tend to perceive horses and camels as part of the scene, and they can come closer.
Arusha and West Kilimanjaro have become popular in horseback safaris which will take you across open plains, over herds of zebras and in the shade of the Mount Meru. The camel safaris are a pacing and slower exploration of the semi- arid areas and routeways that the Maasai warriors used in their ancient migration.
Diving with Marine Wildlife and Snorkeling.
The wildlife of Tanzania does not stop at the land, its coastal ecosystems, as well as its marine ecosystems, are equally abundant. Crystal-clear waters conceal a colorful underwater world at the shores of Zanzibar, Pemba, and Mafia Island.
Snorkel or dive with coral reefs full of colorful fish, sea turtles and even whale sharks (seasonal). The marine experiences found on these islands are comparable to any land safari and are a true representation of the entire ecological range of Tanzania, both savanna and sea.
Following the Chimpanzees in the Mahale mountains.
Chimpanzee trekking in Mahale Mountains National Park is one of the most magical in Africa; found deep in the western part of Tanzania. This isolated paradise is only accessible by boat and it hosts some of the best-researched chimpanzee groups in the world.
The process of trekking through the foggy forests to locate these intelligent primates is a personal and degrading one. Their grooming or play or communication habits demonstrate our close relationship in evolution. It is not so much about the show but about silent spectators, and the beauty around is emerald-green.
Fly-Camping Under the Stars
To get truly wild, fly-camping is the least possible overnight experience in the wild and it is usually accompanied by walking safaris. Your camp is established in an isolated place, complete with tent, camp fire and African sky sprinkled with stars.
It is a process that takes away the luxuries and makes you related to the primitive beat of nature. Hearing thephone calls of animals far away when one is sleeping under the Milky Way, will leave memories that are unmatched by any lodge.
Conclusion:
The magic of Tanzania is much more than the grumbling of the safari vehicles. It can be walking with giants, floating across the Serengeti, or getting to know the Maasai by firelight with stories, but each of these experiences brings you a little bit nearer to the center of the wild.
These special experiences serve as a reminder that a safari is not only about viewing animals, but it is also about experiencing what it is like to be a part of the ecosystem even temporarily. Other than the safari jeep, Tanzania has a trip that opens the eyes, fills the soul, and leaves a lifetime passion of the nature.
