Northern Tanzania ecosystem

It has been a while since I write here, this cause of strong eternal arguments I currently face. I’m fond of writing but since I started to live on this dream I found out there are more things to overcome more than writing interesting stories; prejudices and biased with jealousy, suspicion, fear, envy, and pride. Anyway, this is human nature so slowly I’ll try to avoid them, I hope you will forgive me when you find that kind of thing.

I have been in some adventures, conversational and formal trips plus my daily routines which I won’t tell you unless you steal my diary.

Just to start with a couple of weeks ago, I join SIT (School International Training) Tanzania program. Here I’m a young Tanzania ecologist working with other colleagues who I assume are twice my age, this is not first last year I was elected to an executive committee member of WCST (Wildlife Conservation Society of Tanzania- Arusha branch), here also I’m the youngest ever before.

What I would like to talk about here, as usual, it about my wild portraits but not the gossips about my life, I know out there are people who have more so better not to make you tired with mine.

As the students land on this safaris country they had no chance to see any of our big towns, from Kilimanjaro airport transferred to West Kilimanjaro. Spent five busy days at Ndarakwa ranch, here they had a glimpse of what they will be up to. Start with African-Tanzania food, Kiswahili language (part of their study), animals viewing with the introduction of how they will study them, walking cross savanna for orientation of ethnobiology and last but not on the least visit Maasai boma and had an only quick view of the richest cultures which strive for existence. There were more but bit individuals mention yoga and stretching under acacia trees on open savanna with a gentle breeze from the highest mount in Africa which the peak lies about 10km, blue sky, and numerous birds songs and calls; This was perfect for YOGA. In particular, I was invited by the runners so imagine running on open wild animal’s ranch, I couldn’t hold back my emotion as we run across impala’s harem. These impalas pay back my run randomly with their spectaculars looping 3m high 6m long what a wonderful scene!


Days went by so fast, till the last day in Ndarakwai still some students were in the dreamland, they didn’t expect all this with incredible academic direct, knowledgeable teachers and high experience crew, learning here was comfortable as luxury safari.

Then came long waited moment, to see Arusha town go to the restaurants have chocolate the things which absolutely remind them back home. Although the time to this town was limited after two days they were already allocated in their home staying each with his/her new family.

Thereafter two weeks was rock and roll back to the wild, Tarangire-Manyara is a study area. Camp inside of Tarangire for busy four days was a total experience which one will never forget. After dinner short time spent on the campfire, here I was taught a few ridiculous games like Jimy Posh, posh, posh! Night followed by wild sound unusual like scoops owl’s, fun as hyena and scaring as lions. One of the students told me that he had to swallow sleeping peals in order to sleep. The morning could start as early as 6am for my bird group, observation, and all those scientific methods then back to camp are calculations, create a hypothesis and lastly each group before lunch present. It was deep in learning to require much attention but all was fun as a ruminant group makes a joke on the non-ruminant group. On the study of vegetations and animals there are challenges such as observing, sex an animal like elephants which never stop but what about a hippo that lies down for entire observing time!

Tarangire was done with a lecture from park warden, here was a useful chance, park warden give lecture on all important subjects including recently elephant population which is about 27 000 to 30000 within 28 000km square in the park without physical boundaries, What a conflict with neighbor communities? What will happen? What is happen? Those are kinds of questions students bomb the park warden. The academic direct claimed that this is an active group of students as long as he can remember for his ten years.

The same program continues to Manyara except for addition of culture walk through Mto wa Mbu, consider is a small place you are likely to meet almost 120+ ethics groups which make up Tanzania.


Learn and explore more at El Mundo Safaris 

LIVELY VALLEY

cradle of humanity.
Africa is the most stable of the Earth's landmasses, the most ancient rocks, a fount of life itself and it is also the cradle of humanity. Often the continent characterized by it pristine but paradoxically, since the contact with Europeans it has never being of influence. It is such factors that bring scholars from the developed world to conduct their studies in this open library and laboratory.

acclimatization
On 8th April I with my colleagues assisting four American students with their environmental/ecology studies left Arusha heading to Great Rift Valley. We overnight at Mto wa Mbu town guess with no definitive reason …just merely excuse of acclimatization. Health climate, wonderful social life, stunning views are among things that give this relatively small town a beautiful scenic.


chai
Dinner and breakfast we had here were among highlights, 99% were fresh food from the very farm of this basin….all All available for affordable nonraces prices. The Chai (tea) for stance had a wonderful variety of ingredients which brought about table conversation every one try to cite spices in the chai though none were good expert….. So I call for the cooker who gives out this long ridiculous list; Water from basin's ground springs, milk from D horn Maasai cow, Tanzania tea leaves, ginger from Pare mountains, clove, black paper and other unidentifiable spice from Spices Island, Zanzibar. Cooker concludes by recommending a spice tour in Zanzibar. Chai explanations' was far valuable enlightenment remain let 19th century explores narration to monopolies;

…The interior is mostly magnificent and healthy of unspeakable richness...
Cameron the first mzungu known to cross the continent from the Indian Ocean to Atlantic wrote. This is great today contradiction claim of a poorest African country.

As we enjoyed our chai at Red Banana Café which found in the very same premises with Mto wa Mbu culture tourism offices….another day highlight come across. A sort of scorpion fanatics join our chai conversation and switch it to its ambition. It wasn't empty words he took us who were keen and ready for an adventure into the room where he kept about three scorpions spp. His random excitement and emotion explanations include practical as well. By timing he holds the poison sticking tail of the large black scorpion, the scorpion reacts by biting him by two from legs. The bit was persistence so the explanations continue with a scorpion on his hand. The explanations were concluded by reference for more fanatics and fame seekers on the internet. For about 2 and a half hours we stayed there the scorpion to have no idea of losing its bite.


start our adventure
The next morning we start our adventure by loading hired two donkeys. Unfortunately, poor two donkeys who are able to carry up to 50kg couldn't carry large boxes of foodstuff. The 17km walking safaris started at 9:30am, each one carried his/her belongings and camping equipment on a large backpacker. This rare scene had wide explanations by local folks. I thought. Some could say the vehicle of these mzungus maybe had break down while others with little ideal could say no this is how mzungus do sometimes they do even for a tall mountain such as Kilimanjaro. Young Maasai headers run across the plain about a kilometer just come close to rare pale mzungu skin. Those with little curious they just shout Hello! Hello! Hello! No matter if you answer or not. Hello turned to be chorus which is merely deep emotion contact between local folks enjoys luck rare spot of mzungu hat, sunglass, hiking shoes large backpacker, What might be stranger Look!. ..opposite mzungu enjoyed exotic scenery and semi necked human who never feel embarrassed.


Kori Bustard
The expanse, magnificent, stunning views grabbed our attention and concentrations… just turned our neck like Kori Bustards or someone doing yoga stretching which allows our eyes to meet huge long straight erected Great Rift Valley wall with it undulating pulled eyes as much as they can see. Opposite the wall lies northward stretch Ol Kerii escarpments which host Losimingiro, Burko mountains and several other hills Kitumbeine and Gilai peak (28-28 000m)father north as it goes parallel the wall. We walked in this vast savannah basin like with all the fantasy feeling made our brain forget the physical process of walking with such large backpackers… it was until we run out of fuel…feeling hungry. We had our lunch and nap under large flat-top acacia which its shed and gently plains breeze was like an Island for those 13th-century sailors who survived on wreaked
Ship.


Menya Tajiri or Oltimbua Boma
Despite all adventurous excitement first day was a bit demanding until lunchtime we were already covered about 3/4 of our journey. After 3 hours of walking or so we arrived at our planned camping which situated in the Maasai boma known as "Menya Tajiri or Oltimbua Boma". Here we greeted seriously looked old and middle-aged men, happy woman, and children as well as lambs, got cow and thousand flies. We just surprised our hosts and their neighbors by our few lent Maasai words. We erected our tents under acacia trees which fantastic sunrise from Losimingiro mountain and set behind the valley walls its undulating raise to looked like subways on the sky.

On the morning of 10th after what sounds like suppressed rich breakfast out of expectation of such an academic trip..the cooker, Okuli a.k.a Chakuli was that kind of guy who can change impossible to be possible. Official study and data collection started by splitting into the two main groups. Eric and Molly doing transact walking with fun Maasai guide to whom I owe respect heard north while I with hip hop sort of birds expert Alex heading south with Kevin and Annie who were doing the plotting. We planned to walk towards escarpment it was close enough but flood plains made it longer.



I'm not hash, this is Africa
Tallgrass made us do wrong assumption of distance, we walked on the flood with water sometimes reached up kneels. In front as pathfinder I turned back time to time to ask my fellow "Are you Okay?, "Sure..we are" they replayed briefly but their face was speaking loud "What is the f***k you man thinking to make us cross the ocean by feet" I remark, "never mind this is Africa" I conclude. After about 45 minutes of walking on water, we arrived on the rice paddies which was more easy walking on. Finally, we arrived on the edge of yellow back acacia forest "fever trees". Here we did a couple of plotting and follow all scientific procedures though they sound ridiculous sometimes. This forest situated on the foot of the valley wall is extended feeding range for Ngorongoro or Manyara elephant herds as it becomes clear when we found fresh footprints. Agriculture communities attracted by fertile soil stayed for the expanse of elephant as one woman found us and warn us about the risk emphasize it with the story of a woman who lost her life to the charged elephants less than a month.


more than kind!
On the 14th we break our first camp, walked across the plains sometimes without the trails. We had a rest outside solitary Maasai boma. Onesimo charted the hostess who comes out due to our present since Maasai can only ease by elder name, Onesimo a resident of Engaruka knew more than half bomas on these plains whose most of owner migrated from Engaruka. Our temporary hosts they were more than welcome, within ten minutes we were drinking freshly boiled milk… this was more than kind!


the man wore red blankets with a hoe on his hands...
Apart from amazing landscape views there was a day strange scene; a man wore red blankets with a hoe on his hand. It is common to see these man standing with long sticks watch after large herds of cattle, goats, and sheep but with natural dynamics; carbohydrates demands, availability of patch of arable soil and challenged by farmers communities are likely factors pushed this man to attack the harder surface of land with 25.27..30 blows of hand hoe to cover square miter. It is labor demand to remove perennial weeds and short shrubs that grow with grains.


Mando line
We arrived at the camp at lunchtime after our spaghetti lunch we left to Selela by the free ride of old but strong enough land rover known as "mando line" carried about trice its capacity. Since the owner is the decent Maasai guy couldn't dare to left any Maasai going to the market…the mando line entered and passed through the crowded red market which four identical mzungus took its attention.


I do smell like solitary Buffalo
The main aim of going Selela was to get a shower which since we left Mto wa Mbu was just by the can. Alex alleged "As the day passed by without shower my smile is getting worse …from male got now I smell like solitary Buffalo" apart of a laugh not asked for an explanation since it is normal for this guy to speak odd and funny things. Think about the smell of solitary buffalo. Since the bucket shower was one by one system cold coke from paraffin fridge took place. In the late, afternoon we left Selela walking back to the camp situated about 3km northeast which means long way walking without sweating and smell like buffalo again!


Ndorosi camp
The last day at "Ndorosi camp" was among the joy an awestruck morning as huge yellow ball rise from the east, mix and change the colors on the sky bring the light to the vast plains. In this time we congregated under acacia near large termite for a cup of coffee which made the time more than sensation. We started walking 8am one hour late due to the agreed time, four hours walking was very exciting as we walk on the plains, bush and cross the river as it requires us to remove shoes. Large fascinating mammals such giraffes, zebras and gazelles were close spotted as we walk past them. The worth spot was that of rare "giraffe gazelle" Gerenuk. We had our lunch at the bush picnic in the river valley flowing from escarpment towards dry and thirsty plains. Siesta took place as we sat on the riverside listen to the bird's calls with water in the background which created wonderful rhythm. I lost my patient observing this precious subject, slowly I removed my clothes and throw myself into the pool.


Mbuko river side bush camp
The "Mbuko river side bush camp" was just down in the same river where it become more flat. Water as well as fire wood for camp fire was plenty together with the fact that the camp was just on the bush of no where made this camp to rank high among favorites camps.


Maasai morani
The study and data collection took place on all four cardinal directions the long and arduous one being the one which we had to hike uphill without success try to reach valley foot which here gives rise to a certain peak hence lost its common future. We walked on the open bush where we disturb impala rums and dick dick couples whose in turn jump and run randomly while baboons troop respond by backing. As we walk further and further there were threatening feelings due to the bound possibility to meet large carnivorous. I wished I was equipped with spear-like Maasai morani (warriors) but confronting hungry lions could be another story. I told Annie who wasn't ready to leave the sweet life that, "eaten by a lion will bring fame due to the wide story coverage" but she throws out my comments as she says "What the fame will do for a dead person?"

Sadly but with little option 24th "Mbuko riverside bush camp" was broken. This day 12km walking was just sheer surprise as it covered in the relatively short time but not without exhaust as clearly seen here


largest tourists hotel ever in south sahara
The study and data collection was from our camp situated at Engaruka Juu (upper). Our method of plot piece of land here in the well-populated area compare to where we have been was challenged. Wherever we plot the land the owner or other curious folks pop in and bomb us with questions, we just slow them down as we greet them by our lent Maasai then explanation accordingly "These Mzungus work for World Bank they plan to build largest tourists hotel even in south sahara so all maasai will get job as guards" I just tease a maasai who asked me why I'm selling his land to mzungu without his consultation.


African lost city
Engaruka is pretty populated compared to normal maasai village, the population is sustained primarily by agriculture which is well adopted here followed by livestock keeping. Today Engaruka is only a glimpse of an imaginable oldest African lost city. Leakey estimated there were about 6300 stones huts on slopes as well as 500 in the valley. Irrigation terrace was so intensive and extended which we couldn't avoid plotting on its remains. Engaruka said to reach its height in the 14th-17th century (Pre-medieval and medieval centuries) when the large part of the continent experience high rainfall. Further study on the area made it clear that Engaruka inhabited and maintain for a long time by successive groups, mention, Bantu and Afri-Asiatic (Cushitic) agriculturalist and pastoralist groups as well as recently northerner Nilo-tic header. The hereto maasai adopt more small scale farming which they inherit from previous groups whose may abandoned the area due to insufficient rains. Instead of maintaining the city's current inhabitant seem to carry on with a nomadic way of life by building small conical thatch madhouse which the only expense is time thus people here have plenty.


The relative gently slopes allowed the water flow from volcanic Ngorongoro highlands to be channeled for irrigation in the rich alluvial deposit soil as the aerial view from escarpment reveal. Today the remain water channel is less inhabited but intensively exploited by small scale farms. These farms often need to be fenced to keep animals out. Such demands were to some extent and still are environment deteriorate as farmers chopped down particular thorn trees or shrubs like Acacia, Balanite and Comiphora. This kind of tree/shrubs spends ages to build up their special adaptation to survive hence make contribute to the wheel of life in these plains. Thanks for the invention of using Jacktropher seed to produce bio-diesel which run diesel engine here and give electrical light this remote village. The easy growing Jacktropher plaint is planted around the farms and bomas replacing thorn trees/shrubs. Availability of grazing area and semi-permanent water, hormonally diversify social activities creating unique social-economy leave the green patch on the vast dry Savannah pains remain unique in the universe.


mixed feelings
Four nights passed like flush then the time to leave an amazing life which started to absolve as slowly. On the 29th morning, we board the only bus to Mto wa Mbu, it was a typical tense moment, everyone occupied by mixed feelings. Perhaps 48% was the only a person willingness to go back to what was sound like a hectic and depressing world but... Who created such situation isn't we ourselves? While the entire passengers no matter standing or uncomfortable sitting we chatting we were pretending meditating our eyes fixed on sunrise bush and landscape. Talk rise only when rare scenes like when large mammals run parallel the bus. The bus adventure was awesome as normal NO HURRY IN AFRICA take you time when you stop but 120km/h when driving.

We pulled off at Mto wa Mbu without wasting time we went to Red Banana for Chai….Karibu!

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In the Great Rift Valley Flow

Finding the lost migratory white stoke 

The rough plan to venture out to where the idle mind can be active as observing and guide by nature was not yet a conferment course of several facts. The blind and self-assignment to find the lost migratory white stock was strong reason enough to reinforce this adventure. This white stock named Gertrud the last breed in north German before leaving at the begin of 2010 winter to long journey almost flew half of the world to reach East Africa and return back to Europe for breading and repeat the cycle. Gertrud was among other researched stock by Birds Network, German-based NABU and here in Tanzania WCST as a local partner.

Unfortunately, the organization branch with an excuse that I haven’t comply yet failed to fund this trip. I borrowed GPS which was among crucial equipment on this trip from Conservation Resource Center. Thanks, Howard for great support of insect location longitude and latitude in our old GPS. My gas stove seemed to allow me to boil coffee and spaghetti, tent and sleeping equipment was ready as usual.

I left Arusha by board bus at the small central bus stand, heading towards west then turn to the west –north at Makuyuni town where Great Rift Valley flow becomes visible. The low land of rift valley flow characterized by flat terrains with acacia bushes. I got off at my favorite off shower town of Lake Manyara basin, Mto Wa Mbu town (mosquito creak). Here I had to wait for small old track delivering products to remote maasai village, Engaruka. There is only one bus that leaves Mto wa Mbu in the evening driving through the bumping track for about 55km to Engaruka. The adventure starts from my favorite town of Mto wa mbu where I board small cargo track instead of only one over the full bus. I decided to travel with this small track avoiding the bus which had more stand passengers than those who sat. I knew inside of it I will have to tolerate tobacco saliva which maasai split all the time as they smell it then chew it. This makes them being high all the time.

The small track offered a magnificent view as we drove through the rift valley flow alongside it huge wall. These savannah plains are doted by maasai bomas with their cattle watched after by young dust full who often wave to us enthusiastic no matter we replay back or no. Travel in this remote maasai area it adventures on itself, old small track produces a lot of black smoke mixed with dust you can't see where you come from. Young drive wanted to show his best on the bumping gravel rough road which left my buttock with two days of pain. We passed at Selela village where drive had to stop, he accelerates the engine without a move while making a lot of horn, this causes almost the whole village to come out. The passengers and work of this track are out of time in such stop it takes about 45 minutes to resume the journey just talking, smoke and drink. We left the village passed maasai elders sat under baobab trees chewing tobacco while discussing something.

After 55km we reached at Engaruka maasai village where I overnight in the deserted camp. Offered free camp owner/manager Mr.Mathayo who still remembered me since my last visit, when I was leading Cross Tanzania Cycling Expedition. After making my spaghetti I dinner with disturbing night mouths attracted by my flashlight, I crawl into a tent and sleep. I was awoken with high pitch noise of a hundred of weaver birds nesting on the tree which I camp under.

This was walking day on the plains as there was no sign of transport from here to Engaresero about 60km further interior. In the savannah plains, I was me with different wild animals such as gazelles, wildebeests, zebras, ostrich, and birds in the scatted flat-top acacia where I feel sort sharing the working. Few young maasai with their cattle on the horizon.


These animals when the smell or saw me they run away but amazing was when occasion vehicle just 3 I counter for whole day passed they just stare on them only. The walk was sort of meditation as for several hours I was into real uninterrupted nature just sound of wind, vast plains, animal, and mountains tried to think about myself but nothing was serious with deep pain than bright sun which I felt like moved a bit down to the earth for few kilometers, bunt legs and heavy backpacker made the most of self incarnation. At 1pm I decide to have a nap under fat top acacia after realize I can’t push it more with this brilliant sun burn like electrical iron.

I Walk for the entire day, I got a free ride at the evening for 20km which add on the day distance 60km. Overnight at the hot basin of Lake natron, I sort free camping at moivaro lodges. Manger whoever reception maasai gentle man with his blankets and enough bracelets on his body perhaps to entertain tourists, more wife? Beauty? I don’t know, a lot to learn. He wondered in the first place when I told him I'm searching for “Ndege”, Ndege means bird and airplane/flight in Swahili. After long explanations, he claims to know those bird and add that when he saw them last time he fond other with something on they heard looked like antennae which I come to find out later was GPS transmitter. With such sensation conversation and the fact that I am working for a non-profit company free camp was granted.

 I was awakened by maasai guy who will be my guide from here at 3am ready to start the trek. We trek for the whole day, led by GPS in someplace need us to make long loping due to impassable valleys. We fond maasai boma for refugee when golden huge ball like a sink a bit low on the west. Live the sky dark dominated by uncountable stars took us into deep rest if the night. Trek continues early in the morning, we left the boma at 4am, the golden ball on its mystery journey from east to west met use on the middle of the bush. Visible and invisible creatures sing to celebrate it come back, ooh my mind went out of conscious absolutely failed to control my emotion which intoxicates my soul and body by the amazing radiation.  I throw myself into this ceremony which releases my tense and made the glands to stop produce stress. I forget what I was up for absolutely! Merely enjoyed the walk and made most of the moment.

 On the way we found the evacuated bomas which now my colleague told me they are the season bomas as the land was for drought reserve. He showed me eland fesses which are just like gazelles pellets. As he anticipated few minutes we saw a huge gazelle like mammals, Eland. Few kilometers from the destination my beloved hiking shoes worn off, the sole left the still strong leather. At 12am we reached the destination. I search the area for a few minutes before my heard bust with real joy when I sport the dead bird on the top of acacia.

We made our way back and reach at the basin 10pm, as my shoes worn off, my lags were badly burnt. I took one day off and spend it observing human life on this small village. Find out apart of touristic potential the area has litter to support these pastoralists maasai to make quality life. I got another track which was going without clutch this made the way back to Mto wa mbu to be another adventure.

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Awareness

Africa remains to be among the places in the world which present the entire ecology. The typical integrate between the Natural world and human, whose development for many ways have been so frangible to the co-exist ecology. My mind has been always working to understand this complex better. Reinforced me to try to find the path on the less traveled road; living with full awareness and consciousness of our every action towards our earth. This kind of unaware is a result of the crucial human challenge. Global warming is a higher manifestation of our moment.

The un-industrialized region of the southern hemisphere particular Africa is not out of the system. The rain forest of the west and tropical helped a lot to clean the polluted sky. But the degradation rate of these remains natural saviors is shocking. There are efforts from the international leave to the local government but still no significant changes yet. The hardship in may part of the continent, lark of aware its among of the contributions of negativity towards the natural world around us. Very much in Africa as we act against our natural world as much as we walk ourselves necked into a burning fire. We must work more ever hard to protect our natural world, know and understand it better.

Being un-industrialized but with equal demands, the African community needs back up. Tourism has to be crucial back since colonial times. Thousands and thousands of tourists visit the continent in search of recreation, adventure, knowledge, reconnection,  therapy, etc. These helped the natural world around to have its means of existence. Although this has been mostly in the level of government which inherited the management form colonials government who first had a glimpse of the future of the natural world. This kind of system lets the general community out of system. The recent trends "Eco-tourism" and "Reduce footprint" seem to be the alternatives. There is a call to the travelers including tourists to be more "Responsible". Tourism will envolve not only to seek the connection to the natural world but event to our very self. The unique relation of the natural world with us is often hidden into culture and customs. We always evolve with them now we need to integrate them into our conservation practice, tourism and touristic practise.

In the recent days after finishing my cycling visibility study in about twelve African countries (http://cyclingaroundafrica.blogspot.com/). In Arusha town, the main destination for the travelers within East Africa, I resume my daily routine. Among my daily routine is to visit the fast urbanized town outskirts. I was amazed in most of the places I have visited in 2008 which were the home of the remain flora and fauna, the remainder of the natural world representing the ecological bound. Most of the place has been replaced with infrastructure such as living houses. I know this may sound like resistance towards development but that is not what I intend to say here. I know the need for infrastructure so I would like the public to be aware of our development and our actions.

In the area such as slops of Mt. Meru (4600m) the home of the valuable flora and fauna but the human activities such as un-planned tree cutting are genocide against the natural world.

It is possible for one to have the simple tour within Arusha outskirts which can be done easier by board shared minibusses (daladala) get off the bus at any point of interest and start to ponder the wonder. As long as you are equipped with guide books and Binocular the short walk will be unbelievable. On the east side of the town Tengeru, Usa river, Kingori, et cetera in the slops of Mt. Meru, the home of Meru people you will easier find a variety of forest plants. In these fields and riverside forests, you will find fauna varying from monkeys, birds, lizards to butterflies. The same to the west and south of the town at Mbauda kwa muorombo, Kisongo and monduli outskirts.

The grown number of the people visiting these areas will possibly ending give the value to the forgettable natural world in these Arusha town outskirts and others as well.

It is by familiarizing ourselves with nature we get to understand ourselves better as well as the natural phenomena and dynamics around us. My sole concern is with such a growing understanding of nature human won't just only continue to course harm to the very environment host him but very much to himself.

Mount Meru

Mount Meru is the second-highest mountain in Tanzania and is the fifth-highest in Africa, it’s about (1999ft) 4566m.With gracefully profile that is clearly visible to anyone who visits in Arusha.
The most scenic and rewarding climbs and definitely worth a visit.
The small eruption has been reported in the last 100 years indicating that Meru is still not quite extinct.
Local Waarusha and Wa-meru people who live in the area regard the mountain as sacred. There are stories of sacrificed and offered to the mountain to ensure rain in the coming season.
Over (400 species) 0f birds, elephant, buffalo, baboon, warthog, black and white colobus monkey and antelopes are all founded in this ecosystem.


The Climb
Ascending Mount Meru once required either a dawn start and a hectic dash to the top followed by a tiring trudge back down in the dying light, or camping on the first and perhaps even the second night Now the trip can be made in comfort by the new cabins, Miriakamba Hut and Saddle Hut.

DAY ONE: From Momela Gate where it is necessary to sign and pay fees the roads lead west, fording the Ngare Nanyuki River and crossing some open bushy grassland where a resident herd of buffalo regularly graze around the base of an outlier, Tulusia Hill. The track skirts the domed hill to the south, past several excellent campsites, and begins to climb through densely forested foothills. Leopard and rhino have been seen here, but you are more likely to encounter bush back and a fleeting glimpse of a turaco flashing across a glade.

The road continues to wind its way between the buttressed trunks of the lower mountain forest at about 2,000 meters (6,560 feet). Many of the trees are fig and Nuxia congesta species, and the much taller African olive, Olea hochstetteri.With its finery curved, tall, and slender climbers, it is a far cry from the stubby, gnarled European olive. Around the base of the tree grows black-eyed Susan, Thunbergia alata.

Higher into the upper zone of the forest the trees are predominantly loft juniper, or African pencies and the equally tall podocarpus, or East African yellow wood, both valuable as timber species. The provide food for the flocks of raucous red-fronted parrots.

Glades formed by the fallen trees and elephants are kept open by buffalo which graze the areas where lady's mantle, Achemilla volkensii, and blue vetch, Parochetus communis thrive in the sunlight.

By the time Kitoto Hill has reached the vegetation has become open health land characterized by the bushy green Erica arborea

From here an alternative trip up the mountains track can be taken westwards towards the crater itself and an area called Njeku which lies at the confluence of several streams.Njeku refers to the old woman who has of the power of rainmaking. In times of drought, the Meru people would make a sacrifice to the gods at the base of an ancient juniper tree that stands nearby.

When the long rains do arrive they bring out the "red hot pokers” that glow in the surrounding lowlands and valleys, along with the pink-flowed balsam.


DAY TWO: After spending the night at Miriakamba, there is a steep but relatively relaxing walk up to the Saddle Hurt, passing through the open north-eastern flanks of the mountain where the red-flowered hagenia trees grow profusely. The trees are often covered in epiphytic ferns and mosses, their rich green splashed with the exuberance of that other perching plant, the orchid.

The path curved through health land and the gradient becomes gentler as the Saddle Hut at 3,600 meters (11,808feet) comes into view between the crater rim and the peak of Little Meru to the north.

Little Meru is only 250 meters (820 feet) higher than the Saddle and can be reached easily by those who feel up to the short scramble to the park's north-western limit. From here there are superb views of Kilimanjaro, the Momela Lakes and, to the west and north, the wildness that harbors Ol Doinyo Lengai and Lake Natron.

The healthier quickly thins after the saddle and gives way to hardly grasses and sedge. But even these cannot survive on the barren sands of the crater rim that curves around in a counterclockwise direction along a series of ridges, crags and lava boulder to the rocky knoll of the summit itself.

Tanzania National Parks

National Packs
The National park each offers something slightly, whether it is a different type of animal or bird or different type of game drive.
Certain packs allow walking or boat safari, other have horse or camel back game drives and some allow night drives. Even hot air
Balloon safari is possible. The Serengeti has wide-open plains and huge herds of wildebeest. Considered African Eden and the
Eighth wonder of the world .Ngorongoro Crater has huge concentration of many different animals and a relatively healthy population
of rhinoceros.Mahale and Gombe Stream each support population of wild chimpanzee, With Mahale also being the residence of
Elephant and zebra herds and Gombe Stream National Park being the base for Jane Goodall's-long term chimpanzee study.
The Selous Natural Reserve is one of the biggest wildlife reserves on the planet and is home to many animals, including the
Endangered African Wild Dog. The Rufiji River and the ecosystem centered on it are the most attractions of the Ruaha National Park,
Home to both sable and roan antelope. Lake Manyara National Park is famous for its tree-climbing lions. The only coastal National
Park is Saadani, near Dar es Salaam. Relatively small, this unique park has many interesting features, including the herds of
Elephant that like to start their day by playing in the ocean surf.Jozani forest in Unguja Island is the only place in the world to see
The endangered Dirk's Red Colabus monkey. This park is an excellent example of the impact of conservation education, as nearby
Communities work together to help preserve the habitat of the playful and fascinating natural residents and entrance fees directly
Benefit the park and surrounding communities. Other national park including Arusha, Mt.Kilimanjaro and Tarangire.

Great Migrations

Between the Ngorongoro highlands, Lake Victoria and Tanzania’s northern border with Kenya stretches one of the world's last
Great wildlife refuges-the Serengeti.

Its name comes from the Masan Serengeti, meaning ''endless plain". The Serengeti's 14,763 square kilometers (5,700 square miles)
Equal in size to Connecticut or Northern Ireland contain an estimated three million large animals, most of whom take part in a
Season migration that is unparalleled in nature. Not since the days of the great bison migration the Northern American plain have
there been such concentrations of the animals on the move at one time.

Twice a year, triggered by rains, 1.3 million wildebeest, 200,000 zebra and 300,000. Thomson’s gazelle gather to undertake the
Long trek to new grazing lands. The migration of the herbivores roughly defines the boundaries of Serengeti National Park which is
the central zone of the Serengeti ecosystem, an area that also takes min Kenya's Maasai Mara National Reserve the Ngorongoro
Conservation Area and the Maswa Game Reserve to the west. Within this 25,900 square kilometers 10,000 squares miles) of varied
landscape live thirty-five species of plains animals and 500 species of birds.

The park is made up of the different vegetation zone. In the dry south, located in the lee of the Ngorongoro highlands, are short
and long grass plains, where an average of only fifty-one centimeters of rain falls sporadically during the year. In the center lies the
Acacia Savannah. The western corridor, a region of wooded highland and pans of black cotton soil, curves off in a great swathe to
the edge of the Lake Victoria where the rainfall is twice that of the south. To the north is wooded grassland concentrated along
watercourses and tribulations of the Gourmet and Mara rivers.


History
One hundred years ago the Maasai first arrive at the Serengeti, bringing their fierce reputation and abundant cattle to graze on
the rich grasses. Prior to this the region was unabated and only the Ndorobo and Ikioma came here occasionally to hunt. The
Maasai were soon felled by Dr Oscar Bauman, a German anti-slaver who passed through on his way to Burundi in 1892. Other
white were quick to grasp the Serengeti potential and by 1913 the first European hunter arrived to shoot game. Lion were
Considered to be vermin and were so plentiful on the plains that it was not uncommon for a hundred to be killed on a single safari.

By 1921 their numbers had been drastically reduced and it become clear that lions that lion and other game needed protection. In
response the area was made partial game reserve and eight years later a complete reserve.

The Serengeti was one of the first regions to benefit from the growing appreciation that wildlife was not infinitely renewable but
Needed safeguarding- usually from human interference- and in 1951 the reserve was designated a national park. It was Tanzania's
First national park. The Serengeti has also declared a World Heritage Site, in recognition of its uniqueness of the great migrations.

The original Serengeti also incorporated the Ngorongoro lands. In 1956 the Ngorongoro Conservation Area was created as a
Separate unit to meet the needs of the Maasai and their livestock who, prior to this, had denied access to their old grazing lands
around Ngorongoro highlands in the interests of wildlife.

The best time to see the heavy concentration of animals on the plains is from January to February. During the two periods of
November and March -April- May, it possible by use a four-wheel drive vehicle


Island of the plains
After a kill, lion of the Serengeti will often retreat to kopjes (pronounced kopjeee) an Afrikaans word meaning ''small heard''. This
granite domes can be oases of the dry season and they support distinct population of animals that live there or come to drink from
their rock pool. Most kopjes are found north of Naabi Hill Gate and Seronera Lodge is built around one.

They provide shelter for a number of plants that can not grow out on the open grassland, such as sensevieria, aloes, blue and
yellow hibiscus, and spectacular crimson Gloriosa lily, Cheetah use the boulders as lookout points from where they scan the
plains for the game and rock hyrax lives among them in burrows where they it remains from the leopard, jackal and serval cat.

Accommodation
Serennora lodge is imaginatively built around a large kopje at the summit of which an observation platform is reached by
Climbing rock-hewn steps. Eighty kilometers (50 miles) away by good road and comparable in style and comfort, Lobo lodge
overlooks the northern plains. Both have its own airstrips.Eight five kilometers west of Seronera lodge is Gurumeti River Camp,
a luxury permanent camp runs on solar power. Ninety six kilometers (60 miles) from Naabi Hill Gat the newer, luxury Maasai
manyata inspired Serengeti Sopa Lodge gives sweeping views across the plain from the Nyaboro Hill.

There are different campsite in the park, at Seronora, Lobo, Moru Kopjes, Naabi Hill Gate and Kirawira.