The great attracrtions in Tanzania
Tanzania is one of the East African countries and
the one among four leading countries in the world in term of biodiversities,
the country have 16 national parks under Tanzania National Parks (TANAPA).
Tanzania is rich in both wild fauna and flora. Some of national parks with
unique features in Tania includes Rudondo and Saanane national parks both
found in Lake Victoria in Mwanza region, the region which large part of it is
dominated by Moist forest mosaic (Tropical rain forest).
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| Mwanza city Tanzania |
RUBONDO NATIONAL PARK
Rubondo national park is one of the two island
national parks found in Tanzania mainland, The park has 456.8 km2 of which
236.8 km2 is dry land and 220 km2 is water comprising of 11 small islets of
varying sizes. Rubondo Island became a game reserve in 1965, to provide a
sanctuary for animals and Rubondo Island National Park was gazetted in 1977. It
is an important breeding ground for both migratory birds and fish species
(especially Tilapia and Nile perch) as for a long time it stood to be the only
area in the waters of Lake Victoria which was well protected and preserved. It is
1,134 metres above sea level. The highest point on Rubondo is the Masa Hills in
the far south, at an elevation of 1,486m (350m above the level of the lake).The
main island measures 28 km from north to south and is 3–10 km wide.
Rubondo Island is on a rift in the lake. Rubondo essentially consists of a
partially submerged rift of four volcanically formed hills, linked by three
flatter isthmuses. The island has no rivers and the soil is volcanic. The
habitat is mixed evergreen and semi deciduous forest, which covers about 80% of
the island’s surface area, when you visit
Serengeti you will find out that about 80% of the park is covered by a dense
forest thus providing a variety of habitats to wildlife ranging from savannah,
open woodland, papyrus swamps to dense forest.
Native animals species in the park includes, sitatunga,
bushbucks, velvet monkeys, genet cats, spotted necked otters, hippopotamus and
crocodiles
Introduced animal species includes chimpanzees,
elephants, giraffes, black and white colubus monkeys, suni and African grey
parrots. The park is famous by holding a variety of migratory birds from
different parts of the world and some birds native to the area like the African
fish eagles
The park is located on the south-western part of
Lake Victoria in Geita region about 150 km (95 miles) west of Mwanza city. The
Lake (Victoria) is the second largest lake in the world and is also the source
of the longest river in the world, River Nile.
| Rubondo island national park |
Several attractions are found in the island park the
includes
A variety of water birds , Eurasian migrants and
introduced African grey parrots
High density of African fish eagles distinctly seen
Animal species including Sitatunga, Elephants,
Giraffes, Hippos, Bushbucks, Pythons, Crocodiles, Chimpanzees (not fully
habituated), Bush pigs and Suni
The Lake Victoria forming a spectacular sight for
visitors with the deepest point in the lake (Irumo) forming part of the park
Magnificent view of one of the last remaining
representatives of evergreen dense primary lowland Congolese forest with a
unique habitat mosaic in the midst of high biodiversity value
Beautiful and attracting beaches such as Fly catcher,
Mchangani and Michicoco
Important gulfs of Irumo and Kamea
Clear sighting of both sun rise and sun set
Cultural sites such as “Ntungamirwe”, “Maji
Matakatifu”, “Altare” and “Solo” which explain the life of natives who once
stayed in the park, Birds Islands”, breeding sit for water birds,Crocodile island
Park Seasons
The Park is open and operates the whole year through
with the peak/high season from July to February (The best time for game
viewing) and low season that commences on March through June. The park normally
opens at 0630am and closes at 1800hours the time in which all visitors are
supposed to be in hotels, bandas, lodges, campsites or any places sought for
their accommodation.
SAANANE NATIONAL PARK
Saanane Island is a fully fledged National Park
since July, 2013, covering an area of 2.18 sq km comprises of three islets and
aquatic environment. The islets lie on the southern part of the main
Island. The Park is located 2km Southwest of Mwanza city centre, which lies in
the Gulf of Lake Victoria (Latitude 2.5 S and Longitude 32 E).
Historically, Saanane Island was managed as zoo in
1964 and elevated to a status of a Game Reserve in 1991. In 2006, the Ministry
of Natural Resources and Tourism directed Tanzania National Parks to assume
full responsibility of managing and overseeing the overall running of the game
reserve and initiate the process of elevating it to the status of a National
Park.
Till 2013 TANAPA had taken a number of measures to
fully utilize the area profitably by improving its marketability as a tourist
attraction site in order to generate income as well as revenue for the
government. Since 2006, TANAPA has been taking deliberate steps to realize this
objective. One of the measures taken was the introduction of limited number of
wild animals species (herbivores).
Recentry
TANAPA have official 16 National
Parks in the country, which includes Serengeti; Lake Manyara; Tarangire and Arusha
National Parks, Kilimanjaro; Mkomazi; Saadani; Mikumi; Udzungwa Mountains;
Ruaha; Kitulo; Katavi; Gombe; Mahale Mountains and Rubondo Island national
parks.
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| Some areas of Saanane island park |
Sadan national park made a record of being the first
ever National Park to be located within the City and the smallest National Park
in both Tanzania and East Africa. The Park is the home of mammals like Impala,
Rock Hyrax, Velvet Monkeys and Wild Cats. The presence of “De-brazas Monkey”
underscores its potential as the only Park in the country inhabiting the
species. Reptiles are also dominant; they include crocodiles, Monitor
Lizards, Agama Lizards, Pancake and Leopard Tortoises, Snakes particularly
Python.
| De- brothers monkey |
The aquatic part of the Park inhabits a variety of
fisheries life, mainly Tilapia and Nile Perch.
Saanane Island is an ideal place for game viewing,
bird watching, rock hiking, boat cruise, walking, picnics, bush lunch,
photographing/filming, meditation and sport fishing. Special occasions
like wedding, engagement, team building, family day and birthdays can also be
organized.
Visiting Season Saanane Island is an ideal place for
game viewing, bird watching, rock hiking, boat cruise, walking, picnics, bush
lunch, photographing/filming, meditation and sport fishing. Special
occasions like wedding, engagement, team building, family day and birthdays can
also be organized.
My dear friend it is up to you now to visit these parks and all other protected areas in the country.
Puzzle: It is hypothesed that a male and female human being adds 10 and 7 years respectively only by visting protected areas!!!.Find out!.
