The Serengeti Migration
(image via: daretothink)
Every year, starting between January and March, the wildebeest of the Serengeti ecosystem in north Tanzania to southwestern Kenya begin their ‘Great Migration‘. Considered one of the ten natural travel wonders of the world, it’s the largest terrestrial mammal migration that sees at least 1.2 million wildebeest travel from the Ngorongoro area throughout the Serengeti. The wildebeest continually search for the best grazing, and throughout their annual migration on the short grass plains, they give birth to approximately half a million calves. About a quarter million of them die throughout this journey, which ends in the Maasai Mara reservation in Kenya – usually due to starvation, thirst, exhaustion or predators.
Mount Kilimanjaro
(image via: erik cleves kristensen)
Africa’s highest mountain – at 19,341 feet above sea level – is a dormant volcano with three distinct volcanic cones. Located in Tanzania, the mountain has been a popular trek for adventurers since its highest peak, Kibo, was conquered by a group of Europeans in 1889. Today, there are six official trekking routes including the very steep Machame – which will take climbers to the summit within seven days – and the easiest, Rongai. The mountain is extremely rich in biodiversity and is home to elephants and African buffalos.
Rainforests of the Virunga National Park
(image via: francois terrier, wikimedia commons)
Within one of Africa’s most conflicted nations – the Democratic Republic of Congo – is the Virunga National Park, home to the elusive and highly threatened mountain gorilla. The park has survived the nation’s long-troubled history, providing a safe refuge for the gorillas. Though there is an ongoing battle with poachers, the park is currently experiencing a resurgence of tourist activity. In addition to both mountain and low-land gorillas, it’s home to chimpanzees, forest elephants, giraffes and buffalo.
