The park and its most famous resident, mount Kilimanjaro covers an area of 292 sq. miles (755 sq. km). The park is in northern Tanzania, with the nearest town being Moshi.

Kilimanjaro has become incredibly popular for climbers of all abilities. With a little determination, a walking stick and the correct clothing, most reach this very accessible summit.

Once you have climbed the summit and obtained your certificate, you still have the enjoyment of seeing a wide variety of animals such as elephant, leopard and buffalo that live in the forests at the foot slopes of the mountain.

The clearest and warmest time to visit the area is between December and February, with colder temperatures between July and September.

The park is about an hour's drive from Kilimanjaro airport and about 80 miles from Arusha.

The Ngorongoro Crater sinks to a depth of 610 metres with a base area covering 260 square kilometres. The rim of the crater is a staggering 2,286 metres above sea level.

Ngorongoro is also home to two other craters: Olmoti and Empakai. Olmoti is famous for its stunning waterfalls and Empakai has a deep lake with lush green walls.

It is estimated that the area contains over 25,000 large animals, including the rare black rhinoceros and the densest known population of lions. Other animals found in abundance include, wildebeests, zebras, eland and Grant's and Thomson's gazelles.

The Serengeti is the oldest and most popular national park. It is famed for its annual migration when thousands of animals trek in search of fresh grazing. But even in the quieter times, the Park still offers a wide range of animals, including great herds of buffalo, eland, impala and topi. And not surprisingly, the park is also home to a large number of predators including prides of lion, leopards and hyenas are all present.

Arusha National Park is in northern Tanzania not far from Arusha town. It is one of the smaller national parks offering safaris at a more laid back and quiet pace. The park is home to the Momela Lakes, Mount Meru and the Ngurdoto Crater. And on a clear day, it also offers wonderful views of mount Kilimanjaro.

Game viewing around the Momela Lakes offers you the chance to see groups colobus monkeys playing in the canopy. There are also opportunities to enjoy canoe and riding safaris and walks around the rim of Ngurdoto Crater. For those wanting to get acclimatised before tackling Mount Kilimanjaro, you can take a 3 or 4 day trek up Mount Meru.

The park is a 40 minute drive from Arusha, which is considered the gateway to the Northern Circuit.

Tarangire National Park is an easy drive from Arusha, making it an ideal stop on the Northern Circuit. For it's small size, it still offers a wide variety of game, including tree climbing pythons and large herds of elephants. It also offers a wide variety of birdlife, with some 550 species present in the area.

The majority of Lake Manyara National Park is the lake itself. It covers 230 square kilometres of the total area of 330 kilometres. Not surprisingly therefore, there is a plethora of birdlife to be seen here. More than 400 species have been recorded here, including pink-hued flamingos, pelicans, cormorants and storks.