The Rift Valley Escarpments in Tanzania
The Rift Valley Escarpments in Tanzania: These vast Rift Valley Escarpments in Tanzania form spectacular cliffs that are ideally a perfect backdrop for some of the most beautiful sceneries and exciting tourism activities. These are large slopes with cliffs, hills, and valleys through which several wildlife species, the origin of human beings, and other natural attractions are found. Visiting the Rift Valley escarpments in Tanzania is one of the most fulfilling natural, cultural, and adventurous experiences one is likely to go through in the entire world since they are likely to explore one of the oldest areas in the world.
The Geology of the Rift Valley
Great Rift Valley was established many years ago by movements of the tectonic plates which led to the appearance of faults and fractures producing the valleys and escarpment, highlands. In Tanzania, the Rift Valley splits into two branches: the ‘axial valleys of the East Africa Plateau including the Eastern Rift Valley floor of the Serengeti Plains and the Ngorongoro Crater and the Western Rift Valley along the Lake Tanganyika.
The scarping of the Rift Valley is the steep slopes bounding the valley, sloping abruptly from the outer-lying plains. These escarpments not only have features of geological features but also enhance the beauty of some of the popular national parks and conservation areas in Tanzania.
Notable Escarpments and Their Attractions
Tanzania’s Rift Valley escarpment country has the following features that make it even more suitable for adrenalin activities and sightseeing: Here are some of the most notable escarpments in Tanzania and what they have to offer:
- The Ngorongoro Crater Escarpment
The Ngorongoro Crater in Northern Tanzania is among the famous features of the Rift Valley System and probably one of the most spectacular. This is the world’s biggest extinct, closed volcanic structure, which was created after a super-sized volcano erupted and subsided about two to three million years back. The rim of the crater standing a couple of hundred feet above the floor of the crater offers incredible views of the crater’s greenery as well as a variety of wildlife.
The Ngorongoro Crater has also many nice animals, like elephants, lions, black rhinos, and wildebeest, thus the Crater is one of the best places for watching wildlife in Tanzania. Tourists can also enjoy themselves by hiking along the Caldera Circle where there are excellent views and short forested montane slopes that have many bird varieties and some small mammals.
- The Manyara Escarpment
Located on the Eastern Rift Valley circuit of Manyara Escarpment, the park provides an excellent view of the lake and the plains below. It is formed from the Great Rift Valley floor and is intensely forested and at the same attracts baboons, blue monkeys, and a variety of bird species.
Lake Manyara National Park at the base of the escarpment hosts tree-climbing lions, and large flocks of flamingo and ranges from the groundwater forest of the moister slope to the savannah of the highland zone while supporters of park authority speak of conservation and anti-poaching. A tour at the park can be accompanied with a nature walk up the escarpment in order to enjoy the sights around the park and to view the animals that live in the park habitat.
- The Usambara Mountains Escarpment
The Usambara Mountains, which is in the northeastern region of Tanzania, is part of the Eastern Arc range and is much of a steep escarpment rising from the surrounding plateau. The mountainous region is associated with complex ecosystems, low temperatures, and tropical rainforests, and therefore attracts tourists for trekking mostly.
Some other attractions include the availability of several trailheads that offer hikers different options including hiking through forests, past waterfalls, and to spectacular lookouts that give one over 500 feet view of the valley below. Another unique and beautiful place is the Usambara Mountains which are a few small villages where the tourist can also have an opportunity to enjoy the stay and have a view of how agriculture the people do and their kind of arts and crafts.
- The Mbeya Escarpment
Located in the southern part of Tanzania, the Mbeya Escarpment is part of the Western Rift Valley system, which provides stunning vistas of the surrounding highlands and valleys. Escarpment region is composed of steep slopes, rocky terrains, and vegetation cover which all makes it favorable for hiking and other nature-related activities.
Mbeya region is with coffee and tea production and is endowed with different geographical features with densities of forests and vast plains. The escarpment therefore opens up several routes for hikers to follow with one of them leading to the Ngozi Crater Lake; a volcanic lake situated within the southern Mbeya Range.
- Kipengere Range and Livingstone Mountains as the Escarpments.
The Kipengere Range and Livingstone Mountains are found in the southwestern region of Tanzania and in the Western Rift Valley plateau. Such mountains are characterized by rough surfaces, high altitudes and long slopes, and steep valleys, thus making them an important site of trekking and other related sporting activities.
The escarpments provide various facilities and some of the activities include; walking, bird watching, and there are many waterfalls and rivers which crisscross through the slopes. The region also boasts of several ethnic groups such as the Nyakyusa, Safwa among others who have well maintained their traditional ways of life and so tourists are privileged to experience the traditional way of life in Tanzania.
Planning Your Trip to the Rift Valley Escarpments
Tanzania’s Rift Valley escarpments for example are very exciting and beautiful to tour, but to do this requires some planning so that the end result is a safe and wonderful experience. The best time to visit the escarpments is during the dry season which lasts from June-October and December –March when it is easy to move around due to the good weather.
Travelers are advised that contrary to the tropical climate the escarpment country may have sharp and quick changes in temperature and rain. They advised me to take some clothes ranging from warm clothes in the highland regions and light wear in the lowland regions. Also expected are strong and steady walking shoes, a hat, and sunscreen lotion as well as insect repellent.
There are several tour operating companies that provide guided tours and safari to the Rift Valley escarpment including transport, accommodation as well as expert tour guides.
Conclusion
The escarpments in the Rift Valley region of Tanzania finally present stunning views of landscape, fauna, and interactions with ethnic groups in the region and are recommended for travelers looking for discovery and adventure. Depending on the program, hikers are able to experience the beauty of the forests, historical sites or just breathtaking views of the whole escarpments that offer a tourist-rich experience of natural and cultural diversities of Tanzania. Therefore, prepare your luggage and be sure that each journey there will be full of discoveries of the Rift Valley escarpments.
