The game aside, spectacularly diverse cluster of eco-systems and habitats is a dazzling experience for many a visitor. The stars of Northern Circuit are Serengeti and Ngorongoro, very dear to hearts of nature lovers. But no less sparkling and indeed complementing two are other members of circuit: Arusha, Tarangire and Lake Manyara. In terms of wildlife, abundance and diversity of wildlife here is difficult to imagine.

On top of heap are highly regarded "big five": elephant, buffalo, rhino, leopard and lion. And then a wild array of plain animals: wildebeest, zebra, eland, hartebeest, oryx, reedbuck, giraffe, Thompson gazelle, and many more of same genre. But do not forget merciless predators: cheetah, wild dog, jackal, hyena and vultures. The Northern Circuit is an ornithologist's paradise too, and over 500 species of birds are on record. On safari, you will be a witness of shocking and fascinating dance of life and death on daily play by this combination of animals.

The starting point for northern safaris is usually Arusha town. The town sits near base of Mount Meru and is in sight of mighty Kilimanjaro, Africa's highest mountain. From Arusha, nearest protected area to see wildlife is Arusha National Park, just 32 km away. In this park of 137 sq km area, you will see baboon, colobus and vervet monkeys, duikers, elephant, buffalo, giraffe, hippo, leopard, hyena, zebra and a wide range of antelopes. More than 400 species of birds have been recorded, including Eurasian migrants, who visit between October and April. One of unique attractions of park is that walking safaris are allowed and you can get off your vehicle for a nature walk. Due to its proximity to Arusha, park is very popular for day trips.

Wildlife aside, Arusha National Park is a treasure with a rich tapestry of habitats including grassland, montane forest, heath and alpine desert and soda and fresh water lakes. Three spectacular features stand out: Momela Lakes, Mount Meru, and Ngurdoto Crater. Mount Meru stands at 4,575 m and is Africa's fourth highest mountain. It is however overshadowed by nearby Kilimanjaro, which rises above it by over 1300 m. It is regrettable that snobbish instinct of many climbers makes them to overlook Mt Meru. The mountain can be scaled in three to four days with overnight accommodation in alpine huts.

The Ngorongoro Conservation Area, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and an International Biosphere Reserve, is located in Great Rift Valley - that monumental fracture of earths crust. The area is filled with volcanoes, mountains, plains, lakes and forests. Covering 8,288 sq km, its main features are Ngorongoro Crater, Empakai crater, Oldonyo Lengai Mountain and archeological site of Olduvai Gorge. Olduvai Gorge is prehistoric site where Dr. Louis Leakey discovered remains of Homo habilis ("Handy man") regarded by scientists as mankind's first step on path of human evolution. Be sure to have a look at remains of our worthy predecessor, whose valiant industry spurred by necessity, got him making simple stone tools.

Unlike in national parks, colorful Maasai people, their livestock and wildlife coexist within conservation area. The Ngorongoro Crater is largest caldera in world that has its walls intact. The crater floor is a drop of 600 m and covers an area of 260 sq km with a diameter of 19 km. This magnificent natural amphitheatre is a stunning attraction in its own right and is one of wonders of natural world. The crater supports a year round resident population of a variety of wildlife. You will have no trouble spotting lion, elephant, rhino, buffalo and many species of plain animals- wildebeest, zebra, reedbuck, Thompson gazelle and many more. The crater floor is dotted with watering holes and holds almost 30,000 wild animals. Ngorongoro is four hours by road from Arusha or one hour by air. And from either Lake Manyara or Tarangire you will be on road for two hours.

Lake Manyara National Park spreads between cliff of Great Rift Valley and Lake Manyara, a shallow soda lake. The park covers 330 sq. km, 70% of which is occupied by lake. The varied ecosystem consists of ground water forests, acacia woodland and open grassland along lakeshore and sustains a wealth of wildlife, including Big Five -lion, elephant, leopard, rhino and buffalo. Other animals to be seen in park include baboons, impala, giraffe, zebra, wildebeest, ostrich and hippo.

Bill Clinton, together with his wife went on safari in Botswana in 1998. The power couple was greatly fascinated by wildlife, and serious games of life and death they play. Affirming his position on top of food chain, president ate for dinner some of animal species he had watched earlier. His evening buffet included zebra, crocodile, impala in monkey sauce, and giraffe. "I tried it all", he declared with satisfaction. But former American president is only one in a long line of heavy hitters to enjoy wildlife havens of Botswana. Hollywood legends, Richard Burton and Elizabeth Taylor chose to remarry here, for example.

Botswana is dominated by Kalahari Desert. It occupies 84% of land area, mostly in west, central and north of country. But Kalahari is not a desert in Sahara sense. You find occasional sand dune, but also substantial vegetation in form of short thorn and scrub bush, trees and grasslands. Very little water though, and hence desert tag. To northwest, you find Okavango, world's largest inland delta. The northeast is a land of gently rolling tablelands interrupted by granite hills and rock formations. The east and southeast, where 80% of people live has more varied relief. And rain clouds linger more and unburden themselves more freely, relative to rest of country.

Today Botswana is a peaceful, well-managed and relatively prosperous country. The country wealth per man indicator places among middle-income nations alongside Mexico and Russia and ahead of Brazil. But it has not always been so and country has come along way. The San people (otherwise known bushmen) are believed to be original inhabitants of Botswana. Their descendants survive to this day, some living as their forefathers did for most of 30,000 years historians guess they have been around. Later -much later, Bantu groups, prominent of which were Tswana, became masters of these realms.

The modern Botswana nation has been shaped by alliances made in response to historical currents swirling in southern Africa in eighteenth century. The rulers at time aligned their interests with those of British against Boers who were approaching from south and Germans from west. For British, value of alliance was strategic and not much was expected in terms of economic advantage. And that is how relationship resulted in Bechuanaland Protectorate - recursor of modern Botswana. The British remained in charge until independence in 1966.

The visitor to Botswana is drawn by credible intelligence that abounds about quality of its pristine wildlife sanctuaries. Chobe National Park, one of finest game parks in Africa is located to north east of country. The park has greatest variety of game anywhere in country. That is why busy Bill Clinton found himself at Chobe for his short safari. Wildlife thrives among swamps and grasslands that stretch along flood plains of Chobe River. Occupying 10,560 square kilometers, it is particularly renowned for great concentration and sheer abundance of its elephants, estimated to number 80,000.

The Chobe elephants are migratory and move along Chobe River, their reliable redoubt in dry season. African elephants are largest among elephant species -and those at Chobe are largest of them all. The population has gradually built up since 1930's when wildlife in area began to enjoy some sort of protection. The infamous trade in ivory, particularly in 1970's and 80's encouraged decimation of elephant populations in other parts of Africa. But elephants of Chobe - thank God -were spared contact with dirty hands of poachers. Other animals to see here include some of usual suspects on an African safari - lion, cheetah, hippo buffalo, giraffe, antelope, jackal, warthog, hyena, crocodile, zebra. The birdlife is also diverse. Cruising or driving along Chobe River, you get best view of animals.

The Savuti Marshes of Chobe are reputed to have largest predator population density in southern Africa. The marshes have textbook features that draw predators. In a flat and hostile environment, they provide a place where wildebeest, buffalo, zebra and many species of antelope congregate for a drink. The predators - cheetahs, leopards, lions, wild dogs, hyenas, wild dogs, and jackals - naturally follow. Some predators such as lion tend to be rather lazy and setting here is a gift. The usual entry point for Chobe is Kasane, which is located about 800km north of Gaborone. You get here by flying from Gaborone, Maun or Victoria Falls in neighbouring Zimbabwe. Camps and lodges can be found throughout park.