It was named by the Scottish explorer John Walter Gregory in 1894 after his long journey through British East Africa.
The valley’s landscapes form an exceptional environment, home to a wealth of flora and fauna.
The Great Rift Valley is renowned in Africa for its unforgettable safaris in some of the world’s finest wildlife parks. But that’s not all: you can also hike around the lakes and observe the biodiversity.
Come and admire the superb panorama offered by the Ngorongoro Crater, at an altitude of 2,285 metres. This paradise on earth is home to more than 30,000 animals, not the least of which you can see:
Lake Natron is a magical place for hikers, as its blood-red colour sets it apart from other lakes. The reason for its colour is due to the large amount of natron, a mineral that causes the water to evaporate and is therefore very salty. This high mineral content makes it difficult for animals to drink the water.
Only the Greater Flamingos venture into the waters of the lake, which is an ideal breeding ground for them, as no predator dares approach the shores of the lake.
If you’re looking for a tribal experience, there’s no better place than Lake Eyasi, home to the Hadzabe tribe. A remarkable people who live off the land and don’t even own a home. They feed solely on fruit, plants and the rewards of their bow and arrow hunts. Their way of life is an experience you will probably never forget.
To discover the Great Rift Valley, we recommend spending a few days in Arusha. In this region, you can see Mount Kilimanjaro on a clear day, as well as Mount Meru.
Arusha National Park is a fascinating place, with its unique variety of landscapes, ecosystems and extremely rich flora and fauna. In the northern part of the country, you can see black and white colobus monkeys, the only place in Tanzania where they can be found.
Manyara National Park is one of the most beautiful places in Tanzania. It lies at the foot of the Great Rift Valley escarpment.
The park is home to many species of antelope, primates and birds.
You will have the opportunity to follow a track through dense jungle, where you will see many animals, including lions and wildebeest. You will then arrive on a plain where numerous zebras and buffalo live in peace.
The Great Rift Valley is home to extremely intense and complex volcanic activity.
Africa’s two most iconic volcanoes, Kilimanjaro in Tanzania and Mount Kenya , are both now extinct.
