Location:

All in Simanjiro District: Manyara Region, United Republic of Tanzania

Between Latitudes:    4⁰.10’.0’’ and 4⁰.50’.0” South.

Longitudes: 36⁰.40’.0” and 37⁰.12’.0” East.

Size of area: 3,093 sq.km.

The area is easily reached from Arusha city about 25 minutes by light aircraft and about 200 km, (3 1/2 hours) by vehicle via the almost all weather road to Engasumet town headquarters of Simanjiro District and Kibaya of Kiteto District.

There are several other roads to get into this area which may be longer or shorter but hard to negotiate during wet seasons.

There are two airstrips one at NAIBORMURT camp -Latitude:4⁰.27’.0”South and longitude:36⁰.41’.0”East and just outside the block from LOLMOJOY camp -latitude:4⁰.32’.54”South and longitude:37⁰.01’.13”East.

The distance across from Tarangire National Park is about 70 km. and about 125 km from Kilimanjaro International Airport.

The topography varies from plains to scattered ridges or rows of hills. Altitude ranges between 560mts and 2123mts above sea level.

Most of the flood plains have black/cotton soils, while hills are covered with fragile soils prone to erosion. Acacia / commiphora woodland, open bush lands, grasslands and thickets cover most of the northern and southern parts of the district.

Most of the vegetation is highly adapted to dry conditions and periodic droughts. Bush fires are part and parcel of the area mostly started by the livestock herders to ward off pests like ticks, tsetse flies etc. and to promote green vegetation growth for their livestock.

Masai Open (East) concession, being part of  Simanjiro district, is semi- arid with an average annual rainfall of 500mm. It has dual periods of unreliable rainfall consisting of short rains in November- December and long rains in March- April. The cold months are May- July while hot months include August- February. Temperatures range between 13C to 31C.

This block is part of Lake Natron, Lake Manyara and Tarangire Ecological system. The closest being Taringire National Park about 70 km to the East.

Animals migrating from Tarangire National Park  and Mkungunero Game Reserve have to pass through Lolkisale and Simanjiro Game controlled areas including,  open areas like Masai open (West), Irkishbor and Masai Open (South) before entering in to this concession.

The Kitwai plains hunting concessions share the border eastward, therefore the migrating animals come and go through Masai Open (East) hunting block too.

A list will include the following in order of size but not necessarily in abundance:

Elephant, Giraffe-Masai, Buffalo-cape, Eland, Greater Kudu, Zebra, Lion, Kongoni, Wildebeest, Oryx-Fringe earned, Lesser Kudu, Grant’s Gazelle, Cheetah, Leopard, Impala, Hyenas, Reedbuck, Bushpig, Warthog, Gerenuk, Bushbuck, Baboon, Klipspringer, Wild dog, Jackals, Thomson’s Gazelle, Steinbuck, Duiker, Porcupine, Ratel, Caracal, Serval cat, Wild cat, Mongooses, Pangolin, Civet, Genet, Dikidik, Suni and other small mammals.

Important birds include

Ostrich, game birds-francolins, Spurfowls, vulturine Guinea fowl, helmeted Guineafowl, crested Guinea fowl, quails; water birds-ducks and geese; sandgrouses, doves and pigeons. Bastards;birds of prey-vultures, eagles, falcons, kites, owls, etc.

Masailand as a whole lacks permanent surface water sources.

Most of the water is through water holes and seasonal rivers during rainy seasons. In this block water is available at Sapuro dam (Niekundo-Siron), Lordungo water hole, Nandoto water hole and Oloitururo water hole.

Very few swamps and rivers cross the concession which contains enough water for human, livestock and wildlife. All these water sources are not sustainable.

The Tanzania government permits each hunting client to import a maximum of three firearms. 200 rounds of ammunition per firearm are allowed. The minimum calibre for dangerous game permitted by law is .375. The minimum calibre for non-dangerous game is .240. Automatic and semi-automatic rifles or shotguns, and all handguns are prohibited.

We request clients to supply us with full and accurate details concerning their firearms, such as serial numbers, calibre, make and exact quantities of ammunition you intend to bring so that we may obtain permits well in advance of your arrival.

We suggest a good medium rifle such as 7 mm. or 300 calibre, fitted with a quality variable scope, such as 3 to 9, e.g. from Zeiss, Swarovski or Leupold. You will use this rifle for most of your shooting, and for all of your plains game. For a 21 or 28 day safari, 160 rounds of soft nose ammunition is adequate for the 7 mm. or the .300.

For a heavy rifle we suggest a .375 magazine or double rifle fitted with a good 4X scope or 3 to 6 or 8. This is the minimum calibre for big game and is mandatory for dangerous game, such as buffalo, lion and leopard. However this is a personal matter and you should use whatever rifle (magazine or double) you feel most comfortable using.

On a 21 or 28 day safari we suggest you bring 60 rounds solid ammunition and 40 rounds soft nose ammunition. The advantage of using either 7 mm. or .300 and .375 is that ammunition for these calibres is usually available from the safari company if you run short. Ammunition is not locally available for similar continental calibres, including 7X57, 8X60, 9.3X64 or 9.3X74. For clients who prefer to hire locally the charge is $45 per rifle per day, excluding the cost of ammunition, which is charged separately.