Table 1. Soil types, elevation (metres above sea level), weather parameters, livestock density (heads per square kilometre) and history of Rift Valley fever outbreaks (1930 to 2007) in the study areas.
| District | Village | Latitude (S) | Longitude (E) | Predominant soil type | Average elevation | Rainfall pattern | Average total annual rainfall mm) | Average monthly rainfall (mm) | Mean minimum temperature (°C) | Mean maximum temperature (°C) | Cattle density | Goats density | Sheep density | No. RVF outbreaks |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ngorongoro | Malambo | -2.45692° | 35.16470° | **Phaeozems | 1213 | Bimodal | 688 | 47 | 10 | 32 | 27 | 26 | 14 | 10 |
| Serengeti | Ninchoka | -1.92961° | 34. 54275° | **Alisols | 1453 | Bimodal | 888 | 73 | 15 | 25 | 30 | 14 | 6 | 2 |
| Kongwa | Chamae | -5.98833° | 36.42812° | **Luvisols | 1126 | Unimodal | 712 | 36 | 14 | 30 | 32 | 25 | 8 | 1 |
| Karagwe | Nyakasimbi | -1.93781° | 31.08345° | *Ferralsols | 1564 | Bimodal | 966 | 74 | 20 | 30 | 19 | 21 | 1 | 0 |
| Kibondo | Bukirilo | -3.26392° | 30.72514° | *Ferralsols | 1330 | Unimodal | 1232 | 61 | 15 | 30 | 2 | 8 | 1 | 0 |
| Kyela | Kajunjumele | -9.62272° | 33.91139° | **Fluvisols | 486 | Unimodal | 1270 | 106 | 19 | 31 | 21 | 4 | 2 | 0 |
*soils characterized by poor water holding capacity properties
** soils characterized by good water holding capacity properties