Tanzania

Home to three of the top natural wonders of Africa, Mount Kilimanjaro, the Serengeti National Park, and the Ngorongoro Crater, as well as the enchanting island of Zanzibar, Tanzania is one of the most popular destinations in Africa for wildlife viewing, adventure activities like mountain climbing and scuba diving, pristine white sand beaches with exclusive resorts, and amazing cultural and culinary experiences.

The country’s 16 national parks, which protect more than 25% of its land, are home to 20% of the African continent’s larger mammals. Some of the most famous wildlife experiences across these parks include watching thousands of wildebeest and zebra trekking across the endless plains of the Serengeti, as part of the “Great Migration,” as well as up close sightings of lion, leopards, cheetah, buffalo, elephants, hippos, hyenas, gazelle and hundreds of other species in the Serengeti, the Ngorongoro Crater, the Selous Game Reserve and several of the other national parks.

In addition to viewing wildlife visitors can enjoy several marine activities along the many miles of Indian Ocean coastline, including scuba diving, deep-sea fishing, whale watching and swimming with dolphins.

Finally, there is Mount Kilimanjaro, the “Roof of Africa” and the tallest free-standing mountain in the world. Climbing Kilimanjaro is an experience that is on almost everyone’s bucket list!

Destinations

Key sights to see

Arusha

Located in the north of Tanzania, in the shadow of Mount Meru, and less than a hundred kilometers from Moshi, the town at the base of Mount Kilimanjaro, Arusha is the safari capital of the country. Tourists usually overnight here before embarking on a safari on the Northern Circuit, which includes Lake Manyara, Tarangire, Ngorongoro Crater and the Serengeti National Parks. It is also the center of trading of Tanzanite, a rare gemstone that is found only in Tanzania.

Mount Kilimanjaro

At 19,344 feet above sea level, Mount Kilimanjaro is the highest mountain in Africa, and the highest free-standing mountain (not part of a mountain range) in the world. Kilimanjaro has three volcanic cones: Kibo, Mawenzi and Shira. The latter two are extinct, while Kibo, the highest crater, could erupt again. Uhuru Peak is the highest point on Kibo, and therefore the summit of the mountain. It is possible to trek to Uhuru Peak in six to seven days, without any special experience.

Lake Manyara National Park, Northern Circuit

Lake Manyara National Park is one of the four national parks on the Northern Safari Circuit. It is famous for its tree climbing lions, which spend most of the day spread out on branches of Acacia trees, six to seven meters above the ground. It is also home to troops of baboons, blue and velvet monkeys, huge herds of buffalo, elephant and wildebeest, as well as giraffe, hippo, warthog, zebra and several other smaller animals including over 400 species of birds!

Tarangire National Park, Northern Circuit

Tarangire National Park is famous for its dense wildlife population, particularly during the months of June to September, when thousands of elephant, buffalo, giraffe, eland, hartebeest and wildebeest migrate from the dry Maasai steppe to the Tarangire river looking for water. Lions, leopards and other predators follow the herds in search of prey. Tarangire is also home to 550 varieties of birds, including the Kori Bustard, the heaviest flying bird.

Ngorongoro, Northern Circuit

The Ngorongoro Conservation Area is home to the nomadic Maasai, and features volcanoes, grasslands, waterfalls, forests and abundant wildlife. The key attraction is the Ngorongoro Crater, an amphitheater that formed nearly two to three million years ago, and a natural sanctuary for over 30,000 animals including the "big five" of buffalo, elephant, leopard, lion and rhino, as well as cheetah, hippo, hyena, jackal, Thomson's and Grant's gazelle, wildebeest, zebra and many bird species.

Serengeti National Park, Northern Circuit

The Serengeti, which means "endless plains" in the Maasai language, is home to more than 3 million mammals including 4000 lions, 1000 leopards, 550 cheetahs and hundreds of baboons, giraffe, hippo, gazelle, warthog, antelope, impala, waterbuck, dik dik and over 500 species of birds. It is also the site of the world-famous "Great Migration," where millions of wildebeest and zebra trek 800 km across the Serengeti into Kenya and back.

Selous Game Reserve, Southern Circuit

Located in southern Tanzania, Selous Game Reserve, is one of the largest protected wildlife areas in Africa and the key attraction on Tanzania's southern safari circuit. It is the last true stronghold for African wild dog, and also home to large numbers of elephant, buffalo and lion. Visitors can enjoy a wide range of safaris including regular game drives, boating safaris, walking safaris and legendary fly camping trips.

Mikumi National Park, Southern Circuit

Bordering the Selous Game Reserve on the south, Mikumi National Park is dominated by the Mikumi flood plain, with its open grasslands, and by the mountain ranges that border the park on two sides. The most commonly sighted animals here are elephant, buffalo, civet, eland, giraffe, hippo, impala, kudu, reedbuck, waterbuck, warthog, wildebeest, zebra, Lichtenstein's hartebeest and over 400 species of birds.

Zanzibar

Zanzibar, consisting of the main island of Unguja and its sister island Pemba, has dazzling white, palm-fringed beaches along the azure waters of the Indian Ocean, and abundant fragrant scents of vanilla, cardamom and nutmeg that give it the name "The Spice Islands." Stone Town, the cultural heart of Zanzibar, is blessed with a labyrinth of winding alleys, bustling bazaars, mosques and grand houses. It is also the birthplace of world-famous rock star Freddie Mercury.

Dar es Salaam

Dar es Salaam, meaning "haven of peace" in Swahili, was founded by the first sultan of Zanzibar in 1865 or 1866. Once the main administrative center of German East Africa, it is now Tanzania's capital, a prominent center for the arts, fashion, media, film, television, and finance, and one of the world's finest natural harbors. The city has many reminders of its colorful past, from an Asian district to a Bavarian railway station, and British botanical gardens.

Activities

Exciting and memorable things to do

Miracle Experience Balloon Safari, Serengeti & Tarangire

Enjoy an incredible balloon safari over the Serengeti and Tarangire National Parks, boasting uninterrupted views of the abundant wildlife in the endless plains below. After absorbing the magnitude of the park from the air, enjoy a relaxing glass of champagne and a bush breakfast.

Maasai Village Visit

Visit authentic Maasai villages and learn about Maasai warriors, their homesteads, traditional cattle markets and women’s handicrafts. See how the Maasai prepare and store food, and how they co-exist peacefully with wildlife, including predators.

Accommodations

Great places to stay

Arusha Coffee Lodge

Comprising of 30 Plantation Houses that radiate out into the evergreen coffee fields of one of Tanzania’s largest coffee plantations, the Arusha Coffee Lodge is a perfect haven for relaxation either before or after any East African safari. The lodge has been designed around the original landowner’s home that dates back to the early 1900’s, with the theme of coffee permeating through the colors and textures of the interior decor.

Serena Ngorongoro Safari Lodge

The Serena Ngorongoro Safari Lodge blends the almost indescribable beauty and magnitude of the Ngorongoro Crater with unparalleled standards for comfort and service. The rooms have a private stone balcony opening out onto the blue-green vastness of the crater, making guests feel like they are living alone in the “cradle of mankind.” The lodge also has a fabulous restaurant and offers game drives, nature walks, bush dining experiences and more.

Serena Serengeti Safari Lodge

Serengeti Serena Safari Lodge is an award-winning gem of a hotel in one of the most beautiful settings in Tanzania. Seamlessly blended high into an acacia-lined ridge, our African-style lodge and infinity pool offer panoramic views across the Serengeti’s vast, endless grasslands, where lions and cheetahs stalk their prey and massive migrating wildebeest herds darken the landscape in a relentless search for fresh grazing grounds.

Neptune Pwani, Zanzibar

Located in Kiwengwa, on the island of Zanzibar, Neptune Pwani Beach Resort & Spa is right on the beach. The resort features 194 rooms, all with terrace and ocean view, that reflect traditional Zanzibar design in their interiors and furnishings. The resort offers many additional facilities including five restaurants, three bars including a beach bar, the Earth and Rain Spa, the Spherique Boutique, conference room facilities, and a water sports center.

Tanzania

Destinations

Activities

Accommodations

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