Tanzania

Tanzania is a East African country best known for its vast stretches of wilderness, world famous safaris and tropical islands. The country is also home to Mt Kilimanjaro, which is Africa’s tallest mountain. As you explore the country, you will meet its warm and friendly people and witness their diverse and colourful cultures. Lively traditional dances and upbeat music will greet you everywhere you go!

Tanzania is one of the world’s oldest continuously inhabited places and the Isimila Stone Age Site & Kondoa Rock-Art Sites are two of the most amazing stone age sites that have ever been found by archaeologists.

Tanzania’s wildlife safaris are often considered the best in Africa and the Serengeti National Park is no doubt the cherry on the cake. The annual wildebeest migration, when thousands of wildebeest migrate, is an alluring sight to behold. Serengeti is best explored on a safari, where you’re most likely to spot the ‘Big Five’ animals of Africa. Birdwatching is quite popular as well and over 500 species of birds can be found here! The adjacent Ngorongoro Conservation Area is known for its volcanic craters like the massive Ngorongoro crater and archaeological sites like Olduvai Gorge where ancient human fossils were discovered. You can also spot the Big Five and large herds of migrating wildebeests and zebras here. Along the border with Kenya, lies the Mount Kilimanjaro National Park, home to the volcanic Mt Kilimanjaro which is the highest point in Africa. Tourists flock to this majestic mountain to hike to its top and admire the stunning views from above.

In western Tanzania lies the Mahale Mountains National Park which is famous for its chimpanzee sanctuary and the white-sand beaches of Lake Tanganyika. Ruaha National Park is not only the biggest national park but also holds the record of having the largest elephant population in Tanzania. Speaking of large things, Selous Game Reserve is Africa’s largest wildlife reserve. You can explore this park on a boat safari along the Great Ruaha River. Katavi National Park is set in a remote location and is ideal for backpackers. The park’s landscape is defined by flood plains and seasonal lakes which are home to large populations of crocodiles and hippos.

Lake Victoria, Africa’s biggest lake lies across the borders of three countries – Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania. The Tanzanian side of the lake is remote and less explored and is perfect for those who seek off-the-beaten track locations.

Among the tropical islands of Tanzania, the Zanzibar archipelago is the best choice. The Zanzibar archipelago is made up of four main islands and three of them (Zanzibar, Mafia & Pemba) are inhabited by humans. Zanzibar town is the most popular location in the whole archipelago and is divided into two areas – old town, known as Stone Town and the new town, known as Ng’ambo. The UNESCO listed Stone town is packed with old buildings and Arabian townhouses. The island is also known for its pristine white-sand beaches. Another island in the archipelago, Mafia Island, is popular for water sports, secluded beaches and a coral reef system with rich marine life. If you are fascinated by ancient ruins, you can visit Kilwa Kisiwani, which was once the centre of the Kilwa Sultanate, a medieval power.

Dar es Salaam is Tanzania’s main commercial hub and former capital. As you explore the city, you can admire its diverse architecture influenced by Arabian, Indian, German and native African styles, enjoy its excellent cuisine and shop at the bustling craft markets. The Village Museum, with its open-air exhibits of Tanzania’s various tribal homes is a popular attraction.

If you are looking for the best African safari, then Tanzania is an ideal choice. Its rich wildlife, numerous national parks and islands cater to the desires of every nature lover. The diverse culture, exotic food and friendly people, make the country one of the best African destinations for a traveller.