Situated in northern Tanzania, Tarangire National Park is a breathtaking safari destination famed for its dramatic landscapes and exceptional wildlife. Dominated by ancient baobab trees and the life-giving Tarangire River, the park provides sanctuary for vast herds of elephants, zebra, and wildebeest, alongside smaller groups of giraffe and impala, especially during the dry season when animals gather in extraordinary numbers. Travellers can look forward to thrilling game drives that reveal lion, leopard, and even cheetah, together with more than 500 bird species that make the skies shimmer with colour and sound. Unlike busier safari parks, Tarangire offers a more tranquil, intimate atmosphere, allowing visitors to truly connect with nature. Its sweeping vistas, rich biodiversity, and sense of untamed wilderness make it an unmissable highlight of any Tanzanian adventure.
Travellers heading for the Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater will pass through the town of Karatu in the green hills of Tanzania’s northern highlands. Presided over by the towering Ol Deani Volcano, this small, colourful town serves as a popular overnight stop for visitors exploring the area’s many game parks. The town offers a variety of activities including browsing the bustling marketplace, sampling beer at a local brewery, visiting a traditional homestead, or taking a guided walk through the Ngorongoro Forest in search of waterfalls and caves. Whether you are looking for cultural tours, hiking and biking opportunities, a chance to enjoy an authentic rural Tanzania experience, or simply a break between safari game drives, this underrated town has plenty to offer.
Set in the Arusha Region, Ndutu is situated in the northern part of the Ngorongoro Conservation Area within the magnificent Serengeti. The surrounding landscapes are covered in sweeping grasslands which provide the perfect habitat for the migratory route for hundreds of thousands of wildebeest, antelope and zebra. Visitors can look forward to exploring the forest around Lake Ndutu, spotting an array of wildlife, and visiting the fascinating archaeological site at the Olduvai Gorge. Don’t miss the opportunity to jump on a game drive to view the spectacular herds of the annual Great Migration, enjoy a scenic hot air balloon ride over the plains and take a guided tour with the local Maasai and learn about culture and traditions. Other commonly spotted species include: leopard, lion, cheetah, caracal, serval, African wildcat, and a variety of prolific birdlife.
Resting at the foot of Mount Meru, the sprawling city of Arusha is known as the safari capital of northern Tanzania. It serves as an excellent base from which to explore the remarkably scenic surrounding area which includes majestic Mount Kilimanjaro, as well as the Manyara, Tarangire and Ngorongoro National Parks. Arusha is a good spot to take a day or two off from the safari circuit as it features a temperate climate and lush surrounds. Visitors can look forward to exploring the wildlife-abundant Serengeti National Park; the magnificent Arusha National Park; and taking on the challenge of climbing Mount Meru, Africa’s fifth highest mountain.
While similar in size to its neighbouring Unguja Island, Pemba is far less developed and touristy. As a result, this island paradise has a remarkably remote, authentic and unspoilt feel to it - and the coastline is lined with gorgeous mangroves and secluded beaches. Known throughout East Africa as a centre for practicing and learning the ancient arts of traditional African healing, the island has a rich and fascinating history that the notoriously friendly locals seem eager to share with visitors. Pemba is home to three main towns and boasts a wide range of attractions. Spend your days exploring the indigenous Ngezi and Ras Kiuyu Forests, both brimming with an abundance of unusual bird and wildlife; scuba diving in the crystal-clear waters (home to a variety of marine life including mantas and turtles), or exploring the incredible Ras Mkumbuu Ruins which date back to the 11th century.
Situated on the western coast of Zanzibar’s Unguja Island, UNESCO-listed Stone Town is the oldest part of Zanzibar City and is the cultural heart of the island. The town’s photogenic winding alleys are fringed by grand historic buildings, bustling bazaars, a glorious sultan’s palace, and the intriguing House of Wonders - named as such for exhibiting running water and electricity as never before in 1883. Stone Town also boasts numerous sacred buildings - over fifty mosques, six Hindu Temples, a Catholic, and an Anglican Cathedral - all of which are beautiful in unique ways. Other highlights include sunset dhow cruises; spice tours to aromatic distilleries; and neighbouring Changuu Island, home to stunning sandy beaches, a historic prison, and dozens of giant, ancient tortoises.
