Resting in the magnificent Great Rift Valley and presided over by the majestic Mount Kilimanjaro, Kenya is characterised by hauntingly beautiful natural landscapes of forested hills, patchwork farms, wooded savanna and vast forests brimming with an extraordinary abundance of wildlife. The nation’s diverse range of traditional African cultures is influenced by over 70 unique ethnic groups from the Maasai, Samburu, Kikuyu, and Turkana tribes to the Arabs and Indians that settled on the coast. Add to this: an exquisite tropical coastline fringed with breathtaking golden sand beaches; gorgeous coral gardens providing excellent snorkeling and diving opportunities; and a slew of lively beach resorts, and it is easy to see why so many visitors flock here from around the world to experience a truly unique African adventure in one of the world’s most pristine safari destinations.
The Masai Mara together with Tanzania’s Serengeti form Africa’s most famous wildlife park. The image of acacia trees on an endless grass plain epitomises Africa for many, and then add a Maasai warrior and some cattle to the picture and the conversation need go no further.
The annual wildebeest migration through the Serengeti and the Masai Mara is the largest mass movement of land mammals on the planet – with more than a million animals following the rains.
But that is not where the game viewing ends; large prides of lions, elephants and giraffes in grasslands, gazelles and eland to mention but a few.
Aside from traditional vehicle safaris, hot-air ballooning over the Mara plains has become almost essential and you can even do a horseback safari.
The name Tanzania conjures up images of wildebeest stampeding across vast savannah, rain forests teeming with monkeys and birdlife, and great plains brimming with legions of game. All of these natural wonders and more are on offer in this exceptionally diverse African nation. Visitors typically visit Tanzania to partake in at least one of the four well-known Tanzanian tourist experiences: a relaxing seaside vacation on the picturesque island paradise of Zanzibar, an underwater tour of some of the world’s most renowned dive sites around the gorgeous Spice Islands, a safari adventure in some of Africa’s most impressive game reserves, or a hiking excursion around Mount Kilimanjaro National Park. Whichever of these incredible holidays you choose, you will undoubtedly be welcomed by some fabulously friendly and peaceful inhabitants who, despite being divided into 120 different ethnic groups and cultures, live in harmony with one another and provide some of the most wonderfully exotic local cuisine you could imagine. With all of this diversity on offer, the most difficult part of your Tanzanian holiday experience is likely to be deciding where to go!
Located in Tanzania’s scenic northern highlands, Karatu is a small, colourful town surrounded by rolling green hills and fertile farmland. Travellers heading for the Serengeti National Park and Ngorongoro Crater often pass through Karatu, which lies beneath the towering Ol Deani Volcano. The town serves as a popular overnight stop for visitors exploring the region’s many game parks. Karatu offers a variety of activities, including browsing bustling local markets, sampling beer at a local brewery, visiting traditional homesteads, or taking guided walks through the Ngorongoro Forest in search of waterfalls and caves. Whether seeking cultural experiences, hiking and biking opportunities, or simply a relaxing break between safari drives, visitors will find plenty to enjoy in this welcoming town.
Honeymoon Rose Petal Dinner (Additional Cost)
Just off the north-east coast of Tanzania, Mnemba Island is a private island surrounded by the turquoise waters of the Zanzibar Archipelago and its encircling coral reef. The atmosphere is quiet and exclusive, with powder-soft sand, rustling palms and little beyond the sound of waves and traditional fishing boats in the distance. Renowned for its clear waters and vibrant marine life, the island offers exceptional snorkelling and diving, where dolphins, green sea turtles and shoals of reef fish are frequently seen, along with occasional rays and reef sharks. Days unfold slowly between barefoot beach walks, dhow cruises and ocean swims. While access is limited and accommodation is intentionally understated in scale, the island’s appeal lies in its seclusion, natural beauty and unhurried coastal atmosphere.
