Tanzania is home to some of the largest and most famous protected areas In Africa. Add to this Africa's highest point atop Mt Kilimanjaro, it's largest lake in Lake Victoria, nearly 900 miles of Indian Ocean coastline and exotic spice islands and you have a serious bucket-list destination!
All 16 national parks are diverse and fascinating in their own right. No doubt the star attractions are the wildlife-rich Ngorongoro Crater and the great wildebeest migration of the Serengeti and rightly so. Constructing a safari involves finding the right space in these popular areas and then mixing it with options from the chimpanzees in Mahale to cruising the Rufiji River in Selous or tracking elusive lions on the beach in Saadani. Some choose the challenge of the multi-day hikes up Mt Kilimanjaro or Mt Meru whilst others pack in as much safari as possible. With options to visit forests, arid zones, lakes and classic savanna there is alot to consider. Tourism infrastructure is well developed in some areas and still rustic in others so options to camp or stay 5 star are readily found. Distances can be great on rough roads, so use of easy flying safari routes should definitely be considered.
Whichever of these incredible holidays you choose, you will undoubtedly be welcomed by the fabulously friendly and peaceful Tanzanian people. 120 different ethnic groups make up this 'Swahili nation' and you will be enthralled by the language, culture and diverse food experience on offer. The most difficult part of creating your Tanzanian vacation is likely to be deciding where to go and for how long you can afford to stay!
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.
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.
The Serengeti together with Kenya’s Masai Mara Game Park form Africa’s most famous wildlife region. The image of acacia trees on an endless grass plain epitomises Africa for many, and then add a Masai 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 today – with many 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.
Most of the Southern Serengeti is vast open short-grass plains which typically makes for easier spotting of the animals! Small lakes like Ndutu and Masek are surrounded by woodland that provides a refuge for many animals. Typically the wildebeest migration is in this part of Serengeti between December and March.
STAR ATTRACTIONS:
Mammals include: Wildebeest and Zebra, big cats, Bat-eared Fox,
Birds include: Yellow-necked & Grey-breasted Spurfowl, Black-winged Pratincole, Usambiro Barbet, Fischer's Lovebird, Rufous-tailed Weaver, Ruppel's Griffon, Red-throated Tit, Kori Bustard, Beautiful Sunbird, Abyssinian Scimitarbill, Silverbird, Taita Fiscal, Caspian Plover, Athi Short-toed Lark
As previously described
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.
Uganda, or the ‘Pearl of Africa’, as it was famously dubbed by Winston Churchill, is characterised by relatively dry and flat savanna in the North, with verdant mountains in the West, and vast dense and remarkably lush forests in the central region. The nation is home to an astonishingly diverse range of African wildlife including the highly endangered mountain gorilla which can be found in the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. A popular spot for wildlife watching is Queen Elizabeth National Park, which hosts four of the Big Five (no longer has rhino), flocks of flamboyant flamingos and the famous 'tree-climbing lions' of Ishasha. Outdoor enthusiasts can get their adrenaline fix with plenty of whitewater rafting, kayaking, hiking, quad biking and horse riding facilities on offer. Add to this some friendly locals, a burgeoning cultural scene, and a capital city full of lively bars, clubs and restaurants, and it is easy to see why Uganda has gained itself a reputation as a global 'must-visit' country.
Located on the shores of Lake Victoria, Entebbe lies 40 km south of Kampala, Uganda's bustling capital. As the country’s primary gateway, it serves as both a peaceful retreat and a starting point for exploring Uganda's natural wonders. The city sits in a lush landscape, with sprawling green spaces and a shoreline dotted with fishing villages. The Entebbe Botanical Gardens, established in 1898, showcase a wide variety of plant species, from indigenous tropical forest to cultivated horticultural displays. The gardens are home to a diverse bird population, including the palm nut vulture and giant kingfisher, and provide a haven for primates like the black-and-white colobus. A short trip west leads to the Mabamba Swamp, a Ramsar Wetland, where visitors can explore by dugout canoe in search of the rare shoebill stork. Lake Victoria itself invites fishing, leisurely cruises, and excursions to Ngamba Island, a sanctuary for orphaned chimpanzees, where visitors can observe the chimps roaming freely across 40 hectares of forested land.
Imposing cone-shaped hills cradle tranquil calderas in the enchanting Ndali-Kasenda Crater Lakes in Western Uganda near Kibale Forest and Queen Elizabeth National Parks. Formed about 8-10,000 years ago by volcanic activity, these craters now hold a variety of lakes. Some boast clear, blue water, while others remain emerald green with a sulfuric odour due to residual volcanic gases. Lush vegetation cloaks the crater rims, offering views of nearby hills, tea plantations, and even the Rwenzori Mountains on clear days. While some lakes are safe for swimming, others contain toxic water and should be avoided. Activities around the lakes include nature walks, boat rides, bird-watching and visiting the "Top of the World" viewpoint for panoramic vistas.
The Bwindi Impenetrable Forest sounds mythical and at feels like it! In Uganda this is the home of the mountain gorilla and the main reason for visitors coming here.
Spread over a series of steep ridges and valleys, Bwindi is the source of five major rivers, which flow into Lake Edward.
Although permits can be hard to come by at certain times of the year, once secured, you are ready to go trekking. Local guides will lead you across the rugged forested terrain, through thick jungle at times to where the gorillas were seen bedding down yesterday and you will track them from there. The opportunity to spend one hour in the presence of these incredible apes is very special and unlikely to be forgotten! There are also numerous forest walks available. A day spent birding in search of some of the nearly 350 species found here is well worth while as many are endemic to this the Albertine Rift Valley. There are also opportunities to engage with the local Batwa pygmy communities.
