Tanzania is the land of the ultimate safaris. In it’s beautiful National Parks it is possible to see incredibly large numbers of wildlife in a short time. World famous are the Serengeti and the Ngorongoro crater. In addition to the famous Big Five, the extensive National Parks guarantee great landscapes. The annual migration of hundreds of thousands of wildebeest and zebras is one of the largest migrations of wildlife on earth.
Tanzania is also known for its rich culture, the snowy mountaintop of Kilimanjaro and exotic Zanzibar.
The super friendly population, divided into 120 different tribes and cultures, lives in harmony with each other.
A Tanzania trip means seeing wildlife, sleeping in a tented camp with western comfort in the middle of a National Park, encounters with local people, hiking & cycling in nature and relaxing on tropical beaches. A trip through Tanzania is a once in a lifetime experience.
Facts
- Capital - Dodoma
- Largest city - Dar es Salaam
- Currency - Tanzanian Shilling
- Population - about 56 million (the figures vary considerably)
- Tribes - 120 tribes of which the Maasai is the most famous tribe
- Languages - Swahili and English
- Land area - 945,087 square kilometres (23x the size of the Netherlands, 31x Belgium)
- National Parks - 17
- The country has measured the highest animal density in the world per square kilometre
- Neighbouring countries - Kenya, Uganda, Congo, Rwanda, Burundi, Zambia, Malawi and Mozambique
- Highest point - Kilimanjaro 5,895 meters
- Time difference – Tanzania is GMT/UTC +3h Standard Time
- Most famous attractions - Serengeti National Park, Ngorongoro Crater, Kilimanjaro and Zanzibar
Located to the north of Mount Meru in northeastern Tanzania, West Kilimanjaro is a concession south of Kenya's Amboseli National Park. Wild, unspoilt and often overlooked in a clamour for the peak, this extraordinary destination is a wonderful place for private game viewing, hiking, night drives, horse safaris, and more. Vast stretches of savannah dotted with acacia woodland and wild bush are home to large numbers of elephants, as well as wildebeest, buffalo, gerenuk, warthog, zebra, giraffe, lesser kudus, and shy predators such as cheetahs, leopards, lions, hyenas, and jackals. Abundant birdlife adds appeal - spot tawny eagles, Masai ostrich, and more. The ancient Masaai tribe lives here with their cattle among the wildlife and allows visitors to stay with them and learn about their unique culture.
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.
Tarangire National Park, situated within Tanzania’s spectacular Manyara Region, is an awe-inspiring national park comprising of granite ridges, river valleys, mixed vegetative landscapes, and free-roaming wildlife. During the annual dry season, the Tarangire River is a magnet for thirsty wildlife. Large herds of elephants and migratory wildebeest, zebra, buffalo, impala, gazelle, hartebeest and eland gather and not surprisingly the predators follow. With lion being among the most commonly spotted animal, it is a rare day that a visitor does not spot this majestic animal prowling or grazing. Tarangire is also the one place in Tanzania where dry-country antelope such as oryx and gerenuk are seen regularly. This expansive area is also known for its spectacular baobab trees, its breathtaking views of the Masaai Steppe and the wondrous mountains to the south.
Situated in the Crater Highlands in Northern Tanzania, the Ngorongoro Conservation Area is best known for its archaeological and geological significance, rich wildlife, and beautiful scenery. The conservation area encompasses the famous Crater, the renowned Olduvai Gorge and vast plains of grasslands, forests and mountains extending to the Serengeti. This 8000-square-kilometre protected area is recognised for its natural beauty and has been placed on the UNESCO World Heritage List. Visitors flock here to soak up the spectacular views of the Ngorongoro Crater, voted as one of the Seven Natural Wonders of Africa, it is famed for its natural beauty and abundant wildlife. Popular activities include: mountain biking, hiking, game drives, bush walks, and visiting a local Maasai village.
Situated in the heart of Tanzania, the Central Serengeti encompasses the world-famous Seronera Valley which is known for its prime wildlife-viewing opportunities. This picture-perfect landscape is characterised by endless stretches of savannah-covered open plains interspersed by rocky outcrops of granite and scattered with acacia woodlands and covered in a network of rivers and streams. The Central Serengeti forms part of the great wildebeest and zebra migration and provides an ideal habitat for a variety of wildlife such as giraffe, impala, waterbuck, hippo, elephant, buffalo, lion, leopard, hyena, jackal, serval and much more. Popular activities include: game viewing, cultural tours, horse riding safaris, and hot air ballooning over the spectacularly scenic terrain.
As previously described
Situated on the beautiful island of Zanzibar, Stone Town is the old city and cultural heart of the island and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The town is famous for its winding alleys fringed by grand architecture, bustling bazaars, sultan’s palace, mosques, the House of Wonders, gardens and the extravagant merchants’ houses with their remarkably ornate doors. Stone Town is home to over fifty mosques, six Hindu Temples, a Catholic and an Anglican Cathedral. Visitors can also look forward to visiting the Old Fort along the waterfront, pay a visit to the Palace Museum, and sampling local cuisine at Forodhani Gardens a local seaside market. Don’t miss the opportunity to enjoy a sunset dhow cruise.
Forming part of the spectacularly scenic Zanzibar Archipelago, the island of Unguja is home to the charming village of Bwejuu. It is a seaside village situated on the southeastern coast just below the magnificent Michamvi Peninsula. This tropical island paradise features unspoilt white-sand beaches shaded by palms and fringed by crystalline waters. Home to an array of luxury restaurants and spas, but for those looking to explore further afield, bikes and scooters can be rented in the village. Travellers flock here to discover the natural beauty of the idyllic coastline and all its hidden treasures. Popular activities include swimming, snorkelling, diving, kitesurfing and spending slow days soaking up the African sun on pristine picture-perfect beaches.