Welcome to Tanzania, a land of contrasts and extremes!
When you think of Tanzania, images of the Serengeti, the Great Migration, and the Maasai may come to mind. But Tanzania has so much more to offer. It is home to the continent's largest lake, Lake Victoria, as well as the deepest, Lake Tanganyika. Here, you'll also find Mount Kilimanjaro, the highest mountain in Africa and the tallest free-standing mountain in the world.
Tanzania’s vegetation is incredibly diverse, ranging from lava rock deserts to the eternal ice of Kilimanjaro’s glaciers. Two-thirds of the country is covered by dry forests and savannas, with the Miombo woodlands serving as transitional zones between savannas and tropical mountain rainforests. In the southern and western regions, you’ll find famous national parks like Gombe, Mahale, and Udzungwa.
Tanzania is renowned not only for its rich wildlife and vegetation but also for its diverse culture. Over 100 languages and dialects are spoken across the country, and throughout history, various regional art and cultural traditions have developed. One example is the Makonde woodcarving tradition, widely practiced in southeastern Tanzania and northeastern Mozambique.
Visitors to the Mwenge Market in Dar es Salaam can watch artists at work and admire a wide range of carvings. Traditionally, these carvings were made from precious ebony. However, due to its slow growth rate and resulting scarcity, ebony is now often replaced with African blackwood, which also has a distinguished appearance.
Please keep in mind that during your travels in Tanzania, you may encounter unforeseen or unexpected situations. Flexibility, patience, and an open mind are always valuable companions and often the key to a wonderful journey.
Tucked quietly between two of Tanzania’s most dramatic landscapes, Usa River—known locally as Ussa—is a small town resting between Ngurdoto Crater and Arusha National Park at the foot of Mount Meru. The surrounding countryside is a patchwork of farmland, coffee estates, and forested slopes dotted with small villages. Within the town, lively markets line the roads, filled with fresh produce, textiles, and handmade crafts. Visitors can cycle between Usa River and the nearby market town of Tengeru through farmland and villages, passing shaded and open areas that reveal local life, schools, and community centres for a relaxed, immersive cultural experience. Nearby trails lead to the Usa Springs Forest Reserve - also known as Kibola Forest - and the Meru Waterfalls, both known for scenic walks and rich birdlife. Dotted with eco-lodges and comfortable guesthouses, this gateway town is an ideal base for exploring the surrounding Lake Duluti, Arusha National Park, and the wider landscapes of northern Tanzania.
The Tarangire National Park, located in northern Tanzania, is a wildlife paradise offering a unique safari experience. Covering approximately 2,850 square kilometers, the park is named after the Tarangire River that flows through the area. Its diverse landscapes provide a refreshing contrast to the savannas found in other Tanzanian parks, featuring acacia forests, seasonal swamps, and expansive grasslands. During the dry season, the park’s distinctive baobab trees, with their massive trunks and wide-spreading branches, stand out against the arid landscape, creating a picturesque backdrop for wildlife viewing.
Wildlife
Tarangire National Park is renowned for its rich wildlife, making it an ideal destination for animal enthusiasts. The park is particularly famous for its large herds of elephants, which can often be seen bathing in the Tarangire River or grazing on the grasslands. Visitors may also encounter other iconic African animals such as giraffes, zebras, wildebeests, buffalo, and impalas. Lions, leopards, and cheetahs are present as well, though spotting them may require a bit more luck and patience. With over 550 recorded bird species, the park is a haven for birdwatchers, including colorful species like the yellow-breasted lovebird and the lilac-breasted roller.
Conservation Efforts: Tarangire National Park plays a crucial role in wildlife conservation in Tanzania. The park is actively involved in protecting its diverse ecosystems and supporting local communities. By visiting Tarangire, you contribute to the preservation of this vital natural treasure and support the sustainable development of the region.
Karatu is a small town in northern Tanzania, located in the Arusha Region with an estimated population of around 22,000 (as of 2006). It sits on the eastern edge of the Great Rift Valley, approximately 20 kilometers south of the Ngorongoro Conservation Area and 140 kilometers west of Arusha, the regional capital.
Karatu is well-known for its proximity to several popular travel destinations, including the Ngorongoro Crater, Lake Manyara National Park, and Serengeti National Park. The town serves as a gateway to these attractions and offers various accommodations, restaurants, and services for visitors.
The area surrounding Karatu is heavily agricultural, benefiting from the year-round rainfall on the southern edge of the Ngorongoro Crater massif and its elevation (Karatu itself is at 1,534 meters). These conditions are ideal for growing coffee, bananas, and vegetables. In the late 19th century, the authorities of German East Africa recognized these advantages and encouraged the settlement of German farmers in the region.
Karatu is the endpoint of the paved main road from Arusha and is the last stop before reaching the major national parks in northern Tanzania. As a result, it has earned the nickname "Safari Junction." The town features several hotels and campsites, as well as shopping options for food and souvenirs.
In addition to its proximity to national parks, Karatu offers a pleasant climate and stunning scenery with rolling hills and lush green coffee plantations. The town also has a small market where visitors can purchase fresh produce, crafts, and souvenirs.
Located in Northern Tanzania, the Ngorongoro Crater is best known for its natural beauty and abundance of diverse wildlife; which makes it one of Africa’s most popular safari destinations. Surrounded by Tanzania’s highlands, this UNESCO-listed crater is said to be the world’s largest intact volcanic caldera. Visitors can look forward to spotting the world-renowned Big Five and a host of other wildlife species including large herds of zebra and wildebeest. It is famed as one of Tanzania’s best tourist attractions offering visitors an array of wonderful activities including excellent bird watching, trekking, wildlife viewing, mountain biking and visiting a local Maasai village. Don’t miss the opportunity to jump on an excursion to the magnificent Olduvai Gorge.
The rich acacia-dotted plains of the Eastern Serengeti are home to abundant wildlife. Visitors flock here to view the world-renowned wildebeest migration. Some of the best game-viewing can be enjoyed from Lobo on the eastern edge of the Serengeti National Park along the Grumeti River. Popular activities include: taking a guided walk through the spectacularly scenic terrain of the wild Serengeti, jumping on a hot air balloon safari, picnics in the bush, and learning about Maasai culture and history. Don’t miss the opportunity to visit the world famous Gol Kopjes for the best cheetah viewing in Africa.
Located between the Central Serengeti and Kenya’s Masai Mara National Reserve to the north, the Northern Serengeti is a remote African wildlife wonderland. The vast, rolling savannah of the Northern Serengeti, is known as the hub of the great migration. The landscape is characterised by vast stretches of savannah interspersed with acacia trees and riverine woodlands. Wildlife can be seen along the banks of the Mara River and visitors can view the annual spectacle of the half a million migrating wildebeest. Commonly spotted wildlife include: a multitude of plains game such as buffalo, zebra, gazelles, impala, giraffe as well as lion and leopard. Visitors can look forward to bird watching, hot air ballooning, game safaris and guided bush walks.
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.
Located only an hour's drive from Stone Town, near the village of Paje on the beautiful eastern coast of Zanzibar, the seaside resort town of Dongwe features endless white-sand beaches meeting crystal- clear azure waters. Travellers from around the globe flock to this little corner of paradise for the quintessential beach-island getaway. Dongwe is encircled by lush tropical vegetation with an offshore coral reef teeming with colourful tropical fish and an array of other marine life. It boasts a wide selection of wonderful fully-equipped beachside resorts. Visitors can look forward to a variety of activities including: swimming with wild dolphins, enjoying fascinating forest excursions, and sampling delicious local cuisine, which known for its variety of aromatic spices.
