At the foot of Mount Meru, whose volcanic cone dominates the northern skyline, Arusha is the administrative capital of the Arusha Region and the principal gateway to northern Tanzania's renowned safari circuit. Alongside its thriving tourism industry, the bustling city is a leading centre for business, diplomacy and international conferences in East Africa, hosting regional institutions and major political, commercial and conservation events throughout the year. German colonial buildings, modern offices and lively markets reflect Arusha's evolution from a colonial outpost into northern Tanzania's commercial hub, while cafés, hotels, craft centres and galleries contribute to its cosmopolitan atmosphere. Less than an hour from the city, Arusha National Park offers game drives and canoeing on the Momella Lakes beneath Mount Meru, while nearby coffee estates and cultural experiences introduce visitors to the region beyond the safari circuit.
Chem Chem Safari, located in the heart of northern Tanzania, offers an exclusive safari experience on a private conservation area nestled between the Tarangire and Manyara National Parks. Spanning over 10,000 hectares, the reserve is known for its pristine landscapes, which include savannahs, woodlands, and seasonal wetlands. The area is renowned for its rich biodiversity, including large herds of elephants, buffalo, and a variety of other wildlife species.
Guests at Chem Chem Safari can enjoy a range of activities designed to immerse them in the natural beauty and wildlife of the region. These activities include guided game drives, walking safaris, and cultural encounters with local communities. The safari experience is enhanced by luxurious accommodations, including elegant tented suites that blend seamlessly into the environment while offering high levels of comfort and privacy.
Chem Chem Safari is dedicated to conservation and sustainable tourism, working to protect and preserve the wildlife and natural habitats within its area. The camp’s design and operations are aimed at minimizing environmental impact while providing guests with an intimate and immersive safari experience. The best time to visit Chem Chem Safari is during the dry season from June to October, when wildlife viewing is optimal. For more information and to plan a visit, potential travelers are encouraged to contact the camp directly through their website.
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.
Situated at the heart of Serengeti National Park in northern Tanzania, the Central Serengeti is the park's most visited and wildlife-rich region, centred around the Seronera Valley. Characterised by vast open plains, scattered acacia trees, distinctive granite kopjes favoured by lions and cheetahs, and permanent water sources, it offers exceptional year-round game viewing and is renowned for its resident leopards, often seen resting in the branches of riverside trees. Visitors can enjoy rewarding game drives in search of lions, leopards, cheetahs, elephants, giraffes and large herds of plains game, while the Seronera River attracts an abundance of birdlife and other animals throughout the year. Although it is one of the Serengeti's busiest safari areas, its remarkable biodiversity and reliable wildlife viewing make it an outstanding destination for both first-time and returning visitors.
Northern Serengeti occupies the remote reaches of Tanzania's Serengeti National Park, where sweeping grasslands, wooded hills and the Mara River create one of Africa's most remarkable wildlife landscapes. Best known for dramatic river crossings during the Great Migration, the region offers unforgettable game drives with opportunities to see vast herds of wildebeest and zebra alongside lions, elephants, leopards and crocodiles. Outside the migration season, quieter plains and year-round resident wildlife provide a more secluded safari experience. Crisp morning air, the distant calls of birds and the golden glow of the savannah at sunrise immerse visitors in the rhythms of the wild, leaving a lasting impression of nature on an extraordinary scale.
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.
