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.
Designated by the Maasai people, Randilen is a community wildlife management area of 327 km², which extends organically from Tarangire National Park's north-eastern boundary and adheres to strict ecological principles that benefit both wildlife and the community. In the dry season between July and October, wildlife is concentrated around a few water sources, particularly the Tarangire River Valley. Wildlife moves into the surrounding hills during the green season, which comes alive with lushness, flowering blooms, epic skies, and exuberant wildlife. Aside from elephant and buffalo, species most likely to be seen are giraffe, zebra, wildebeest, waterbuck, bushbuck, impala, lesser kudu, eland and warthog. Among the predators are lion and leopard, as well as jackals and mongoose.
Bordering the Lake Manyara National Park in the Arusha Region of Tanzania, the village of Mto wa Mbu lies the East African Rift Valley. It serves as a convenient stopover for tourists visiting the Serengeti National Park, Ngorongoro Crater, and Tarangire National Park. Visitors can look forward to an authentic cultural experience which could include visiting a traditional home, sampling banana beer, enjoying a delicious Tanzanian meal, and browsing the weekly Maasai Market. The village is set within two wildlife corridors and a variety of animals can be spotted in the area. Look out for giraffe, elephant, hippo, wildebeest, baboon, zebra, and monkey. Other popular activities include walking, hiking, and biking tours.
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.
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.
Paje is a tiny fishing village on the east coast of Zanzibar’s Unguja Island. The village is best known for its excellent kiteboarding conditions especially for beginners as the local reef-protected lagoon is blessed with a consistent side-onshore wind for much of the year. The settlement rests on a magnificent strip of coastline offering ideal conditions for swimming in the warm, azure waters when the tide is in or exploring the coral reef once the tide has gone out. Paje boasts two supermarkets and a number of small shops selling locally-produced souvenirs. If you are seeking a laid back, peaceful vacation spot where you can embrace the slow pace of island life, look no further than the remote little seaside village of Paje.
