The name Tanzania conjures up images of wildebeest stampeding across vast savannah, rain forests teeming with monkeys and birdlife, and great plains brimming with legions of game. All of these natural wonders and more are on offer in this exceptionally diverse African nation. Visitors typically visit Tanzania to partake in at least one of the four well known Tanzanian tourist experiences: a relaxing seaside vacation on the picturesque island paradise of Zanzibar, an underwater tour of some of the world’s most renowned dive sites around the gorgeous Spice Islands, a safari adventure in some of Africa’s most impressive game reserves, or a hiking excursion around Mount Kilimanjaro National Park. Whichever of these incredible holidays you choose, you will undoubtedly be welcomed by some fabulously friendly and peaceful inhabitants who, despite being divided into 120 different ethnic groups and cultures, live in harmony with one another. With all of this diversity on offer, the most difficult part of your Tanzanian holiday experience is likely to be deciding where to go!
Arusha, Tanzania's safari capital, is located at the foot of Mount Meru, close to Mount Kilimanjaro, the Manyara, and Tarangire and Ngorongoro National Parks. From Arusha, it’s only a short trip to the Serengeti. Just to the north, on the slopes of Mount Meru, is Arusha National Park. Developed by the Germans as a centre of colonial administration because of the temperate climate, Arusha is a good place to take a day off from your safari travels.
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.
Tucked between the Kidero Mountains in the south and the Eyasi Escarpment in the north, Lake Eyasi is set in a remote, dry, arid landscape just south of Tanzania’s renowned Serengeti National Park. This seasonal lake features dry salt beds and a variety of birdlife, such as Flamingos and Pelicans, and is surrounded by woodlands, forests and ancient Baobabs. Visitors can learn about local cultures and often choose to visit the pastoralist Datoga people and the nomadic Hadza hunter-gatherers. Other popular activities include bird watching, hiking, walking safaris and soaking up the spectacular views. Don’t miss the opportunity to visit the nearby Oldeani Mountain, the swampy valley of Yaeda and the spectacular Serengeti.
As previously described
The northern Serengeti is a mass gathering 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. Visitors can view the annual spectacle of half a million migrating Wildebeest making the treacherous river crossing at certain times of the year. Commonly spotted wildlife includes many plains game such as Buffalo, Zebra, Gazelle, Impala, and Giraffe, as well as Lion and Leopard. Visitors can look forward to bird watching, hot air ballooning, game safaris, and guided bush walks.
