“The Land of Kilimanjaro & Zanzibar”
Tanzania can truly claim to be the home of “Safari” since the word is Kiswahili for “journey.” And there’s no better place to enjoy the enriching wildlife experience than Tanzania. The country’s game viewing experiences are widely regarded as the best in Africa.
It’s the place to see seemingly endless herds of wildebeest and zebras trekking across the plains on their annual migration, followed by the predators; lion, cheetah, leopard and hyena. It’s elephant country also, boasting some of the largest populations in the world. And it’s home to chimpanzee, now so rarely seen in the wild.
Tanzania also lays claim to the title, “The Cradle of Mankind”, as the remains of one of the earliest humans were discovered near Olduvai Gorge. And the visitor will want to see Ngorongoro Crater, the largest caldera in the world teeming with game, along with the majestic, snow-capped Mount Kilimanjaro, the tallest mountain in Africa standing 5,895m. Tanzania also has hundreds of miles of palm-fringed beaches; lakes that are huge and bountiful with fish; relaxed and friendly cities; and exotic islands – Zanzibar, Pemba and Mafia. The lodges and tented camps are very comfortable and each has its own distinct character and provide unique personal services, making the perfect base for an unforgettable safari.If you love Africa you simply have to visit northern Tanzania some time in your life. The endless plains of the Serengeti with its annual wildebeest and zebra migration, the 8,000ft high Ngorongoro Crater and the snow capped Mount Kilimanjaro are the epitome of Africa. Smaller national parks such as Tarangire, with its baobab trees and sparkling rivers, are also well worth visiting.We recommend you see Northern Tanzania by private Land Rover, giving you flexibility to go wherever you wish, when you wish. You will have a highly expert private guide and will stay in very comfortable camps or, in some cases, larger safari lodges.
Wherever the wildebeest migration is we can arrange to have a comfortable private camp set up just for you. We also have special access to large private reserves adjoining the Serengeti where you can enjoy walking safaris and night drives.
Visits to Northern Tanzania would usually last from eight to twelve days and combine easily with Zanzibar and Kenya.
Zanzibar is fascinating and you should not miss the Old Stone Town with its thousand year history, while on the east and northern coasts there are sun drenched beaches and some fascinating islands with excellent snorkeling and diving.
You can visit northern Tanzania all year round and, while there is more chance of rain between April and June, these times can also provide very rewarding game viewing in stunning scenery.
And of course there is also the south and west…
Why choose Northern Tanzania?
Northern Tanzania fulfils your dreams of what Africa is really like. The majestic plains and volcanic scenery, the vast roaming herds, and groups of scarlet-clad Masai are straight from ‘Out of Africa’. Seeing it the Africa Exclusive way with a private guide using small remote camps is infinitely better than a cheaper mass-market minibus package.
Tours to Consider:
Historical Stone Town
A fascinating excursion that winds through narrow bustling streets and alleyways, fish and former slave markets, consulates, the old fort and historical houses. It highlights the Arab, Indian, Persian and European influences on this vibrant capital.The teenage upbringing of Freddie Mercury the lead singer of rock band Queen. Visit the house he lived in before venturing to London to start his career and eat at the Freddie Mercury Restaurant. There is also the opportunity to buy Freddie Mercury paraphernalia.
The Spice Tour
A look at small traditional farms in the rural areas that grow cloves, vanilla, nutmeg, cardamom and other spices as well as medicinal and ornamental plants and tropical fruits. It’s a rare experience and leaves you in no doubt as to why Zanzibar is referred to as the Spice Island.
Prison Island
A short boat trip to this historic prison with its giant tortoises provides an insight into how it was for slaves here during the 1800’s. Today you can look around the prison as well as swim and snorkel in the beautiful surrounding waters.
Josani Forest
Famous for the endemic Kirks red colobus monkey, this guided tour follows a fascinating nature trail through Zanzibar’s last remaining natural indigenous forest. There are many varieties of birds, antelope and monkey species to enjoy.
Dolphin adventures
This tour takes you to Kizimkazi, one of Zanzibar’s earlier capitals, where old Shirazi ruins remain. From here continue to the fishing village and board a small motorised boat in search of resident dolphins.
Mangapwani Beach
A beautiful private beach that’s perfect to escape the hustle and bustle of Stone Town. Take a dhow journey here to enjoy sun, sand, sea and sumptuous seafood, cooked right on the beach. There are also the old Slave Caves to explore.
Southern and Western Tanzania
These are some of the most remote and least visited game reserves in Africa yet they are also some of the most beautiful and exciting. These are all ‘fly-in’ safari lodges where you can enjoy drives by open vehicle, walking, boating and night drives with a spotlight.
The Selous is Africa’s largest protected wildlife region with millions of animals and amazing scenery including mighty rivers, lakes, forests and spectacular hill country. Sand Rivers Lodge is outstandingly good and you could easily spend up to a week here and, if you wish to, take extended walking safaris.
Ruaha has great expanses of plains and rich forests and is another vast, virtually unexplored area with immense wildlife potential. Katavi Camp is even more remote yet between June and October it provides some of Africa’s most exciting wildlife as huge herds of buffalo and elephant, lion prides and antelope concentrate around the scarce permanent rivers. From Chada Camp you can enjoy drives and walks, and the more adventurous can spend a night fly camping with the sounds of Africa all around you.
If you want to visit some of our nearest relatives, you can find hundreds of chimpanzees in the beautiful Montane Forest beside the crystal clear waters of Lake Tanganyika. Jalala will take you to sit among a group of fifty chimps, enthralling one with their behaviour, combined with birding in the forest and swimming and fishing in the lake.
The rainy season in this part of the world is from early April to the end of May and the ideal time to visit is between June and at the end of October.
Why choose Southern and Western Tanzania?
These are vast “unexplored” areas where you can enjoy game viewing in complete privacy. The places have so much potential and space that you can easily spend a week in each one. So you can enjoy active safaris, yet build in “time off” to simply soak up the beauty. Selous is easily accessible and ideal for a short break holiday. As you venture inland to Ruaha, Katavi and Mahale the long flying distances make the cost quite high.
These areas are good most of the year but closed from late March to the end of May.
TANZANIA TRAVEL INFORMATION
Tanzania is a colourful fusion of peoples and cultures, a land where ancient coastal kingdoms meet with tribal peoples of the interior. It is a place of stunning contrasts, where endless stretches of palm fringed beach rise to greet fertile forested mountains, where mysterious, offshore islands offer reclusive and relaxating breaks from the aches of climbing Africa’s highest peak.
Tanzania’s geological past spans more than 300 million years. It is here where hominoid fossils dating back 3 million years were found, offering exciting glimpses into our past. It is a country blessed with great natural wealth, where pristine coral reefs bathe in equatorial waters and millions of hoofed animals drum along its vast plains. It’s a country of spectacular beauty, whose cool highland plateau is interrupted by the deep fractures of the Great Rift Valley, and whose inland lakes shimmer with the reflected shadows of countless water birds and the rhythms of the seasons.
Tanzania is home to 30 million people of exceptional diversity encompassing more than 100 different tribal groups, each with its own language and customs. It is here where Muslims and Christians, members of one tribe and those of another, mainlanders and islanders – have been unified by a shared experience of nationhood, by a common language (Swahili), and by an ingrained sense and spirit of moderation.
“For travellers, one of Tanzania’s most notable characteristics is its warmth and openness. It is a land whose culture and people are easily accessible for those who take the time to seek them, and where – in the markets, on the streets, in homes and in remote villages – you will be greeted constantly with Karibu, the Swahili word for welcome.”
Terrapin Safari 