Tanzania

Why

Tanzania is located in East Africa and is home to some of Africa’s most pristine wildlife sanctuaries, the second highest mountain in the world - Kilimanjaro, a massive volcanic crater, and gorgeous white sand beaches with warm turquoise waters. The plains of the Serengeti National Park offer an exhilarating safari experience with phenomenal game viewing opportunities which includes the “Great Mammal Migration” and the famous “Big Five” (elephant, lion, leopard, buffalo, rhino), whilst the tropical island of Zanzibar is a marine wonderland with its untouched coral reefs and gorgeous climate. Tanzania has a strong cultural heritage and offers visitors the rare opportunity in northern Tanzania of meeting with the fascinating Maasai people who have a great understanding of how to live in semi-arid and arid lands.

When

The question of when is the best time to visit Tanzania is best determined by what you wish to experience.  

Tanzania has a temperate climate with relatively comfortable temperatures all year round. The main variation to the impact of the temperature is the humidity and annual rains.

Traditionally, the annual rainfall arrives around the beginning of April and continues until the end of June. The second, slightly less strong, rainy period, is from the beginning of November (around 2 weeks later on Zanzibar) to the middle of December, roughly speaking.

Although the Serengeti offers fantastic game viewing all year round, there are particular months that are deemed as the best time to visit the park. The dry season months of June through October are the most popular time of the year for a safari in Tanzania, with animals congregating near water sources and the vegetation thining; improving the visibility of animals. If you aspire to see the annual Mammal Migration, then it is best to travel during the months of June and July. In the months of December to March, the migration herds are located down in the very southern region of the park. April and May is a good time to book a safari in the northern parks of Tanzania, as the game is still good, crowds are minimal, and the prices are at the lowest of the year.

The best time to visit Zanzibar is from June to October during the cool, dry months of spring. Another popular time to visit this tropical island is from December to February when it’s hot and dry. The ocean temperatures are perfect for swimming, diving or snorkeling expeditions.

Mount Kilimanjaro is best climbed either between July and October or January to March.

Where

Tanzania is a country located in East Africa and is renowned for its vast wilderness areas.

The plains of the Serengeti National Park offer an exhilarating safari experience with phenomenal game viewing opportunities which includes the “Great Mammal Migration” and the notorious “Big Five” (elephant, lion, leopard, buffalo, rhino), whilst Kilimanjaro National Park is home to Africa’s highest mountain. Offshore lie the tropical islands of Zanzibar, with Arabic influences, and a marine park which is home to whale sharks and beautiful coral reefs.

Also on the coast is the bustling city of Dar es Salaam, where Swahili culture meets a modern tropical metropolis. In the north, Olduvai Gorge is one of the most important paleoanthropological sites in the world; an asset in understanding early human evolution. Olduvai is next to Ngorongoro Crater, a massive volcanic valley that’s a major wildlife conservation and safari area, inhabited by the indigenous Maasai, who still pursue traditional tribal practices. Lake Tanganyika is the location of Jane Goodall’s primate research center, where visitors can track chimpanzees along the shoreline.

Serengeti National Park

Located in northern Tanzania, this World Heritage Site and most celebrated wilderness area known as the Serengeti is a photographer and filmmakers dream, especially during the massive annual migration of wildebeest, zebra and gazelle. The crocodile infested Grumeti River is a top attraction during this remarkable event; with hungry Nile crocodiles awaiting their opportunity to strike as the herds frantically cross the river. The reserve has an abundance of wildlife with the numbers estimated to be well over 3 million. There is even an active volcano within the Serengeti National Park;  the only volcano to eject carbonatite lavas that turn white when exposed to air.

Ngorongoro Conservation Area

The Ngorongoro Conservation Area is a protected area and a World Heritage Site located 180 km (110 miles) west of Arusha in the Crater Highlands area of Tanzania. The area is named after Ngorongoro Crater, a large volcanic caldera within the area. The crater is 610 meters (2,000 feet) deep and its floor covers 260 square kilometers (100 square miles). Approximately 25,000 large animals, including the Big 5, live in the crater. The crater also has one of the densest known population of East African lions which are particularly strong in the Ndutu Lake area. It is important to note however that the Ngorongoro Crater does get very busy so we do recommend a two-night stay here.

Tarangire National Park

Often regarded as Tanzania’s most underrated national park, Tarangire is a must on a northern circuit itinerary. It is Africa’s best-kept secret, boasting a variety of wildlife and diverse landscapes. The name originates from the Tarangire River that crosses the park. The river is the primary source of freshwater for wild animals in the Tarangire ecosystem during the annual dry season (July to October). Visitors to the park in the dry season can expect to see large herds of thousands of zebra, wildebeest and cape buffalo. Tarangire is notorious for its large elephant population - the largest in Tanzania. During the dry season, herds of up to 300 elephants can be seen digging in the dry riverbed of the Tarangire River looking for underground streams.

Zanzibar

Boasting some of the finest tropical beaches in Africa, as well as world-class scuba-diving sites, we rate Zanzibar as an ideal destination for travelers seeking a blissful, barefoot-luxury holiday. Whether you want to spend your days relaxing on a tropical beach, exploring the cultural attractions of Stone Town, or enjoying the many water sports on offer, this island has something for every traveler.

Lake Manyara National Park

Lake Manyara National Park is a smaller park located both in Arusha Region and Manyara Region of Tanzania. The park is strikingly diverse with barren lands, forest, and a salt lake. Lake Manyara National Park is renowned for the flamingos that inhabit the lake. During the wet season, they can be found at the edges of the lake in flocks of thousands but they are not so present during the dry season. More than 400 species of birds inhabit the park making this the ideal location for bird watching. Leopards, East African lions, cheetahs, elephants, hippopotami, several antelope and many more wild animals inhabit this park and many can be seen throughout the year.

Arusha

Located below Mount Meru in northern Tanzania, the charming city of Arusha is a gateway to the Serengeti National Park, the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, Lake Manyara National Park, Olduvai Gorge, Tarangire National Park, Mount Kilimanjaro, and Arusha National Park on Mount Meru. As it rests at the base of the twin peaks, Mount Meru and Mount Kilimanjaro, the city serves as an ideal base for hikers eager to conquer Africa’s highest mountain. Arusha is known for its vibrant nightlife, Masai Market, National Natural History Museum, and traditional Tanzanian cuisine.

Mount Meru

Mount Meru is the fifth highest mountain in Africa and second highest in Tanzania, standing at 4 566 meters. The dormant stratovolcano is located 70 kilometers west of Mount Kilimanjaro and is often considered by hikers as a warm-up trek for Kilimanjaro. The fertile slopes rise above the surrounding savanna and support a forest that hosts diverse wildlife, including nearly 400 species of birds, as well as monkeys, giraffe, bushbuck and leopards.

Kilimanjaro National Park

Kilimanjaro National Park covers an area of 186 749 acres, protecting the largest free-standing volcanic mass in the world and the highest mountain in Africa, with its peak at 5 895 meters. The mountain is encircled by mountain forest. Numerous mammals, many of them endangered species, live in the park. Climbing Kilimanjaro is a lifelong dream for many, with an estimated 25 000 people attempting the climb each year. In the lower-lying areas such as the forest zone there are a multitude of birds, blue monkeys, colobus monkeys and olive baboons. Civets, leopards, mongooses, elephants and Abbott’s duikers also live in the mountain’s forest, but sightings are extremely rare. The alpine and arctic zones are too harsh for any animals to survive comfortably.

Dar es Salaam

Dar es Salaam, meaning “haven of peace” is Tanzania’s largest and busiest port city.

Loved amongst travelers for its seaside setting and eclectic vibe, Dar es Salaam bustles with fish markets, dhow boats, museums and striking architecture. Dar es Salaam is a diverse city with a mix of African, Arabic, and Indian cultures. Popular day trips include the beautiful Mbudya Island where you can bask on the island's white-sand beaches, snorkel, and swim in the turquoise waters. Bongoyo Island is a much-loved island getaway, lying off the Msasani Peninsula, about four miles north of the city. Located about six kilometers north of the city on the Msasani Peninsula, is the popular Coco Beach, where you can savor street food and listen to live music. The Oyster Bay Shopping Center here is a popular attraction, with farmers markets, art galleries, and boutique shops.

Lake Tanganyika

Lake Tanganyika is an African Great Lake and the second oldest freshwater lake in the world. Lake Tanganyika is home to Nile crocodiles, various turtle species, the Storms water cobra, and more than 80 species of non-cichlid fish of which about 60% of these are endemic. Most visitors choose to base themselves in the lovely lakeside town of Kigoma which serves as a gateway to the two rainforest reserves bordering the lake: Mahale Mountains National Park and Gombe Stream National Park, both of which offer unforgettable up-close chimpanzee encounters and an astonishing variety of birdlife.

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