Tanzania
Tanzania boasts the quintessential romantic image of Africa: the drama of the wildebeest migration; the snow and glaciers of Mt Kilimanjaro; the exotic palm-fringed beaches on the spice islands of Zanzibar.
Tanzania is quintessential Africa – boasting the largest mountain range on the continent, the world renowned Serengeti National Park, Mount Kilimanjaro, the fabled wildebeest migration and The Great Rift Valley. One of the most celebrated wildlife reserves in the world, Serengeti’s literal translation is ‘endless plains’. The rolling distances of short grass provide an exceptional landscape for wildlife viewing; lions, leopards, rhino, hippo, elephants, giraffes, baboons and wild dogs. It also stages the famed annual migration of wildebeest, a survival of the fittest journey that encompasses crocodile infested waters and drought.
No visit to Tanzania would be complete without a visit to the Ngorongoro Crater. The steep edges of the crater are covered in lush dense rainforest which give way to open grassy plains. Ngorongoro is the largest intact caldera (collapsed volcano) in the world, home to the local Maasai people as well as the endangered black rhino. If trekking is your thing, test your endurance levels and join a trek to Africa’s ‘roof’ better known as Mount Kilimanjaro.
Tanzania is one of the best places to view The Great Rift Valley, comprised mainly of forest, woodland and swamps. This backbone of Africa provides jaw-dropping scenery; the uninterrupted views of the plains and the misty escarpment stretch into the horizon and beyond.
Lake Manyara National Park is approached from the eastern side of the Rift Valley and offers game-viewing of water monkeys swinging through the tall trees, woodland lions trawling through the acacia and hippos wallowing in the lake.
Tanzania is not just about open plains and incredible wildlife; it is also home to wonderful beaches and a fascinating mix of cultures. The Tanzanian Islands and Zanzibar in particular should not be overlooked. Known as ‘Spice Island’ for the amazing array of flavour enhancing produce grown here, Zanzibar is home to picture perfect palm fringed beaches. Spend some time in the capital of Stone Town wandering through the narrow cobbled streets and bustling market, and learn about the slave trade which was so prominent here.
Tanzania, one of the largest countries in East Africa, is a tourist jewel that is too often overlooked by visitors to Africa.
