We've put together a guidebook with everything you need to know about Tanzania and Zanzibar. Written by our specialists, it details destination information, a wildlife guide, some suggested itineraries and plenty more to inspire your holiday. Fill in the form below and if you live in UK, your guidebook will arrive by post within the next couple of days. For those who live abroad, we will send you a copy by email.
Located on the northern edge of Pemba Island off the coast of Tanzania, Constance Aiyana is the newest addition to the Constance family. Designed with simple luxury in mind, the hotel opens out onto the beach and ocean beyond.
Often described as “The Greatest Show on Earth”, the annual migration of over a million wildebeest and around 300,000 zebra is a natural phenomenon like no other. Following the rains, the wildebeest and zebra travel in search of lush grass and grazing lands whilst moving in a clockwise rotation up through the Serengeti. They will spend a couple of months in the Masai Mara before heading back to Tanzania in time for calving season – all whilst trying to evade the many predators en route.
During a recent stay at Selous Impala Camp in the Selous Game Reserve, Matt was lucky enough to spend some time with one of the region’s finest guides – Gerard Mwakila. They took some time to discuss the area’s uniqueness and the importance that tourism plays in protecting the wildlife. Here’s what Gerard had to say…
Whilst Tanzania's blockbuster sights attract the lion's share of its safari visitors, it is still possible to find your very own corner of this incredibly vast and varied country. Venture away from snow capped summit of Mount Kilimanjaro, the sweeping plains of the Serengeti and the palm fringed coastline of Zanzibar, and you will discover a Tanzania much less travelled. We've handpicked our favourite spots which take you unequivocally off the beaten track in Tanzania.
Deciding whether to go on safari in the north or south of Tanzania very much depends on what you’re looking to get out of your trip – the two areas offer vastly different experiences but both have so much to offer. We've broken down what to expect where on a safari holiday in Tanzania.
Home to some of Africa’s most famous national parks, Tanzania offers a wide range of safari experiences and some of the most diverse and rewarding wildlife viewing of anywhere on the planet. In fact, it’s no surprise that the word, ‘safari,’ which is Swahili for journey, originated here. Added to that, coupled with Zanzibar’s beautiful beaches, Tanzania offers one of the most impressive opportunities for the classic safari and beach holiday.
One of the big draws is Serengeti National Park, Tanzania’s most iconic safari destination. Its open savannah plays host to both the Big Five and the Great Migration, often described as the greatest show on earth. From mid-October to mid-August, you can witness the annual migration of over a million wildebeest, along with hundreds of thousands of zebra, seeking out fresh pastures. Trust us, it is a natural phenomenon like no other and a real once-in-a-lifetime experience.
The Serengeti is part of Tanzania’s northern circuit of parks, which also include the UNESCO World Heritage Site, Ngorongoro Crater - the world’s largest unbroken caldera; the cool swampy park of Tarangire with its huge population of elephant, as well as Lake Manyara filled with rosy-hued flamingo and inhabited by tree-climbing lion. As these parks are relatively close to each other, it’s possible to combine a visit to more than one during your stay.
Mount Kilimanjaro, Africa’s highest mountain, is also found in the vicinity. For those with an adventurous spirit and reasonably fit body, we recommend you take on the ultimate challenge by scaling its peaks. To be fair, the ascent is more of a trek than a climb and no technical climbing experience is required. In return for your effort, you will be rewarded with stunning views as you make your way up through lush rainforest, alpine meadow, snow and ice, to the barren lunar landscape at the top.
For those who relish a wilderness experience with excellent game viewing, we suggest heading to southern Tanzania and the more remote parks of Selous and Ruaha. Far from the crowds and off the beaten track, Selous offers the opportunity to experience activities such as walking and boating safaris and is also one of the best places to spot African wild dog. Ruaha is even more remote with plentiful wildlife and offers the chance to explore the bush on foot.
But if you want a taste of what Africa must have been like a century ago, we suggest you head west to Katavi and the Mahale Mountains. Katavi is home to some of the largest herds of big game still left on the continent and is one of Tanzania’s best-kept secrets. And if you love chimps, the Mahale Mountains National Park is one of the best places in the world to view these lovable primates in their natural habitat, on the shores of the breathtakingly beautiful Lake Tanganyika.
After the intense excitement of safari, there can be no better place to retreat than one of Tanzania’s beautiful beaches. While the mainland has some lovely isolated spots, the Zanzibar Archipelago delivers the tropical paradise that visitors to the Indian Ocean expect. For impressive diving and snorkelling around the pristine coral reef, head to Pemba or Mafia Island. For those looking for beach life and culture, Zanzibar has stunning beaches and a trip to Stone Town will deepen your understanding of the central role that Zanzibar played in both the spice and slave trades.
Did you know?
In Tanzania, the Ngorongoro Crater which is approximately 14km long, is the world’s largest volcanic crater and is home to one of the densest populations of wildlife in the world.
Did you know?
Tanzania is home to the world’s only tree climbing lion which can be seen in the Lake Manyara National Park and the Serengeti National Park.