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Introduction to Tanzania

Flamingos dance, elephants wallow and photographers delight in the vibrant Lake Manyara. Tarangire is home to staggering elephant concentrations and is an exceptional safari destination in its own right. Both are beautiful parks, but the main event is always the Serengeti.

Of course, intrepid travellers are always drawn to the snowy peak of Mount Kilimanjaro. Treks can be private or set departures and last from six to nine days. With staggering views and unbeatable adventure, it is no wonder breathing a chilly sigh of relief from the roof of Africa is on many a bucket list.

Comprised of the untouched and action packed Ruaha National Park, and the watery, enchanting Selous Game Reserve, southern Tanzania offers true African wilderness for half the price as the north. Unique in its array of safari activities; romantic boat trips, fishing, walking and sleeping out under the stars; some travellers snub the famed north in favour of this pristine wilderness experience.

Most Tanzania safaris, whether north or south, are bookended with a few days relaxing on an Indian Ocean beach. The most popular choice is colourful Zanzibar Island, with its pristine beaches and an array of characterful boutique hotels. For those with specific beach interests, Pemba Island provides an off the beaten track island experience and Mafia Island is home to the biggest fish in the sea: the elusive whale shark. In Tanzania, there is a beach option for everyone whether travellers seek luxurious seaside relaxation, or intrepid ocean exploration.

Usually associated with the Masai Mara, Tanzania is actually the best place to see the famed river crossings. Only some of the wildebeest enter Kenya’s Masai Mara at some point between July and October, but they can always be found in The Serengeti crisscrossing the river until November when they make their way south again. The Masai Mara is therefore an extension of their route and by no means integral to their journey.

And so, they make their way south and the cycle begins again.

History of Tanzania

In the southern parks of Selous and Ruaha, location is not so important as the lodges tend to be in a similar area; where the wildlife are. Also, because these parks are so remote there are only eight or so camps in each one, so the decision is usually about which specific camp is best for you, over its specific location.

On Zanzibar Island, the best beaches can be found in the north and east of the island. The eastern coast can be tidal, so choosing accommodation carefully is key to an idyllic Indian Ocean experience. The beaches in the north are particularly idyllic; wide stretches of powder white sand, only interrupted by the lapping of turquoise waters epitomise what Zanzibar is all about. All along the coast, characterful boutique hotels can be found aroudn every turn.

Stone Town, Zanzibar’s coastal hub, is interesting for a night or two. The Arabuc influenced coastal town is a myriad of local bustle, cobbled streets and rickety charm. But any more, and it can become a little chaotic. Also, there is no beach here (as is true for the whole of the west coast) so tourists tend not to stay here for long.

On the other islands in Zanzibar archipelago there are only a handful of lodges, so where to stay really depends on your budget, and which accommodation option is the most suitable.

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Although starry nights under canvas epitomise the romance of East African safari, some opt for a solid four wall experience. Most of the time, lodges will have extra perks like swimming pools and a few more mod cons. However, don’t be fooled. Some hotel structures, especially in the Serengeti, compromise on luxury for a big solid complex. When staying in big hotels on safari, some of the experience is definitely lost. It is always better to go with the smaller, intimate options, whether than be under canvas or in a lodge.

It is also worth noting that in the Serengeti, due to the Great Migration moving locations throughout the year, some tented camps are semi-permanent, meaning they move two or three times throughout the year to be best placed to see the herds. This does not mean they are necessarily any less plush than regular camps – they are often in the best location and offer a barefoot luxury experience. Many tented camps are permanent, and some even offer swimming pools and spas: just because you are under canvas, it does not mean you are compromising on luxury.

Safari prices begin from around USD$350 per person per night. When it comes to safari, luxury is limitless (and so is price!) with the most expensive options at around USD$3,000 per person per night to stay in the private Singita Grumeti reserve in the western Serengeti.

For beach time, the best hotels in the Zanzibar Archipelago are the boutique ones. Prices vary from hotel to hotel hugely, with authentic, beach chic luxury options starting from around USD$180 per person per night, and going up to USD$1,000 per person per night for a private villa experience.

However, with impressive predator concentrations and the attraction of the Great Migration, so too come tourists. If you don’t mind sharing your wildlife sightings with a few other vehicles, then northern Tanzania will provide the safari of a lifetime.

However, some prefer their safaris a little more on the wild side. These travellers head to southern Tanzania, mostly to the Selous Game Reserve and Ruaha National Park. Although these parks cannot contend with the famed Serengeti for their predator concentrations and are not home to the Great Wildebeest Migration, they are very special.

With only a handful of high quality (and low cost) lodges in each park, the experience here is all about being in the wilderness, away from the bustle of the beaten track. The lodges really are exceptional, and the game viewing enviable too. Ruaha National Park in particular is home to excellent concentrations of lion, buffalo and elephant. The Selous is the only place in Tanzania to see African wild dogs: the safari enthusiast’s prize sighting. Further to this, when spending a few nights in each park, travellers can enjoy a range of safari activities which are not possible in the north due to strict national park regulations. These include fishing, boat trips, walking safaris and sleeping out under the stars.

West of Ruaha lies another world. Hardly any visitors travel to western Tanzania, simply because it is so far and the flights are extremely costly. However, the parks in this region – Mahale and Katavi – are utterly bewitching.

In the depths of dry season, the wild Katavi National Park offers some of Africa’s most dramatic game viewing. Hippos struggle to survive in tiny pockets of water, lions prey on thirsty buffalo and catfish pile up, wriggling and flailing in shallow water. Dry season in Tanzania’s wild west is a harrowing, yet eye opening experience. With only two camps to choose from, Katavi is even more off the beaten track than Ruaha and the Selous.

Then, there is Mahale National Park: home of the chimpanzee. Cosy in-between a labyrinth of green mountains behind and the crystal clear shores of Lake Tanganyika in front, sits one of the most incredible safari lodges on the continent, Greystoke Mahale. From here guests can spend time with these captivating primates, revelling in their playful, human-like nature. Mahale offers the ultimate off the beaten track adventure, and one of the most grounding wildlife experiences on the planet. It is not over the top luxury which makes it so special, but its unique location on the map and the unbeatable authenticity of the safari experience. Though, naturally, it is not cheap.

In terms of safari activities, northern Tanzania only allows driving. However, things become a bit more relaxed as you head south. Enjoy fishing on the banks of the Rufiji River, pink sunset boat trips, intrepid walking safaris and exciting night drives. Another popular activity is fly-camping, where you head out into the bush with a chef and your guide. After a campfire dinner, guests spend the night with only a mosquito net for cover, falling asleep under the milkyway in all its glory.

On the beach, apart from relaxing by the sea, or your hotel’s pool, there is lots to be explored. On Zanzibar Island, a day trip to the chaotic and charming Stone Town is always on the agenda. Wander around the cobbled streets and hire a tour guide to take you through Zanzibar’s fascinating history, from its harrowing slave trade history to Freddie Mercury’s childhood home. On the beach, activities are endless. Surfing, paddle boarding, water sports, swimming and boat trips are all popular on Zanzibar. In the wider archipelago, many travellers head to Mafia Island specifically to snorkel with the incredible whale sharks which call these waters home.

Great seafood is Zanzibar’s forte. In any beach hotel, you will be greeted with fantastic seafood platters, dishes and starters. Due to its Arabic influences, Zanzibar is also fantastic at curry. Be sure to try your hotel’s speciality curry, as it will be delicious. You can even head on a Zanzibar spice tour to learn about how its ingredients are grown on this fabulous tropical island. One particularly good spot for food is at Xanadu private villas on Zanzibar Island which is lucky enough to have a resident ex-Michelin star chef.

The only exception to this is on a handful of trips in northern Tanzania. When guests are travelling to see the migration around February time, when the herds are in the southern Serengeti plains, they may not need to fly in or out. This is because the distance from Arusha to Ngorongoro, and from Ngorongoro to Ndutu (southern Serengeti) are all drivable. However, after their Serengeti safari, some guests still opt for flying back for a bit of rest-bite after an action packed safari. If guests are heading to Zanzibar, naturally they must fly.

Although June sees the tail end of the rainy season, it is mostly sunny and dry with occasional scattered showers, so still a fabulous time to visit. November is technically Tanzania’s “short” rainy season, however, rain may only fall for an hour a day in the afternoon. Aside from this small smattering, the parks are in desperate need of moisture, and the wildlife viewing is usually phenomenal.

The position of the Great Migration means deciding when to go to Tanzania is made more complicated. However, as a rule of thumb, February (calving season) and from July to September (when the herds cross the Mara River) are the best times to visit.

December, January and February are also fabulous times to visit Tanzania. Usually by December, the November “short rains” have passed, and the country sees a dry spell in these months, granting a perfect window for a Christmas or New Year getaway.

Safari lodges love honeymooners. If you are newly-weds, make sure you ask for the honeymoon suite. These usually have extra romantic mod-cons such as an outside bath or more spacious rooms. Not a honeymoon? No matter. Make sure you mention to your tour operator if your trip marks a special occasion. You will find your experience peppered with little luxuries to ensure you will remember your trip for years to come.

It can be tempting when looking at beach options to book a five star hotel. However, Zanzibar’s speciality is characterful boutique hotels. Sometimes owned by safari companies, these hotels know how to make their guests feel special. They offer the personalisation of safari, but in a tropical beach paradise. The best boutique hotels on Zanzibar are the luxurious private Xanadu Villas, Zawadi and of course, the ultimate private island experience: Mnemba Island.

Weather in Tanzania

Visiting Tanzania soon? See below for the latest weather forecast for Tanzania.

TANZANIA WEATHER