Tag Archive for: Dest Destinations

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7 Awe-Inspiring things to do in Tanzania

Every country in the world has something to offer, think delicious cuisine, unique wildlife or architecture. However there are some experiences and activities that stand out more than others. Few places in the world can offer the astonishing diversity found in Tanzania, from majestic mountains and stunning tropical islands to the best wildlife parks and a fascinating mix of cultures. There’s so much to choose from, but we have narrowed it down to seven things we believe are some of the most awe-inspiring things to do in Tanzania.

Climb Mount Kilimanjaro

Challenge yourself by climbing the highest mountain in Africa, the epic Mount Kilimanjaro. Standing at 5,895 metres (19,341 feet), it rises imposingly from the savannah in Tanzania. Because of the mountains extreme height and location the vegetation varies from rainforest and moorland to alpine desert and the arctic. Each year thousands of adventurers try to tackle its snow-capped summit. The rate of ascent and altitude makes this climb a real physical and mental test. This is all worth it as you hit the summit just before sunrise. The sun rising over Kilimanjaro and the 360 degree views are spectacular!

Watch the Wildebeest Migration in the Serengeti

Game viewing in the Serengeti is amazing all year round. However it’s the annual migration, when hundreds of thousands wildebeest and zebras thunder across the plains, that is truly incredible to witness. Clouds of red dust, noisy grunting and mammals forming columns that can stretch for over 40 kilometres. Especially the migration crossing the Mara and Grumeti Rivers and the wildebeest calving is a breathtaking wildlife spectacle.

Track the chimps in the Mahale Mountains

The remote Mahale Mountains, at the shores of Lake Tanganyika in West Tanzania, are famed for its chimpanzees. About 1000 to 1500 chimps live within the national park and it is one of the best places in the world for up-close encounters with chimpanzees. It’s a once in a lifetime experience to track and observe the wild chimps in the forest. Go on a walking safari and watch the fascinating chimps forage, play and their social interaction. Lake Tanganyika is so clear and full of fresh water fish that you can also enjoy a fishing-, canoeing-, or snorkelling trip. Relax at the centre of the lake on private islands with exclusive white sandy beaches.

Snorkel among the coral reefs in Zanzibar

The colourful coral reefs surrounding Zanzibar are one of the top snorkelling and diving sites in the world. Snorkel among tropical reef fish and witness the abundant marine life including manta rays, Moorish idols, clownfish, turtles and reef sharks. One of the best places to snorkel (or dive) in Zanzibar is the marine reserve Mnemba Island. Enjoy a trip on a traditional dhow boat to this sunbathing and snorkelling paradise. If you are lucky you will see dolphins and turtles on your way to the island.

Gaze in wonder at the Ngorongoro Crater

The Ngorongoro Crater is truly a natural wonder due to the wealth of animals and beautiful colours of the landscapes. The huge crater floor is choked with wildlife including the Big Five and one of the densest population predators found anywhere in Africa. The ever changing clouds, blue lake with pink flamingos, green forest and yellow barked acacias make the views almost surreal. It’s no wonder the world’s largest volcanic crater is often called the ‘Garden of Eden’.

Go hunting with the Hadzabe Bushmen

Visit the Hadzabe Bushmen, the last remaining hunter-gatherer tribe, and get an insight into their traditional ways of life. This rural tribe inhabits the land near Lake Eyasi, an untouched area with a gorgeous soda lake. The Hadzabe Bushmen live in harmony with the earth and still hunt on wild animals with traditional bow and arrows. Take a step back in time and partake in their real life activities such as hunting, fire making or foraging for fruits, berries and honey. This is absolutely a fascinating cultural experience.

Float in a balloon over the Serengeti

The endless plains of the Serengeti are one of the most beautiful places for a balloon flight. Silently float over herds of animals and the amazing scenery, as the sun rises. Enjoy a birds eye view of the spectacular wildlife show below you, especially during the Great Wildebeest Migration. To see this famous wildlife phenomenon from the air is breathtaking. Top off this balloon safari with a champagne breakfast in the middle of the savannah.

 

Check our Tanzania Safari itineraries.

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Tanzania: Best African Safari Country 2017

Beauty is a hard thing to quantify, which is why we let others do the work. Safaribookings.com conducted a survey in 2017, using more than 2,500 reviews from travel experts and tourist who undertook a safari. It is the second time Tanzania is the overall winner of Best Safari Country (also in 2013).

Extensive wildlife reserves

The wildlife parks in Tanzania cover almost 35% of the country, which is the most extensive network of wildlife reserves in Africa. Most of the country’s parks are easily accessible via paved roads or regular flights and have a large variety of facilities. Moreover Tanzania has the highest concentration of animals per km2 in the world and is home to 20% of Africa’s large mammal population.

Best wildlife spotting

It is no wonder Tanzania is voted the best country in Africa for wildlife spotting, given the outstanding wildlife in the Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater alone. The variety and density of big mammals (including Big Five and Great Migration) in these parks is unsurpassed in Africa. Besides these two parks, the north of Tanzania also includes elephant paradise Tarangire National Park and the scenic Lake Manyara. Travelers who like to travel the road less travelled can visit beautiful wild parks in the remote south or go chimpanzees trekking in the west.

From Big Five to chimps

Tanzania has truly everything, from black rhinos, wild dogs and big tusks to chimps, cheetahs and dolphins. Not to mention the splendid diversity of landscapes. Tanzania is not only home to Africa’s highest mountain Kilimanjaro, but also savannahs, mangroves and the white sandy beaches of the Indian Ocean. Then throw in the rich culture and friendliness of its people and you have all the ingredients for an incredible safari experience.

Check our Tanzania Safari itineraries to get an idea of the options.

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15 Tanzania fun facts

Tanzania is one of the world’s most famous safari destinations. But how well do you already know this country? Find out some interesting Tanzania fun facts.

  1. Tanzania is the largest country in East Africa, about 4 times the size of Great Britain.
  2. Football (soccer) and rugby are the favourite sports in Tanzania.
  3. Zanzibar is the largest producer of cloves in the world.
  4. The largest crab in the world, the coconut crab, can be found on Zanzibar (Chumbe Island).
  5. The oldest person ever to summit Mt. Kilimanjaro was 87-year-old Frenchman Valtee Daniel.
  6. The world’s earliest human skull was found in the Olduvai Gorge in Tanzania.
  7. The iconic African baobab trees can easily live over 1000 years. These epic trees look like their roots are sticking up into the sky.
  8. Freddie Mercury, the singer of former rock band Queen, was born on Zanzibar Island (Tanzania).
  9. The Mpingo tree (African blackwood tree) in Tanzania is the most expensive hardwood tree in the world. It is used to make furniture and musical instruments.
  10. The colours of Tanzania’s flag represent the 4 elements of daily life: green symbolises the beauty of nature, blue signifies the great lakes, black embodies the people and yellow the mineral sources (like gold) of the country.
  11. Mount Kilimanjaro has a snow-capped peak although it’s close to the Equator.
  12. There are about 130 different tribes living in Tanzania, each unique in their own way.
  13. The fasted verified ascent of Mt. Kilimanjaro occurred in 2001 when Italian Bruno Brunod summited Uhuru Peak in 5 hours 38 minutes 40 seconds. The fastest roundtrip was accomplished in 2004, when local guide Simon Mtuy went up and down the mountain in 8:27.
  14. The name Serengeti means ‘endless plains’.
  15. Dar es Salaam is the largest Swahili-speaking city in the world.

 

Check also other Travel Tips:

7 Awe-inspiring things to do in Tanzania

10 Tanzania Nature records

Top-7 best things to do in Zanzibar

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