TANZANIA & ZANZIBAR HOLIDAYS

Wildlife

Every year, more than 2.5 million animals embark on a three-month journey through the Serengeti in search of water and fresh grazing. Wildebeests, zebras, antelopes and other species make their way north from the short-grassed plains of Tanzania to the Masai Mara National Reserve in Kenya, all while trying to avoid predators. Watching this grand event unfold is quite mesmerising. Many of Tanzania’s national parks and reserves are home to the big five (lions, leopards, rhinoceros, buffalos and elephants). Waking to a lion roaring in the idle of the night is not uncommon here and is an unforgettable experience. The Serengeti provides the best chance for spotting cheetahs. These incredibly fast animals are often out in the open plains looking for prey. Here, along the riverbanks, visitors can also observe crocodiles and other wild animals. Gombe National Park and Mahale Mountains National provide the best opportunities to track and observe chimpanzees.

Natural Wonders

Grandiose, elegant and mystifying, Mt. Kilimanjaro is a sight to behold. As the clouded skies clear, making way for the snow-capped peak to shine, it’s understandable why Africa’s largest and tallest mountain is such an alluring fixture. While climbing the entire mountain requires little but ambition and will-power, it can be difficult. Many visitors often try to hike its summit, but even trekking the mountain at lower elevations is a remarkable experience. Unlike Mt. Kilimanjaro, the Olduvai Gorge does not entail strenuous hiking. Often referred to as the “cradle of humankind,” the gorge offers stunning views from another perspective and plenty of rewarding treasures. The 48 km gorge has provided scientists with in-depth insights into the history of humanity with fossils and clues that date back 2.5 million years. Just 90 minutes away, sits the Ogorongoro Crater that was developed when a large volcano collapsed into itself. However, the resulting transformation gave way to an immensely diverse wildlife and the Serengeti that we have known to love. Meanwhile, the coral archipelago of Zanzibar, with its palm trees and white sand beaches, provides a welcome escape from the hot, arid inland. The warm, turquoise waters of the Indian Ocean have some of the best dive sites in the world, including the uninhabited island of Chumbe Island Coral Park.

Culture

The Ngorongoro Conservation Area is working to protect the revered lifestyle of the Maasai. There are numerous villages in the area where men stand watch over their cattle, and women, cloaked in red and adorned in their beaded manacles, go about their daily chores. Watch as Makonde people create intricate wood carvings and sculptures. The elegant palaces and spice-filled markets are all a reminder of the island’s rich history. Located on the main island of Unguja, is the Stone Town. The UNESCO World Heritage site is a Swahili coastal trading town that has remained intact since its heyday.