Tanzania

Interesting things to do in Tanzania

Safari holidays in Tanzania provide some of the greatest game viewing experiences in Africa with the wildlife here considered by many to be the best. It is particularly spectacular during the Great Migration. Being a natural phenomenon, the pattern of the Great Migration and where the herds will be at a particular time of year is difficult to predict but, broadly speaking, between January and March they are in the Southern part of the Serengeti before moving North through April and May, although as this is the long rainy season many camps are closed. June and July sees many of the herds split up, with some heading through the Seronera region of the Central Serengeti and others heading up through the Western Corridor and Grumeti Reserves. August and September tend to be the most popular months to see the migration in the Northern Serengeti, (and also in Kenya’s Masai Mara), and this is when the iconic river crossings can be seen. October and November see the herds move through the Eastern part of the reserve before heading back towards the Southern area for December when the cycle starts all over again. Naturally this is driven by the rains and availability of fresh grasses for the herds, but it is a good overview of where they will be at a given time.

All of this happens through the Serengeti National Park, the most famous of all East African safari parks, where the Masai tribesmen have grazed their cattle for centuries and which they know as Siringitu - “the place where the land moves on forever”. This really is an amazing experience to see and hear and the fact that this is an annual cycle means that the Serengeti serves as a year-round safari destination and Africa Travel can recommend the best camps from which to see the migration, depending on the time of year that you are visiting.

Covering nearly 6,000 square miles of Northern Tanzania up to the border with Kenya’s Masai Mara, the topography of the park is generally flat, characterised by huge open grassland plains where the herds of wildebeest graze, with other wildlife found including lion, leopard, cheetah, elephant and zebra. There is also an abundance of bird life in the park with birds of prey, vultures and many grassland, woodland and marsh species amongst over 500 recorded species, making it an ideal destination for ornithologists as well as general wildlife lovers.

For adventurous travellers, a climb up Mount Kilimanjaro provides one of Africa’s most rewarding trekking experiences. There are also the Selous and Ruaha Reserves to discover, as well as the Olduvai Gorge, where the fossil remains of the two-million-year-old Nutcracker Man were discovered.

From there you can visit the Ngorongoro Crater, an extinct volcanic caldera which is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Ngorongoro Crater is the jewel in Tanzania’s crown; the world’s largest intact volcanic caldera and a haven to a wondrous array of animal life, it makes the crater a “must do” on any Tanzania safari holiday. On an Ngorongoro Crater safari the backdrop of the crater walls make for some stunning photographic opportunities as you see the animals wander through the grasslands on the crater floor towards Lake Magadi.

Access to the crater means that even from those lodges on the crater rim, depending on where you’re staying a trip here tends to be either a full day or at least a half-day excursion, and you can take a picnic lunch along with you. There are some lovely picnic spots on the crater floor where you can find wonderful spots to sit back and have a break to enjoy the stunning views. With this in mind you will need to stay a minimum of two nights in this area to be able to enjoy a trip down into the crater.

It’s not without reason that the Crater is a firm favourite - the game driving is superb and the views are breathtaking, both from the rim as you descend into the base and from all around when you are enjoying your game viewing on the crater floor.

Of course the possibility of seeing the Big Five in Tanzania is a massive draw for many visitors. The chance to see some of the rarest and most beautiful species on the planet is a chance you simply can’t turn down. Tanzania is also home to the likes of zebras, giraffes and chimpanzees, making it an animal lover’s paradise, so ensure you take a safari holiday to Tanzania to see as many of these magnificent species as possible during your Tanzania holidays.

If you need to take a break from all the animal sightings on your safari holidays in Tanzania, you can embark on a mini beach holiday and relax on the absolutely breathtaking beaches found on Zanzibar and on the mainland Coast. These white sand beaches provide holidaymakers with a tranquil and serene location to unwind in under the sun, all whilst enjoying the absolutely gorgeous views of the calming, blue ocean. Zanzibar’s beaches are among some of the most unspoilt anywhere in the world. Pay a visit to the oldest part of Zanzibar, Stone Town, during your travels - this ancient town is located right beside the crystal blue Indian Ocean, and is brimming with history down every single winding alleyway.

Whichever regions you choose to explore, safari holidays to Tanzania deliver once-in-a-lifetime experiences in nature, culture and adventure. Contact Africa Travel for your dream trip to Tanzania and let our experts help create your perfect Tanzania vacation