The largest country in East Africa, Tanzania is a land rich in spectacles with the power to amaze. With hallowed wilderness areas such as the Serengeti, Africa’s highest mountain Kilimanjaro and paradisal tropical beaches, this sparkling jewel of a country meets the wildest dreams of any adventurous traveler.
Tanzania’s number one attraction is undoubtedly the Great Migration. Hordes of tourists travel to the Serengeti and Ngorogoro Crater in the north of the country every year to witness millions of wildebeest and zebra undertaking what is one of the world’s greatest natural phenomena. Boasting vast savannah plains, huge wildlife populations, well-kept camps and friendly guides, reserves such as the Serengeti, Ngorongoro and Tarangire are almost unrivalled in their attractiveness as safari destinations. The appeal of climbing Kilimanjaro is well-documented too, and I can say from experience that reaching the summit – seemingly with the whole of Africa spread out below you – is a singularly special feeling.
Whilst these are the epitome of bucket list destinations, they shouldn’t be the only places that command a tourist’s attention. In southern Tanzania, the Selous Game Reserve is Africa’s largest game reserve and has been declared a World Heritage Site, holding healthy numbers of the Big Five and the continent’s largest population of African wild dogs. The majority of the reserve is dedicated to hunting concessions, but a section in the north (running along the Rufiji River) has been reserved for photographic tourism, allowing guests at the several lodges and camps to enjoy a secluded safari experience in a remarkably wild place.
On the country’s western border, the Mahale Mountains National Park is arguably even more special than any other tourism destination in the country. This beautiful park is perched on a peninsula jutting into the aquamarine waters of Lake Tanganyika, with idyllic white beaches leading up to mountains covered in verdant rainforest. Within these forests, you’ll find the world’s largest population of chimpanzees, numbering well over a thousand. With no roads, the pristine park can only be reached by air or boat, and visitors explore the park through guided treks to see the chimpanzees, monkeys, dozens of other mammal species and forest birds. Researchers have studied the chimps here for decades, and this is arguably the easiest place in Africa to view them at close quarters, with sightings virtually guaranteed. Accommodation is provided in five basic self-contained ‘bandas’ with twin beds. Lake Tanganyika, the world’s longest, second deepest and least polluted freshwater lake, is home to more than 1000 fish species, making it perfect for swimming, snorkelling and fishing.
Off Tanzania’s coastline, the Indian Ocean archipelago of Zanzibar can lay claim to gorgeous beaches, superb diving and a slightly less ‘touristy’ feel than other African islands such as the Seychelles and Mauritius. The main island – famously known as The Spice Island – offers a unique combination of world-class beaches and fascinating cultural activities such as working spice farm visits and meanderings around the Arabian-influenced capital of Stone Town. The islands of Mafia and Pemba are less well developed and more secluded, as ramshackle huts jostle with lush palm trees along the beaches. Whilst the main coastline of Tanzania doesn’t boast quite the idyllic feel of Zanzibar, the beaches south of Dar es Salaam are still fantastic, and are perfect for starting off or ending an itinerary.
Only a handful of Tanzania’s attractions are mentioned here. If you have time to delve beyond the Serengeti, Kilimanjaro and Zanzibar, then tantalising Tanzania is ready to thrill you at every turn.
*This article was written by a TWNA journalist, Dale Hes for The Traveller magazine.