TANZANIA

Idyllic Zanzibar to the iconic Serengeti

HIGHLIGHTS

FAMOUS FOR

Serengeti: The Wildebeest Migration in all its glory

Ngorongoro Crater: Some of the easiest game spotting in Africa

Zanzibar: A magical island of spices, sunsets and culture

WHEN TO VISIT

Dry Season⊕: July to October

Green Season⊕: November to April

Shoulder Season⊕: April to May

TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS

We’ve put together all the information you need to prepare for your trip to Tanzania

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WHY VISIT TANZANIA

Where to start with all the reasons to visit Tanzania? If the safari bug has bitten you, then ticking off the Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater and Selous (or Nyerere National Park) is a no-brainer. This is Big Sky country and the amazing wildlife experience brought to you by Swahili guides is nothing short of intoxicating. The Serengeti hosts the bulk of the Wildebeest Migration as they return from Kenya in about November and stay in Tanzania until midyear, rutting, mating, giving birth and crossing rivers filled with hippos and crocodiles in the space of a few months. The timing of river crossings is totally unpredictable as the blue gnu might mass on the riverbank and swim across immediately, or hang around for days, keeping safari goers on tenterhooks.

Then there’s the less well beaten track. Returning visitors can take in Ruaha with such low visitor numbers you can have sightings all to yourself. Hikers might want to tackle Mount Kilimanjaro, which rises to the same level as Everest’s base camp from the surrounding grasslands. Lake Manyara gives birders a treat with thousands of candy-floss pink flamingos living on its shoreline. Make your way to remote Rubondo Island where you can see habituated chimpanzees (get fit – chimps move quickly!). To the west, Katavi also offers game viewing without the crowds. For non-motorised water sports and seasonal swimming with whale sharks, Pemba and Mafia Islands off the east coast cannot be beaten.

MEET ANGELA OUR TANZANIA EXPERT

My love of Tanzania started with a spontaneous trip to Zanzibar where I was thrilled by the history, culture, beaches and unmistakably spiced air. Next I scaled Kilimanjaro, Africa’s highest point and the world’s largest free-standing mountain. The south is under-explored and I’ve been lucky enough to travel through Ruaha and Nyerere, and do conservation work in the Usanga wetlands. The ultimate Tanzanian bucket-list item is definitely trekking chimpanzees on Rubondu Island!

EXPLORE TANZANIA

ITINERARIES TO INSPIRE YOU

Here are our favourite Tanzania Itineraries to inspire you. All of our itineraries can be tailored to meet your specific requirements.

OUR FAVOURITE TANZANIA DESTINATIONS

BLT Tanzania Map2

THE SERENGETI

Even if you haven’t been yet, it’s not hard to picture the Serengeti: flat-topped acacia trees rise from the golden savannah, cheetah stalk the plains game, bateleur eagles catch the thermals, scanning for morsels down below. Add to this the noise, dust and smell of numerous mega-herds of blue wildebeest on their annual circular migration to follow grazing and water supplies, and you get a natural spectacle that is everything you ever imagined, and more. While the Serengeti is a national park open to the public, smaller surrounding conservancies offer a more private and exclusive experience.

NYERERE NATIONAL PARK

Selous Game Reserve is now known as Nyerere National Park after Julius Nyerere, the first state president of Tanzania. Although the name is new, nothing else has changed: the biggest protected area on the continent still offers vast strongholds of game, especially concentrations of elephant. Because it is so vast (larger than Switzerland), it offers lots of different habitats and you can move between riverine forest, lakes and savannah. Its sheer size also means it’s a good idea to spend time in different parts of the park so you can experience as much as possible.

ZANZIBAR ARCHIPELAGO

One of the bigger islands off the coast of Africa, Zanzibar is perfect for unwinding on the beach after your safari. After days of getting up at dawn, you can sleep late and then explore Jozani Forest, wander around the tiny alleyways of Stone Town and toast the sunset on Nungwi Beach. Also known as Unguja or the Spice Island, Zanzibar has an incredible aroma that envelops you while you’re still on the plane. The mingling of cloves, nutmeg, cinnamon, lemongrass and cardamom give it its own unmistakable signature scent. Private islands like Mnemba, Thanda and Chapwani will seduce honeymooners looking for something extra special.

NGORONGORO CRATER

A must-see on any northern circuit safari, the Crater or NCA (Ngorongoro Conservation Area) is jam-packed with animals. The reason? A rare coming together of an unbroken volcanic caldera with steep walls that keeps the game in, fertile soil fed by minerals from the ancient eruption that results in good grazing and lots of springs for water. Everyday is a panoply of predator-and-prey interaction with intense sightings in a small area. The caveat? Because it’s so popular, it can get busy so we’ll help you choose a lodge near the entrance gate so you can be among the first to arrive in the morning.

OPTIONS TO EXTEND YOUR TANZANIA ITINERARY

Here are a few of our favourite options to add to your Tanzania itinerary. These extensions are here for inspiration. We know that time is a precious commodity and we can tailor them to meet your requirements.

WHY BOOK WITH BIGGESTLEAF TRAVEL

  • We are passionate about what we sell

  • The most competitive and flexible rates

  • We offer personalised and customised experiences

  • We offer comprehensive travel insurance for your trip, built into your itinerary

  • Our consultants specialise in different safari-experiences

  • We have over 10 years’ experience in the travel industry

  • Our quick response and turnaround times

  • Our travel insurance benefit is built to cover the nuances of African travel

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EXPERIENCE TANZANIA

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