TANZANIA
Travel | Explore | Experience | Live
About Tanzania
Travel | Explore | Experience | Live
Tanzania is a popular tourist destination known for its diverse wildlife, stunning landscapes, and vibrant culture. The country is located in East Africa and is home to many famous national parks, including the Serengeti and the Ngorongoro Conservation Area.
One of the main draws of Tanzania is its wildlife, with opportunities to see the Big Five (lions, elephants, buffaloes, leopards, and rhinos) in their natural habitat. Visitors can also witness the annual wildebeest migration, where millions of animals move across the Serengeti and into the Masai Mara in Kenya.
Tanzania also offers beautiful beaches along its coastline and on the island of Zanzibar, as well as opportunities for hiking and climbing, including Mount Kilimanjaro, the highest peak in Africa.
Culturally, Tanzania has a rich history and diverse population, with over 120 different ethnic groups. Visitors can experience traditional music, dance, and food, as well as visit local markets and museums to learn more about the country’s history and traditions.
Here are some of the top attractions in Tanzania:
Serengeti National Park – This park is one of the most famous wildlife reserves in the world and is home to a variety of wildlife, including lions, elephants, giraffes, zebras, and more. The park is also known for the annual wildebeest migration, which is a spectacular natural event that takes place between Tanzania and Kenya.
Mount Kilimanjaro – This is the highest mountain in Africa and attracts thousands of climbers every year. Climbing the mountain is a challenging but rewarding experience that offers breathtaking views of the surrounding landscape.
Zanzibar – This is an archipelago off the coast of Tanzania that is known for its beautiful beaches, rich cultural heritage, and exotic spices. Visitors can explore the island’s historic Stone Town, go on spice tours, and enjoy water sports such as snorkeling and diving.
Ngorongoro Conservation Area – This area is a UNESCO World Heritage Site that is home to the Ngorongoro Crater, which is the world’s largest intact volcanic caldera. Visitors can spot a variety of wildlife in the crater, including lions, elephants, and rhinos.
Cultural experiences – Tanzania is home to a diverse range of cultures, including the Maasai people, who are known for their traditional way of life. Visitors can learn about Maasai culture by visiting local villages, attending cultural events, and purchasing Maasai-made handicrafts.
When to VisitÂ
As a general rule the climate is warm and humid at the coast, cooler and fresher in the central highlands, and hot and dry in the north and east. The rainy season is divided into two periods: the long rains fall between late March and May, whereas the short rains take place between October and November.
As well as the climatic, there are other considerations when deciding when to visit Tanzania. The Great Wildebeest migration spends nine months a years in Tanzania, following the grazing on a large circuit that meanders through the Ngorongoro Highlands and the Serengeti. In February, for example, the wildebeests calve in the Ngorongoro highlands, an amazing spectacle not least for the predators who follow the herds looking for the young. We can advise on the best place to be to see this depending on your departure date.
Likewise, if you goal is to see the chimpanzees in Mahale then it’s best to visit in July to October when they tend to live on the lower slopes of the mountains.
Dry season (hot): January – March.
This is the hottest time of year and an excellent time for game viewing. The grass and vegetation is thin and low, allowing for uninterrupted views and fewer places for the animals to hide. There is also less water, meaning the animals have to congregate around rivers and waterholes, making them easier to spot. This is considered one of the best bird-watching periods, with the birds visible and with migratory species moving through.
As many of the main National Parks and reserves are up in the central highlands the temperatures are not as high or humid as they are on the coastal plains. Early morning game drives are cool, and most of our preferred camps and lodges have pools with shaded areas to relax around during the heat of the day. On the coast it is hot and the water is at its clearest for diving and snorkelling.
Rainy season: April – June.
The rain start in late March and continue through until June. As a general rule the rain falls in the late afternoon as either spectacular thunderstorms or torrential downpours that can continue into the night. Mornings are generally clear and bright. The whole landscape comes to life, with the new grasses coming through and dotted with flowers. Many animals give birth during this period, so there are lots of young around and in hot pursuit are the lions, leopards and cheetah keen on feasting while they can on these easy meals.
Advantages of travelling during this period are that prices are lower, you avoid the crowds, the wet ground keeps the dust down when travelling off road and there are plenty of young animals to admire. It is also a great time for photography with the light, lush backdrops and lack of haze. Downsides are that roads can get damaged and impassable so a 4×4 is advisable.Â
Dry season (cool): July – September
Considered the best time for game-viewing. The rains have finished, leaving the air clear and the landscape green and lush. The grasslands are soon grazed down leading to excellent animal sightings. Days are mainly sunny and visibility good for photography. This is also an excellent time to climb Kilimanjaro.
Small rains: October – Mid-December
During these months come the small rains, a secondary wet season. They are a lot drier that the main rains but are a vital part of the annual cycle to keep the grazing growing for the animals to last through until the spring. They tend not to be as long or disruptive, but there can be downpours that damage roads and increase driving times. As a rule they do not affect itineraries or viewing, a fact illustrated by the fact that camp prices are much the same for this periods as for the dry seasons.