If you are looking for an action-packed holiday adventure that includes mountaineering, a safari, a cultural experience and a beach break, there is only one destination you should be heading to this year, and that is Tanzania.
One of Africa’s richest countries in terms of biodiversity, Tanzania homes Africa’s highest mountain – Mount Kilimanjaro, the Serengeti Ecosystem – one of the Seven Natural Wonders of Africa, the Ngorongoro Crater – a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and a whole archipelago of paradise islands including Zanzibar, Pemba and Mafia.
Traveling in Tanzania
The perfect place for a double-destination holiday, Tanzania is easy to get to and to get around, and with cheap local flights connecting you between all the main ‘must-see’ regions, you can climb Kilimanjaro during your first week, before heading down to the sugar white beaches of Zanzibar for some much-needed R&R.
If its wildlife encounters you are after, you will struggle to find anywhere better than the Serengeti Plains and the Ngorongoro Crater. Home to the Great Migration, the Serengeti is one of Africa’s richest game areas, and if you happen to be in the right place at the right time, you could witness some 2 million wildebeest and zebra migrating in this natural phenomenon.
Travel in Tanzania
If you are looking for a shorter safari to add onto your Kilimanjaro Climb, the Ngorongoro Crater is the perfect spot. Located just 180km from Arusha (your base for Kilimanjaro), the Ngorongoro Crater, also listed as one of the Seven Natural Wonders of Africa, homes one of the greatest concentrations of wildlife in Africa.
The Maasai tribes still live around the edge of the Ngorongoro Crater, so you will have the opportunity to take a cultural tour and learn about these fascinating people when visiting this region of Tanzania.
After you have climbed Kilimanjaro, taken your Serengeti Safari, and danced with the Maasai, your next stop should be the Island of Spice – Zanzibar. With beautiful beaches, and abundance of fresh seafood, and a wide range of accommodations, Zanzibar is the perfect place to relax, unwind, and enjoy the natural beauty that you will only find in Tanzania – the Paradise of Africa.
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Tanzania is not all about animals. Also the scenery and the special landscapes are worth seeing. If you want to see different habitats, it is good to visit one of the mountains, Arusha National Park which harbors some rainforest and special monkey and bird species, the lake of Lake Manyara national Park and the savannah of Serengeti National Park. But outside of the parks there is more to see…
Mountain climbing
There are several mountains to climb. Mount Kilimanjaro National Park is a park in Northern Tanzania, close to the town Moshi and 128 km from Arusha. Kilimanjaro mountain is close to Arusha and Kilimanjaro Airport, it’s best if you do this at the end of your trip. It will take multiple days, depending on how fast you want to climb and which of the six trekking routes to the summit you take. Don’t forget Kilimanjaro is 5895 m high, so climbing is not easy and can give you mountain sickness. You have to be in a good condition. Nevertheless climbing is a popular activity and a very special experience. Where in Africa do you find a mountain with snow on top?. Haydom Safaris can arrange a climb to the top with an official Kilimanjaro trekking guide.
Another option in climbing the little sister of Mount Kilimanjaro, Mount Meru. Mount Meru is located just outside Arusha and could be a good training for Mount Kilimanjaro. Mount Meru is less visited and offers a great nature experience.
Ol Donyo Lengai is a sacred mountain for the Masaai. It is the holy mountain of god. Not only this, but it is also an active volcano! Lava from the past had made the Serengeti such fertile plains.
Mount Hanang, situated in Karatu, is not yet discovered by many tourists, but probably will in the decade to come. A climb is a real challenge, but on the other hand everybody who is fit will reach the top. You can climb the mountain in one day and enjoy the view.
Historic sites
Tanzania is host of a few of the most important historic sites. One is the Kondoa Rock Art in Kondoa. It might be the less visited UNESCO heritage site in the world, but it doesn’t make it less special. People don’t know exactly how long they already exist, but they think about 1500 years. You can make a walk in the nature, and visit several caves with the special rock paintings. Also there is a possibility to visit the small museum or camp at the campsite.
Another famous historic site is the Olduvai Gorge, where in 1959 the oldest remainings of the ancestors of men were found. Also many of the oldest tools which men used were found there. The special geology of the site, with several layers of different types of earth, can date the findings to a period of time. Information about the archeological findings and the ‘footprints’ of men found there can be seen in the museum. Olduvai Gorge is on the border between Ngorongoro Conservation Area and Serengeti National Park.
Lakes
Lakes you could visit are: Lake Basotu (near Katesh), Lake Manyara (in lake Manyara National Park), Lake Duluti (near Arusha), the lakes in Arusha National Park and Lake Natron (possible if coming from the Serengeti and not going back through Ngorongoro National Park). Some of these lakes lodge a lot of flamingo’s and pelicans. Also many other bird species can be seen on these lakes and on some you can also book a canoeing trip. Lake Natron is a unique alkalic salt lake which comprises a very different range of flora and fauna.
Scenery
The Northern Safari Circuit is part of the Rift Valley. Two rifts are spreading apart, leaving a valley in between. This leads to the arising of flat valley with suddenly a vertical stone wall with on top spacious even land. From Karatu and Manyara National Park you can see the Rift.
In Ngorongoro conservation area, close to the Olduvai Gorge and the entrance to Serengeti you can find the sand dunes. These dunes of volcanic remains once originated from an eruption of the Ol Donyo Lengai. Every year the sand dune moves further away from the volcano. It’s a beautiful event to see, climb and photograph.
