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Tanzania is the largest country in East Africa, three times the size of the United Kingdom and lying 3 degrees south of the Equator. The country borders the Indian Ocean to the east, Kenya and Uganda to the north, Rwanda and Burundi to the north-west, Congo to the west, Zambia to the south-west and Malawi and Mozambique to the south.
Tanzania can be viewed from space as the only country in Africa to boast having all three of the largest lakes in Africa - Lake Victoria to the north (largest lake in Africa),Lake Tanganyika to the west (deepest lake in Africa) and Lake Nyasa (also known as Lake Malawi) to the south, and the Indian Ocean to the east. Tanzania is south of the "horn" of Africa.
So if you do come across satellite images of Africa you will be easily able to point out Tanzania!
Tanzania is the quintessential African Safari destination and is blessed with some of the biggest, best and most beautiful that Africa has to offer:
* the endless plains of the Serengeti - home to the Big Cats and Great Migration,
* the world famous Ngorongoro Crater - world's largest natural amphitheatre with the largest concentration of wildlife on the continent
* mighty Kilimanjaro - the world's highest free-standing volcano and iconic snowcapped mountain
* the great Selous - the world's largest wildlife reserve similar to the area covered by Denmark
* the Lake Tanganyika - the deepest lake in Africa where species of fish and monkey are still being discovered.
* Lake Victoria - largest lake in Africa and home of the Nile- Visit Rubondo Island sanctuary for chimpanzees, birds and small mammals - idyllic island for walking and boating trips
* the historical birthplace of man - Olduvai (or Oldupai) Gorge
* idyllic Zanzibar -the most romantic island in the world teeming with endangered species of all kinds (red colobus monkeys, bottlenose dolphins, the weird looking dugong and even the prehistoric giant fish - the ancient coelecanth which still finds refuge in the warm tropical waters around Zanzibar).
* Mahale and Gombe National Parks - home of the cute but endangered chimpanzees
* Saadani National Park - East Africa's ONLY Coastal National Park where "Bush meets Beach" (boat safaris, walking safaris and traditional game drives)
* Ruaha National Park - one of our favourite parks and the largest national park in all of Africa.
* Then the wildest and most unspoilt of all Africa's national parks and Tanzania's third largest national park - Katavi in western Tanzania where thousands of wildlife roam free and are still curious. Home of the endangered Wild dog and roan antelope, this is the place to visit for "African safari connoiseurs" who have been to Tanzania before!
* The unspoilt Swahili Coast - Bagamoyo, Pemba Island, Mafia Island and Kilwa where the white sandy beaches and turquoise blue seas beckon and where one can get away from the hustle and bustle of daily life...
There is so much more for one to see, do and explore in Tanzania ..... indulge in our Tanzania safaris and tours programs or contact us for information on a tailor-made Tanzanian safari and beach holiday to meet your requirements.
Aim 4 Africa organises tailor-made, private safaris which created specifically to suit individual interests to depending on where, when and what visitors wish to do. For the intrepid traveller, some suggested itineraries are listed in our Popular Programs page to give you inspiration and a flavour of what is possible. Please ask for further details on a Tanzanian safari and tour or a quote for an itinerary of your choice.
Tanzania's commercial and diplomatic capital with largest port is Dar es Salaam and the political capital is Dodoma in the heart of the country. The two main international airports are Dar Es Salaam International (or Julius K Nyerere International Airport) and Kilimanjaro International Airport to which most international and intra-East African flights operate. Most cities in Tanzania also have regional airports which make travel inland easy and convenient. There are also many light aircraft serving remote safari destinations and rural areas, for those seeking to explore the hinterland. So there are many travel options for the discerning visitor.
Tanzanian wildlife safaris and adventure holidays feature high on the list of the discerning visitor to Africa. However Tanzania is also well known for its rich mineral sources (the most notable being the most famous and rare Tanzanite - a blueish violet gemstone only found in the Blue Mountains of Meserani, east of Arusha, west of Moshi), as well as diamonds, rubies, emeralds, sapphire, gold and coal deposits. With massive areas of fertile land and permanent sources of water, Tanzania features high in terms of agriculture and fisheries. The industrial sector is still being developed mainly with foreign investment.
No Tanzanian safari is complete without learning about the cultural heritage and traditions of a country - and Tanzania boasts over 120 indigenous tribes from the more famous Maasai warriors to the last remaining Hadzabe bushmen in Northern Tanzania, to the Makonde and Wagogo tribes in Southern and Central Tanzania and the Wazaramu and Waswahili on the coast. Aim 4 Africa encourages our guests to visit at least one village or include a cultural program in their safari itinerary so that a more richer experience and fuller itinerary can be gained. It is possible for instance to arrange a guided trek with a Maasai warrior followed by a visit to his village, or visit the Hadzabe in their nomadic temporary homes near Lake Eyasi where one can learn to master archery or animal tracking. Contact us for more information on our cultural tours. |
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BEST TIME TO TRAVEL
Tanzania is excellent to visit year-round. Peak season for a Tanzanian safari is December-March (warmest season, temps ranging between 20-25 deg C inland and 32-39 deg C on the coast) and June-August (mainly due to the Great Migration in the Serengeti; temps ranging from 10 deg C at Ngorongoro Crater and 15-18deg C in Serengeti to about 25 deg C on the coast). Shoulder seasons for a Tanzania safari (ideal times to visit outside peak times) are March, September-November. Low season for a Tanzanian safari is between April and May mainly due to the long rains at that time of year, however the area is green and wildlife flourish during this time, so it is a good time to visit (especially good to visit south-western Serengeti, Maswa plains as this is where the wildebeest young start their first of many migrations with the rest of the herds across the Serengeti). The advantage of visiting in April-May is that you can make full use of massive price discounts for lodge accommodations (camping isn't suitable in this season) as well as great international flight deals. Contact us for more information on when you wish to visit Tanzania or to book a Tanzanian safari. Note that most camps and lodges in southern and western Tanzania are closed for renovations and staff holidays during April-May as those areas tend to get water logged making accessibility more difficult. We also do not conduct any mountain treks in April-May as the trails are quite treacherous at that time of year. However Northern Tanzanian safaris (as well as those in Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda and Malawi) continue to operate throughout the year and you may opt to drive or fly in light aircraft between parks.
CONTACT US for information on our Tanzanian safaris and tours, treks or beach holidays. |
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ACCOMMODATIONS
Accommodation in Tanzania varies from the luxurious to the simple, with luxury mobile camping on safari being especially attractive and more exclusive. For those on a tight budget, we can arrange Tanzanian safaris with basic mobile camping; other accommodation options whilst on a Tanzanian safari include mid range lodge accommodation or semi luxury camping (mobile camping). All of our camping safaris include three meals a day on safari (plus snacks and hot beverages) prepared by a professional camp cook. More luxurious accommodations on safari in Tanzania include treetop lodges as well as permanent tented camps and luxury mobile tented camps which tend to be more exclusive and offer a more personalised service. Likewise at coastal and beach destinations in Tanzania, there is a wide range of accommodations from simple beach hotels to larger resorts or the more exclusive beach properties with private villa and bungalows. Accommodations before and after a Tanzanian safari can be arranged in Dar es Salaam, Arusha or Zanzibar in various city hotels or quaint, charming lodges just outside the main city centres.
A range of accommodation choices in Tanzania can be found on our accommodation pages in the menu above.
TAILOR MADE HOLIDAYS IN TANZANIA
We can organise a safari and beach combination holiday, or a trek and safari and beach holiday combination within Tanzania to suit individual interests. We can also organise a multi destination holiday to the other East African countries of Kenya, Rwanda, Uganda, Malawi or the southern African countries of Zambia and Botswana depending on specific requirements. For instance we have many couples who like to trek Gorillas in Rwanda then trek Kilimanjaro or Mount Meru or follow that with a safari in Northern Tanzania followed by a relaxing beach holiday in Zanzibar. The combinations of destinations and excursions in Tanzania is limitless, so email us your precise requirements and interests or fill in the Enquiry Form and we can then suggest a Tanzanian safari itinerary to suit you.
Aim 4 Africa believes in creating a tailor made program which is as unique as you are - different people have different interests, budgets and requirements. Horse riding or Bird Watching Safaris may not appeal to all, neither does a trek up Kilimanjaro, however there are the more adventurous who would like a fairly active safari itinerary (walking, cycling and boating safaris) whilst others may be content to have a game drive and a hot air balloon safari then follow this up with a few days of sheer relaxation on a beach.
For this reason and as mentioned above, most of our Tanzania safari programs are tailored to suit individual preferences and carried out in small groups - couples, family groups, groups of friends - so they are essentially private groups. Contact us to find out more about a possible Tanzanian safari-beach-adventure holiday itinerary for your family or group of friends or see some sample programs of itineraries that you may wish to emulate or adapt to your own requirements.
Visiting Tanzania - Wildlife Safari, Adventure, Beach Holiday, Mountain Trekking, Cultural Programs
One trip to Tanzania is not enough to discover all that this wonderful country has to offer. Because of the diverse landscapes, different wildlife habitats, physical geographical features and more than 120 indigenous tribes, we have categorised Tanzania into four main areas for visitors: |
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NORTHERN TANZANIA
This area is home to the most famous wildlife parks including Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater, as well as the mighty Kilimanjaro.
The place to start is Arusha - a bustling town, commercial capital and base of all Northern Tanzanian safaris and treks. There are day trips in and around Arusha for those who want to capture more of the spirit of this lively place, explore villages and engage with local people. There are also adventure excursions around Arusha so we would highly recommend visitors to stay at least 2 or 3 nights in Arusha before or after a safari.
Other parks that can be visited on safari in Northern Tanzania are Lake Manyara, Tarangire, Arusha National Park and Mkomazi Reserve.
Off the beaten path areas that are ideal for walking and learning about the rich cultural diversity of Tanzania's peoples include Lake Eyasi, the Ngorongoro Highlands, The Usambara Mountains (Eastern Arc Mountains), Mkomazi Reserve (shares border with Kenya's Tsavo National Park) and Lake Natron. Western Kilimanjaro also has areas that are not officially national parks, but where one can see lots of wildlife crossing over from Kenya's Amboseli and Tsavo national parks, whilst enjoying beautiful vistas of snow capped Kilimanjaro and rugged plains where one can learn to track animals with the assistance of a local Maasai guide. Horse riding can also be enjoyed around Kilimanjaro and the Great Rift Valley, as can canoeing safaris and cycling safaris. For those on a Tanzanian Safari program which includes visiting Western Serengeti, it is possible to include a few days on the shores of that famous lake made world famous by British explorers and missionaries, the largest in Africa - Lake Victoria, which is a mere 17 kms from the westernmost gate bordering the Serengeti National Park. A little island haven for chimps, small mammals and birds can be found on the western part of Lake Victoria - Rubondo Island. This quaint little island is perfect for those wishing to get away from it all, as there are no motor vehicles on the island (apart from service vehicles for the only tented camp on the island - Rubondo Island Camp).To get to Rubondo one must take a boat from Mwanza or Bukoba. Aim 4 Africa is happy to organise trips to Rubondo for you - let us know if you would be interested.
Contact us for details or browse our website for more information on these areas and activities in Northern Tanzania. |
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SOUTHERN TANZANIA
This part of Tanzania is home to the largest wildlife reserves in Africa - most notably the Selous Game Reserve and East Africa's largest national park - the Ruaha National Park. Other wildlife areas include Mikumi National Park (closest to Dar es Salaam), the rugged Udzungwa Mountains national park and the most famous botanical national park - Kitulo (Kitulo is referred to as the "Serengeti of the Flowers" due to its beautiful and vast carpet of wild flowers that transform this beautiful landscape into a kaleidoscope of colour).
The base for a visit to the Southern Tanzanian parks is Dar es Salaam or, if you are flying into Kilimanjaro, Arusha. However Selous and Ruaha can be accessed by light aircraft from most cities. There are also daily flights between northern and Southern Tanzania which makes travel between the two areas convenient and comfortable as well as time-efficient. Travel between parks (Selous and Ruaha or Mikumi) is also made easier if you fly in light aircraft, it also means less time is spent on the road and more time viewing wildlife.
The beauty of a Southern Tanzanian safari is that it is very rugged and wild, not as busy as the north, and appeals most to seasoned or second time visitors to Tanzania. In the Selous, aside from game drives in a traditional four wheel drive, one can also have a guided walking safari and a boat safari where one can get up close to wildlife and photograph them in a different perspective. Safari vehicles in the south tend to be open topped or open sided. Accommodations in southern Tanzania tend to be more luxurious. No mobile camping is available with the exception of 2-3 days fly camping which can be arranged if staying for 5 or more days at certain tented camps or lodges in Selous or Ruaha.
Contact us for details or browse our website for more information on these areas and details on possible activities and a safari in Southern Tanzania. |
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WESTERN TANZANIA
For a Tanzanian Safari with a difference - head for Western Tanzania for a truly off-the-beaten path experience.
Most western Tanzanian safaris start from Arusha (particularly useful if you are flying into Kilimanjaro or Nairobi) but we can assist with flight connections from Dar es Salaam as well.
This part of Tanzania is unspoilt and wild as nature intended (and we hope it remains that way for many years to come). Western Tanzania is home to the deepest lake in Africa - Lake Tanganyika where freshwater fish such as the cyclids are still being discovered (most aquarium enthusiasts will know about these).Being a freshwater lake, Lake Tanganyika offers incredible visibility to about 50m depth. Kayaking and snorkelling are available as are boat trips on the lake. Swimming in certain areas is prohibited (well, you wouldnt want to share your part of the lake with a crocodile or hippo would you?) however the areas around the main tented camps (Kungwe Beach Lodge and Greystokes Mahale Camp) are generally safe to swim in where you would be under the watchful guidance of camp staff.
On the north eastern banks of the lake lies Mahale Mountains National Park - home to the largest habituated colonies of chimpanzee. Jane Goodall, the famous chimp researcher, had her camp situated at Mahale where numerous studies were carried out on the behaviour and characteristics of man's closest relative (we are said to share about 95% of our genes with chimps!) Chimpanzee trekking can be arranged as part of a 3 or 4 night stay at Mahale or Gombe.
Another smaller park (Tanzania's smallest park) is Gombe Stream National Park also situated east of Lake Tanganyika and the dense rainforests here are home to other colonies of chimpanzees as well as small mammals and over 350 recorded species of birds.
To get to Western Tanzania, one can fly in light aircraft (scheduled flights from Dar es Salaam and Kilimanjaro) to Kigoma, the main city in western Tanzania at the northern tip of Lake Tanganyika) followed by a boat trip to Mahale or Gombe, or by far the easier way would be to travel by private or shared chartered flights from Arusha making it possible to combine a northern Tanzanian safari with a western Tanzanian holiday.
The third largest national park, little known but a prime game viewing area particularly for seasoned visitors to Tanzania, is the Katavi National Park - home to huge herds of giraffe, elephant, antelope and even large colonies of the endangered wild dog.There are about three tented camps in Katavi and a visit here combines extremely well with a trip to Mahale or Gombe. A Tanzanian Safari to Katavi and Mahale takes you to the one of the most unspoilt, beautifully rugged and untamed wilderness areas in Africa.
Contact us for details or browse our website for more information on these areas and details on possible activities in Selous, Ruaha, or the other southern Tanzanian areas. |
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THE SWAHILI COAST & ZANZIBAR
The astoundingly beautiful and vast coastal area of Tanzania includes the famous spice isles of Zanzibar, Pemba and Mafia, as well as the historical Swahili Coast which covers the mainland coastal areas such as Bagamoyo, Pangani, Dar es Salaam and the unique Saadani National Park - Africa's only coastal national park where bush meets beach.
The base for a visit to the Swahili Coast is Dar es Salaam or Zanzibar. There are a variety of tours and excursions to allow visitors to explore these historic, culturally intensive, natural and colourful areas.
Most first time visitors to Tanzania ask us to include a holiday to Zanzibar - some time exploring the historical stone town and then a greater part of their holiday relaxing by a sandy beach on the north or east coast. However for those who have returned to Tanzania time and time again, there are other gems to explore - the green and unspoilt islands of Pemba and Mafia (nothing to do with the Italian Mob) have superb beaches and are ideal for underwater enthusiasts - the coral reefs teem with coloured tropical fish and sea creatures of all kinds. Zanzibar is a great beach holiday destination as it has more to offer than pristine beaches - the island is refuge for many endangered species including the red colobus monkey which can be seen in the Jozani Forest Reserve, as well as boat trips to little islets or a sunset dhow cruise - typical traditional sailing vessel with lateen sails. Zanzibar also boasts some of the best and most famous spice plantations where visitors are encouraged to touch, smell and taste the various spices that can now be found in most western supermarkets globally. Music and Art lovers can coincide their trip during times of the year when special events are held, such as the famous Sauti ya Busara Music Festival and Festival of the Dhow Countries takes place in Zanzibar. Historic sultan palaces, slave chambers, churches and mosques can also be visited whilst in Zanzibar - an eclectic mix of culture, tradition, the modern and the historic can be found on this little romantic world famous island. |
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By far, the Swahili Coast has golden sandy beaches (unlike Zanzibar and the other spice islands which have silver-white beaches) and for those interested in exploring the historical sites of the infamous slave trade and Tanzania's colonial past, areas such as Dar es Salaam, Bagamoyo (including a visit to the tiny picture-perfect Lazy Lagoon a boat ride away from Bagamoyo) and Saadani are well worth visiting, whilst enjoying the superb beaches and water based activities. Still more unspoilt, less visited coastal areas on the mainland are Pangani and Kilwa (also once prime slave trading ports) and Mtwara on the far southern coast bordering Mozambique.
Contact us for details or browse our website for more information on these areas and details on possible activities on the Swahili Coast or Zanzibar, Pemba or Mafia islands.
More information on Tanzania Safaris, Mountain Treks, Adventure holidays or Beach Holidays
Use the menu tabs above to locate these different parts of Tanzania so you can learn more about this hugely diverse country and let us know if you would like any specific information or a tailor-made itinerary for a Tanzanian safari and tour or Tanzanian safari-beach Holiday using the Enquiry Form
If you wish to learn a few words and phrases in Kiswahili (Tanzania's national language) then feel free to browse our Swahili Phrases page. When travelling to Tanzania, although most people speak English, saying a few words like Asante and Jambo in Swahili will bring on a few smiles and make your experience all the more richer.
If you wish to have a mountain or highlands trek in Tanzania as an extension to a Tanzanian Safari or Beach Holiday, then please contact us for details of any special offers and a program tailored to meet your requirements and interests.
Click Here to download our PDF with more information on Tanzania and other East and Southern African destinations |
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