STORY BY TOGETHER TOURS & SAFARIS THE SERENGETI, TANZANIA - IMAGE BY HU CHEN
Tanzania is a land of holiday dreams, so take your seat at the great theatre of life and death, enacted daily between predator and prey.
Watch for the sudden blur of a racing cheetah; seek out the tawny lion crouched in golden grass; and smile at the ungainly approach of the shambling spotted hyena - all seeking their next meal, often their first in many days!
Tanzania is home to some of the oldest human settlements unearthed by archaeologists, including stone tools and fossils of hominids found in and around Olduvai Gorge in northern Tanzania, which is an area often referred to as "The Cradle of Mankind”
Tanzania is divided into four distinct areas: Northern Circuit, Southern Circuit, Western Circuit and Coastal Circuit, so let's look at all four.
Watch for the sudden blur of a racing cheetah; seek out the tawny lion crouched in golden grass; and smile at the ungainly approach of the shambling spotted hyena - all seeking their next meal, often their first in many days!
Tanzania is home to some of the oldest human settlements unearthed by archaeologists, including stone tools and fossils of hominids found in and around Olduvai Gorge in northern Tanzania, which is an area often referred to as "The Cradle of Mankind”
Tanzania is divided into four distinct areas: Northern Circuit, Southern Circuit, Western Circuit and Coastal Circuit, so let's look at all four.
WILD ANIMALS ABOUND AT THE NGURDOTO CRATER - IMAGE BY MICHAEL WILCOX
Northern Circuit - Arusha National Park
The closest national park to northern Tanzania’s safari capital Arusha Town, the Arusha National Park is a multi-faceted jewel which is often overlooked by many safari-goers, despite offering the opportunity to explore a beguiling diversity of habitats with a few hours.
The entrance gate leads into shadowy montane forest inhabited by inquisitive blue monkeys and colorful turacos and trogons. It's also the only place on the northern safari circuit where the acrobatic black-and-white colobus monkey is easily seen.
In the midst of the forest stands the spectacular Ngurdoto Crater, whose steep, rocky cliffs enclose a wide marshy floor dotted with herds of buffalo, elephants and warthog.
The closest national park to northern Tanzania’s safari capital Arusha Town, the Arusha National Park is a multi-faceted jewel which is often overlooked by many safari-goers, despite offering the opportunity to explore a beguiling diversity of habitats with a few hours.
The entrance gate leads into shadowy montane forest inhabited by inquisitive blue monkeys and colorful turacos and trogons. It's also the only place on the northern safari circuit where the acrobatic black-and-white colobus monkey is easily seen.
In the midst of the forest stands the spectacular Ngurdoto Crater, whose steep, rocky cliffs enclose a wide marshy floor dotted with herds of buffalo, elephants and warthog.
BUFFALO LEAPING INTO A RIVER IN TANZANIA. - IMAGE BY MAURITS BAUSENHART
Southern Circuit - Selous Game Reserve
Selous is the largest game reserve in Africa, with an enormous land area of 55,000 square kilometres, which is more than five percent of Tanzania's total land area.
It is home to more than 50,000 elephants and 110,000 buffaloes.
This park is remote, undisturbed, untouched and crossed by the Rufiji River and its tributaries, which form a network of lakes ideal for boat safaris.
Selous remains largely undeveloped, however, the reserve is home to vast numbers of game including the largest single population of elephants. Selous is best visited between June to February.
Selous is the largest game reserve in Africa, with an enormous land area of 55,000 square kilometres, which is more than five percent of Tanzania's total land area.
It is home to more than 50,000 elephants and 110,000 buffaloes.
This park is remote, undisturbed, untouched and crossed by the Rufiji River and its tributaries, which form a network of lakes ideal for boat safaris.
Selous remains largely undeveloped, however, the reserve is home to vast numbers of game including the largest single population of elephants. Selous is best visited between June to February.
LAKE TANGANYIKA - IMAGE BY GUY BASABOSE
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CHIMPANZEE'S ARE PROTECTED - IMAGE BY BOB BREWER
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West Circuit - Mahale Mountains National Park
The remote and mysterious Mahale Mountains are set deep in the heart of the African interior, inaccessible by road and only 100 kilometres (60 miles) south of where in 1871 Henry Stanley uttered the immortal greeting: “Doctor Livingstone, I presume”.
So remote that access is usually by seaplane, they sit on the eastern shore of Lake Tanganyika, which presents a scene reminiscent of an Indian Ocean island beach idyll.
Silky white coves hem in its azure waters, overshadowed by a chain of wild, jungle-draped peaks towering almost 2km above the shore.
Mahale Mountains are home to some of Africa’s last remaining wild chimpanzees, and is only one of two regions where they are protected.
The remote and mysterious Mahale Mountains are set deep in the heart of the African interior, inaccessible by road and only 100 kilometres (60 miles) south of where in 1871 Henry Stanley uttered the immortal greeting: “Doctor Livingstone, I presume”.
So remote that access is usually by seaplane, they sit on the eastern shore of Lake Tanganyika, which presents a scene reminiscent of an Indian Ocean island beach idyll.
Silky white coves hem in its azure waters, overshadowed by a chain of wild, jungle-draped peaks towering almost 2km above the shore.
Mahale Mountains are home to some of Africa’s last remaining wild chimpanzees, and is only one of two regions where they are protected.
ZANZIBAR BEACH - IMAGE BY OLGA BUDKO
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SAILING AT SUNSET - IMAGE BY CAMILLA FREDERICKSEN
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Coast Circuit - Zanzibar
Zanzibar is a low-lying coral island with elevations no higher than 120 metres.
The historic Stone Town is the capital and cultural Heart of Zanzibar, where little has changed in the last 200 years.
Stone Town reflects the Arab past in the island of Zanzibar.
It's the oldest part of the city, built in the 18th century for the island’s growing population of Omani Arab traders.
It is a tangle of twisting alleys, busy bazaars, mosques and magnificent Arab houses whose extravagance is reflected in their brass-studded fittings.
Tourist Attractions in Zanzibar include:
Whale Watching: Whale Sharks, the largest shark and the largest fish in the world which can reach lengths of up to 14 meters and weigh up to 15 tons frequent the Zanzibar shore line. Also Sperm Whales may also be seen in the Zanzibar Channel.
Dhow Cruises: You can sail around the island on a traditional Arab dhow, while enjoying sea foods and indigenous fruit juice or a glass of wine, followed by coffee as the sun sets.
Shopping Tours: Stone town is a shopper’s delight. The narrow snaking streets are crowded with stores selling antiquities, art books, clothes, gemstones, jewellery, paintings, printed fabrics, tea and spices.
Cultural Festivals: These include the Zanzibar International Film Festival (ZIFF), held every July and the Sauti Za Busara Festival, a premier music festival highlighting best music from the Swahili World featuring traditional ngoma, taarab and religious music, held every February.
Zanzibar is a low-lying coral island with elevations no higher than 120 metres.
The historic Stone Town is the capital and cultural Heart of Zanzibar, where little has changed in the last 200 years.
Stone Town reflects the Arab past in the island of Zanzibar.
It's the oldest part of the city, built in the 18th century for the island’s growing population of Omani Arab traders.
It is a tangle of twisting alleys, busy bazaars, mosques and magnificent Arab houses whose extravagance is reflected in their brass-studded fittings.
Tourist Attractions in Zanzibar include:
Whale Watching: Whale Sharks, the largest shark and the largest fish in the world which can reach lengths of up to 14 meters and weigh up to 15 tons frequent the Zanzibar shore line. Also Sperm Whales may also be seen in the Zanzibar Channel.
Dhow Cruises: You can sail around the island on a traditional Arab dhow, while enjoying sea foods and indigenous fruit juice or a glass of wine, followed by coffee as the sun sets.
Shopping Tours: Stone town is a shopper’s delight. The narrow snaking streets are crowded with stores selling antiquities, art books, clothes, gemstones, jewellery, paintings, printed fabrics, tea and spices.
Cultural Festivals: These include the Zanzibar International Film Festival (ZIFF), held every July and the Sauti Za Busara Festival, a premier music festival highlighting best music from the Swahili World featuring traditional ngoma, taarab and religious music, held every February.
TRADITIONAL CEREMONY WITH TANZANIAN MEN - IMAGE BY RAMON SANCHEZ ORENZE
Knowing the Basics
Official name: United Republic of Tanzania. The capital city is Dodoma.
Area: 945,100 square kilometres or 364,900 square miles.
Population: Over 40 million.
Languages: Swahili and English (are both official languages, with English used for commerce, administration, and higher education. However, the first language of most people is that of their culture group.
Religions: Christian 45 percent Muslim 35 percent.
Internet and mobile phones: Only a quarter if people in Tanzania have reasonable internet access, so it is best to enquire at your desrtination. As many countries use diffewrenrt cell phone frequencies, your phone may not work in Tanzania - ask your own proviser before you leave home.
Money: The Tanzanian Shilling is the official currency of Tanzania, but US dollars are also widely accepted in tourist areas. Dollar notes printed before 2009 are usually not accepted. You can exchange money at many authorised dealers, banks and bureaux de change.
Credit Cards: All major credit cards are accepted in East Africa, although Visa and Mastercard are Tmost widely. Amex is usually only accepted in. major cities.
Safety: Governments warn tourists to be alert in your surroundings and pay close attention to personal security, as violent armed robbery, petty theft and threats of violence are common in Tanzania, especially in Dar es Salaam.
Area: 945,100 square kilometres or 364,900 square miles.
Population: Over 40 million.
Languages: Swahili and English (are both official languages, with English used for commerce, administration, and higher education. However, the first language of most people is that of their culture group.
Religions: Christian 45 percent Muslim 35 percent.
Internet and mobile phones: Only a quarter if people in Tanzania have reasonable internet access, so it is best to enquire at your desrtination. As many countries use diffewrenrt cell phone frequencies, your phone may not work in Tanzania - ask your own proviser before you leave home.
Money: The Tanzanian Shilling is the official currency of Tanzania, but US dollars are also widely accepted in tourist areas. Dollar notes printed before 2009 are usually not accepted. You can exchange money at many authorised dealers, banks and bureaux de change.
Credit Cards: All major credit cards are accepted in East Africa, although Visa and Mastercard are Tmost widely. Amex is usually only accepted in. major cities.
Safety: Governments warn tourists to be alert in your surroundings and pay close attention to personal security, as violent armed robbery, petty theft and threats of violence are common in Tanzania, especially in Dar es Salaam.
WILDLIFE IS DIVERSE AND PLENTIFUL ON THE SERENGETI - IMAGE BY HENDRIK COMELISSEN
