Roaming elephant - from iStock
Tanzania Destination Guide
by Daniel McCrohan
Summary
Tanzania is a land of exceptional natural beauty. It is home to Africa's highest mountain, Kilimanjaro, its largest lake, Lake Victoria, and its biggest game reserve, Selous. Visit the world-famous Serengeti National Park, the Ngorongoro Crater and a host of stunning beaches on the nearby island of Zanzibar. Whether it's game viewing, trekking, scuba diving or simply lazing around on a beach, Tanzania can't fail to disappoint when it comes to exotic holidays.
Getting there, getting around Tanzania
There are direct flights from the UK to the capital. Dar es Salaam, and shuttle buses for the eight mile (13km) trip from the airport to the city centre. Taxis are available but may not have meters or you could get your hotel to arrange a pick-up. Many visitors fly on to other popular spots like Arusha, the safari capital near Kilimanjaro airport, or Zanzibar Island.
Trains and buses are available but are often too uncomfortable for long journeys. Hire a 4WD to get to more remote destinations and rely on dala dalas (minivans) to get you around the cities and smaller destinations. There's a ferry from Dar es Salaam to Zanzibar and ferry trips are available on Lake Victoria, Lake Tanganyika and Lake Nyasa.
Quick facts
Currency: Tanzanian Shillings
Language: Swahili, but English is widely spoken
Flight time: Approximately 10 hours
GMT: + 3 hours
Weather: Tanzania is in the southern hemisphere so its coolest months are in our summer. From June to October, temperatures range from 10C in the northern highlands to about 25C on the coast. These figures rise by about 10C or 15C from December to March. There are two rainy seasons; the long rains are in April and May and the short rains, in November and December
Dialling code: + 255
Electricity: Tanzania power points use 110 volts, 60 hz. Three-square-pin plugs, as used in the UK, are common. Three-round-pin plugs are also used
Magnificent Mt Kilimanjaro - from iStock
Beaches in Tanzania
Most people head to the east coast islands for the beach part of their trip. Zanzibar Island is the most developed and has wonderful beaches such as Nungwi and Matemwe. In Stone Town, Serena Inn offers luxury accommodation while Pemba Island has more remote beaches. To the south lies sleepy Mafia Island and tiny Mjini Island where you can stay in luxury tree houses at Chole Mjini Island Lodge. All three main islands are great dive spots and are fantastic honeymoon destinations.
Back on the mainland, try Ras Kutani beach just 30 miles (50km) south of Dar es Salaam.
Safaris in Tanzania
In the north there's the wonderful Ngorongoro Crater. Surrounded by mountains, 260 square km across and 610m deep, it's home to a microcosm of East African wildlife. You'll see lion, leopard, elephant, wildebeest and even black rhino. Nearby is the Serengeti National Park, Tanzania's oldest national park, world-famous for the annual migration of thousands of wildebeest.
In the south, you get the Selous Game Reserve and a number of agencies can arrange hikes up Mount Kilimanjaro. Trips to Tanzania's three main lakes - Victoria, Nyasa and Tanganyika - are easy to sort out.
Sightseeing in Tanzania
Olduvai Gorge is home to a huge archaeological site where fossil remains of human ancestors dating back 2.5 million years were found in the 1950s. You need your own transport to get there but a visit can be combined with a trip to the nearby Ngorongoro Crater.
On a small island just off the southern section of Tanzania's east coast are the ruins of Kilwa Kisiwani, a Unesco World Heritage Site containing 1,000-year-old Arabic ruins. The gothic German church in Dar es Salaam is a reminder that Germany once ruled Tanzania.
Family attractions in Tanzania
Tanzania has all the ingredients for luxury family holidays. Kids will love a safari holiday. Check to see if any age restrictions apply when you book your accommodation. For beach fun, head to family-friendly hotels like the Breezes Beach Club in Zanzibar.
Day trips in Tanzania
Bangoyo Island makes a great day trip from Dar es Salaam. It's a small, uninhabited island with fine dive spots and is perfect for hiking. Ferries leave from Slipway every morning. You can get basic food on the island, even egg and chips, but you may want to stock up beforehand.
If you're staying in Arusha, then Arusha National Park is perfect for a day out. It doesn't have any of Africa's big predators so it's possible to go on walking. You could spot giraffes, zebras, monkeys, antelopes, buffalo and baboons.
Tanzania Rhino - from iStock
Eating out in Tanzania
Tanzania's coastal resorts are wonderful for seafood, especially prawns and lobsters, and tropical fruit such as coconuts, paw paws, mangoes and pineapples. In villages or off the beaten track, food will be much more basic. Expect lots of ugali (a stiff maize porridge), wali (rice) and mkate (bread). Major hotels will of course offer Western and other international food.
Dar es Salaam has a wide range of restaurants and if you're missing Western fare, there's even a Subway near the YMCA. The corner of Morogoro Road and Jamhuri Street has top roadside meals.
Nightlife in Tanzania
Dar es Salaam has quite a few nightclubs, although men may find a lot of unwanted attention from women in some of them. Bilicanas is worth checking out. Otherwise try some of the bars on the Msasani Peninsular. A possible rural highlight will be Pombe Kali (fierce spirit), a local brew made from fermented coconut.
Shopping in Tanzania
Markets will sell khangas, colourful sarong-like Swahili clothes and carvings. Remember to haggle. Dar es Salaam's huge Mwenge Carvers Market where you can watch artists working, is worth a particular mention. Tinga Tinga paintings, primary coloured depictions of animals and everyday Tanzanian life, make great souvenirs.
Tanzania is the world's only source of tanzanite, a semi-precious stone found in the open mines around Arusha. It comes in different shades of deep blue; the most coveted being a blue with a purplish hue.
Related destinations
If you're interested in Tanzania you may also like to look at these related destinations:
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