The Northern Circuit
Arusha National Park
Arusha National Park's evergreen forests and lakes are spread out below the picture-perfect crater of Mt Meru, the second tallest mountain in Tanzania. The stunning vistas here provide a backdrop for viewing the park's resident giraffe, zebra, wildebeest, elephants and buffalo.
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BEST TIME TO VISIT:
Anytime of year
OUR RECOMMENDATIONS:
Walking or canoe safari to explore this wonderful little park.
Tarangire National Park
Tarangire is studded with acacia and baobab trees- a quintessentially African backdrop for its vast wildlife populations. Renowned for its magical elephants, we think that Tarangire is a gem on the northern safari circuit and an essential addition to any itinerary. It is blanketed by green in the April wet season, while dry season invites a myriad of animals to the banks of the Tarangire river, making for great game viewing.
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BEST TIME TO VISIT:
Anytime of year
OUR RECOMMENDATIONS:
Explore after dark on a night game drive
Lake Manyara National Park
A bird lover’s paradise, Lake Manyara National Park is home to evergreen forests and hippo dwelling marshes. Impalas, elephants, giraffes and warthogs go about their day against the backdrop of the Rift Valley escarpment and the misty blue of Lake Manyara. It is the hideout of the elusive tree-climbing lion, but you will need a lot of luck on your side to catch a glimpse of these shy cats. The newly constructed tree-top walkway; a 400m track suspended in the forest canopy, is another reason to visit this park.
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BEST TIME TO VISIT:
Anytime of year
OUR RECOMMENDATIONS:
Take a guided bike ride through the villages to the lake shore
Lake Natron
Desolate and other worldly, this is Tanzania far off the beaten track. The landscape is dominated by the active volcano Ol Doinyo Lengai. From June to November the lake is a slash of pink in the shimmering heat as millions of flamingos come home to breed. Visit the beautiful Ngare Sero waterfalls and cool off with a swim in the natural pools or test your endurance with a nighttime ascent of Ol Doinyo Lengai for an unforgettable sunset in a land that beckons the most intrepid of travelers.
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BEST TIME TO VISIT:
May to November
OUR RECOMMENDATIONS:
Take in the beauty of the region on a 3 day hike from Ngorongoro's Empakaai Crater
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Kilimanjaro National Park
Home to the largest free-standing mountain in the world, most people come here with one goal in mind: to reach the roof of Africa. The snow-capped summit looms large as the trail winds through some of the most beautiful and varied scenery. No two days on the mountain are alike; vistas change from lush green forest filled with wildlife to the lunar landscapes dotted with lobelia. Icy deserts scapes and age-old glaciers round off one of mother nature’s most inspiring hikes.
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BEST TIME TO VISIT:
December to March and June to October
OUR RECOMMENDATIONS:
Scale the mountain on one of its quiet, scenic routes
Lake Eyasi
Home to one of Tanzania’s unique cultural groups, Lake Eyasi makes a great detour from the beaten track. The lake itself is ever-changing depending on the season. The area also offers up one of Tanzania’s unique cultural experiences- a morning hunting with the Hadzabe tribe. Far away from the effects of globalisation, the Hadzabe way of life continues the same as it has for generations.
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BEST TIME TO VISIT:
Anytime of year
OUR RECOMMENDATIONS:
A dawn hunt with the Hadzabe tribe
WHERE WILL YOU GO?
From witnessing the Great Migration thunder across the Mara River, watching the sunrise from Kilimanjaro's peak or swimming with whale sharks in Mafia Island's vibrant reefs, few places on earth offer a more magical safari experience than Tanzania.
Ngorongoro Conservation Area
Ngorongoro Crater
Quite simply an unforgettable destination; this is bucket list stuff! Descending into the Ngorongoro Crater at first light through the clouds is an unparalleled safari experience. The sheer walls of the crater provide a 360°backdrop to a surreal game viewing experience- lions, cheetahs, leopards, elephants, and the elusive black rhino- they are all here.
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BEST TIME TO VISIT:
Anytime of year
OUR RECOMMENDATIONS:
Bush lunch on the crater floor
Empakaai Crater and Highlands
A trek through the highlands begins with a night camping on the rim of the perfectly formed Empakaai Crater. Off the beaten track and stunningly isolated, a visit here can be combined with day hike to Lake Natron. Led through the highlands by Maasai, the journey takes in breathtaking vistas of the rugged highlands and volcanic landscape which becomes increasingly dominated by the famous Ol Donyo Lengai, an active volcano.
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BEST TIME TO VISIT:
June to March
OUR RECOMMENDATIONS:
A day hike exploring the region
Oldupai Gorge
Oldupai Gorge is a rich paleoanthropologist site and a fascinating detour en route to the Serengeti. The earliest human remains of homo-sapiens were found here. The site is a deep gorge extending for 48km and it is famously considered to be the Cradle of Mankind.
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BEST TIME TO VISIT:
Anytime of year
OUR RECOMMENDATIONS:
A guided tour of the area and a visit to the museum
The Southern Circuit
Ruaha National Park
Vast. Untamed. Remote. Ruaha sure packs a safari punch- 10% of the world’s lion population call it home. Baobabs and rocky crops punctuate the landscape. The wildlife here is exceptional without the crowds. This is Tanzania at its most wild and authentic. Those who venture here are richly rewarded.
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BEST TIME TO VISIT:
June to March
OUR RECOMMENDATIONS:
Get off the beaten track with a fly-camping expedition
Nyerere National Park
Africa’s largest national park is cut by the mighty Rufiji River. The palm-fringed banks of the river are home to thousands of crocodiles. This is the best place to spot the endangered and elusive wild dog with 50% of their remaining population residing here. Boat safaris, walking safaris and fly-camping make this the ultimate destination for adventure seekers.
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BEST TIME TO VISIT:
June to March
OUR RECOMMENDATIONS:
Explore the park on a boat safari
Islands and Beaches
Zanzibar
Stone town is an assault to the senses. The winding cobbled stone streets, hidden rooftops, spice scented air and rich history make it a magical place to get lost for a few days. Find a treasure made by one of Zanzibar’s artisans, sample the delights of Zanzibari cuisine and learn about the grandeur and horrors of days gone by. Stone Town is a place like no other.
Beyond Stone Town, Zanzibar’s Idyllic Beaches offer the perfect ending to a Tanzanian adventure. Visitors are spoilt for choice for accommodation options, from sleepy beach huts to Swahili architecture at its best. You can enjoy great seafood and a buzzing nightlife or total seclusion.
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BEST TIME TO VISIT:
Anytime of year
OUR RECOMMENDATIONS:
Explore the coral reefs off Mnemba Island
Mafia Island
One hundred and fifty kilometres south of Zanzibar lies this sleepy archipelago offering one of Tanzania’s best off-the beaten-track beach experiences. From October to February each year, Mafia Island plays host to the whale shark migration, one of the world’s great wildlife encounters. Swimming with these gentle giants is one of the highlights of a visit here, but the coral reefs offer world class snorkelling and diving all year round; giant groupers, turtles, bright clownfish, and dolphins make for a magical underwater experience.
Days are spent lazing in hammocks on empty beaches or living out Robinson Crusoe fantasies hopping from sandbank to sandbank on a sailboat.
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BEST TIME TO VISIT:
October to February
OUR RECOMMENDATIONS:
Spend a day swimming with whale sharks
