Traveling through Tanzania is one of the best experiences you can ever have. This is the largest country is East Africa and home to the highest peak in Africa, Mt Kilimanjaro. Tanzania is rich with cultures and home to some of the most beautiful wildlife destinations in Africa. From the vast Serengeti, to the Ngorongoro which is the largest caldera, it is also home to Selous, the biggest game reserve in Africa and the beautiful white beaches of Zanzibar. Stone town in Zanzibar is a UNESCO world heritage site and home to some of the world’s best spices. The big Five can be sighted in the safari country. From family vacations to Honeymoon experiences, wildlife photography to walking safaris, Tanzania offers combinations that are both exciting and fulfilling for any traveler.
Best time to Visit Tanzania
Tanzania lies across the equator and therefore enjoys some good tropical weather most of the time. Depending on your interests, its wise to consult with your travel advisor
For safari groups to Tanzania, the best time to visit is between June and October. At this time, it experiences some good sunshine and dry weather.
However for those interested in the calving season, it is best to come during the months of February and March when the season is peak. Thousands of wildebeest drops their calves in synchrony is short span of day.
Getting to Tanzania.
Tanzania is located in East Africa and is among the countries that constitute greater Eastern Africa.
Tanzania enjoys a good number of international flights in to the country. You can fly in through two of the major airports in the country. Kilimanjaro airport serves Arusha and Moshi town.
Julius Nyerere airport is located in the coastal Dar es salaam while Abeid Karume is based in Zanzibar. The three airports serve as the major entry points in to Tanzania on air.
Travel requirements in Tanzania
Your passport should be at least six months valid from the day of entry.
You need a valid visa to gain entry into Tanzania which should be applied through the online portal.
Tanzania also requires you to have a valid Yellow fever vaccine certificate.
As it is across the world, you will also need a Covid-19 Negative test at all the entry points.
Get Inspired.
Apart from the big five safari, Tanzania also has other experiences that you can enjoy during your visits. It is well known for safari and tourism is one of its economic features. Apart from the normal game drives, other activities of interest may include the following.
-Honeymoon in the tropical islands.
-Enjoy the white sand beach of Zanzibar.
-Exclusive stay in luxurious safari lodges
–Horseback safari in the backdrop of Kilimanjaro.
-Stay in stone town a UNESCO heritage site and experience spice walks.
-Follow the migration paths in Serengeti.
-Visit Ndutu for the calving herds.
-The chimpanzee experience in Gombe and Mahale national park.
-Walking safari in Selous Game reserve.
–Helicopter safari in Serengeti.
-Balloon safari over the Serengeti.
-Treks to Africa’s rooftop, the Kilimanjaro.
-Explore the cultural heritage of the Maasai.
-Visit coffee farms in the Ngorongoro highlands.
-Night game drives in Ruaha national park.
Getting around.
The different destinations are accessible by both road and air.
Tanzania enjoys a good connection of local domestic flights which can fly you in between. You can reserve flights at Coastal aviation, Zan air, Precision Air, Regional air, Air excel and Air Tanzania.
Road transport is smooth between towns but gets rough and bumpy when you get to the national parks and reserves. In the cities this can be through private transport or buses. The road network is excellent and the landscape is quite interesting. Tanzania population is quite friendly and always ready to help. The national language is Swahili. However most people know English and use it to communicate in the town.
Tanzania also has rail transport that connects to different cities.
8 Luxurious Safari lodges in Tanzania.
A safari experience in Tanzania is amazing but you can make it more exceptional by staying in some of the exclusive and most luxurious safari lodges. These establishments boasts of high end personalized service guaranteeing you an experience of a lifetime.
Depending on your location, your travel consultant can advise you on the best property that will meet you safari needs. This helps you make a good decision depending on who you are traveling with on your luxury safari in Tanzania . An example of lodges and camps we work with include:
1. Mwiba lodge.
This exclusive luxury lodge is found in the Mwiba wildlife reserve. Mwiba is Located on the southern side of the Serengeti migration area. The 10 suite lodge comes with twin or king configuration. Two of the suites are family friendly. The rooms have a cooling system remote controlled; you do not even have to leave your bed. The rooms are elegantly decorated to give you all the comfort you need away from home. The lodge boasts of a spa and gym, connected to a surround system and comes with complimentary energy drinks. How about cooling off after the long drives in the sun at the beautiful pool overlooking a waterhole? The cultural immersion with the Hazabe, Datoga is an encouraged activity at the lodge.
Activities at Mwiba include night and day game drives, cultural experiences, fly camping and if you wish helicopter safaris over the plains. Bush walks and bush meals are also an exciting expedition here.
2. Namiri Plains camp.
This exclusive camp is located in a remote area in the eastern part of Serengeti. It is an initiative in matters conservation for cheetah and other big cat populations. The 10 roomed tents is a luxurious and perfect for all family travel groups. Supported on solar power, are all the en suite, with a pool and deck area. This is a real under canvas experience in the savannah plains. How about a massage while you enjoy the cool breeze of the plains. Other activities in Namiri may include a balloon ride over the plains, the best Tanzania photographic safaris and insights into the cheetah conservation projects.
This camp has sister camps disturbed across the various safari destinations including Ngorongoro, Ruaha, Selous and Rubondo Island. Contact us for rates and offers.
3. The Highlands Ngorongoro.
The Ngorongoro is the largest caldera in the world. This is one of the places you can easily see all the big five within the crater floor. The drive from the rim to the floor is an adrenalin adventure. The highlands camp is located at the forest edge at the skirts of Olmoti Volcano. The eight doomed shaped canvas and glass suites give you a sense of intimacy and seclusion. The rooms are solar powered, ensuite and come with complimentary laundry services. From the camp, guest can hike to the Olmoti volcano for breathtaking views of the surrounding highlands. Apart from game drives, you can also enjoy visits to the cultural Masai of a half date tour to the Empakai crater.
4. Manyara Tree lodge.
This is perhaps one of the most romantic and beautiful tree houses you will ever spend your time at. It is located within the Manyara national park famous for its flamingos and tree climbing lions. It is the only lodge within this national park, making it more special and exclusive.
The lodge consists of 10 en-suite tree houses with one being a family suite. In addition to complimentary laundry services, each suite comes with private butler services for your extra personalized service. During your game drives, you get a complimentary Swarovski binocular to spot the beautiful wildlife across the plains. A massage parlor, complimentary Wi-Fi and swimming add to your luxury and comfort in the Tanzania safari plains. The lodge is accessible by flight and only 3.5 hours scenic drive from Arusha town.
5. Kuro Tarangire.
Tucked away in a secluded bush area, this light footed little gem is one of the best places to stay while in Tarangire national park. The camp guarantees you an authentic bush experience under the care of experienced safari experts. The six airy rooms which are thatched over canvas are luxuriously decorated giving you a contrast of the view outside. The camp is designed for minimal environmental impact to the environment. The camp is unfenced and you can enjoy wildlife roaming around from the comfort of your tents. Other activities include night and day game drives and guided bush walks. There is no better way to connect to the wild than the Tanzania walking safaris offered here. The beautiful landscape is home to large elephant herds and a good wildlife population. The population is determined by the Tarangire River a animals migrate in and out of the park in search of water. It is also home to some gigantic ancient baobab trees also called the umbrella trees. It is best to visit during the dry season in the months of June –October when wildlife numbers are high.
6. Silale Luxury Lodge, Tarangire
This luxurious lodge is due to open in the last quarter of 2021.
Strategically placed close to the Silale swamp, the lodge is bound to be an excellent area place for wildlife viewing.
The lodge will be set up on stilts to give a great view of the swamp and the area beyond. The elevated area will also provide a vantage point to the advantage of visiting guests. The 15 comfortable, luxuriously decorated rooms will be connected by natural walkways to the main area. The wooden decks will have comfortable canvas seats where you can enjoy the expansive views of the Tarangire plains from the comfort of your rooms. The rooms will all be en suite with a double door glass door that opens to the bedrooms.
Silale swamp which is located inside the Tarangire national park is by itself a source of attraction for the wildlife. It acts as a water retainer during the wet season and turns to a source during the dry weather.
The large elephant herds avoid it during the rainy season but congregate here during the dry season to deep and refresh in the cool waters from the hot African sun. Apart from the elephants, other herbivores enjoy the serenity within. The swamp which boats of a lush green color all year round provides a spectacular background against the dry terrain beyond the highlands. It is also home to a good number of rock Pythons.
7. Behobeho, Selous.
This is among the first camps to be set up in the reserve. Selous is the largest game reserve in Africa. For safari lovers looking to spend some quality time in Tanzania, then Selous is the place to be. Being the largest it boasts of a good number of wildlife species.
BehoBeho is strategically placed in the highlands overlooking the Rufiji River. This setup ensures some cool moments in the sunny and dusty weather prominent in this region. This family owned camp remains to be one of the most luxurious camps in selous. The leafed thatched cottages are beautifully decorated to give you utmost comfort during your stay. The private camp which more so feels like a home has only 8 units. The bandas are all ensuite, come with a sundeck complete with a sun bed and a plunge pool. Beho Beho also has a tree house t for two, which can be booked for clients staying over 4 nights.
For a honeymoon in Selous, bailey’s banda is your option. You are guaranteed of total privacy and seclusion in the wild plains of Tanzania. The Banda comes with its own staff, exclusive kitchen and safari vehicle. The 2 bedroomed suite is ideal for small groups and families.
8. Jabali ridge, Ruaha.
Ruaha is the biggest national park in Tanzania but ironically records low number of visitors. A stay in Ruaha is thus exclusive and very remote.
Jabali ridge is perched on a rocky outcrop overlooking the baobab forest extending to the Mwagusi River.
The property boasts of 8 suites and one private house.
The suites are perfectly designed and built to camouflage in the environment. The exterior blends seamlessly. The rooms have birds -nest roofs with wooden shutters that open to the room. The suites are exquisitely decorated with King-size beds and rain showers in addition to all amenities to make your stay as luxurious and comfortable as possible. Cushioned benches on the decks add to your luxury stay. Clients enjoy viewing wildlife from the verandah with a cup of coffee. The best time to visit is during the dry season. The camp is usually closed in the rainy season between March and May. Activities in Ruaha include night and day game drives, photographic safaris, the luxurious spa in ruaha and adventurous walking safaris. It’s truly an out of African experience.
Zanzibar Beach
Zanzibar is one the best beach destinations in Africa. It is also called the spice island due to the large quantities of spices the island exports. It is known for the clove, black pepper , nutmeg and cinnamon spices. The same spices are sued in their Swahili foods and bring out amazing aromas. A taste of the Swahili dishes is encouraged during you visit to Zanzibar. The capital city of Zanzibar is the Zanzibar city. Stonetown is in Zanzibar city, a town rich with history and culture. Zanzibar is an archipelago that consist of many islands with the main being Zanzibar and Pemba.
The island has opened up due to the amazing tourism activities here.
Zanzibar also boasts of some luxurious beach resorts and villas to guarantee you the perfect stay. Whether you are traveling for a family holiday, group vacation or a honeymoon in Zanzibar, the island never disappoints. Zanzibar is a conservative destination majorly influenced by the Muslim and Arab societies.
It is an all year destinations with amazing tropical weather.
The ocean waters are warm and perfect for snorkeling and deep sea diving. The colorful coral and fish life is amazing. Apart from the water and cultural activities, you can also take a walk to the Jozani national park for an experience with the red colobus monkeys.
Engage us for the perfect vacation in Zanzibar.
We at the Destination Consultants believe in giving our clients an exceptional travel experience to Kenya and Tanzania. For us it’s about the quality and not quantity.
The little things we do will make you Africa safari an experience of a lifetime.
