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| The annual great migration of millions of wildebeest, zebra and other animals across the Serengeti Plains is one of nature's most remarkable events. |
(CNN) -- Tanzania is far more than just a spot to climb the world's tallest freestanding mountain.
The East African
country's stunning wildlife, expansive volcanic crater and intriguing
islands all set it apart as a unique destination. Massive Mount
Kilimanjaro just adds to its allure.
The Indian Ocean laps
Tanzania's eastern edge between Kenya and Mozambique, and the "spice
island" of Zanzibar is 22 miles off the mainland.
Tanzania's sprawling
plains are sparsely populated, by people, at least. About half the
world's dwindling lion population lives in East Africa, estimates indicate.
Here are five ways to experience Tanzania's splendor.
Roam the Ngorongoro Crater
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| The Ngorongoro Crater, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is the world's largest unbroken caldera. |
Sometimes called "Africa's Garden of Eden," some 25,000 large animals live in the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, which stretches across 3,200 square miles of the southeastern Serengeti Plains adjacent to Serengeti National Park.
The 12-mile-wide Ngorongoro Crater
is the area's crown jewel. The largest unbroken caldera in the world,
it is thought to have formed after an active volcano collapsed about 2.5
million years ago.
Well over a million
wildebeest pass through the area during the annual Great Migration, one
of the planet's most remarkable natural spectacles.
From December to March
each year, wildebeest, zebras and other animals gather near Lake Ndutu
on the edge of the conservation area. From there they move north,
eventually ending up in the Northern Serengeti and Kenya's Maasai Mara
in the fall.
Beyond the huge
wildebeest herds, black rhinos, leopards, gazelles and birds thrive here
-- as does that most powerful crowd-pleaser, the lion.
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| Lions are fearsome crowd-pleasers for safari goers. The world's lion population is dwindling, and the relationship between the big cats and the humans making their livelihoods on the plains is tense. |
You're bound to be on the lookout for lions in the Serengeti and their conservation deserves a special mention.
The tawny lion prides
dominating the Ndutu area of the southeastern Serengeti are not your
"Lion King" variety of big fuzzy kittens. These giant creatures are
respected among locals because of their history of asserting dominance
when challenged by aggressive hunters.
In an attempt to discourage the trend of stalking and killing lions in the Amboseli Ecosystem, conservation organization Lion Guardians recruits young Maasai warriors to instead protect the regal creatures.
By naming the lions and
developing relationships by tracking them, members of the guardian
program recognize that animals like local lioness Selenkay can live in
peace with their human neighbors.
Safaris throughout the
vast Serengeti give visitors the rare opportunity to see these majestic
cats in their native territory. The Ndutu Safari Lodge features 34 cottages with porches facing Lake Ndutu.
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| Maasai men prepare to greet Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, and Prince Charles as they visit Majengo Maasai Boma in 2011 in Arusha, Tanzania. The lifestyle of the Maasai, one of the last warrior tribes in the world, revolves around cattle herding. |
For the Maasai, one of
the last warrior tribes in the world, cattle are integral to day-to-day
life. Besides providing sustenance in the form of milk, and sometimes
meat and blood, cows are also currency in the region.
The tribes move with
their livestock across northern Tanzania and southern Kenya,
constructing villages as they go. The settlements generally consist of a
ring fence that encloses a group of families, their herds and a
collection of mud and dung houses.
Where livestock gathers,
so do big cats hunting for meals. Relations between the Maasai and the
lions that lure tourists by the truckload are tense but evolving.
The Maasai are
formidable opponents strengthened by a nearly 100% protein diet. A
staple is amasi, a lumpy, yogurt-like drink made from fermented milk.
Sample the Spice Islands
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| Neighboring Pemba Island is also part of the Zanzibar Archipelago. It has been called "the Green Island" for its lush vegetation. |
The semi-autonomous islands off the coast of Tanzania exhibit the rich and varied influences that arrived on their shores.
On the island of
Zanzibar, African, Arab, Indian and European flavors emerge in the
cuisine, the homes, the people and the famous carved doors. Today, 99%
of the population is Muslim, compared with about a third of the mainland
population.
Tourism has replaced the
spice and slave trades that shaped the island's history, and delicious
street food is part of the local island experience.
Every night in Stone Town's Forodhani Gardens, vendors set up stalls selling seafood snacks and the famous Zanzibar pizza.
Zanzibar pizza is
revered as one of the most delicious foods in the region. With toppings
ranging from fresh meats to juicy mango, the crepe-like pizza carries
its flavorful toppings on the inside almost akin to a burrito. Unlike
traditional pizza crust, Zanzibar's variety has the texture of a
pancake. And who doesn't love pancakes?
The various carts are
piled with fresh seafood skewers, African doughnuts called "mandazi" and
fried breads. To wash down all the yumminess, try some honey beer or a
mixture of sugar cane water, ginger and lime juice.
Nearby Pemba Island,
also part of the Zanzibar Archipelago, offers a quieter, unspoiled
experience. Known as "the Green Island" for its lush vegetation, the
delicately sweet fragrance of cloves permeates the air, underlining the
"spice island" moniker. The rolling hills also produce other fragrant
crops like mangoes and coconuts.
Pemba's coast is home to
some of East Africa's best diving. Go snorkeling or diving in the
translucent waters to admire graceful manta rays, stunning live coral
and schools of jewel-toned fish.
Conquer Kilimanjaro
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| Mount Kilimanjaro is Africa's highest peak and the tallest freestanding mountain in the world. |
The tallest freestanding
mountain in the world, northeastern Tanzania's Mount Kilimanjaro draws
tourists because of its relatively accessible trails. While other
towering summits require Spiderman-like agility and climbing skills,
conquering Kilimanjaro primarily demands training, determination and a
sturdy walking stick.
Kilimanjaro is Africa's highest peak at 19,340 feet. Allot a minimum of five or six days of climbing to reach the top.
As climbers ascend the
mountain, they experience each of Africa's climates, from the tropical
heat at the bottom to the clear iciness at the top of Africa.
The view at the summit, Uhuru Point, presents a breathtaking picture of the sprawling country below
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