Wildlife, beaches, ruins,
Mt Kilimanjaro, friendly people, fascinating cultures – Tanzania has all these and more wrapped up in one adventurous, welcoming package.
Captivating Cultures
Wherever you go, opportunities abound for getting to know
Tanzania’s
people and cultures. Meet red-cloaked Maasai warriors. Spend time with
the semi-nomadic Barabaig near Mt Hanang. Experience the hospitality of a
local meal or the rhythms of traditional dance. Watch Makonde carvers
bring wood to life. Chat and barter at local markets in the
Usambara Mountains.
More than anything else, it is Tanzanians themselves – with their
characteristic warmth and politeness, and the dignity and beauty of
their cultures – who make a visit so memorable. Chances are that you'll
want to come back for more, to which most Tanzanians will say ‘
karibu tena’ (welcome again).
Idyllic Beaches
It’s
not just the wildlife that enchants. Tanzania’s Indian Ocean coastline
is also magical, with tranquil islands and sleepy coastal villages
steeped in centuries of Swahili culture. Travel back in time to the days
when the East
African
coast was the seat of sultans and a linchpin in a far-flung trading
network extending to Persia, India and beyond. Relax on powdery beaches.
Take in pastel-hued sunrises, immerse yourself in languid coastal
rhythms, and sit beneath billowing sails on a wooden dhow.
Mt Kilimanjaro
Inland,
Mt Kilimanjaro beckons, its graceful, forested flanks rising up to a
stately snow-capped summit. It is Africa's highest peak and one of the
world's highest freestanding mountains. Climbers by the thousands
venture here to challenge themselves on its muddy slopes, rocky trails
and slippery scree. The rewards: the thrill of standing at the top of
Africa; magnificent views of Kilimanjaro's ice fields; and witnessing
the sunrise illuminating the plains far below.
Why I Love Tanzania
By Mary Fitzpatrick, Author
I
love Tanzania because of the light, colours and life in almost every
scene. Especially at dawn: the rising sun floods the cool grasslands
with gold, school children walk along the roadsides and vendors set out
their wares. And when nature surrounds you, there is exuberance
everywhere: the largest of animals mingle with the most minute; birds of
every size and colour soar and sing; trees and plants burst with
flowers; landscapes are colourful and diverse. Mostly, though, it’s
because of the equanimity, charm, dignity and welcome offered by so many
Tanzanians.
Wonderful Wildlife
More than almost any other destination, Tanzania is
the
land of safaris. Wildebeest stampede across the plains. Hippos jostle
for space in muddy waterways. Elephants wander along seasonal migration
routes and chimpanzees swing through the treetops. Throughout the
country, there are unparalleled opportunities to experience this natural
wealth. Take a boat safari down the Rufiji River past snoozing
crocodiles in
Selous Game Reserve. Watch giraffes silhouetted against ancient baobab trees in
Ruaha National Park.
Sit motionless as waterbirds peck in the shallows around Rubondo
Island. Hold your breath while a lion pads in front of your vehicle in
Ngorongoro
