Tanzania Travel Guide

Tanzania is one of the largest countries in East Africa and an absolute jewel of a destination. Home to Africa's highest peak (Mount Kilimanjaro), its lowest depression (the bed of Lake Tanganyika), its most famous national park (the Serengeti), and part of its largest lake by area (Lake Victoria), its natural wonders attract visitors from all over the globe.

Travellers generally visit to enjoy one or more of Tanzania's four famous travel experiences, the first of which is a sun-soaked getaway to the island paradise of Zanzibar for an exotic beach holiday capped by a fascinating visit to the historic, UNESCO-listed Stone Town.

Alternatively, visitors can go on a snorkelling and diving holiday in the Spice Islands, with Mafia Island being the standout in this charming selection of destinations. Travellers will find a gorgeous coral reef system, the opportunity to swim with whale sharks, a rich cultural heritage and a quieter, more untouched feel than on other islands in the group.

Visitors can also enjoy safari tours of Tanzania's world-famous game and wildlife parks, particularly the magnificent Serengeti National Park, which annually plays host to the largest mammal migration in the world. Last but by no means least, travellers can visit Mount Kilimanjaro National Park, and the brave can attempt to summit the mighty peak, which rises out of lush rainforest.

Best time to visit Tanzania

Tanzania's climate is characterised by distinct wet and dry seasons. Tanzania has two rainy seasons: the 'Mango Rains' last from November to mid-January, and the chief monsoon season runs from mid-March to May. The best time to visit is between June and August, when daytime temperatures are bearable, and nights are cool rather than sultry. For visitors to the Serengeti, the famous migration starts in late February. However, visitors should be warned that this is an extremely hot time of the year, with the mercury rising as high as 90ºF (32ºC).

What to see in Tanzania

-Stone Town's Anglican Cathedral is a must for those interested in African history.

-Travellers can laze on one of Zanzibar's famed northern beaches such as Kendwa and Matemwe, while watching picturesque dhow boats sail by.

-The Makumbusho Village Museum in Dar es Salaam offers visitors the interesting opportunity to view traditional Tanzanian tribal homes.

-The Central Market in Stone Town is a vibrant place full of sights, smells, and sounds that will linger long in the memory.

What to do in Tanzania

-Go scuba diving in the Spice Islands, at popular dive sites around the Mafia and Pemba Islands.

-Go on safari in the Serengeti and see the world-famous mammal migration, with more than one million wildebeest making the epic northward trip.

-Ramble around Zanzibar's historic Stone Town district, and admire the gorgeous buildings and colourful bazaars that line the maze-like streets.

-Travel to Mount Kilimanjaro National Park and attempt a hike up Africa's highest summit.

Getting to Tanzania

Flights to Tanzania are available from a variety of European and Middle Eastern destinations. The flight to Julius Nyerere International Airport in Dar es Salaam takes about 12 hours from major British airports. American and British travellers will usually have to book an indirect flight to Tanzania, stopping over in Amsterdam.

Read

The Book of Secrets by MG Vassanji, The Snows of Mount Kilimanjaro by Ernest Hemingway, Great Sky Woman by Steven Barnes, and Shout at the Devil by Wilbur Smith.

Watch

The African Queen (1951) and Darwin's Nightmare (2004).

Eat

Mtori (cooked beef, prepared with bananas), mchicha (a vegetable-based stew with meat or fish added to it), and ugali (a polenta-style side dish made from corn flour).

Drink

Konyagi, an alcoholic beverage somewhere between gin and vodka.

What to buy

Beaded African jewellery, carved soapstone figurines, Masai blankets and Tingatinga artworks.

What to pack

It's important to pack sunscreen, lightweight clothing, after-sun lotion, and effective insect repellent for a holiday in Tanzania. Travellers should remember that Tanzania is a predominately Muslim country and that modest dress is required, no matter the heat. If travellers are planning to climb Mount Kilimanjaro, they shouldn't make the mistake of starting the hike in brand-new shoes.

What's on in Tanzania

The TanzaCat Catamaran Regatta in September is popular among sailing enthusiasts, with thousands of foreign visitors making their way to Dar es Salaam's Msasani Bay. East Africa's top music festival, Sauti za Busara ('sounds of wisdom' in Swahili) is a celebration of African music, with hundreds of artists performing across four days in February turning Stone Town into a vibrant party scene.

Did you know?

-The Great African Rift Valley, one of Tanzania's chief geological features, is visible from space.

-The name Tanzania is a portmanteau of Tanganyika and Zanzibar.

-The coconut crab, found on Zanzibar, is one of the largest crabs in the world.

A final word

A land overflowing with natural sights and wonders, Tanzania offers visitors a selection of unforgettable holiday experiences ranging from the swaying coconut palms of a Zanzibar beach to the action-packed wildebeest migrations on a Serengeti safari.