Tanzania Holidays

The flora and fauna within Serengeti National Park is simply stunning. From grasslands and woodlands to plains, kopjes, and marshes, teeming with lions, wildebeest, elephants and birds, hiding in the shadows of huge umbrella-like acacia trees – the Savanna is just extraordinary. A little outside of the Serengeti is the Ngorongoro Conservation Area – a UNESCO site named after the huge volcanic caldera (a collapsed volcano) inside the park. The conservation area is the best place in Tanzania to track the Big Five and a wonderful opportunity to meet the people of the Masai tribe. A little further south is the Lake Manyara National Park – an excellent place to spot Hippos and vibrant flamboyances of flamingos as well as lions and zebras. The lake is a good spot for canoeing and the forests are perfect for hikers who enjoy getting as close as possible to the indigenous nature. The gigantic Victoria Lake that spans 3 countries also makes an appearance in Tanzania. This vast tropical body of water is home to an irresistibly beautiful collection of islands as well as cities such as Musoma and Bukoba that have a quaint waterside charm.

Tarangire National Park has Tanzania’s second-highest concentration of wildlife – which includes the largest concentration of elephants in the world, as well as 700 resident lions – sightings are very common, and no less than 450 bird species – making it one of the country’s most popular birdwatching parks. One of our favourite national parks in Tanzania is the small but perfectly formed Arusha National Park. This topographically varied circuit park is dominated by the stark cone of Mt Meru and thick with forestry and trekking possibilities. The wildlife isn’t anywhere close to as varied as the Serengeti, but the scenery is phenomenal with ancient trees, incredible views and lush vegetation.

When you’re done with the inland plains and dry lands of the Serengeti, it’s time to explore the jewelled white sand beaches and the crystalline waters of the enchanting Zanzibar Archipelago. The islands here have been shaped by thousands of years of monsoon winds, and are now a sleepy collection of small paradisiacal powder-white coral trimmed islands swimming in the deeply inviting waters of the Indian Ocean. The capital of the archipelago, Zanzibar Town, is on the island of Unguja along with the wonderful UNESCO-listed Stone Town – which is a maze of alleyways, lively restaurants, 19th century Swahili architecture, and spice markets, as well as centuries of history that spans native, Arabic and European.

Tipping in Tanzania is not overly common, but if you feel that you’ve received good service then by all means show your appreciation with a few coins or notes. Tour guides and porters are most used to being tipped – generally a daily amount of a couple of £/$ per person is perfectly acceptable. Taxis and services such as barbers however aren’t used to being tipped, whereas rounding up your restaurant bill to a convenient amount is quite normal, though locals don’t tend to do it.

Tanzania has a high muslim population which has led to a conservative dress sense – particularly in the Zanzibar archipelago, where it’s common for women to wear headdresses. Baring copious amounts of skin is not advisable, though it is tolerated by most locals on the islands. Additionally, public displays of affection are frowned upon, and although it’s common to see members of the same gender holding hands and patting shoulders – remember this is just a sign of friendship and nothing more.

Serengeti National Park

Zanzibar Beaches

Ngorongoro Conservation Area

Lake Manyara National Park

Tarangire National Park

Arusha National Park

Lake Victoria

Serengeti National Park