TanzaniaTravel Guide

Seeking a refined safari experience? Snap up a stay at the Honeyguide Tarangire Camp. Quietly tucked away in Tarangire National Park, it ticks all the right boxes for travellers with a little more room in their budget. Sure, it comes with the price tag, but just picture it: spacious Livingstone tents and a front-row seat to the game-rich savanna – yes, please!

Whether you’re dropping into Dar for several nights or just one, don’t overlook the Sea Cliff Hotel. It’s got everything you need, including shuttle transfers to and from Julius Nyerere International Airport. Perched on a cliff overlooking the Indian Ocean, you’ll get the best of both city and sea.

Clear away all the safari dust with a few nights at the Park Hyatt Zanzibar. This resort-style accommodation comprises two separate buildings, giving you even greater choice on where to bed down. With the ocean right on your doorstep, Park Hyatt is the top choice when it comes to beach vacations in Tanzania.

If you’re heading to Tanzania for the wildlife, make a beeline for the Ikoma Tented Camp. Since it’s located just outside the Serengeti’s gates, it’s more affordable for less cash-flush visitors. Comfortable and welcoming, this safari camp hits the sweet spot for those who can do without all the extra bells and whistles.

No visit to Tanzania would be complete without experiencing the Great Migration. During this spectacular wildlife show, well over two million wildebeests and zebras shake the earth as they charge across the Serengeti National Park in search of nutrient-rich grasslands. The migration depends on available grazing, water and the weather, but generally starts in July and continues until mid-October.

Dar es Salaam (or simply Dar) is much more than just a stopover for safari-aficionados heading into the bush. Brimming with culture and eclectic contrasts, there is plenty to see and do if you’re willing to dive in. Despite its bustling markets and tizzy of tuk tuks (bajaji), it has somehow managed to retain a pretty relaxed and laid-back vibe.

Africa’s highest peak at 5,895 metres, Mount Kilimanjaro also deserves a mention. While you can touch ‘the roof of Africa’ by climbing it, Kili can also be admired and appreciated from down on the ground within the Serengeti National Park, and Ngorongoro Conservation Area.

When you’re ready to wiggle your toes in the white sand, head across to Zanzibar. This shimmering archipelago off the coast of Tanzania is fondly known as the ‘Spice Island’, showcasing African, Arabic and eastern influences. The UNESCO-listed Stone Town is a bustling cultural treasure where you can tuck into tasty cuisine and visit the house Freddie Mercury grew up in.

Lake Manyara is easily one of the loveliest lakes in Africa. Situated in Manyara National Park and bordered by the Great Rift Valley, this glittering pool is just the place to witness flocks of pretty pink flamingos. Twitchers, assemble! While out on game drives, do keep an eye out for those famous tree-climbing lions – it’s a thing in these parts.

One thing Tanzania’s iconic Spice Island has no shortage of is restaurants and sundowner hot spots. If ambience and location top your list, wind down at The Rock Restaurant. Settled atop a rocky outcrop on Michanwi Pingwe beach, this quirky eatery can only be accessed by foot at low tide or boat at high tide.

If you’re in the mood for something a little fancier, suit up and amble over to Emerson on Hurumzi with its stellar views over Stone Town and fresh seafood selection.

In the mood for authentic street food? Prepare to be spoilt for choice at Kariakoo Market in Dar es Salaam. This is just the spot to sink your teeth into a wide range of traditional Tanzanian favourites including nyama choma (barbecued meat), and ugali, a type of porridge made from cornmeal.

Mamboz Corner BBQ also offers a wide selection of mouth-watering fare cooked to perfection on the barbeque.

With its bounty of glitzy malls and craft stores, downtown Dar is a filled with shopping options. If you can handle the bustle of big crowds, head to Kariakoo. Spanning several blocks, this sprawling market offers everything (and we mean everything!) from clothes, cosmetics and toys to fresh fruit and veg.

For thoughtful and bespoke wooden handicrafts, head to the Mwenge Carvers’ Village on the outskirts of town. Tingatinga Arts Cooperative Society in Haile Selassie Road also tops the list should you like to return home with your very own tinga-tinga art piece.

Should you want to treat yourself to some tanzanite, The Tanzanite Experience in Arusha is the prime place to snap up this semi-precious gemstone. Since they can only be found in Tanzania’s Kili foothills, now’s your chance.

As for souvenir shopping during your safari experience, the city of Arusha has its fair share of local markets. Maasai Market Curios and Crafts is the place to go for shuka – vibrant checkered shawls proudly worn by the Maasai.

Over in Zanzibar, the souks and tangled alleyways in Stone Town are fun to amble through, while most beach resorts have dedicated stalls where you can pick up last-minute goodies. With a broad selection of jewellry, candles, soap and handmade wares, the Cultural Arts Centre Zanzibar offers a refreshing change from the overly abundant wooden crafts found throughout the island.

Memories of Zanzibar also boasts a plethora of memorabilia – books, kikoys (shawls), sandals, furniture, leather goods – you name it.

Roads close to major cities like Dar and popular destinations such as the Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater, and Kilimanjaro National Park are well maintained. However, the further away you venture the more hair-raising it becomes.

On a budget? Although quite slow, buses are an economical option between major cities and towns. Within these hubs, Ubers, taxis, dalla dalla (minibuses), boda boda (motorcycle taxis), and bajaji (tuk tuks) are the way to go.

Local boat ferries link various towns along Lake Victoria and Lake Tanganyika, as well as all the coastal islands. Azam Marine forms one of several companies operating between Dar es Salaam and Zanzibar.

Despite being pricier, most travellers seeking a safari experience opt to go by charter plane, especially when accessing remote lodges and tented camps in the country’s national parks. Tanzania boasts three international airports: Julius Nyerere International Airport in Dar es Salaam, Kilimanjaro International Airport between Moshi and Arusha, and Abeid Amani in Zanzibar.

If all you’re looking for is an idyllic beach to flop on, head to Matemwe. It’s one of the longest beaches in Zanzibar, so there’s more than enough space to sprawl out, and swaying palm trees and powdery white sand sweeten the deal. With a few humble fishing villages nearby, you’ll also get a snapshot of what life is like among the locals.

If exploring the deep blue waters tops your travel list, don’t leave Chumbe Island off the itinerary. It boasts a lively coral reef with Hawksbill turtles and blue-spotted stingrays in attendance. As a fully managed nature reserve and marine park, as well as being a private island, you’ll pretty much have the whole place to yourself.

Slip into the warm waters surrounding Pemba’s Vumawimbe Beach and you might never want to leave. When you’re ready to vacate the sun lounger, you can stretch your legs on a forest walk in search of rare birds and red colobus monkeys. If a Robinson Crusoe adventure is on the travel cards, this is it!

Switch out that safari experience on the mainland for one of the best beach vacations of your life on Mafia. Just imagine it: endless stretches of untouched coastline, fiery sunsets and traditional dhows flittering out to sea. It’s also the type of beach where you can have it all: local culture, snorkelling with whale sharks and afternoon naps in the hammock. The choice is all yours.