Tarangire National Park is often overlooked in Tanzania's northern safari circuit. Only and hour or so's drive out from the city of Arusha, this is arguably one of East Africa's last discovered jewels and is well worth including in a visit up here. Often dubbed as the main reason to come here, the vast elephant herds that wander in and out of the park throughout the year are to be seen to be believed.
Due south from Zanzibar and opposite the river mouth of the mighty Rufiji, lies the small island of Mafia. Largely overlooked by the waves of tourism that now feature on Zanzibar, the island has a ramshackle feel to it, which only adds to its charm. Surrounded by a protected marine park, like Pemba, this is a good destination for those that are keen on spending a bit of time in the underwater world.
Separated by the Pemba channel from its larger sister, Zanzibar to the south, the small island of Pemba is part of the Zanzibar archipelago of islands that run north from Dar es Salaam. With a fraction of the tourism, much fuller vegetation and some of the best diving in the world, there is good reason that many of the more intrepid try and come here for a few days in the sun!
Located in the Old Quarter of the main town, Zanzibar, “Stone Town” (as it is often called) is certainly an interesting place to spend a few hours. Made up of a myriad of winding streets and alleyways, the region was declared a UNESCO world heritage site in 2000 for its remaining Arab and colonial architecture.
Made famous for its spices and the slave trade of the 19th century, Zanzibar Island is much more than a stopping point on an itinerary, and can be seen as a destination in itself. What the island offers is a unique combination of outstanding beaches, along its eastern edge, interesting activities, such as visiting a working spice farm, and the cultural delights of Stone Town, with Arabian fortresses and minarets.
At around a ten minute flight or a two hour drive to the south of Dar es Salaam lies some of Africa's least discovered and more beautiful stretches of coastline and some of Tanzania's most hidden gems. Perfect to start off an itinerary or to round it off with a flourish, the regions to the south of Dar es Salaam are certainly worth considering for any itinerary. Please see our recommendations for properties to stay in below:
In between Pangani and Bagamoyo, and opposite the island of Zanzibar, lies the small national park of Saadani; this is the only place in Tanzania where it is possible to game drive in the morning and swim in the Indian Ocean before lunch! While not necessarily the most prolific of destinations for game numbers, the park holds an interesting array of animals and is great for those that are looking for a scenic and interesting beach stay.
The coastal port of Bagamoyo, situated some 70kms to the north of Dar es Salaam, was one of the first landing points for the Arabian slavers and is a town steeped in history and decline. Once the centre for all of the trade routes that ran from Zanzibar into Lake Tanganyika, mentions of the port were numerous. Today, however, Bagamoyo is the last stop on the road that runs out of Dar and is really more of an interesting footnote that a major player.
The Dar es Salaam of first glance is like many African cities, bursting at the seems with people, trouble and poverty. This would not, however, be doing this young city justice as, once you delve a little deeper, a vibrant, innovative society emerges that is forging forwards into the 21st century. Many who arrive into Tanzania for safari and beach will never even set foot in the city, but, for those that are interested, it offers a glimpse of Africa's modern future.
On the shores of Lake Tanganyika, the verdant forests and angular slopes of the Mahale Mountains drop vertically to sand covered beaches and crystal clear waters. The lodges that nestle on the shores of Lake Tanganyika with this stunning backdrop are reason enough to come to this wondrous place...but add in some of the best chimp viewing on the planet and this becomes a one in a million!
