Tanzania – Africa’s Most Unique Destination

19/1/2023

Elephants at Tarangire National Park

Africa is a continent often overlooked by UK holidaymakers, yet it has so much to offer. Tanzania is the perfect place for your first holiday to Africa as it offers so much all in one country. This also makes it great even if you have been to Africa before as you may have only experienced one of the aspects that Tanzania offers when you visited another country. In this article we’ll take you through three experiences and places that make Tanzania Africa’s most unique destination.

Safari

Chances are if you’ve been on holiday to anywhere in Africa outside of the North, going on Safari was probably what you went for. Destinations such as Kenya and South Africa are popular for this, but also Tanzania offers excellent chances to see the Big 5 in some of the most gorgeous scenery in all of Africa. This is what makes Tanzania stand out for safari. Whilst it offers many of the same animals that you can find in other countries, it is the backdrop to your safari that is truly breathtaking. Tanzania is home to world renowned Serengeti National Park which is one of the most popular safari destinations in the country. Other popular safari areas are Ngorongoro Crater and Lake Manyara. All three are also in tribal lands, allowing travellers to experience and soak up the culture alongside the stunning views and wildlife. Tanzania is a massive country though, and all of these reserves and parks are in the north of the country. For something different, choose to split your time and try a Safari further south for a more intimate experience. We suggest either Selous Game Reserve or Ruaha National Park.

Safari in Tanzania

Where you go, and the time of year you go is an important choice for safari as it can affect what you see and the weather whilst you are there. For Safari, It is best to go between June and October. If you want to go for calving season, then this is in January and February and then the wildebeest migration is in June and July, so think what you want to see and time your visit accordingly.

Wildebeest Migration in Tanzania

Zanzibar

Zanzibar is an island off the northern coast of Tanzania. Sitting in stark contrast to plains and hills of the mainland, Zanzibar transports to a gorgeous Indian Ocean oasis with soft white sand beaches and crystal clear, turquoise waters. A popular spot for honeymooners and those seeking to relax, it can make an excellent twin centre with a safari or to recharge after a trek in the Mount Kilimanjaro National Park. The island's capital is Stone Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that offers a mix of Arabic and Swahili culture with historic buildings, mosques and bathhouses that make it well worth a visit.

Zanzibar's beaches

The best time to go to Zanzibar is in January, February and December where temperatures average between 28˚C or 29˚C and rainfall is very rare. You can fly to Zanzibar from London or if you are doing a twin centre holiday then you can fly from Arusha, near the northern safari areas.

Stone Town, Zanzibar

Kilimanjaro

Kilimanjaro
The highest mountain in Africa and an extinct volcano, Mount Kilimanjaro attracts lots of ambitious hikers to take on its slopes. There are three cones of the volcano called Kibo, Mawenzi and Shir and around 35,000 people try to reach the summit each year. If you aren’t an avid climber then you can still visit and walk around the vast Mount Kilimanjaro National Park and there are many camps to stop at. There are 7 routes of varying difficulties if you are trying to visit one of the cones.

Mount Kilimanjaro

We hope that this has showed you just some of the things that make Tanzania a truly remarkable destination. To find out more about holidays to Tanzania and Zanzibar visit our page or call us on 01156547795. If you’re wanting to book, call us, email [email protected] or fill in our contact form with what you’re looking for and we’ll be more than happy to help you out. Don't forget to follow us on social media to find out the next Destination of the Week and find out about our other destinations here at Wintasun. If you've been to Tanzania, where was your favourite place? What was the best thing you did, or do you think we missed anything? Let us know in the comments or on social media, just click the buttons below which take you to our social pages.

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