Handpicked Tanzania

If one thing’s a must in Tanzania, it’s safari. A whopping 40% of the country is dedicated as a protected area, a figure that’s made up of around 365,000 square miles. There are 16 national parks, countless nature reserves and so much natural beauty and wildlife it’s hard to know where to start.

You have to start somewhere, though, and we’d recommend perhaps the country’s most famous national parks: the Serengeti. Established in 1940, this vast region in the north is home to some of the most spectacular wildlife displays on Earth: the annual migration of 1.5 million wildebeest, alongside a quarter of a million zebra, the largest lion population in Africa, elephant, giraffe, some of the last remaining black rhinoceros in the world. We could go on. Its distinctive plains offer the perfect backdrop for wildlife spotting and the park itself is home to a host of gorgeous lodges for a well-earnt session of R&R at the end of the day.

Bordering the Serengeti and within striking distance of the park is our second must-visit wildlife spot in Tanzania: the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. Named after an enormous volcanic crater within its boundaries, you can expect all the normal wildlife wonders that the country has to offer, with an extra dimension: this is where, quite possibly, humanity as we know it began. The Oludvai Gorge is one of the most important sites in the world and has furthered our knowledge of our ancestors immeasurably – it’s quite something to contemplate when looking out across the savanna.

With one of the most enviable coastlines on the continent, it’s no surprise that Tanzania is home to some of Africa’s loveliest stretches of sand.

On the mainland, the small Swahili town of Pangani sits at the mouth of an estruary and is surrounded on all sides by a gorgeous – and often deserted – selection of beaches. A particular highlight is Ushongo Bay, a white sand beach with safe swimming conditions whatever the tide.

For those who prefer their beaches a little offshore, the Tanzanian coast is dotted with islands, with Mafia Island near Dar es Salaam being our go-to pick for snorkelers and divers.

And then of course, there’s Zanzibar. One of Africa’s best-known destinations, this archipelago is to beaches what the Serengeti is to safari. For those who want to avoid the crowds and who prefer a little peace and quiet, our favourite spot is Pemba Island, an unspoiled slice of heaven that can boast the accolade of one of the world’s best dive locations. It’s not just beaches here, either, but unique sand bars and spits that appear from the water at different times and produce an ever-changing, always-beautiful landscape.

With over 130 ethnic groups and local languages spoken, Tanzania can arguably lay claim to being Africa’s most ethnically diverse country. It’s also one its most peaceful, with divisions thankfully rare and a welcoming atmosphere for visitors.

Despite the number of possibilities, the two main languages that you’ll hear on your travels are Swahili and English, with large parts of the population speaking both. The other thing you’ll hear is a lot of Tanzania’s music – and that’s no bad thing. The country is a hotbed of musical talent, with practitioners of everything from traditional Ngoma dance and drum music, to the more contemporary, RnB influenced sounds of Kizazi Kipya: Music of the New Generation. Be warned members of the old generation, this really does sound like what it’s called.

For an insight into the country’s literary scene, read any one of Abdulrazak Gurnah’s novels. The 2021’s Nobel laureate’s work explore Tanzania’s complex history, its relations with its former colonial masters, as well as the displacement and exile of much of the country’s diaspora – they’re beautiful, haunting books.

As with so many other places on the African continent, the other major cultural phenomenon is football. You’ll see it everywhere, with the Premier League a massive attraction in bars and cafés around the world. Be prepared for a street kick about, too, with goalposts fashioned from anything and dozens of willing players.

It’s not all sea, surf, and savanna in Tanzania – it’s also home to some of the richest mountain habitat on Earth. There are volcanoes, lush forest landscapes at the foot of the slopes, and of course there’s Kilimanjaro. Below are three of our favourite Tanzanian summits.

Mount Meru is often used as an acclimatisation hike for its bigger brother, Kilimanjaro, but it’s a fabulous peak in its own right. The country’s second highest summit, Meru takes 4-5 days to conquer, time during which you’ll walk through forests and glades before soaking up the dormant volcano’s stunning summit views.

For those who fancy a more sedate hike – our founder, Ludo, numbers among them – try the Usambara range in the country’s northeast. Here, you can explore the scattered villages, farms and settlements, all while enjoying a gentle hike on one of its dozens of accessible trails. If two wheels are more your thing, why not take in a little more of the range on a mountain bike?

And, of course, we couldn’t not include Africa’s highest, most famous mountain: Kilimanjaro. A dormant volcano that dominates its surrounding landscape with an iconic glacial peak, Kili can be conquered by novices with no technical skills. Be warned though, it isn’t easy, with routes ranging between six and ten days and altitude sickness never far from mind. If you make it to the top, though, all the blood, sweat and tears will be worth it as you enjoy one of Africa’s most jaw-dropping views.