Why go to Tanzania and what activities can you do there?

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Tanzania is one of the most diverse countries in Africa and offers just about every natural attraction you can imagine - mountains (including Africa's highest mountain), great beaches, lakes, safaris...

Safaris

Along with neighbouring Kenya, Tanzania is considered the best safari destination in the world.

In Tanzania you will find many famous national parks with magnificent animals, including the so-called. Big Five - The five most majestic mammals - lion, leopard, rhino, elephant and African buffalo.

The most famous safaris in Tanzania

• Serengeti National Park
• Ngorongoro Crater
• Lake Manyara National Park
• Mikumi National Park
• Selous Game Reserve
• and many more

The most famous centre for safari tours is the North Tanganyika town of Arusha.

The 10 best hotels in Arusha

Price of safari

It is very difficult to set an average price for a safari. Prepare yourself that a safari is not a cheap affair.

A four-day safari with entrance fees, tented accommodation, driver and cook will set you back around 1 000 usddepending on the number of people in the car.

The more luxurious version of a safari with lodge accommodation varies in price depending on the type of lodge, tents tend to be more expensive than rooms. Expect a minimum amount 1 800 usd.

What to look out for when booking

If you arrange your safari on the spot, there are several things to remember. You want to see the type of vehicle you will be driving. Be aware that you will spend 80% of your time in the car, you can't just get out in the parks, only in designated safe places, campsites and lodges.

The car should have an opening roof, find out how many safari participants will be in the car. Cramming a safari with many people in the car is not the best experience.

If you choose a jeep and tent safari, ask about the type of tent. Usually a mattress is provided for the passengers, visitors should bring their own sleeping bag. People bring inflatable pillows, you can't get them on safari.

Tented safaris are usually offered with a cook who cooks breakfast, lunch and dinner. Ask what will be on the menu, locals are often smart and save on food. Drinks are never included. Make sure you have a supply of water, stop at the supermarket before you go and buy barrels of water.

There are limited food and drink shopping options around the parks, and the jeep usually carries all supplies with it. Be aware that the more you drive, the less space there will be in the car - you don't always do safaris with a completely empty car. The more you save, the more uncomfortable it will be.

On a tented safari, you stay in campsites. These are equipped with hot/cold water showers and electric hook-ups (don't forget an adaptor).

If you book a safari with lodge accommodation, they will offer comfortable accommodation. Often they stay in luxury tents with built-in bathrooms, stylish furniture and a Masai to guard your tent at night.

Lodge accommodation often offers the comfort of a swimming pool, meals are taken in the lodge restaurant and usually include half board, i.e. breakfast and dinner. If you return to the lodge for lunch, expect to pay around 20 usd for a buffet lunch.

Safari on your own

In Tanzania, it is of course possible to rent a car and do the safari on your own. However, don't forget that you don't know the area, you don't know where the watering holes are, where the territories of the different animals are, and you won't be connected to a radio where you can find out where what beast is at the moment.

So the advantage of local safari companies and their experienced drivers is priceless.

Book a car rental in Tanzania

High safari season

The best time to go on safari, when most animals are seen, for example at watering holes, is the dry season. The vegetation is not as dense, so you can see animals at greater lengths.

There are two dry seasons in Tanzania:

• June-October: most animals, best viewing conditions.
• January-February: a short dry season with slightly worse viewing conditions due to the still dense vegetation, but this is the season when you have the best chance of seeing the young

Beaches

Tanzania has beautiful beaches with fine white sand.

One of the most famous beach areas in the whole world is the Tanzanian island of Zanzibar, which I have personally visited and written practical travel tips for:

• The most beautiful beaches in Zanzibar
• Where to stay
• How to get around the island

Much less touristy beaches, but also with significantly weaker infrastructure, can be found on the island of Pemba or on the mainland around the town of Tanga.

Trekking and hiking

Mountain lovers can climb Mount Meru and Mount Kilimanjaro - in general, trekking is developed almost exclusively in northern Tanzania near the border with Kenya.

Kilimanjaro takes at least 6 days to climb, the expedition costs from about 2 000 usd plus tips approx 200 usd. The price then includes a guide, porter and cook looking after your stomachs for the duration of the climb. You sleep in your own tents.

Snorkelling and diving

There are a number of professional dive centres on the coast and in Zanzibar where you can take a course and dive. Snorkelling sites are located around Mwemba, Bawe, Pemba and Changgu.

In general, the snorkelling conditions in Zanzibar are the best within East Africa, but they are much better in places like Egypt and the Maldives.