Our expert guide to exploring Tanzania
Lions snoozing in trees, the largest chimpanzee population in the world and the awe-inspiring Great Migration – Tanzania has a lot to offer. Boat over to Zanzibar and its private islands and you have the ultimate safari beach combination.
The Serengeti
Serengeti is made up of various reserves and conservation areas, the most famous being the Maasai Mara National Reserve in Kenya and the Serengeti National Park in Tanzania.
The Serengeti National Park is the oldest national park in Tanzania and has been named a UNESCO World Heritage Site due to it being the scene of one of nature’s most incredible events – The Great Migration.
This is an incredible natural event in which 2 million wildebeests and over 200,000 zebras follow the rains north in search of food for themselves and their calves. They have to cross crocodile-infested rivers and are followed by predators. Watching them embark on this perilous journey is one of the most breath-taking sights.
Take a private safari tour to witness it or for real exclusivity, take to the skies. We can take you and a special someone on a luxurious hot air balloon ride at sunrise for a unique and exceptionally romantic perspective on the incredible natural phenomenon thundering by below you.
The Serengeti is a region in northern Tanzania that crosses into South-Western Kenya. The word ‘Serengeti’ means ‘endless plains’ in Kenya’s Maasai language and you can understand why the area was named this as it stretches roughly 12000 square miles.
The ethereal Serengeti is made up of various reserves and conservation areas, the most famous being the Maasai Mara National Reserve in Kenya and the Serengeti National Park in Tanzania.
When to go
The best time to see the Great Migration in Tanzania is June-August before it moves into Kenya. It returns to Tanzania in November so you can still also see it December-February if you’re in the right spot. The beauty of the Great Migration is that the animals are constantly on the move so you can always see them somewhere.
Mahale Mountain National Park
From wildebeest and zebras to chimpanzees and lions, Mahale National Park is one of only two protected areas for chimpanzees in Tanzania. It lies on the shores of Lake Tanganyika in Kigoma Region in west Tanzania.
The verdant park is so remote it has no roads and can only be experienced on foot and can only be reached by boat (which is a pretty exciting way to arrive to your hotel). Its isolation makes for a very private African safari experience, and it is the region to go to if you want to get up close and personal with the wildlife.
It is also great for enjoying water sports. Stay in one of the luxury bandas (open-air beach huts) at Greystoke Mahale Camp and have glorious views of Lake Tanganyika where you can snorkel, scuba dive, kayak, fish – the list is endless.
When you’re ready to venture into the trees, explore the national park by foot and see the world’s largest chimp population as they run across your path and swing through the trees above your head.
When to go
The best time to see the playful primates is in the dry season from June-October.
Fun fact
Mahale National Park is the only place in the world where chimpanzees and lions co-exist.
Lake Manyara and Tarangire National Park
Just a short distance from the Serengeti National Park sit Lake Manyara and Tarangire National Park, offering a completely different safari experience from the Serengeti’s Great Migration- so visit both regions if you can.
Known for having more than 400 species of birds, most famously its flamingos which you can see thousands of in wet season, Lake Manyara is a bird watcher’s paradise.
Tarangire National Park is famed for its majestic elephants, mighty baobab and acacia trees and curious termite mounds. It also has a hippo pond and is renowned for being the place to see leopards and lions lazing up in trees rather than stalking their prey.
We recommend staying in Chem Chem Lodge and taking a helicopter ride over Ngorongoro Crater to fully appreciate the beauty of the landscape and see the flamingos in full flight.
When to go
Good news, Tarangire National Park is wonderful to visit all year round. The best time to see all the beautiful game animals is in the dry season of July-Oct, and the rainy season of April-May is when all the migratory birds are around. Decisions, decisions.
The Rufiji River
For a taste of rural Tanzania, head south to the shores of the Rufiji River. It runs through the Selous Game Reserve. Thanks to its remote location and the fact that only eight percent of the reserve is open to tourists it is one of the least visited reserves in the world with the largest numbers of many safari animals such as elephant, rhino and hippo. From Sand Rivers lodge takes luxury safari tours by boat along the river or private walking tours through the reserve, and have the fauna all to yourself.
When to go
The Selous Game Reserve has something amazing to offer throughout the year and is perfectly situated to head on to Zanzibar for a touch of sunbathing.
Zanzibar and Mnemba Island
We imagine that you’re all safaried out by now – even if you only manage to get to one of those incredible regions. Well now is the time for uninterrupted relaxation in the form of Zanzibar.
A collection of small islands 25 miles off the coast of mainland Tanzania, Zanzibar is the ultimate paradise destination. With dazzling blue waters and glistening white sand the beaches of Zanzibar rival those of the Caribbean, and its UNESCO world heritage site of Stone Town makes the architecture of the islands as exquisite as its beaches.
For an exclusive and even more divine beach experience, the private Mnemba Island is just a 20-minute speedboat ride away. An idyllic haven and a prime location for snorkelling, scuba diving and underwater cave exploring. Its surrounding reefs have been declared a Marine Conservation Area and are teeming with life – white tip reef sharks, turtles, octopi, blue spotted rays and over 600 other species of coral reef fish to be exact.
You don’t even need to enter the water to experience the incredible diversity of Mnemba’s marine life as you regularly see three different species of dolphin, as well as humpback whales, leap about in the waves from shore. An extra special treat that this deserted paradise island offers is the opportunity to watch endangered green turtles laying their eggs on the beach during nesting season- a truly unforgettable experience.
The island is so secluded and exclusive that its only hotel is the luxurious beachfront Mnemba Island Lodge making Mnemba the perfect hideaway for escaping civilisation for a little while.
When to go- For the calmest scuba diving conditions it is best to visit Mnemba from November – March. However, if you prefer experiencing marine life from the shore, whale season is July – September and green turtle nesting season February – September.