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> Africa > East Africa >

TANZANIA

"The views were immensely wide, everything that you saw made for greatness and freedom and unequalled nobility.”  Karen Blixen, Out of Africa.

Vast and beautiful, Tanzania is locked between the shores of Lake Victoria and the shimmering Indian Ocean. World-renowned for its extraordinary abundance of wildlife and fabulously unspoiled vistas, Tanzania is also home both to the exotic spice island of Zanzibar and the magnificent snow-capped MountKilimanjaro,

the highest mountain in Africa at 5,896 meters.

  Regions in brief:

          Serengeti National Park

          Ngorongoro Crater

          Lake Manyara National Park

          About the annual Migration

 

A sample of our Tanzania Experiences:

 

8 Day Best of Tanzania Road Safari

8 Day Tanzania Luxury Flying Safari

15 Day Mountains, Lakes & Game Parks - Tanzania & Kenya Road Safari

14 Day Tanzania, Kenya & Zanzibar Safari

14 Day Epic Rail Journey Tanzania - South Africa

13 Day Migration Safari by Road –Tanzania & Kenya

Enquire about more Safari options here

TravelBoecker Tailor-Made

- combing your personal preference with our expertise.

We create unique & authentic experiences

designed to suit your budget and desired style of travel.

 

About travelling with Children

Contact Africa Expert Christine Boecker to plan your Tanzania Safari!

The United Republic of Tanzania

Area: 945,087 km² includes the islands of Mafia, Pemba, and Zanzibar
Capital: Administrative: Dodoma, Commercial: Dar es Salaam
Currency: Tanzania Shilling
Climate: Tanzania’s climate is predominately tropical. Coastal areas are usually hot and humid, but on the beaches a sea breeze cools the air considerably. The average day temperature is 30°C.

Tanzania has two rainy seasons – the long rains from late March to June and the short rains from November to January. The long rains fall in heavy downpours, often accompanied by violent storms, but the short rains tend to be much less severe.

The hottest time of the year is from December to March, before the long rains begin. The coolest months are June, July and August, when the weather is often overcast.

In high-altitude areas such as Kilimanjaro and the Ngorongoro Highlands, temperatures can fall below freezing.

Population: 41 million (Christian 30%, Muslim 35%, indigenous beliefs 35%; Zanzibar - more than 99% Muslim)
Official language: Swahili, English (official, primary language of commerce, administration, and higher education), Arabic (widely spoken in Zanzibar), many local languages.
Time: GMT +3

National Parks and Reserves

Some 100,000 sq km of Tanzania is devoted to Game Reserves. Amongst the better known are the endless plains of the Serengeti, host to the annual Wildebeest Migration, and the massive wilderness of the untamed and largely undiscovered Selous. And then there is the ‘eighth wonder of the world', the enthralling Ngorongoro Crater. The game parks of Tanzania have been set aside by the government as wildlife and botanical sanctuaries that enjoy a high degree of protection and management. 25% of Tanzania is gazetted as national parks and reserves, making conservation a major element in land use. Tanzania has more than 20 game reserves including the world’s largest, the Selous. Forest reserves make up 15% of the country.

Biosphere reserves

Lake Manyara National Park, Serengeti National Park and Ngorongoro Conservation Area

World Heritage Sites

Ngorongoro Conservation area, Selous Game Reserve, Serengeti National Park, Kilimanjaro National Park and Kondoa Rock Art Sites. 

National museums and historical sites

Olduvai Gorge, The National Museum of Dar es Salaam, The Catholic Mission and prison of Bagamoyo, Ujijii Cultural Centre, Sukuma Museum, Mwanza, The Amboni Caves and Hot Springs, the Tongoni Ruins, the National Museum of Zanzibar (also the Kidichi Persian Baths, the House of Wonders, the Arab Fort, Livingstone’s House, Mangapwani Slaves Caves, the Maruhubi Palace, the Old Slave Market and the People’s Palace). 

Landscape

The landscape is dominated by plains along the coast, central plateau, and highlands in the north. Kilimanjaro (5, 895 m) is the highest point in the country and in Africa. Tanzania is bordered by three of the largest lakes on the continent: Lake Victoria (the world's second-largest freshwater lake) in the north, Lake Tanganyika (the world's second deepest) in the west, and Lake Nyasa in the southwest. 

Flora

Tanzania’s forests offer over 50 tree species and 200 species of shrubs. 

Fauna

The East African plains support some of the last great herds of wildlife left in the world, offering a greater number and diversity of species than any other continent: Tanzania offers over 80 major species, including ‘The Big Five’ (elephant, lion, buffalo, rhino and leopard), and 600 species of butterfly.

Avifauna

From glacial mountain to savannah plain, semi desert to tropical rainforest, Tanzania’s botanical versatility supports more than 1,000 bird species.

People & Culture

Like much of East Africa, Tanzania is home to the fiercely traditional and striking-looking Masai people; seeing an isolated, red-robed warrior stalk the plains is a lasting image of Tanzania. Their beaded jewelry and red checked blankets make good souvenirs to buy. Tanzania also offers other interesting arts and crafts, most notably the Makonde sculptures carved in ebony, and tanzanite, a turquoise-blue semiprecious stone unique to the country.

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8 Day Best of Tanzania Safari from US$1950

http://www.african-horizons.com/SAFARI_WEB_WEB/UK/pictures%5Ctour03.jpgA road safari featuring both luxury tented camps and traditional safari lodges, this memorable Tanzanian safari starts and ends in Arusha (1 night), offers two nights in the undiscovered wilderness of Tarangire National Park, a sensational three-night stay in the world-famous Serengeti National Park, and a visit to the ‘eighth wonder of the world', the magnificent Ngorongoro Crater.

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Contact Africa Expert Christine Boecker to plan your Tanzania Safari!

8 Day Tanzania Luxury Flying Safari from US$6350

For those who savour the ultimate luxury of private estates and conservation areas, where Africa's wildlife and culture can be enjoyed away from the beaten track, this exclusive air safari is the perfect choice.

Commence with one night in a 'plantation house' on a large coffee estate. Continue on with 2 nights in a private conservation area near Tarangire National Park, 2 nights in a private estate at Ngorongoro Crater and 2 nights in a tented luxury camp in the magnificent Serengeti National Park.

                                            

Regions in brief:

Serengeti National Park was established as a park in 1951. It covers an area of 14,763 sq.kms. The name Serengeti is derived from the Maasai word ”Siringeti” which means an extended area. The principal features of the Serengeti Park are the short and long grass plains in the south, the acacia savannah in the central area, and the extensive woodland. The concentration of plain game is high -with an abundance of Topi, hartebeest, gazelle, wildebeest and zebras. It is also famous for the lions, cheetahs and other predators and is home to a wide variety of bird life.

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Ngorongoro Crater: Called the eighth wonder of the world and stretching across some 8,300 sq km, the Ngorongoro Conservation Area in northern Tanzania boasts a blend of landscapes, wildlife, people and archaeology that is unsurpassed in Africa.

The first view of the crater is absolutely magnificent. It has an area of 265sq. kms and is about 16 to 19 kilometers across. The floor lies about 610m below the rim. There is a shallow soda lake that dries up, and there are also springs and streams of fresh water for the animals to drink. There are wildebeest, zebra, lions, hyenas, rhino, cheetah, hippo, gazelle, baboon and many more, as well as rich bird life such as ostriches, eagles, geese, Cape Crown Cranes, flamingos, pelicans and more.

Lake Manyara National Park was established in 1960 and has a total area of 325 sq.kms of which 229 sq.km is covered by the lake. Manyara is a Maasai word – emanyara – for a plant. It is a small but scenic safari park, excellent for bird watching and a good area to find elephant, as well as the potential excitement of spotting a legendary Lake Manyara tree-climbing lion.

Situated within the Great Rift Valley, the park has different habitats - Ground Forest can be seen when entering the park. Permanent streams flow from the volcanic rocks below the rift wall.

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Contact Africa Expert Christine Boecker to plan your Tanzania Safari!

 

Travelling with Children

Thanks to its colourful array of animals, birds, trees, flowers and endlessly changing ethnic groups, East Africa offers the ideal venue for a family holiday. At TravelBoecker, we specialize in child-friendly holidays. Please ask us for further details and options. 

Children on safari

Typically, game drives take place in the early morning, when the animals are out and about and the air is clear and cool, and in the late afternoon. Because there is often a few hours driving involved (which may or may not be in a vehicle with other people), game drives are not suitable for very young children.

Minimum age

While children are welcome in many of the tented camps, parents should consider the fact that noise carries very easily in a tented environment. Some lodges and tented impose a minimum age (usually 8 years) for children. 

Children and the coast

With warm water all year round, endless white sandy beaches and plenty of shade beneath the coconut palms, the Indian Ocean coastline is a children’s paradise. 

Children’s meals

Most hotels and tented camps in East Africa are exceptionally child-friendly and will be pleased to provide children’s meals (as early as you wish) and children’s menus.

Quality time for parents

Many hotels and tented camps offer babysitting (usually booked in advance), cots and extra beds. Some hotels also offer ‘Family Rooms’, which are either larger than normal or have adjoining bedrooms for the children. The larger hotels also tend to offer ‘animation teams’, groups of specially trained young professionals who have been trained in keeping everyone (particularly the younger guests) ‘busy’. Pursuits include: nature walks, tennis, ping pong, volley ball, water sports and a whole range of ‘edutainment’. 

What to bring

Canned baby foods, powdered milk, disposable diapers and the like are available in the larger supermarkets in the major towns and cities – but NOT anywhere else, so best to bring supplies from home. Parents are also advised to bring:

• Sensible shoes if on safari – sandals and bare feet are NOT advisable due to the presence of sharp thorns, bees, scorpions and snakes.

• Beach shoes – as protection against sharp coral, sea urchins etc.

• Plenty of high-factor sun protection, hats and/or cover-up UV sun-suits.

• Books, games and diversions for lengthy travel times.

• Child-sized binoculars if you plan a safari, plus relevant guide books on animals, birds, trees etc.

• A travelling medical kit (note: many anti-mosquito repellants are not suited to children, particularly those containing DEET). Natural citronella oil may offer a suitable alternative – but it must be applied regularly.

• Travelling mosquito nets for cots/strollers etc.

• Your own snorkels, fins and masks.

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TravelBoecker Tailor-Made

- combing your personal preference with our expertise.

We create unique & authentic experiences

designed to suit your budget and desired style of travel.

 

Contact Vancouver Travel Expert Christine Boecker for your Safari plans!


 
BC Reg #2806-6