Introduction
Tanzania is one of East Africa's most enticing holiday destinations, offering the dual delights of world-famous national parks combined with the exotic charms and white-sand beaches of the fabled spice island of Zanzibar.
Naturally, safaris are a cornerstone of most Tanzania holidays. And, for those that visit between June and August, witnessing the Great Migration is right up there with the world's great bucket-list experiences. Indeed, this natural spectacle sees more than two million wildebeest, gazelles and zebras make their way between the Serengeti in Tanzania and the Masai Mara in Kenya. The vast herds travel in search of fresh pastures, their progress closely monitored by big cats, crocodiles, vultures and other predators. But, this country of vast landscapes and incredible wildlife offers plenty for visitors at any time of the year.
The Serengeti is just one of Tanzania's many evocative names. Mount Kilimanjaro, Africa's highest peak; Ngorongoro Crater; Lake Tanganyika; and the Great Rift Valley are other magical locations that roll pleasingly off the tongue and can be easily incorporated into your itinerary. Travellers in Africa often feel that ‘this is where it all began'. But in Tanzania's case this really is true - this inspiring landscape was the cradle of mankind, at Olduvai Gorge.
After seeing the Big Five on a safari, many visitors choose to spend a few days unwinding by the coast. Sultry Zanzibar, once home to Arab sultans, retains an altogether different feel to the African mainland. Watching the lateen sails of dhows at sea, hearing the muezzin's call to prayer across the rooftops of old Stone Town and touring the spice plantations are another side of Tanzania not to be missed.
