Tanzania: The hub of wildlife and beauty
Let’s see, Serengeti, Ngorongoro, Kilimanjaro, Zanzibar… The names roll off the tongue like a rota call of Africa’s most alluring destinations, and yes it is all packed in one country.
Resonating with hints of the wild and exotic, these four alone are reason enough to justify packing your bag and heading off to Tanzania for the holiday and if you cannot make it this time around , then a visit to Tanzania should be at the top of the list of your 2011 New years Resolutions.
Within the space of several hours, it’s possible to go from lazing on peaceful beaches, to exploring moss-covered ruins of ancient Swahili city-states, from climbing mist-covered slopes in the Southern Highlands to hiking through the barren landscapes around Old Doinyo Lengai.
Yet despite its attractions, the country has managed for the most part to remain unassuming and low-key. Throughout, Tanzania offers travellers an array of options, set against the backdrop of a cultural mosaic in which over 100 ethnic groups amicably rub shoulders.
While most visitors head straight for the famed northern wildlife-watching circuit, followed by time relaxing on Zanzibar’s beaches, Tanzania has much more to offer anyone with the time and inclination to head off the beaten path.
Follow the coastline south into a Swahili culture whose rhythms have remained in many ways unchanged over the centuries.
Journey through rolling hill country along the Tanzam highway, detouring to Ruaha National Park, and admire ancient rock paintings around Kolo village. Explore the Lake Victoria shoreline, with its small fishing villages and tranquil islands. Experience the seldom-visited wilderness of Katavi, teeming with buffaloes and hippos.
If you’re seeking creature comforts, stick to the northern safari circuit and Zanzibar, where there are sealed main roads and many hotels and restaurants. Elsewhere, and especially in the south and west, you’ll soon find yourself well off the beaten path, surrounded by a Tanzania that’s far removed from Western development.
Wherever you go, take advantage of opportunities to get to know Tanzanians. With their characteristic warmth and politeness, and the dignity and beauty of their cultures, it is they who will inevitably wind up being the highlight of any visit. Chances are that you’ll want to come back for more, to which most Tanzanians will say ‘karibu tena’ (welcome again).
For Safari the three are the best places to be:
Serengeti
Stretching almost 12,000 square miles north to Kenya and west to the huge Lake Victoria, the Serengeti National Park, Tanzania’s oldest park, offers arguably the best game viewing in the whole of Africa. The unique combination of diverse habitats enables it to support more than 30 species of large herbivores, many magnificent predators and nearly 500 species of birds.
The Selous Game Reserve is Africa’s oldest and largest park and has only recently become known in safari travel circles. Covering almost 50,000 square km, the Selous Game Reserve is one of the largest areas set aside for wildlife preservation anywhere in the world.
The Ngorongoro Crater is one of the most famous safari destinations on earth and nothing can prepare one for the first view of this unique and fascinating place. Rifts and volcanoes shape the landscape of Ngorongoro.
However if you are not up for a safari and more into the city life them Dar es Salaam is where you want to be. The city has a very humid climate and relatively stable temperatures, both in terms of night-to-day, and summer-to- cold season. When it comes to hotels Dar es Salaam has diversity, best three choices are:
Kilimanjaro Kempinski
Located conveniently in city centre, this luxury hotel, great breakfast buffet and a world class spa with Thai masseuses.
Southern Sun
This hotel is a bit far from city centre but still fine to walk during the day.
Movenpick Royal Palm
At the edge of city centre, a three start hotel with the best service.
But if you want to escape the city, there are a few upscale hotels just outside of Dar like White Sands hotel. Just off the road to Bagamoyo, New Bagamoyo road, about a 45 minute drive from the city center, without traffic of course. Some people may like this option as there are several scuba diving schools situated in and around the hotel.
When it comes to restaurants the city is covered with multi cuisine restaurants the best three picks are:
Samaki-Samaki is more than a restaurant With the best seafood menu in Dar es Salaam
it’s more than a place which is the role model of it’s own creative and unique interior design in Dar es salaam .
Hong Kong Tai Yong Sun Restaurant
One of the most well known and oldest restaurants in Dar with a history of 12years, Serves a wide variety of delicious Chinese dishes Canton-style. It has been newly renovated with a nice comfortable atmosphere and fast and friendly service.
Barbeque House
Serving delicious barbeque chicken, mishkaki (very famous meal in Tanzania), and fish.
Best places to be during the night:
The Runway lounge
Situated on the Penthouse level, below the dome, at Shoppers Plaza, Runway Lounge bar lives up to its expectation of glitz, and glamour ….as it should. Perfect place to drink champagne and watch the sun set and moon rise without having to leave our little haven created just for you.
Level 8
With unparalleled views over the port of Dar es Salaam, Level 8 is the only place in town where you can enjoy well-chilled Champagne. With a perfectly prepared selection of international cocktails, soothing chill-out music in the early evenings and a cosmopolitan lounge atmosphere late at night, Level 8 is the perfect place to unwind after a hard day’s work.
By far, the best mishkaki in Dar es Salaam and definitely a great hangout on lazy afternoons before going out on weekend nights.
What are you waiting for, come and experience the best of Tanzania.