Youll come across curio stores, kids heading home from school for lunch, churches and mosques, and Zanzibaris going about their days. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Hey there! The bathtub overlooks the grasslands outside, and an indoor shower gives way to an outdoor shower, so there are plenty of options for washing off the dust of the Serengeti. (2022 Update), Plan a Trip to Argentina: 19 Travel Tips for First-Time Visitors, The Best Brunch in Dallas: 13 Delicious Restaurants To Wake Up For, Dallas Date Night: The 16 Most Romantic Restaurants in Dallas, Do something far more adventurous and take a, Relax in the mineral-rich waters of the propertys. What an excellent post! Its amazing how quickly they can pack up and move and the quality of the accommodation given the logistical challenges. April and May bring the heaviest rains, and some lodges shut down during this time. The 10 tents at this luxury eco camp are dotted throughout the property, each one blending into the surroundings. Given that youll spend this first day in transit, I recommend booking two nights in Stone Town to give you time to explore the twisting alleyways and include some downtime to escape the islands heat. With a long-established tourism industry and known as one of the best places for an African safari, Tanzania has several international airports with direct or connecting flights from countries around the world. Surrounded by the dazzling azure waters of the Indian Ocean, you cant help but be drawn out to sea. It was definitely one of the best trips Ive ever taken. Each dish of the 5-course, set menu features seafood paired with other local ingredients. Before dinner, I gathered around the fire with other guests and sipped a G&T as the sun went down. There were times when I woke up to lions roaring near our lodge, or hyenas barking when I was camping, and let me tell you, thats exciting but also scary! Its now a hotel that screams old-world glamour. At dusk, shards of lighting lit up the distant sky like fire. On the half-day tour, youll snorkel, sunbathe or go swimming with turtles at the tortoise sanctuary on the island. Oh I could easily spend two weeks in Zanzibar I loved it there!! Im certainly no expert on all the beaches of Zanzibar although its something I wouldnt mind being so go check out this article or this one for a description of some of the best beaches in Zanzibar. There are plenty of companies offering group tours for all budgets. Americans cannot get the ordinary single-entry visa. Zanzibar is of course known as the Spice Island, and you can learn more about the cinnamon, pepper, turmeric, cloves and other spices that are grown and exported. The rate for drivers/guides is around US$20 per day (split between your group). The worst part about this Tanzania itinerary is that it has to end. This region is part of the Ngorongoro Conservation Area and borders Serengeti National Park. Climbing Kili is next on my bucket list! This is what I did in my 2 weeks in Tanzania, and its a fantastic mix of adventure, safari, culture, history and beach time. So, if youre planning to visit Tanzania, take a look at this unique itinerary which goes beyond the usual day-after-day of game drives. I slept in the Belle room, a dedication to all the Southern Belles of the world. You can fly to Zanzibar direct from Serengeti airport. U.S. citizens need to obtain a multiple-entry visa, which is valid for 12 months (but you can only stay in the country for 90 days at a time). The hotel is also right in the heart of nature I woke at 4 a.m. one morning to the roar of lions, and saw a lion footprint on the footpath another morning. Be respectful of the majority Muslim population and cover your shoulders and knees. Continuing on, youll come to the edge of the Ngorongoro Conservation Area and walk through a yellow acacia tree forest which shields you from the hot sun. If youre visiting Tanzania between December and April, consider adding to your itinerary a day or two exploring the Ndutu region. I headed to Jambiani, known for its chilled, friendly vibe. Ever since I was a little girl, cutting out travel stories from my mums womens magazines to stick in a scrapbook, Ive had a fascination with Zanzibar. Some of the activities on offer include: Isoitok Camp Manyara was one of my favourite places to stay in Tanzania. A veranda runs the length of the room, and every morning and evening I would sit out there and watch Zanzibaris go about their days. From Lake Natron youll get a free African massage as you bump and jolt your way back to the town of Mto Wa Mbu. This is usually the best time for wildlife spotting across all national parks. We stayed the night at Acacia Forest Camp and it was such a beautiful spot. Finally, a friend who had previously lived in Tanzania recommended Wild & Me Safaris. One of my favourite parts of this entire Tanzania itinerary was the hike down to Lake Natron from Empakai Crater. Theres a viewpoint a short drive past the entrance gate where you can take in the enormity of the caldera from above. Ive only been to Zanzibar for scuba diving but would love to do a safari and see the rest of Tanzania. The locals are generally pretty tolerant, but please show respect and appreciation for their religion and culture. The tours are quite touristy but entertaining. If you do want to explore Tanzania by car by yourself, Id recommend it only for people who are familiar with driving in East Africa, who can navigate without digital maps (limited mobile coverage in some areas means Google Maps isnt available everywhere) and have experience driving in a variety of conditions in a 4WD. Tanzania has some malaria areas, so ask your doctor whether you need to take medication. Regardless, all opinions remain my own. Many people climbing Kilimanjaro also base themselves here. This part of the hike is down, down, down, so bring trekking poles to reduce the stress on your knees. In Maasai language, Serengeti means endless plains and its easy to see how the park got this name. I spent a lot of time researching how to get around Tanzania, and because I was travelling solo, I landed on hiring a private driver and guide. Oh my goodness, this is my dream right here! Pack a goodfirst-aid kitwith any medications you need while travelling. At the bottom, flamingos flock together in the lake, and timid bushbucks keep their distance. The Ngorongoro Conservation Area is commonly referred to as the Ngorongoro Crater and this is one huge crater. Its super safe, especially out on safari (the biggest concern is the animals out there!!). The hike was the highlight of the trip! The gates of Serengeti are reached after a 6-hour drive from Isoitok Camp. Its here where the wildebeest and zebra herds end their great migration, and in January and February, tens of thousands of babies are born. If youre backpacking Tanzania, then you can use the countrys extensive public transport system. Cooled down and hopefully elated after completing the hike, youll head to Lake Natron Camp, which is set up right alongside Lake Natron. Tanzanias currency is the shilling; you can check the latest exchange rate online at XE. While the government says that it is possible to get a Tanzania visa on arrival, they much encourage and Id recommend visitors to get a visa in advance. The building was originally owned by the last Swahili ruler of Zanzibar, and over the years has changed hands multiple times. Tanzania has to be one of the most diverse countries in East Africa. The three international airports are in Dar es Salaam (Julius Nyerere International Airport), Arusha (Kilimanjaro International Airport) and Zanzibar (Abeid Amani Karume International Airport). There are plenty of buses in Tanzania that ply the roads, and tickets are affordable. A trip to East Africa generally isnt going to be cheap, and Tanzania is no exception. There are several ways to get around when you visit Tanzania. I understand! Adding to my list of places to visit! A must-try is a Zanzibar pizza, a piece of dough wrapped around sweet or savoury fillings and fried. I do hope you get to see more of the country one day, too! Over 30,000 square kilometres, the grasslands and savannah provide a home for hundreds of thousands of animals a number that swells during the great migrations each year. This Insta-famous restaurant sits atop a small rock in the ocean and can be reached by walking at low tide or by boat when its high tide. I tipped about US$20 per night at each hotel. Which then turned into a lot of time researching safari companies in Tanzania and there are a lot! And, if you know that you want to visit a country but dont want to do have to do all the research that comes with planning an international trip, a group tour means everything is planned for you. Book a massage or body treatment, or take a workshop to learn how to make your own beauty products using natural ingredients grown on the spas plantation. I visited in late February and saw plenty of animals. Nanyukie is Lemalas newest property and it is pure luxury. However, I used to live in a malaria-risk country, so Im very aware of the risks. This travel itinerary recommends flying into Arusha, as thats the main airport for people starting out on the northern safari circuit, the most popular route for visitors to Tanzania. There are several campgrounds throughout the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, and the Empakai Special Campsite must be booked in advance. I hope you get there, too! If you bring a credit card, Visa or Mastercard cards are best. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is Tanzanias most visited national park. Im Rebecca, an Aussie travel junkie and serial expat. Of course, Lemala Nanyukie is not for everyones budget, and a tour operator like Wild & Me Safaris can find accommodation that suits your budget. Every effort is taken to be sustainable: electricity is solar powered, the toilet near the main area is compostable using zebra poop, and furniture is made from recycled plastic. There are two pools, a spa and a sandy area dotted with beach lounges for sunbathing under the palm trees. The food is exquisite, especially when you consider the effort that it takes to get food here. It gets really, really hot in Stone Town, so do what I did and swap the heat for pampering at Mrembo Spa. Some produce is purchased from the local communities surrounding the camp, while other produce needs to be brought in from other towns. The national parks in these circuits receive fewer visitors, and theyre on my list for when I return to Tanzania. I stayed at the beachfront Sharazad Boutique Hotel and highly recommend it. This is because especially in and near the national parks food and supplies need to be brought in from big cities and theres usually a high staff-to-guest ratio. if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'rebeccaandtheworld_com-large-leaderboard-2','ezslot_10',165,'0','0'])};if(typeof __ez_fad_position != 'undefined'){__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-rebeccaandtheworld_com-large-leaderboard-2-0')};Self drive isnt actually very common within Tanzania. Of course, travelling solo with a private driver meant the individual cost was higher for me, but for a group (of family or friends), I think this is the most affordable way to travel. National parks are fairly expensive to visit, and even mid-range hotels and lodges are more expensive than you might expect elsewhere in the world. This means that every time you visit this website you will need to enable or disable cookies again. Youll also need to research in advance national park fees and booking requirements. End the day with a hike down into Empakai Crater. I believe that you can hire cars through safari companies some companies do allow this, or they know people who do. Strictly Necessary Cookie should be enabled at all times so that we can save your preferences for cookie settings. Take a walking tour to learn more about the tangled history of this island. The drive is about an hour from Stone Town. Read more about me here! I stayed at the magnificent Emerson Spice Hotel. The lake is also famous for its red waters (which can only be seen from above), caused by algae. I love exploring new cities and countries to find the best things to do, see and eat. Which route did you do? Book dinner at Emerson Spices Tea House Restaurant. It was the best decision for me. To help you plan your trip to Tanzania, heres some additional information and tips. Visiting Tanzania is one of our dreams! Tents have enclosed sitting areas, roomy bedrooms and fully-functioning bathrooms with a shower and eco toilet. In Stone Town, as a solo female traveller I had a lot of men trying to talk to me, but again I never felt threatened. Ultimately, Id want to overland into Tanzania to see as many of these diverse landscapes as I can. Surprisingly though, it actually doesnt work out to be that much cheaper than booking a private driver guide. We picked our way across, occasionally stepping directly into the small amount of water still trickling along the river bed. Tanzania can be visited year-round, but the best time to visit is during the dry season, from June to October. Spend the next two days of this Tanzania itinerary exploring the famous Serengeti National Park. Its a great country, let me know if you have any more questions as you plan a trip there one day! Jambiani is on the southeast coast of the island. The grassy ridge gives way to volcanic grounds, where youll alternate between stepping carefully along rocks formed by lava flows and sinking into charcoal-grey soft volcanic sand. I stayed at the Outpost Lodge, a mid-range hotel in a leafy street in Arusha. Pemba is smaller and less visited but no less stunning. As I mentioned in the beginning, Wild & Me Safaris did obtain some discounts for me in my role as a travel writer and blogger, and Nanyukie was by far the most luxurious lodge I stayed at. , Its worthy of the bucket list, thats for sure! (And they in turn actually directed me to Ellington Safaris, the company I used for my Uganda itinerary.). Through this program, some women have made enough money to buy homes for their families. Many of the lodges I stayed at required an armed guard to walk me to and from my room. If youre anything like me, youll be planning your return trip to Tanzania while youre still in the airport. Its a great place for a first safari in Tanzania. Or, take a private tour out to Prison Island with Colors of Zanzibar. Getting a tourist visa for Tanzania is simple with the governments online system. There are many copycat tours now, but Safari Blue is the original. if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'rebeccaandtheworld_com-leader-3','ezslot_9',168,'0','0'])};if(typeof __ez_fad_position != 'undefined'){__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-rebeccaandtheworld_com-leader-3-0')};This village is the last that can be reached by car, and before you arrived, all your stuff the tents, the cooking gear, your own bags will be transferred onto donkeys that are already trotting ahead of you to the next campsite. You can customise an itinerary that suits your interests and your budget. Its located a short drive away in Paje. I was lucky enough to visit one of the initiatives they support, the Sunday Group in Mto Wa Mbu. I can tell you, that pool was perfect at the end of a hot day. Continue along the rutted road to Empakai Crater, which is the start of the hike that over the next few days will take you through the Ngorongoro Highlands, past Ol Doinyo Lengai (Tanzanias only active volcano) and down to Lake Natron. My tent was equipped with two double beds and a bathroom with hot shower water delivered by a tent attendant. And once youre inside the national park, you need to figure out how to get around. Great tips and info, thank you! Zanzibar boasts the powdery white sand beaches and azure waters that dreams are made of. I took steps to prevent bites during my time in Tanzania. Zanzibar is actually made up of two islands, Unguja and Pemba. Wooden trunks, leather sofas and textured textiles harp back to the time of explorers. I tried to find information online but there isnt a whole lot available. Wow thats a great itenerary, I am now eager to explore Tanzania . . AS AN AMAZON ASSOCIATE I EARN FROM QUALIFYING PURCHASES. From the viewpoint, youll see Ol Doinyo Lengai on one side, and the rippling green hills of the Ngorongoro Highlands on the other. Was so fun to be hiking through the landscape and camping at night. Is it safe place to travel with kids? (Make sure you pack these long haul flight essentialsto make the trip more comfortable. Isoitok can arrange several activities, and you may even want to consider two nights here. Spend some time wandering without a plan through the twisting, turning laneways of Stone Town. I didnt go down this route because I know that group tours arent really my thing. There are plenty of beaches to choose from, from party hubs to romantic hideaways to laidback villages. But dont worry about bumping into a big cat on your way to breakfast: a guard escorts guests to their rooms at all times of the day. During my stay, I ate pumpkin soup, roasted lamb and a delicious cake with homemade custard for dinner. The Sunday Group is also training women as driver guides, and runs tours through Mto Wa Mbu and to Lake Manyara. I have yet to visit Africa, let alone Tanzania but Im waiting for my daughter to grow up a bit before we do this. From the lofty peaks of Mount Kilimanjaro, to the wildlife-packed national parks, and the alluring beaches of Zanzibar, theres plenty of choices for a Tanzania itinerary. While travel writers are usually horrified to write words like these, its hard to avoid when confronted with such beauty. Youd want to have plenty of time on your Tanzania itinerary to factor in the extra time that youll need to get around on public transport. Heres how I spent my two weeks in Tanzania, although for the purposes of this blog post, I have made a few small adjustments to avoid some backtracking and add in a few extra days of downtime. There are usually tip boxes in the reception area and management shares tips among all the staff at the end of the month. We set up our tents underneath the acacia trees and had expansive views of the surrounding mountains and forest. I hope you get there next year! Bring extra small notes to pay the various people who scale trees to collect coconuts and serve up fresh fruit on the tour.

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