Tanzania at a Glance

Tanzania is home to Mount Kilimanjaro, its slopes and glaciers shimmering above the rising clouds is Africa's highest peak and Mount Meru, another spectacular volcanic cone that is ideal for hiking. Indeed, Tanzania is a land of contrasts and majesty, presenting Africa at its most wild and unexplored affair.

The sun-baked beaches of Zanzibar, the vast herds of game grazing on the Serengeti plains and the slow volcanic eruption of Ol Donyo Lengai, all these present the ideal African taste unspoiled for centuries. With so much natural wealth, it's no wonder that Tanzania has something for everyone.

Visiting or even reading about Tanzania evokes feelings of ‘the best Africa has to offer' - wonder, adventure, challenge, relaxation - just inexhaustible. This is because, while Tanzania's most famous and world-renowned destinations are the highlights that bring visitors from around the globe, there's much more to see and do than most people think.

These are characterized by unique and diverse places and endless options of things to do. These venture from main destinations to far-off the beaten track such as little-known but spectacular Swahili ruins on the southern coast to the hunter gatherer tribes of the northern highlands.

Climbing is the highlight of most visitors' experiences in Tanzania. Few mountains can claim the grandeur, the breathtaking views of Amboseli National Park in Kenya, the Rift Valley, and the Masaai Steppe, that belongs to Kilimanjaro. Hiking on the ‘rooftop of Africa' -- the highest point on the continent at 5896 metres -- is the adventure of a lifetime, especially because, if paced well, everyone from seasoned trekkers to first-time enthusiasts can scale the snowy peak.

Serengeti is easily Tanzania's most famous national park, and it's also the largest, at 14,763 square kilometres of protected area that borders Kenya's Masai Mara Game Park. Its far-reaching plains of endless grass, tinged with the twisted shadows of acacia trees, have made it the quintessential image of a wild and untarnished Africa.

The annual wildebeest migration through the Serengeti and the Masai Mara attract visitors from around the world, who flock to the open plains to witness the largest mass movement of land mammals on the planet. More than a million animals make the seasonal journey to fresh pasture to the north, then the south, after the biannual rains making it one of the new Seven Wonders of the World.

Zanzibar's coastline offers some of the best beaches in the world, but sand and surf vary depending on what side of the island you're on. On the east coast, waves break over coral reefs and sand bars offshore, and low tide reveals small pools of starfish, small minnows, and anemones. Up north, ocean swimming is much less susceptible to the tides, and smooth beaches and white sand make dazzling days in the sun.

Overlooking Lake Natron and the bushland of Kenya to the north is, Ol Donyo Lengai, which means ‘the home of God' in Masaai. This active volcano is seemingly, one of Tanzania's most spectacular and undiscovered climbs.

The volcano erupts sporadically, sending small streams of grey lava down the crater rim and spitting hot ash high into the air. The climb, undertaken overnight so that hikers can experience sunrise over the Rift Valley escarpment, is highly challenging but rewarding.

With so many parks and itineraries to choose from, safaris to Tanzania are often divided into regional circuits, or groups of game parks whose geographical proximity and topographical variations make up a varied and diverse group. Some of the circuits are of course more travelled than others.

Tanzania's northern circuit alone easily attracts the majority of tourists. But the northern circuit's fame and popularity means that other equally stunning but less well-known locations remain little-visited attractions whose beauty is known to only a select few.

The southern circuit contains the Selous Game Reserve - Africa's largest game reserve which is bigger than Denmark! Although the northern circuit is the most famous, venturing off the familiar path inevitably rewards you with the phenomenal scenery and wildlife experiences.

Besides the obvious natural attractions Tanzania has to offer, the country's towns and cities also make pleasant stops, with plenty to do and see. Many of Tanzania's coastal cities were founded as port towns from which valuable goods were transported across the Indian Ocean by sailing dhows.

On the mainland, many inland towns were important rest stops for trade caravans on their way to Central Africa or Lake Victoria, or returning back to the East African coast. In the northern highlands, many small towns were founded by the Germans as centers of colonial administration and agriculture.

Today, Tanzania's towns and cities still specialize in trade and agriculture, and are the centers of economic activity in their regions. Besides their obvious importance for the country's local economy, the towns and cities of Tanzania have many historical and cultural sites of interest and definitely worth a visit.