TOP 10 THINGS TO DO IN TANZANIA

Soaring over the rolling plains of the Serenegti – especially during Migration season – adds a totally different dimension to your game viewing. From the lofty vantage point of a hot air balloon, expect a spectacular overview of the dramatic river crossings and enormous migrating herds of wildebeest, zebra and gazelle. You may even spy a cheetah or lion preparing to ambush its prey. With the ability to see for miles, you can appreciate the Serengeti in all its majestic scale.

Mafia Island is somewhat of a hidden gem, being the lesser-known neighbor of the popular Zanzibar. The waters and vibrant reefs surrounding the Mafia Archipelago are protected by the Mafia Island Marine Park, making it a spectacular destination for diving. Whale sharks (the world’s largest fish) are regulars in these waters, feeding on the enormous quantities of plankton. Visit between October and March for the chance to swim alongside these gentle giants of the sea.

Heading out on foot is simply the best way to unveil the magic of the bush. Travel south to the wild isolation of Ruaha, the ‘Africa of old’, to venture out alongside one of Kichaka Expedition’s incredibly experienced guides who know this rugged landscape like the back of their hand. Walk the same paths as elephants, listen out for the roar of lions, learn to identify wildlife tracks and truly connect with nature.

Ikuka Safari Camp also offers superb bush walks in Ruaha, which you can combine with an under-the-stars-sleep-out in their Rock House for the Tanzanian safari of dreams.

About half an hour from the Ngorongoro Crater, Lake Manyara National Park is well worth a side trip. It owes its name to the shallow, alkaline lake that expands and contracts with the seasons – and is often covered with hundreds of stately pink lesser flamingos.

Protecting a narrow band between the lake and the Rift Valley escarpment, Manyara is also famous for its prides of tree-climbing lions. Lots of giraffe and good populations of elephant, leopard, buffalo and plains game can also be expected.

Just 35km off the mainland, the spice islands of the Zanzibar Archipelago have lured travellers for centuries and still capture the imagination today with their heady mix of white sand beaches, distinctive culture and world-class diving.

Zanzibar Town’s old quarter is known as Stone Town, and is well worth exploring with a guide who will take you along the narrow, winding streets past bazaars, mosques and grand mansions with intricately carved doors. A visit to the early morning market – where piles of nutmeg, fresh ginger and chilies vie for space with hessian sacks full of black pepper, turmeric, cinnamon and vanilla – is a must.

Ten miles across, 2,000 feet deep and encased by towering forested walls, Tanzania’s Ngorongoro Crater is not just an astonishing sight, but sanctuary to an extraordinary proliferation of wildlife.

Although you cannot stay within the crater itself, there are a number of properties perched on the rim. Entamanu is one such camp, and invites guests to walk from the Ngorongoro Crater to their sister camp in the Serengeti. This journey winds along ancient cattle trails, through high-altitude meadows and past picturesque Maasai bomas and Acacia woodlands, revealing some magnificent vistas.

In the far reaches of Western Tanzania, Katavi is one of Africa’s least visited national parks – all the better if you’re looking to safari without the crowds! The vast, seasonal floodplains provide sanctuary to a huge variety of wildlife, from hippo and crocodile to antelope, buffalo, giraffe, zebra and elephant. A staggering display rarely seen in such quantity elsewhere in Tanzania. A safari here combines well with chimpanzee-trekking in Mahale.

Legendary for its exceptional populations of game, a stay in the Serengeti is also a chance to see the land through the eyes of the people who live here. Mwiba Lodge offers guests the unique opportunity to spend time with four original tribes – the Maasai, Hadzabe, Dataga and Sukuma – on rare cultural immersions. The lodge has been recruiting their guides from these communities for years, and is a great place to learn about their nomadic herding, traditional dress, music and way of life.

If you’re searching for swaying palms, barefoot luxury, and a quiet spot to unwind after your safari, Fanjove Island is still very much as nature intended.

Just off the coast of Tanzania, Fanjove is the smallest of six islands in the little-known Songo Songo Archipelago, and undoubtedly the jewel in the crown. An oasis of exclusivity, getting here (via traditional dhow) is an experience in itself.

Upon arrival, expect to find 10 discreet beach villas strung out along soft sandy shores, all with undisturbed Indian Ocean views. Waters inhabited by spinner dolphins and green turtles, and an activities menu made up of marine safaris, snorkelling, birding and kayaking.