Tanzania holiday | Family holiday: Northern Tanzania safari highlights

The Ngorongoro Crater is safari at its best and it is no surprise that it is one of Tanzania's top tourist drawcards. Inside the crater, daily wildlife drama plays out as large herds of zebra and wildebeest graze near lions, leopards, elephants, hyenas and black rhinos. Outside the crater, Masai herders also live among the wildlife.

This exceptionally beautiful area is divided into three parts: Mt Meru, the Ngurdoto Crater and the Momela Lakes. This means there is a wide range of landscapes. Arusha is not known for its large wildlife, but offers a wide range of smaller animals, many birds and the breathtaking highland Afromontane forests.

The city of Arusha, with a population of just under 300,000, is situated in northern Tanzania on the plateau of the Great Rift Valley, a mountain range stretching from Syria to Mozambique. Arusha is primarily known as a base for safaris in the Serengeti or the Ngorongoro Crater, or for climbing Kilimanjaro. However, smaller wildlife parks such as Arusha National Park are also just around the corner.
Arusha is also known as ‘the heart of Africa’ because the city lies exactly halfway between Cape Town and Cairo. According to the locals, the clock tower in the city centre stands exactly halfway between these two cities, but that is not true: the real ‘midpoint’ lies 25 kilometres outside the city.
Arusha has a bustling, noisy city centre with a variety of markets. The fruit and vegetable markets along the main street (Sokoine Road) are always particularly busy. Due to the many tourists who visit this region every year, Arusha offers a wide variety of restaurants and eateries. A must-see in Arusha is the National History Museum, the highlight of which is the entire wing dedicated to human evolution.
In the area around Arusha, the precious stone ‘tanzanite’ is found in the ground; it is often used in jewellery, such as rings and earrings. At the Arusha Cultural Heritage Site, you can learn more about these blue-purple stones. You’ll also find a collection of art objects, clothing, wood carvings and other products from Tanzania’s more than 120 tribes. At the adjoining covered market, jewellery and all kinds of handicrafts and art are also on sale.

The name Tanzania conjures up images of wildebeest running wild across the vast savannah, rainforests filled with monkeys and birds and vast plains teeming with wildlife. All these natural wonders and more are on offer in this exceptional and diverse African country. Visitors visit Tanzania to partake in at least one of four well-known Tanzanian tourism experiences: a relaxing seaside holiday on the picturesque island of Zanzibar, a tour of some of the world's most renowned diving sites around the beautiful Spice Islands, a safari adventure in some of Africa's most impressive game reserves or a hiking excursion around Mount Kilimanjaro National Park. Whichever of these incredible holidays you choose, you will no doubt be welcomed by the friendly locals who, despite the fact that the country is home to 120 different ethnic groups and cultures, live in harmony with each other. You can therefore enjoy numerous, delicious exotic dishes. With all this diversity, it will be a tough decision which Tanzanian holiday experience you want to go on!

Randilen, designated by the Maasai people, is a 327km² communal wildlife management area that organically extends from the north-eastern boundary of Tarangire National Park and adheres to strict ecological principles that benefit both wildlife and the community. During the dry season between July and October, wildlife is concentrated around a few water sources, notably the Tarangire River Valley. During the green season, wildlife migrates to the surrounding hills and comes alive with lushness, blooming flowers, epic skies and exuberant wildlife. Besides elephants and buffalo, you are most likely to see giraffe, zebra, wildebeest, waterbuck, bushbuck, impala, kudu, eland and warthog. Predators include lions and leopards, as well as jackals and mongooses.

Travellers en route to the Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater pass through the town of Karatu in the green hills of Tanzania's northern highlands. This small, colourful town, presided over by the towering Ol Deani volcano, serves as a popular overnight stop for visitors wishing to explore the many game parks in the area. The town offers a variety of activities, including browsing the bustling market, tasting beer at a local brewery, visiting a traditional home or taking a guided walk through the Ngorongoro forest in search of waterfalls and caves. Whether you are looking for cultural tours, hiking and cycling opportunities, a chance to enjoy an authentic rural Tanzania experience, or just a break between safari trips, this underrated town has plenty to offer.

The Ngorongoro region is a huge area near the Ngorongoro Crater and from here you can explore several special places in Tanzania such as the Ngorongoro Crater, Lake Natron and Lake Manyara.

Ernest Hemingway called this the most beautiful lake in Africa, and whilst it is always difficult to make direct comparisons, it is undoubtedly one of the continent’s most beautiful lakes.
It is particularly well known for the large number of baboons that live here, but it is also home to hippos, impalas, wildebeest, giraffes and many migratory birds.
The natural beauty and abundance of wildlife in this area guarantee a truly special few days.

The Ngorongoro Conservation Area includes the famous crater and lesser-known regions to the north such as Olduvai Gorge and vast grasslands that run all the way to the Serengeti. The local Masai herd their cattle and goats among Africa's famous animals, as they have done for centuries.

Tanzania’s oldest and most popular national park (a World Heritage Site) has recently been named one of the 7th Wonders of the World. The Serengeti is famous for its annual migration, when the hooves of over a hundred thousand zebras and Thomson’s gazelles join those of thousands of wildebeest as they migrate to the green grasslands. Once the migration is over, the Serengeti offers perhaps the most spectacular safari in Africa. Large herds of buffalo, smaller groups of elephants and giraffes, and thousands upon thousands of elands, topis, impalas and Grant’s gazelles populate the endless plains.
The spectacle of ‘the hunter and the hunted’ dominates Tanzania’s largest national park. With so much prey on the plains, it is a veritable feast for the predators. In February and March, the wildebeest calves are born and often fall prey to hungry predators almost immediately.
But there is more to the Serengeti than large mammals. Lizards and all manner of crawling creatures live around the surfaces of the park’s isolated granite outcrops. There are nearly a hundred different species of dung beetle, as well as over 500 species of bird, ranging from the enormous ostrich to the bizarre secretary bird on the open grasslands. In the sky, you can see vultures circling, on the lookout for a free meal from the remains of the predators’ previous prey.

Tanzania’s oldest and most popular national park (a World Heritage Site) has recently been named one of the 7th Wonders of the World. The Serengeti is famous for its annual migration, when the hooves of over a hundred thousand zebras and Thomson’s gazelles join those of thousands of wildebeest as they migrate to the green grasslands. Once the migration is over, the Serengeti offers perhaps the most spectacular safari in Africa. Large herds of buffalo, smaller groups of elephants and giraffes, and thousands upon thousands of elands, topis, impalas and Grant’s gazelles populate the endless plains.
The spectacle of ‘the hunter and the hunted’ dominates Tanzania’s largest national park. With so much prey on the plains, it is a veritable feast for the predators. In February and March, the wildebeest calves are born and often fall prey to hungry predators almost immediately.
But there is more to the Serengeti than large mammals. Lizards and all manner of crawling creatures live around the surfaces of the park’s isolated granite outcrops. There are nearly a hundred different species of dung beetle, as well as over 500 species of bird, ranging from the enormous ostrich to the bizarre secretary bird on the open grasslands. In the sky, you can see vultures circling, on the lookout for a free meal from the remains of the predators’ previous prey.

Together with the Masai Mara Game Park in Kenya, the Serengeti forms a unique ecosystem. The acacia trees on the endless grassy plains are the hallmark of an African safari. Add to that the Masai warriors and their grazing cattle, and the picture is complete. Unlike the southern part of the Serengeti, the northern part remains green all year round.
The annual wildebeest migration through the Serengeti and Masai Mara is the largest movement of land mammals in the world. More than a million animals follow the pattern of the rains. Between July and October, the migration is in the northern Serengeti. The famous scenes of the migration’s greatest spectacle – the crossing of the Mara River – can be found here. But that’s not the only wildlife; large groups of lions, elephants, giraffes, gazelles and so on also roam the endless plains.

Paje is a small fishing village on the east coast of Zanzibar. This place is known as a good place for kitesurfing for beginners in the lagoon protected by the reef. The village lies on a beautiful coastline where you can have a good swim in the warm azure sea. If the tide is right, you can explore the coral reef. Paje has two supermarkets and several small shops selling locally produced souvenirs. Here you can unwind and enjoy the slow pace of the island.

The southern region of Zanzibar, also known as Unguja South Region, is known for its pristine white sand beaches surrounded by calm turquoise waters. Visitors can explore the town of Koani, the region's capital; take a boat ride on the crystal-clear waters of Menai Bay to spot dolphins in the surf at Kizimkazi, go on a sandbank picnic, visit East Africa's oldest mosque, go off the beaten track to visit the terrifying abandoned eco-resort, snorkel through colourful underwater wonderlands and visit local villages. Other popular attractions and activities include: the former fishing village of Jambiani, now a tourist mecca; cycling to the ancient caves of Kuumbi and enjoying the vibrant nightlife of Paje. Don't miss the chance to visit the world-famous restaurant of Michamvi, located on a rock just off the south-east coast.

The island is best known for its snow-white beaches, particularly those along the north and east coasts. The island also offers excellent opportunities for diving and deep-sea fishing. Zanzibar is one of the most beautiful diving destinations in the Indian Ocean, boasting stunning coral reefs. Enthusiasts can spot whale sharks or swim with dolphins. A boat trip on a traditional dhow is also a special experience.
The cultural heart of the island is the old town, Stone Town, with its maze of narrow alleyways, lively bazaars, mosques and elegant Arab houses. Here you can discover charming boutiques, bars and restaurants.

The Tanzanian coast borders the Indian Ocean and is renowned for its warm waters, endless beaches, coral reefs, secluded dhows and ancient fishing villages. This spectacular stretch of coastline boasts a collection of breathtakingly beautiful islands, including the world-famous Zanzibar Archipelago and the Mafia Islands. Visit the soft white sandy beaches just south of Tanga, enjoy excellent snorkelling and diving along vast offshore reefs, and laze blissfully in a hammock all day whilst gazing out at the electric blue waters of this unspoilt coastline. Other popular activities include exploring the small villages along the coastline, as well as visiting the variety of national marine parks teeming with marine life.