What is Tanzania known for?

Tanzania, located in East Africa, is famous for tourism, agricultural activities, mining and fishing as major economic drivers. In tourism it is a home for Africa`s tallest mountain Kilimanjaro standing at more than 5,000 feet above sea level.

What are the best places to visit in Tanzania?

Whether you’re all about some of the most famous beaches in East Africa, one of the biggest wildlife areas for animal sightings, climbing Africa’s tallest mountains, or having a unique cultural experience, Tanzania has almost every extreme. From powder-sand beaches of glimmering white on the Zanzibar Archipelago to the cloud-beating, snow topped summits of monstrous Mount Kilimanjaro in the north, this country offers amazing experiences.

Discover the bustling city of Arusha, a great starting point for safaris to the Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater, Lake Manyara and Tarangire National parks. Escape to the breathtaking Zanzibar Archipeloago to enjoy turquoise blue waters, water adventures and explore the World Heritage Sites. In contrast to Zanzibar, Ushongo beach near Pangani on the mainland coast is idyllic and quiet. Head away from the coast and up to the mountains for some cooler weather and a peek at one of Tanzania`s most incredible views. Lushoto is mostly farmland with a few national parks offering guided walks to the waterfalls. Moshi is the best base for Mount Kilimanjaro, one of the most famous climbs in Africa and the tallest mountain on the continent.

When is the best time to visit Tanzania?

The best time to visit Tanzania is during the Dry season, from late June to October, when wildlife viewing is generally at its best. The wildebeest migration in the Serengeti is usually during June and July and the time to see the wildebeest calving is late January to February.

The main rainy season, or the `long rains`, lasts during about March, April and May. Afternoon tropical downpours are the norm – which are heavier and more predictable beside the coast and on the islands.

How many days should I spend in Tanzania?

We recommend 7-10 days for a multi-park or multi-country safari as a good starting point with two nights minimum in each camp. This is also up to you based on what you want to see and do. We offer flexible vacation packages so you can select your number of nights in each city, desired hotel and activities.

What is the best way to get around Tanzania?

By Bus: The bus is the most common way to travel around in Tanzania. Most buses have a simple design, and the roads are poor, although 1st class air-con buses are available on the Dar-Moshi-Arusha route (Dar Express - ticket office on Libya Street downtown or office no. 45 at Ubungo). Nearly all buses go in and out of Dar es Salaam. The main bus station in Dar (where all buses go), Ubungo, is 5 miles west of the city center. A number of the better `intercity buses` provide complimentary drinks and biscuits. In Dar, minibuses called Dala-Dalas can be taken reasonably to most places within the city. The fare is written on the front next to the door. The route of the bus is also stenciled on the front and sides of the bus.

By Tuktuks and Taxis: There are also three-wheeled tuktuks/baby taxis/CNGs/bajajis that zoom around. They are cheaper than a taxi, and can get past traffic jams. You can negotiate the fare in advance, but sometimes the driver doesn`t know your destination and won`t know how much to charge. The drivers generally quote fair prices at the destination and if they`re trying to rip you off you can usually tell by the smirk.

Private taxis are also a convenient choice, but be sure to negotiate the price before you use them. Fellow travelers might be able to offer advice about a reasonable fare. Some places (e.g. Dar Es Salaam Airport) have a strong taxi cartel and post fixed prices.

Tour Operators: There are several local Tour Operators which have fleet of cars for hire in major airports like Dar es Salaam Julius Nyerere Airport, Kilimanjaro International Airport, major cities and all towns which are peripheral to tourist destinations like Moshi, Mwanza, Arusha, and Karatu around Ngorongoro.

By Car: Driving may seem like the most sensible option for moving around between safari parks, but actually, it`s not always possible due to the long distances and in some cases, wild terrain! The parks of Tanzania`s northern circuit, however, are ideally located to combine in a driving route. Driving will certainly save you some money and it`s also a great way to see the `behind the scenes` aspect of a country.

What is the currency of Tanzania?

While Tanzania has its own currency, the Tanzanian Shilling, US dollars are also widely accepted, and the locals love them. Even Euros and Pounds are also accepted at many places, although not necessarily at the normal rate.

Do people speak English in Tanzania?

Tanzania is a multilingual country. There are many languages spoken in the country, but no one language is spoken natively by a majority of the population. The Bantu, Swahili language and English, the last of which was inherited from colonial rule, are widely spoken. They serve as working languages in the country, with Swahili being the official national language. There are more speakers of Swahili than of English in Tanzania. We suggest you get a good English-Swahili guidebook and familiarize yourself with common phrases such as hello, goodbye, excuse me and numbers 1-10.