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Arusha

Located in the northern highlands, between the twin peaks of Mt Meru and Mt Kilimanjaro, Arusha is the safari capital of the country. The ideal location near the major national parks and its highland setting make it a place of relaxation before the start of an exciting journey. 

Click here for accommodation options in Arusha or here for things to do.

The Kondoa rock art sites are a series of caves carved into the side of a hill and given World Heritage status in 2006. The caves contain paintings, some of which are believed to date back 1500+ years. The paintings depict elongated people, animals, and hunting scenes.

Just 32kms away from the town is the Arusha National Park, consisting of three spectacular features, the Momela Lakes, Mt Meru and the Ngurdoto Crater. On clear days magnificent views of Mt Kilimanjaro can be seen from almost any part of the park.The vegetation and wildlife varies with the topography, which ranges from forest to swamp.

 

Karibu Travel & Tourism Fair
This annual fair held in Arusha, in June, is where East Africa's travel and tourism industry congregate to exhibit their services and products.

 

Lake Victoria
Lake Victoria is the largest lake in Africa and the second largest freshwater lake in the world. It is home to the lungfish, a unique type of fish that dates back 300 million years.

Kilimanjaro National Park

 

Pictures courtesy of Grant Edmunds

 

Rising abruptly from the open plains, capped by snow and frequently fringed by clouds, Mt. Kilimanjaro  is one of Africa's classic images and highest mountain at 19 336 feet above sea level. Kilimanjaro is the highest summit in the world than can be reached by walking. With the help of porters and a guide, it is possible to walk all the way to the summit of the mountain without specialised mountaineering equipment or experience.

The climb normally takes five or six days and involves four or five overnight stays in mountain huts or tents.

Ngorongoro Conservation Area

2 286 metres above sea level, the Ngorongoro Crater is the largest unbroken caldera in the world. Declared a world heritage site in 1979, this natural amphitheatre is home to thousands of animals.

Serengeti National Park
The Serengeti National Park is probably the best known wildlife sanctuary in the world. The name means “endless plains” in the Masai language. In May or early June, huge herds of wildebeest and zebra begin their spectacular migration. In their wake follow the predators – lion, leopard, cheetah, hyena and jackal.

 

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Ruaha National Park
derives its name from the Great Ruaha River which flows along its entire eastern border. Hippos, crocodiles, turtles and fish inhibit the river. The park is also known for its concentration of kudu, roan and sable antelopes and rich birdlife.

Selous Game Reserve
The Selous Game Reserve is an area the size of Switzerland and gets its name from the hunter and explorer Frederick Courtney Selous, whose books were best sellers in Victoria England. He was killed here during fighting in World War 1. There is a large population of elephant along with lion, wild dog, buffalo and various species of antelope.

 

Udzungwa Mountains

The major attraction is its biologically diverse and unique forest that harbours plant species found nowhere else in the world, from tiny African violets to giant trees 30 metres and more tall. Apart from about six species of primates, its plateau is home to elephant, buffalo, lion, leopard, hunting dog and several hundred forest bird species.

 

Kitulo National Park

Kitulo (the Garden of God) is the first park in Africa designated for its floral richness. The plateau is also home to some of the world's rarest butterflies, along with chameleons, lizards, frogs, reedbuck and eland.

Lake Nyasa

Set against a stunning background of the Livingstone Mountains, and sometimes called the “Calendar” lake because it is 365 miles long and 52 miles wide, the lake shores border Malawi and Mozambique.

 

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Dar es Salaam

Dar es Salaam is the largest city and economic capital of the country and boasts one of the finest natural harbours in the world. Remnants of colonial presence, both British and German can still be seen in the architecture and landmarks around the city. The name is derived from Arabic meaning “Haven of Peace”.

 

Ruins of Kilwa Kisiwani and ruins of Songo Mnara
The ruins date from the 13th to the 16th century. Artifacts found include Arabian crockery, Persian earthenware and Chinese porcelain. The ruins are particularly affected by sea erosion and lack of maintenance that is leading to the collapse of buildings resulting in these sites being added to the World Heritage Danger List.

Tanga

The town of Tanga has a relaxed, friendly atmosphere. There are various excursions that can be made from the town:

• The Amboni Caves are the most extensive limestone caves in East Africa. Traditions say that a fertility God lives in them.
• The Tongoni Ruins are the remains of Shiraz town from the 14th and 15th centuries. Its graveyards have the largest concentration of historical tombs on the East African coast.
• The town of Pangani lies at the mouth of the Pangani River and a magnificent beach stretches north of the estuary. It is the home for game fishing trips into the Pemba channel.

Zanzibar

The fragrant scents of vanilla, cardamom and nutmeg give this island the nickname “The Spice Island”. Explore the forests, with their rare flora and fauna or visit the historic Stone Town where the sultans once ruled. Dazzling white palm-fringed beaches and the warm Indian Ocean beckon swimmers, divers, fishermen and all water enthusiasts. Zanzibar's colourful history is a saga of travellers and traders, raiders and colonisers. From the beginning of the 16th century, for 200 years, Portuguese raiders dominated this part of the East African coast. Then, Arabs invaded Zanzibar in 1652, bringing the Portuguese domination to an end.

 

Mwaka Kogwa Festival
The Mwaka Kogwa Festival in the town of Makunduchi in south Zanzibar is the local "New Year" - celebrating the end of the old growing season and the beginning of a new one.

Stone Town of Zanzibar
Stone Town is a fascinating maze of narrow streets and alley-ways which lead past numerous old houses and mosques, shops and bazaars. Many buildings date from the 19th century slave boom and are constructed from the island's coral stone. Built by Arab and Indian merchants, this is the only functioning historical city in East Africa.

 

Sauti za Busara (Sounds of Wisdom)
This music festival is an international celebration of East African music at Zanzibar's Old Fort in Stone Town. Around 40 acts perform traditional and modern music, both acoustic and electric.

 

Zanzibar International Film Festival
The Zanzibar International Film Festival is East Africa's largest event. Drawing countries together for a celebration of film and music set in the magnificent waterfront of Stone Town on the island of Zanzibar.

 

 

 

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