Overview
From Andrew Harper
Tanzania was a German colony from the 1880s until 1919, when it became a prized spoil of war for the British. The country achieved independence in 1961 under Julius Nyerere, a former teacher and a much-revered figure today. Nyerere was instrumental in creating the national parks that have since inspired and provoked millions of Westerners. Most travelers will come here for organized safaris and then leave, which is regrettable -- a few days lolling on the beaches of Zanzibar make for a nice respite.
One of the natural wonders of the world, the Ngorongoro Crater is over 1,000 feet deep and 15 miles in diameter. More than 25,000 large mammals roam the grasslands and forests of the crater floor, including lion, elephant, black rhino and immense flocks of pink flamingos. The stupendous Serengeti can be reached from the crater by charter plane or a five-hour drive. This magnificent reserve is more than 200 miles long and is surrounded by contiguous conservation areas. Expect to see every imaginable predator, from lion and cheetah to opportunistic hyena and vultures, all waiting their turns to feed on the morethan 2 million migrating herbivores. From Januaryto April, the wildebeest migration congregates on thegreatgrass plains of thesouthern Serengeti. From May to July, plan to stay in the Grumeti region.
WHEN TO GO: Avoid the long rains in April and May and the short rains in November. The rest of the year typically brings cool nights and warm, sunny days. The Ngorongoro Crater is subject to cool winter nights (45-55 F) from June through September as a result of its 7,300-foot elevation.
CURRENCY: Shilling (TZS). Fluctuating rate valued at TZS1,570 = US$1.00 as of January 2012. Note: All of our suggested hotels quote rates in US$.
U.S. EMBASSY: Dar es Salaam, Tel. 22-229-4122.
DIRECT DIAL CODES: To phone hotels in Tanzania, dial 011 (international access) + 255 (Tanzania code) + city code and local numbers in listings.
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS: Passport (valid for six months beyond end of stay) and visa. Visit travel.state.gov, and for travelers’ health information, cdc.gov.
Hotels
All recommended hotels in Tanzania
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&Beyond Klein's Camp A remote, private camp overlooking a picturesque Serengeti valley, Klein’s Camp comprises a main lodge and 10 cottages, all arranged along a ridge affording mesmerizing views. |
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&Beyond Ngorongoro Crater Lodge Luxurious and imaginatively designed safari lodge perched in a cloud forest on the panoramic 7,000-foot rim of the Ngorongoro Crater. |
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Sanctuary Kusini Secluded camp (12 tents) amid dramatic rock formations, an ideal base from which to explore the southern Serengeti and to witness the Great Migration from mid December through March. |
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Sanctuary Swala Completely rebuilt camp in Tarangire National Park, south of the Serengeti. Twelve tree-shaded, open-plan tents, each with an attendant, are accented with traditional furnishings and have indoor and outdoor showers. |
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Singita Grumeti Reserves Three exceptional lodges constructed on Grumeti Reserves, a 340,000-acre private estate adjacent to Serengeti National Park, now under the management of the renowned South Africa-based Singita safari company. |
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&Beyond Mnemba Island Romantic private island retreat in the Indian Ocean, about three miles off the northeastern tip of Zanzibar. |