Tanzania

Tanzania boasts several of Africa’s largest, biggest, longest or most famous natural wonders. In Tanzania adventure travel takes you between Mount Kilimanjaro, the Serengeti National Park, Lake Victoria, Lake Tanganyika, the Ngorongoro Crater and Kalambo Falls. And, as we all know, where there’s a fistful of natural wonders, there’s a bounty of outdoor activities in Tanzania and fun to be had!

The United Republic of Tanzania is in east Africa. It is bordered by Kenya and Uganda (north), Rwanda, Burundi and the Democratic Republic of Congo (west), Zambia, Mozambique and Malawi (south) and the Indian Ocean with the island of Zanzibar (east).

In Tanzania adventure travel suits environmentalists as much as it does explorers. Tanzania has some of Africa’s most ecologically significant areas, with forty per cent of its land protected as national parks. There are around 10,000 different plant species as well as a vast array of mammals, birds, and aquatic and reptilian life to encounter.

Mount Kilimanjaro is in the north-east of the country and often the focus for people looking for outdoor activities in Tanzania. It’s the fourth-tallest peak in the world, rising to a lung-busting 5,893 metres. In the north and west are the Great Lakes of Tanzania. The largest, Lake Victoria, is a mind-blowing 26,600 square miles across its surface! Another must see is Lake Tanganyika. This is Africa’s deepest and the world’s longest lake; Lake Tanganyika reaches four countries and plunges to 1,219 metres at its deepest.

Let your Tanzania adventure travel journey take you from its interior plateau, characterised by plains and arable land, right to its eastern shoreline which provides many beautiful beaches, with the islands of Pemba, Zanzibar and Mafia just offshore.

Tanzania has a mainly tropical climate. Summer extends from November to April with temperatures of 25 to 31C. Winter runs from May through October and is cooler (15 to 20C). Tanzania’s equatorial climate brings two seasons of rain: the masika (the long rains) that falls from mid March to the end of May, and the mvuli, (the short rains) which are intermittent throughout November and December.

Most Tanzania adventure travel holidays start with flights to Julius Nyerere International Airport, in the capital city Dar es Salaam. The city is vibrant and historic; relax and enjoy the hustle and bustle. Daily buses leave from Dar es Salaam for Arusha, the nearest town to Mount Kilimanjaro. Once there, arrange your trek up the mountain.

After you’ve conquered its dizzy heights, explore the national park, the Ngorongoro Crater and the Rift Valley. If you’re keen for more trekking, there’s always Mount Meru, about 70 kilometres away

Ever onward searching for outdoor activities in Tanzania you might arrange transport from Arusha into the Serengeti National Park. Follow your wildlife extravaganza with some time hanging out by Lake Victoria, just west of the Serengeti.

To finish your trip, head east to the Selous National Park and the equatorial coastline. The islands of Zanzibar, Pemba and Mafia invite you to relax and soak up the sun before heading home.