WILDLIFE WONDERLAND
TANZANIA
Renowned for its abundant wildlife populations and iconic national parks like the Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater, Tanzania offers exceptional safari experiences, with opportunities to witness the Great Migration of wildebeest, encounter the “Big Five” and explore diverse ecosystems, along with meeting a genuine Masai warrior or two. Over on the coast, the Indian Ocean island of Zanzibar offers an idyllic end to a safari.
Image taken by Serengeti Safari Camp
SERENGETI NATIONAL PARK
Serengeti National Park is rightly considered one of Africa’s most iconic wildernesses and its endless, open plains are home to a sheer density of animals that makes for exceptional wildlife viewing throughout the year.
This big-sky, untamed wilderness – simply referred to as The Serengeti – is renowned for its sweeping grassland plains and is part of a greater eco-system that includes the Masai Mara to the north and Ngorongoro Crater to the south. This vast wildlife wonderland supports an incredible abundance and diversity of wildlife, from the “Big Five” to giraffe, cheetah, spotted hyena, black-backed jackal, warthog and a huge variety of antelope, along with grunting hippos and gigantic prehistoric-looking crocodiles, known for their feeding frenzy during the annual wildebeest river crossings.
The Serengeti is of course renowned as the arena for the annual migration of more than 2 million wildebeest, zebra and gazelle travelling a continuous 800km/500mi loop across the savannah of the Mara-Serengeti ecosystem. Most of the migration takes place in the Serengeti, which is far larger than Kenya’s Masai Mara. The most popular (and busiest) spots to witness the Migration are the central plains near Seronera and the Mara River in the north, but it’s definitely also worth considering the park’s Western Corridor and Central regions for more intimate and (much) less crowded viewing.
What to experience
WHERE TO STAY
Our preferred accommodations include:
Serengeti Safari Camp – A classic tented mobile camp with relatively luxurious comforts and high standards of food and service, Serengeti Safari Camp broadly follows the Great Migration around Tanzania’s Serengeti National Park, changing location several times a year in sync with the migrating herds. The camp has a very charming colonial safari style and the furnishings are good quality. However, because it moves frequently, it has remained quite simple. For example, the showers are bucket showers with hot water delivered when requested, and the flush toilets are chemical loos. Accommodating a maximum of just 14 guests, there are seven spacious tented suites that are spaced a good distance apart and are cleverly positioned to increase privacy and views.
Image taken by Darren Humphrys
NGORONGORO CRATER
One of Africa’s greatest natural wonders and boasting the world’s only intact caldera, a visit to the Ngorongoro Crater is an experience of a lifetime and as far as wildlife experiences go, there are few places that have comparable wildlife densities – it’s not unusual to see the Big Five in one day here. And all this is in the most amazing setting with a backdrop of the 600m (1,968ft) high crater wall.
Declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1978, the variety of flora and fauna is so impressive here that rewarding sightings can be had almost anywhere: from the flamingo-fringed waters of Magadi soda lake to the leopard-frequented yellow fever trees of Lerai Forest. The main predators are lion and spotted hyena, but leopard is regularly seen and there are improving numbers of cheetahs. The resident population of black rhinos is a very big attraction, as rhinos are more difficult to spot elsewhere in Tanzania. The crater is also home to a good number of old elephant bulls with massive tusks. These lone giants tend to be super relaxed around vehicles, which can result in very special sightings.
What to experience
WHERE TO STAY
There is no accommodation inside the crater itself and the crater floor is accessed on game drives from the lodges and camps dotted around the crater rim and many others located further to the south on the Rift Valley escarpment slopes.
Our preferred accommodations include:
Entamanu Ngorongoro – Architect-designed and in a small isolated forested area atop the crater rim, Entamanu Nogorongoro is set on the remote north-western rim of the Ngorongoro Crater. This side of the crater has very few accommodations with far less lodge traffic and quicker access to the crater descent road – Entamanu guests are always among the first down on the crater floor. There are 11 cottages and the crater rim can become quite cold due to the altitude so every cottage has either a remote-controlled gas heater or an enclosed wood-burning fireplace to keep you warm, as well as soft furnishings such as woven throws and wool rugs.
MOUNT KILIMANJARO
Africa’s highest peak as well as the world’s tallest free-standing mountain, Mount Kilimanjaro rises to 5,895 meters (19,341 feet) above sea level and is a massive volcanic massif with three volcanic cones: Kibo, Mawenzi, and Shira. Kibo – the youngest and tallest of the three volcanic formations – is also the summit of the mountain and the highest point on its rim is called Uhuru, the Swahili word for “freedom.” Local people living in the foothills of the mountain include the Chagga, and while it’s not certain how Kilimanjaro got its name, it’s presumed that it comes from the Swahili word Kilima (meaning “mountain”) and the KiChagga word Njaro (meaning “shining” or “whiteness”, referring to the mountain’s fast-receding white cap of ice).
Kilimanjaro is a popular hiking destination, partly due to its close proximity to the Serengeti and the subsequent unique ‘combo’ this offers, and partly because the hiking routes do not require as much equipment or experience as mountains of similar heights. The climb is still strenuous, however, and many climbers encounter varying levels of Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS).
What to experience
Image taken by Pongwe Beach Hotel
ZANZIBAR
With tropical, turquoise waters lapping palm-fringed, sandy-white beaches, Zanzibar is the quintessential Indian Ocean island paradise. For hundreds of years, traders and travellers have been enticed by Zanzibar’s intoxicating aroma of spices, its beautiful beaches and the bustle of its African-Arabic capital, Stone Town. Zanzibar’s name alone – as evocative as Timbuktu, Casablanca or Kilimanjaro – is alluring enough for many to dream of visiting.
Just a short hop across the water from mainland Tanzania – of which Zanzibar is a semi-autonomous part – it’s impossible not to be enchanted as you approach from the air: clear, sparkling waters, darkened only by patches of reefs, and punctuated by the billowing triangular, white sails of passing dhows. On land, everything from chic beach retreats and intimate converted palaces to private island villas and fun family-friendly resorts offer warm welcomes and island-style experiences.
Reflecting both their African and Islamic heritage, Zanzibaris are known for their genuine warmth and friendliness to visitors. Hassling from over-persistent salesmen, especially on some of the island’s more popular beaches, has however become an issue but is non-existent on the private beaches where we accommodate our Compass Odyssey travellers.
What to experience
WHERE TO STAY
Our preferred accommodations include:
Kisiwa House – Tucked among Stone Town’s winding alleys and built in 1840 as a family home by an influential Omani merchant, Kisiwa (Swahili for ‘island’) House was one of the first buildings in Stone Town and has been in the same family for generations. It was lovingly renovated and opened to the public as a boutique hotel in 2009 but still provides a homely Zanzibari charm that combines Arabic and Swahili styles. There are eleven rooms, which offer varying sizes according to the price category. All are similarly decorated in pure white with splashes of gold and blue, and are very light, airy and relatively spacious.
Pongwe Beach Hotel – Set between two outcrops of coral rock on a small, secluded and private stretch of white-powdery beach, Pongwe Beach Hotel is a quiet, simple and great-value little lodge on a sheltered cove, dotted with palm trees, hammocks and sun loungers. The twenty whitewashed cottage rooms are all simple and bright – nothing over-the-top, but comfortable and airy.
Besides relaxing on the beach there are a number of activities on offer at Pongwe. Kayaks and paddleboards are freely available for guests to use, and Pongwe can also arrange a number of excursions such as diving and snorkelling to the reefs around Mnemba Island.
Journeys that include TANZANIA
6-Day Tanzania Safari
This 6-day safari is all about quality wildlife viewing, visiting Tanzania’s Serengeti National Park and Ngorongoro Crater.
10-Day Kenya-Tanzania Safari
This 10-day safari visits the iconic national parks of Kenya’s Masai Mara and Tanzania’s Serengeti, as well as a day’s game drive on the floor of Ngorongoro Crater.
Frequently asked questions
When is the best time to visit TANZANIA?
Tanzania has a pleasant, largely tropical climate with distinct Dry (June-October) and Wet (November-May) seasons but with regional variations influenced by location and altitude. Wildlife viewing is generally at its best in the Dry Season.
The hottest and most humid part of the country is the coast. Other low-lying areas, such as the western and southern parks, are also hot but less humid. The rest of the interior is much milder and often cold at night. Tanzania has a distinct Dry and Wet season.
Late December to early March and mid-June to late October are the best times for a Kilimanjaro climb. This is when the Kilimanjaro weather is nearly ideal. Although other months have rain, it doesn’t mean there are constant heavy showers. Typically, rains begin in the latter half of the day. This allows trekkers a significant window of clear weather every day during the rainy season. There are also days without any rain.
What do I need to know about visas?
Your passport must be valid for at least six months after the end of your time in Tanzania, and it is a good idea to bring a few photocopies in case you lose the original.
Most nationalities require a visa to enter Tanzania. It can be obtained on arrival but the process is often slow and laborious. We recommend it be pre-acquired online and we’ll provide instructions to assist you with the application.
What do I need to know about TRAVELLERS HEALTH?
The World Health Organisation (WHO) advises that Yellow Fever is prevalent throughout Tanzania and a vaccination is therefore compulsory for all travellers aged 1 year or over travelling to Tanzania. Should you need to get a Yellow Fever vaccination, it must be done no later than 10 days prior to your arrival.
Malaria is present throughout Tanzania.
Please speak to us regarding our recommended health precautions for travelling in Tanzania.