Tanzania

Get up close and personal with the ‘big five’, hike up Africa’s biggest mountain and chill out on some of the world’s most stunning beaches all in one country. Holidays in Tanzania are truly spectacular for a whole host of reasons, so don’t be shy, explore what this African beauty has to offer.

Mount Kilimanjaro National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site, is perhaps the country’s most famous landmark. The peak itself is a dormant volcano and Africa’s tallest mountain, offering challenging hikes but incredibly rewarding views.

Serengeti National Park is the jewel in Tanzania’s safari crown. Here you’ll find lions, leopards, elephants, cheetahs, crocodiles, baboons, buffalo, hyenas, pythons – and that’s just for starters! The popular Serengeti hippo pool is a great place to spot rhinos. Just joking! It’s obviously packed full of hungry hippos basking in its muddy waters.

Lake Manyara, meanwhile, presents a great opportunity for canoe safaris, while the Ngorongoro Crater is a real gem in terms of bird-watching and stunning landscapes.

Wildlife spotting during Tanzania holidays is not solely confined to the land, however. There are plenty of local dive spots to see a vast array of marine life. Head to Pemba Island and Mafia Island for stunning underwater opportunities.

Beach holidays in Tanzania may not be the first things that spring to mind but Nungwi Beach and Kendwa Beach on Zanzibar are truly breath-taking. Matema Beach may not be your typical tropical paradise, but nestled in the foothills of the Livingstone Mountains on Lake Malawi, you’ll find peace and tranquillity like nowhere else.

Culture vultures will enjoy a visit to the House of Wonders, overlooking the seafront in Stone Town on the island of Zanzibar. Having basked in the beauty of the outer facade, inside you’ll be treated to the National Museum of History and Culture – a fascinating insight into Swahili culture. While in Stone Town, the Old Fort is well worth a visit and Forodhani Gardens is a great spot to sample the melting pot of cuisines on offer thanks to Zanzibar’s numerous cultural influences, such as cassava, samosas and grilled fish.

Another attraction for those keen on local history is the Arusha Cultural Heritage Centre, not far from Mount Kilimanjaro National Park and the Kenyan border. Within this impressively modern building is a vast array of artefacts from Tanzania’s historic tribes.