"An overview of Tanzania" Tanzania by toonsarah

Tanzania Travel Guide: 3,109 reviews and 6,639 photos

Maasai

I have always liked the idea of a safari holiday as I love seeing and photographing wildlife, but Chris was not quite so enthusiastic. However, we usually try to accommodate each other’s travel wishes, and this trip was the result – a week on safari in Tanzania, followed by a second week exploring exotic Zanzibar and its evocative capital, Stone Town.

Elephants in Tarangire National Park

The trip more than lived up to expectations. I saw more elephants than I could possibly photograph, as well as lions, cheetahs, rhinos, hippos, zebra, giraffe, wildebeest ...

We also saw a little of how people live in Tanzania, with visits to a school and to a Maasai village in Ngorongoro. We explored the crumbling streets of Stone Town, and finally relaxed in possibly the loveliest beach resort we have ever visited, Breezes on Zanzibar’s south east coast.

A Zanzibar spice plantation

I have described our three main destinations (Tarangire, Ngorongoro and Zanzibar) in separate pages of their own.

Here I will share some general perceptions about the country and give a brief overview of each of those destinations and also Lake Manyara where we spent only a few hours, (but had a BIG adventure – see my Warnings and Dangers tip).

Last visit to Tanzania: Oct 1999
Intro Updated Dec 24, 2011
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Reviews (12)

Packing for safari and Zanzibar What to Pack (1)

Pack lightweight clothing, ideally cotton, for the heat, but remember that it could be cooler when on early morning... more travel advice

Maasai fabrics for sale, roadside stall - Tanzania

Shopping for souvenirs Shopping (1)

Here are some ideas about souvenirs and gifts to bring back from Tanzania: ~ fabrics, especially the colourful... more travel advice

Typical dusty road (by Chris) - Tanzania

Dusty roads Warnings Or Dangers (2)

As in many parts of Africa the roads in Tanzania are often not paved, making for bumpy, dusty rides. You will probably... more travel advice

Elephants may look cute ... Warnings Or Dangers (2)

... but beware. On our first full day in Tanzania we visited Lake Manyara National Park, and after early encounters... more travel advice

Things to Do (3)
See All Tarangire National Park
Hotels (2)
See All Other places we stayed
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Comments (8)

Yaqui May 8, 2011 at 9:14 AM Report Abuse

What amazing people, animals and country side. Excellent page Sarah!
MalenaN May 14, 2010 at 9:26 AM Report Abuse

Your tips bring back great memories from my Tanzania trip in 1995. Your experiense with the elephant bull sounds both fascinating and scary!
PierreZA Nov 9, 2009 at 8:36 PM Report Abuse

A very nice overview, thanks for sharing
barryg23 Oct 11, 2009 at 9:37 AM Report Abuse

Great overview of Tanzania, Sarah, enjoyed reading your tips, rather scary elephant story though! We're planning to maybe visit Tanzania after Christmas, nothing booked yet, but it looks fantastic and I'd love to go.
HORSCHECK Jul 20, 2009 at 12:59 PM Report Abuse

Sarah, gorgeous overview of your Tanzania trip. Brilliant photos as well. I am glad to read that you finally escaped from the elephant trap. :-)
richiecdisc May 24, 2009 at 11:35 AM Report Abuse

Our dream trips overlap quite a bit but we've each done the "other" ones...kinda nice. Love the Bull Elephant shot and especially the people shots.
Nemorino Apr 26, 2009 at 6:57 AM Report Abuse

We went to a game reserve in Swaziland a few years ago, and it was fine, but Tanzania sounds like an even better place for that sort of thing. I love your lead photo of the Maasai warrior.
Trekki Apr 24, 2009 at 8:56 AM Report Abuse

Ah, you really make me curious to visit Tanzania :-) And again, your blue photo of Stone Town is so fascinating! My god... I'd be terrified with this elephant "incident", good that your guide radioed another group for help!