Tanzania
Incredible Tanzania
Tanzania offers incredible diversity and is perhaps the most beautiful country in Africa, from the Serengeti plains with their annual mass migrations to towering, jungle-clad mountains and paradise archipelagos. With the most magnificent park in Africa, the Serengeti has vast landscapes and prolific amounts of game and is famed for the annual migration. The Ngorongoro Crater meanwhile is a true Garden of Eden, with highland forest covering the sheer sides of the caldera, a spectacular barrier encircling the plains wildlife that roams the flat crater floor making it ideal viewing ground for a superb Tanzania safari.
Finally, Tanzania’s islands are unbeatable. Strung out in the Indian Ocean, the Zanzibar and Mafia archipelagos are tropical and idyllic. Dhows laden with spices sail over turquoise waters, whilst below the surface lay rich coral reefs alive with iridescent tropical fish. Tanzania is vibrant, exotic and a photographer’s paradise.
High Season
15th Dec – 10th Jan, Feb, Jun – Sep
Low Season
Mar – May, Oct – Nov
Experiences
Activities in Tanzania
Chimp Trekking
Nature Walks
Community Visits
Sightseeing Tours
Game Safaris
Boat Cruise
Mountain Biking
Lion Tracking
Canoeing
Hot Air Balloon Safaris
Horseback Safaris
Mountaineering
Rhino Tracking
Treetop Walkway
Birding Safaris
Sport Fishing
Hiking
Walking Safaris
Check Tanzania National Parks & Reserves below where you can experience these amazing activities
Highlights
Tanzania national parks & Conservation Areas
Arusha National Park
Lake Manyara National Park
Tarangire National Park
Serengeti National Park
Ngorongoro Conservation Area ( NCAA)
Mahale National Park
Ruaha National Park
KILIMANJARO NATIONAL PARK
Dar es salaam
Itineraries
Let our itineraries WOW you
7 Days-6 Nights Safari and Beach Holiday
7 Days-6 Nights Northern Parks of Tanzania
5 Days-4 Nights Tanzania
Explore Arusha National Park
Arusha National Park (ANAPA) is a gem of varied ecosystems and spectacular views of Mt. Meru, the crater that gives the region its name.
The small national park includes the slopes, summit, and ash cone of Mt. Meru, the Momela Lakes, Ngurdoto Crater, and the lush highland forests that blanket its lower slopes. Game viewing around the Momela Lakes is at a laid-back and quiet pace, and while passing through the forest many visitors stop to search for troupes of rare colubus monkeys playing in the canopy.
Climbing Mt. Meru or enjoying the smaller trails that criss-cross its lower slopes is a popular activity for visitors to Arusha National Park. The three-day trek to reach the crater’s summit is a quieter, and some say more challenging alternative than the famous peak of nearby Mount Kilimanjaro. Along the lower slopes, the paths to rivers and waterfalls create a relaxing day hike for visitors who don’t want to attempt the rather arduous climb. Ancient fig tree forests, crystal clear waters cascading from mountain streams, and a chance to spot colobus monkeys are the attractions and pleasures of Arusha National Park.
Park Size
137 km2
Distance from Arusha
30 km
Road Transfer
1 hr 40 min
Experiences
Highlights at Arusha National Reserve
Game Viewing
Bird Watching
Canoeing Safaris
Guided Walking Safaris
Mount Meru Climbing
Cycling Tours
Community Visits
Horseback Safaris
Hotels & Lodges
Stay at one of our recommended
luxury lodges & hotels
Hatari Lodge
Midrange
Nested within the protected woodlands of Mt. Meru near the Momella meadow, Hatari is one of the very few properties located inside the Arusha National Park.
Rivertrees Lodge
Luxury
Set in Northern Tanzania just outside the bustling safari town of Arusha, Rivertrees looks out toward Mt Kilimanjaro, and is perfectly situated for exploring the abundant nature reserves that this region is home to.
Lake Duluti Lodge
Luxury
Lake Duluti Lodge is made up of 19 spacious contemporary African styled romantic chalets ideally positioned for maximum privacy and view inside a thirty acre active coffee farm located in a safe and exclusive area on the outskirts of Arusha. All chalets are positioned to face the coffee farm and each has a private deck with an amazing view of the ancient indigenous trees found in big number within the farm.
Legendary Lodge at Arusha
Luxury
Legendary Lodge is one of a kind: it is a luxury property located on the outskirts of Arusha, set in a lush tropical garden surrounded by a working coffee farm. Enjoy inspiring views of Mount Meru from the privacy of your own garden cottage while their staff takes care of your every whim. Conveniently located, the lodge is a 10 minutes’ drive from the Arusha Airport and 1 to 2 hours’ drive from Kilimanjaro International Airport.
Explore Lake Manyara National Park
Located 125 km west of Arusha town, under the wall of the Great Rift Valley, Lake Manyara National Park is one of the oldest and most popular sanctuaries in East Africa. The park has a large variety of habitats making it possible to support a wealth of wildlife in its small area. The main habitats include the shallow soda lake itself which occupies 70% of the National Park total area of 320 sq km, the groundwater forest, open grassland, acacia woodland and the rift wall. The most famous spectacle in the park is the tree-climbing lions, which are occasionally seen along branches of acacia trees. Other animals found in the park include buffalo, elephants, leopards, baboons, impala, giraffes, zebra, wildebeest, ostrich and hippos. Popularly referred to as an ornithologist’s paradise, Lake Manyara National Park contains over 400 bird species found in most savanna and river habitats in East Africa. Common water birds to be seen here are pelicans, spoonbills, Egyptian geese, hammerkops and the migratory flamingos, which arrive in hundreds of thousands creating one of Africa’s greatest natural sights over the soda lake.
Park Size
325 km2
Distance from Arusha
110 km
Road Transfer
2 hrs
Experiences
Highlights at Lake Manyara National Park
Game Viewing
Bird Watching
Treetop Walkway
Community Visits
Culture Experience
Hotels & Lodges
Stay at one of our recommended
luxury lodges & hotels
andBeyond Lake Manyara Treelodge
Luxury
Designed to exert minimal impact on the environment, the lodge offers an exclusive interpretive safari in a more remote area of the National Park. Gentle Tanzanian hospitality is exuded from the team, who have a passion for delighting guests, whether you are on honeymoon, or a family safari.
Nine stilted treehouse suites, crafted from local timber and makuti palm fronds, boast a sophisticated blend of intimacy and romance, offering privacy and exclusivity in the cool, leafy surroundings, which often has elephant visitors passing through.
Mawe Mawe Lodge
Luxury
Built from local materials with many earthy natural colours Mawe Mawe Lodge provides a spacious comfortable and warm welcoming atmosphere.
Enjoy full privacy in one of our luxury villas. Your own pool overlooking the rift valley, en-suite dinner in the moonlight, a hot bath in the early morning hours or a cold glass of wine in the afternoon. Ideal for honeymooners and romantic stays. Each villa offers an outside terrace plunge pool and an outside shower. An indoor bathtub with a view, an indoor shower and a comfortable sitting area are all inclusive.
Escarpment Luxury Lodge
Luxury
Perched high on the rim of the Great Rift Valley, Escarpment Luxury Lodge is a serene haven overlooking the wonder of Lake Manyara below. Offering 16 private, tastefully decorated chalets.
Inviting the incredible beauty of the African bush in expanses of windows and doors mean that you have nature right around you as you sit in the comfort and luxury of the superbly appointed bar lounge. A spreading deck surrounding the main lodge affords you breathtaking views of the lake and the gorge upon which the lodge perches.
Explore Tarangire National Park
Tarangire National Park lies 140 km south of Arusha, along The Great North Road highway, and is very popular for day trips from the town. Tarangire offers a wide variety of wildlife in its area of 2,850 sq km. As in all ecosystems, the vegetation and the types of animals you find are closely correlated. The principal features of the park are the flood plains and the grassland, mainly comprising of various types of acacia trees, and a few scattered baobabs, tamarind and the sausage trees. The Tarangire River, after which the park is named, provides the only permanent water for wildlife in the area. When the Maasai Steppes dry up with the end of the long rains in June, migratory animals return to the Tarangire River, making Tarangire National Park second only to Ngorongoro in the concentration of wildlife. This period stretches between June and November and it is the best season for game viewing in Tarangire. The most common animals found in the park include zebras, wildebeest, lions, leopards, waterbucks, giraffe, elephants, gazelles, impala, gerenuk, lesser kudu and the beautiful fringe-eared oryx. You may be lucky to spot the tree-climbing python for which the park is famous, or the greater kudu and the roan antelope which are rare species in Northern Tanzania. Over 300 species of birds have been recorded in the Park.
Park Size
2,850 km2
Distance from Arusha
140 km
Road Transfer
2 hrs 30 min
Experiences
Highlights at Tarangire National Park
Game Viewing
Bird Watching
Balloon Safaris
Sundowner
Hotels & Lodges
Stay at one of our recommended
luxury lodges & hotels
Lemala Mpingo
Luxury
Lemala Mpingo Ridge sits on top of an escarpment with sweeping views across the perennial Tarangire River and valley below, and will match the same outstanding standards of comfort and service as the other properties in Lemala’s collection.
Each of the 15 spacious tented suites have been carefully positioned to maximize not only the sensational views over Tarangire but to also take advantage of cooling breezes during hot weather. They feature en-suite bathrooms, private decks, sunken outside lounges that convert to afternoon siesta beds and one of the suites has two bedrooms. A special feature is the private outside bathtub—perfect for soothing the soul and washing away the African dust after a day on safari.
Swala Sanctuary
Luxury
Sanctuary Swala is located in a secluded part of Tarangire National Park and has twelve luxurious canvas pavilions, all shaded by acacia trees and all with views over the waterhole and plains in front of camp.
spacious canvas pavilions ensure unrivalled tranquillity, overlooking a popular watering hole. The wood-floored open-plan rooms have been staged with elegant neutral-toned interiors, matching safari-chic furnishings with rich African textiles, blending seamlessly with the raw and natural beauty of Tanzania’s cinematic savannah. King-size beds swathed in neutral linens mingle fresh design with a new take on safari living. Indoor and outdoor bush-view showers ensure more magical moments because connecting with wildlife is key: the floor-to-ceiling 180° views, and the pavilions’ private decks, mean you won’t miss a sight.
Oliver’s Camp
Luxury
Tortilis Camp has a prime location for witnessing the majesty of Africa’s highest mountain, Kilimanjaro.
The tents are all spacious, with king or twin beds and elegant en suite bathrooms. There is a main lounge, bar and dining area, all exquisitely built with natural materials and thatched roofs, with magnificent views of Kilimanjaro. The Private House and Family Tent are located slightly separate to the main camp, upon the hill where they share a pool and enjoy magnificent views of Kilimanjaro.
Elewana Tarangire Treetops
Luxury
As you arrive at the Lodge, you are immediately greeted by a blaze of colour and a host of smiles all of which belong to the local Maasai tribesmen who have become part of the enchanting story that is Tarangire Treetops.
Centred about a Main Lodge – which itself encases a thousand year-old baobab tree – Tarangire Treetops comprises of 20 rooms all of which are elevated above the ground affording views over the tops of surrounding marula and baobab trees.
Explore Serengeti National Park
Covering an area of 14,750 sq. km, Serengeti National Park is the largest National Park in Tanzania. The park is located some 350 km to the northwest of Arusha, lying in a high plateau between the Ngorongoro highlands and the Kenya/Tanzania border, and extending almost to Lake Victoria to the west. Aptly named ‘’endless plains’’ by the Maasai people, you immediately experience this vastness as you enter the southeastern plains of the park from Ngorongoro. Declared a protected area in 1921 and gazetted as a National park in 1951, Serengeti is the oldest National Park in Tanzania and undoubtedly one of the most famous wildlife sanctuaries in the world. The principal features of the Serengeti are the short and long grass plains in the south and east, the acacia Savannah in the central areas, the hilly and densely wooded areas in the north and the extensive woodland in the west.
Park Size
14,750 km2
Distance from Arusha
350 km
Road Transfer
7 hours
Experiences
Highlights at Serengeti National Park
Game Viewing
Bird Watching
Balloon Safaris
Sundowner
Hotels & Lodges
Stay at one of our recommended
luxury lodges & hotels
Lamai Serengeti
Luxury
Lamai Serengeti has a superb location and very good pedigree; there is little doubt that it is following in the footsteps of its high-quality sister camps. It may not appeal to purists seeking more elemental bushcamps with campfires and simple rooms; it’s too substantial and well-appointed. That said, there is no air-con or satellite TV here either, and the beautiful interior design is unique yet rustic. It really suits those looking for great guiding and service, superb views and a touch of understated luxury.
Olakira Migration Camp
Luxury
The mobile Olakira Migration Camp follows the wildebeest migration around the Serengeti, from the epic river crossings in the north to the southern plains where they give birth to thousands of calves each year. Stay with us to witness the greatest animal migration in the world.
Roving Bushtops Camps
Luxury
Some camps are set in magnificent surroundings but fixed: others offer game viewing on the move, at the expense of five star facilities. As its name implies, Roving Bushtops offers the best of both worlds.
The camps main base sits proudly in the heart of the Central Serengeti, in the Seronera valley. Not only does our superb location provide exceptional year-round game viewing for our guests, the migration comes to us.
Meliá Serengeti Lodge
Luxury
The spectacular rooms and suites at the Meliá Serengeti Lodge blend an elegant and contemporary design with influences from the traditional Masai culture and classic colonial details. All the rooms have been decorated in soft warm tones using natural materials that create a peaceful and placid atmosphere with views of the valley below. The doors and windows close with special screens that stop insects from entering yet allowing you to discover the magical sounds of the Serengeti nights.
Singita Serengeti House
Luxury
Designed for exclusive use, Serengeti House allows families or friends the opportunity and space to enjoy shared experiences in nature. It caters for discerning travellers seeking privacy and flexibility and all itineraries, activities and meals are tailor-made as guests decide on the day-to-day pace of their vacation.
Each of the four boldly proportioned suites feature serene views, spacious en-suite bathrooms, outdoor showers and private terraces.
Four Seasons Safari Lodge Serengeti
Luxury
Perched on a series of elevated platforms and walkways, our Lodge sits next to an animal watering hole, where you can watch a family of elephants stop for their morning drink as you sip your own out on your room’s private balcony. Under the constant protection of local Maasai tribes people, we’ll take you in the bush for an exhilarating game drive, or you can soar high in the sky on a hot-air balloon safari.
Explore Ngorongoro Conservation Area
A UNESCO protected World Heritage Site and an International Biosphere Reserve, the Ngorongoro Conservation Area is situated some 190 km west of Arusha, between Lake Manyara and Serengeti National Parks. Covering approximately 8,288 square km, the Ngorongoro Conservation Area consists of the Ngorongoro Crater itself, the Olduvai Gorge and Ndutu, the Empakai crater and the Oldonyo Lengai Mountain. The Ngorongoro Conservation Area is a pioneering experiment in multi-purpose land use where people (the Maasai), their livestock and wildlife coexist and share the same protected habitat.
Wild animals are protected as in the National Parks. The craters of Ngorongoro and Empakai are reserved exclusively for wildlife, while the rest of the Conservation Area is shared by wildlife, people and livestock. The Maasai, the main residents of Ngorongoro, are pastoralists who move widely with their herds of cattle, sheep, goat and donkeys in search of pasture and water. In recent years the Maasai have been encouraged to work on the land and supplement their traditional diet of milk, blood and meat. The Ngorongoro Crater, which is the central attraction in the area, is the largest Caldera in the world that has its walls intact.
Park Size
8,288 km2
Distance from Arusha
190 km
Road Transfer
3 hrs
Experiences
Highlights at Ngorongoro Conservation Area
Game Viewing
Bird Watching
Guided Walks
Hiking
Cultural Visits
Hotels & Lodges
Stay at one of our recommended
luxury lodges & hotels
Ngorongoro Sanctuary Camp
Luxury
The camp offers ten classic safari tents – each with its own en-suite bathroom. The tents also feature hairdryers and plug points and a small sitting area in front of each of the tents were early morning coffee and biscuits can be enjoyed before starting the day of incredible game viewing. The main common areas include a dining area, bar area and lounge area as well as comfortable sofas placed in specially-selected locations around the camp.
ENTAMANU NGORONGORO
Luxury
This sustainably built camp is a refuge from the formidable elements that surround it. Here, we define our own Ngorongoro, off the beaten track, in Maasai territory. Following one of the world’s most stunning private drives, we bring you up to a dizzying edge of elemental Africa with panoramic views spinning forward into the Crater and back to the Serengeti plains. This is much more than a great vantage point for visiting the Crater, this is where we live the Ngorongoro life.
The Retreat
Luxury
The Retreat, is stragetically located near the 8th wonder of the world, the world Famous Ngorongoro Crater. In close proximity also lies the Lake Manyara National park, Lake Eyasi; and The Endoro falls & elephant caves. Activities offered at the lodge range from Day trips to the national parks, walking safaris and mountain biking to Quad biking, cultural visits to the local Iraqw tribe and tree planting.
andBeyond Ngorongoro Crater Lodge
Luxury
Divided into three camps, 30 suites with banana leaf ceilings and grass roofs provide an intimate and exclusive experience. Each camp has its own sitting and dining areas, with private butlers who provide warm, personal service. With ever-changing views as mists swirl over the huge wildlife cauldron below, the location is truly breathtaking. Guests can be forgiven for losing track of which era, or even continent, they are experiencing at this lodge. Everything is chosen to delight the imagination and enhance the spectacular views of the magnificent surroundings.
Neptune Ngorongoro
Luxury
Set in 50 acres of virgin Tanzanian bush in the Ngorongoro volcanic landscape, this all suites wood log cabin style retreat is located a few steps from the Game Reserve Gate and 20 minutes’ drive away from the Ngorongoro Crater that is said to have the most dense concentration of wildlife in Africa.
This all inclusive property features 20 spacious private log cabins with fireplace, a restaurant, a bar and conference facilities. Indulge in moments of relaxation at the swimming pool or at the Earth & Rain Spa after a full-day game drive.
Explore Mahale National Park
Mahale Mountains National Park became famous tanks to primatologist Jane Goodall’s works and nature conservation efforts. It is located in the extreme west of Tanzania and is unknown by most travelers. This reserve is remote, a bit tricky to access ( by scheduled chartered flights only), and costly to visit. However, it offers a unique and very different experience from any other one in Tanzania is also probably the best place to observe the chimps!
The lakeshore here is a beach of the finest powder-white sand, behind which rises a range of imposing mountains, surrounded by tropical vegetation.It is a beautiful place which harbours Tanzania’s densest population of primates: yellow baboon, red colobus, blue, red-tailed, and vervet monkeys, and chimpanzees.
Covering about 1,650km² of the Mahale Mountains, this national park is home to about 1,000 chimpanzees. Most significantly, one group of Mahale chimps – the Mimikire clan – has been habituated by researchers since 1965. For the good of the chimps’ health, all human visitors on chimpanzee safaris are required to wear surgical masks – which will be provided for you.
The hike to reach the Mahale chimpanzees can vary from a leisurely wander of 20 minutes to a more strenuous hike lasting up to three hours. Towards the end of the dry season (August to October) Mahale’s chimp safaris are at their easiest, as the forest paths are at their driest and least slippery, and the chimps are usually at their closest to the shore. Walking boots, long trousers, and a small backpack (for cameras and binoculars) are always recommended for safaris to see the chimpanzees.
Park Size
1650 km2
Distance from Arusha
800 km
Air Transfer
6 hrs via Dar es Salaam
Experiences
Highlights in Mahale National Park
Chimps Trekking
Bird Watching
Boat Safaris
Hotels & Lodges
Stay at one of our recommended
luxury lodges & hotels
Greystoke Mahale
Luxury
Come on a legendary journey to meet the most privileged primates on the planet: the wild chimpanzees of Mahale – and us, the trackers, guides and helpers who share their leafy Nirvana. In the forest’s dappled sunlight, chimpanzees romp and commune around us. At the lakeshore, on a white beach, Greystoke opens its shaggy arms, hewn from vintage shows, proffering yet another level of pleasure to all our intrepid guests.
Mbali Mbali Mahale Lodge
Luxury
Mbali Mbali is a collection of five stunning lodges in Tanzania. Each location has been carefully selected for their unique experiences, across incredibly diverse ecological areas, taking you on a trail less travelled to some of Tanzania’s most untouched and unique National Parks.
Set within a 25,000-hectare concession area, Mbali Mbali Tarangire River Camp is located 3.5 km from the main entrance of the Tarangire National Park, overlooking a branch of the Tarangire River itself.
Explore Ruaha National Park
Ruaha National Park derives its name from the Ruaha River, which flows along its southeastern border. The river provides permanent water in the park and, during the dry season, animal concentration along its banks is spectacular. Ruaha National Park is about two to three hours drive from Iringa, a famous town on the Dar es Salaam to Zambia highway, and covers an area of 12, 950sq km, making it the second largest National Park in Tanzania, after Serengeti. This unspoilt wilderness is rich in flora (about 1650 plant species) and fauna, and contains a wide variety of animals that includes Greater and Lesser Kudu, roan and sable antelopes, which are rarely seen in most other game parks especially in Northern Tanzania. Ruaha National Park is famous for its herds of elephant and buffaloes.
The Ruaha River, which plays an important role in the ecosystem of the park, provides sanctuary to a large number of hippos and crocodiles. During the dry season the river attracts great quantities of game including lions, leopard, hunting or wild dog, impala, waterbuck, warthog, giraffe, and elands. In the plains ostriches, cheetahs and Grants Gazelles can be seen. The park is rich in bird life throughout the year, with over 370 bird species recorded. The best time for game viewing is during the dry season, from May to December. During the wet months from January to April some tracks become impassable.
Park Size
12,950 km2
Distance from Arusha
503 km
Air Transfer
2 hrs 30 min via Dar es Salaam
Experiences
Highlights Ruaha National Park
Chimps Trekking
Guided Walks
Bird Watching
Hot Air Balloon Safaris
Hotels & Lodges
Stay at one of our recommended
luxury lodges & hotels
Jongomero Camp
Luxury
Positioned on one of the meanders, with sweeping views of the bank beyond, lies the camp bar, lounge and restaurant; which comprises an open wooden terrace shaded by a high thatched roof and filled with sumptuous sofas and striking furniture made of reclaimed dhow wood.
Kwihala Camp
Luxury
Kwihala Camp has six large guest tents with a fantastic view of the Mwagusi Sand River. The tents can be configured as twins and doubles, and a triple room is available on request. The tents all feature king-sized beds, and en suite bathrooms with flushable toilets.
Jabali Private lodge
Luxury
Jabali Private House has two master bedrooms and an additional twin bedroom. There are both indoor and outdoor dining and relaxing areas making this the ideal venue for your dinner parties in the wild. The house has its own private plunge swimming pool and in addition all the facilities at Jabali Ridge are available to guests at the House.
Explore Kilimanjaro National Park
“As wide as all the world, great, high and unbelievably white in the sun was the square top of Mount Kilimanjaro”, wrote Ernest Hemingway of this highest mountain in Africa rising to 5,895 metres above sea level. Situated near the town of Moshi in northern Tanzania, Mount Kilimanjaro rises from the dry plains, through a wide belt of forest and high alpine heath to an almost bare desert and finally the snow capped summit, Uhuru Peak, just 3 degrees south of the Equator. One of the world’s highest free standing mountains, Mt Kilimanjaro is composed of three extinct volcanoes: Kibo 5895 m (19340 ft), Mawenzi 5149 m (16896 ft), and Shira 3962 m (13000 ft). The ascent of Kilimanjaro can be done from six routes: Mweka, Umbwe, Shira, Rongai, Machame, and the Marangu Route which is the easier and the most popular. Depending on which route one wants to use, the climb of Kilimanjaro can take between four nights to six nights on the mountain.
Park Size
1,688 km2
Distance from Arusha
122 km
Air Transfer
2 hrs 40 min
Experiences
Highlights Kilimanjaro National Park
Mountaineering
Guided Walks
Game Viewing
Hiking
Hotels & Lodges
Stay at one of our recommended
luxury lodges & hotels
Africa Amini Life
Luxury
There are 16 earth houses to choose from, which stand in different places in a replicated Maasai village. Each bungalow is powered by solar energy and offers European standard, a toilet and shower with hot water. Every day you can experience the sunrise behind Kilimanjaro on the terrace, in the midst of the African nature. International and traditional Swahili dishes are refined with home-grown herbs and served in the restaurant. Free activities such as spear throwing, dances, nature walks or campfire conversations allow you to interact with the Maasai. To relax, there is a rest area, a massage room as well as a pool and sauna. To enjoy Tanzania up close in the midst of the Maasai, and the endless expanse of the African steppe all around offer a unique experience.
Explore Dar es Salaam
Dar es Salaam, meaning The Haven of Peace in Arabic, has one of the best deep natural harbours in the world. From a small Swahili town in the middle of the 19th century, Dar es Salaam has grown into a large metropolitan centre with a population of over 3,500,000 dwellers. The city population represents the over 120 tribes of Tanzania with their different cultural backgrounds coming together, alongside the oriental civilizations from the far and middle east, and the Europeans including early Portuguese visitors in the 16th Century, the Germans and later the British. All cultures at one time or another passed through Dar es Salaam. It is necessary to visit Dar es Salaam to understand the secret of letting different cultures live together in absolute harmony.
Being the commercial capital of Tanzania, Dar es Salaam is also the main gateway to the nature reserves of southern Tanzania, which include the Selous and Saadani Game Reserves and the National Parks of Mikumi, Ruaha and Udzungwa Mountains. It is also serves as a convenient connection for travel to the islands of Mafia, Zanzibar and Pemba both by sea and air. A city tour of Dar es Salaam will take you to the National Museum, Nyerere Cultural Centre, the Village Museum, Mwenge Carvings Market, and the Magogoni Fish Market, among other interesting spots.
Experiences
Highlights in Dar es Salaam
Dar Es Salaam City Tour
Embark on a full-day exploration of the bustling city of Dar es Salaam.
Affectionately known as ‘Dar’, this once poor fishing village has convertedinto a bustling city and the most dynamic area of the country.
Your private guided tour will take you to the city’s top attractions such as the lively fish market. Amble down India Street, where the flavours of the East are a feast for the senses, at the stark purple of twilight, clusters of Dar es Salaam street food carts, specializing in delicious Indian food emerge. Bright red tomatoes, raw onions, green chilies, and fresh coriander are the beginnings of any enticing Indian street food snack. An absolute must is a Zanzibar Mix, an Indian inspired Zanzibari Tanzanian bowl of curry soup.
Catch a glimpse of the historic Central Railway Station, the architectural marvels of the St Joseph’s Metropolitan Cathedral and the Greek Orthodox Church. Explore the traditional souk (bazaar), heaving with people morning, noon and night. Head to the Mwenge Carver’s Market for beautiful traditional African sculptures and crafts before exploring the National Museum hosting the famous Makonde masks and the open-air Village Museum.
The architecture of Tanzania is a fusion of Swahili, colonial and Asian influences, but much of this is now overshadowed by modern-style towers.
Hotels & Lodges
Stay at one of our recommended
luxury lodges & hotels
Dar es Salaam Serena Hotel
Luxury
Experience urban living at its most cosmopolitan at Dar es Salaam Serena Hotel, located at the heart of the city centre business district, just moments from sandy Indian Ocean beaches, a bustling fish market and eclectic crafts markets, boutiques and restaurants. A garden oasis of tranquillity and charm, our five-star Dar es Salaam hotel promises the warmest of welcomes, vibrant experiences and vivid memories of your stay.
Hyatt Regency Dar es Salaam
Luxury
Hyatt Regency Dar es Salaam, The Kilimanjaro, is a modern oasis in the heart of the largest Tanzanian city. The five-star hotel’s superb waterfront location, spectacular views of the harbour and Indian Ocean, and proximity to the city’s International Airport ensure it is among the best-situated luxury hotels in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.
RAMADA RESORT BY WYNDHAM DAR ES SALAAM
Luxury
Escape to a relaxing beachfront retreat at Ramada Resort by Wyndham Dar Es Salaam. With a gorgeous private beach, globally-inspired restaurants, rooms with private balconies, and stylish event venues, our resort offers an ideal destination for business and leisure travelers visiting Tanzania.