Tanzania: An Unusual and Affordable Vacation

We know so little about Tanzania! Unforgivably little. Some people think it’s a dangerous country and there’s nothing to do there but catch all sorts of diseases due to unsanitary conditions and rare insects. But that’s not true. Tanzania is an amazing world straight out of cartoons and animal shows. By the end of this article, you’ll want to go there, you’ll see!

We won’t hide it, a vacation in Tanzania will have a taste of adrenaline, but not without moments you’ll later recall with a thrill in your heart.

Wading across this river

The first thing that comes to mind when Africa is mentioned is safaris and national parks. Instagram videos of a giraffe peeking into an open car sunroof or an elephant reaching its trunk into a window — these are safari stories. A lion curiously running after a car with tourists to say hello — that too. But, if you stick to simple rules and don’t stray far from the tourist group, everything will be fine. But there’s another spectacle — the animal migration to new pastures. This is an annual tradition: wildebeest, zebras, roe deer, and predators following them, cross hundreds of kilometers in search of a new home. Sometimes it looks cruel, as for predators it’s almost like an open hunt, but at the same time, it’s incredibly captivating.

The migration takes place from December to July. In the national parks of Serengeti and Ngorongoro, you can watch it from above — there’s a hot air balloon safari for that. Just imagine! While you’re floating in the air, millions of hooves are trampling dust on the ground. It looks especially grand and beautiful when this entire horde crosses the river on foot. Such a crossing usually concludes the migration, meaning you can catch it sometime in July. Head to the Grumeti River, and you definitely won’t miss anything. This is probably the most natural wild nature, and how wonderful that we can witness it.

Hotels for every whim

In Tanzania, you can also vacation like royalty. No one forbids you from checking into a hotel of any class, although there’s a wilder option: camping, but more organized than in the remote areas of Europe.

A hotel can also offer camping, but instead of rooms in a building, you’ll be provided with tent-rooms with a shared kitchen, shower, and toilet. And if you want something comfortable, but not a classic hotel? In that case, choose glamping. It’s like camping, but more comfortable. Tents are not on the ground, but on bamboo platforms, with a thatched roof, and the shower and toilet are not shared but personal, plus a special butler accompanies you for dinner. And at night, the most interesting thing happens: elephants come to visit to nibble on some bushes. If you suddenly decide to go for a walk at night, don’t be surprised if an elephant appears in front of your tent. And don’t worry, camp staff keep everything under control, so no one will harm anyone.

Friendly Maasai tribe

If you are sociable and love meeting new people while traveling, the most unusual encounter will be in Tanzania — meeting the Maasai tribe. Although the people of the tribe live in huts made of dung and branches, they are very friendly and eager to meet tourists. However, they charge a fee for intruding into their way of life, approximately $10–$20 per person. For generous guests, they don’t mind even dancing or posing for photos. Of course, you shouldn’t throw money at them with a call to ‘dance!’, as it’s their personal initiative.

Face to face with wildlife

Safari is a light entertainment, but in the Ngorongoro crater, you can get a closer look at elephants, rhinos, buffaloes, leopards, and lions. There are so many of them that your eyes will dart everywhere. And there are flamingos nearby, and a zebra is hiding behind that bush.

There are always many animals in this crater, as this area is enclosed by natural walls, and many animals do not leave it even during migration. Excursions start an hour before dawn; the main thing is not to get out of the car, that’s the key to safety.

Resort-style vacation

Tanzania also has white sandy beaches and turquoise waters. If you’re tired of rattling around in SUVs, either running from a giraffe or chasing antelopes, head to one of the beaches to warm your bones. Fortunately, there’s a wide selection, especially on Zanzibar island: Kendwa, Nungwi, the beach on the disappearing island of Nakupenda, Matemwe, Uroa, Jambiani. Of these, Kendwa is the most popular, and Jambiani is the quietest and most secluded.

For Queen fans

If you’ve already watched Bohemian Rhapsody 10 times and endlessly hum We Are The Champions, then you absolutely must visit the house where Freddie Mercury was born. Yes, it’s in Zanzibar, in the Stone Town area. This house is now a hotel, and a gallery of photographs reminds visitors of the frontman’s childhood. But you can see what Freddie saw when he left the house. Pretty cool, right!

Hello, whale shark!

And here’s another activity — swimming with whale sharks. These spotted beauties swim closer to the shore from November to February. So grab a boat and go. Daredevils can dive into the water and pet their bellies, as they are completely harmless to humans.

Conquer Kilimanjaro

To conquer the mountain peak, you don’t need mountaineering skills or superpowers, just perseverance and good health. The most popular route is Marangu. It is along this route that you have the opportunity to spend the night in huts, not tents. This route is also the fastest: five days will be enough for a round trip. There is a lighter ascent option — 7–8 days. This is for those who have acclimatization problems or not robust health.

Visa to Tanzania and vaccinations

There’s nothing complicated here, and everything is quite lenient. A visa is issued directly at the airport or in advance at the consulate. It’s single-entry, valid for 90 days, and costs about $50. You can also breathe a sigh of relief regarding vaccinations. If you are entering the country from the USA, a yellow fever vaccination is not required. In Tanzania itself, the risk of infection is extremely low, so don’t worry. However, if you are entering the country from Kenya, where infection risks are quite high, a certificate may be required.

Best time for a vacation in Tanzania

It’s important to understand that this is Africa, so temperatures can sometimes be extreme. We recommend vacationing in Tanzania from June to October. This way, you’ll catch the migration, and the climate won’t drive you crazy — it’s dry and not as hot during this time. However, in spring, rainfall is continuous — a regular drizzle can turn into a day-long downpour. Roads get washed out, animals hide, you can’t lie on the beach — not much of a vacation.