 What to see |
 Dar es Salaam |
The "Haven of Peace" started life as a fishing village in the mid-19th century when the Sultan Sayyid Majid of Zanzibar got the urge to turn a creek (now harbour) into a safe port and trading centre. Now it's a teeming metropolis where Arab dhows mingle with huge ocean-going vessels. There are substantial contrasts between the various part of the city. The place is warm and salty with a heady cultural mix and none of the underlying agglo of Nairobi.
Dar's National Museum: i s next to the Botanical Gardens in the city centre. It features important archaeological collections, especially discoveries of Zinjanthropus (Nutcracker man) and the sordid history of the Zanzibar slave trade.
Markets: Kariakoo Market, Illala Market or the colourful fish market on ocean road are the best visited.
| Dar es Salaam environs |
| The village museum |
About 10km from the city centre, the Village is also worth a look. It is living breathing village of authentic dwellings from various part of Tanzania. Traditional dances are performed here on the weekend.
Oyster bay: i t is a beautiful stretch of tropical coastline and is the city's nearest beach
Offshore islands: The islands of Bongoyo, Mbudya, Pangavini and Fungu Yasani off the coast of Dar are popular diving and snorkelling sites. The Sea Breeze Dive Centre organises trips to these splendid coral reefs.
| Wildlife, Parks and Islands |
Tanzania is an exceptionally beautiful and interesting country offering a wide range of holiday choice to everyone. Popularly referred to as the Land of Kilimanjaro and Zanzibar, Tanzania is truly the bulwark of the natural world, protecting many species of rare and endangered fauna and flora and sheltering virgin tropical paradise of extensive palm fringed white sands beaches.
| Kilimanjaro the Roof of Africa |
Mount Kilimanjaro is the crown of Tanzania. Rising abruptly from the open plains, capped by snow and frequently fringed by clouds; it is one of Africa's classic images.
At 19,344 feet, it is the highest mountain in Africa and the highest walkable summit in the world. The diameter of its base is an incredible 40 miles. Kilimanjaro is a dormant, but not extinct volcano. Ominous rumbles can sometimes be heard- and gases emerge from the fumeholes in the crater. Although just three degrees south of the Equator, the peaks of both Kibo and Mawenzi have permanent caps of snow and ice.
During their time on the mountain, climbers pass from a tropical to arctic environment in just a few days. The various trails first pass through lush rainforests before reaching heather and open moorland where giant lobelia and huge, cactus-like groundsel grow. Above the moorland is the almost lunar landscape of an alpine desert, which stretches between the two peaks of Kibo, the flat-topped dome at the centre and Mawenzi, a group of jagged points and pinnacles on the eastern side. Inhospitable as this "moonscape" may seem, animals such as herbs of elands thrive there.
The highest point on kibo, and indeed the whole of kilimanjaro, is Uhuru Peak, with its spectacular hanging glaciers and stupendous views of the African plains some 20,000 feet below.
Also on kibo is the slightly lower peak of Gillman's Point. These are the goals for most trekkers. The peaks of Mawenzi are for mountaineers only.
With the help of porters and a guide, it is possible to walk all the way to the summit without specialised mountaineering equipment- or experience- and any reasonably fit person can conquer Kilimanjaro. There are several different routes including Marangu, the easiest climb and therefore the most popular Maua, Mweka, Machame and Shira. The total climb normally takes five to do six days and involves four or five overnight stays in comfortable mountain huts. Fees, payable in US dollars, include park entrance and accommodation for climbers, guide and porters but not food and equipment. Kilimanjaro can be climbed at any time of the year but the best time is considered to be from August to October and January to March. It is wet in the rainforest during the rains in April, May, June and November. December through to February are the warmest months.
The Rufiji River and its tributaries, which form a network of lakes ideal for boat safaris, cross the largest African reserve. Wildlife observation and bird watching (350 catalogued species) take place in superb natural setting. Respecting nature's rhythm, you can be assured of close contact with the wildlife. As Mr Eric Winson, Manager of the Tembo Safari Camp, said "From my heart, as an old African, I can truly says Selous is the most beautiful place of nature that God has made, and man has not destroyed. It is a place where Africa still whispers gently to your soul as the Elephant treads softly by". For more poetry email to tembosafari@twiga.com.
| Ngorongoro conservation area |
Land of the Maasai, of their cattle and of the fauna,
this protected area is located in the Great Rift
Valley, gigantic fracture of the earth's crust.
Volcanoes, plains, lakes, forests and archaeological
sites form this magnificent landscape. At 1600 meters
alt., the bottom of the crater (265kmē) dotted
with watering holes, shelters almost 30 000 animals
in an area naturally enclosed by the slopes of the
volcano (but the animals can leave). It's called
the eighth wonder of the world. Perched on the edge
of the ancient crater rim above the cool, swirling
mists, the architectural masterpiece of the
Ngorongoro Crater Lodge is a magnificent return
to the noble elegance of the travelling colonials.
Inspired in design by the Maasai manyatta, three
separate camps of 6 to 12 suites each remember a
bygone era when characters such as Lord Delamare
adorned the stilted, handcrafted structures with
graceful antiques, grand chandeliers and treasures
collected from travels through Africa. |
Situated in the centre of the country, the second largest National Park is bordered by the Ruaha River and offers spectacular viewpoints. From July to December the wildlife is concentrated on the banks of the river and around the watering holes. You will see herds of elephants. Giraffes, prides of lions and Great Kudus without moving from the banks. The setting is exceptionally well preserved. Even if the park is difficult to access and isolated, the variety of animals will pay you back the effort!
Situated in the Mkata Plains, dominated by hills and mountains, Mikumi is a small jewel. The park is divided into three zones, which allow you to see all of the wildlife species and certain rare species and certain rare species such as the wild dog.
East of Arusha, this park is divided into three distinct areas: Ngurdoto crater, Momela lakes and Mount Meru. The black and white colobus is the mascot of the park with the exception of lions and rhinoceroses; you will see all kinds of wildlife and hundreds of different species of sedentary or migratory birds. Hideouts have been created of observation.
Various types of vegetation grassy plains, savannah with acacias, wooded hills and mountains are the backdrops for an extraordinary concentration of animals, which reaches its peak during the wildebeest migration. Almost 1.5 million wildebeest undertake a circuit of 1000 km, searching for new pastures and watering -holes.
The park is located between the cliff of the Great Rift Valley and lake Manyara. There are several different types of forests with a variety of fauna- hippopotamuses, giraffes, elephant (the highest density in Africa 7 elephants /kmē), lions sleeping in trees, zebras, monkeys and a profusion of birds (more than 380 species).
On the east bank of Lake Manyara, the Tarangire River crosses the park from north to south. Several circuits are possible: Burungi to the west (180km), lamarkau to the south (150km), Matete, along the river (60km). Acacia trees and baobab forests shelter animals seeking refuge near the river.
| Gombe Stream National park |
On the banks of Lake Tanganyika, north of Kigoma, this small park, located on the slopes of the mountain, is the territory of the chimpanzees that have been studies by the scientific team led by Jane Goodall since 1960. This is why the chimpanzees tolerate the human presence.
| Mahale Mountains National park |
This park is home to thousands of chimpanzees, baboons, colobus and monkeys. Studies conducted by a group of Japanese scientists also take place here. You will find elephants, leopards and buffaloes as well. The safaris are done exclusively on foot in a superb backdrop of mountains overhanging Lake Tanganyika.
The 800km coastline has been visited at various times by navigators from the Indian Ocean and Persia. The most famous? Sindbad the sailor. A mixture of Arab and African traditions, the Swahili coast and the Zanzibar islands of Pemba and Mafia have kept the magic of a Thousand and One Nights Tales. In Kilwa and Kaile, the one thousand-year-old history can be read in the ruins of the ancient cities. In Bagamoyo, ancient slave port, the memory of the slave, gold and ivory trade can be found in the vestiges of the village.
| Zanzibar or the "Spice Islands. |
Situated roughly 40 km from the continent, Unguja (also called Zanzibar Island) can boast kilometres of golden beaches. Stone Town, the name of the capital, is located on the West Coast. It was the ancient trading port of the sultans of Oman in the 19th century. This city is a medina: the only of its kind south of Equator. Carves doors and balconies decorate the houses which are made of coral stone. Inland, the island is a Garden of Eden offering the most exquisite tropical species.
While Unguja gets most of the attention, the archipelago is also made up of Pemba to the north. Pemba has been famous for centuries of its clove production. Today, the Pemba Channel (2400ft deep) which separates the island from the continent, has become undisputedly the best place for deep sea fishing, because it is here that the biggest catch, on the East African coast has been made. Pemba also has pristine great reefs and a varied fauna including the great white shark and giant turtles.
Mafia Island is a paradise for divers, fishermen and water sport lovers. The water is incredibly transparent. The variety of the coral permits an unimaginable quantity of fishes: barracuda, flying fish, red mullet, tuna, marlin etc.
This island basks in the sun, protected by a crescent of coral reefs, an underwater Eden of colour and life, where the surface is broken by the skimming arcs of Dolphins. It is an untouched island paradise, such as you would find only in legends and story books, a tiny secret world of linen-whites sands, giant turtles, birds, shells and magenta sunsets. More details on mnemba@ccafrica.com. |
