The names Serengeti, Ngorongoro, Kilimanjaro, Zanzibar…ring a familiar bell when a visitor to Africa’s talks about the alluring African destinations. All these are found in one country that is Tanzania. The name echoes with intimation of the untamed and exotic experiences, these four destinations allure to the mind and are reason enough to give reason for packing your bag and heading off to Tanzania.

 

But the list isn’t finished. Bagamoyo, Tabora, Ujiji – stops on the 19th-century caravan routes into the heart of what was then an unknown continent. Mafia and Pangani – once famed ports of call for merchant ships from the Orient. Kilwa – linchpin of a far-flung Indian Ocean trading network. Kigoma, Kalema, Kipili, Kasanga – bustling outposts along the remote Lake Tanganyika shoreline. Selous – Africa’s largest protected area. Ruaha and Katavi – insider tips for serious safari-goers. Mahale and Gombe – prime destinations for seeing chimpanzees in the wild.

 

Within a space of several hours, it’s feasible to go from lazing on tranquil beaches to exploring moss-covered ruins of ancient Swahili city-states; from climbing mist-covered slopes in the Southern Highlands to trekking through the barren landscapes around Ol Doinyo Lengai, guided by a spear-carrying Masai warrior. Yet, despite its attractions, Tanzania has managed for the most part of its history to remain modest and discreet. Tanzania has also remained enviably undamaged by the tribal rivalries and political storms that afflict many of its neighbors, and this – combined with a booming tourism industry – makes it an ideal choice for visitors planning an African adventure.

 

All over, Tanzania offers travelers an array of choices, set against the environment of a cultural mosaic in which over 100 ethnic groups cordially rub shoulders. While most visitors head straight for the famed northern wildlife-viewing circuit, followed by time spent soothing on Zanzibar’s serene beaches, Tanzania has much more to offer anyone with the time and inclination to head off the trodden path. Follow the coastline south into a Swahili culture whose rhythms have remained in many ways unchanged over the centuries.

 

Voyage through rolling hill country along the Tanzam highway, taking a detour to Ruaha National Park. Admire ancient rock paintings around Kolo village. Explore the Lake Victoria shoreline, with its small fishing villages and tranquil islands. Experience the seldom-visited wilderness of Katavi, teeming with buffaloes and hippos.

 

If you’re seeking creature comforts, stick to the northern safari circuit and Zanzibar, where there are sealed main roads and many hotels and restaurants. Elsewhere, and especially in the south and west, you’ll soon find yourself well off the trampled path, surrounded by a Tanzania that’s far removed from Western development.

 

Wherever you go, take advantage of opportunities to get to know Tanzanians. With their characteristic hospitality and politeness, and the dignity and beauty of their cultures, it is they who will inevitably wind up being the highlight of any visit. Chances are that you’ll want to come back for more, to which most Tanzanians will say you are welcome.