Introduction: Tanzania is often considered by travelers as their favorite country in East Africa and occasionally Africa and it's easy to see why. Here are some of the reasons why: Africa's highest mountain, largest game reserve and three largest lakes can all be found here.

Some of the commonly mentioned names include: Zanzibar, Mount Kilimanjaro, Serengeti, Lake Victoria and of course the awe inspiring  Ngorongoro Crater - but these are not the only attractions that draw the visitors and they are not the only reason why most rate the country so highly.

Tanzania really does represent the African vacationer dream. It’s the ability and ease for a guest to get off the beaten track and meet some hospitable people in some beautiful places. That is probably a greater reason to visit if not to underscore the instantly recognizable names already mentioned.

Take a two week trip or pass through and you will see (with a good amount of money at your disposal) some of the principal attractions Africa has to offer and go home contented.

Highlights: Many of Tanzania's destinations are heavily visted and very expensive by regional standards to see, but nevertheless very imposing. Mentioned above are most of the big attractions. Also worth noting and not mentioned above and highly rated are Lake Manyara National Park  a gem in the northern safari circuit plus Mount Meru, an underrated and cheaper alternative than Kilimanjaro.

Lowpoints: Tourist density and accompanying touts in Zanzibar, Moshi (Kilimanjaro) and Arusha (Northern safari circuit). Off the beaten track: roads, accommodation and English spoken all start to decline dramatically.

·         Weather:

Generally like most of East Africa, Tanzania has a tropical climate along the coastal line but gets temperate in the highlands. Between April to Mid May – The Green Season you will find long periods of rain and between Nov – Dec you will find short periods of rain. In the south, west and south-west there is only one rainy season between December and April. The hot Tanzanian summer lasts from mid-December till March, roughly corresponding with the rainy period of the south, west, and central region of the country. Winter falls between June and October and it is dry and cold across the country. The temperature range is fairly limited and is always very warm to hot, ranging from 25 to 30 degrees centigrade on the coast while the rest of the country apart from the highlands run from 22 to 27 degrees C. If you plan to climb the mountains you will need warm clothing, that you will have very little use for elsewhere. Nights on the Ngorongoro crater rim or anywhere above 1750 meters, between June and August, may require warm clothing. On Mt Kilimanjaro and Mt Meru the night temperatures may drop well below zero when you get beyond 3500 Meters.

·   Getting Around

The government of Tanzania is spending a good deal of money on roads. The Dar-es-Salaam to Morogoro road has greatly improved over the past couple years, and is being extended down to Mikumi. The Dar-es-Salaam - Arusha road also is somewhat under construction. The road is getting thinner and thinner which needs extra care while driving. A new road which replaces the gravel/old road to Ngorogoro crater has been built. Good surfaced roads and quick buses connect Dar-es-Salaam to Arusha, Moshi, Tanga, Morogoro and Dodoma.

Buses: Care should be exercised in choosing a reputable bus company. Many buses are old, and are driven way too fast. Royal coach is the best for Dar-es-Salaam - Arusha with relatively new buses driving at a good speed of 80kph.If you are in a hurry, 'Dar-es-Salaam express'. Scandinavia coach line is a good choice for travel all over Tanzania. Other bus companies include: Dar Express, Royal, Akamba, Tawfig Buses which traverse the popular routes between Nairobi, Arusha and Moshi.

For general and shorter distance travel between towns the dalla-dalla (mini-bus) are the best options although. Dalla-dallas are privately owned and usually crammed, traveling along set routes (disembark wherever you want). They are cheap and a perfect 'African experience'.

·   Trains: Trains only go from Dar-es-Salaam south, to Mbeya, then into Zambia,

·   Air: The main domestic airline is Precision Air. Coastal Aviation and Air Excel also operate between Dar es Salam; Zanzibar; Arusha and Dodoma.

Organizing a Northern Safari:

Understand that a good part of your first and last day on safari will be spent on the road, with great distances to cover on poor roads. For this reason, longer safaris seem better value as durations are normally for three to six days. Five. six or (better) seven days would take in Ngorongoro, Serengeti, Manyara and Tarangire while a typical three days takes in all these reserves apart from the Serengeti. A five day safari would drop either Serengeti or Tarangire. To visit all four reserves you really need six if not seven+ days or use a short flight.

Note that high costs reflect park entry fees which the government keeps on increasing.

Kilimanjaro and others: Kilimanjaro is one of the most known symbols of Africa and the highest free standing mountain in the planet able to be climbed with minimal or no mountaineering skills - basically an up-hill trek with no 'technical' climbing. The challenge and iconic status Kilimanjaro presents is lost on only a few and even fewer resist it's lure and end up going for the climb. Of which certainly a proportion regret - since Kilimanjaro is in reality not just a walk and although there is nothing technical about the ascent, it is a very expensive, very hard and arduous climb even for those who are fit and experienced. The reality is not everyone even makes it to the top.

Far less popular is Mount Meru (the fifth highest mountain in Africa) and rated by many to be a much better option than Kilimanjaro. It's a shorter (2-3 days), much cheaper, less tramped and certainly prettier climb (Kilimanjaro is quite ugly in places).

Getting to Zanzibar

There are several ferries that ply between Dar-es-Salaam and Zanzibar, these seem to take turns each going once a day (so normally three trips daily - no real need to book). All these ferries charge around US$35 - 50 for tourists and about a fifth of that to locals. Ferries are okay, but can be rough and night trips are best avoided, but a little less expensive. Another option is to fly, which takes about 15 minutes for not too much more than a ferry ticket.

 

Visa strategy: It is better to buy a visa in advance or most popular entry point. It cost around 50USD. You normally get 30 days, but this is easily renewed. If you are not entering the country at Dar-es-Salaam International Airport, Kilimanjaro International Airport, Zanzibar International Airport or the Namanga boarder crossing between Tanzania and Kenya - then check careful if you can get a visa or better still pick it up in advance within the region or at home.

 

Money: ATMs only in major or tourist towns (including Stone town on Zanzibar). Barclays bank now has several branches in Tanzania: Arusha, Dar es salaam, and their newest one which just opened on Zanzibar. All of these have ATMs which accept most international cards. Apparently Barclays on Zanzibar is testing an ATM which dispenses US$ as well as t-shillings - but no confirmation on this yet. Normally never a problem to change USD travelers cheques.

 

Dangers: Muggings are really only a danger after dark in Dar-es-Salaam and Bagamoyo (try not to arrive after dark), but petty crime and scams seem to follow tourist to high concentration areas e.g. Zanzibar. Many travelers seem to let their guard down perhaps feeling safe with so many tourists around in popular areas. Overall crime in Tanzania is not a major problem and it is normally only those who feel it is no problem at all, that fall foul to it.

People vibe:

o        Locals: Normally quite friendly especially in more rural areas. Those in Zanzibar are predominantly nice, open and a pleasure to talk to.

o        Other travelers: Wide range of tourists, many fly-in rather than long-term travelers.

Accommodation: Accommodation is never normally a problem almost anywhere. However you need to research before hand based on your budget

Communications: Internet cafes are scattered all over Tanzania and certainly Arusha. Internet can be slow, but is often pretty good.

Food: Food on tours is usually great, as is that on the coast. The food market in Zanzibar Town every night is perhaps one of the best eating experiences in the world if you like seafood. Food becomes more basic off the beaten track.

o        Vegetarians: Fine, great seafood on Zanzibar

 Hassle and annoyance factor: Safari touts are a factor in Arusha and Moshi and recommended to be avoided. Walking around major towns especially Dar es Salaam and Zanzibar town, you seem to get approached by a large number of people simply wanting to chat or help you out. These are best avoided as can sometimes lead to a nasty situation or scam.

o        Women alone: Tanzania does have a large Muslim population, so consideration is needed, but on the whole a woman traveling alone should be fine