Tanzania Region: Coast
Usambara Mountains
Due to the physical isolation and the remarkable climatological stability of this area over the last 40 million years, there is exceptional biodiversity and literally there are thousands of plant and animal species that are not found anywhere else on earth. Bird watching is especially rewarding and the views from the mountaintops stretch over the Masai Steppe and, on a clear day, as far as the Indian Ocean. While not on most safari itineraries, the Usambara Mountains provide one of the friendliest and most scenic areas of Tanzania. Most people stay in Lushoto where the altitude keeps the weather cool and there is a nice selection of budget and mid-range hotels. The Usambara Mountains near Lushoto are not actually part of a reserve or national park and the area is densely populated. Read More
Usambara Mountains
Description: Due to the physical isolation and the remarkable climatological stability of this area over the last 40 million years, there is exceptional biodiversity and literally there are thousands of plant and animal species that are not found anywhere else on earth. Bird watching is especially rewarding and the views from the mountaintops stretch over the Masai Steppe and, on a clear day, as far as the Indian Ocean. While not on most safari itineraries, the Usambara Mountains provide one of the friendliest and most scenic areas of Tanzania. Most … Read More
Saadani National Park
One of Tanzania’s newest national parks, Saadani bills itself as one of the few spots in the country where you can enjoy the beach and watch wildlife at the same time. It’s easily accessible from Dar es Salaam as an overnight excursion and is a good choice if you don’t have time to explore further afield. To the south of the reserve is the Wami River, where you’ll probably see hippos, crocodiles and many birds, including lesser flamingos, fish eagles, hamerkops, kingfishers and bee-eaters. Read More
Pangani
Although it is not well known as a coastal destination, this small and historic town has attractive sandy beaches, a friendly and laid-back atmosphere, and a wealth of decaying colonial buildings dating from the slave trade and the German occupation. It is also a good place for cultural visits. All this makes it a great place to get away from it all and just relax. For those who like a beach without the crowds, this is a good alternative to Zanzibar. Read More
Kilwa Kisiwani
At its height, Kilwa Kisiwani was the single most important trading center on the East African coast, and the ruins here include several mosques, a fourteenth-century palace (in its time the largest stone structure in sub-Saharan Africa) and a well-preserved Omani fortress. This is also a terrific place to go game fishing. Read More
Dar es Salaam
Dar es Salaam is a major African city with more than 3 million people. Unless you have a particular reason for spending some time in Dar, we feel it just doesn’t fit in well with most itineraries. Due to the timing of flights, we do occasionally recommend overnights in Dar. The best bet for a half-day in Dar is to head to Mwenge where there is some good souvenir shopping, especially wood carvings. Read More
Bagamoyo
Bagamoyo is gaining ground as a popular alternate to Zanzibar. It is here that you will find similarities to Zanzibar (beautiful beaches and historic sites) without the large numbers of tourists. Bagamoyo is known as the ‘arts capital’ of Tanzania. It boasts an annual arts festival from the end of September into early October. There are an increasing number of good beach resorts to choose from, though be aware that sometimes security on the beach can be an issue. Read More
Amani Reserves
his is one of Tanzania’s most attractive yet unvisited destinations, with wonderful scenery, impressive flora and fauna, and one of Africa’s largest botanical gardens. There are also enough hiking trails to keep one busy for weeks. This is a birdwatchers dreamland with 335 recorded species. There are few large mammals but several primates can be spotted. This is a great place for hikers and for those who want to get off the beaten path. Read More