We love Tanzania. I mean, we say that about every country we talk about in Africa. As it says on our Tanzania homepage – the Tanzanian people are heaven – and they really are. They have a passion, like many throughout Africa, and are immensely proud of the country they come from and want to share this passion with anyone who comes to visit.

Tanzania was one of the lesser visited countries of the two Eastern African empires (Kenya being the other), but it is soon becoming just as popular. The name Tanzania derives from a culmination of two states – Tanganyika and Zanzibar, which were united in 1964. Tanzania boasts the majestic peaks of Mount Kilimanjaro (a gift to Queen Victoria during her reign), which is a dormant volcano, can now be climbed in around seven days, depending on which route you choose to take.

(Views of Mount Kilimanjaro)

Tanzania’s best-known asset is the majestic Ngorongoro Crater, which forms part of the Luxury Northern Safari Circuit, including Lake Manyara, Tarangire and the famous Serengeti – which is the home to the annual wildebeest migration – the Northern Circuit has long been known to be one of the best wildlife viewing opportunities in the world, and the contrast between towering escarpments, soda lakes and short grass rolling plains cannot fail to win one’s heart. Beginning from Arusha or Kilimanjaro airport, your expert private guide and private luxury vehicle will collect you and begin you’re driving safari from the moment you touch down. If driving isn’t your cup of tea, then there is an excellent internal flight network can cut your driving time in half. However, driving, albeit long, it means you get to see how the landscape rolls and curves as it changes on your route, here you can discover the real undulating Tanzania.

(Views of Ruaha whilst on a walking safari)

Our top places to stay in the Northern Circuit are Chem Chem Lodge next door to Tarangire National Park, or Kuro Tarangire. The Ngorongoro Crater has several wonderful locations, from the rustic yet cosy and very private Entamanu Ngorongoro, or if you are seeking pure luxury, then look no further than the quirkily designed Ngorongoro Crater Lodge. If you’re looking for something in between, then just outside the Ngorongoro Crater lies The Highlands lodge, with its modern dome shaped rooms and totally private location, then this is perfect for you.

(Chem Chem Lodge rooms)

(Kuro Tarangire Rooms)

(Views of the Crater floor – sights you can expect from staying at Entamanu Ngorongoro)

(Ngorongoro Crater Lodge breakfast views)

(The Highlands Lodge rooms)

Dar es Salaam is Tanzania’s capital city and serves as the starting point for any Southern Safari Circuits. Because of the distance and because southern Tanzania is a bit more rural and wilder, compared to the Northern Circuit. Hopping from Dar you are within easy flying distance to the fascinating and historical Selous Game Reserve as well as the very different but equally as mesmerising Ruaha National Park, with its Baobab forests. Stay at Sand River Selous on the banks of the Rufigi River, the rooms are spacious and take full advantage of the stunning river views. The wildlife viewing here is spellbinding and one of the most satisfying places to track animals because it just feels so wild and unspoilt. Hop over to Ikuka Ruaha where you will be in with a treat when it comes to walking safaris, or perhaps lie back in the lap of luxury at the stunning Jabali Ridge (and you might see their resident genet’s trying to steal morsal of supper!).

(Sand River Selous views of the Rufiji River)

(Ikuka Ruaha mess area views of Ruaha)

(Jabali Ridge‘s quirky rooms)

The West of Tanzania is wonderfully desolate, deserted, unexplored and hard to reach … but delightfully special because of this! For those travellers who are more intrepid, fly to the wilds of Katavi famous for its huge pods of hippos that congregate in the dry season, almost becoming one with the surrounding mud, as well as the aestivating crocodiles (the opposite of hibernating in winter), where their heart rate slows down to almost 2 beats per minute and dig huge caves in the side of the river beds and also sit there in vast groups, gaping mouths intimidating anyone who strolls by. Or stay at Greystoke Mahale – the ultimate in remote luxury. Walk with chimpanzees or even spend a few nights on an island in the middle of Lake Victoria, relaxing and fishing.

(the wild Chada Katavi)

(The statement main mess area of Greystoke Mahale)