Tanzania: meet your local travel experts!

We sat down with Simbo and Priyank, two of our Tanzania local travel experts, to share what it is about their home country that they love. Not only are they both passionate about the wildlife, heritage, and landscapes of this beautiful country, they have a wealth of knowledge about when to visit and what to see in Tanzania. Read more to discover local tips, their favourite places to visit, and why you should book a trip to Tanzania.

Introducing our local Tanzania travel experts

Why Tanzania?

Simbo: Tanzania is a very peaceful and friendly country, with happy and welcoming people. We are blessed with incredible natural resources from the mountains to the beaches. We have the iconic Mount Kilimanjaro which is a popular hiking destination with guests travelling from across the world to climb its slopes; the Serengeti National Park which is home to more than one million species of large mammals; and the Ngorongoro Crater where footsteps of 3.6 million-year-old hominids have been discovered.

Where is the best place to see wildlife?

Simbo: Everywhere in Tanzania you will see unforgettable wildlife. Southern Tanzania has some beautiful national parks particularly Ruaha National Park with its elephants. Western Tanzania is famous for chimpanzees – Jane Goodall has done a lot of great work in that part of the country to make sure we protect the wildlife. But the north is where I would recommend for first-time visitors as it is home to the astounding Serengeti National Park.

Priyank: Visit the Serengeti from late June to August to see the Great Migration, where over 1.2 million wildebeest and zebras make their way across the plains whilst the big cats prowl the area in search of prey – it’s spectacular.

What is it like to see people experience safari for the first time?

Simbo: The first time guests experience safari… oh wow, it is an unforgettable experience for them. Sometimes when guests first arrive, they spot their first animal and get so excited, and I’m like, ‘oh this is only an antelope! Wait till you see what else there is’. Then they see a lion and freak out!

What is your favourite animal to spot in the wild?

Simbo: Elephants! They’re wonderful animals. We have a saying here: ‘how impressive is the elephant’s trunk? Strong enough to break the trunk of a tree, delicate enough to pick up a needle’. Did you know they have up to 40,000 muscles just in their trunk? Incredible!

Priyank: For me it’s leopards. They are so solitary and one of the hardest animals to spot, so when you do manage to spot one it’s very exciting!

Tell us more about the hiking opportunities in Tanzania…

Simbo: Many people travel to Tanzania to climb Kilimanjaro, the tallest freestanding mountain in the world. I try to climb Kilimanjaro once a year, and I love it. Every time I climb it, it’s just beautiful. Anybody who is physically fit can climb Kilimanjaro. The seventh day is hard, you’ll have to put your positive mind to it but when you reach the summit in time to see the sunrise, you will be blown away by what you’ve achieved.

Priyank: Another amazing hike is up Mount Meru. This is the second-highest peak in Tanzania set in Arusha National Park. What makes this peak stand out is the wildlife you see whilst trekking – you’ll see giraffes, zebras and buffalos, you may even get to see elephants and leopards too!

What do you love most about Tanzania?

Simbo: Being a wildlife enthusiast, the one thing that truly makes me happy are all the conservations and wildlife management areas that have been well protected and preserved from industrialisation and concrete jungles. Tanzania is the only country with no fences across their parks and game reserves, so animals are free to migrate at their own will.

Where would you suggest for visitors who want to do something a bit different?

Priyank: For something different you can hike the Jane Goodall National Park in western Tanzania to see the chimpanzees, trek across the Ngorongoro Highlands that have breathtaking views, visit the Rhino Conservation in Mkomazi National Park, experience the whale migration at Mafia Island, or explore Stone Town to add a bit of history to your trip. Tanzania really does have an endless list of experiences to offer.

What is the one experience you would say is a must-do when visiting Tanzania?

Simbo: For me, it has to be taking a hot air balloon flight over the Serengeti. I’ve done it twice and you always wish the balloon would never land. It was one of the most incredible experiences I’ve ever had.

Priyank: Mine is to simply visit the Serengeti, it’s without a doubt the best place in Tanzania for wildlife. I lived there for seven months and I still haven’t explored it all! That’s how big it is! It’s truly breathtaking.

Make it happen

Now that you’ve read all about Tanzania, are you ready to experience it for yourself? Get in touch with our local experts to start planning your dream trip to this astounding country.