Home to both the exotically named offshore island archipelago of Zanzibar and the wildlife haven of the Serengeti desert, Tanzania certainly has something for everyone. The east African nation has long been a desirable holiday hotspot but its natural landscapes still remain relatively untouched by human development. From diving in the clear blue waters on the Swahilli coast to trekking through the Ngorongoro Highlands, this land is the perfect place for any seasoned adventurer to visit. It is unlikely that a holiday of any length of time will allow travellers to enjoy all of the spectacular attractions on offer but a good place to start is on safari. Families in particular are likely to enjoy this journey of a lifetime through the African bush to come face to face with Tanzania's rich and diverse range of wild animals.
The Serengeti national park remains the best-known safari destination in the world and certainly lives up to its title. It is Tanzania's biggest game reserve and it is therefore easy to avoid the tourist traps and truly feel at one with nature. Covering a massive 15,000 sq km, the Serengeti national park is home to one of the largest varieties of wild animals in the world. The area renowned for its massive herds of wildebeest, which migrate annually from the wet grassland to the dryer woodland areas. Millions of these impressive animals move throughout the year with the migration marking one of the most awe-inspiring events of the natural world.
Tanzania is also home to the world's tallest free-standing mountain – Kilimanjaro – which rises 4,600 meters tall in the north-eastern corner of the country. The view from the top is spectacular with adventurers being able to witness the beauty of the expansive surrounding plains. Most travellers looking to reach the peak opt to take the Machame route – a trek which typically takes seven days.
Its beauty, however, is fast diminishing with conservationists warning that glaciers on the top of Kilimanjaro and other African peaks are melting away at an alarming rate. Just this week Marc Languy, head of the World Wildlife Federation's Great Lakes region project, expressed his concerns about the fate of Africa's glaciers. He said that although it was having an effect on humans, "the impact is more severe on wildlife and the vegetation that can not adapt to the new condition fast enough". Kilimanjaro's glaciers and surrounding areas are home numerous birds including alpine swifts and augur buzzards as well as other animals such as grey and red duikers, elands and bushbucks.
It is not just the wildlife and landscape which makes Tanzania such a magnificent holiday destination. The country is oozing with culture with more than 100 languages spoken there. Despite its population being made up of over 120 different ethnic groups, the Tanzanians pride themselves on their cohesion and tolerance of others.
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