The capital city of Dar Es Salaam enjoys a beautiful harbor location, along the Indian Ocean. Successively ruled by Zanzibar, Germany, and Britain, the city's architecture reflects these distinct influences. The excellent Makumbusho Village Museum gives an overview of the traditional dwelling styles of Tanzania, as well as the chance to see artists & craftspeople at work. This is a good place to purchase and commission traditional arts. The National Museum has an interesting collection of historical & archaeological items, and photographs which document the early history of the country.

Most visitors to Tanzania will want to explore its breathtaking National Parks and Conservation Areas. The Northern Circuit includes the best known national parks in the country. The World Heritage Site of the Ngorongoro Crater is a miraculous place. The crater's statistics defy the imagination: over 2.5 million years old, it is estimated that over 30,000 animals live in the crater. Within the crater is the Olduvai Gorge, seen as the "cradle of mankind". Here, many digs by the Leakey family have uncovered some of the world's oldest human remains, some of which are over 3 million years old. The best time to visit the crater is from December-February, & June-- July.

Serengeti National Park is the most famous of Tanzanian parks, and is particularly famed for the annual migration. Each year, from June-- October, hundreds of thousands of animals, particularly wildebeest, journey north to the Maasai Mara, on the Kenya-Tanzania border. The Serengeti's varied landscape makes it a superb destination for safari, as a wealth of animals and birds thrive in its diverse habitats. Here, the rainy season is from November to May. Set in the Great Rift Valley, Lake Manyara is famed for its tree-climbing lions, and overwhelming variety of birds, both resident and migratory. The surrounding area hosts many diverse habitats, including grasslands, forests, and swamps. At some times of year, the lake is home to many flamingoes. The best time to visit is generally from December-- February, & May-- July. Kilimanjaro National Park attracts adventurers of all ages, eager to climb the highest mountain in Africa. The mountain is at its best in Jan-- Feb, & Sept-- Oct, when there is no cloud surrounding its 5,895 peak. Arusha National Park boasts a variety of ecosystems, & associated flora & fauna. Within the park are Ngurdoto Crater and the Momella Lakes. Arusha is said to have the highest density of giraffes in the world, as well as many elephants, hippos, monkeys, and more. The area around Ngurdoto crater is known as the "conisseur's park", while the shallow alkaline Momella Lakes attract a wide range of bird life. From October-- April, many migrating waterfowl escape the European winter and base themselves here. The park is also the site of Mount Meru-- the 2nd highest mountain in Tanzania, and 5th highest in Africa, at 4,565 meters. The best time to visit Arusha is from October-- February. Tangarire National Park is a "dry season retreat" for many animals in southern Masailand, and is known for its tremendous herds of elephants, as well as grazing animals and a vast range of birds. From July to November, hordes of animals are drawn to the Tangarire River, seeking its waters during this dry season.

Tanzania's Central and Southern Parks are known for their wild, remote solitude. Ruaha National Park & Rungwa Game Reserve is a pristine slice of archetypal untouched Africa, with the lowest number of annual visitors. A wide variety of wildlife are found here, including elephant, ostrich, kudu, gazelle, crocodile, hippo, crocodile, and over 400 species of birds. The best time to visit is during the dry season, from July to November, when the animals congregate around the water holes. The Selous Game Reserve is the largest park in Africa, almost twice the size of Denmark. However, visitors are confined to the northern part of park. The park is at its best from July to October, after the rains. Selous is best known for its elephants. The Great Rufi River runs through the park: it, and the associated water system, has the largest catchment area of any water system in Africa. Gombe National Park achieved worldwide recognition from the work of Jane Goodall, upon the chimpanzees who live here. There are approximately 200 chimps who live in three distinct and separate family groups. While conditions are basic, the park is in a superb area, on the eastern shores of Lake Tanganyika, amidst the Mahale Mountains.

Tanzania's coast and islands are a seductive blend of white sand beaches, thriving coral reefs, and historical riches. No trip is complete without a visit to Zanzibar. Once the home of the slave trade, and a key trading post for spices & cloves, this Indian Ocean island has hosted European, Greek, Persian & Chinese traders. This diverse cultural legacy is still seen in Zanzibar's architecture, people & culture. The earliest building, the mosque at Kazimkazi, dates back to 1100. Zanzibar's Stone Town is a World Heritage Site, whose fort, museums, temples, and markets take a minimum of a solid day to explore. This is an excellent place to shop for souvenirs: batiks, carvings, brass & copper coffee pots, jewelry, and more. Other nearby islands include Changgu, or "Prison" Island, and Chumbe Island-- a superb marine sanctuary, whose wonderful reef, with coral gardens, can be viewed from glass-bottomed boats. 40 km north of Zanzibar, Pemba Island is surrounded by fine beaches, mangrove forests and smaller islands. During September and March the visibility around the island is said to extend to 150 feet deep. Pemba is rich with historical sites, Arab architecture, and charming Swahili villages. Pemba has very different topography than Zanzibar-- its higher rainfall ensures more vegetation. The hottest period is just after the short rains, from Dec-- Feb. Feb is particularly hot & humid. The best time to visit is from June-- October.

Coastal towns worth exploring include Bagamoyo - opposite Zanzibar, and one of the most fascinating towns in East Africa, with many historical associations. This port was a center for caravans of slave traders who would head into the interior. Kaole Ruins are 5 km south of Bagamoyo: mosques, tombs, and 14th century Chinese bowls have been found here.