Welcome to Enchanting Journeys

Tanzania….waiting to be experienced….   

“One cannot resist the lure of Africa”  – Rudyard Kipling

Africa. There is nowhere like it on the planet for wildlife, wild lands & rich traditions that endure. How do you capture the essence of Africa on paper without using up every cliche in the book? No other continent comes close to it for scale, variety & pure, raw impact

 

Whether you are a wide-eyed first-timer or a frequent visitor, Africa cannot fail to get under your skin. The canvas upon which the continent's epic story is written is itself astonishing, & reason enough to visit. From the tropical rainforests & glorious tropical coastline of Central Africa to the rippling dunes of the Namib Desert, from the signature savannah of the Serengeti to jagged mountains, green-tinged highlands & deep-gash canyons that mark the Great Rift Valley's continental traverse – wherever you find yourself on this big, beautiful continent, Africa has few peers when it comes to natural beauty.

 

And on to Tanzania - wonderful wildlife, idyllic beaches, friendly people, fascinating cultures, Serengeti, Ngorongoro, Mt Kilimanjaro, Zanzibar Archipelago - Tanzania has all these & more wrapped up in one adventurous, welcoming package.  You just prepare to be charmed….

 

Africa’s natural history alone would make a dozen visits worthwhile - where else on earth can you fall asleep to the sound of lions roaring, or watch a million flamingos take off from the waters of a remote soda lake? Parts of Africa boast scenery so spectacular they will damn near blow your mind, but the essence of this incredible continent isn’t in any desert, mountain or lake. It is the spirit of the people – pushing, shoving, sweating, dancing, singing & laughing – that infects so many visitors with a travel bug so powerful they will never stop coming back, sometimes against all sense or reason

 

Debate with venerable merchants among the cool, narrow streets of an Arabic medina, dance to the thumping reggae beats coming from a West African market stall, or shoot the breeze with fishermen under Indian Ocean palm trees & you will be struck more than anything else by the honesty, warm-heartedness & vitality of the African people.

 

Old Africa - on this continent where human beings first came into existence, customs, traditions & ancient rites tie Africans to generations & ancestors past & to the collective memory of myriad people. In many rural areas, it can feel as though the modern world might never have happened & they are all the better for it, and old ways of doing things – with a certain grace & civility, hospitality & a community spirit – survive. There are time-honoured ceremonies, music that dates back to the days of Africa's golden empires & masks that tell stories of spirit worlds never lost.

And now, let us talk about Tanzania, home to one of the greatest shows on earth. It will be the zebra & wildebeest of the Serengeti that first capture your imagination.

 

Wildlife Bonanza | Idyllic Beaches | Mt Kilimanjaro | Captivating Cultures

 

Serengeti, Ngorongoro, Kilimanjaro, Zanzibar. The names roll off the tongue like a roster call of Africa’s most alluring destinations, all packed into one country. Resonating with hints of the wild & exotic, these 4 alone are reason enough to justify packing your bag & heading off to Tanzania. But the list isn’t finished. Bagamovo, Tabora, Ujiji - stops on the 19^th century caravan routes into the heart of what was then an unknown continent.

 

Mafia & Pangani  -  once famed ports of call for merchant ships from the Orient. Kilwa - linchpin of a far-flung Indian Ocean trading network. Kigoma, Kalema, Kipili, Kasanga - bustling outposts along the remote Lake Tanganyika shoreline. Selous - Africa’s largest protected area. Ruaha & Katavi - insider tips for serious safari-goers. Mahale & Gombe - prime destinations for seeing Chimpanzees in the wild.

 

More than almost any other destination, Tanzania is the land of safaris. Wildebeest stampede across the plains. Hippos jostle for space in muddy waterways. Elephants wander along seasonal migration routes & chimpanzees swing through the treetops. Throughout the country there are unparalleled opportunities to experience this natural wealth: take a boat safari down the Rufiji River past snoozing crocodiles in Selous Game Reserve; watch Giraffes silhouetted against ancient baobab trees in Ruaha National Park; sit motionless as waterbirds peck in the shallows around Rubondo Island & hold your breath while lions pad around your vehicle in Ngorongoro Crater.

 

Tanzania’s Indian Ocean coastline is magical, with tranquil islands and sleepy coastal villages steeped in centuries of Swahili culture. Travel back in time to the days when the East African coast was the seat of Sultans & a linchpin in a far-flung trading network extending to Persia, India & beyond. Relax on powdery beaches backed by palm trees & massive baobabs; take in magnificent, pastel-hued sunrises; immerse yourself in languid coastal rhythms; & sit beneath the billowing sails of a wooden dhow, listening to the creaking of its rigging & the gentle slap of the sea against its prow.

 

Within the space of several hours, it is possible to go from lazing on idyllic beaches to exploring moss-covered ruins of ancient Swahili city-states; from climbing mist-covered slopes in the Southern Highlands to trekking through the barren landscapes around Ol Doinyo Lengai, guided by a spear-carrying Maasai warrior. Yet, despite its attractions, Tanzania has managed for the most part to remain unassuming & low-key. It has also remained enviably untouched by the tribal rivalries & political upheavals that plague many of its neighbours & this - combined with a booming tourism industry - makes it an ideal choice for both first-time visitors & old hands.

 

Unmissable though the Migration is, there is so much more to Tanzania. From coastline to culture, the sheer scope and variety is the reason we like it so much.

 

Throughout, Tanzania offers travellers an array of options, set against the backdrop of a cultural mosaic in which over 100 ethnic groups amicably rub shoulders. Wherever you go in Tanzania, opportunities abound for getting to know the country's people & cultures. Meet red-cloaked Maasai warriors, spend time with semi-nomadic Barabaig near Mt Hanang. Experience the hospitality of a local meal & the rhythms of traditional dance. Chat & barter at local markets.

 

While most visitors head straight for the famed northern wildlife-watching circuit, followed by time relaxing on Zanzibar’s beaches, Tanzania has much more to offer anyone with the time & inclination to head off the beaten path. Follow the coastline south into a Swahili culture whose rhythms have remained in many ways unchanged over the centuries.

 

Admire ancient rock paintings around Kolo village. Explore the Lake Victoria shoreline, with its small fishing villages & tranquil islands. Experience the seldom-visited wilderness of Katavi, teeming with buffaloes and hippos.

 

Those seeking creature comforts, stick to the northern safari circuit & Zanzibar, where there are sealed main roads and many hotels & restaurants. Elsewhere, especially in the south & west, you’ll soon find yourself well off the beaten path, surrounded by a Tanzania that is far removed from Western development.

 

More than anything else, it is the Tanzanian people – with their characteristic warmth & politeness and the dignity & beauty of their cultures – that make visiting here so memorable. Wherever you go, take advantage of opportunities to get to know Tanzanians. Chances are that you will want to come back for more, to which most Tanzanians will say ‘karibu tena’ (welcome again).

 

In Tanzania, adventure is what happens on the way to having an adventure & that is just the beginning......now is a great time to visit, so get your spirit in gear & prepare for an unforgettable adventure. Yep! Tanzania is waiting & The Journeys is ready to take you on well, a journey (or journeys) of discovery.

 

 Come…be inspired & discover the World with us

We are in the process of updating our Offerings of experiential journeys to Tanzania. Please contact us in the interim if you want to explore more options & we will be happy to customise & offer suggestions based on your personal preferences…