A quick guide to Tanzania: If you are thinking of travelling to Tanzania, you are no doubt considering climbing Kilimanjaro or visiting the Serengeti for a spot of wildlife watching. Tanzania is one of Africa’s great gems, and for a traveller, there are so many wonderful natural phenomenon you won’t be disappointed. Climbing Kilimanjaro is one of the toughest challenges out there. If you are planning to climb as I did, little can prepare you for the feeling of sleeping at altitude. Just make sure you are fit and come with a good, relaxed attitude!
The Serengeti and Ngorugoru crater are fantastic places to go on safari and experience lions, leopards, zebra, elephants, giraffe, wilderbeast, hyenas and many more animals roaming freely in their natural habitat. The Ngorugoru crater is a huge plain formed from a collapsed volcano and is full of migrating animals, grazing in the numerous lakes and rivers. This is the place to see the extremely rare rhino and numerous lions and their cubs. We camped out in the national park itself which is the best way to experience the plains. At night, the camp comes alive with the noises of hyenas laughing and lions hunting.
Moshi and Arusha are the two towns at the foot of Kilimanjaro. Moshi has a more laid back feel and is where I stayed during my visit. There are some lovely guest houses and restaurants – but do be aware – this is one of the world’s poorest countries. Food, infrastructure and even the availablity of electricity are not up to western standards. Take care whilst walking at night as there are many large open trenches at the sides of the roads and no street lighting. Finally – we drank the illegal moonshine ‘Banana Gin’ cooked in a huge pot in a village. It’s leathal. Gets you shit bagged – and can kill you. Goood fun though 