Zanzibar often takes the limelight for its beautiful beach retreats on the Indian Ocean; however there are some real hidden gems on the mainland coast of Tanzania and also the adjacent islands of Pemba and Mafia. Zanzibar's beautiful beaches really attract the crowds but the mainland coast offers a much quieter and more remote setting.

BEACHES & ISLANDS

Zanzibar, Pemba, Mafia, Indian Ocean Coast

The mainland Tanzanian coast has a few spots that are well worth visiting, the beaches south from Tanga offer soft white sands and some good dive and snorkel locations. A 15-minute flight south of Dar es Salaam is one of the best beach hideaways in Tanzania and one of our absolute top favourite properties, Ras Kutani. This is barefoot luxury at its very best, a beautiful spot to really relax and recharge.
 
The islands of Pemba and Mafia just off the coast of Tanzania are less well-known than Zanzibar but offer some fantastic unspoilt reefs for diving and snorkelling - although their beaches are arguably not as good as Zanzibar's.  Much more remote and less visited than Zanzibar, these are real tropical islands with thick undergrowth and great reefs and sand spits making these islands ideal for diving and snorkelling away from the crowds.
 
Beyond the main island of Zanzibar main island, Pemba Island is just a 30-minute flight north, and Mafia Island is 45 minutes south.  Both primarily diving locations, their beaches do not compare to Zanzibar's, but these are fine options for keen divers who wish to avoid the crowds and enjoy thriving coral reefs.

One particular gem deserves a mention here: just 15 minutes south of Dar, Ras Kutani never fails to impress.  With just 15 rooms including 4 beautiful suites, Ras Kutani sits on a beautiful beach, with an idyllic beach-shack-chic vibe. Anywhere similar on Zanzibar would cost at least twice as much!   This is a wonderful place to kick back and relax for a few days at the start or end of your Tanzania holiday, and is completely perfect for Tanzania honeymoons.  Not ideal however for those who like to be on the go with activities from dawn till dusk...

Also Fanjove is the new star - a private island for the cost of a normal Zanzibar lodge.

Most of the Big Game Safaris in Tanzania is done these way as it give you good idea of how the different areas relate to each other - the rift valley, the highlands, the plain and many more. We either use Landcruiser, Landrovers and minibuses for our safaris and you have your private vehicle and guide, which means that you really can conduct the safari at your own pace.

You also have plenty of space for camera equipment; binoculars etc and the vehicles provide a superb vantage point for watching most game, photography opportunities are excellent and the whole safari can be conducted in comfort. Generally these safaris are combined with others activities depend on the destination and places.

In Tanzania, besides it’s spectacular wildlife and beautiful landscapes, another attraction stands equally tall: the people and their culture. Tanzania's people are among the most welcoming and approachable on Africa, with a range of fascinating cultures ready to be shared with visitors. One gets to learn about traditional life styles, sample their food and listen to local traditional stories.

Cultural Tours: In Tanzania, besides it’s spectacular wildlife and beautiful landscapes, another attraction stands equally tall: the people and their culture. Tanzania’s people are among the most welcoming and approachable on Africa, with a range of fascinating cultures ready to be shared with visitors. One gets to learn about traditional life styles, sample their food and listen to local traditional stories.

Tanzania is home to 120 different tribes, each with their own language! The Sukuma, Haya, Chagga, Nyamwezi, Hehe, Gogo and Makonde are the most significant in terms of population, although the Masai are the most famous, springing to mind for most visitors to Tanzania.

These exciting walking safaris cover a variety of terrain including the river & lakes, riverine forest, miombo woodland, seasonal sand rivers, hot springs and open plains. Walking safaris is conducted in Several areas in Tanzania including Ngorongoro, Selous, Zanzibar, Gombe, Ruaha, Mahale, Udzungwa, Usambara and Pare Mountains

Walking Safaris: These exciting walking safaris cover a variety of terrain including the river & lakes, riverine forest, miombo woodland, seasonal sand rivers, hot springs and open plains. Walking safaris is conducted in Several areas in Tanzania including Ngorongoro, Selous, Zanzibar, Gombe, Ruaha, Mahale, Udzungwa, Usambara and Pare Mountains all offer great opportunities to experience the environment on foot. Safari lodges and tented camps will usually organize ‘introductory’ walking safaris which usually last 2-3 hours and are best taken early morning or late afternoon to avoid the heat of the day.

Camel Safaris: An amazing and unique way of exploring the bush and villages.

Without a doubt, Tanzania’s best-known mountain and also the highest mountain in Africa is Mt Kilimanjaro with its peak at 5,895 m. There are six official climbing routes to the top and trekking durations vary from five to ten days. We specialise in four of the six routes: Marangu, Machame, Lemosho and Rongai.

Less known but just as attractive as Mt Kilimanjaro is its “smaller brother” Mt Meru which is located in the Arusha National Park. Mt Meru’s peak rises to a height of 4,566 m and is only 80 km away from Mt Kilimanjaro. The mountain slopes offer natural shelter to numerous animal species such as elephants, buffaloes, giraffes, baboons, colobus monkeys and antelopes, making your trek an adventurous one.

Other mountains in northern Tanzania are Mt Lomalasin (3,648 m), Mt Hanang (3,417 m), Ol Doinyo Lengai (2,878 m) and Mt Longido (2,637 m).

Even hikers without summit ambitions will love Tanzania. On a three to five day trek through the Ngorongoro Conservation Area to Lake Natron, you will experience the Masai culture and their way of life. In the western Usambara Mountains, you can visit breath-taking lookout points and do multi-day hikes. In southern Tanzania, you can go hiking through untouched nature with endemic flora and fauna in the Uluguru Mountains and the Udzungwa Mountains National Park.