“Last August, I spent two weeks in Africa with six of my best mates. I was at this point in my life when I didn't want to go chill on another beach or sit at a hotel or even party; I wanted to be out learning things and experiencing cultures. Africa had been on my mind—and I'd been to South Africa before—so we made our way across Namibia, Tanzania, Kenya, and Rwanda. In Serengeti National Park, in Tanzania, we missed the Great Migration but saw plenty of hippos and elephants. In Kenya, we visited the Reteti Elephant Sanctuary—a community-owned organization that takes in orphaned animals—where we got to feed baby giraffes. Another day, we flew to Mount Kenya in a helicopter. About three quarters of the way up, we hovered over one of its many beautiful volcanic lakes, and I jumped right in...like, straight out of the chopper and into the lake. It was absolutely freezing. One of the most rewarding parts of the trip was trekking through Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda, where we hiked for two days through the jungle to spot gorillas. Along the way, we stumbled across these remote villages, meeting people who told us stories of their lives and kids who welcomed us with smiles and music. It was surreal to realize that my ancestors came from a place like this. But nothing prepared me for the moment when we finally saw the gorillas. We came across this flat piece of land, and suddenly there they were: a group of about 10 mountain gorillas within a meter of us. It was mind-blowing. Seeing them there, so relaxed in their natural habitat, was incredibly moving. I remember thinking, This is where they should be, in their homes—free.”
4 of the best road trips in Tanzania
26.11.2023 - 09:51 / lonelyplanet.com / Lake Victoria
With wild safari experiences, grasslands, rainforests, woodlands and savannah plains in abundance, Tanzania has a lot of different landscapes to explore. And perhaps the best way to get around is by car.
Driving around this expansive country, you’ll encounter not just natural beauty but human diversity, too. Hundreds of ethnic groups call this East African country home, from the Sandawe in northern Tanzania, the Hehe in the Southern Highlands, the Chagga people who live on Mt Kilimanjaro’s slopes and the Zanaki close to Lake Victoria – and they all love welcoming visitors from afar.
Be warned that journeys by road in Tanzania can be lengthy and arduous, with stretches on paved roads in better-traveled areas followed by hours on dirt roads – but by taking your time, you’ll get more out of your journey. A slow, long drive is just the way to take in the vast range of history, culture and wild allure Tanzania offers. Here are the best road-trip routes.
Best route for a classic safari
Arusha to Serengeti National Park; distance 306km (190 miles)
Arusha town – the starting point for some of Africa’s most memorable safaris – is where the best road trips in Tanzania begin. This itinerary takes you to Serengeti National Park, so you’ll need a 4WD vehicle that can handle off-road detours; such sturdy rides are easily available from various car-rental outfits in town. The road from Arusha to Tarangire National Park is smooth asphalt, but once you’re in the park be prepared to deal with unpaved roads that are often bumpy and spew dust everywhere.
On the way to Lake Manyara National Park, Mto wa Mbu is one of the first stops. This fun tropical town is a great place to meet local people and fellow travelers, buy souvenirs and fill up on snacks. It is a famously convivial place, reputed to be the only place in Tanzania where all 120 of the country’s ethnic groups live harmoniously together.
One of the last hunter-gatherer peoples in the world, the Hadza or Hadzabe live in the Lake Eyasi region. As the day dawns in this part of the world, Hadzabe men make their way through thick bush to gather honey or hunt game – an experience in which visitors can participate by asking around in town. Make time to spend a few days at Ngorongoro Conservation Area, a UNESCO World Heritage site, on your way Serengeti National Park. At 264 sq km (102 sq miles), the world-famous Ngorongoro Crater is the world’s largest caldera, with an astonishing concentration of wildlife in the valley below.
Best road trip for unexpected landscapes
Dar es Salaam to Nyerere National Park; 256km (160 miles)
The country’s biggest city, Dar es Salaam offers a lively and quick introduction to Tanzanian life. There are ample car-rental agencies in town that
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