From Safari To City Life : You may have heard of the name “Tanzania” in the news, documentaries and from stories narrated from individuals who have recently visited this state-of-the-art country. If you want to experience an unforgettable experience of safari and spending life in world-class hotels and lodges while sunbathing in the stunning white sandy beaches, Tanzania is that wonderful destination for you. It hosts the spectacular and superb wild reserves especially national parks, game reserves, controlled areas and conservation areas. Spending your precious holiday exploring Tanzanian parks is a once-in-a-lifetime experience for every safari-goer. Walking through such untouched lands enriched with virgin Mother Nature is unforgettable and memorable experience worth storytelling and writing about.
What to expect from Tanzania safari?
A Tanzania safari trip will make you explore every adventure of their choice. Whether you are safari lover, mountain climber, swimmer, snorkeler, hiker, birder or culture explorer, you will be impressed by what Tanzanian parks have to give to you. Tanzania is home to about 17 national parks including to the spectacular Serengeti National Park, the mighty Kilimanjaro National Park and splendid Arusha National Park among others. Every park in Tanzania has its unique feature or attractive such that visitors cannot generalize the beauty they found in one park as similar to other parks. You will be interested in visiting them one after another. Let’s explore one park after another so you can choose best destinations for you.
If you are tired of exploring the wilderness of Tanzania and you want to combine this experience with city life here are some tips and recommended beautiful cities for you;
Dar es Salaam; Located in the eastern coast of the Indian Ocean, Dar es Salaam is a dazzling city for adventures, business and recreational activities. It is easily accessed by air from any airport in Tanzania to its high-class airport, Julius Nyerere International Airport (DAR). This airport also receives huge number of international flights from most parts of the world. It can also be accessed on road (on a public or private transport) from any region in Tanzania and through ferry when you coming from Zanzibar and Mafia.
Dar es Salaam is gorgeous and it is decorated with spectacular buildings and concerts halls like the Mlimani City where different entertainment events are done. There are also dazzling sandy beaches where you can chill in the morning and evening.
Different sports are also conducted in this busy city. They include football (men & women), basketball, jogging and boxing among others. If you are lucky, you can book a ticket for watching the famous derby in the eastern and central part of Africa, yes the Kariakoo Derby. This sensational derby features two giant clubs of Tanzania, Simba and Yanga. The derby carries the feelings and aspirations of Dar es Salaam residents as well as other football fans in Africa. The Benjamin Mkapa Stadium hosts this magnificent match.
Dar es Salaam is also home to splendid wildlife sanctuaries including Saadani National Park where the wild kiss the ocean. Sensational events can be conducted in this unappalled park including game viewing, visiting the sea turtle breeding sites, canoeing in the Wami river and camping in private and public campsites.
From Safari To City Life : Arusha City; This one is situated in the northern part of Tanzania. it is the most spectacular city endowed with the views of the marvelous Mount Kilimanjaro and Mount Meru. You can combine your stay at this city with a day trip to the Arusha National Park. Arusha National Park is an off-the-beaten-path safari destination for wildlife viewing and climbing. It is usually called as safari capital because most of safaris are usually conducted in Arusha. It is home to leopards, hyenas, monkeys, buffaloes, giraffes and exotic birds such as flamingos, hornbills, egrets, pelicans, woodpeckers, storks, crowned eagles, guinea fowl and geese.
From Safari To City Life : Dodoma City; This is the Capital City of Tanzania. With the government shifting into it, Dodoma has been very attractive to visitors. Attractive public buildings can be spotted in this City including the Parliament Building where visitors can request for paying a visit into the Parliament. Another stunning building is the pink colored Gaddafi mosque which can hold up to 4500 worshippers. Other spectacular buildings in Dodoma city include Nyerere Square, Anglican Church, Jamatkhana (Ismaili) Mosque and Museum of Geosciences.
Dodoma is home to vibrant communities, yes the Wagogo a tribe famously known for its cultivation of “zabibu”. Kondoa Irangi rock paintings is another state-of-art place worth a visit. These rock paintings dates back to over 50,000 years ago marking a significant historical event.
From Safari To City Life : Mwanza City; Situated on the world’s largest tropical lake, Lake Victoria, Mwanza is the second largest city in Tanzania after Dar es Salaam. Tanzanians usually refer it to as “Jiji la Miamba” which means “The City of Rocks” because it surrounded by stunning rocks and hills. The inhabitants of this magical city are the Sukuma people, a charming society with a unique distinguishable culture. They cook sweet cuisines of “ugali samaki”, a dish of ugali supplemented with fish.
The most fishes used as supplements are netted from freshwater of the magnificent Lake Victoria which feeds nearly the entire country with “Sato” and “Sangala”, Swahili words for Tilapia fish.
It is in Mwanza where you can go for a chill on white sand, clean freshwater beach, swim and fish for funny. This giant lake is also home to animals like hippos, mongooses, rats, otters, waterbucks, shrews and reedbucks. Mwanza hosts two islands recognized as national parks which are Rubondo Island and Saanane Island. On your stay in Mwanza, you can pay a visit to these two splendid parks where you can witness superb wild animals, birds and chimpanzees.
While in the Mwanza city, you can take time to visit other wonderful places and buildings like Rock City Mall, Bujora Cultural Centre, Mwaloni market or Maasai market and Robert Koch Hill.
From Safari To City Life : Zanzibar City; Zanzibar is an idyllic spice island located in the Indian Ocean. It is home to the one of the World Heritage Site, yes the Stone Town. This historical town has mixed architectural designs of the ancient Persian, Portuguese, Swahili and Arabian designs.
Zanzibar is famously known for its beautiful sandy beaches where you can sun bathe yourself while enjoying scenic views of blue oceanic water. Some marine parks are also available for you to interact with sea turtles not to mention the Jozani Forest, an off-the-beaten-track destination for wildlife viewers.
The Zanzibarians are welcoming people with their cultural practices resembling to the Middle and Far East. Most of them are Muslims and are very happy to welcome their visitors to serve their “futari” dish which is always cooked during their “Mwezi Mtukufu” (Holy Month).
In the streets of the Stone Town, are other dazzling spots to go including Old Fort, a stunning old monument built by the Omani Arabs on their rivalry against Portuguese. Forodhani Market is another spot where you can enjoy Forodhani Night Food with sweet dishes like Nyama Choma (grilled meat), Zanzibar pizza and Chipsi Mayai (chips and eggs).
From Safari To City Life : Kigoma; Amateur safari-goers know this town for being home to Lake Tanganyika, Mahale Mountains National Park and Gombe Stream National Park. It has an amazing architecture worth watching. Tanzanians usually called it as “Mwisho wa Reli” a Swahili phrase for ‘’End of Rail” and t is inhabited by the Waha people. Waha consume ugali and cassava and they always like to supplement their ugali with “migebuka” (stunning rainbow cichlid fish).
Moshi; Moshi is located in the northern part of Tanzania. Moshi is merely a splendid destination for safari and city life as it hosts the majestic Mount Kilimanjaro and other thrilling attractions. In Moshi which is indeed one of the district of Kilimanjaro region, you can enjoy doing activities like biking, horse riding, camping is world-class tented camps and trekking the great Kilimanjaro. You can also pay a visit to other glorious attractions like Lake Chale, Kikuletwa hot springs and Materuni waterfalls.
Bagamoyo; This is one of the ancient trade centers where slaves, ivories and other commodities were traded between Arab traders, Europeans and local leaders (Mwinyi). It is home to the UNSECO’s World Heritage Centre and it is 70 kilometers south of Dar es Salaam.
The hard thing is putting the magical views of Tanzanian cities and towns in words. Words and views are incomparable, so if you want to experience a real thing about these cities and towns, consider planning a Tanzania safari trip.
