Tanzania is known for its luxurious safaris and the great migration of over two million wildebeest and zebras. There are two circuits, the north and the south, with Serengeti on the border of Kenya quite possibly the most famous.

Tanzania uses the shilling (TSH), with cash required at many restaurants and shops. Payment for visas, national park access and hotels, however, is mostly in US dollars and can be made by credit card.

Tanzania’s weather varies with the setting – tropical in the lowlands and colder in the highlands, with temperatures dropping to 10°C at night.

Most visitors will fly into Julius Nyerere International Airport in Dar es Salaam with flights from all over Africa as well as Europe, the Middle and Asia. There are also some flights into Kilimanjaro International Airport in the north, although you may find it easier to fly into Nairobi, Kenya, and drive over the border.

The Serengeti is a must, home to the great migration. At the beginning of the year, the herds can be found in the southern plains calving, in April they start their journey north, crossing over into Kenya in July then moving south again in November.

Tanzania is in fact home to more than safaris. Many visit to climb Mt. Kilimanjaro, hike around the Ngorongoro crater, and relax on islands just off the coast like Zanzibar, which not only has incredible beaches, but also a rich history to explore: the capital, Stone Town, is a UNESCO World Heritage site, with iconic architecture including the Omani fort and Persian baths testament to its importance as a centre of trade.

Tanzanian food ranges with its landscape. In the interior, grains, grilled meats and okra are considered staples, while along the coast, seafood is generously drizzled with spices, influenced by the visits of Arab and Indian traders. A perfect example of Tanzania’s fusion cuisine is kuku paka, chargrilled chicken cooked in a creamy coconut curry. Popular street foods include grilled goat skewers, fried plantains and mandazi doughnuts.

Tanzanian celebrations range from the traditional to the modern. The Nguvumali Festival in the Kilimanjaro region, for example, showcases tribal Chagga music and dance, while Sauti za Busara in Zanzibar gathers musicians of all genres from around Africa for three days of non-stop concerts.

Minor Hotels’ Elewana has a range of luxury accommodations in Tanzania, including tented camps in the Serengeti, treehouses in Tarangire, estates in Ngorongoro and Arusha, and beach villas on Zanzibar.