Tanzania is certainly not a cheap country to visit, but a chance to catch a glimpse of some of Africa’s truly “wild” regions shouldn’t be missed, says Matt Covarr.

African maps can be as gripping as the twist of any well-written novel. Late-night hours simply fly by as you ponder over reaching places few have heard of. It’s easy to pick out evocative ones across the continent, places that conjure up romantic images of grass plains, lakes and acacia-dotted horizons.

Look just below the equator, and you’ll find a collection of place names that would make even the most unlikely adventurer start thinking of ways to get there.

Just about all of these places fall within the borders of an African country which has become more accessible than ever to South Africans – Tanzania.

South Africans are very fortunate to be able to visit this country in their own vehicles. This freedom, although costly, will give you the ability to experience this country at your own pace, instead of being rushed around in a tour vehicle. Most other visitors will not see many areas of the country and will only visit the busiest regions of the wildlife reserves.

Serengeti to Kilimanjaro, Ngorongoro to Zanzibar, Lake Victoria to Lake Tanganyika − if you’d like romantic images of place names to come alive, get packing and head north. Tanzania has it all.

1. Before you go, read this

Besides Serengeti and Kilimanjaro, what is there to Tanzania?

The splendour.
Statistically, 25% of this country is protected area. This already sets it aside from the rest.
The sights.
It offers one of the world’s most beautiful coastlines (1 424 km of it), lakes such as Tanganyika and Rukwa, and the geological splendour of Olduvai Gorge, commonly known as “the Cradle of Mankind”.
The remoteness.
Hardly visited by anyone, many smaller reserves and national parks such as Manyara, Arusha and Mkomazi in northern Tanzania, and Ruaha, Mikumi, Katavi, Mahale Mountains and Gombe Stream national parks in the south and west, offer a unique sense of remoteness.
With over 20 national parks and game reserves dotted across the country, you’re unlikely to be disappointed.   
The people.
The people of Tanzania make this country incredibly hospitable. You’ll rarely encounter a Tanzanian raising a voice in anger. The welcoming approach from the majority of people, make for a naturally good feeling about the country.


The best time to visit?

From December to April is a good time to visit the Serengeti due to its lush appearance and the annual wildebeest migration. Temperatures at the coast are more bearable during the drier months, from April to October.
The northern safari circuit − Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater and Lake Manyara National Park − and other more popular places such as Zanzibar are busiest from May to September.


Where do I get information for planning?

Surf-Net.
The internet is a good source of information; situations and prices change frequently in Tanzania. A great site listing independent websites of overland travellers is www.africa-overland.net. Most of them visit Tanzania, and some very specific information is available. Another website, more specific to Southern Africa, is www.africaoverland.co.za.
Ask an old hand.
A good idea is to contact members of 4x4 clubs who have been to Tanzania recently.
Not the alcoholic one.
The AA is a useful source of information about vehicle paperwork required.
Step by step.
The best guide book on the country is undoubtedly the Bradt Travel Guide to Tanzania by the South African Philip Briggs. He covers just about every inch of the country and offers valid information about reaching places independently by road.
Mike Copeland’s Cape to Cairo guide offers excellent route information on the various ways of getting to Tanzania.
David Read’s Beating about the Bush and Barefoot over the Serengeti are interesting accounts of life in Tanganyika from the 1920s to after WWII.
Don’t get lost.
Michelin maps, still the best for general African routes, are available at most major South African bookstores. The National Geographic Africa Travel Atlas I’ve been using for the past two years is very accurate, showing even minor tracks.
Harms IC Verlag, a German map producer, offers an excellent Tanzania map, which is available in Arusha’s bookstores. National park maps, available in Arusha or at park entry gates, are essential for visiting these areas. Veronica Roodt’s Tourist Field Guide of the Serengeti National Park, available in Tanzania and South Africa, is the best map of the Serengeti road network with useful GPS coordinates.


How much time do I need?
A major consideration is the time it will take getting to and from South Africa. Realistically, you will need two weeks for getting to Tanzania and back.
Having come all this way justifies at least two to three weeks in Tanzania. Towns are far apart and the going can be slow, so you need enough time to get around the country.