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Tanzania may appear to be a place that is not talked about that often and you may even struggle to be able to point it out on a map of Africa. Famous film maker Marlin Darrah has recently created a program where he explores the magnificent country of Tanzania – which is quickly becoming a very popular place within Africa.

Tanzania really does have it all. It is known to be the place to go for a Safari holiday but also there is a lot more to it than just a Safari (although you cannot really say “just a Safari” as they are once in a lifetime experiences). Tanzania has some beautiful unspoilt beaches and also home to the snow-capped mountain, Kilimanjaro.

The Tanzania culture is something that should be explored by all. You will be hard pushed to find a friendlier bunch of people that are so warm and welcoming and will happily accept you in to their community.

Whilst on an African Safari holiday you can be almost certain that you will see some breath taking sites, and one animal not to miss is the Hippopotamus. These creatures may just look large and clumsy, but behind all that there is some amazing facts that really will open you mind.

In the wild, Hippo’s tend to live until they are approximately 50 years old. After the elephant and the Rhino, the Hippo is the third-largest living land mammal and its hide can weight over half a ton alone. It doesn’t have sweat glands but does have unique glands that produce a thick red fluid, which is often why you will hear people say that Hippos sweat blood. Because of this inability to sweat such as a human would, they rely on water or mud to keep cool. This is why you will often see them bathing whilst on your African Safari holiday.

Group safaris can actually be rather cheap and the price difference between a private safari and a group safari is quite extraordinary. Our post explains what you pay for on a luxury safari but then again, not everybody wants privacy.

You explorers may want to meet different people, perhaps make friends and share an experience with a collective group. Gap year travellers or just young students spending a holiday away with friends may decide to go on a group safari adventure, and you may end up meeting some of the most fascinating people.

To some, a private safari is… boring. Some people may wonder why people would want to pay more to stay hidden away on your own with the people you see every day (your family). Meeting new people can make you holiday more exciting, and you could end up with a friend for life.

There are many different types of safari packages, and one single safari provider could offer budget, first-class, deluxe and luxury holidays. Privacy is something you don’t get on most holidays, and by paying more you definitely get more peaceful surroundings, meaning your family are not hassled by other holiday makers.

You also get a personal service. Some people will be enjoying buffet meals, but you can have a much more personal service on a luxury safari. People will bring the food too you, perhaps have a restaurant set up just for you and your family and again it’s that element of privacy.

You also get the best tour guides. You won’t have to worry about your safety when you’re on a luxury safari and the guides are likely to be the best in the business.

Of course facilities like gyms, spa treatments, and private pools are also usually included, while some locations will even have butlers at your disposal.

One of the most watched videos of all time, Battle at Kruger is currently sitting on over 74 million views on Youtube. The video shows an unbelievable scene of a rare natural conflict between typical safari wildlife, lions, crocodiles and buffalo. The video has captured what any safari holiday goers can only hope to witness when they go, but when you do see it, it is something you will never forget. Videos such as this have provided a more raw side to footage. Combine it with footage obtained through the documentaries like Africa and safaris have never been more appealing. Safaris as a holiday destination are continuing to rise. If you are not sure if a safari is the right thing for you, check out some clips and see if you think it is worth seeing for yourself. You never know how many chances you have left to see the world. So why wait?

Different Kinds of African Holidays

Africa is an enormous continent, filled with different kinds of landscapes and many, many opportunities; African safari holidays aren’t your only option. Below are brief outlines of just a few of the other kinds of holidays you can enjoy on this magnificent continent.

Beach Getaways

Africa’s coastline is some of the most beautiful in the world. Countries such as Mozambique and islands like Zanzibar are fringed by some idyllic beaches. You’ll find shimmering turquoise seas and powder soft, pale sands – perfect for relaxing on, cocktail in hand. Many beach hideaways also offer an array of water sports including snorkelling, diving, kayaking, dhow cruising and fishing.

Cosmopolitan City Breaks

South Africa’s Cape Town is one of the world’s most fascinating cities, combining beautiful coastal scenery, cosmopolitan shops and dining, sandy beaches and the mighty Table Mountain. There’s a lot to do here and, despite it being a cliché, there really is something for everyone. Dine in some of South Africa’s finest restaurants, visit Robben Island, go whale watching, relax on the beach, hike Table Mountain – there are so many options to fill your days in Cape Town.

Desert Adventures

With some simply spectacular landscapes, Namibia is an excellent choice for a desert based holiday. Namibia’s landscape is incredibly unusual, people often return saying they felt like they were on another planet entirely! With towering red sand dunes, vast salt pans, enormous mountains, deep gorges and petrified forests, this is a place of fascinating landscapes. Visitors can also meet families of the fascinating Himba tribe, who will show you their traditions, customs and how they survive in this harsh landscape.

Trekking Primates

Coming face to face with one of our closest relatives, the gorilla, is a truly unforgettable experience. In Africa, you can see mountain gorilla in Rwanda or Uganda and western lowland gorilla deep in the rainforests of Congo. Families of chimpanzee live in the rainforests of the Mahale Mountains National Park in Tanzania.

When packing for a safari holiday in Africa, what should you take with you? This question comes up time and time again. This very much depends on what season you decided to go in. Africa can be an extremely hot country but can also have a lot of rain and wet conditions. The trick is to pack layers so you are covered for every eventuality on your African holiday.

Most tour operators will advise you of what the normal weather conditions for that time of year will be and often many of them also have a website or a fact sheet of what types of clothing you will require on a safari holiday. If in doubt do your research and also look at other people’s comments, there are many of them out there.

Be sure to pack suns cream, sun hat and sunglasses to protect you from the harsh African sun whilst on your safari trip.

Coral reefs all across the world are under threat from acidification, overfishing and pollution. At least 60% of the worlds coral reefs are in threat of being no more. South Africa is unique in the sense that 100% of South Africa’s coral reefs are in a Marine Protected Area. This is a fantastic achievement as many of other counties only manage to protect a small amount of their corals. The South African coastline runs for over 2,500kms, which 150km is coral reef. These reefs are found mainly along the northern KwaZulu Natal coast between Cape Vidal and Mozambique.

Many keen divers book a holiday and headto the sub-tropical waters of KwaZulu Natal for one of the best diving holidays in South Africa. The unspoiled reefs off Maputaland, offer an exclusive diving experience in a real wilderness setting and a mystifying range of amazing reef fish as well as turtles, manta ray, dolphins and sharks.

Wildlife holidays offer that once in a lifetime experience for many and will not only amaze but allow you to see animals in their natural environment. When choosing where to go for a wildlife holiday Africa is a popular choice. From Elephants to Tigers and Gorillas to Crocodiles, Africa has it all.

Many tour operators now offer all inclusive holidays to include accommodation, food, drink and a wildlife execution. Safari holidays as more popular now than ever and give you the chance to see your favourite animal up close in the wild. Booking a wildlife holiday need not be intimidating; as long as you book with a well established firm that has plenty of good reviews you can rest assure that you are in safe hands. One thing to remember when looking to go on a Wildlife holiday in Africa is that you will need to have immunisations and some of these need to be done well in advance, so also ensure you check these before booking.

If you’re seeking hot weather then Iceland may not be the vacation for you, but the fact is more and more people want a different type of holiday, and an Icelandic holiday actually has a lot to offer. The Blue Lagoon is a naturally heated spa, and while you’re there you can opt for treatments or perhaps just enjoy relaxation in a unique and different environment.

If you pay a visit during the winter months, then you may have the opportunity to see the Northern Lights, while there’s also the opportunity to stay in an Ice Hotel, or go trekking. If you’re the type of individual that loves roaming around as you wish then Iceland is a great pace to enjoy a drive in the summer.

The roads are clear, there’s plenty to see, and you can then come away having seen most parts of this phenomenal country. Iceland is certainly not your typical holiday, but perhaps that’s what makes it so special, and it’s becoming a popular destination for all types of holidaymakers.