Tanzania | A Magellan Odyssey World Tour Destination

Bucket List Destinations | The Bustling Bushes of Tanzania

June 2, 2022

Tanzania is home to some of the most incredible and spectacular natural wonders that the world has to offer. From Mt. Kilimanjaro, to Lake Tanganyika, the deepest lake in the world, to the bespoke Zanzibar archipelago, Tanzania is surely one of most popular destinations under the African sun. Tanzania boasts a wide variety of different ethnic groups, with experts saying that the number easily exceeds 120. The country is known for the diversity of their people, their landscapes, their food and their wildlife.
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A country of splendored natural wonders, luscious green forests, spectacular beaches with crystal clear waters, gorgeous ancient towns, and a flurry of archaeological sites.

Hot Spots in Tanzania

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Lake Manyara National Park

Lake Manyara National Park offers travelers a number of diverse habitats, from its dense woodlands to its soda lakes as well its mountain sides.

This area boasts a spectacular setting, however that isn’t the only thing that has guests coming from every corner of the globe.

The park is famously known for its tree-climbing lions, as well as the large number of elephant herds within the national park, as the national park was originally established to protect these herds.

Travelers can find pink flamingos flocked on the shores of the lake, along with 400 other species of bird who are attracted to this shore. Many of them being either waterfowl or migrants.

Travel Tip : Large herds of buffalo, cheetah, masai giraffe and impala can also be spotted roaming the shores of the lake. So keep a lookout!

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Beaches in Zanzibar

Zanzibar is a tropical paradise found just a few miles from the Tanzania mainland. Travelers can find a flurry of beautiful beaches that are perfect for rejuvenation and relaxation after a long Safari, or simply, travelers looking to unwind from their busy lives can take a direct flight to Zanzibar from their home countries.

Kwenda Beach is located on the North West part of Zanzibar, and is considered to be the most stunning beach throughout the Zanzibar islands and Tanzania as a whole. The crystal clear water is great for swimming, snorkeling, diving and sunbathing among other things.

Travel Tip : Kwenda Beach is known for its “Full Moon Parties”, which takes place every month at the Kwenda Rocks Hotel.

Nungwi Beach is another legendary beach situated on the North part of Zanzibar. The area boasts a number of nightclubs, restaurants and adventurous activities such as swimming with turtles, and horse riding along the shore.

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Mount Kilimanjaro

Tanzania is home to the world’s tallest free-standing mountain, attracting mountaineers and nature enthusiasts from all across the globe.

Standing at a staggering 5,895 meters, Mt Kilimanjaro is an adventure that allows hikers to ascend to levels higher than the clouds, and to get a view that is difficult to rival.

The mountain offers an array of diverse habitats such as lush forests and an alpine desert, all leading into a sparkling vista of ice and snow.

Although the climb to the top looks daunting, Kilimanjaro is a relatively gentle hike. However, guides have recommended a basic level of fitness, as the only challenge a hiker might come across is the high altitude.

Tip : If you’re just looking to explore the mountain, there are a number of shorter outings where you don’t have to go all the way to the top of the mountain. The area is filled with great spots that are perfect for a picnic lunch.

Tastes of Tanzania

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Chipsi Mayai

Chipsi Mayai is Swahili for “Chips” and “Eggs”, and is considered a comfort food for Tanzanians. This tasty treat in its purest form is simply an omelet, but to Tanzanians, that is the beauty of this dish.

For US travelers, you might notice that french fries in Tanzania are a little different from the west – in Tanzania fries are always fresh, and made from hand-cut and peeled potatoes that are fried till they reach a crispy yellow.

Chipsi Mayai can be found at most eateries and various other outdoor food stands. Locals tend to enjoy eating it with a toothpick and a squirt of ketchup.

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Nyama Choma

Nyama Choma simply translates to “grilled meat”, and is mostly commonly made with goat meat.

Fun Fact : It is common practice to hack the meat off the carcass and for it to get thrown onto the fire in front of customers, so they know it’s fresh!

The meat is left to cook slowly over hot coals, giving the meat a wonderful smoky flavor. You’ll notice that the meat is chewy, gamey and bursting with flavor, a big contrast to the soft tender steak you’re used to in the west.

Travelers can expect to wait between 45 minutes up to an hour. It is common for groups to come together and have a few drinks while they wait for their food to be prepared. Travelers will soon see that sitting around a table with a group of close friends, sharing a plate of Nyama Choma, and a cold beer, is one of the best ways to spend an afternoon under the African sun.

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Ugali

Ugali is a staple food in Tanzania as it is very easy to make while also being very affordable. Made with Maize flour and water, the mixture is slowly cooked until it reaches a dough-like consistency, then is left for a moment to set before eating.

The taste and texture is somewhere between polenta and mashed potatoes.

The proper way to enjoy this dish is to break off a bite-size piece, then to dip it into your main dish, and pop it into your mouth.

Ugali can be paired up with almost any dish, but if you ask the locals, they will say it goes best with Nyama Choma or Mchuzi, a type of soup or stew.

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Mshikaki

Mshikaki is a type of Kebab made with skewered pieces of marinated meat, and slowly cooked over open coals, which brings out its rich flavors.

This delicacy is most commonly made with goat, beef or mutton, and can be found outside nightclubs and open air bars.

Mshikaki is very popular with locals and tourists, and can easily pull a large crowd. So when you’re ordering Mshikaki, be sure to get enough, as you might find yourself at the back of the line in no time!

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Zanzibar Pizza

Named after the island of its origin, this tasty treat is one of the most interesting and delicious dishes that you can find in Tanzania.

The Zanzibar pizza is made with a sheet of dough which is then filled with onions, peppers, meat, a raw egg and a slice of cheese. The pizza is then folded into a sandwich size pocket, and placed into a pan to fry in a puddle of oil.

Crispy, chewy, and oversized, this dumpling-like square of deliciousness should not be missed when visiting Tanzania. Travelers can even find other versions of this treat made as a dessert, with banana and chocolate.

Best Places to Stay in Tanzania

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Manta Resort

Located on Pemba Island in Zanzibar, The Manta Resort is a rare jewel even within the luxury travel industry.

Manta Resort houses their guests in an ingenious floating structure that is made up of three levels. The landing deck, where the boat drops you off, as well as where you will find the lounge and bathroom.

The top level, where you can find daybeds and shades to enjoy the view of the watery landscape in the day, and the starry night sky in the evening. Some have even said that because of the lack of light pollution, you can even see the milky way!

Below sea level is the submariner room, a bedroom that is completely submerged under way, allowing hundreds of different species of fish to swim past your window. Some fish have even made their homes around the area of the floating structure, so keep an eye out for them!

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The Palms, Zanzibar

Located on one of the most beautiful beaches in the world, Bwejuu beach, The Palms offers their guests a true tropical island experience.

With its white sands, deep blue sea, radiant sunshine, luscious gardens, private thatched bandas on the beach, and only six luxury villas, guests can expect a truly exclusive and magical escape, without the fear of interruption.

Each villa comes with its own butler and private plunge pool, offering every guest the royal treatment. Guests can relax and revitalize themselves after a long day in the African Safari, receiving top quality service, and bespoke amenities throughout their stay.

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The Highlands, Ngorongoro

The Highlands offers some of the most beautiful, panoramic viewing experiences found in the Ngorongoro Conservation Area.

The accommodation has been designed as a dome-shaped suite with large glass fronts to give guests a full view of their luscious green surroundings.

Fun Fact : This area can get very cold at night because of the high altitude. A wood-burning stove is used to keep each suite feeling warm and cozy. This is truly a magical property.

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