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Activities & Sports |
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Balloon flights
Flights by balloon take off as dawn breaks
over the Serengeti, the perfect silence of
the early morning plains broken only by the
soft roar of the balloon. Far below,
wildebeest scatter, looking everywhere but
up at the silent visitor that floats over
their world. Giraffe stand next to acacia
trees, untroubled by the airborne visitors.
After the thrill of landing, a champagne
breakfast awaits, the air becoming warmer as
the sun climbs in the sky and curious zebra
look up from their grazing at the chink of
cutlery in the still, warm bush.
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Canoeing
Canoeing trips are available in the Arusha
National Park and are a wonderful
experience, drifting past herds of elephant,
giraffe, hippo and buffalo as you cruise
along the shores of the lake surrounded by
countless flocks of birds.
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Deep sea & inland fishing
The water around Zanzibar and Pemba islands
is considered by experts to offer some of
the best fishing in the world, especially
the Pemba Channel, between Zanzibar and
Pemba, and around Mafia Island, south of
Zanzibar. Big game fish include barracuda,
kingfish, sailfish, billfish, wahoo, dorado
and blue marlin. Rivers are stocked with
trout around Mt Kilimanjaro and Mt Meru.
Large rivers such as the Kilombero and Great
Ruaha offer fabulous sport fishing for tiger
fish, and large Nile perch can be caught in
the great lakes, especially Lake Victoria.
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Diving & snorkelling
The coral reefs off Tanzania’s coast around
Zanzibar and Mafia Island offer some of the
world’s finest scuba diving and snorkelling.
Diving is possible all year round, although
the Kusi Monsoon (strongest June-Sept) is
accompanied by choppy seas and strong
currents that make the more exposed reefs
inaccessible. There can also be strong winds
in December and January. Visibility is best
from November to March, before the long
rains set in.
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Golfing
Although not a golfing destination, there
are numerous golf courses throughout the
country, including Dar es Salaam and Arusha.
The local clubs are always very welcoming to
any visitor who may wish to swing the odd
club. Contact your tour operator for
details. |
Horse and camel rides
Day rides are available from a few camps in
Tanzania, for all standards of rider, and
game animals are not afraid of horses in the
same way that they are of cars or
pedestrians, allowing visitors to approach
the wildlife much more closely than usual. |
Mountain biking
For the fit and adventurous, mountain biking
through the African landscape is truly an
exciting experience. Avoid roads and traffic and
ride through deserts and forests, up mountains
and down valleys, through tiny villages and
bustling market towns, then into the true
wilderness past herds of antelope, giraffe and
zebra. |
Mountain climbing and hiking
For most climbers who visit Tanzania, the
5,869 m Kilimanjaro is the top prize. Mt
Meru, another of Tanzania’s volcanic peaks,
is also popular, with the varied animal and
plant life to be found on its slopes a major
draw. Meru is Africa’s fifth highest peak,
with fabulous views of Mt Kilimanjaro and
the Momela Lakes from the summit. The
challenging ascent to the crater of Ol Donyo
Lengai passes through some fantastic
scenery, with panoramic views of the Rift
Valley. The track to the top of Lengai is
very steep, and a true challenge attempted
only by hikers with a good level of fitness. |
Paragliding & microlight flights
There are some fabulous areas to paraglide.
Very few people paraglide in Tanzania,
therefore it is a novelty. Always seek
permission from the local village, explain
what you are doing and where you think you
will land (it is illegal to fly over
national parks). Just some of the areas to
fly are the Usambaras, the Rift Valley and
numerous hills around Mt Meru. Microlight
flights are now also available over Lake
Manyara and the Great Rift Valley. |
Boat safaris
The soft chug of an outboard engine, or the
whispering flap of a canvas sail; boat
safaris in Tanzania are a tranquil and
relaxing way to watch wildlife. This is one
of the best ways to see the Selous Game
Reserve, up the huge muddy brown sweep of
the Rufiji River, leopard whisking away from
rocks at the boat’s approach. Sail into
chimpanzee territory on a dhow, skimming
over the fresh, crystal waters of Lake
Tanganyika, or travel up the Wami River in
Saadani, surrounded by amazing birdlife,
hippos and alligators.
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Spa treatments
The perfect way to ease tired limbs after an
exhilarating day’s game viewing or in
preparation for the beach, there are now many
hotels, resorts and lodges in Tanzania and
Zanzibar offering world class spa facilities to
keep you feeling relaxed and rejuvenated.
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Walking in the wild
A walk through the African bush is a wonderful
way to experience Africa intimately. Smells and
sounds become distinct and varied, and smaller
creatures gain significance. They are no longer
simply rushed past in the race for the bigger
game. When larger animals do appear, they are
met at eye level; the land is truly shared
between humans and animals. Safety is not an
issue – all walks are accompanied by armed,
experienced guides and game rangers. Walks can
be from a few hours to a full day with picnic
lunch. Many hotels and camps will offer guided
walks in the national parks or community areas.
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