Northern Tanzania

This new, thoroughly updated fifth edition of Bradt's Northern Tanzania Safari Guide remains the only full-length guidebook focused exclusively on the country's north and on Zanzibar. Reflecting tourism's shift away from backpackers and budget camping safaris to upper-end and mid-range safaris and beach holidays, it is tailored closely to the requirements of anyone going on a safari to northern Tanzania, followed by a few days on Zanzibar. Northern Tanzania is dominated by Africa's finest safari circuit, offering spectacular game-viewing year round. Centered on the legendary Serengeti National Park and its world-famous wildebeest migration, this circuit also incorporates the Ngorongoro Crater and surrounding Ngorongoro Conservation Area, Lake Manyara and Tarangire national parks. Geographically northern Tanzania is one of Africa's most varied regions, with a palm-fringed Indian Ocean coastline complemented by the scenic wonders of the Great Rift Valley, and several impressive volcanically formed mountains, most notably snow-capped Mount Kilimanjaro, the tallest peak in Africa and a popular goal for hikers. Lesser-known gems include the prehistoric rock art at Kondoa (a UNESCO World Heritage Site), the forested Arusha National Park and Amani Nature Reserve, and the spectacular Ol Doinyo Lengai - Africa's most active volcano. Serviced by a well-developed safari industry, northern Tanzania's superlative reserves are complemented by a stopover on the legendary Spice Island of Zanzibar. With its atmospheric old town, idyllic beaches and offshore reefs teeming with marine life, it is every bit as evocative as its name. Written by acknowledged Africa experts and prolific guidebook writers Philip Briggs and Chris McIntyre, this guide prioritizes practical information about the area's peerless collection of national parks, game reserves and other safari destinations. Accommodation listings for the safari destinations are the most detailed and authoritative available, the authors weeding through the ever-growing number of lodges and camps to create a critically selective list of the best properties across all price points. Meanwhile, a color wildlife field guide provides great detail about wildlife and where to see it. All in all, Northern Tanzania Safari Guide is the most authoritative source available for visitors - an essential travel companion for both first-time visitors and seasoned safari-goers.
About the Author: Philip Briggs has been exploring the highways, byways and backwaters of Africa since 1986, when he spent several months backpacking on a shoestring from Nairobi to Cape Town, and first visited Tanzania, bussing from Nairobi to Dar es Salaam then catching the Tazara Railway to Zambia. He has returned to Tanzania numerous times, spending nearly two years in country, including to research and author the first Bradt guide to Tanzania in 1992/3, as well as all subsequent editions. Tanzania aside, he has visited over two dozen African countries and written about most for travel and wildlife magazines, including BBC Wildlife, Travel Africa and Wanderlust, and in ten other Bradt guidebooks, including East Africa Wildlife. He spends at least four months on the road every year, usually accompanied by his wife, travel photographer Ariadne Van Zandbergen, and spends his rest of the time in the sleepy South African village of Wilderness. Chris McIntyre went to Africa in 1987, after reading Physics at Queen's College, Oxford. He taught with VSO in Zimbabwe for almost three years and traveled extensively, before writing his first guidebook (Bradt's guide to Namibia and Botswana) in 1990. He has since written all Bradt's guides to Namibia, Botswana and Zambia - and co-authors (with his wife, Susan) Bradt's guide to Zanzibar and (with Philip Briggs) Bradt's guides to Tanzania. When not traveling, Chris is managing director of the specialist tour operator Expert Africa, where he leads a team of dedicated Africa addicts who provide impartial advice and organize great safaris to Africa, including Tanzania and Zanzibar, and also includes the Wild about Africa trip program, led by top professional guides. A Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society, McIntyre now lives in Dockenfield, Surrey with his wife Susan and two children.