Just got back from incredible, life changing trip to Tanzania and thought I'd post my recommendations. I lurked on here beforehand to get some tips so here's my hapennyworth in return:
Flew Ethiopian Air Heathrow to Kilimanjaro - bit long-winded via Rome, Addis Abbaba and Nairobi but very smooth flight, good service and convenient to fly direct into Kili Airport - with wonderful view of Kili on our left as we landed.
First week of trip arranged with Forsters - excellent service and highly recommended especially our guide Roger.
First night in Arusha @ Arusha backpackers - fine, functional with great bar/restaurant and tasty food.
Day 1 - Lake Manyara
Great first stop - medium sized park so eased us in gently. Recommend walking safari. Stayed at Manyara Tented Lodge in rather touristy town of Mto Wa Mbu. Accommodation good and location convenient.
Day 2&3 - Ngorongoro to Serengeti
What a day. Arduous but worth it - 12 hours in the truck. Saw tonnes of game. Stayed at Ikoma Safari Camp just outside western gate. Great experience - sense of humour helps. Recommend early morning walking safari and game drive. Felt like the real Africa.
Day 4 - Ngorongoro Crater
Wonderful game drive in crater though cold. Highlights were seeing rhino and stopping for lunch at wonderful picnic site by hippo pool.
Stayed at Crater Forest Camp. Incredible location in coffee plantantion and forest. So romantic with fire in tent and beautiful restaurant. Only downside was road to the camp badly rutted after the rain - nearly finished us off after 12 hours in the truck.
Day 5 - Rhotia Valley
Stayed in this lush valley for two days of rest. Wonderful camp with children's home attached. Such a warm welcome from the incredible Georg and Marise. Playing football with the children on the hillside will stay with me forever. Hiked in forest, narrowly avoiding a buffalo.
Day 6 - Travelled independently from here. 14 hour bus ride to Dar Es Salaam. Worth the experience but what an experience! Dar hot, polluted and overcrowded, couldn't get out fast enough. Stayed at Q Backpackers- pretty bog standard, could have been anywhere in the world.
Day 7-10- Flew to Zanzibar on Zanair. Seemed poorer, dirtier and more crowded than the mainland. Stayed at Dhow Inn at Paje. An absolute hole - dirty, damp and noisy. Ate at Paje By Night which looked far better.
Day 11-14 - Moved to Matemwe Beach village - more expensive but worth it. Far nicer part of the island too - less built up, better beach.
Day 15-16 - Flew back to Arusha on Tropical Airways. Spent last night at Karama Lodge - a perfect end to the trip.
