Do you want to experience a unique Tanzania safari in the African wilderness; where there are no or very few fellow travelers? It is possible in Tanzania with many National Parks scattered in remote wilderness areas. Although, these can be difficult to access; meaning expensive charted flights or days of hard driving to access these remote parks. However, it is possible to experience the remote wilderness on the increasing popular Northern Circuit of Tanzania.

The Northern Circuit is usually thought of as the Serengeti, Ngorongoro Conservation Area, Tarangire and Lake Manyara. Over the past few seasons this area of Tanzania has become very popular. So much so that many people are wondering if now these once seldom visited parks are in danger of becoming over commercialized. However, this assertion is not true; the truth of the matter is the tour operator and the tourist are returning to visit the same hot spots over and over again. This is due, in part, to laziness of the tour operator and the vast amount of misinformation to the budding tourist.

One such hot spot is the northern tip of the Tarangire - the secret is this park is a hidden jewel. Once you get away from the touristy northern tip the rest of this park is remote and one of the best places to see wildlife during the dry season; with the added bonus that wilderness parts of the park allow game walks.

There are private game concessions such as the Western Kilimanjaro where there are few camps, and game viewing is against the back drop of the majestic Mount Kilimanjaro. The small camps found in these remote areas are best visited for a few days, to appreciate and experience the safari to the full.

The camps are very comfortable. They blend into their natural surroundings offering privacy, intimacy with nature and isolation from the madding crowd. These camps usually work together with local communities to help improve the living conditions of the local people. There very survival depends on offering a unique experience of Tanzania for the first time visitor as well as the veteran safari-est

These areas offer experiences that are so memorable they will keep you coming back to Tanzania to experience more and more of this fascinating country.

A mistake made by many is to see as much as possible in a short a time as possible. The paradox is by doing this you are likely to see, to experience less. Slowness is the art to Africa. Leave your watch behind, seriously this should be on a list of most essential items to leave at home in order that you safari is a success. Plan your safari and then lay back and enjoy the laziness of the African safari.

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Tanzania is a place of wonder and discovery, it was the entry point for many early explorers and the same is true today; there is much on offer and there are many places to discover. Not many visitors to Tanzania discover the wonder of this friendly African paradise. They rush by from one high point to the next; like sheep who never lift their head out of the grass and thereby miss the splendor around them; every day the same as the last. This saddens me as Tanzania can be a place in which to fall in love with Africa. Tanzania is a place that lives inside you; and calls you back again and again. Although, for many it is another destination to merely claim and photograph.

The Udzungwa Mountains National Park is a national park with no roads. This park has wildlife but was created primarily for the protection of flora rather than fauna; this park is unique in Tanzania. It is a must to get out your vehicle and walk in the mountain rain forests. Like all places it takes time to discover and an afternoon stroll on the peripheries of adventure is simply not enough.

It is possible to find many places to walk and discover the delights of this East African country without ever stepping inside a National Park. There are the East and West Usamabara Mountains or the Pare Mountains with a prolific birdlife, these very African mountains are a delight to discover and explore.

There are villages around Kilimanjaro, high above Moshi Town where the local people growing coffee and bananas. Some villages such as my favorite, Uru, are close to the tourist circuit, so it is easily accessible in the north without having to taking a special journey and you can spend days here and never see a safari vehicle or another tourist.

Cultural visits can expand your whole experience; add time and experience to your adventure in Tanzania without costing a fortune. It is important to do this with gentleness and respect; remembering that you are the visitor here. All too often this simple truth is forgotten; remember to respect local customs and dress codes.

When we talk about cultural tour I am not talking of the organized cultural tours but a genuine encounter with Tanzanian people. This is best done though a charity that is willing and eager to organize cultural visits. By spending only a day or two working voluntary will enable you to experience Africa in way most people will never know. To volunteer even for a short time will be the experience you will share with friends for the rest of your life.

To move around Tanzania on local transport is something you should do with care. If traveling by road choose your bus company with caution and the cheaper the ticket the less safe the bus. There are good bus companies that travel around Tanzania and I would advise you pay the extra money for both comfort and safety. Trains are not usually an option for tourists, with a few exceptions they are normally unreliable and slow. The few destinations that are usable have first class tickets sold out well in advance; especially at holiday time; to book in advance is essential.

You may get hassled as you walk around the cities by taxi drivers or young men selling curios. Remember, Tanzania is a poor country and these young people are attempting to earn a living to feed a family; and competition is fierce. To know a few words in Swahili, such as si-ombi [I don’t need] will come in handy. Remember not to be rude, be firm but friendly. This is all part of the joy of traveling. To barter, or to try to get rid of a persistent young man selling curios should be done with respect and without anger.

The towns and villages are a cultural dream with the warm friendly people welcoming visitors. Tanzania is a country where hospitality is a tradition; the traveler is welcomed and honored. Is it safe to travel alone; in the big towns such as Dar es Salaam it would be advisable to take the normal precautions any tourist must take. Tanzania is a safe country and its people are peace loving.

So, welcome and discover a land unspoiled for the present.

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Many safari companies are advertising on the internet. All claiming to be the best, delivering unique safaris, off the beaten track. They claim to give the best value; and the sheer numbers of tour operators appearing online the situation is intimidating for anyone wanting to book a safari direct. Which company to choose? Which company can you trust? With most companies requiring payment in advance this can be a potentially hazardous decision to make with your hard earned cash.

The whole idea of wanting to book direct is to save money. However, the fear for many is who can be trusted. How to tell the true safari bargain from the con? A personal recommendation of a company is probably the best way to have some peace about a potential booking of a safari company. Do not trust online recommendations many small companies make these postings of their success themselves. Word of mouth is the only way to put any weight behind a recommendation.

Look to see if the company is registered with an accountable, professional tourism organization; a reputable, recognized tourist organization. Any claimed awards may look nice but not be genuine; check them out.

Send off your request to a few companies. If quotes come back that are too good to be true; that that’s precisely what they are. You may arrive on safari to find your car is overcrowded and you have to fight for a window seat. The game viewing will be in a vehicle that is weary from overuse and may break down. You promised itinerary will mean very little and your whole experience of an African Safari may be a sham.

Look for imaginative itineraries. Companies that are interested at giving back to the community; that practice responsible tourism and doesn’t just talk about it; it is important that tourism contributes to the comminutes it relies on for its continued success. A company that involves some genuine cultural involvement to add to the experience of the safari.

Do not be attracted to an itinerary that shoehorns a lot into your time in Africa. The more your itinerary includes; the more hectic the schedule; the less the company knows or cares for your comfort. The only way to appreciate Africa is to do it slowly; spending more than a day at each location. Safari fatigue is caused when traveling too far in a short time with only a day at each location; soon you will be longing for the end of your safari and vowing never to return to Africa.

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