Why are you going on holiday to Zanzibar? Is it after a safari and you would like to let the experiences sink in on the beach and relax a bit? Zanzibar is just perfect for this. Yet, we recommend still doing the one or the other advanture. What a safari is in the Serengeti, is snorkeling with the dolphins and the beautiful reefs in Zanzibar. Both are simply unforgettable!

There are so many boat providers on the beaches. This can be overwhelming. But no worries, UnboxingTanzania shows you what to look out for. We also will tell you about our own tour and provide you with all the information you need to know to start your own adventure in Zanzibar.

About us

We love the beach and the sea. That’s why we really wanted to spend a few days in Zanzibar.  What is better than just jumping into the sea to cool off? Well, we can stay afloat, but we are not the world’s best swimmers.

Just a few days before our dolphin tour, we learned snorkeling from a friend. That’s why we asked ourselves the question: Are we ready for a boat trip to the open sea and to dive in the reef and with the dolphins? To give a short answer already: Yes! it was overwhelmingly good.

How do you find the best tour?

Because of our lacking experience, it was important for us to plan the tour well. On the beach in front of our accommodation, we were often offered a tour to a reef that is about 8km in front of Zanzibar. The prices for such a tour vary 30-50 dollars for up to four people were tempting. Such offers don’t have to be bad. However, we always recommend that you clarify the following points in advance.

1. The boat

Which boat is used? The important factors are the size, engine, and comfort. The size of the boat makes a big difference, especially in stronger waves.  But the engine is also important. If you are fast on the reef, you will have more time for snorkeling.  When it comes to comfort, pay special attention to sun protection, that would be a good roof. We also recommend that you check whether there is a ladder to climb on board. Especially boarding with fins, in slightly stronger waves, can be a challenge.

Tip:

A waterproof box should be available on board for your valuables and your camera. 

2. The safety & security

For us, this is the most crucial criterion. We don’t go on a boat that doesn’t have enough safety vests for passengers and crew. The crew is best made up of at least three people. In an emergency, two crew members can help someone in the water and the captain can still steer the boat.

3. The snorkeling equipment

If you bring your own equipment, you can skip this paragraph. You shouldn’t make any compromises here. With good snorkeling equipment, you will enjoy the tour even more.  Try out the equipment on the beach, before heading out. Do the glasses fit well? How does the snorkel fit? What fins do you get? Take the time to check the equipment. The better the equipment, the more you will be able to enjoy the tour.

The cheap tours on our beach have fallen through our checklist. The hotels also offer snorkeling tours, but those prices are often much higher, starting at $100 per person.

Tip:

The more expensive price of tours planned by the hotel does not necessarily mean that they are good or bad. Ask about the details before you book the tour.

In the end, we got a contact from friends. Our captain has his boat at Muyuni beach, close to the Emerald Zanzibar Resort and Spar Hotel. Most of the boats in this bay have the same size and equipment. Due to the experience of our friends, we felt in safe hands here.

Tip: 

Insist on your life jacket before setting off. It is no problem for the crew to get life jackets at short notice. And it gives you a good feeling and, in an emergency, the life jacket can save your life.

Our captain and crew

Hajiy was our captain. He has been on the sea all his life. He is quite young but already has a lot of experience. He is an excellent swimmer and diver. Hajiy dived with us and guided us to the best spots on the reef.

Then we had a second captain and another helper on board. The second captain always took over when Hajiy accompanied us in the water. And Michael, the helper, was responsible for everything else. His English was particularly helpful as he became our translator.

Our Tour Spots

1. Dolphins

First, we went to the dolphins. The dolphins return to the shallow coastal areas at night to rest. Early in the morning, they move to the open sea. This means that the earlier you start your tour, the greater your chance of seeing dolphins.

It also has the advantage that you see the dolphins relatively close to the coast. You don’t have to drive far. In addition, the coast slopes very slowly. When snorkeling, you will often see the bottom. I think it was between 4-8 meters deep.

Still, you will be shaken by the waves. Since the dolphins move on, snorkeling is not so easy. Once you arrive at the spot, you should jump into the water without delay, so that you can spend as much time as possible with the animals.

Tip:

It helped us to have a good breakfast, so that your stomach is busy. With a good breakfast, you may be able to prevent seasickness.

2. The Reef

There are several reefs around the island of Mnemba. Mnemba is about 3km away from Zanzibar. It took us about 30 minutes by boat. Again, the water is relatively low. This makes the reef especially suitable for beginners. You don’t have to dive. You can just snorkel on the surface.

Not all reefs are open to tourists. The island of Mnemba is privately owned. There is an exclusive hotel on the island. Tourists who have not booked at this hotel must keep a certain distance from the island. (Your captain will know the details.)  

3. Catering

At the reef, the crew prepared a delicious fruit platter. On the way to the sandbank you can enjoy the fresh fruits then. Among other things, we had delicious bananas, pineapples, mangoes, and oranges. (find out more about food in Zanzibar)

4. The Sandbank

To the south and east of the island of Mnemba there are sandbanks. These are exposed by the low tight. After snorkeling, you can relax here at noon. The sand on the sandbanks was the finest-grained sand we have ever seen. This spot is also good for pictures. The contrast between turquoise water and bright white sand is absolutely unique.

Tip: 

Don’t forget your sun lotion! This place is so beautiful that you forget about time. But you will be exposed to the sun at the sandbank. So do yourself a favor and take the sunscreen along.

3. Going back to the bay

On the way back we circled the island of Mnemba. With a bit of luck, you will see dolphins around the island one last time. You will also see a lot of seabirds.

Our Highlights

The dolphins impressed us totally. The dolphins were only a few meters away from us, maybe 5 meters. Yet, the animals radiated such calm. It was simply an unforgettable experience.

We counted a total of 19 animals, including a small calf. The dolphins were accompanied by about 10 – 15 boats. Beneath the surface of the water, we didn’t notice anything about it. Hajiy, our captain sees dolphins every day. But even for him, so many dolphins at one spot was something extraordinary.

The snorkeling on the reef was more relaxed. Here you are in the living room of the fish. The reef dwellers do not leave their homes. This gives you all the time you need to observe the fish, marine animals, and corals. Observing the diversity, the colorful colors and the lively hustle and bustle of the reef dwellers was overwhelming for us.

After so many impressions that had to be processed, the rest on the sandbank was also a highlight. Dangling our legs in the water and exchanging our observations from the dolphins to the reef was fun.

Tip:

We took a soccer ball with us. This was ideal for our stay on the sandbank. We can definitely recommend that.

Bottom line

We love nature and animals. That’s why snorkeling with the dolphins and on the reef was a great experience for us. Would we book this tour again? Anytime!

We wish you a wonderful time in Zanzibar. And we look forward to your pictures (tag us on your pics #unboxingtanzania on Instagram and Facebook).

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Tanzania has a lot to explore. Food, culture, the lovely people and of course the beautiful untouched nature to name only a few. Why do you want to visit Tanzania? Is it the Serengeti that fascinates you? Or the Kilimanjaro, the Ngorongoro Crater or Zanzibar? We are amazed about this wonderful country (Why Tanzania?).  

UnboxingTanzania gives you a short and compact overview of these national parks. We’ll also tell you what we love about these

Serengeti

Serengeti National Park is one of the first parks to be declared a World Heritage Site when the United Nations began its list in 1981. In this unique ecosystem, millions of wildebeests migrate across the stunning acacia plains every year. As you take in the bustle of thousands of animals around you, time just seems to stand still.

Every season has its own charm in the Serengeti. The sheer endlessness of the plains left us awe-struck. You can never forget a sunrise or sunset that you saw in the Serengeti. The deep red colours, the big fireball behind the acacia trees, the passing elephants and giraffes are life-time memories. It is almost impossible to capture this in a photo.

The charges for a safari in the Serengeti are a bit higher than any other national park in Tanzania, but we do not want to miss this safari. We even plan to spend more time in the Serengeti on our next visit.

• That’s the official website: https://www.serengeti.com

Kilimanjaro

Mount Kilimanjaro is the highest mountain on this beautiful continent – about 5.895 meters (19,340 feet). It is unique as it is the largest freestanding mountain. Kilimanjaro has become a popular hiking destination for locals and tourists – also because of its encouraging and experienced guides.

We dream of climbing this picturesque mountain, and those who have made it report about it with enthusiasm. The Kilimanjaro is often in clouds and if you break through those at about 3.500 meters you will be rewarded with a fantastic view. The higher you climb, the more fascinating the experience becomes.

The view from the summit over the glacier is priceless and the only bummer is that you cannot stay on the summit for long. The cold and the low oxygen content in the air take their toll on the exhausted body. However, everyone says that these 15 minutes at the summit justify the 3 to 6 days of pain.

Even if the ascent should not be technically difficult, many well-trained hikers do not reach the top without help – or down again. The altitude is an extreme challenge, so we are preparing for quite a climb! And for that we first have to build some stamina (or rather a lot).

Are you interested in the hot springs between Moshi and Arusha? The waterfalls around Kilimanjaro are beautiful and we recommend exploring the cities of Moshi and Arusha. On the many markets you can experience the people and the culture intensely.

For coffee lovers, a visit to a coffee plantation is a must. We were able to follow the process from harvest to complete coffee enjoyment, which was informative and fun. 

There is just a lot to explore, cultural and scenic.

• More information on:  https://education.nationalgeographic.org/resource/kilimanjaro

Ngorongoro-Crater

The Ngorongoro is the largest caldera in the world – a crater created by a collapsing volcano. It is part of the Ngorongoro Conservation Area National Park, founded in 1953. The approach to the crater leads past a viewpoint at the crater rim, where we first realized how huge the Ngorongoro crater is. The steep slopes, filled with trees and bushes, offer some good hiding places for leopards and for the approximately 60 black rhinos. Although the rhinos are equipped with GPS and the guides of the park let you know if there is any near the trails, the chance to see it is small. It’s just the great outdoors and not a zoo. That is what makes it special.

You will not see giraffes inside the crater, which is due to the steep slopes but mainly to the food supply. It’s only the “wrong kind” of acacia that grows in the Ngorongoro crater -according to a giraffe’s palate.

However, the probability of seeing lions, elephants, and hippos up close is incredibly high. The animals are used to the presence of jeeps and know us humans as friendly visitors.

We were particularly impressed by the hustle and bustle of the animals at one of the waterholes. Ask your guide to switch off the engine, enjoy the peace and simply admire the animals. In all directions you can watch life, almost as if you were invisible.

As good guests, we humans leave the crater in the evening – at night the Ngorongoro belongs to the animals.

The area around the crater is a breath-taking reservoir itself, and unlike inside the crater, you will see the national animal of Tanzania, the giraffe. Would you like to learn more about the culture of the Masais? In this reservoir there are many opportunities to visit Maasai villages and immerse yourself in their culture.

Tip:

If you book your own safari, make sure that it says explicitly that you are actually going into the crater.

• More information on: https://www.ngorongorocratertanzania.org/

Tip:

There are more national parks in Tanzania than these. Each of the 22 parks is unique and worth a visit?

Zansibar

Zanzibar is one of the jewels in the Indian Ocean. It is an experience of its own – the fascinating history, the incredible nature, the enchanting sunsets and the magnificent beaches. The exotic spices give you a chance to discover Zanzibar with all your senses. You can swim with dolphins, visit the old town of Stone Town and visit the night market, chill out on the beach or just smell the sea.

Zanzibar is the perfect place to process the impressions of your stay in Tanzania. The safaris were terrific. After the African massage on the gravel roads in the jeep and the numerous sightings – there is nothing better than to dangle your feet on one of the beautiful beaches on Zanzibar. After a few days on the island, you are fully relaxed and well rested.

Tip:

In the north you’ll find beautiful beaches and the region around Nungwi is well developed for tourism.

Tip:

In the east the tides are more intense, so the way into the sea can be longer at low tide. That’s why the east of the island is quieter, more natural, and cheaper than the north, so you can relax here.

• You’ll find more information: https://www.zanzibar.com/

Unboxing Tanzania

Our attempt is to unbox Tanzania – discovering the little details in this great country. Here in Tanzania, we learn to look at life from a different angle (Learn more About US).

We also report on the famous national parks because they are unique. However, we don’t consider these stunning parks to be a bucket list to tick off, and you shouldn’t do so either. Don’t just chase the “Big Five”, enjoy your time here, submerge into Tanzania, including the famous spots. See and admire the natural beauty of Tanzania’s nature.

Follow us on Instagram or Facebook to see more of those pictures.

The post Tanzania’s Serengeti, Ngogongoro, Kilimanjaro and Zanzibar – The Natural Beauty of Nature first appeared on and is written by %AÚTHORLINK%

That’s what we were asked by workmates, neighbors, friends, and relatives. Let us try to explain.

Nature

It is said Tanzania is the very quintessence of Africa. That sounds beautiful, right. You would think of Tanzania as home to the Serengeti, Mount Kilimanjaro, the Ngorongoro Crater and not to forget Zanzibar. (Tanzania – It’s natural beauty of nature.) We think there is soo much more to it. We live in Dar and we didn’t think it to be so green. Check out what we see when we wake up in the morning. Did you see the sunsets we get to see (check on Instagram)?

Culture

Getting to know Tanzania you will find that nature-wise, it is beautifully diverse. But even more refreshing are the people of Tanzania. Literally all Tanzanians we met are extraordinarily welcoming, helpful and open-minded. They all greet us with the word “Mzungu” and a big smile.  (unbox “Mzungu”) Talking with Tanzanians always leaves us with a cheerful spirit. In Tanzania, we learn to view life (and ourselves) a bit differently. It helps us grow.

Food

We must mention the food! Pilau, Kiti-moto, Chapati, Wali na Maharage, Samosas, Mandazis – and we did not even start the list of freshy-fresh fruits and vegetables. Tanzania grows both coffee and tea! That in itself is a reason already to live here. We packed our little manual coffee-grinder and it was totally worth it. Friends said, that we might lose some pounds when moving to Africa, but hey! that’s not gonna happen – the food is way to yummy.  Watch out for the unboxingTanzania of foooood. We would only ever learn a language and move to a country when we like the food.

Language

That brings us to Swahili. They say it is a language easy to learn. As Native Germans, we can at least read most of the words. The grammar is somewhat very different though. Well, we will find out how long it will take us – and you too! We’ll keep you up-dated on our progress and share the funny mistakes we will surely make. “Haraka Haraka haina baraka! Pole Pole ndio mwendo!” slow and steady! 

Oh, maybe one mistake I made already, we can share here. It made us more aware of letters. Do you see the difference?

I wanted to say: “I understand” – “nimeelewa” – but I said “I am drunk” – “nimelewa“

It is fantastic to try our little Swahili every day – and to increase our vocabulary. Our Tanzanian friends are incredibly helpful and encouraging. They try to understand what we want to say and keep cheering us “Hongera!”       

We love it!

We want to inhale Tanzania. We want to stop every step of the way and see the beauty of the moment. One doesn’t need much – just a moment. to look, to see and to appreciate.  

Why Tanzania, you ask? Well, yes, because it is Tanzania. We love it.

So, come and see unboxingtanzania! and then you’ll understand. 

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