Tanzania Travel Magazine

Month’s Theme: A Change in Scene

Sometimes, all you need is a shift. New light. New air. A rhythm that’s not your own. We often live our lives in familiar patterns - same streets, same faces and same sounds. And while there’s comfort in that, there’s also a kind of dullness.

A change of scene doesn’t just refresh your senses - it resets your spirit. It reminds you there’s more to the world than what you see every day. That there are places where people live by the tides, where zebras cross open plains without traffic and where children grow up speaking three languages before they’re ten.

You don’t even need to go far. But when you do go far - far enough to wake up in a place where the sun rises differently, where the smells of food are unfamiliar and where your phone barely works - something happens. You start listening more. You pay closer attention. You become part of the moment.

Places like Tanzania offer that gift. Vast landscapes. Deep silence. Colours that don’t exist in your regular life. But this isn’t about Tanzania just yet. This is about letting yourself wander - mentally, emotionally and physically - until something inside you clicks back into place.

So, here’s your sign. Let the world surprise you. Change your scene. Find yourself in the unfamiliar.

Soul Trip: Travelling Without Anxiety

It’s hard to ignore what’s happening around the world. Conflicts. Natural disasters. Sudden changes. It’s no wonder many people feel anxious about travelling. But here’s something to remember - fear shouldn’t make our world smaller. It should make us more aware, not more withdrawn.

Start by planning well. Research the current situation in the region you're visiting. Stay informed via trusted sources. Share your plans with someone at home. Pack with care. But then - let go. Let go of the endless ‘what ifs’.

Travel is still one of the most powerful ways to connect - with others and with yourself. The world is full of kindness. You’ll meet strangers who will go out of their way to help you. You’ll find calm in places you didn’t expect.

If the news makes you nervous, take smaller steps. Try shorter trips. Choose destinations known for stability. But don’t stop exploring. The more we travel, the more we understand that fear doesn’t need to win.

And sometimes, the best way to ease anxiety is to see the world for yourself - not through headlines but with your own eyes.

Destination Focus: Tanzania  - A Different World

Tanzania is the kind of place that makes you feel grounded in the best way possible. The skies are wide, the land stretches endlessly and nature unfolds with a quiet, wild power. Here, you are not a spectator - you are part of a living, breathing world that has existed long before us.

You wake to the roar of lions echoing across the plains. Elephants, calm and majestic, wander past acacia trees in herds. Giraffes move like slow dancers in the distance. This is a country where wildlife is not hidden - it’s everywhere. In the great northern circuits, safaris are more than sightseeing. They're immersive, emotional and sometimes even spiritual.

Tanzania is made up of more than 120 ethnic groups, coexisting peacefully for generations. The Maasai people are perhaps the most recognised, especially in the north - tall, robed in red and proud of their pastoralist way of life. Visiting a Maasai village (respectfully and through reputable programmes) can give you a glimpse into centuries-old traditions.

On the coast, Swahili culture is a blend of African, Arab and Indian traditions. It’s visible in food, dress, language and music. A simple Swahili phrase - Pole pole (slowly, slowly) - captures the pace of life in Tanzania. There is time for everything – but mostly to come close to wild nature.

The Serengeti National Park is Tanzania’s crown jewel. This vast savannah is home to one of the most astonishing natural events on Earth - the Great Migration. Over two million wildebeests, zebras and gazelles move across the plains in search of water and grazing land, chased by predators and witnessed by lucky travellers. The scale of life, movement and instinct here is unforgettable.

Just next door is the Ngorongoro Crater, a lush volcanic caldera that contains within its steep walls an entire ecosystem. Black rhinos graze, lions lounge in the sun and flamingos dance across shallow soda lakes. It feels like nature’s amphitheatre - complete, contained and utterly alive.

Further south lies Ruaha National Park, raw and lesser known. It’s the largest park in the country but receives far fewer visitors than Serengeti. This means you can spend an entire day on safari and hardly see another vehicle - only kudu, leopards, elephants and the elusive African wild dogs.

In the east, the Selous Game Reserve (now part of the Nyerere National Park) offers river-based safaris on the Rufiji River, where you can watch hippos and crocodiles up close from a small boat. Birdlife here is spectacular - over 400 species - and the stillness of the wetlands feels timeless.

If you’re drawn to heights, Mount Kilimanjaro rises out of the land like a dream. It’s Africa’s tallest peak and climbing it is a journey not just of the body but of the mind. Snow-capped and mysterious, Kilimanjaro is both a physical and symbolic landmark - a challenge, a pilgrimage and a postcard come to life.

When it’s time to rest, Zanzibar welcomes you with white sand beaches, warm waters and a rich cultural mix of Arab, African and Indian influences. The old streets of Stone Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, tell stories through their carved wooden doors, spice-scented alleys and calls to prayer echoing at dusk. Beyond the town, coral reefs and dhows await, along with opportunities for diving, snorkelling or doing absolutely nothing.

Other Destinations Worth Exploring:

• Lake Manyara – Known for its tree-climbing lions, flamingos and dramatic Rift Valley escarpment.

• Tarangire National Park – Famous for ancient baobabs and large elephant herds.

• Mafia Island – A quieter, more off-grid alternative to Zanzibar, ideal for diving with whale sharks.

• Arusha – The safari capital of the north and a gateway to many parks. You can also visit local coffee farms and markets.

• Bagamoyo – A hauntingly beautiful coastal town with remnants of the slave trade, colonial buildings and quiet beaches.

You might not find fast internet, smooth roads or 24-hour electricity in Tanzania but you will find life! Tanzanians are warm, curious and welcoming. You’ll hear ‘Karibu!’ (Welcome!) everywhere you go. The hospitality is genuine.

Tanzania still feels wild. Because it reminds you of the earth's age and beauty. Because there are few places left where nature feels so close, so unfiltered.

You come for the wildlife but you leave with so much more - a deeper respect for nature, a slower breath and a mind filled with orange sunsets, lion silhouettes and the rustle of grasslands at dusk.

Tanzania is not just a place you visit. It's a place that stays with you.

To get a sample itinerary for Tanzania, Click here

Travel Smart : Why Travel Insurance Matters – Specially Now

Travel delays, medical issues, lost luggage - things happen. Travel insurance protects you from unexpected expenses. Tanzania has many remote areas. Access to emergency care may involve evacuation. Insurance helps cover the high costs. Some safari lodges or tour companies even require proof of insurance.

Here are some points to keep in mind while finalising your travel insurance before any trip:

• Make sure your policy covers adventure activities (like trekking or diving).

• Always read the fine print: know what is covered and what isn’t.

• Carry a digital and printed copy of your insurance while travelling.

• Insurance also covers eventualities such as lost luggage, missed connections, loss of travel documents etc. Find the right product to suit your needs.

• Figure out the numbers to call in an emergency before leaving for your trip.

• In emergencies, contact your insurer before seeking care (unless it's life-threatening).

When you take an ICICI Bank Forex Card, there is an element of travel insurance built in with your Forex Card. Check out the inclusions of this insurance and for extra coverage, look for other travel insurance policies.
Final tip: Peace of mind is worth the price. With the right insurance, you can focus on the beauty around you - not the worries.

 Sustainable Travel Tip of the Month

Caring for Fragile Ecosystems

Even in the most remote places, waste is creeping in. Plastic bottles, wrappers and even old batteries are turning up in national parks and near pristine beaches.

In Tanzania, this is becoming a serious concern - especially in the Serengeti and on Zanzibar's beaches. Tourists often don’t realise the long-term impact of a forgotten snack wrapper or a disposable razor. Local waste systems aren’t built to handle high tourist volumes.

In places like Mount Kilimanjaro, waste from trekking groups has become a threat to the environment. Park authorities now monitor waste strictly but some trash still makes it into water streams and soil.

What you can do:

• Bring your own refillable water bottle.

• Carry a cloth bag instead of using plastic.

• Avoid products with microplastics.

• Pack out what you pack in - always.

• Support eco-certified lodges that follow proper waste disposal practices.

Travellers are guests - let’s leave only footprints and not our waste behind. The beauty of Tanzania depends on it.

Which is the highest point of Tanzania?

‘Vacations’ is powered by OneShoe Trust for Responsible & Mindful Travels – a social enterprise that promotes travelling as a means to raise awareness about climate change and environmental issues. Incubated at IIM Bangalore, OneShoe is the source of most authentic travel experiences around the world.

Link: oneshoetravels.com