For nature enthusiasts, Tanzania is ideal for watching wildlife unfurl in front of you. Head to the Serengeti, the largest in the northern circuit to see the annual Great Migration of wildebeest as they traverse bushland and crocodile-infested Mara River or give birth in the Ndutu plains​​, as well as the chance to spot the elusive leopard, cheetah and lion. Not too far from there is the Masai Mara, while Lake Manyara, home to tree-climbing lions and the country’s biggest population of elephants, is worth a stop just to see the thousands of pink flamingos that flock to the alkaline lake. The southern circuit is less developed but just as incredible, especially for second-time visitors, with several high-end hotels and tented camps; proximity to Zanzibar and Pemba islands; and diverse national parks including Mikumi, rugged Ruaha and Selous, the most luxurious.

Tanzania is beautiful all year-round, even in the low/rainy season (March, April, May), and migration takes place throughout the year depending on what you want to see. Other activities worth building into itineraries include balloon safaris (exclusive to Tarangiri, Serengeti and Ngorongoro), horse riding, bike tours and local excursions, to coffee farms and village communities. Water sports abound on the coast, where reefs and the migration of humpback and sperm whales make diving in Tanzania a bucket-list experience.

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Green Inspirations, Kenya

As Kenya is so vast with several safari circuits and an abundance of game-rich parks, the experts at Green Inspirations skilfully capture the spirit of the country by knowing exactly where and when to go for the best scenery, weather and migration patterns. Bordered by Tanzania to the south, Uganda to the west, and South Sudan, Ethiopia and Somalia along the northern edge before it drops off into the Indian Ocean, it’s a land of topographic beauty and prolific wildlife with a terrain that encompasses coastline, plains and mountains.

International flights come into Nairobi, Mombasa, and Eldoret’s airports. Mombasa is ideal for bookending a holiday with the beach – Kenya’s lick of tropical coastline is adored by A-listers including Mick Jagger, the Clooneys and Sienna Miller – and, as with Nairobi, it offers connecting flights to other areas of the country. By car, Tsavo Park is within easy reach of Mombasa. It’s huge, literally split into East Tsavo and West Tsavo by the road, and teeming with wildlife, particularly the bushier west which is home to swamps, Lake Jipe and the Mzima Springs. Further up along the border is Amboseli National Park which is fantastic for gazing at elephants. 

One of the DMC’s most popular safari routes is Nairobi to the Masai Mara via Nakuru: from the capital it’s a couple of hours’ drive to Lake Nakuru where millions of pink flamingos and other wildlife can be seen frolicking around the water. The Masai Mara is of course the bucket-list heavyweight, an extension of Tanzania where you can see millions of wildebeest and zebras as they move from pasture during the Great Migration. North-west of Nakuru, in the Ol Pejeta sanctuary, you’re guaranteed to see black rhinos and perhaps one (or more) of the 25 rescued chimpanzees. Uniquely, there is also the chance to spot black leopards and – if luck is on your side – the last two northern white rhino, a species which is now considered extinct in the wild.

There are some excellent hotels, tented camps and luxury lodges around Kenya. Not too far from Ol Pejeta is Mount Kenya Safari Club (with views of the eponymous mountain – easier to climb than Mount Kilimanjaro) which used to belong to actor William Holden. Stay here and also The Ark in Aberdare National Park to watch the animals drink from the waterfalls at night and enjoy a fantastic viewing experience from the comfort of the hotel. It’s special experiences such as this, along with cultural excursions like buying spice from the local market and cooking them with a chef, or learning how to sail a dhow with a skilled master, that’s establishing Green Inspirations as a leader in the luxury travelsphere.

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Green Inspirations, Zanzibar

Life on the islands of Zanzibar is both relaxing and adventurous, with excursions to suit every traveller. The two largest and most famous are Unjuga (frequently referred to as Zanzibar) and Pemba, which are both known for their tropical beaches, marine activities, vibrant culture, spice farms, forests, and luxury hotels. Of the two, Zanzibar is more established and lively, with a good choice of luxury hotels, while Pemba is quieter, wilder and more serene; the Green Inspirations team will advise on which island and activities will suit each group’s needs best. It’s also worth noting that the third largest island in the archipelago is Mafia, a hidden gem that although technically isn’t part of Tanzania, is superb for divers.

Largest of the three, the island of Zanzibar’s intriguing history dates back to 1AD when it became a trading stop-off on the Spice Route. Several rulers include the Portuguese, Omani Arabs and British, so with a real melting pot of influences there are some interesting cultural sites to discover. Factor in a trip to Stone Town, a World Unesco Heritage Site on the west of the island, to explore maze-like alleyways, Arab architecture, bazaars and mosques in streets of limewashed, coralline buildings. Book a tour of the slave routes to learn more about the island’s history while you visit sites like the Mbweni Ruins where girls who were freed from slavery went to school, or a tour taking in palaces and museums to do with the life of Seyyida Salme, an Arabian princess and author of the 19th century. Another must is a visit to Changuu Private Island (also known as Prison Island) which was previously used as a place to hold slaves, as a hospital, and as a quarantine island. It’s also currently a sanctuary for giant (and really old) Aldabra tortoises. 

Zanzibar is home to a rich wildlife. Head just south of the centre and Jozani Forest is home to the red Colobus monkey – a tour will allow you to see the primates as well as flora and fauna that is endemic to Tanzania. Venture north to the aquarium and the turtle sanctuary, or embark on an exclusive sea safari, snorkelling or diving trip – Mnemba Island is the spot to swim with dolphins. The further south you venture, the quieter and more laidback it gets. Up the luxury with private sandbank picnics, sip champagne during a sunset cruise as you traverse the Stone Town peninsula in a dhow, or simply lounge around on a beach – Nungwi, Kendwa and Matemwe are some of the best.

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