Climbing Africa’s tallest mountain, the majestic snow-capped Mount Kilimanjaro (5,985m), that dominates the border between Tanzania and Kenya, is a lifetime achievement. Climbers don’t need any special skills, other than good health and a reasonable level of fitness. The easiest path to the summit is the popular Marangu Route, which takes about 7 days.

The Ngorongoro Crater is a unique and unforgettable experience – the largest intact volcanic crater in the world, covering 260 square kilometres/100 square miles, and 600m/1969ft deep, packed with nutritious grasses that attract herds of zebra and wildebeest, as well as the largest east African population of black rhino. Lions, spotted hyena, leopard and golden jackals are also very common.

The Serengeti, meanwhile, is famed as one of the most captivating safaris in Africa thanks to the huge abundance of game in the reserve. En route to the Serengeti is the Olduvai Gorge, referred to as the ‘Cradle of Mankind’, it is the place where Dr. L.S.B. Leavey found human remains dating back 1.75 million years – one of the most important archaeological finds ever made. The Gorge runs for 55km from the foot of Mount Olmoti, reaching the more northern Lake Nolutu.

The grassy plains, open woodlands, mountains and privacy of the Selous Game Reserve make it a remarkable place for safaris. One of Tanzania’s World Heritage Sites, the Selous can be explored by boat, by 4WD and on foot. Hippo, crocodile, yellow baboon, elephant and pelican are frequent sights.

Equally rewarding is the Lake Manyara National Park, which lies at the foot of the Great Rift Valley and can be reached when travelling from Arusha to Ngorongoro. The park was established specifically to protect elephant breeding and is very famous for its tree-climbing lions and flamingos.

Just off the Tanzanian coast lie the island’s of Zanzibar and Pemba, perfect destinations to wind down after a safari. Zanzibar is characterised by its turquoise waters that lap powdery white sand, fringed by coral reefs. The island supports a fascinating mixture of Arab and African culture. Whilst the Island of Pemba, about 15 miles north of Zanzibar offers some of the finest game fishing and diving in the world.