This East African country is lesser-known that its northern neighbor, Kenya, but it boasts loads of appeal, from game-filled plains to one of Africa’s most iconic peaks, Mount Kilimanjaro. With welcoming locals and a stable political climate, it’s one of the best places in the world to go on safari, and the offshore island of Zanzibar makes the perfect place to recoup from a week in the bush.
Wedding Requirements Couples must present their birth certificates, passports and a Certificate of No Impediment (a notarized statement from your home country stating that you were never married before or you are divorced) to the nearest Tanzanian Registrar of Marriages. Be sure to get a “Special Marriage License,” otherwise you’ll have to wait 21 days before marrying. (Note: The 21-day waiting period is mandatory on the island of Zanzibar, so prepare accordingly.) A registrar must perform the ceremony and you’ll have to pay for his transportation costs to your wedding location. For more information, visit tanzania.usembassy.gov/cons_getting_married.html.
What To Do
Tanzania Safaris There are few places as beautiful as Serengeti National Park, an 8,000-mile nature preserve on the country’s northwest border. Game viewing is best during the annual wildebeest migration when giant herds make their annual move between feeding grounds (heading north from June to October, then returning south with the rainy season), accompanied by zebra, gazelles and predators like leopards and hyena. Elephant, giraffe and lion sightings are common any time of year, whether you overnight in cushy tented camps or well-appointed safari lodges.
Climb Mount Kilimanjaro This dormant volcano is Africa’s highest peak, topping 19,000 feet. It’s also surprisingly accessible to climbers with limited mountaineering experience. Hire an outfitter in the base town of Arusha, and plan for a five- to seven-day climb. Porters will help carry supplies, and you’ll overnight in a series of huts or campsites, depending on the route you take (Marangu is the easiest).
Zanzibar Africa meets Arabia on this fascinating archipelago 30 miles off the coast, accessible via a 15-minute flight from Dar Es Salaam. The island, once a major trading post between Africa and the East and ruled by the Sultan of Zanzibar, still features traces of its Arabic heritage in the capital, Stone Town, home to narrow winding streets, carved wooden doors and robe-clad inhabitants. The island of Pemba was once the world’s leading producer of cloves; today it offers great beaches and a handful of luxury resorts.
Off the Beaten Path
Great Rift Valley The Great Rift Valley is called the Cradle of Mankind, home to some of the world’s oldest fossils. At the Olduvai Gorge Museum, founded by pioneering archaeologist Mary Leakey, you can learn about excavations done there and the history that was uncovered, including artifacts that date back to almost two million years.
